Neckties made global news last week when Maori MP, Rawiri Waititi, was ejected from the debating chamber of New Zealand Parliament. He refused to wear a tie, evocatively describing it as a “colonial noose”.
In the intense debate that followed, ideas around acceptable business attire long based on Western dress codes were questioned against the expression of Indigenous cultural identity. Ties are now no longer required as part of men’s “appropriate business attire” in the NZ Parliament. Maori MP Rawiri Waititi said his hei-tiki carried the formality of a necktie and a cultural connection. AAP Image/Ben McKay
In Australia, Members of Parliament were allowed to ditch the necktie in 1977 when safari suits were officially considered business attire. Since then, however, Parliament House dress standards have informally shifted, with our male politicians uniformly donning ties in the chamber.
David Jones delivers tough news to New Zealand 4 February 2021
The Wellington site will shut its doors in June 2022.
David Jones will continue to trade its Auckland and Newmarket locations, as well as launch a New Zealand eCommerce site in the same year.
David Jones’ parent company Woolworths Holdings plans to close up to 10 stores in New Zealand and Australia over two years.
Last year, David Jones opened its 7000sqm Auckland outlet despite closures in Australia.
“As the retail sector continues to transform, including the accelerated shift to online, the optimisation of our retail network – through investment in our digital and physical channels, a focus on right-sizing where necessary, consolidation of our physical footprint – is critical to meeting the changing needs of our customers,” a spokesperson said.
David Jones appoints omnichannel director to unite in-store and digital
Australian department store promotes GM of online to leadership ranks with remit to better connect physical and digital experiences Kate Bergin
David Jones has appointed a new director of omnichannel to its leadership ranks as it works to bring bricks-and-mortar and digital experiences closer together.
The department store giant has promoted Kate Bergin from general manager of online to omnichannel director following the departure of its long-serving retail director, Aaron Faraguna. Bergin has spent the last three years in the online post and was previously David Jones’ head of strategy and the office of the CEO.