Whanau Philosophy

About

Whanau Philosophy offers Earthwear from the Himalayan foothills of Nepal.
Inspired by Mother Nature, designed by us and made from NZ and Nepali wool.

Story

KIA ORA, NAMASTE


We are Dan and Em, a brother sister combo from Te Tai Tokerau Aotearoa. Our business is all about whanau - run by the family, for the family. Our Nepalese friends are also considered family and Whanau Philosophy is designed to benefit our brothers and sisters in Nepal by supporting their own business endeavours and by sharing our profits through the charity 'Active Hearts Himalaya'. (See below) We offer quality Nepalese garments - sourced through friendship, purchased in fairness and worn with pride.

We are Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua from Hokianga and Kaipara regions of New Zealand, as well as of Scottish and Irish descent. Home is where we grew up and where Emma is now based, Waiuku. Our journeys, once we left the nest, both began as exchange students in Central America; Dan spending a year in Costa Rica and Emma a year in Guatemala. When living with the local families and being fully immersed in their culture and language, we developed an appreciation of diversity and an empathy for all peoples. We have both spent most of the past ten years working and travelling the world which has also strengthened our passion for our own culture. Emma has been working in trade and development supporting the international growth of NZ and Maori companies. This has taken her through North America, South America, Australia and Asia. She is now embracing the amazing new adventure of motherhood. Dan has guided hundreds of guests as a hiking guide in New Zealand's mountains, in some of Australia's most remote areas and in the Nepalese Himalayas. The highlight of his guiding career continues to be working and living with the local guides and their families.

We have been working closely with our Nepali whanau since Dan helped set up a NZ trekking company in Nepal in 2011. Over time the Nepali trekking guides and porters have become very close friends and the company is growing from strength to strength. We believe a huge part of the rewards that the trekking guests take home with them are the lessons learned from the gentle, humble Nepalese approach to life. The big hearted whanau energy that the tours create, along with a deep appreciation for Mother Earth, has influenced our Whanau Philosophy values. Our partnership with our Nepali brothers and sisters stems from our desire to create opportunities for them and ultimately open doors that were not an option in the past. Made in Biratnagar (about 300km SE of Kathmandu) and in Kathmandu valley itself our ponchos and slippers are made by both hand and machine. New Zealand wool, Nepali mountain yak and sheep wool and Indian cow leather are the ingredients for our earthwear garments.

He waka eke noa. We are all in the same waka.


'ACTIVE HEARTS HIMALAYA' was founded by Dan after leading many trekking expeditions through the Himalaya.

Like the Facebook page 'Active Hearts Himalaya' and follow Active Heart's progress in Nepal.

www.facebook.com/activeheartshimalaya

10% of all Whanau Philosophy's profits goes directly to Active Hearts Himalaya and the work the team is doing in Nepal.

If you would like to donate directly head to the Active Hearts Himalaya website

www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/activeheartshimalaya