Photo: Tipoki Photography
Tāmati Rakena was on track for a career in the Moerewa meatworks, but ended up with a Masters degree and founding a bush clothing business.
He left school with no particular direction and AFFCO was beckoning.
Many of his Kaikohe based family have been employed there and for a time he worked as a meat processor.
His direction changed when he met his partner who inspired him to enrol in University to train as a teacher.
In 2019, Tāmati was awarded a University of Auckland Kupe Leadership Scholarship.
With a Master of Education under his belt, he's now changed direction again - founding the My Taiao Clothing brand along with his partner Huri Kāmira.
Tāmati Rakena runs the business from Kaihohe - and spoke to Kathryn Ryan about his start-up business and the journey to get there.
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