Kākahu Manaaki – He Kaupapa nō te Aroha me te Manaakitanga
Kākahu Manaaki was born from lived experience and a deep commitment to manaakitanga.
The kaupapa grew from Hope Mobile Showers, founded by my partner Iven and me to support rough-sleeping whānau through free mobile shower and laundry services operating from repurposed horse floats.
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Where it Began - As a child, I remember having to create my own safe space — somewhere I could feel protected, warm and able to rest. That experience stayed with me and shaped my understanding of how important it is for people to have a place where they can feel safe, clean, comfortable and cared for.
That belief became part of the reason I created Hope. Everyone deserves access to a safe, clean environment to wash. A warm shower and clean clothing can restore dignity, create a moment of calm and remind someone that they matter.
Through Hope, we have seen the realities faced by people sleeping rough and living in cars, particularly through the harsh winter months. No one should have to face the night without warmth, safety or somewhere to rest.
From Community to Clothing
I also remember walking to school with my sister on a bitter winter morning. Her ears were freezing and tears rolled down her face. That memory has stayed with me and reinforced how deeply warmth and protection matter.
Through our community work, I saw a need for practical clothing that could provide more than warmth. I wanted to create something that could offer warmth, protection, comfort and a place to rest.
That vision became the AMBRIANA 2-in-1 Outdoor Jacket — combining everyday outerwear with an integrated system for rest and warmth.
Designed for people who spend time outdoors, travel, camp, stay at a marae, support loved ones from the sidelines, or simply need extra warmth and comfort, AMBRIANA is designed around real-life needs.
The Meaning Behind Kākahu Manaaki
The name Kākahu Manaaki was gifted to me by my māmā of Tūhoe descent.
Kākahu speaks to clothing or garments, while manaaki reflects care, support, generosity and hospitality.
For me, the name represents clothing created to protect not only the body, but also a person's dignity and mana. My whakapapa, whānau and the legacy of my māmā and her tūpuna, leaders, rangatira, and ancestors of Tūhoe continue to guide this kaupapa.
The Story Behind AMBRIANA
The name AMBRIANA was inspired by my family ancestry and my Irish lineage on my father's side.
For me, the name represents connection — to family, to where we come from, and to the values carried forward through generations.
AMBRIANA is more than a name. It represents a new chapter built from the past, shaped by lived experience, and created with warmth, comfort, protection and care at its heart.
The AMBRIANA 2-in-1 Outdoor Jacket is our first product, with future apparel and outerwear to follow — all continuing the same values of practical design, innovation, warmth, comfort and care.
Kākahu Manaaki remains the foundation and kaupapa behind the business. AMBRIANA carries that vision forward.
Giving Back
Every purchase supports giving back.
Our Jacket Metre begins with the AMBRIANA 2-in-1 Outdoor Jacket. When the Jacket Metre reaches the cost of a jacket, one will be gifted to someone in need.
As AMBRIANA expands into future outerwear and apparel, the Give Back initiative will grow with us.
Because giving back is not simply something we do alongside the brand.
It is part of who we are.
Warmth with purpose.
Clothing with care.
