Feb 2021:

Mindful Fashion has developed a Framework for Sustainability Action to provide an overview of the spectrum of sustainability challenges that the industry faces. In line with our mission the framework is built on the pillars of Thriving People, Thriving Planet and Thriving Businesses.

The objective of the framework is to create a community of positive change in the New Zealand clothing and textiles industry, where members are supported to set ambition and further their own sustainability goals, in a way that works for their business.

The clothing and textiles industry currently has no unified, or globally recognised path or methodology to act on sustainability. Building on our shared vision of a sustainable and thriving industry, we have designed this framework to provide guidance to members to help them identify where and how to address their sustainability challenges. It has been developed in consultation with members, industry experts, and aligned to global initiatives.

This is the first stage in our program of work to support members to act on sustainability. Mindful Fashion will work with members to identify their priorities, set ambition, take action and monitor progress on their sustainability goals.

We are developing tools and resources in partnership with local and global subject matter experts and aligned organisations. They will be delivered through workshops and masterclasses on a rolling basis over the course of 2021, and be available for members on the Mindful Fashion website.

View the Framework in more detail here.

Feb 2021:

A full-circle clothing and textile industry is part of our mission statement at Mindful Fashion. With this in mind we have established a working group of interested members from across the value chain to come up with a plan for how we can work together to bring this closer to reality.

Some of our challenges as an industry are:

• We are producing and consuming more than ever. Production has doubled in the last 15 years while use-rates have dropped by 40%. ¹
• While less than 1% of used clothing and textiles are recycled back into new clothing; in fact 85% ends up in landfill. ²
• The industry’s current “take, make, waste” approach does not manage resources for the long term; as a planet we use 1.7x the earth’s resources each year! ³
• In Aotearoa the majority of textile waste ends up in landfill - an estimated 220,000 tonnes/yr. Auckland Council estimates textiles are 9% of their landfills, and that at current growth rates this would rise to 14% by 2040. ⁴
• There is currently little to no local operational textile recycling in Aotearoa, or textile production.

The industry needs to move towards a circular system, where resources are used more and products are designed never to become waste. We need to start putting value ahead of volume.

To help solve some of these wicked challenges, our working group is currently exploring themes in two areas:

1. How can we be more circular now with existing models and systems
2. How we can create more circular models and systems for the future

We have identified two projects that have potential to help the industry move towards a more circular system. These are both in the scoping stage and more information, including how members can get involved, will follow soon. Let us know if you’re keen to be involved!

1. Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017. A New Textiles Economy.
2. Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017. A New Textiles Economy.
3. Global Footprint Network, 2020. Earth Overshoot Day.
4. The Formary, 2020. Looking in the Mirror; A review of circularity in the clothing and textiles industry in Aotearoa.

Feb 2021:

The New Zealand garment manufacturing industry is under threat, and now more than ever, we need to support our beloved local supply chain of makers who bring your favourite clothes to life.

New Zealand needs to invest in a sustainable future for the local fashion industry and the creation of manufacturing jobs. It is becoming more and more challenging to produce clothing in New Zealand with a declining number of New Zealanders who have technical expertise and skills in garment construction.

Mindful Fashion has been working with Industry Training Organisation (ITO) Competenz, a government agency, to develop a meaningful garment manufacturing apprenticeship programme to fulfil much needed industry skill shortages and create jobs within our clothing industry. We began this process in August 2020 thinking it would be a relatively simple undertaking. What novices! The wheels of bureaucracy work on a frustratingly slow rotation.

In October 2020 we surveyed members and the wider industry to determine the need and feasibility of an apprenticeship program. Our analysis of the results showed there is demand, especially in the area of machining. Of those surveyed more than 50% said they would be willing to take on an apprentice. Working with Competenz we have built out a business case which is making its way through the system.

The scoping document to develop a machining apprenticeship was submitted to the Senior Leadership team at Competenz in December 2020, and has been approved to the next stage of internal discovery, which includes updating the unit standards and creating supporting assessments - looking to be added to the 2021 Competenz work plan.

However, the current vocational education system is being redesigned through ROVE, the Reform of Vocational Education. Under ROVE, in 2021 new Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) are being developed along with one central Industry Training Organisation, Te Pukenga, which will replace Competenz. While we are assured this should not impact existing programs of work, this adds potentially further complications to our development timeline. In early march 2021, Jacinta, Kate and Trevor are due to meet with Fiona Kingsford, CEO of Competenz in an effort to make our case a greater priority.

More to come as this project progresses.

Our objective is to develop a capable and responsive workforce. To achieve this, we need to ensure our industry has pathways to employment for graduates entering the workforce, and on-the-job training pathways for those upskilling/developing new skills.

A strong workforce development pipeline will enable our industry to increase innovation and productivity, and build a resilient and thriving industry to meet the changing demands of society and consumers.

Two pathways have been identified to begin to develop a strong workforce. These are not exhaustive, but are avenues we are currently focussing on due to acute need.

1. Degree program graduates > Workplace internships / graduate placements
2. Vocational on-the-job training > Apprenticeships

Graduate Placements

Mindful Fashion has identified a need to work closely with New Zealand’s tertiary education providers to ensure their graduates are meeting the needs of industry, and to ensure recruitment pathways exist for students entering the workforce.

In September 2020, Mindful Fashion submitted a Needs Analysis to Competenz to support an application to the Covid-19 Response Fund to assist the sector in recovery from Covid-19 impacts. The application was for funding for the design and pilot of a Graduate Placement Programme. Competenz advised that this proposal would have a low chance of success for the Covid Relief Fund and therefore advised us to focus instead on developing an apprenticeship program through the standard channels.

Jan 2021:

We are currently developing a proposal for a pilot ​Graduate Placement Program to help bridge the gap between tertiary education and employment for students. The idea of the program is to connect graduates with potential employers and provide them with commercial experience in the form of a paid internship. We have raised this program with both TEC and Competenz with positive responses, yet the concept falls outside their brief.

To support this, in January Jacinta and Trevor took Mindful Fashion to the Beehive! We met with Jan Tinetti (Minister for Women and Associate Minister of Education) and a senior policy advisor to Chris Hipkins. We discussed industry challenges and opportunities, in particular around workforce development. We were advised by the Minister to build out the proposal for a pilot program, and submit it for funding to Government Agencies to be advised.

More to come as this project progresses.

October 2020:

Mindful Fashion NZ is a voluntary organisation. Members choose to join because they share a common aspiration for a sustainable future for the New Zealand Clothing and Textiles industry. To support this common agenda, we have created the Mindful Fashion NZ Code of Conduct.

The MFNZ Code of Conduct sets out baseline standards of responsible business practice for the industry. The standards cover business ethics, human and labour rights and environmental stewardship. All our members are expected to adopt the Code for their businesses (or an equivalent), and we will provide support around implementing this.

By adopting the same Code we set a shared understanding of ethical and sustainable practice among members and with wider society. This is a big step forward for us as an organisation - defining the shared commitment that sets Mindful Fashion NZ members apart!

The Code replaces the original Partnership Agreement, and for those who signed this the substance is essentially the same. The core difference is that each member business is responsible for implementing the Code in their own business. It is not an agreement between businesses, rather a shared set of standards. We made this change based on feedback from members, in line with our strategic direction.

Codes of Conduct are an important tool in the apparel industry and are expected by other businesses, NGOs and some consumers. While we do not see Mindful Fashion's role at this point as monitors of compliance with the Code, we know verification of the Code through the supply chain is important. We plan to engage with members in 2021, to understand the need that a verification process is addressing, so we can determine the best way to address this.

The Code and Charter can be accessed here.