If you’re looking for Māori clothing that blends cultural meaning with style and functionality, Blitz Surf Shop has you covered. We’re proud to stock a full range of unique apparel and accessories from Wai-Tai Aotearoa — a brand rooted in Aotearoa, bringing Māori designs and stories to life through quality garments.
Our collection includes everything from Māori t-shirts, Māori hoodies, Māori crews, Māori beanies, bucket hats, caps, swimming bags, and soon-to-arrive Māori boardshorts and Māori hooded towels. Each piece is carefully designed with authenticity and respect for te ao Māori (the Māori world), making these products perfect to wear both here at home and on your travels.
Here’s a closer look at what we stock and the beautiful meanings behind some of the designs:
Māori T-Shirts & Tanks
Kaitiaki Tee & Tank
Kaitiaki means guardian, caretaker or protector — often of the environment, resources or taonga (treasures). In this instance the shark is historically viewed as a Kaitiaki here on the East Coast of Aotearoa.
Our Kaitiaki tees and tanks proudly display this kaupapa, making them a powerful statement piece for anyone who values kaitiakitanga. A great tshirt in Maori
Taniwha Tee
A Taniwha is a mythical creature or guardian being in Māori tradition, often associated with waterways, oceans or caves. It can protect or challenge those it encounters.
Our Taniwha tees feature bold graphic representations that honour these powerful beings. See also our Taniwha crew and soon to be released our Taniwha Maori boardshorts
Mura Tee
Mura can be translated as flame or glow, representing energy, life force and movement.
The Mura tee is a great choice for those who like their style with a little fire! Big, bright, loud and proud! This is who we are, unapologetically people of the Moana! Seen from afar our patterns tie us to our environment and our ancestors.
Ika Tee & Tank
Ika simply means fish, an important symbol of abundance and connection to the ocean — a core part of surf culture.
Our Ika tees and tanks honour this relationship between Māori identity and the sea.
Taku pātaka kai, taku mahinga ika. Ka whiua te matau , kaingia te mōunu, ka iri te aho, hūtia ake ki runga, ko te ika nā Rua i patu, ko te ika mōmona o te tau
The abundance of kai, the bounty of our fishing grounds. Hitting the beach with our rods, ready to pull in the biggest fish of the year.
Tipua Tee & Tank
Tipua refers to a supernatural being or spirit — often associated with transformation or the mysterious. In this instance the tohu is a graphic representation of Tangaroa )Atua of the seas, oceans and all life within them
Our Tipua tees and tanks incorporate striking designs that connect the wearer to this deeper realm of Māori tradition.
Tērā ia he tipua kei te pō, tōia mai ki te ao. I titia tō upoko ki te rau o te toroa, ki te huia tūrae. He tipua koe nā o tīpuna i tohi hei tipua, hei tangata.
We were born with divine intention, unknown at times, waiting to be revealed. You were born of noble pedigree, likened to the rare feathers of the toroa and huia. Qualities bequeathed by your ancestors. You are unique in the world, you are you.
Tohu Tee and Tank
Tohu means symbol, sign or mark. It often represents important meaning or guidance. The Wai-Tai Tohu incorporates symbolism of the Moana.
Our Tohu tees and tanks carry meaningful designs and are a great everyday statement piece.
Māori Hoodies & Crews
Kaitiaki Hoodie
Carry the kaupapa of guardianship close with a cosy, street-ready Kaitiaki hoodie. 350gsm heavyweight
Taniwha Hoodie
Channel the spirit of protection and strength with our Taniwha hoodie — bold design, great for cooler weather. Heavyweight 350gsm
Mura Crew
The Mura crew brings the energy of the flame into a clean, everyday crew style with Moana symbolism — warm, versatile and meaningful.
Kids' Māori Clothing
Mangopare Kids’ Tees
Mangopare refers to the hammerhead shark, a traditional symbol of strength, determination and resilience.
Our Mangopare kids’ tees are perfect for tamariki (children) who embody courage and energy.
Accessories: Caps, Beanies, Bucket Hats & Swimming Bags
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We also stock a full range of Māori beanies, bucket hats, caps, and swimming bags — all featuring Wai-Tai Aotearoa's signature designs.
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These make excellent gifts and are perfect for completing your look with subtle but meaningful style.
Māori Stickers
We stock a popular range of Māori stickers featuring:
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Tipua - Featuring a depiction of the Atua Tangaroa
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Tohu - Featuring a Wai-Tai Aotearoa logo. Kia niwha te tapuwae (leave a mark)
These stickers let you personalise your surfboard, laptop, car or gear with symbols that carry real meaning and connection.
Coming Soon: Māori Boardshorts
****Update 21/06/2025, our Wai-Tai Aotearoa Maori boardshorts are now online available for pre-order! (we are expecting them to land in about 3 weeks, shipping has ben slightly affected by the current conflict in the Middle east)
We’re excited to announce that we have new Māori boardshorts arriving soon — unique to Aotearoa and instantly recognisable wherever your surf travels take you:
Taniwha Boardshort
Featuring the guardian energy of the Taniwha, these premium 4-way stretch performance boardshorts are built for serious surf and summer adventures. Uniquely and proudly from Aotearoa, you will be identitfied all aorund the world.
Piu Boardshort
Piu-piu refers to the traditional Māori flax skirt, known for its rhythmic movement and flow.
Our Piu boardshorts honour this iconic garment while providing high-performance surf functionality. In a blue fade sublimated design. You will not see anything like these Maori boardshorts anywhere else
Both styles will be available soon (by July 2025) — keep an eye on our online store and follow Wai-Tai on Instagram and be the first to grab these standout designs.
Coming Soon: Māori Hooded Towels
We’re also expecting a shipment of stunning new heavyweight 350gsm 100% cotton velour Māori hooded towels due in August or September 2025.
These premium towels will feature:
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An embroidered Wai-Tai tohu on the front
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A large Kaitiaki shark logo embroidered on the back
Perfect for post-surf warmth or beach days, these Māori hooded towels will be a must-have for anyone wanting both performance and cultural style.
Why Wear Wai-Tai Māori Clothing?
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Support an authentic Aotearoa brand with deep respect for Māori design and stories.
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Wear symbols of meaning and strength — not just fashion for fashion’s sake.
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Represent your connection to Aotearoa when you travel.
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Shop locally and support a New Zealand surf shop bringing this unique clothing to our community.
Shop Māori Clothing Online in NZ
You can browse the full Wai-Tai Aotearoa Māori clothing range right here at Blitz Surf Shop:
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Māori t-shirts
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Māori hoodies
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Māori crews
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Māori beanies
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Māori bucket hats
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Māori caps
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Māori swimming bags
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Māori stickers
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Coming soon: Māori boardshorts + Māori hooded towels
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for an authentic gift with meaning, our collection of Māori clothing has something for everyone.
Shop online now or visit us in-store at Blitz Surf Shop, Gisborne.
Stay connected — and stay proud — with Wai-Tai Aotearoa.
