Free fits found at Hokohoko pop-up

Students filed in early and eager on Wednesday morning to the annual AUT Pou Māori Hokohoko event to get their hands on donated clothes – completely free of cost.

The Pou Māori Space on the university’s city campus was stocked with clothing of all types, sizes and styles, including jeans, coats, dresses, hoodies, belts and shoes.

AUT Pou Māori Pouwhatu Te Amokura Hepi says that all current students are welcome to the event, which is running for its fourth consecutive year.

“[The purpose is] to support sustainability within our community and to give our tauira cool clothes that are free,” she says.

“The best part is seeing everyone’s smiles when they come out, and they’re like ‘oh my gosh, look what I got’.”

A call is put out a few weeks before the event to request clothing donations. Although the organisers hope that people who attend the event were donators of clothes, Hepi says “that doesn’t always happen”.

Students are instructed to bring a reusable bag and be considerate by choosing items slowly and fairly.

A tumuaki of Tītahi ki Tua, Te Ahikaa Te Rangi-Trotman, went along to “support the kaupapa and get some new cool clothes”.

“Fashion is a big thing, especially in our generation. It’s satisfying being able to share each other's fashion choices...and grab kākahu for free; it’s definitely an added bonus.”

Hepi says that it is always surprising how people give away “really expensive kākahu”.

Dickies pants, Nike shoes, Kathmandu jackets and Levi Jeans were among the attire on offer, which flew off the racks as soon as the pop-up shop opened its doors.

“People love Hokohoko. It’s definitely my favourite event of the year,” Hepi says.

The AUT Pou Māori service aims to support ākonga Māori towards cultural and academic success.

“AUT Māori always puts on things like this, such as free kai on Wednesday. So, it’s always good for Tauira to come along and not feel ashamed if you’re doing it hard financially,” Te Rangi-Trotman says.