In a significant report unveiled today by Oxfam Aotearoa, it has come to light that several popular clothing brands in New Zealand are falling short in providing crucial information about the origins of their garments. This lack of transparency stands in sharp contrast to the practices embraced by brands in Australia and Europe, where disclosing supply chain details has become increasingly common.

The report, a part of the 'What She Makes' campaign, evaluates the transparency of six prominent fashion brands in New Zealand based on publicly available data. New Zealand-founded brands Kathmandu and Macpac, alongside multinational giants H&M and Lululemon, all received a perfect five-star rating, demonstrating their commitment to transparency.

However, well-known brands Glassons and Hallenstein Bros received a disappointing two-star rating, as they failed to meet the basic criteria outlined by Oxfam. These brands fell short in providing essential information, contributing to their lower rating.

With consumers increasingly demanding openness about the origins of their clothing, supply chain transparency plays a crucial role in ensuring ethical practices, fair treatment, and livable wages for the women involved in manufacturing the clothes. Although a brand's lack of transparency does not necessarily indicate poor working conditions, it does make it difficult for stakeholders to obtain such information.

This transparency milestone represents the second phase of the What She Makes campaign, where Oxfam Aotearoa collaborates with brands to ensure that women engaged in clothing production, particularly in countries like Bangladesh and China, receive a fair and livable wage.