Driven by consumer awareness and regulatory pressure, demand for sustainable and eco-certified activewear is growing fast in New Zealand. By 2025, some leading sportswear manufacturers will stand out for their environmental credentials, responsible sourcing and sustainable fashion innovations.
Here are 10 of New Zealand’s leading eco-certified activewear suppliers, along with their key eco-certifications, materials, sustainability initiatives and product lines to look out for.
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Lete Active
Lete Active is a real leader in New Zealand’s eco-friendly activewear market for 2025. Their brand is built on sustainable materials and new ideas. This shows me they are truly serious about protecting the environment.
Lete Active sustainable features
Lete Active mainly uses certified organic bamboo. I like this because it cuts down on plastic use. It also saves energy and water compared to typical synthetic fabrics. About 90% of their activewear for both men and women is made from Tanboocel. This bamboo fiber is breathable, strong, and even offers UV protection.
They also use a unique bio-based stretch material called Susterra®. This material replaces the usual spandex, which comes from petroleum. Using it helps lower emissions during production. They also use recycled elastane, reducing the need for new plastics. For color, they use plant-based dyes, which I find is a much safer, greener process.
Lete Active plans to have a 100% polyester-free line within five years. This sets a powerful example for the entire industry.
Certifications and Testing
Lete Active holds several key certifications, which I always look for. These include OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for safety, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
They also are PETA Approved Vegan. This confirms that no animal products are used and no animal testing is done, something I strongly support. Outside groups like SGS and BSCI also perform regular checks. This ensures they stick to high ethical and safety standards.
Brand Ethos and Mission
Lete Active started with a clear purpose. They offer a conscious alternative to most activewear, which is made from synthetic fibers. I believe their style is inspired by New Zealand’s beautiful coastline. They combine fashion, high performance, and a deep commitment to the planet.
Lete Active is setting a high standard for sustainable activewear. They represent a great blend of eco-friendly practices and excellent performance for 2025.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu started in New Zealand in 1987. A key reason they stand out is their B Corp certification. I appreciate their focus on being good to the planet and people.
Kathmandu Sustainability Initiatives
In 2022, Kathmandu created the world’s first biodegradable down jacket. This was a huge step for sustainable outdoor clothing. They also started the Kathman-REDU program in Australia and New Zealand. This program cleans, repairs, and fixes products that can’t be sold. They are serious about creating a circular business. Their B Corp scores keep getting better, which proves their dedication.
In 2024, Kathmandu released new activewear using carbon recycled yarn. I think this material is fascinating. It’s made with LanzaTech and turns steel mill carbon emissions into fabric. You can find it in their fleece jackets, tees, and joggers. They use another cool fabric called Q-CYCLE by Fulgar. This material comes from old plastic and car tires and is used in their rain jackets and leggings. Based on my experience, it’s great that this new tech doesn’t hurt product performance at all.
Certifications and Commitments
If you’re looking for examples, I suggest checking out their Seeker range. These products use recycled materials. Their new outdoor active line has clothes made from carbon recycled yarn and Q-CYCLE fabric. This includes items like fleece jackets and joggers.
In 2019, Kathmandu earned its B Corporation certification. To get this, a company has to meet very high standards for its social and environmental work. I find their goals for 2025 impressive. They want all their wool to be Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified. They also use 100% sustainable cotton. All their down insulation meets the Responsible Down Standard too.
Transparency and Ethical Standards
To me, Kathmandu is a real pioneer. They were one of the first outdoor brands in their region to get B Corp certified. They are leading the way with biodegradable clothing and carbon recycling. This makes them a top sustainable activewear brand in New Zealand for 2025.
Kathmandu is open and honest. They report on human rights and modern slavery. You can read about it in their 2023 KMD Brands Modern Slavery Statement. This shows me they are always trying to improve and meet their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
Maggie Marilyn
Maggie Marilyn is a leading fashion brand from Auckland, New Zealand, that focuses on being kind to the earth.When they earned their B Corp certification in 2022. They scored a 109, which shows they are truly dedicated to making a positive social and environmental difference.
Sustainable Features
Their commitment to materials very important. By 2025, all new fabrics they use will be either OEKO-TEX® or Bluesign certified. This is great because it means the materials are tested and free from harmful chemicals.
The brand offers two main clothing lines, which makes shopping simple:
- Somewhere: This line for its everyday essential pieces. They are designed to be recycled, and you can trace their origins. The materials include organic cotton, Good Earth Cotton, linen, merino, and regenerated nylon.
- Forever: This line has more classic, timeless items. They use traceable fibers that are either organic or made from repurposed materials. These garments are made in small batches, which helps prevent waste.
Transparency and Community Engagement
What I admire most about Maggie Marilyn is their openness. They focus on making fashion renewable and giving back to the planet. They clearly care about the health of both people and the environment. Because you can trace where materials come from and they only produce small runs, they cut down on waste and avoid making too many clothes.
Key Initiatives and Impact
Maggie Marilyn use of Good Earth Cotton is a great example of their mission. This cotton is grown with methods that improve soil health and help reduce carbon in the atmosphere.They also build a strong community. They educate people on how to support a fashion industry that is conscious of the climate.
Maggie Marilyn is a business that offers solutions. They are focused on creating a lasting positive change in the fashion industry and for the environment. They have set a new standard for other certified eco-friendly activewear brands in New Zealand.
Kowtow
Kowtow started in 2006 in Wellington, New Zealand. They focus on thoughtful design and slow fashion. They are also very open about how they run their business. Their clothing is entirely plastic-free that they make everything from Fairtrade organic cotton. This dedication allows you to trace each item from the initial seed to the final piece of clothing.
Kowtow sustainable features
Kowtow stands out for crafting all clothing from non-genetically modified, organic cotton free of harmful chemicals, and their production process—spanning 18 months—enables thorough traceability from design to delivery. Notably, their cotton holds Fairtrade certification, directly supporting farmers by providing extra funds to invest in their communities.
The brand also utilizes ZQ Merino certified New Zealand wool, ensuring both sheep welfare and environmental protection, alongside fabrics like Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified recycled nylon and ECONYL®—nylon regenerated from waste materials. Additionally, their GOTS approved fabrics guarantee sustainable water usage and treatment, making Kowtow a comprehensive exemplar of ethical and eco-conscious fashion.
Product Range and Innovation
“Clothing that feels as good as it looks — effortless, ethical, and elevated”.Kowtow’s collections offer a wide variety of styles. You can find things like structured organic cotton shirts and relaxed knitwear. They also design tailored outerwear and dresses perfect for daily wear. I am personally excited about their new gender-neutral collections. They put a special focus on their 100% Fairtrade organic cotton denim. This shows their commitment to creative design and a great fit.
Circularity Commitments
Kowtow’s goals for the future very inspiring. They plan to become a climate-positive business by the end of 2024. They have promised to send zero materials to landfills from their sites by the end of 2023. By the end of 2024, I suggest you’ll be able to see a clear end-of-life plan for every piece of clothing. I believe their work to build a circular economy is crucial. They are fighting against the old “take-make-waste” system.
Kowtow perfectly mixes great looks with strong values. Their dedication to social good and protecting the environment encourages a better future for fashion.
Cotopaxi
They launched through Sport Factory Pacific Limited. Cotopaxi mix sustainable practices with smart design. From my perspective, they are making a real difference in the outdoor industry.
Sustainability Commitment
Cotopaxi offers durable backpacks, helpful packing cubes, and sustainable clothing. They focus on being eco-friendly without compromising on performance. Each product shows their commitment to quality and the planet.
By 2025, every Cotopaxi item will be made from repurposed, recycled, or ethically sourced materials. They also plan to remove all added PFAS chemicals from their new products. This shows a genuine dedication to a safer environment.
Certifications and Philanthropy
They use Fair Trade Certified™ factories for their organic cotton t-shirts. This ensures their production meets high social and environmental standards. They also donate 1% of their annual revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation. Customer contributions go there too. This helps empower communities and create positive change.
Community Engagement
Their “Do Good” motto really connects with me. Every purchase you make helps fund their charity work. I suggest following their Instagram account, @cotopaxi_nz. They engage with their customers and share their spirit of adventure. I like how this encourages a lifestyle that values both exploring and sustainability.
Mintimonks
Mintimonks, also known as Mint Activewear, is an eco-conscious fashion brand from New Zealand.They strike a great balance between high quality and fair prices. All of their activewear is made right here in Aotearoa. They make it easy to buy sustainable gear with free shipping on orders over $150 and offer Afterpay for payments.
Mintimonks primary product
The brand offers a good variety of activewear. It’s perfect for people who work out regularly or just want comfortable clothes. Every piece is made with comfort and quality in mind, suiting activities from yoga to running. They also release limited edition items, like the Tidal hoodies. These drops create a sense of excitement and bring the community together.
Their popular Tidal Hoodies. What I really like is that Kate, the founder, directly connects with her followers. She shares the brand’s story and what happens behind the scenes. This builds a strong community and creates real trust with customers.
Eco-certification & Sustainability
Mintimonks makes its products in New Zealand. This method lowers shipping pollution and supports ethical work practices. They don’t list specific eco-certifications like GOTS or B Corp. Still, their actions show a clear focus on being an ethical and eco-aware brand in NZ. Their dedication to the customer is clear, offering simple returns and exchanges. The founder’s direct involvement is a great touch.
Community & Values
Mintimonks’ main goal is to make sustainable activewear available to more people. They offer quality clothing at reasonable prices, which helps more people choose eco-friendly options. Their philosophy is simple: you shouldn’t have to pay a fortune for quality clothing.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker is a leading brand for eco-friendly activewear. The company started in 1995 in Auckland, New Zealand. They make excellent clothing from merino wool. Their strong focus on sustainability appeals to people who shop with the environment in mind.
Icebreaker Sustainability Philosophy
What makes Icebreaker truly special is its unwavering commitment to sustainability, rooted in three core principles: prioritizing natural fibers that deliver both comfort and high performance without environmental compromise; upholding rigorous animal welfare standards, particularly in the ethical sourcing of merino wool; and maintaining open supply chains that offer full transparency through a “from sheep to shirt” model, allowing customers to trace the journey of their clothing.
The brand’s diverse product range—including merino base layers, underwear, mid layers, outerwear, and socks/accessories—caters perfectly to outdoor enthusiasts and active individuals, exemplifying the exceptional quality and functionality of natural fibers in every piece.
Certifications and Initiatives
Icebreaker demonstrates unwavering dedication to sustainability through initiatives like regenerative farming, where they collaborate with merino sheep farms to enhance soil health and biodiversity; reducing plastic reliance by replacing synthetic materials with certified natural alternatives, thereby minimizing environmental impact; and publishing annual transparency reports that detail material sourcing and production processes, underscoring their commitment to accountability.
Available in over 4,700 stores across 50 countries, the brand—acquired by VF Corporation in 2018—has since expanded significantly, leveraging increased resources to further its sustainability objectives and solidify its role as an industry leader in ethical fashion.
Recent Developments
In 2025, Icebreaker brought out new collections with very little plastic. This strengthens their “Move to Natural™” campaign. Their Natural Activewear Range uses modern merino blends. It has received great feedback for its comfort and performance.
Icebreaker isn’t just a clothing company. They represent a true dedication to the environment and ethical work. Their forward-thinking style sets a high standard for other eco-friendly activewear companies heading into 2025.
Nisa
Let me tell you about a New Zealand brand I admire, Nisa. Elisha Watson started it in Wellington back in 2017. What I find special is how Nisa brought together two big ideas: helping people and protecting the planet. This approach made a real difference in their community.
Sustainability Performance
Nisa offers a great size range, from XS to 4XL. They make underwear, swimwear, activewear, and loungewear for all genders. Every piece is sewn by hand in Wellington. This means you know where your clothes come from and that they are made with care.
Their activewear and swimwear collections are made from recycled fabrics. They use materials like old plastic bottles, discarded clothes, ghost fishing nets, and textile waste. Their underwear lines are made from organic cotton that is sourced and made in Australasia. They also use low-waste and zero-waste patterns. I also like that they hosted workshops to teach people in the community how to sew their own clothes.
Their main goal is something I really support. They created jobs for women from refugee and migrant backgrounds in New Zealand. Since starting, they have given jobs to more than 30 women, which has helped their families a lot. I’ve heard that many of their kids have gone on to university, and some employees have even bought their own homes in Wellington. Their name, Nisa, is the Arabic word for “women.” I think this choice shows their deep commitment to helping these groups.
Notable Achievements
- Employed over 30 women from refugee and migrant backgrounds since 2017.
- Made garments from organic cotton and upcycled materials using low-impact, zero-waste techniques.
- Expanded sales into Australia, growing their presence in the region.
- Supported employee education and home ownership for staff.
- Held community workshops that helped people develop new skills.
After eight successful years, Nisa announced in April 2025 that it would be closing. The founder, Elisha Watson, asks the community to reflect on and celebrate their incredible work in social impact and sustainable manufacturing. From my perspective, Nisa’s legacy shows that caring for the environment and supporting the community can go together. They set a high standard for activewear.
Untouched World
Untouched World is a frontrunner in sustainable activewear. It’s impressive that they are the first fashion company the United Nations has recognized for its commitment to sustainability. The brand mixes social, cultural, and environmental values in all its work. Their goal is simple: create good results for people and the planet.
Untouched World Product
- Zayn Cold-Weather Garment is made from 100% mindfully sourced wool. It’s designed for top comfort and protection.
- Project U: This is a line of fair trade organic cotton clothing. The sales help women artisans in India.
- Mountainsilk Collection: Their high-performance merino basics have ZQRX certification and are made for an active life.
Key Materials and Certifications
Eco Supply Chains
Untouched World carefully checks every step of production. This ensures their clothes have a smaller impact on the planet. I find their supply chain to be a great model for others. They focus on using recycled cotton buttons and organic labels. They also make a point to limit energy use, which helps cut down on waste for every item.
Their commitment to sourcing materials ethically and ensuring fair pay makes each collection feel special. About 72% of their recent line is made from materials they can track to the source. It proves to me that sustainability is a real and central part of their brand.
Untouched World is a leader in eco-certified production. They use certified natural fibers and are open about their production process. The brand also runs social impact programs. This approach makes them one of New Zealand’s top activewear makers for 2025.
Allbirds
Allbirds is a leader in making shoes that are good for the planet. Their focus on sustainability is what makes them a top choice for activewear in 2025.
Clear Supply Chains and Green Proof
Allbirds has tracked 100% of its main and secondary suppliers. Their goal is to track every supplier by 2025. I find it impressive that all of their main suppliers are checked for social and environmental standards. They started working closely with key secondary suppliers in 2022. This helps them build strong partnerships focused on new ideas and practices that have a low impact on the planet. They release a yearly list of the factories and partners who make their final products. This allows anyone to track where their items come from.
Clean Energy and Lower Emissions
By December 2025, Allbirds aims for 100% renewable energy in all their own buildings. Their shipping method: they plan to ship over 95% of products by sea. This cuts carbon emissions compared to shipping by air. They also set goals for customers. They suggest washing 100% of their clothes in cold water and hang-drying 50% of them. They work with manufacturing partners to get clean energy and improve efficiency. They also support new global policies that promote sustainability.
Smarter Farming for Raw Materials
Their plan for wool is fantastic. They plan to get 100% of their wool from regenerative farms by December 2025. This type of farming helps improve the soil. The goal is to cut or capture all farm emissions from their wool suppliers. A great example I’ve seen is Lake Hawea Station in New Zealand. This supplier uses these smart farming methods. To prove it, an independent group called Toitū Envirocare checked and confirmed their carbon data.
A Look at Eco-Certified Gear in New Zealand
Sustainable Materials Go Mainstream
Eco-friendly activewear is not a small trend anymore; it’s the main focus. Top activewear makers in New Zealand are moving to sustainable materials. The time of wasteful synthetics is ending. A new wave of plant-based and upcycled fabrics that feel great to wear is taking its place. I’ve noticed brands are not just changing materials. They are also rethinking performance. They make sure these green fabrics are strong enough for any activity.
- Organic cotton
- Hemp
- Tencel
- Recycled polyester
- New biodegradable fibers
Sustainability and Functional Innovation
Functionality and Inclusiveness
Summary
New Zealand’s eco-certified activewear scene is growing smarter and faster. Sustainability is now a core part of the product. Athleisure is stylish and available for all body types. Tech is making clothing more comfortable and useful. And ethics—like vegan, local, and transparent—are guiding the market.This is the new standard for activewear in 2025.
These manufacturers are setting the standard for sustainable activewear in New Zealand, blending performance with genuine environmental and social responsibility.If you are finding the reliable custom activewear manufacturers or sustainable Sportswear suppliers, you can contact us at Berunwear or [email protected]
