Team's Olympic uniforms really will be made in NZ this time

The New Zealand team at the Beijing Olympic Games will be kitted out in some gear made in New Zealand.

And this time the Made in New Zealand label will mean made in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) and clothing consortium DesignTex said they have formed a partnership to produce uniforms for the opening ceremony as well as non-competition wear.

DesignTex itself is a partnership of textile and clothing businesses in the lower North Island which has received funding from economic development agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. It is launching a brand called Kapinua.

"Our athletes are always proud to wear the silver fern at any Olympic Games and next year in Beijing 2008 they will be especially proud to be wearing it on locally made clothing," said NZOC secretary-general Barry Maister.

The announcement comes after the manufacture of uniforms for the 2006 Commonwealth Games landed provider Sports Resources in court for breaching the Fair Trading Act.

The company admitted making the uniforms in China and then trying to cut off labels and stitch on Made in New Zealand labels.

- NZPA