When Awatapu College’s Fashion Design teacher, Chantelle De Lang, reached out to Arohanui Hospice with an idea for a student project that combined creativity, community, and giving back, the answer was a resounding yes.
Chantelle was looking for a way to weave the school’s curriculum objective of Manaakitanga – the power of human kindness into her Year 11 fashion design programme. The result was a thoughtful and inspiring collaboration between Awatapu College and the Arohanui Hospice Retail Stores team.
Grace Bartosh, Arohanui Hospice’s Retail Financial Administrator, initiated the conversation with Palmerston North Shop Manager Erin Marsden, who immediately saw the value in the idea.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to connect with new audiences and this project was a great fit,” says Erin. “It’s lovely to see us working together to give items a second life. It really supports our sustainability goals.”
Year 11 students were tasked with transforming second-hand pants into stylish, functional bags — with many opting for denim and cleverly incorporating the original pockets into their final designs.
“It was a learning curve for some,” shares Chantelle De Lang. “But working with Arohanui Hospice really got our creativity going. We had students who were completely new to sewing and others with more experience. They tackled everything from inserting zips to designing adjustable straps. Each bag took around 10 hours to create, with lots of testing along the way.”
The project was not only a great practical learning opportunity for students — it was also a beautiful representation of shared values. Manaakitanga is at the heart of Arohanui Hospice’s work, making the partnership a meaningful alignment.
Grace Bartosh says, “We’re absolutely thrilled with the outcome. The students are so talented, and it’s inspiring to see what they’ve created using second-hand materials. We hope they continue to explore sustainable fashion, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.”
And there’s more to come.
Chantelle already has future projects underway, including a show-stopping initiative for Term 4. Year 12 and 13 students will be designing and constructing a series of denim skirts made entirely from repurposed jean pockets — five unique skirts ranging in size from 8 to 16, which will be auctioned off to raise funds for Arohanui Hospice.
Meanwhile, the remaining denim offcuts won’t go to waste. Year 9 and 10 students will use them to create handmade cross-body bags, ensuring every scrap of fabric has a purpose.
Michelle Connor, Director of the Arohanui Hospice Foundation, says,
“This collaboration embodies everything we stand for — kindness, creativity, and community. It's heartening to see young people embracing sustainability and making a meaningful contribution. We’re so grateful to Chantelle and the students at Awatapu College and are excited to see this partnership grow.”
