About Āhua Shapewear

Meet the wāhine behind Āhua

Kia ora, I'm Rickie-Lee, the founder of Āhua.

Āhua wasn't created in a boardroom. It was built around my kitchen table, between mahi, motherhood, late nights and a dream of creating something that genuinely made wāhine feel seen, supported and confident.

Like so many women, I've experienced a body that has changed through different seasons of life. I know what it's like to search for clothing that supports you without making you feel like you need to change who you are.

That's why Āhua exists.

Not to hide your body.
Not to "fix" your body.
But to support it.

More than shapewear

Our name, Āhua, means form, appearance and shape.

To us, it means embracing the body you have today.

Whether you're a mum, working long days, returning to exercise, celebrating your curves or simply wanting to feel more confident in your favourite outfit—you deserve to feel comfortable in your own skin.

Every piece we choose is designed to help wāhine feel supported, comfortable and confident every day.

Proudly Māori. Proudly Aotearoa.

Āhua is a proudly Māori-owned business built on the values of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga and Māia.

Everything we do is guided by care, connection and purpose.

Our goal has never been to become the biggest brand.

Our goal is to become a brand wāhine genuinely trust.

Inspired by my whānau

My son, Wiremu, has shaped more of Āhua than he probably realises.

Watching him dream big reminds me every day that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and are willing to work for it.

That belief has inspired not only our shapewear collection, but also our growing Performance range and our Community Champions initiative—supporting rangatahi, clubs and whānau to chase their own dreams.

Because confidence isn't just something you wear.

It's something you pass on.

Our Promise

Every product is thoughtfully selected, tested and chosen with comfort, confidence and everyday movement in mind.

We don't believe in impossible beauty standards.

We believe in:

• Real bodies.
• Real stories.
• Real wāhine.

Because your body isn't something that needs fixing—it's something worth celebrating.

Our Values

❤️ Manaakitanga
Caring for every customer with kindness, aroha and respect.

🤝 Whanaungatanga
Building genuine relationships and a community where every wāhine feels welcome.

✨ Māia
Encouraging confidence to show up exactly as you are.

Nau mai, haere mai ki Āhua.

Thank you for being here.

Whether you've been with us from the beginning or you've only just discovered Āhua, we're incredibly grateful you've chosen to be part of this journey.

Your shape is beautiful.
Your story matters.
And we're honoured to walk alongside you.

♡ Rickie-Lee
Founder, Āhua