Nisa's milestones
Follow along with some of our special moments over the years.
Nisa's story
Nisa was founded in 2017 to create employment opportunities to women from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Nisa means 'women' in Arabic, a celebration of the talented people behind our garments.
It started as a small workshop on Kent Terrace in Wellington, with a team of four making women's underwear.
It started as a small workshop on Kent Terrace in Wellington, with a team of four making women's underwear.
Nisa was founded by Elisha Watson, who quit her job as a lawyer to create a business that could provide employment opportunities. She was inspired to do this while volunteering at the Community Law Centre and Red Cross, where new arrivals to Aotearoa expressed difficulty in finding employment.
Up until July 2023, Nisa had provided employment to 29 women from refugee and migrant backgrounds, and expanded its offering to include men's briefs, swimwear, activewear, loungewear and socks.
In December 2022, Elisha put Nisa up for sale and in June, they announced they were closing.
Up until July 2023, Nisa had provided employment to 29 women from refugee and migrant backgrounds, and expanded its offering to include men's briefs, swimwear, activewear, loungewear and socks.
In December 2022, Elisha put Nisa up for sale and in June, they announced they were closing.
In the final 5 weeks of business, it became really clear that Nisa's loyal customers valued the products that Nisa's staff made in their Wellington workshop.
This response inspired Production Manager Pam Lowe to make a last-ditch effort to save Nisa; the jobs Nisa provides; and to keep making the clothing you love into the future.
Together with other members of the Nisa team, a new plan emerged, and a hugely successful PledgeMe campaign launched. After funding their campaign goal in the first 24 hours, they ended the campaign with double the original goal. This made it possible for Nisa to re-start, re-stock and begin to create new employment opportunities to women from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
They are passionate about creating planet-conscious, quality garments that empower both the wearer and the maker.
This response inspired Production Manager Pam Lowe to make a last-ditch effort to save Nisa; the jobs Nisa provides; and to keep making the clothing you love into the future.
Together with other members of the Nisa team, a new plan emerged, and a hugely successful PledgeMe campaign launched. After funding their campaign goal in the first 24 hours, they ended the campaign with double the original goal. This made it possible for Nisa to re-start, re-stock and begin to create new employment opportunities to women from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
They are passionate about creating planet-conscious, quality garments that empower both the wearer and the maker.
September 2023
The new team run a PledgeMe campaign to restart Nisa. The goal of $80k is raised in the first 24 hours, and ends with $163k.
January 2023
Nisa sends out 25,000 orders to customers within Aotearoa around the world.
September 2022
The Nisa team celebrates its 5th birthday.
March 2020
We launch our Nisa Bare campaign during the first COVID-19 lockdown, and receive record amounts of support from the Nisa community.
July 2019
Our second crowdfunding campaign is launched to purchase machinery to make men's briefs.
June 2019
Nisa hires it's 10th employee, Andrea from Colombia.
February 2019
The new Nisa workshop and store is opened on Willis Street in central Wellington.
October 2017
Our first crowdfunding campaign is launched to fund an initial production run.
August 2017
The first Nisa workshop is opened on Kent Terrace, Wellington.
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