“Our heart going forward is in pandanus.”

That was the message from Simon Smuts-Kennedy, owner and director of Hills Hats in New Zealand, as he visited women weavers at the Sanma Creative Hub in Luganville yesterday.

Mr Smuts-Kennedy said Vanuatu’s pandanus hats stand out in the international market because of their lightweight quality, strong weaving, and unique story.

“We get straw from all around the world but our heart going forward is in pandanus. It is very light, it weaves beautifully, it is robust, and our customers are looking for something new, something they can believe in and trust,” he said.

The visit marks another milestone in the journey of women weavers in Sanma Province, whose traditional weaving skills have grown into an international business through support from the Vanuatu Skills Partnership and the Australian Government.

Through collaboration between two local women’s associations, the weavers formalised their work into a business now known as the Sanma Creative Hub, operating under the Sanma Skills Centre.

The hub focuses on building sustainable livelihoods through handicraft production, especially pandanus hats and woven products.

This year marks 10 years of partnership between the women weavers and Hills Hats, a relationship that began after Cyclone Pam.

Manager of the Creative Industry Program, Richie John, said the long-standing relationship has helped place Vanuatu-made products into the global market.

“The owner of Hills Hats is one of the long-time companies that the Sanma Creative Industry Committee Company Limited has been supplying, especially unfinished hat products sent to New Zealand. This started after Cyclone Pam,” he said.

Mr Smuts-Kennedy also acknowledged export challenges, particularly around biosecurity and transportation, but said the demand remains strong.

“It is really a matter of getting the product out there,” he said.

Local weaver Joana Uguna said meeting the buyer in person was a special moment for the women.

“We are very happy. We thought we might never meet Simon, but today we are honoured to have him here with us,” she said.

Mr Smuts-Kennedy encouraged the women to continue their work, saying there is strong potential to expand into more international markets because Vanuatu’s pandanus products are truly different and special.