Born in the North Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand, Kate’s work draws from the influences of her country, its beauty, the culture, beliefs and character of its people, and the spirit of her whānau (family). Kate studied costume design in Wellington, New Zealand before gaining her degree in sculpture and object design in Sydney, Australia. Her early career in fashion design and production developed a lifelong passion for fabric and texture. 

Despite her energetic career travelling and working internationally, Kate has spent most of her life living by the sea with big skies. Inevitably, she is influenced by the pull of the oceans and a love of the natural environment.