RAU Textiles Research Facility

The RAU Textiles Research Facility is a specialist centre for textile research and teaching at AUT. It places textiles research at its core and is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of textile development in Aotearoa and beyond. RAU gives students, staff and industry partners access to specialised technologies and software which are rarely available across Aotearoa.

Who can use the RAU Textile Research Facility?

The facility can be used by students, researchers, staff and external partners to explore everything from digital knitting and weaving to sustainable fibre composites and wearable technologies.

Research

RAU research is informed by themes of tuakiritanga, rau whakaaro, tikanga toi, and whakawhitinga. Collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange are central to our kaupapa. By employing research methods spanning historical, contemporary, Western and Indigenous approaches, we revitalise and regenerate our practice, allowing meaningful activations both within and beyond the research centre. Through reciprocal knowledge-sharing, we support collective growth across the textiles industry.

Key equipment includes:

• Digital knit: Shiva Seiki SES122, SIG123V, SESWG, SRY 123LP, SWG041
• Manual knit: 4x Dubied knitting machines, a Stoll JBO and a Stoll machine
• Felt: FeltLOOM Pro Series

• Weaving: Ashford 4-shaft and 8-shaft table looms, Ashford Rigid Heddle loom, Ashford SampleIt Rigid Heddle loom and Ashford tapestry frames

• Yarn: Hilo Spinning Machine, cone winder
• Linkers: Exacta MiniLinker 10g, Complett 1980 10g and Kettma 1973, 8/10g
• Other: Tufting gun, industrial sewing machines, industrial overlockers, embroidery machine, Singer Heavy Duty