No.8 Legends | No.8 Footwear

Billy T James

Billy T James is a New Zealand entertainment icon, still fondly remembered for his many stage and television appearances. A gifted impressionist, Billy pushed the boundaries of Kiwi comedy. His trademark giggle is embedded in our popular culture. Kiwis have recognised his talent by voting him our greatest local comedian.

Burt Munro

Burt Munro, the legendary land speed record holder from Invercargill. Modifying his 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle, he set three land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, one of which still stands today. A real do-it-yourselfer, Burt made many of his own parts and tools in his shed. His micrometer was an old spoke. What a legend!

Dave Dobbyn

Dave Dobbyn, the legendary New Zealand singer-songwriter has been making music for three decades. Starting with Th' Dudes, later DD smash and now in a solo career, Dave's music has become the soundtrack to Kiwi lives. His raw style and unique sound make him a real 'slice of heaven'.

Ernest Rutherford

Ernest Rutherford was the first person to successfully split the atom back in the day. He pretty much summed up the No.8 wire mentality in NZ when he said: We don't have the money, so we have to think. Ironically, he also appears on our $100 note. Maybe we should have put him on the $5 note . . .

John Britten

John Britten manufactured a motorcycle that turned the motorcycle world on its head. Britten's motorcycle (made literally in his back yard, in his spare time) broke several world speed records and left some of the biggest names in motorcycling in the dust. A true original thinker, there was daylight between his bike and the chasing pack.

Richard Pearse

Richard Pearse, the self-taught inventor, prophetic designer, trail blazing aviator and eccentric visionary. On or around 31 March 1903, a reclusive New Zealand farmer Richard Pearse climbed into a self-built monoplane and flew for about 140 metres before crashing into a gorse hedge.

Samuel Marsden

Samuel Marsden, as a pioneer missionary, was a major influence in NZ culture. He is also credited with bringing the grape vine into NZ. In 1819 he wrote: "New Zealand promises to be very favourable to the vine as far as I can judge at present of the nature of the soil and climate." Now an industry worth over $1b in sales annually, he was certainly a man of vision.

Sir William Hamilton

Sir William Hamilton pioneered the development of the Hamilton waterjet in 1954. Making many of NZ's shallow rivers passable, his jet boat was a hit with trout fishermen and hunters who could then get fast and exciting access to the best spots upriver. He made a real splash when Hamilton waterjets powered the first boats to make it up the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon.

Te Wiremu

Henry Williams was a well-respected missionary in the 1800's, Maori named him "Te Wiremu". Fluent in Te Reo, and with a tireless dedication to Maori, he was constantly averting battles - at times standing between the warring parties with lead shot flying overhead. We named our zip-sided boot in honour of his life's ambition...to bring two sides together in harmony.