FAQ

It's necessary. Kids spend far more time outdoors than adults, and a child's eyes let in more UV than an adult's. The lens inside a child's eye hasn't fully developed the natural filtering that builds up through the teenage years. New Zealand also has one of the highest UV indices in the world, up to 40% stronger than equivalent latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Sun safety experts estimate we get around 80% of our lifetime UV exposure before age 18, so the habits (and the hardware) start young.

It's the current New Zealand and Australian safety standard for sunglasses. It tests things like UV filtering, lens strength and impact resistance. It matters because not every pair of kids' sunglasses sold in NZ is actually certified to it, even ones that look identical and claim "UV protection" on the tag. Every pair of Te Rā sunglasses is certified to AS/NZS 1067.1:2016, not just labelled with it.

UV protection blocks harmful rays. Polarised lenses do that and also cut glare bouncing off water, sand, wet pavement and car windscreens. For NZ kids who are at the beach, on the field or in the car a lot, polarised makes a real difference to comfort: less squinting, clearer vision. Every Te Rā lens is both: 100% UV400 protection and polarised.

From around 6 months, once they can comfortably hold their head up and tolerate something on their face. Our Mahuru (ages 0 to 3) and Rito (ages 0 to 2) baby styles come with a soft elastic headband to keep them on. Full guide: Baby Sunglasses NZ: When to Start and What to Look For.

"Virtually unbreakable" is the honest way to put it. Nothing is truly indestructible, but our TR90 frames are flexible, not rigid. They bend, twist and get sat on, and they spring back into shape instead of snapping like a standard plastic frame would. It's the same material used in a lot of adult sports eyewear, just sized for kids.

The frames are TR90 (a flexible, lightweight nylon co-polymer) and the lenses are TAC (tri-acetate cellulose). Both are commonly used in quality sports and kids' eyewear because they're durable but light. More detail: What Are Te Rā Sunglasses Made From?

Measure across your child's face from temple to temple and check our size chart. Read more about how to choose sunglasses for your child.

The short version: certified NZ safety standard, TR90 flexible frames, and prices without the import markup. Babiators is a well-known US brand with a strong guarantee programme. We're NZ-owned, ship from Auckland, and price our sunglasses from $39.99. Full comparison: Te Rā vs other kids' sunglasses brands.

Te Rā means "the sun" in Māori, and every style in the range (Mahuru, Rito, Whetū, Koru, Rangi, Hau, Wai, Māhanga and Tākaro) carries a piece of te reo too. It's a way of honouring where we're from and the culture our kids are growing up in.

We ship from Auckland, New Zealand, within 1 to 2 business days.

We ship within New Zealand and Australia. For delivery to other countries, please contact us for a shipping quote. Read more about shipping here.

Email hello@terasunglasses.co.nz and we'll send you the instructions. Read more about returns here.