Esther Marion Pretoria James (5 November 1900 – 7 January 1990) was one of New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

's first professional fashion models and a keen supporter of "buy nz made." James walked the length of New Zealand in 1931-2 to raise awareness of New Zealand-made goods and improve trade during the depression. She was the first person ever to do this walk from Spirits Bay

Spirits Bay

Spirits Bay is located at the northern end of the Aupouri Peninsula at the northern tip of New Zealand's North Island. At the western end of the bay is Cape Reinga, from which, according to Māori legend the spirits of the dead leave for their journey to the afterlife .The bay is 12 kilometres in...

 to Stewart Island and wore only New Zealand-made clothing and shoes. The walk took 6 months.