Penny commenced her career in the cutting room of a medium-sized, women’s fashion house, where she learned to draft and design patterns. She was always at her best behind the sewing machine.

Then in March of 2020 Penny had the opportunity to stop and breathe. The world caught a virus and New Zealand went to sleep. While most referred to this time of forced quarantine and isolation as “Lock-down”, Penny preferred to use the Māori word “whakahoki mai”, which means to restore. She looked upon this time as a pure gift and used it to restore her energy and rediscover her creativity.

That’s when toy making found her and her heart burst into a million pieces as she fell in love with each unique creation.

Each doll and bear are designed to carry a memory, much like the memory of Penny’s first teddy arriving from England and Ātaahua Dolls was born.

“Ātaahua” is the Maori word for ‘beautiful’. Each doll and bear are carefully and beautifully handcrafted in her design studio, using only quality fabrics. Penny’s desire is to preserve precious moments, to carry the memory of a departed loved one, or cement the relationship between parent and child by using an article of clothing that represents that special person. No two dolls or bears will ever be the same.

Ātaahua Dolls is but the short-term custodian of the creation, bringing to life a treasured memory for a child, or adult, to hold on to for their own lifetime, and then pass to the next generation should they choose to do so.

We consider it a privilege to play a role in this part of your life journey and look forward to creating your very own personalised Ātaahua Doll or Bear.