Father Rabbit Cockburn Street, February 2013

Father Rabbit is the alter ego of Claudia Zinzan and Nick Hutchinson. He was realised when Claudia and Nick’s son Tony was shiny and new and Claudia was taking some time out from her career as an Interior Designer. Then followed six months of careful planning and Father Rabbit’s online store was open for trading in December 2010. 

After running the online store out of a rabbit sized corner in Claudia and Nick's living room, they grew and opened their first store on the other side of their house in their Grey Lynn split villa in 2012. 

Eventually Father Rabbit needed a little more room and you can now find him sharing his time between three Auckland retail stores;  BLOC in Mt. Eden, Herne Bay and Orakei Bay Village.

We love all three of our locations and we'd love to show you a little bit of history behind each space, share our lovely neighbours as well as offer a few recommendations for when you're in the area.

Father Rabbit | BLOC
Opened: October 2013
Address: Ground Floor, 20 Normanby Road, Mt. Eden, Auckland
Store manager: Brody

Father Rabbit BLOC, April 2014

We were given an amazing opportunity to join the stunning homeware brands at BLOC, an amazing collaborative space. We jumped at the chance to share space with some of our retail heroes. It is a big risk moving from gentle online at home to a proper retail offering. I felt safe knowing that the marketing and branding of the building were well considered. There is great parking, fab neighbours, a delicious cafe and a gorgeous timeless super modern space. I thoroughly enjoyed designing the space; we had a big bird house which I miss thoroughly. We had to remove it from the store to squeeze all the products in that our customers were asking for at the time. It still exists...albeit dismantled. Hopefully it'll have a reincarnation one day in a my dream warehouse space!


Father Rabbit BLOC, October 2013

I'm afraid we can't pick favourites amongst our neighbours within BLOC; each store has something to offer the most interiors and homewares obsessed shopper. We have a great furniture selection there with Bo Concept, Citta and Tim Webber Design. Alex and Corban really contrasts with our aesthetic. I think customers enjoy the different concepts going on in each of our stores. Father Rabbit also offers a fashion, skincare and baby offering to the predominantly homewares stores.

Father Rabbit's recommendations for visiting Mt. Eden:
- Marching up to the top of Maungawhau to look out across the city.
- Grabbing a build-your-own breakfast at Bloc Cafe.
- Finish off a week of working hard with a bowl of skinny fries and a gin cocktail at Scarlett Slimms and Lucky in Mt. Eden village.

Father Rabbit | Herne Bay
Opened: March 2014
Address: 232 Jervois Road, Herne Bay
Store manager: Lydia

Father Rabbit Herne Bay, March 2014

Wow; thinking back now we made such a rushed decision to open the Herne Bay store. Michaela our daughter was 4 months old at the time and one evening, Nick happened to be on TradeMe browsing spaces for no particular reason. Herne Bay is a gorgeous store in an older building, high stud and a classic shop front. We try to change our lovely windows weekly, so next time you stop at the lights, have a squizz!


Father Rabbit Herne Bay, March 2014

We feel very lucky to have such great neighbours on Jervois Road. On one side we have Simon James Design, Tessuti and The Governor. Simon James celebrate home spaces and offer homewares and accessories showcasing thoughtful and lasting materials and craftsmanship. Tessuti offer a gorgeous luxury home and gift selection. Lovely to have such contrasting stores in the same little strip, we all have our own look. And The Governor makes the perfect long black. On the other side of Father Rabbit we have the much loved (and favourite Father Rabbit morning meeting spot) Dear Jervois cafe. Whether you're stopping by for a takeaway coffee or making the most of sitting down for breakfast as part of a slow morning, the Dear Jervois team are always welcoming. We highly recommend the kimchi fried rice or the matcha waffles if you're after something a little sweeter. 

Father Rabbit's recommendations for visiting Herne Bay:
- Dining in at Paris Butter for beautiful French cuisine and cocktails.
- Walking down to Hamilton Road Reserve to sit on the beach with fish and chips from Fishsmith. The deep fried halloumi is a must have! 
- Head towards Ponsonby Road and visit some more of our favourites; Prego and Spring Spa. It takes about 12 minutes to head up to Three Lamps. 

Father Rabbit | Orakei Bay Village
Opened: November, 2016
Address: 228 Orakei Road, Remuera, Auckland
Store manager: Natalie

Father Rabbit Orakei Bay Village on opening day, November 2016

What a refreshing development for our customers living in the Eastern Waterfront, Orakei, Remuera and Parnell and those who want a great shopping destination. Our Orakei store is located in an old gin factory; so think big old warehouse with exposed rafters and high studs. The site has had a complete takeover with amazing shopping and food. Farro Supermarket is the anchor for all of us. We have Brothers Brewery, Ampersand, Alex and Corban, So Beau Baby and many other great stores.

Father Rabbit Orakei Bay, November 2016

Father Rabbit's recommendations for visiting Orakei Bay village:
- Taking some time out to walk around the Orakei Basin on a sunny day.
- Pick out some new plants at King's Plant Barn and then grab a coffee from Ampersand Eatery - try to grab a seat out on the deck so you can look out over the water.
- We're also located right next to the Orakei train station and you can hop on the train straight to Britomart to visit the shops.

We hope you enjoyed this brief history of the Father Rabbit stores. If you can't make it in store, we've popped together a collection of what you can see in our stores this week. Click here to shop.