THE FATHER RABBIT STORY
Father Rabbit is the alter ego of Claudia Zinzan and Nick Hutchinson. He was realised when Claudia and Nick’s first son 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 under the watchful eye of the pedantic rabbit, and Father Rabbit’s online store was open for trading in December 2010. When the business grew enough Nick pulled away from his career in the film industry and now runs the wholesale side of the business (Best Abroad).
As the Father Rabbit business grew, so did his domain within the family home. Initially operating out of a rabbit sized corner in the living room, he then took over the front half of the family's Grey Lynn split villa and threw his doors open to welcome shoppers and visitors alike to his Open House.
Eventually Father Rabbit had to move on from this space too and you can now find him sharing his time between four Auckland retail stores. He’s equally at home amongst the modern polished concrete floors of BLOC as he is within the heritage surroundings of the store at Jervois Road, Herne Bay. Father Rabbit and his wares sit beautifully in these contrasting environs and are a testament to the timelessness of his carefully curated selection of products.
Claudia heads up the buying and creative direction at Father Rabbit. Father Rabbit is based in Auckland and employs about 25 staff. Our head office is in New Lynn, Auckland. Claudia and Nick work together day to day in the business with the head office team.
With this growth and expansion it’s been more important than ever to adhere to Father Rabbit’s Way Of Doing. While the stores are (almost) always meticulous, at home it’s often another story. At times they will measure up to Father Rabbit’s exacting standards, and it’s at these moments when Claudia and Nick are at their happiest.Those fleeting moments when the books are in order, the beds are made, the garden weeded and the clutter cleared away. The cupboards are as organised inside as they are pristine white and free of little kiddy-sized finger marks on the outside. Then there are the times when chaos creeps in and there’s not enough time in the day to achieve the virtuous rabbit’s tick of approval… oh well, tomorrow is a new day.
CHAPTER 1:
Inception (2010)
In December 2010, amidst the lush surroundings of Grey Lynn, a tiny online store was born. Nick and Claudia's dream of curating timeless homewares and lifestyle products took its first steps into the digital realm. From the comfort of their home, they embarked on this adventure, packing orders with a small baby in tow.
CHAPTER 2:
The Humble Beginnings
We worked out of our small living room and used a storage unit down the road measuring just 3m x 1.5m. Here, amidst the cozy chaos, Father Rabbit's journey unfolded. Every order was lovingly wrapped and often hand-delivered to local customers. These were the early days, where personal touches and handwritten notes were the norm.
CHAPTER 3:
The House Shop (2012)
Fast forward to 2012, and the duo had a split villa in Grey Lynn. They decided to turn one side into a "house shop" open to the public. Handwritten receipts added a touch of nostalgia, making each purchase feel like a cherished memory.
CHAPTER 4:
Expanding Horizons (2013-2014)
October 2013 brought the opening of the Bloc Mt Eden store, nestled among other amazing design and home stores. Father Rabbit's presence continued to grow, and in March 2014, the cute Herne Bay store opened its doors next to Simon James. These expansions reflected the brand's enduring appeal.
CHAPTER 5:
The Birth of Best Abroad (2014)
In 2014, the brand spread its wings even further, launching a wholesale distribution business named Best Abroad. Father Rabbit began designing and manufacturing its own products to share with other retailers, cementing its status as a trendsetter in the industry.
CHAPTER 6:
Orakei Bay and New Beginnings
(2016-2020)
November 2016 marked the opening of the expansive Orakei Bay store, a testament to Father Rabbit's growth. Then, in June 2020, during the height of a global pandemic, the Newmarket Father Rabbit Select store was born. It showcased apparel ranges and provided a space for experimenting with new brands, demonstrating the brand's resilience and adaptability.
CHAPTER 7:
Celebrating 10 years (2020)
What a reason to celebrate. 10 years in business! We hosted an amazing party to thank our team and suppliers.
CHAPTER 8:
The People Behind the Rabbit
Throughout this remarkable journey, Father Rabbit welcomed a diverse and talented team of retail and head office staff who played vital roles in the brand's evolution. It was a shared passion for beauty, functionality, and quality that fuelled this collective effort.
CHAPTER 9:
The HQ Upgrade (2022)
In the year 2022, the Father Rabbit story took another leap. The brand now thrives in a 600sqm headquarters located in New Lynn, Auckland. This is where all your online orders are carefully packed and dispatched, with the same dedication and attention to detail that defined the brand from day one.
CHAPTER 10:
Collaborations and Partnerships (2010 - ongoing)
Since our inception we have partnered with incredible artists, designers and other brands. It allows us to connect with other businesses and people with shared visions and values. We have had so much fun designing products, events, popups.