Tambo Teddies have headed over the ditch and landed in New Zealand. Heading the charge is Tasman, our real kiwi Tambo Teddy bear decked out as an All Black.

To continue to grow our business we have set our sights on expanding into overseas markets. With Alison a kiwi, New Zealand is the obvious starting point for our global expansion. The opportunity to secure an e-commerce grant through Trade and Investment Queensland motivated us into action.

We cloned our Aussie website and rewrote the copy telling our story with a New Zealand flavour to it. Connecting with Alison’s cousin from Rutherford and Meyer  we found a marketing agency. Engaging Werk, a funky group of marketers to drive our promotions.

Tambo Teddies New Zealand is up and away. Our starting point in Kiwiland is an online presence sending bears directly from Toowoomba via express post.  We aim to develop further business relationships with selected retail outlets and have stock on the ground.

True to form, we managed a little stroke of luck with our new venture. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk sent ‘Tasman’ the Tambo Teddy, to New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, for her three-year-old daughter, Neve. Our Teddies team  handcrafted this unique Tasman Teddy bear, fitted out in an All Blacks jersey and proudly wearing the silver fern as a special order. But due to popular demand we have made Tasman available for all.

Launching only a few weeks ago in New Zealand, we have had many positive comments, a couple of sales and lots of interest from those after the perfect gift! New Zealanders love wool and we are really eager to share our beautiful sheepskin teddies.

For more information about the Tambo Teddies New Zealand, check out our website www.tamboteddies.co.nz or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Image from the Sunday Mail and the photographer Tara Croser.

Maggie Roux, 5, with Tasman Bear by Tambo Teddies.