In 1973, Robin Rive founded Countrylife New Zealand which originally began as a company making items
for the tourist market to include hand puppets, soft kiwis, and sheep. Now, more than 30 years later, her award winning collectible
mohair bears and plush animals are exported to 19 different countries. Her business is truly a family affair as both her
husband, Bryan, and daughter, Brigitte, assist in everyday operations.
Robin’s bears and plush animals are handmade in New Zealand by a close-knit team of 20 individuals. Each mohair animal is
hand-filled, which gives each their own unique personality and character. In addition, each head is hand-sculpted
and all features are hand-embroidered. Robin's innovative and distinctive bears are made from high-quality German
and English mohair; pure New Zealand wool and occasionally man-made fur fabrics and materials. Oftentimes, these
materials are imported in their natural state and then hand processed and herbal dyed to give a unique vintage
"well loved" look to each piece.
Robin Rive’s Countrylife New Zealand is located on historic Oakdale Farm overlooking the Waitemata Harbor in
Auckland, New Zealand. Oakdale Farm is a historic, picturesque place which was once one of the first honey
farms in New Zealand; and is the perfect inspirational setting for Robin to create her very special bears.
It is also home to Robin's own flock of unusual spotted sheep whose organically grown wool is used from time
to time in some of her teddy bear creations. Oakdale Farm also grows lavender, aromatic cedar wood and a
variety of organic herbs used to enhance Robin Rive bears.
Each of Robin’s bears comes from a limited edition (usually between 10 to 300), and has Robin’s signature
on their foot-paw and a numbered certificate of authenticity around each of their necks. (Robin’s signature
appears on each bear’s right foot pad if it comes from a limited edition; otherwise it appears on the left foot pad).
Her bear’s foot pads are made of a variety of natural materials – suede, ultra suede, chamois, felt or silk.
Arctophilists (those who love and collect teddy bears) from all over the world simply love and treasure Robin’s
timeless, well-loved looking collectible mohair teddy bears.
It is no wonder that each and every year many of Robin’s bears have either won or been nominated for
prestigious industry awards for her creations. As can be seen, Robin puts a lot of thought behind the
creation of each and every bear and animal, and her trademark phrase is so appropriate –
"A Friend Today... an Heirloom Tomorrow".
