About / Our Story
Our Story
Handcrafted in Tauranga, New Zealand — built to last, made to play.
Where It All Began
The story of Axe & Co begins with a deep-rooted belief: a child’s number one mission in life is play and exploration. As a family-owned and operated New Zealand business, our journey started from a simple but powerful desire — to find and share high-quality resources that truly support this vital stage of life.
We weren’t just parents frustrated by the plastic toy aisle. Our designs and ideas are born from years of professional experience working directly with children, and a deep dive into the worlds of child development and neuroscience. We understood that when children are given the right opportunities for exploration, their brain development is supported — helping them become the best they can be.
Made by Hand, Right Here in New Zealand
Every piece that leaves our Tauranga workshop is shaped, sanded, and finished by hand. We work with untreated pine and native New Zealand timbers — including beautiful macrocarpa — chosen for their warmth, durability, and natural character. No two pieces are exactly alike, and that’s exactly the point.
When you buy from Axe & Co, you’re supporting local craftspeople and keeping manufacturing right here in New Zealand.
Our Mission
Supporting children to learn and grow through play.
Everything we make is guided by three core pillars:
- Safety & Quality — We use only natural, untreated timbers finished with kiddy-safe oils. No synthetic coatings, no microplastics, no toxins. Safe for little hands and kind to the planet.
- Developmental Support — Every product in the Axe & Co range is carefully designed to foster learning, imagination, and open-ended play. The research is clear: hands-on, unstructured play is one of the most powerful tools for child development.
- Handcrafted Integrity — Every item is made in our New Zealand workshop. We stand behind our work, and we’re proud to put our name on every piece.
Sustainability at Our Core
We source responsibly, minimise waste in our workshop, and design products to be repaired and passed down — not thrown away. When a toy eventually reaches the end of its life, it returns to the earth the way it came.
What Our Customers Say
Don’t just take our word for it — here’s what families across New Zealand are saying:
“Absolutely love this marble run. The quality is outstanding — solid, smooth, and beautifully made. My kids haven’t put it down.”
“The learning tower is incredible. Sturdy, well-finished, and my toddler is obsessed with helping in the kitchen now. Worth every cent.”
Our Promise
Every product we make carries our name — and we stand behind it. If something isn’t right, we’ll make it right. We’re a small team and we care deeply about every order that goes out the door.
Thank you for supporting handcrafted, sustainable making in New Zealand. It means the world to us.
— Greg & Sarah Lewis, Axe & Co