Shello! Welcome to making mermaids. We are all on unique journeys to explore our passion for mermaiding. I invite you to take the first flip-flap on your adventure by diving a little deeper towards your interests.
Transform yourself into a stunning mystical mermaid for a self-love underwater or beachside photoshoot
Dress yourself in the latest mermaid attire and kit from New Zealand’s largest online mermaid shop.
Join one of our performance pods (junior or senior) and train weekly in the art of performance mermaiding.
Open up a world of responsible mermaiding with an internationally recognised PADI mermaid certification.
Find your tribe. Join our free Whanawhana mermaid club for a splash-splashing good time with merfolk from around New Zealand
Turn your event or party into a magical mermaid extravaganza by hiring a performance mermaid to entertain
Kia ora, ocean souls! I’m Fiona—also known as Mermaid Ffifi—and my journey to founding Making Mermaids is one that flows as deep as the tides.
I was born with a love for the sea. Growing up in Kenya and South Africa, the ocean was my constant companion, a vast, mysterious world that called to me. I answered that call as a scuba instructor and underwater photographer, spending decades beneath the waves, exploring, learning, and capturing the magic of the deep. But it wasn’t until I arrived in Aotearoa, my new home, that I discovered something truly transformative—mermaiding.
The first time I slipped into a tail and swam as a mermaid, I felt something shift. It was more than just movement—it was a return to something primal, something free. I wasn’t just in the water; I was of it. And I knew I wasn’t alone in that feeling.
Mermaids have always existed in the stories of cultures across the world, including here in New Zealand. They embody mystery, beauty, strength, and the connection between humans and the ocean. I saw in mermaiding a way to bring people together—those who, like me, feel the call of the sea in their bones.
That’s why I founded Making Mermaids—not just as a school or a company, but as a community. A place where anyone in New Zealand who feels drawn to the world of mermaids can find their tribe. A space where we celebrate our shared passion, whether through swimming, storytelling, photography, or simply embracing the joy of being merfolk.
For me, mermaiding is about more than just tails and underwater tricks—it’s about belonging. It’s about the unspoken understanding between people who know what it feels like to glide weightlessly through the blue and feel at home.
Making Mermaids is for all of us who dream in saltwater, who hear the ocean’s whisper and answer with a splash. If that’s you, then welcome—you’ve found your pod.
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Mermaids in NZ’s mer-pod are located throughout New Zealand.
Dear Aspiring Merologist,
It is most gratifying to welcome you to my team and our academic investigation into the occurrence, behavior, and distribution of mermaids within New Zealand’s waters. By submitting the form below, you shall receive a weekly summary of my scientific reports, ocean conservation challenges, fun competitions, and opportunities to delve into the world of mermaiding.
I look forward to your keen interest and engagement in this most fascinating field of study.
With regards,
Professor Clayborn Weedy
Professor C. Weedy welcomes citizen scientists to report sightings of mermaids in New Zealand’s water bodies – rivers, lakes, ponds and the coastal ocean. Each report will be scientifically scrutinised to the rigorous standards set by New Zealand’s Academy of Aquatic Mysteries (N.Z.A.A.M.). Please submit a full account, including photos and video links. All citizen scientists will receive full academic credit in the resultant report and scientific proceedings.
New Zealand’s Mermaid Sightings Database
Maintained by Prof. C. Weedy, New Zealand Academy of Aquatic Mysteries (NZAAM)
Coupon code – totem
Don’t be parted from your mermaid totem! Use this coupon code when you download any digital poster and receive a 100% discount. No terms and conditions!
Units in millimetres and inches
All clothing / equipment are produced in accordance to presented size chart
| NZ (MM) | US | UK | EU | CM |
| 5 | 5 | 3 – 3.5 | 36 | 22 |
| 6 | 6 | 3 – 4.5 | 37 | 23 |
| 7 | 7 | 5 – 5.5 | 38 | 24 |
| 8 | 8 | 6 – 6.5 | 39 | 25 |
| 9 | 9 | 7 – 7.5 | 41 | 26 |
| 10 | 10 | 8 – 8.5 | 42 | 27 |
| 11 | 11 | 9 – 9.5 | 43 | 28 |
| 12 | 12 | 10 – 10.5 | 45 | 29 |
| 13 | 13 | 11 – 11.5 | 46 | 30 |
| 14 | 14 | 12 – 12.5 | 47 | 31 |
| 15 | 15 | 13. – 13.5 | 48 | 32 |
| 16 | 16 | 14 – 14.5 | 50 | 33 |
| NZ (MM) | UK/NZ | US | EU | BUST (cm) | WAIST (cm) | HIPS (cm) |
| XXS | 6 | 2 | 34 | 81 – 85 | 62 – 66 | 86 – 90 |
| XS | 8 | 4 | 36 | 86 – 91 | 67 – 71 | 91 – 95 |
| S | 10 | 6 | 38 | 91 – 95 | 72 – 76 | 96 – 100 |
| M | 12 | 8 | 40 | 96 – 101 | 77 – 82 | 101 – 106 |
| L | 14 | 10 | 42 | 102 – 107 | 83 – 88 | 107 – 112 |
| XL | 16 | 12 | 44 | 108 – 113 | 89 – 94 | 113 – 118 |
| XXL | 18 | 13 | 46 | 114 – 119 | 95 – 100 | 119 – 124 |
| DDPLUS1 | 20 | 16 | 48 | 120 – 125 | 101 – 106 | 125 – 130 |
| DDPLUS2 | 22 | 18 | 50 | 126 – 133 | 107 – 114 | 131 – 138 |
| DDPLUS3 | 24 | 20 | 52 | 134 – 141 | 115 – 122 | 139 – 146 |
| NZ (MM) | UK K | US K | EU | CM | AGE (Est.) |
| 7k | 7 | 8 | 24 | 14.5 | 2.5-3yo |
| 8k | 8 | 9 | 25.5 | 15.5 | 3-3.5yo |
| 9k | 9 | 10 | 26.5 | 16.5 | 3.5-4yo |
| 10k | 10 | 11 | 27.5 | 17 | 4-4.5yo |
| 11k | 11 | 12 | 29 | 18 | 4.5-5yo |
| 12k | 12 | 13 | 30.5 | 19 | 5-6yo |
| 13k | 13 | 1L | 32 | 19.5 | 6-7yo |
| 1L | 1L | 2L | 33 | 20.5 | 7-8yo |
| 2L | 2L | 3L | 34.5 | 21 | 8-9yo |
| 3L | 3L | 4L | 35.5 | 22 | 9-10yo |
| 4L | 4L | 5L | 37 | 23 | 10-11yo |
| 5L | 5L | 6L | 38 | 24 | 11-12yo |
| 6L | 6L | 7L | 39 | 25 | Senior kids |
| 7L | 7L | 8L | 40 | 26 | Senior kids |
| 8L | 8L | 9L | 41 | 27 | Senior kids |
| NZ (MM) | US | EU | AUS | CHEST (CM) | WAIST (cm) | HIPS (cm) |
| 2-3yo | 2T | 98 | 3 | 54 | 50 | 60 |
| 3-4yo | 4T | 104 | 4 | 56 | 52 | 62 |
| 4-5yo | 5 | 110 | 5 | 58 | 53 | 64 |
| 5-6yo | 6 | 116 | 6 | 60 | 54 | 66 |
| 6-7yo | 7 | 122 | 7 | 62 | 55 | 68 |
| 7-8yo | 8 | 128 | 8 | 64 | 56 | 70 |
| 8-9yo | 9 | 134 | 9 | 66 | 57 | 72 |
| 9-10yo | 10 | 140 | 10 | 68 | 58 | 76 |
| 10-11yo | 11 | 146 | 11 | 72 | 59 | 78 |
| 11-12yo | 12 | 152 | 12 | 75 | 60 | 80 |
| 12-13yo | 13 | 158 | 13 | 78 | 62 | 84 |
| 13-14yo | 14 | 164 | 14 | 81 | 63 | 88 |
Where can you attend PADI mermaiding courses with Making Mermaids
| Region | Confined | Openwater |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Birkenhead | Lake Pupuke |
| Whangarei | Whangarei Heads | Smugglers Cove |
Free throughout NZ with purchases over 65$
| Cart Spend | Auckland | Rest of NZ |
|---|---|---|
| $ 65 > | Free | Free |
| $ 30 – 64 | 7.50 | 9.50 |
| $ 1 – 29 | 5.00 | 7.50 |
Turn your event into a mermaid extravaganza – here’s how!
Making Mermaid cater to numerous events. Determine your event type from a birthday party, corporate party, film work, bachelorette party, conservation talk, or invent your event and let us know what your event will entail.
Our professional mer-squad is spread throughout Aotearoa and can travel to most locations. Select your nearest town and we will let you know if we have professional mermaids in your area. If not, our mer-squad can travel to unserviced regions on request.
Decide how many mermaids your event requires and how long you would like the mermaid(s) to perform and entertain your guests. Depending on the event/performance type, mermaids may need to be accompanied by a pirate (assistant) for manoeuvrability.
Event quotes cover mermaids, their costumes/makeup, their performance and local transport (to and from the event). Additional props and services can be added to your event. These can be rented or purchased from our mer-merch shop.
Your pathway to becoming a professional mermaid
Eligibility
Open to mermaid aspirants from the age of 6 and onwards who are comfortable floating and swimming in a confined pool.
Eligibility
Open to mermaid aspirants 6 years and older who can readily float for 3 minutes and swim 25m in confined waters
Eligibility
Open to mermaid aspirants 10 years and over whom are capable of swimming 50m and floating for 5 minutes
Eligibility
Open to qualified PADI mermaids of 12 years or older, and who can swim 100m and float comfortably for 10 minutes.
