Joan Hartman Archives - Making Mermaids

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Discover your inner mermaid

We all have a secret mermaid totem whose spirit resonates with our own. Take this fun and quick quiz to uncover yours!

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Send a mer-query

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Mermaid Sighting Report

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.

I would like to report a sighting

Mermaid Sightings

New Zealand’s Mermaid Sightings Database

Maintained by Prof. C. Weedy, New Zealand Academy of Aquatic Mysteries (NZAAM)

Merpod Location

Mermaids in NZ’s mer-pod are located throughout New Zealand.

FREE TOTEM

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!

Digital Art Sizing Chart

Units in millimetres and inches

Perfect fit - size chart

All clothing / equipment are produced in accordance to presented size chart

AdultsChildren

Adults

Woman’s shoes/foot pockets

If unsure measure the length of the foot to ensure a perfect fit

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

Woman’s clothing/tails

If unsure size down for items containing stretch material (e.g spandex)

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

Children

Children’s shoes/foot pockets

If unsure measure the length of the foot to ensure a perfect fit

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

Children’s clothing/tail sizing

If unsure size down on all spandex / polyester clothing that stretches

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

Locations

Where can you attend PADI mermaiding courses with Making Mermaids

Region	Confined	Openwater
Auckland	Birkenhead	Lake Pupuke
Whangarei	Whangarei Heads	Smugglers Cove

Travel to you

If you can gather a pod of four or more aspirant mermaids together, Making Mermaids is happy to travel to your preferred location to run a PADI training course (Basic Mermaid, Mermaid, Advanced Mermaid courses only) on a dedicated weekend.

Service Guarantee

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Free returns within 90 days of purchase

The first return of one or multiple returnable items for EVERY order is free!
This item can be returned within 90 days from the date of purchase.
If the returned item is used, damaged, or missing parts/accessories, the refund will be reduced to compensate for the lost value of the item.
Read full return policy

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Price adjustment within 30 days of payment

Items purchased from Making Mermaids are eligible for our price adjustment policy. Making Mermaids will provide the price difference in NZ Dollars if the selling price of the item purchased was reduced within 30 days of payment. The shipment of your order will not be affected by applying for a price adjustment before you receive your item(s). You can request a price adjustment refund by selecting the relevant order in ‘Your Orders’ and clicking the ‘Price adjustment’ button.
Items that are promotional or no longer available may not be eligible for our price adjustment policy. Fees, including but not limited to shipping fees, will be excluded from any price adjustment calculation. Making Mermaids reserves the right to the final interpretation of our price adjustment policy, the right to modify the terms of this policy at any time, and the right to deny any price adjustment at our sole discretion.

Shipping

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

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Our Story

Fiona Ayerst’s journey to founding Making Mermaids is as captivating as the underwater world she has always adored. Growing up in Kenya and South Africa, Fiona’s life was deeply intertwined with the ocean. She spent countless hours exploring the depths as a scuba instructor and capturing its beauty as an underwater photographer. Her passion for the ocean eventually led her to New Zealand, where she discovered the enchanting world of mermaiding.

This newfound love for mermaiding sparked a vision in Fiona. She saw mermaids not just as mythical creatures, but as powerful ambassadors for ocean conservation. She realized that mermaids could captivate children’s imaginations, making them perfect messengers to spread the importance of preserving our oceans. Driven by this inspiration, Fiona founded Making Mermaids in 2024, aiming to bring the magic of mermaiding to everyone while promoting ocean conservation.

To foster a community of like-minded enthusiasts, Fiona also established the Whanawhana Mermaid Club. This club serves as a haven for mermaids to meet, share their passion, and dive into the wonders of the underwater world together. Through social events and mermaiding adventures across New Zealand and to distant tropical atolls, especially during winter, the club celebrates the joy and camaraderie of mermaiding.

At Making Mermaids, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. We believe mermaiding should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, body shape, or gender. Our certified courses are designed to transform enthusiasts of all ages into graceful underwater sirens, offering expert instruction for a safe and enchanting experience.

Our personal mermaid photoshoots capture the beauty and mystique of your inner mermaid, creating unforgettable memories. And for those looking to add a splash of magic to their events, our professional mermaids are available to make children’s birthday parties and special occasions truly magical with their captivating performances.

Dive into the enchanting world of mermaids with us at Making Mermaids – where the ocean’s wonders await you!

PLAN A 'MER-FECT' MERMAID EVENT

Turn your event into a mermaid extravaganza – here’s how!

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EVENT TYPE

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.

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EVENT LOCATION

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.

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MERSQUAD SIZE

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.

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Event Addons

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.

PADI MERMAID PROGRESSION

Your pathway to becoming a professional mermaid

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DISCOVER MERMAID

Eligibility

Open to mermaid aspirants from the age of 6 and onwards who are comfortable floating and swimming in a confined pool.

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PADI BASIC MERMAID

Eligibility

Open to mermaid aspirants 6 years and older who can readily float for 3 minutes and swim 25m in confined waters

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PADI MERMAID

Eligibility

Open to mermaid aspirants 10 years and over whom are capable of swimming 50m and floating for 5 minutes

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ADVANCED MERMAID

Eligibility

Open to qualified PADI mermaids of 12 years or older, and who can swim 100m and float comfortably for 10 minutes.

Service Guarantee

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Variable Payment Plans

Multiple payment options for all preferences. Pay via Cash, EFT, Debit card or PayPal
Manage your payment with four equal instalments using Afterpay.
Save $60 on your first PADI course by opening a free mer-account with making mermaids.

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Price adjustment within 30 days of payment

Courses purchased from Making Mermaids are eligible for our price adjustment policy. Making Mermaids will provide the price difference in NZ Dollars if the selling price of the course purchased is reduced within 30 days of payment. The enrolment on the course will not be affected by applying for a price adjustment before you participate in the course. You can request a price adjustment refund by selecting the relevant order in ‘Your Orders’ and clicking the ‘Price adjustment’ button.
Courses that are promotional or no longer available may not be eligible for our price adjustment policy. Making Mermaids reserves the right to the final interpretation of our price adjustment policy, the right to modify the terms of this policy at any time, and the right to deny any price adjustment at our sole discretion.

Joan Hartman

Best thing – Safety Comes First with Making Mermaids

Discover your hidden mermaid spirit

Mermaids have enchanted folklore for centuries, each unique in nature—playful, wise, or dangerously mysterious. Which mermaid are you? A sea guardian, an explorer, or a deep-sea siren? Take this quick quiz to discover your inner mermaid!

Discover your inner mermaid

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Direct to your inbox

Direct to your inbox

Direct to your inbox

Tell me more!

Direct to your inbox

Login

Mermaid Sighting Report

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Open Your Account

Discover your inner mermaid

Ariel the Little Mermaid

Ariel the Little Mermaid

Lorelei the Siren

Lorelei the Siren

Sedna - Goddess of the Sea

Sedna - Goddess of the Sea

Suvannamaccha the golden mermaid

Suvannamaccha the golden mermaid

Mami Wata

Mami Wata

Amabie the prophet

Amabie the prophet

Ceto the Goddess

Ceto the Goddess

Rusalka

Rusalka

Atargatis, the first mermaid

Atargatis, the first mermaid

Perfect fit - size chart

Service Guarantee

PLAN A 'MER-FECT' MERMAID EVENT

PADI MERMAID PROGRESSION

Service Guarantee