Rusalka Archives - Making Mermaids

Delivery Guarantee (NZ Orders)

We take great care to ensure your mermaid treasures are packed securely and dispatched promptly. Please read the following delivery guarantee carefully before placing your order.

Dispatch Timeframes

Orders are dispatched on business days only (Monday–Friday, excluding public holidays).
Dispatch times refer to processing and handover to New Zealand Post, not delivery time

Delivery Timeframes

Once dispatched, delivery timeframes are estimated only and are subject to New Zealand Post’s delivery network.
Typical delivery estimates provided by NZ Post are:
- Urban: 1–3 business days
- Rural: 2–5 business days
These timeframes are not guaranteed and may be affected by weather events, peak periods, public holidays, or operational delays.

Responsibility After Dispatch

Once your order has been handed to New Zealand Post, delivery responsibility transfers to the courier service.
We are not responsible for delays, missed deliveries, or service interruptions caused by New Zealand Post or third-party couriers.

No Refunds for Courier Delays

Courier delays do not qualify for refunds, replacements, or compensation, including:
- Late delivery
- Missed delivery windows
- Seasonal or peak-period delays
This includes items shipped via overnight or express services, which remain subject to NZ Post’s terms and conditions.

Incorrect or Incomplete Delivery Information

Customers are responsible for ensuring that delivery details are accurate and complete at checkout.
We are not liable for:
- Parcels delivered to incorrect addresses provided by the customer
- Parcels returned due to incorrect or incomplete address information
- Delays caused by address corrections or redirections
Re-shipping costs will apply if an order must be resent due to customer error.

Lost or Missing Parcels

If a parcel is confirmed lost by New Zealand Post after their investigation process, we will assist with lodging a claim where applicable.
Any resolution (refund or replacement) will be assessed in accordance with NZ Post’s investigation outcome and is not guaranteed.

Authority to Leave

If “Authority to Leave” is selected, delivery is completed once the parcel is left at the nominated location.
We are not responsible for theft, loss, or damage after delivery has been confirmed by the courier.

Consumer Guarantees Act

This delivery guarantee is provided in line with the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and does not limit your rights under New Zealand law.
However, courier delays and third-party delivery failures are not considered product faults

1. General

Making Mermaids supplies recreational swimwear, mermaid tails, fins, costumes, and related products and services. By purchasing from us, you agree to the terms outlined below.

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes your rights under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

2. Faulty or Damaged Items on Arrival

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, products must arrive:

of acceptable quality
fit for purpose
free from manufacturing faults.

If an item arrives damaged, ripped, or faulty, please contact us as soon as reasonably possible after delivery.

What we require:

clear photographs showing the issue
your order details.

What we offer:

a replacement, or
a refund, depending on stock availability and your preference.

Once the issue is confirmed, we will arrange the appropriate remedy promptly.

3. Swimwear, Mermaid Tails & Fins – Wear and Tear

Mermaid tails, fins, and swimwear are recreational items designed for use in water. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, these products are expected to withstand reasonable use, but they are also subject to normal wear and tear.

Please note:

Regular use, particularly in chlorinated water, will naturally affect fabric and seams over time
Pulling, stretching, fading, or small tears that occur after use are considered normal wear, not a manufacturing fault
Items showing wear after use are not eligible for replacement or refund.

This is consistent with the Consumer Guarantees Act, which does not cover damage caused by normal use, misuse, or lack of proper care.

4. Care and Use Responsibilities

To help ensure products last as long as reasonably expected:

Items should be rinsed in cool, fresh water after each use
Items should be fully dried between swims
Mermaid tails and fins are designed for swimming only, not walking, standing, or jumping on pool edges
Adult supervision is recommended at all times for children using water-based products.

Failure to follow care and use guidance may shorten the lifespan of the product and is not considered a fault under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

5. Fit and Sizing

Correct sizing is important for comfort, safety, and durability.

Items that are too small may place excess strain on seams and fabric
Damage caused by incorrect sizing or forced use is not considered a manufacturing fault.

We are always happy to help with sizing advice before or shortly after purchase.

6. Replacement Parts & Support

Where available, we may offer:

replacement components (such as fins)
sizing upgrades
care advice.

Some replacement parts may be supplied at cost.

7. Non-Swimwear Products

For non-swimwear items, the Consumer Guarantees Act applies in full.
If a non-swimwear item fails to meet acceptable quality standards, we will provide an appropriate remedy in line with the Act.

Join our Mer-community

Join the Making Mermaids Community! Enjoy instant specials, secret grottos, fun mermaiding events, kid meetups, a close community and much more!


	
		
			First Name


						
Last Name


						
Email Address


						
Username*


						
Password*

									
									
								
							
Confirm Password*
	
		
		Only fill in if you are not human

Plan your Mermaid Event

1Event

2Activities

3Details

Time Event your

And so, your mermaid journey begins..

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.

Plan your Mermaid Event

1Event

2Activities

3Details

Plan your event and get a cost estimate. Plan your upcoming mer-mazing event in a few quick clicks!

Event Details

Region

Date / Time

Date

Time

Appearance duration & mermaid number

Please note, a pirate accompanies all mermaid performers to assist in various capacities. Appearance fee covers travel upto 40km from Making Mermaids regional home grotto, additional travel charged.

Event sub-total

$0.00

Event Estimate

Item Quantity Qty Total

There are no products selected.

Appearance duration & mermaid number - 1 Mermaid & Pirate assistant, 1 hour (incl. 1 hour prep) 1 $250.00

Appearance duration & mermaid number - 1 Mermaid & Pirate assistant, 2 hours (incl. 1 hour prep) 1 $360.00

Appearance duration & mermaid number - 1 Mermaid & Pirate assistant, 3 hours (incl. 1 hour prep) 1 $470.00

Appearance duration & mermaid number - 2 Mermaids & Pirate assistant, 1 hour (incl. 1 hour prep) 1 $500.00

Appearance duration & mermaid number - 2 Mermaids & Pirate assistant, 2 hours (incl. 1 hour prep) 1 $720.00

Appearance duration & mermaid number - 2 Mermaids & Pirate assistant, 3 hours (incl. 1 hour prep) 1 $940.00

Appearance duration & mermaid number - 3 Mermaids & Pirate assistant, 1 hour (incl. 1 hour prep) 1 $750.00

Appearance duration & mermaid number - 3 Mermaids & Pirate assistant, 2 hours (incl. 1 hour prep) 1 $1,080.00

Appearance duration & mermaid number - 3 Mermaids & Pirate assistant, 3 hours (incl. 1 hour prep) 1 $1,410.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Learn 'Mermesh' 1 $0.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Mermaid Storytime 1 $0.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Interactive Games 1 $0.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Mermaid Temp Tattoos 1 $0.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Photobooth /costumes 1 $90.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Mermaid Musical 1 $50.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Facepainting 1 $90.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Swim Performance (pool) 1 $90.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Swim Performance (beach) 1 $150.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Treasure hunt 1 $250.00

Mermaid Activities (incl. surcharge) - Mermaiding Tryout 1 $250.00

Total $0.00

Shell yeah! Thank you for splashing in to plan your event with Making Mermaids! Once you’ve submitted this form (button below), we’ll swim right back to you to chat about how to turn your dream event into a real-life mer-mazing splash-tacular!

Your Details

First

Last

Your Email

Phone

video from? (optional):

Select an Occasion

Your Email

Who is video for?

Someone else
Myself

Video Receiver

First

Last

Request Details

Delivery

If the video is urgent, please select 'Express' and we will ensure the video is sent within 48hours

Environment

Select 'Water' if you would like your mermaid in the water performing a short display.

Shello privacy

Do not list my Shello video on Making Mermaids public catalogue

[display-map id=’5682′]

Select an Occasion

Your Email

Who is video for?

Someone else
Myself

for? privacy They're

Video Receiver

First

Last

Request Details

Delivery

If the video is urgent, please select 'Express' and we will ensure the video is sent within 48hours

Environment

Select 'Water' if you would like your mermaid in the water performing a short display.

Shello privacy

Do not list my Shello video on Making Mermaids public catalogue

Login

Mermaid Sightings

New Zealand’s Mermaid Sightings Database

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

Send a mer-query

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

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

Send a mer-query

Merpod Location

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

PLAN A 'MER-FECT' MERMAID EVENT

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



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.



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.



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.



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.

Service Guarantee



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.



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.

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.

PADI MERMAID PROGRESSION

Your pathway to becoming a professional mermaid



DISCOVER MERMAID

Eligibility

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



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



PADI MERMAID

Eligibility

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



ADVANCED MERMAID

Eligibility

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

To view the size chart correctly, please rotate your cell phone. Thanks

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

Tell me more!



We are happy to chat to you about any of our mer-merch

Service Guarantee



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



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 125$

Cart Spend	Auckland	North Island	South Island
$ 125 >	Free	Free	Free
$ 30 – 124	7.50	9.50	19.50
$ 1 – 29	5.00	7.50	9.50

The courier determines rates (for carts less than $125), and thus may change without notice

Share to

Our Story

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.

Send a mer-query