Our Story

Hank & Co. creates handmade gifts of connection and care, for grandparents who refuse to let distance diminish their relationships with grandchildren. We believe that in a world obsessed with screens and speed, the most meaningful connections and a sense of belonging are built slowly, intentionally, and with a smattering of nostalgia.

We started Hank & Co. making beautiful handmade goods for our own children. But as the brand grew, a different story emerged from our customers, particularly grandmothers. Behind the joy of sending gifts was something deeper: a sense of maintaining bonds and cementing relationships with grandchildren they
adored.

Our customers, who were often geographically separated from family, were fighting against distance, busyness, and digital distraction to build real, lasting bonds with their grandchildren. Meanwhile, the
small people in their lives were missing out on the intergenerational wisdom, sense of belonging and legacy that grandparent relationships uniquely provide.

We realised we'd been making products for the wrong reason. It wasn't about cute toys and products children would love. It was about bridging the distances between families all around the world, and giving
grandparents tools to stay woven into their grandchildren's lives.

Now every product we make, every resource we create, every story we share is in service of one mission: helping grandparents build and maintain deep, meaningful relationships with grandchildren they can't see every day. We create tools for the slow, deliberate work of staying close. A toolkit for connection. Because the kind of love that shapes a child's life can't be rushed, outsourced, or optimised.

That's what Hank & Co. is now. Not just a shop, but a community where grandparents don't feel so alone in their longing to connect. A place where distance doesn't mean disconnect, where slow and intentional wins over fast and flashy, and where every handmade item is designed to carry love across the miles.

Our Hand Made Philosophy

Every handmade product we create is born from a simple belief: you can't scale special. In a world that specialises in mass production, we were drawn to the opposite — small batches, where the human touch is evident in every design decision, every stitch, and every final product.

Everything is made in our Wanaka studio, in the southern heart of New Zealand.

"I love making each item knowing it will become part of another family’s story. Every stitch matters, and I take pride in creating something that will be used, loved, and passed down."
– Annette

The Faces Behind the Brand

Annette (known by her grandchildren as 'Nannette', or 'Nan Nan' for the wee ones) is a talented seamstress, picture framer and hand-craft master. She's the talent behind the brand, bringing to life all the products in her Wanaka studio.

From completely whimsical idea to physical product, her years of experience with textiles, sewing and making are invaluable. Understanding the ache of distance (all but one of her grandchildren live elsewhere), the mission is close to her heart.

Rebecca (Annette's daughter) is based in Timaru and is the ideas guru and tech behind the brand. Coercing Nannette into all sorts of creations over the years (many of the products in the shop today stem from several years of 'R&D' as Nannette brought to life Rebecca's whims!). Every product has been tried and tested in the front-lines of baby and toddlerhood.

Join our community of grandparents

Whether you're searching for the perfect gift to send across the miles, looking for practical ways to stay connected with grandchildren you don't see often enough, we're here to support you.

 Start by exploring the Connection Toolkit, joining our community of remote grandparents by signing up to our monthly newsletter, or reading our latest tips for building meaningful connections despite the distance.

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