About us

Organic Island Baby was born two and a half years ago. Out of a need for quality clothes, toys blankets and nappies that are ethically manufactured from organic cotton and natural eco merino wool.

As a life-long sufferer of eczema, I have sought for natural clothing rather than synthetics.

In my search, I have managed to find clothing for myself but once I became a mother, I discovered that four out of my five children are also affected by eczema.

I’ve always been interested in nutrition and believed in organics, seeking healthy options, to help heal myself and keep my children healthy. With research, the extremely toxic processing involved in the apparel industry made me realise that food alone couldn’t help the sensitive nature of young allergic skin.

Imagine my delight when I started searching through the Internet to discover that there are indeed organisations that are totally committed to providing quality pure organic cotton clothing and toys for children that help allergy sensitive skin.

Like many mothers who want the best for their children and our environment I started with cloth nappies with my first baby Samuel (he wrote our logo), then as the months progressed the convenience of disposables got the best of me.

Well after four more babies Maia made me want to use cloth again. Even while using Moltex Öko disposable nappies with Angelle my forth baby and the potential to compost them here on Waiheke Island, my intention to compost them never happened.

Concerned about the amount of nappies I was sending to land fill I looked for the best organic cotton cloth nappy system, I found the Disana Tied nappy system.

In the time I’ve been looking for warm outer clothes for my children, and only found itchy woollens and polar fleece. Then without thinking to look found that Disana had the knits - made from eco merino wool made in Germany in classical fashion cuts and yummy colours (metal free reactive dyes, great for eczema) I celebrated.

I have been asked many times why I started my own business considering the busyness of my life as a wife to Jacob and a, stay-at-home mother to my son Samuel, and daughters Grace, Faith, Angelle and Maia (and another on the way).

Having a family business, my mother Patricia you'll see at our gorgeous store in Devonport Wharf Auckland. Shes been involed in the journey from the small beginnings when the boxes took over at her house.

This is my distraction and passion!

To other mums who sometimes feel lost under the constant piles of washing; who face the monotony of housework and the on going loving, mothering role – it is important to have your own passion outside of your family.

It’s important to identify what’s your passion and pursue it; whether it is yoga, reading, gardening, education whatever helps keep a more healthy and sane you. Do a little bit of it every day as this will contribute to your world. A little bit of it every day to help you grow as a human being and make your children’s future there world a place they too will love, by how you show them.

Much love
Joanne