Meet

Todd and Fiona Hayvice aka Mr and Mrs YOYO

Driven by

A shared passion for creating unique spaces with inspiring, high-quality Kiwi-designed furniture, homeware, and lighting.

Skills

Between them, Fiona and Todd have honed a diverse skill set - sometimes contrasting, yet always complementary. Their goal? To share their expertise and help you create a space that’s uniquely yours.

A bit of background on Mr YOYO

You could say furniture runs in Todd’s blood. As a third-generation furniture maker and retailer, he’s carrying forward a legacy of craftsmanship and innovation.

It all began with Todd’s grandfather, Maurie Kleist, a pioneer in New Zealand furniture manufacturing. From the 1940s to the early '80s, he ran ‘Woodcraft,’ a thriving workshop on Adelaide Road, Wellington. Todd’s uncle, Peter Hayvice, apprenticed under Maurie before launching his own business - his latest venture, The Gentleman’s Cabinet Maker in Auckland, now designs exclusively for YOYO.

Todd’s father, Michael Hayvice, devoted his career to the furniture retail industry. He got his start in 1960 at Woodcraft Showrooms, his father-in-law’s store on Willis Street, before taking ownership in the late '60s and evolving it into Woodcraft Interiors. His vision transformed furniture retail in New Zealand, incorporating home accessories, carpets, and lighting into fully designed room settings - allowing customers to truly envision pieces in their own homes.

In the late '80s, at the peak of his career, Michael was recruited to create Theme, a luxury furniture and homeware store, featuring New Zealand’s first in-house café. Unfortunately, the 1987 stock market crash abruptly ended Theme, and Michael returned to Woodcraft Interiors.

Then, disaster struck again in 1990 - Woodcraft Interiors was destroyed in a fire. With remarkable resilience, Michael salvaged and restored what he could, selling the pieces across the road. This experience led to a revelation: in tough times, people gravitate toward furniture with history and character. In 1991, he launched Country Theme, pioneering furniture crafted from recycled flooring. The concept took off, and by the early 2000s, Country Theme had expanded to eight locations across New Zealand and even Japan.

Todd’s journey is the next evolution of this family legacy - bringing craftsmanship, creativity, and Kiwi ingenuity to YOYO Design by Kiwis.

Back to Mr YOYO

From an early age, Todd spent every chance he could in his father’s and grandfather’s furniture businesses. Growing up in Wellington in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, he was surrounded by impressive timber creations, developing a keen eye for design. Starting as ‘chief duster’ and merchandise displayer, he quickly absorbed the trade.

By 1994, Todd was entrusted with launching and managing a Country Theme Furniture branch in Christchurch. After three years, he spread his wings and moved to Sydney to break into the international furniture market, founding an import business that supplied nearly 100 Australian retailers. A chance meeting with a David Jones Department Store buyer catapulted his venture to success overnight.

His growing reputation led to an offer he couldn’t refuse - joining furniture giant IKEA in 2002. As Upholstery Manager at their Australian head office, he collaborated with the Swedish head design team, developing collections for the Australian market. The role later took him to Berlin, where he helped set up Europe’s second-largest IKEA store.

Returning to New Zealand, Todd saw a gap - Kiwi design wasn’t being championed at home. Drawing on over 20 years of industry experience, he set out to change that. In 2011, YOYO Design by Kiwis was born, dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the best of New Zealand furniture and homeware design.

And Mrs YOYO’s story

Fiona is always up for a challenge, throwing herself wholeheartedly into every adventure and opportunity. In her world, there are no barriers - whether it’s spending a year working in South Korea without speaking the language, navigating a self-drive 4WD expedition through Namibia and Botswana, or running 250km across China’s Gobi Desert with everything but a tent on her back. With Fiona at the reins, the sky’s the limit for YOYO.

Professionally, she brings expertise in account and event management, business development, and marketing. With meticulous attention to detail and boundless ambition, she helps ensure YOYO keeps spinning!

Why YOYO?

YOYO was born from a revelation - Todd and Fiona saw a missing link between inspiring Kiwi-designed furniture, homeware, and lighting and the people who appreciate them. Their vision was twofold: to create a showroom and online space showcasing innovative Kiwi designers and to provide design enthusiasts with inspiration and accessibility.

YOYO sources and designs quality, locally crafted pieces, but it doesn’t stop there. Most designs can be tailor-made to suit individual needs - adjust the width of a table or bookshelf, or upholster a sofa in your preferred fabric or leather. With YOYO, you take the creative reins to truly personalize your space.

What’s in the name?

When you hear “YOYO,” the classic toy might come to mind. Invented over 2,500 years ago, its simple, functional design has stood the test of time. Despite changing trends, the core structure remains unchanged - a testament to great design that lasts for generations.

With its proven legacy and playful edge, YOYO felt like the perfect name for an initiative dedicated to timeless, quality Kiwi design.