Kiwi Mary Poppins up and away

Lisa Rutledge (left) and Rachel Ogg of nanny agency KiwiOz Nannies

Exporting New Zealand's answer to Mary Poppins is proving a smart business idea for two young nannies, Lisa Rutledge and Rachel Ogg.

The fast growth of their agency KiwiOz Nannies - specialising in placing Kiwi nannies in Britain - has this year seen the pair set up an Auckland office to provide for growing demand.

Rutledge said qualified nannies were in strong demand and Kiwi nannies seemed to be favoured over those from other countries - "perhaps because we are more laid back".

The pair met at the University of Canterbury where Rutledge, 26, gained a BSC in business administration and psychology and Ogg, 27, a BA in politics.

After graduating, they set off on their OE together, first to snowboard in the United States and next to London in 2001 where they took nannying jobs.

Out and about picking up children, they were often approached by parents and asked: "Where do we find a nanny similar to you?"

After a year, they decided they could provide the service themselves and set up office in their Hammersmith, London, flat, taking temporary jobs to help cover costs before they could afford to make it full time after a year.

KiwiOz is the only agency specialising in nanny exchange between New Zealand and Britain. It has offices in London and Auckland.

Nannies are interviewed, their references screened and police checks done before their contracts are drawn up and they leave New Zealand.

On arrival in London, they are provided with information on various cities, a cellphone and help with accommodation needs.

The service is free to the nannies but British parents pay a finders fee of £1200 ($2950) with the guarantee of a match in three months.

Once working, support for nannies from KiwiOz is ongoing, with the agency serving as middle man, helping with any employment-related issues that may crop up.

If such an agency had existed when Rutledge arrived in Britain, she said she would have wanted it to cover questions involving tax, bank accounts, work options and provide contact with other nannies.

KiwiOz has about 40 nannies or "mannies" on their books in Britain and 100 parents.

Some clients are Kiwi and Australian families living or holidaying there.

Rutledge said nannies always had a choice of families and most were snapped up within a week.

That level of interest prompted Rutledge's return home to set up the Auckland office in June to be at the source of supply.

Now, she spends a lot of her time visiting nanny schools throughout New Zealand while Ogg runs the Notting Hill office with two staff members.

She talks to Ogg over the internet daily.

Demand for nannies is also rising here and 50 per cent of Rutledge's work is servicing the Auckland market.

A consultant in Melbourne also supplies nannies for Britain and opening an Australian office is on the list of things to do.

Last year, the agency turned over 100,000 and with turnover growing at 100 per cent each year so far, another British staff member is likely to be hired in the new year. Although there is now money available for marketing, word of mouth has driven the early growth with many clients approaching the agency on the recommendation of other families.

KiwiOz also provides a babysitting service in Auckland and is about to extend that service to hotels so guests can make bookings too.

It also plans to launch a tutoring service in Britain, but the immediate focus is on increasing the volumes of nannies at this end.