There's something deeply satisfying about baking with a tool that was made by hand — and when that tool is turned from native New Zealand Rimu, it becomes something you'll want to pass down through the family. At Poppa's Wooden Creations in Whangarei, we make two styles of hand-turned Rimu rolling pin, and both are built to be the last rolling pin you'll ever need to buy.
Why Rimu?
Rimu is one of New Zealand's most loved native timbers. Its warm reddish-orange grain has decorated the floors, furniture, and homes of Kiwi families for generations — and it's just as beautiful in the kitchen. Rimu is naturally dense and smooth, making it ideal for a rolling pin that needs to glide evenly across pastry without sticking. It's also naturally resistant to moisture when properly finished, which is exactly what you want in a kitchenware piece.
Both of our rolling pins are hand-turned in our workshop at 102 Kiripaka Rd, Whangarei, finished with a food-safe oil that nourishes the timber and protects the grain. No two pins are identical — the natural variation in Rimu means every piece has its own character.
The Two Styles
Classic Rimu Rolling Pin
Our classic rolling pin measures 400mm long by 45mm in diameter and weighs a satisfying 362 grams — heavy enough to roll dough with minimal effort, light enough to work with comfortably for extended baking sessions. The cylindrical shape is the style most bakers grew up with: straight, even, and predictable. It gives you consistent pressure from edge to edge, making it ideal for pastry, biscuits, pizza bases, and bread dough.
At $40, it's a genuinely useful piece of kitchenware that also happens to be beautiful. Set it on your bench and it looks like it belongs there.
French Rimu Rolling Pin
The French-style rolling pin is tapered at both ends with no handles — a design that serious bakers swear by. Without handles, your hands rest directly on the pin and you feel the dough beneath you. That direct contact gives you far greater sensitivity and control, letting you adjust pressure naturally as you roll. The tapered shape also makes it easy to roll in a fan motion for round pastry shapes like pie crusts and tart bases.
Crafted from the same native Rimu and finished to the same food-safe standard, the French pin is $40 and a favourite gift for anyone who loves to bake.
Which One Is Right for You?
If you're buying for someone who bakes regularly and wants maximum control — especially for pastry — the French rolling pin is the one to choose. If you're looking for a classic, familiar feel with even pressure and beautiful looks, the classic Rimu pin is perfect. Both make outstanding gifts, and both will outlast anything you'd find in a kitchen store.
Caring for Your Rimu Rolling Pin
Wooden kitchenware is easy to care for with a few simple habits. Never soak your rolling pin in water or put it in the dishwasher — a quick wipe with a damp cloth after use is all it needs. Every few months, rub it down with a food-safe oil like mineral oil or beeswax to keep the timber nourished and the surface smooth. Store it somewhere it can breathe — not wrapped in plastic — and it will reward you with decades of reliable service.
Made in Whangarei, Built to Last
Every rolling pin we make is turned by hand in our Whangarei workshop. We source our Rimu responsibly and finish every piece with the same care we put into our wooden toys. Whether it's for your own kitchen or as a gift for someone who loves to bake, a Poppa's rolling pin is one of those things that gets better with age.
Browse both rolling pins in our wooden kitchenware collection at poppaswoodencreations.co.nz/wooden-kitchenware and find the one that fits your kitchen.