Kimiko's Book and Bible Restoration is a one-person book repair studio, set up in 2018 by Kimiko, who has spent more than 20 years restoring books. She trained in Fine Arts in Japan, completed a Masters at Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland with first class honours, and then worked for over 20 years at a university bindery. The studio is based on Fernwood Place in Wai O Taiki Bay, Auckland. It restores family bibles, historic books and well-loved everyday books, and the oldest book the studio has restored dates from the 1600s.
Work includes repairing original covers, making new covers when the old one is too damaged, repairing inside pages, and repairing or making new spines. Each book is first assessed, and the studio then agrees the damage and the result with the owner before work starts, and gives a quote. The website says a restored book may not return to its original condition, but it will be strengthened so it can still be used.