As BBC Worldwide gears up to trot Ragdoll’s In the Night Garden around the world, its Australasia division has appointed Global Licensing NZ to rep the property in New Zealand; the Beeb’s Doctor Who is also part of the deal.

Global Licensing is taking the merch reins immediately, and its first order of business is to oversee the launch of the Doctor Who toy line this month at Kiwi retailers The Warehouse, Kmart, Farmers and Toy World.

Meanwhile, Global is constructing a licensing program for In the Night Garden, currently airing on TV2 in New Zealand. Playthings from master toy partner Hasbro, Penguin books and DVDs from Roadshow will drive the initial consumer products push this fall, and Global will broaden the merch selection in 2008. Expect apparel, housewares, accessories, stationery, footwear, bags, games and puzzles sporting Anne Woods’ toyetic cast of characters to start showing up at the country’s mass retailers next spring.