“We moved to Rangiora from Hamilton in the early ’90s because it was cheaper for my dad to get his magazine (SpeedSport) printed down here. I went to Rangiora Borough School and then Rangiora High, and I’ve always felt that where you go to school is where you consider home.”
After leaving school, Ryan spent most of his twenties living away and overseas, working on drilling rigs and in mining across Australia. Even then, the goal was clear: he wanted to move home and start a business. “It was something I had been thinking about for years. When the time finally came to return, it was an easy decision. Starting the business was a dream come true, and although the work was never easy, being surrounded by friends and family made it much more enjoyable.”
Now raising his own family in Rangiora with his partner and their two young daughters, Ryan is grateful his children get to grow up in what he calls “a cool, close-knit community.”
Ryan with his incredible team at Momac Creative Agency
The business he returned to start is MoMac, a full-service creative agency offering brand development, websites, marketing, graphic design, photography, videography, and commercial printing. The idea came while he was solo travelling, creating videos to share his adventures. “It dawned on me that if I turned the camera around and focused on other people’s stories, I could help them be seen online, especially on social media, which was just starting to boom with video content.”
Ryan always imagined he would build something in North Canterbury, but he did not expect to grow an agency of MoMac’s size here. “Agencies with our capability and scale are usually based in big cities. It is almost unheard of to find one like ours in a town with a population this size. I also could not have foreseen how much growth North Canterbury would go through, and it is still going.”
Eight years on from launching as a one-man band in his parents’ lounge, MoMac is now one of North Canterbury’s most recognised brands, working with clients across New Zealand and Australia.
Momac and Create merged in 2025.
In 2025, MoMac took another big step by acquiring Create Design Studio, a long-established Rangiora business. The move expanded the team, added commercial print services, and further cemented MoMac’s commitment to North Canterbury. “It was about keeping jobs local, supporting local businesses, and strengthening what we can offer right here in our community,” Ryan says.
“Sometimes I look around the office and think, wow, this all started from nothing more than an idea. One of the things I love most is when clients reach out because they have seen the MoMac brand and want to work with us. The brand and the people behind it speak for themselves.”
Along the way, MoMac has partnered with a diverse mix of clients, many of whom are still with the agency today. A standout moment was working with Liam Lawson on his journey to Formula One. “Managing his website and social media for years, then seeing him make his F1 debut, was a proud moment for the whole team.”
For Ryan, success is not just measured by the work they produce. “I have built a business that supports my family and other families. Seeing our team members grow into long-term careers here in North Canterbury is one of my proudest achievements.”
When he is not in the office, Ryan enjoys making the most of local life. “There are plenty of great coffee spots in Rangiora, but if I am heading north for work, I always stop at Little Vintage Espresso Café in Amberley for a coffee or bite to eat.”
As for the future, Ryan is in no hurry to change course. “For me, the best part is knowing MoMac’s story is still being written, and that it will always be rooted in North Canterbury.”
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