ABOUT
Moana Rd is a NZ brand that celebrates the quintessential kiwi life in beautiful Aotearoa with an eclectic mix of homewares, giftware and lifestyle products.
HISTORY
Paul Ballentyne started Moana Road in 2008 following a few years spent teaching economics at Wellington College and a stint in property development.
A surfer and entrepreneur since ages ago, Paul has always been inspired by the simple things our beautiful country has to offer; stunning beaches and scenery, road trips with mates and nostalgic kiwiana. He began sharing his experiences through photography and after many years selling his images in pop-up shops and summer markets he decided to branch out into wholesale and to expand the range of products.
Today, Paul remains driven by a passion for his beloved country, Aotearoa. From sunglasses to camping gear, tech to playing cards, each product is developed with Kiwis in mind and imbued with a sense of fun.
Moana Rd is proud to supply retailers all over New Zealand, as well as 10 countries overseas… But we’re even prouder that people (like you!) have supported us on our journey so far. Nothing makes our day more than seeing all the many diverse and wonderful New Zealanders repping our products up and down the length of Aotearoa. Aroha nui!
COLLABORATORS
MIRIAMA GRACE-SMITH
Miriama Grace-Smith works in collaboration with Moana Road to create designs for her own line of sunglasses, drink bottles and bucket hats.
Miriama Grace-Smith’s iwi are Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Porou. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Massey University in Wellington and has been creating art for most of her life. Her preferred mediums are painting, printmaking, illustration and fashion design. Much of her work is inspired by street art, fashion, her life, whakapapa (heritage) and pūrākau (Māori mythology).
On most days she works from her studio at Toi Pōneke in Wellington. If she isn’t at the studio she is most likely out and about painting murals or teaching art to tamariki with her whānau at her Marae, Hongoeka Marae.
Miriama is also a member of women’s art collective Dream Girl’s Collective.
ZOË’S KAWAKAWA
Moana Road are proud distributors of Zoë’s Kawakawa products, including insect repellant, lip balm and ‘everyday’ balm, and they’re made right here in the Mighty Manawatu. A lot of commercially available products like Zoë’s, contain nasty chemical ingredients that are harmful to you and the environment. For example, one of the most common ingredients in other insect repellents is DEET, which can actually strip paint!
All Zoë’s ingredients are natural, safe and effective.
DESIGNED IN NZ
MADE IN CHINA
Moana Rd always endeavours to build good relationships with our manufacturers and suppliers and we personally visit our factories in China, where possible (pre-Covid). From our experience, and relationships built over the years, the manufacturers we use have good working conditions and provide a sustainable living wage to their employees.
JOSHUA BOYS HOUSE
EMPOWER ASIA
Moana Rd are proud sponsors of the ‘Joshua Boy's House’ in Cambodia.
Opened in 2000, the home is a place for at-risk Cambodian kids to live and thrive. Our director, Paul Ballentyne, served on the board for many years.
The Joshua House is one of Empower Asia’s homes. Empower Asia is a New Zealand born organisation that houses children all over Asia. E.A’s mission is to take at-risk children from the age of approx 10 and support them through to the end of their tertiary education.
