Local Brands Showcase #CMTYMONTH
In July, we coined 'Community Month'. A month dedicated to spotlighting locals making a real impact in the action sports scene. Here are the brands we’ve featured: legends doing cool sh*t, supporting riders, building community, and keeping it local.
Have a read through, see what brands are up to and show them some love!
- Cory Griffiths
SPOTLIGHT: DUCKEWE 🦆🛹
Based in Christchurch, Duckewe is an eco-friendly streetwear brand pushing for real change in the clothing industry.
They produce plastic-free clothing with sustainability and community in mind. Giving people the option to buy ethically made products crafted from natural fibres, not synthetics.
Duckewe is deeply rooted in the local skate scene too. Sponsoring riders and events, building ramps, hosting their own comps, and raising over $100,000 for skateboarding over the past five years. You might’ve seen them at the iconic Duckbrewe skatepark takeover at Rolling Meadows Festival.
Next up is the Washington Way Bowl Jam, hosted by Progression Session and sponsored by Duckewe. There are even more summer events in the pipeline, including another big return to Rolling Meadows.
Outside of events, they’ve got a bunch in the pipeline. New boards, clothing, local collabs… Plenty to look forward to.
If you want to support what they’re doing, grab some gear, follow along, and if you’re in Christchurch, hit them up to get involved in what they do! These events only happen thanks to the hard work and good energy of local volunteers backing the scene.
“If we could ask for one thing, it's to support your local community, get behind each other and make cool sh*t happen. Life's about living, so don't think too hard and have some fun.”
Support local. Support Duckewe. 🧡
SPOTLIGHT: SKATEHAUS 🛹
New Zealand’s only board printing press. Run by one of the nicest dudes in the scene, Harry Browne-Sainty.
We recently linked up to visit Skatehaus HQ and got to print a new Postal deck & see how its done. Skatehaus does everything from one-off custom decks to full production runs, giving local skaters and brands the chance to create something truly their own.
Harry’s been skating in NZ for 20 years, and Skatehaus was born from wanting to make skateboarding his life and make it more accessible for others while he’s at it. After seeing how tough (and expensive) it was to import pre-printed decks, he built a solution that would keep local skating alive, affordable, and expressive.
Skatehaus is working toward building a more NZ-focused skate scene. Hosting jams, comps, giveaways, and cooking up some solid collabs along the way.
If you want to support what Harry is building, give @skatehaus.nz a follow, or hit skatehaus.nz to print your next board.
Support local. Support SKATEHAUS
Thanks Harry for allowing us to come see what you do and share it with the community! Absolute legend.
EMBED REEL HERE
SPOTLIGHT: BUZZED 🚲
Meet Anthony, a 21-year-old MTB/BMX rider from New Zealand, and the main man behind Buzzed, a clothing brand built to promote mental health awareness through action sports.
Anthony started Buzzed back in 2020 after going through a tough time himself. Riding was his escape, it gave him clarity, freedom, and kept him going when things felt hard.
That experience inspired him to build a brand that shares the message that action sports can do more than just pass the time. Action sports can help people with their mental health and even help save lives too.
There’s heaps on the horizon for Buzzed. Anthony is off to Canada for a few months of riding, filming, and growing the brand. Expect fresh content, new drops, and a raw, real look at what it’s like to chase your passion and build a brand from the ground up.
If you want to support the movement, hit follow at @buzzedriders, spread the message, and grab some gear if it resonates with you. Every like, comment, share, and order goes a long way to keeping this dream alive, and reminding people they’re never alone.
Support local. Support Buzzed.
SPOTLIGHT: SNOWANDSTREET ❄️🛴
What started as a mission to provide people with an easier, new way to enjoy the NZ ski fields has morphed into becoming the sole distributor of Ethic DTC and finding lifelong friendships in the action sports community.
Snowandstreet is the exclusive distributor of Eretic Snowscoots in NZ. Top-tier snow scooters that are made to bring the feeling of scootering to the snow.
While they’ve got snow scooters in the country, they’re also the team behind Ethic DTC in NZ, distributing one of the most respected scooter brands on the planet, plus Versatyl for the next generation of riders.
You can get behind Snowandstreet by making sure you buy your Ethic DTC locally, through the NZ retailers that stock it.
They’re backing the local scooter scene, and every local purchase helps them continue to reinvest in events, sponsorships, and support for the NZ community.
So whether you're keen to hit the slopes in a new way, or stacking clips at the skatepark, make sure to back the people that are supporting the scene.
Support local. Support Snowandstreet.
SPOTLIGHT: East Skate Club + SONSK8 🛹
Aaron Martin is the president of East Skate Club. Auckland’s only wheeled-sports nonprofit and the driving force behind Sonsk8, the only indoor skatepark in the country.
East Skate Club started as a way to advocate for skate-friendly spaces and give skating the same opportunities as traditional sports.
What began as a small mission to improve a local park that hadn’t been touched in 20+ years quickly grew into something much bigger. Networking with riders, shops, designers, and the whole action-sports community to make sure skateparks had a strong voice.
ESC is always pushing for new parks, refreshing existing ones, adding features and lights, and creating more funding for action sports activations. They’re constantly on the go, making things happen for the scene.
You can help too, by filling in the surveys whenever they come out - every bit of feedback matters. And do your part to keep our parks clean. Pick up rubbish (even if it’s not yours!) and take pride in your local spots.
“Let’s squash the intersport beef. No one cares what’s ‘cool’ and what isn’t. Cheer on others and help promote skateparks as an awesome way to stay active, make friends, and encourage more people to get into the sports we love.”
Massive respect to Aaron and the whole crew behind ESC and Sonsk8. They have done so much for the action sport community and continue to do so.
Support Local. Support ESC & SONKS8.
SPOTLIGHT: JUST SCOOTERING 🛴
Just Scootering is New Zealand’s only scooter coaching academy and the only physical scooter shop in the country. All run by Jordan Chan.
Born from seeing a gap in the scene, Jordan set up Just Scootering to give riders the guidance, events, and community they deserve. Whether you’re just starting out or have been riding for years, they’ll help you build skills, grow your confidence, and have a good time doing it.
From hosting ride days, jams, and grassroots comps to their weekly Club Night at Sonsk8 Indoor Skatepark, they’re keeping the scene hyped and moving forward. Every Wednesday at Sonsk8, they run a scooter-only session focused on coaching, learning new tricks, understanding how to compete, and bringing riders together to progress.
Make sure you flick ‘em a follow and check them out at www.justscootering.co.nz or drop by their shop in Auckland.
Support local. Support Just Scootering.
