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Summer brings about an appreciation for the simpler things in life, things we can often take for granted like making the most of our slice of paradise. There’s no better way to appreciate home than by hitting the open road to enjoy a season of adventure and discovery. This year we bought our summer campaign to life on the road to Mount Maunganui. With stops along the way we met five likeminded women, each with their own incredible businesses and projects on the go who also share the same ethos and approach to their projects as we do here at Max. If you’re planning on heading to the Mount this summer take note, we have the quintessential road trip guide for you.
Stop: The Falls Retreat
Packing the car bright and early, the first stop on our summer roadie took us through the Karangahake Gorge where lies what can only be described as a home away from home. Nestled amongst a forest of native trees you’ll find The Falls Retreat, a family run escape owned by Emma and her husband Brad along with their two children and four-legged pup Layla. Sharing our same passion for sustainability, Emma and Brad have a goal for The Falls to be self-sustainable and are making moves towards achieving this with a working garden where they grow their own produce, harvesting rainwater, and upcycling. The idyllic place to reset for those both near and further afield, take part in one of The Falls’ numerous workshops, listen to the sound of the Owharoa Falls in the distance, and enjoy the smell of food being prepared in their award winning bistro.
Eat: Soul Boul Eatery
For the most important meal of the day, we opted for breakfast from Soul Boul Eatery, the place to go for delicious wholefoods from superfood smoothie bowls to the all-important coffee fix. Owned by best friends Alex and Stace, Soul Boul is a mobile food truck and one of the many gems that this local area has to offer. The icing on the cake or in this case, chia seeds on the smoothie, we were lucky enough to work with Alex and Stace and kit out their team in our sustainable linen - ready for work and a busy summer ahead.
Stay: Pink A-Frame Airbnb
Tucked away down one of the many coastal streets in Papamoa is a 70s remodelled A-frame that is as Kiwiana as they come. Taking an old school A-frame and giving it a pink refresh, owner Rachel has created a home that highlights the building’s character with exposed breezeblocks, retro furnishings, and lush plants dotted around the place. It’s easy to admire the details of this home with every nook and cranny holding something special from a record player to Rachel’s old school BMX’s – one of her most prized possessions.
Relax: Wild Kinship by Monique Hemmingson
When packing for the beach, it’s important to have something great to read. We recommend Wild Kinship, a collection of conversations with New Zealand business owners doing their bit to change the world for the better. For the last stop on the summer roadie, we caught up with the author of Wild Kinship, Monique Hemmingson, a friend of the brand and someone who is as passionate about people and planet as we are. We spent some time with Monique at her home in Papamoa and learnt more about her latest passion project Moon Mama.
We'll be telling the individual stories of the women we were lucky enough to meet on our road trip over the coming weeks and sharing more about who they are and celebrating the incredible work they do.
