Gather & Hunt | Event production, digital storytelling and advertising
Established to be a ‘map to the magic that’s right here’, Gather & Hunt was both a digital and a physical lifestyle guide to Auckland, New Zealand.
Working alongside founder Courteney Peters, we operated as a two-man band producing events, digital and video content, reimagining what life in New Zealand’s biggest city could be like. It was an exhilarating introduction to the work of running a start-up, giving me experience in sales, events, advertising, publishing, hospitality, styling, photography and video.
Imaginative installations
For Urbis Designday 2013, we were briefed to bring Backhouse Interiors' showroom to life beyond furniture. Working with the owners, we identified the brand values underpinning the business – a reverence for natural materials, craftsmanship and buying less but better – and found their edible equivalent: independent food producers who shared that same philosophy.
The result turned a showroom visit into a brand experience, connecting people not just to objects, but to the values and makers behind them.
Art Dego - dining events on an epic scale
Art Dego was Gather & Hunt's annual collaborative culinary and art event, pairing chefs and artists to create a multi-course meal where food, wine and performance art responded to one another. In 2013, I co-produced the event and led styling – working with a 40-strong team of chefs, artists and producers to bring the night together for 110 guests, including supporting Kyle Street and artist Hye Rim Lee's performance piece featuring glowing geoducks. In 2015, I returned to style the Auckland Art Gallery edition.
Tasting Clubs
Gather & Hunt's Tasting Club took over the city's best restaurants and cafes for one-off dining events, reimagining each space for the night. One of the most memorable was a breakfast picnic takeover of Mojo Viaduct, where we covered the tables in real grass and served picnic food alongside coffee.. We ran similar takeovers at York Street Mechanics and Cazador, each with its own styling and menu built around the venue.
Stomping Grounds
Stomping Grounds was Gather & Hunt's way of bringing the character of Auckland's suburbs to life, and building an innovative commercial model. Working with videographer Benj Brooking, we produced videos showcasing the best of different neighbourhoods, well ahead of most in using video this way, and paired them with printed maps produced in collaboration with each area's business association. My role covered the commercial side, selling space in the videos and on the maps, and pitching to business associations and sponsors. I also coordinated shoot schedules, wrote map copy and generally got stuck in on shoot days!
Lifestyle writing - online and in print
