A Different Approach to Team Culture at Our Christchurch Marketing Agency
At MoMac, we spend a lot of time thinking about performance, growth, creativity and how we can keep delivering great work for our clients.
But just as important as the work itself are the people behind it.
Recently, we took the team out of the office and started the day a little differently. Instead of jumping straight into emails, meetings and project deadlines, we met at New Brighton Beach at sunrise for a team sauna and ocean session with Todd Morrell from Wild Roots Wellness & Sauna.
It was cold. It was early. It was definitely outside the usual workday routine.
And it was exactly what we needed.
Why We Did It
Our industry can be fast paced. There are tight deadlines, multiple projects moving at once, client feedback, creative decisions, production timelines and plenty of pressure along the way.
That is all part of agency life, and we love what we do, but we also understand the importance of taking time to reset.
This session was not about marketing, strategy or learning a new work skill. It was about investing in our people in a different way.
It was about creating space to slow down, reconnect, challenge ourselves and spend time together outside of the normal work environment.
Cold Water, Hot Sauna and a Bit of Discomfort
The morning started with a cold ocean dip, followed by time in the sauna, then back into the ocean again. We repeated this a few times, with plenty of encouragement, laughter and quiet moments in between.
For some, the biggest challenge was the early start. For others, it was stepping into freezing cold water, sitting with the heat of the sauna, or simply doing something new in front of their teammates.
What stood out most was the way the team supported one another. Everyone showed up for themselves, but also for each other.
There was no pressure to be the toughest or push the hardest. It was just about giving it a go, being present and getting comfortable with a little bit of discomfort.
A Different Kind of Team Development
Professional development does not always need to happen in a boardroom, training session or workshop.
Sometimes, investing in your team looks like giving people the chance to reset, build resilience, connect with one another and take a breath.
That was the real value of the morning.
After the sauna and ocean session, we headed back to the office for a healthy team breakfast. The office felt noticeably calm for the rest of the day. Everyone was a little tired, a little quieter than usual, and definitely more relaxed.
It may not have been our most productive day on paper, but it was one of the more meaningful team experiences we have had.
Supporting Wild Roots Wellness & Sauna
A big thank you to Todd Morrell from Wild Roots Wellness & Sauna for hosting and facilitating the session.
Todd has been on his own health and wellness journey for some time, and Wild Roots is a project we have really enjoyed watching come to life. It was also a special full-circle moment for us, as Todd and Morrell Construction were one of MoMac’s very first clients in the early days.
To now be able to support one of Todd’s passion projects in return made the morning even more meaningful.
Wild Roots brings together sauna, cold exposure, breath work, nature and connection in a really simple but powerful way. Todd created a calm, welcoming environment for the team, and we all took a lot from the experience.
More Than a Morning Out
For us, this was about more than doing something different for the sake of it.
It was a reminder that culture is built through shared experiences, trust, support and the moments where people get to connect as people, not just as workmates.
We are proud of the team for showing up, giving it a go and supporting each other through the process.
It was a morning of cold water, hot sauna, fresh air, good food, plenty of laughs and a much-needed reset.
Definitely something we will do again.
