Ryan McDonald – From Idea to North Canterbury Success

As Featured On North Cantbury’s ‘Proud To Be Here’ Stories

Recently, MoMac’s founder, Ryan McDonald, was featured in a North Canterbury Business Stories Q&A, a chance to reflect on his journey, his connection to the region, and the story behind MoMac.

Although Ryan wasn’t born in the South Island, North Canterbury has been home since the early ’90s, when his family moved to Rangiora from Hamilton. He grew up here, attending Rangiora Borough School and Rangiora High, and has always felt that where you go to school is where you truly call home.

The Road to MoMac

In his twenties, Ryan spent years away from home, living and working overseas on drilling rigs and in mining across Australia. But even while travelling, the goal was clear: move home and start a business.

The spark for MoMac came during a solo travel adventure, where Ryan filmed and shared videos online. It was then he realised that turning the camera toward other people’s stories could help businesses be seen online — especially at a time when social media video was just starting to take off.

Returning to Rangiora, he started MoMac in his parents’ lounge as a one-man band. The vision was simple but ambitious: build a creative agency right here in North Canterbury that could deliver work on par with big-city firms.

Building Something Local, and Big

Eight years on, MoMac has grown into one of the region’s most recognised brands, working with clients across New Zealand and Australia. In 2025, the business took a big step by acquiring Create Design Studio, expanding the team and adding commercial print services — all while keeping jobs and capability local.

“Agencies with our capability are usually based in big cities. It’s almost unheard of to find one in a town this size,” Ryan says. “For us, growth has been about supporting local business, creating opportunities, and doing it all from right here in our community.”

Milestones and Memories

MoMac’s portfolio has included a diverse mix of clients, from small local start-ups to high-profile names. A standout moment was working with Liam Lawson during his journey to Formula One — managing his website and social media for years, then seeing him make his F1 debut.

For Ryan, success isn’t just measured in projects delivered, but in people:
“I’ve built a business that supports my family and other families. Seeing our team members grow into long-term careers here in North Canterbury is one of my proudest achievements.”

Life in North Canterbury

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys making the most of local life — from the coffee spots in Rangiora to a stop at Little Vintage Espresso Café in Amberley when heading north for work.

As for the future, there’s no rush to change direction. “The best part is knowing MoMac’s story is still being written — and it will always be rooted in North Canterbury.”

Read the full Q&A with Ryan on North Canterbury Business Stories below.