Kathmandu launched a new brand concept with Aotea Great Barrier Island locals, landscapes and way of life as inspiration. 

Local Barrier residents and landscapes went live this week as part of Kathmandu’s new evergreen “Come find us. We’re out there.” campaign. We’ve enjoyed seeing Barrier locals in their raw form throughout the advertising. 

Kathmandu states, “beyond the untouched landscape, Come Find Us. We’re Out There. celebrates the people of Barrier. The locals demonstrate what it means to live truly out there, and because of this, Kathmandu invited them to take part in the campaign.”

The campaign highlights the toughness and authenticity of New Zealand’s outdoor environments, the satisfaction that humans derive from being outside, and the beauty of New Zealand’s wilderness. Completely captured on the island.

In May, the media agency Motion Sickness auditioned 150 locals before choosing nine to star in the commercial. The crew then put up a makeshift studio inside the Claris Conference Centre, where the successful applicants were photographed while dressed in new season Kathmandu gear and complemented it with their own well-loved pieces.

And, as the Motion Sickness crew put it, “proudly embracing their rich culture and unfiltered personalities”.

Locals included the likes of Evander and Destiny Sykes, Jess Page, Paul Hale, Jacob Montgomery, Brad Carde, Lucia Victoria, Julia Burrough, and a couple of part time residents. 

Further cementing the campaign’s Kiwi spirit is the advert’s voiceover, by retired radio icon, Kim Hill, and bespoke music produced entirely by up-and-coming Auckland-based music producers.

Kathmandu’s “Come Find Us. We’re Out There” campaign is now live across New Zealand’s television, out-of-home, online, and social media platforms, and will run for 12 months, until August 2025. 

Watch the full advert here:

Kathmandu’s all-new Seeker series is now available in-store and online.

Locals are front and centre on the Kathmandu website and Instagram, and others like Paul, Evander, Julia, and Jacob may be found among the professional models in the new ‘Seeker’ product ranges.

Will people recognise the Barrier?

If people want to know where the gorgeous vistas are captured, they must be more inquisitive and delve a little deeper, as it’s not revealed in the ad. Secret’s safe with Kathmandu.