So, let’s start at the beginning. After Hours has been around for a little while. Can you explain the brand’s origin?

It was started by artist and skateboarder Glenn Smith [and Haley Ashby] around 4-5 years ago, focusing on core skateboarding and its culture. Over the years, Glenn has worked for many brands, including Likewise, Girl, DEF, ABC, Empire, Quiet Life, and many more. Glenn and I were partners in Likewise before COVID hit.

How did After Hours end up in your lap?

Billie is heading to University this year and has been trying to find a part-time job, “After Hours”, but with no luck. I’ve always loved Glenn Smith’s artwork and aesthetics, especially what he did with the brand, so I hit him up about it. He said he had put it on the back burner as he had started a new job with Lower as the art director, so I asked him if he wanted to sell it. I had a figure in mind that we would pay, and as it turned out, it was exactly the amount he asked for – it was meant to be.

As seen in the latest issue of Manual Magazine.

How are things different under your watch?

[We have] decks? Well, Billie is studying a Bachelor of Design in Fashion at Uni and loves making clothes, so we plan on making some bespoke one-off pieces and later some decent cut-and-sew items, as I’m sure pattern making, etc., will be part of what she learns. We are just trying to be a core skateboard brand that doesn’t cater to the mainstream – skateboarders need something special that they can embrace as their own and be proud to wear.

Why start [grow] a NZ skateboard company in 2024/25?

Well, most skaters are unaware of where the US dollar sits against the NZD at .54, which is almost double, but that is the primary reason board prices are rising. I thought it was perfect timing to launch something new that is cheaper than the US brands that backed young local talent and try to create something unique and cool that doesn’t necessarily copy the style of how a traditional skate brand would market itself.

Well-priced, quality wood with slick graphics. There are egg shapes, wheel wells, and NZ’s first female pro model skateboard (a guest model for Jessica Ready).

You’ve been involved in a few NZ skate brands over the years. How is After Hours different?

With Boom and Strobe, I had no ownership at all, so there was only so much I could do to call the shots, and that got super frustrating, which is why I ultimately left, and well, the rest is history. This is different. I never wanted to start my own company because of how I left Boom and out of respect for Chey at DEF, etc. With Boom out of the game and DEF without boards for so long, it seems like the perfect time to fill the void.

When we did Irrom decks back in the day, we did some cool stuff with guest boards for people like Nick Lister, Bernard Foo, and Glenn Wignall. This range features NZ’s first female pro board, Jessica Ready. It’s a testament to how far women’s skateboarding has come in this country. Respect where respect is due: Jess rips and is a homie. $5 for every board sold goes to her travel fund.

Billie Morrison wearing the Lucky Strike t-shirt.

Tell us about who you’ve got riding for the brand and why you chose to team up with them.

I’ve picked all these young rippers because I’m trying to create a family. I’ve known all the kids for five or so years and also know their families really well. They all skate together, know each other, and hang out, so it all makes perfect sense. I love that they are young, super motivated and can all skate everything, which appeals to me. I see these kids being the top dawgs in a couple of years. I love watching them progress on a daily basis.

The team is currently Jessica Ready (Guest pro), Ari Saffer, Lenny Torrens, Monty Graham, Steve Nikolls, Koby Elliering, Jess Lord and Billie Morrison.

Some of the After Hours team sporting their wears. From left to right, top to bottom: Ari Saffer, Jess Lord, Koby Elliering, Lenny Torrens, Monty Graham, and Billie Morrison.

Taking over from Glenn Smith’s art direction is no small feat. The new look is sharp, though. Who’s creating the graphics now? Where does the inspiration come from?

We have inherited a small back catalogue of Glenn’s incredible art, and Billie has a keen eye for different art styles, including painting, etc. I’m no artist, but I have learnt a thing or two over the years and can put the odd thing together. We have a vision of how it can all mesh together, and I think the first range embodied that.

Things are off to a rolling start. What’s next?

Consolidate a little bit. The rollout was super rushed, as it wasn’t supposed to be delivered until after Christmas but delivered a few days before. We were super excited about how good the boards turned out, so we launched a little prematurely. The next range has already been put to bed, and we are super hyped about it. I hope everyone else will be, too.

Andrew Morrison, crailslide, Mangawhai.

Where can you get After Hours?

Boardertown, Fallen Front, Cheapskates Khyber Pass, The Goodroom, Fusion, Embassy, and Pavement. Soon, they will be available from thisisafterhours.co.nz.

Follow After Hours on Instagram @thisisafterhours