Planting Seeds Podcast

This episode is with Pouwhitinui Te Hau , a husband, pāpā and someone who, just eight months ago, lost his son Māwhai to the taniwha of suicide. Alongside his wife Rayray, Pouwhitinui and their whānau have shown incredible courage and heart as they navigate this journey of grief together. In this kōrero, Pouwhitinui speaks openly about his son Māwhai’s life, the struggles that came with his passin...

This episode is with Waata Heathcote , a Whakatāne local who I grew up seeing around the community. Back then, he was a police officer , but today, he’s a mentor, broker, and advocate for marginalised communities across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato through his kaupapa Waiariki Whānau Mentoring . In this kōrero, we talk about his upbringing , what led him to start Waiariki Whānau Mentoring, and th...

This episode is with Matua Wiremu Wharepapa , also known as Wongi , pou for Raukūmara Pae Maunga , a kaupapa focused on restoring the wellbeing of one of Aotearoa’s largest forests. Born on the “dirt floor” and raised in Te Kaha, Wongi’s upbringing has shaped deeply who he is and the work he does today. He lived with the seasons, guided by the knowledge passed down from his parents, who lived sust...

In this episode, I sit down with Matekitātahi Rāwiri , a talented Māori architect through his practice Orua , following in the footsteps of his māmā, who was the first registered Māori architect in the world. Matekitātahi grew up in Auckland, surrounded by te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, and now lives in Te Kaha with his own whānau. His story is one of creativity, cultural grounding, and balance —...

This episode is with my brother Pāpā Wharawera , someone I actually went to primary school with. After years apart, it's been a blessing to reconnect. Pāpā shares deeply about his upbringing, being bullied by our own people, and how his journey through rugby took him from small beginnings to a professional career. But after a series of concussions and severe anxiety attacks, he made the decisi...

This episode is a deep and powerful kōrero with my good brother Tom Hern . He's a filmmaker, director, writer, and above all, partner and father. Our conversation is one of depth, vulnerability, resilience, and the hero’s journey . Tom opens up about his roots growing up in Christchurch , a pivotal incident with his mother that changed the course of his family’s life, living and working on his...

Bali was the time of our lives! We let loose, partied, ate amazing food, scootered the streets, and met incredible people BUT above all, we poured into our marriage. Our intention was FUN, and fun we had. But we shouldn't have went - that's what our bank accounts said anyway. What made it possible was what we’ve been learning and integrating over the past few years: the power of vibration...

This is my second episode with Joe Webb , the creative mind and founder behind YOUKNOW Clothing. We’re very fortunate to have him on because he doesn’t do many interviews, even though he gets asked plenty - so Planting Seeds Podcast whānau, we are lucky! In this kōrero we dive into:✨ The story of YK Move and why movement matters✨ How YOUKNOW Clothing grew from printing tees in Joe’s bedroom to a...

This is the very first episode of a new segment I’m calling Grow With Me – a space where I’ll be sharing more of my personal journey, what’s going on behind the scenes, and the lessons I’m learning along the way. In this episode, I reflect on Hui Tāne and the recent kōrero we’ve had around men’s mental health and well-being. I also share a bit about what’s coming next and where I’m currently at in...

This episode is a fluid and heartfelt kōrero with Connor Watene-O’Sullivan , a young tāne, pāpā, and partner from Te Hiku o te Ika who grew up immersed in te ao Māori through kura kaupapa. Passionate about men’s well-being, Connor is part of a movement creating safe spaces for tāne to connect, share, and grow through his kaupapa Circle of Brothers. We speak about vulnerability, maturing as men in...

This episode of the Planting Seeds Podcast is a deep and insightful kōrero with Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod , a champion of te reo Māori revitalisation and a leader whose life and mahi Kauwaka Ltd reflect the powerful connection between language, culture, and well-being. Dr Tātere opens up heart-to-heart about his personal journey – from being born and raised in Australia to returning to Hawke’s Bay...

In this powerful and deeply moving kōrero, we sit down with Matua Phil Paikea, a true example of a changed man. Raised around violence and once walking that same path himself, it was a wairua encounter and the unwavering love of his wife that shifted everything. Now, matua Phil has devoted his life to supporting tāne reintegrating from prison back into society through his kaupapa Safe Man, Safe Fa...

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Heemi Kapa-Kingi, a tāne Māori dedicated to shifting the narrative around men’s wellbeing. We dive into the concept of The Māui Complex – a framework Hemi describes as the relentless drive Māori men carry to be competent in every area of life, and the feelings of unworthiness that follow when they inevitably fall short. Heemi also shares the heart behind h...

This is the second episode with Papa Hone Harawira, and it hits close to home. In this kōrero, we dive into a kaupapa that we both hold deeply – Men’s Mental Health and Wellbeing. Following Hone’s call for Hui Tāne, this episode gives insight into the why behind the kaupapa and the realities many tāne face today. Held over three days in Kaitaia, Hui Tāne created a space for tāne to connect, be hea...

Welcome back to the Planting Seeds Podcast – and the return of Solo Sessions. These episodes are an honest glimpse into my personal journey, the things I’m reflecting on, and the lessons I’m learning behind the scenes. In this session, I take a trip down memory lane to 2016, the year I truly committed to the path of growth. It was the foundation for a life-changing shift in 2017, where I made the...

In this powerful kōrero, we sit down with Taurus Taurima, a man who chose a different path—and stuck to it. Raised in Flaxmere, Hawke’s Bay, Taurus stood at a crossroads: the army or the Mongrel Mob. When the army didn’t work out, he entered a world of crime and prison life. But his story doesn’t end there. We dive deep into:✨ His early years and life as a Mongrel Mob member✨ The moment he chose...

This episode is a personal favorite – a deep and entertaining kōrero with my good friend, brother, and one of NZ’s funniest comedians , Joe Daymond . Beyond the laughs, Joe shares a real and raw insight into where he is in life right now and the challenges men face with mental health . We dive into: ✨ Showing up authentically on social media & in real life ✨ Joe’s health & fitness journe...

In this vibrant and uplifting kōrero, we sit down with Kelly-Aroha Huata , a wāhine Māori who radiates courage, positivity, and passion. Hailing from Ngāti Kahungunu, Kelly shares how the unconditional love from her parents shaped her fearless approach to life. We dive deep into: ✨ How whānau and upbringing built her confidence and courage ✨ Being fearless as a māmā, partner, and businesswoman...

In this powerful and insightful kōrero, we sit down with Rawhitiroa Bosch , the man behind the lens who has dedicated his life to showcasing the magic of Māoridom. More than just a photographer, Rawhitiroa is a staunch activist who uses his craft to amplify the voices of our people. We dive deep into:✨ Following tikanga but sending a clear message at Waitangi✨ The Hīkoi – when people marched fro...

In this rare and powerful kōrero, Hone Harawira shares insights into his journey as an activist, his mother’s influence, and his vision for the future. From the early days of Ngā Tama Toa to passing the torch to the next generation of Māori activators, this episode captures a different side of Hone that many may not have seen before. We dive deep into:✨ The impact of his mother in shaping his act...

In this powerful and raw kōrero, Jase Te Patu shares how his upbringing shaped his purpose, from experiencing his father leaving at a young age to the deep healing journey through te reo Māori. Jase opens up about: ✨ How toxic fuel drove him to seek external validation ✨ The power of words and how they shaped his identity ✨ Healing generational trauma through te reo Māori ✨ Why he is so passio...

Starting 2025 with this epic conversation with my good friend Byron Austin ( byron.grows ). In this episode, we discuss how Byron got into food forestry, the projects he’s passionate about, and take a deep dive into him as a person and leader. We explore his mindset, how he addresses insecurities and what drives him. I hope you enjoy this kōrero and if you do receive value, leave a comment below a...

In this episode, we sit down for a second kōrero with Papa Mark Kopua to delve deeper into Mahi a Atua and the transformative mahi happening within wānanga. Papa Mark shares pūrākau of Atua Māori, the art of giving and receiving feedback, and the significance of mauri as an anchor and purpose in our lives and kaupapa. Papa also reflects on his journey as an artist, speaking about the connection be...

In this episode, I sit down with Jana, a Mataora for Mahi a Atua , to explore her journey of reconnecting with Te Ao Māori and anchoring herself through cultural practice and healing. We discuss the impacts of moving around, the challenges of disconnection, and how engaging with Mahi a Atua has shaped her path. Jana shares insights on building confidence, navigating expectations placed on young wā...

In this episode, we sit down with Tama , the man behind the lens of Mahi a Atua , as he steps outside his comfort zone to share his personal journey. Tama reflects on being raised in Hawke's Bay, the lessons he has learned from his children, and the life changing experience of connecting with Mahi a Atua , capturing moments during wānanga and his work addressing gambling harm within the community....