Planting Seeds Podcast

In this Grow With Me episode, I answer two powerful questions around identity, change, and purpose. How to navigate the transition from your old identity to a new one, especially after separation?How to stay on the path of your passion?This kōrero is about staying grounded while stepping into who you’re becoming. Not rushing the process, not forcing it BUT honouring the shift.KEEn to hear your thoughts if you have any, please drop them in the comments below.🔗 Join Seeds of Self (Online Community):https://form.typeform.com/to/PqdcWDEW

This Grow With Me episode is a real check-in after missing last week . . . and why.Life has been hectic but in a good way. Travel, kaupapa, mahi opportunities, training, everything moving. But in the middle of that, I started noticing early signs of burnout.In this kōrero, I share what’s been coming up for me, how I recognised it early, and the adjustments I’ve made to rebalance and recharge before things tipped too far.I also speak into this week’s Brother to Brother kaupapa: Emotional Strength.For many tāne, emotional expression hasn’t been modelled in healthy ways. So we default to shutting down, reacting, or carrying things alone. This space is about learning to feel, process, and express emotions in a way that actually supports us.This episode is for the brothers navigating pressure, and also for wāhine wanting a deeper understanding of how tāne process things internally.If this kōrero resonates, take what you need and check in with yourself.🔗 Planting Seeds Offerings:https://form.typeform.com/to/PqdcWDEW

In this episode, I sit down with Riki Nia Nia, CEO of Te Rau Ora, a Māori health organisation committed to strengthening the Māori health workforce, supporting rangatahi leadership, and ensuring whānau receive culturally grounded care and wellbeing support.Te Rau Ora plays a vital role across Aotearoa through initiatives that support workforce development, mental health and addiction services, kaupapa Māori health frameworks, leadership pathways, and community wellbeing kaupapa.In this kōrero, Riki shares insights from decades of working within the health sector and why this mahi is deeply personal to him.We dive into the stories that shaped him, from the influence of his koro and the philosophy of “hiki wairua”, to his māmā becoming the first Tongan wahine involved with the Māori Women’s Refuge movement. He also speaks openly about how his understanding of the health system supported his own whānau during a challenging time with his son.We explore bigger conversations around rangatahi leadership, learning to agree to disagree, lessons from Native American communities, Te Whare Tapa Whā, and the complex factors that influence whānau wellbeing.This is a powerful conversation about how our personal stories shape the work we choose to do and the impact we want to have on our people.This episode is a collaboration between the Planting Seeds Podcast and Te Rau Ora.🔗 Learn more about Te Rau Ora:https://terauora.com/

In this episode of the Planting Seeds Podcast, I sit down with Kaukaohu Wahilani, a Hawaiian elder and activist who accepted the invitation to share a kōrero during Waitangi this year.Our conversation explores the deep similarities between Hawaiian and Māori cultures, histories, and experiences under colonisation.Kaukaohu speaks openly about a powerful identity shift in his life, reclaiming his traditional Hawaiian name, which he describes as a step that emancipated him mentally and spiritually from what he calls “the matrix.”We also speak about the impact of colonisation on Hawai‘i, the movement to protect Mauna Kea, the devastation caused by the recent fires in Hawai‘i, and the ongoing desecration of Hawaiian lands through military occupation.This kōrero is one of indigenous connection, resistance, identity, and remembering who we truly are.If something from this conversation resonates with you, please share your favourite highlight in the comments and follow the links below to stay connected with the kaupapa and mobilisations that Kaukaohu is part of.🔗 Follow Kaukaohu Wahilani & Stay Updated:👉 https://www.kalahuihawaii.net/🔗 Planting Seeds Offerings:👉 https://form.typeform.com/to/PqdcWDEW

In this episode of the Planting Seeds Podcast, I sit down with Tāmati Rākena, Far North District Councillor, co-founder of Taiao, and a dedicated father and partner.Raised around Waitangi and immersed in the many kaupapa of the Far North, Tāmati shares how his upbringing shaped his worldview and commitment to service. We talk about what it truly means to become a councillor and the mahi he is doing within council to support community voice and representation.Alongside his wahine Jude, Tāmati also founded Taiao, a clothing brand grounded in kaupapa Māori and we kōrero about the intention behind the brand.A powerful part of this kōrero centres on fatherhood. Tāmati speaks openly about raising their son who is he takiwātanga (autistic), sharing the lessons, growth and the deeper understanding of love and patience that has come through that journey.If you get value from this kōrero, please share it with someone who would appreciate it.🔗 Shop Taiao & Support the Kaupapa:www.mytaiao.co.nz/🔗 Planting Seeds Offerings:www.form.typeform.com/to/PqdcWDEW

This episode marks the third time sister NIX has joined the Planting Seeds Podcast and as always, it’s a kōrero filled with value, honesty, and reflection.Recorded at Waitangi, this conversation looks back on the lessons NIX took from 2025 and the intentions she’s setting for 2026. We speak about creating joyful moments, being intentional with what we share publicly, and the strength that can be found in silence.With the energy of Waitangi around us and NIX juggling work on the grounds, this kōrero came with its fair share of distractions AND while it was cut shorter than planned, there are still plenty of gems throughout. It also leaves us room to run it back and go deeper next time.A reflective, real, and grounded conversation about slowing down, choosing presence, and moving forward with intention.⬇️ Share in the comments your favourite highlight from this episode.🔗 Express your interest in Planting Seeds offerings: ⁠https://form.typeform.com/to/PqdcWDEW