PowerUp

Michael Mansvelt describes himself as a connector, someone who brings people closer to spaces, nature, and a sense of belonging. His career spans landscape, interior, and architectural design, alongside Jungle Nurseries, a nursery and creative hub based on the outskirts of New Plymouth. In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Michael reflects on the experiences that shaped him as both a designer and an entrepreneur. Growing up in South Taranaki, surrounded by rainforest, farmland, and historic architecture, he shares how those early observations continue to inform his work today. Leaving school early due to dyslexia pushed him toward a creative path that eventually led to working on one of Britain’s largest private estates — reshaping his understanding of legacy, time, and design. Michael also speaks candidly about building his business in the 1990s, the role television played in establishing credibility, and his philosophy of Everyday Opulence, finding beauty in both grand spaces and daily life. A thoughtful kōrero about creativity, longevity, and building a values-led business grounded in place.

A patch of struggling soil on a Taranaki lifestyle block sparked a line of questioning that wouldn’t let Michelle and Frank Lachmann go. What began as hands-on experimentation soon turned into years of trial and error, obsessive research, and a deep fascination with the invisible world beneath our feet. That curiosity became Herbi.nz, a next-generation soil and plant food now trusted by home gardeners, market growers, and international partners alike. In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Michelle and Frank share the real story behind Herbi.nz’s evolution. From the failed hemp crop that sparked it all, to the decisions, values, and practical lessons that transformed a side project into a fast-growing business. They speak openly about parenting while building a company, navigating uncertainty, and staying true to their beliefs about health, nature, and simplicity. They also reflect on the role Taranaki played in their journey, offering space to experiment, strong community support, and a grounding connection to the land. Herbi.nz began with a problem and that’s often where the best ideas grow.

Marianne Archibald didn’t set out to become a lettuce farmer. But when an unexpected opportunity emerged in rural Waverley, she and her family stepped into the world of hydroponic growing, transforming a rundown site into Salad Brothers, a thriving, family-run operation supplying fresh greens to cafés, wholesalers, supermarkets, and households across Taranaki and beyond. In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Marianne shares how she, her husband, and her brother-in-law taught every part of the business from scratch. From building systems and efficiencies to maintaining consistent quality, she reflects the realities of running a values-led family business in a demanding environment. The kōrero also explores the importance of holding firm on price and standards, and what it means to reach a crossroads and thoughtfully prepare a business for its next chapter. A grounded conversation about determination, teamwork, and building something meaningful from the ground up.

Jai Huta is in the business of supplying high quality sports kit at affordable prices. His business Game Changer is doing exactly that, particularly when it comes to kitting out teams, clubs and schools that don’t have privileged backgrounds. Game Changer is at the intersection of sport and social enterprise. In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Jai talks about why it’s important to him, and how Game Changer grew from a hobby to a full time job. He discusses how having good kit makes people feel, the reality of growing a challenger business in a competitive space, and why he likes the flexibility of self employment. Jai’s story is riddled with passion, both for his business and for the people it supports.

Terry Boon has left his fingerprints all over Taranaki - almost literally. As the founding director of acclaimed design and architecture firm BOON, he has steered the business from its beginnings to its current status as a local giant in all aspects of building design. In this episode of the PowerUp podcast, Terry talks through more than 50 years of highlights, from the development of New Plymouth’s iconic Bowl of Brooklands to all the McDonalds in New Zealand, and even the New Zealand Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Terry has an encyclopedic recollection of his incredible array of work, but this conversation is about much more than that. He is a passionate contributor to culture and the arts and a huge advocate for Taranaki as a region. In this fascinating discussion, he reflects on his relationships, family and environments - many of which he has shaped, both literally and figuratively.

Lisa Deken and Leeanne Snowdon are two school friends that run Down to Earth Organics; New Plymouth’s hub of holistic health. It’s packed wall to wall with nothing but good stuff for the mind and body. In this episode of the PowerUp podcast, Lisa and Lee talk about the beginnings of their work relationship, taking over a long-running Taranaki institution at the height of the Covid pandemic. They discuss the skyrocketing wellness industry and their place in it, how they manage their relationship, getting the right expertise involved and what it’s like taking over an existing business rather than starting one from scratch. So many good lessons here for anyone in a similar position, be it in the wellness space, buying an existing business, or starting something with a friend.

James Donald is one of New Zealand’s shining stars in the tech and startup scene. He is the first repeat guest on the PowerUp Podcast, and he’s come full circle since his last appearance. Having exited his first venture, tourism-tech company Yonder, he then co-founded the fast-growing market research company Ideally. James is a highly respected SaaS leader and his lessons cover the complete spectrum of growing a tech startup - from founding and growing to exiting, and taking all those lessons to do it all again! He picks out the most powerful insights across his journey, together with learnings about technology, AI, the power of accurate market research and the personal aspects of business ownership. This is a comprehensive conversation with so much for budding entrepreneurs to learn from - it’s not one to miss!

Vizlink is a clever business based on a simple problem - how hard it is to communicate things using just words. Gemma Adams started the business to give farmers simple maps of their land and other tools to help communication and planning. It’s a perfect fit for her - Gemma has a design background, is a dairy farmer, and is also dyslexic. She would often struggle to understand people because of the way her brain was wired, but she discovered how visual communication is a great leveller that puts people on the same page. This episode talks through the journey of Vizlink, from the first moment of inspiration through to making it an international business. Gemma’s done it all while working on the farm, raising a family and ensuring she has a life outside of work, which is enough of an achievement on its own!

Mihi’s Place is centred around traditional Māori health and healing, which is an area of health and wellness that’s becoming more and more popular. And when you listen to founder Mihi Henry-Hatcher speak, you can see why. Mihi’s journey to becoming a business owner is remarkable. She talks about the family intervention that changed her life, her discovery of holistic Māori healing and how she blends in contemporary health practices, and how the power of healing transformed the life of an abuse victim. Mihi is an internationally recognised practitioner who’s been on a huge cultural learning curve since dedicating her life to healing people. This is an inspiring episode that you really can’t miss!

When Rachel Church first moved to Taranaki, she noticed how the food and hospitality sector was a well kept secret. Before long, it was her mission to spread the word by creating an annual festival that celebrated local produce and the amazing things Taranaki people were doing with it. And not long after that, that annual festival was so popular it became a quarterly event. Feastival is now a staple on the Taranaki event calendar, showcasing the best of Taranaki hospitality in unique collaborations. Rachel talks through how she turned her idea into reality, including navigating a Covid-sized hurdle along the way, and how Feastival has transformed over the years as it’s become bigger and better. This is hugely valuable listening for anyone wanting to get an event or new business off the ground, with real life lessons packed throughout the journey.

CJ Mahony left school at 16 and started a transport company as a bit of a side hobby. Nearly 20 years later, he employs 35 people and is the man behind one of the largest commercial developments in South Taranaki in living memory. CJ’s AGTRANS business has grown and shifted to be a popular crane transport option in the oil and gas industry. At the same time, his desire to put a permanent driveway to his work site has seen him purchase a 67 acre farm that he’s developing into a $12 million commercial and residential business park. He makes it sound like no big deal because he’s that kind of guy - he’s even bought himself a bulldozer and is pretty much doing all the earthworks himself. This is a real can-do kind of yarn. CJ has a no-fuss confidence about him, and there’s an element of humour in the way he describes big things as being quite straightforward. But there’s no doubt there’s a strong intellect, a boatload of practicality and plenty of know-how about him, and it’s helping him do big things in a growing community.

Nick Jackson and Brett Rogers reckon New Zealand’s goal of being carbon-free by 2050 isn’t ambitious enough. They think we can grow the country’s renewable energy by 600%, and use it to export energy around the world. They’d know too. As energy sector veterans and directors of energy consulting firm Elemental Group, Nick and Brett are at the forefront of helping people to solve energy needs with cutting-edge technology and future-proofed solutions that are fit for the changing global requirements. In this episode of Venture Taranaki’s PowerUp podcast, they talk about why they’re so optimistic for the future of energy generation, and what the transition might look like. Elemental has already had success helping countries in the Pacific Islands and Caribbean to transform their energy generation, and they discuss how it’s all possible from Taranaki, while also enjoying a lifestyle to go with it.

Boring Oat Milk has been an unmitigated success since its launch in 2021, smashing sales forecasts and playing a big role in the growth of milk alternatives in Aotearoa. But it’s been much harder than it’s appeared, and Taranaki-born and bred founder Morgan Maw describes it as a “seven-year overnight success.” In this episode of Venture Taranaki’s PowerUp Podcast, Morgan and host David Downs talk about how she’s always been a “hustler”, the three years of planning for Boring Oat Milk that nearly bankrupted her (twice), developing the branding, launching in a Covid lockdown and how that actually worked well. Boring is a case study in how to succeed in the retail food space, carving out a niche with a strong disruptor brand, a delicious, healthy product and a commitment to doing things the right way. Morgan is articulate and passionate about her business, but also about her lifestyle. Having recently returned home to Taranaki, she’s a huge advocate for the region’s accessibility to nature and the way it gives her a work-life balance she couldn’t have in the city. **Much of the Boring operation is run out of its Hawke’s Bay facility. Flooding from Cyclone Gabrielle has made for a hugely challenging time for the Hawke’s Bay community. For anyone looking to help out, you can donate to relief efforts at https://www.redcross.org.nz/support-us/our-current-appeals/new-zealand-disaster-fund/**