PODCAST · arts
Talking Taiao
by Brittany and Elvisa
Each week we interview a different guest who has an exciting local story to share that will help us to understand our natural environment and how we can all play a part in the future our whenua.
Episodes
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Taranaki Sustainable Trails: Healing Landscapes, Healthy Homes
What makes a landscape healing, and a home healthy? Sophie talks with Bena Denton of Greenbridge (www.greenbridge.co.nz/) about her journey into ecological landscape design and the philosophy behind creating regenerative landscapes and healthy homes. There's also a korero about events being held…
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Trail Tips & Top Picks: Sustainable Trails 2026
Get ready for Taranaki Sustainable Trails 2026! (30 October - 15 November). Sophie chats with co-coordinator Suzy Randall about some of this year's exciting new and standout hosts, the stories behind their properties, and what not to miss. Check out the programme, download the app and start...
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Taranaki Sustainable Trails: The People, the Gardens, the Why
Behind every garden is a person, a journey and a reason for growing. In this episode, Sophie talks with two of our Taranaki Sustainable Trails garden hosts Mary Mattock of Bluebells and Beetroot and Emma Boyd of Wild Table. Together they share their journey to becoming hosts, the lessons the…
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From Rubbish to Resources: Kimberly Hope on Making Sustainability Stick
What happens when a lifelong passion for te taiao becomes a career in waste minimisation, sustainability and environmental science? This week Sophie chats with Taranaki environmental champion Kimberly Hope, a trustee of Sustainable Taranaki. Kimberly shares her journey from a deep-rooted love of...
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Learning the Secrets of Soil and Horticulture with Carl Freeman
Carl has been teaching horticulture for five years at WITT. He is looking back on his journey, all the way from Australia to the beautiful Taranaki soil! Dig in this episode to learn about the different Horticulture programmes at WITT, but also why (and how) assessing your soil is key in growing...
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Big Clean, Big Change: Kaitiakitanga in Action with Sam Judd 🌊
This week Sophie chats with Sustainable Coastlines co-founder Sam Judd ahead of the Hirepool Big Clean Taranaki, happening across the region from 14–20 September. Sam has spent years bringing people together to tackle plastic pollution and care for our coastlines, from community clean-ups here in...
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Looking Back on Four Years and 100+ Shows 🥳
Co-hosts Sophie and Elric are looking back on a LOT of Talking Taiao episodes! From gardening to waste, transport to conservation, and much more, they are sharing their experience of meeting and discussing with our community doing some good in Taranaki! Explore all our previous episodes on...
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Talking Taiao: Growing Food, Connection and Change with the Growmeez Initiative 🥦
What if growing food could also grow community, strengthen our connection to the whenua and help create a more sustainable Taranaki? On this episode, Sophie chats with Shari Corbett-Dwyer, Manager of Growmeez Communal Gardens, about an innovative approach to community gardening that transforms...
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Talking Taiao: 🌱 Taranaki Sustainable Trails 2026 - New App, New Properties, More Ways to Explore
Join Sophie Walker with Suzy Randall and Jenni Hammonds as they celebrate the launch of Taranaki Sustainable Trails 2026 🌱 Discover what's new this year, explore the brand-new web app, and find out how you can plan your own sustainable adventure across Taranaki. Visit…
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Talking Taiao: Behind the Bins – Zero Waste with Sunita Torrance
Join Sophie for a kōrero with Sustainable Taranaki's new Zero Waste Events and Education Manager, Sunita Torrance. Hear about Sunita's journey, the behind-the-scenes mahi that helps make Taranaki more sustainable, and how Zero Waste Events and education supports waste reduction, boosts recycling...
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Talking Taiao: How Curiosity Can Inspire Conservation
What began with a single set of footprints on Ōakura Beach soon became a family-led conservation project helping to monitor and protect Kororā (little blue penguins) along the Taranaki coastline. In this episode Sophie talks with Edyta Materka about citizen science, kaitiakitanga, and how...
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Talking Taiao: Plastic Free July 2026: Small Swaps, Big Impact
Plastic Free July doesn't have to be perfect; it just starts with one swap. Join us as we explore easy ways to reduce single-use plastics, support local businesses, and look after our beautiful Taranaki environment. Expect practical ideas, plenty of laughs, and inspiration to make a difference....
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Talking Taiao: Celebrating cycling in Taranaki with Anton
Connecting people, place and wellbeing: what if we could support more people on bikes? How can we make it easier for our community to enjoy cycling around town? Meet Anton, the new North Taranaki Cycling Advocates coordinator, and learn about his vision and the NTCA's new kaupapa. Keen to get...
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Local actions with Sarah Lucas: how can we protect and restore our taiao - environment
From small acts through to standing for nature through governance, we are discussing with the local Sarah Lucas how we can all protect our beautiful taiao - environment, here in Taranaki. In this episode we dive into Sarah's past experiences in Kosovo, Nepal, Franz Josef Glacier and Taranaki, to...
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Talking Taiao: Two dads discussing "sustainable babies": team reusable nappies!
How much can you save using reusable nappies? (Spoiler: thousands of dollars + a LOT of waste!) How does it work and what is great or "not too great" about them? Dom and his ex-partner created the perfect NZ reusable nappies a few years ago, here in Taranaki. He is discussing with us how his...
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Talking Taiao: Come Grow With Us: Exploring Sustainable Taranaki's Community Gardens
In this episode Sophie chats with Sustainable Taranaki's Organic Programmes Manager, Mieke Verschoor, about the important role community gardens play in creating healthier, more connected and sustainable communities. They explore what's been happening across Sustainable Taranaki's gardens, the...
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Talking Taiao: Living Lightly – Art, Choices & Everyday Kaitiakitanga with Faye Chadburn
This week Sophie sits down with local artist and sustainability advocate Faye Chadburn for an uplifting kōrero about living in alignment with community and te taiao. From plant-based living and choosing bike-and-bus transport, to weaving environmental values into creative practice, Faye shares…
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Talking Taiao: Living Lightly, Art Choices, and Everyday Kaitiakitanga
Our mission is to inspire and support people, businesses, and communities to value our local taiao (environment) and act to prioritize sustainability.
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Growing the Future – A Sneak Peek at Taranaki Sustainable Trails 2026
This week Sophie chats with new Sustainable Trails Co-Coordinator Suzy Randall about the exciting road ahead for Taranaki Sustainable Trails 2026. Get to know Suzy, hear what inspires her about the kaupapa, and discover what makes the Trails such a special celebration of community, creativity and...
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Talking Taiao: Juno Distillery: the first local business to close the loop on food waste
Green Loop is steadily building a local circular food waste system in Taranaki, from working bees and compost trials to richer soil outcomes. In this episode of Talking Taiao, Dave James from Juno Gin Distillery reflects on being Green Loop’s first food waste collection customer and what that…
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Talking Taiao: This is How Composting Can Save Us, our Wallet and the World!
For the International Composting Awareness Week (4-10 May), we are discussing why composting is a WIN WIN WIN WIN! Starting from the very small lens looking at bacteria and the soil, to your māra - garden, and all the way to our wider economy, and our beautiful planet Earth, we are explaining in...
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Talking Taiao: From Cycling Around NZ to Working in Climate Change Policy: Meet Lydia
After exploring Aotearoa New Zealand on her bike, Lydia decided to stay here and has been working for 3 years in Climate Change Policy. Learn more about her journey (all the way from the UK), her work, and her tips & ideas for being more sustainable in Taranaki.
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Talking Taiao: Why is the LNG Terminal in Taranaki a risky (and bad) idea?
What are the implications of an LNG Terminal in Taranaki? What risks and benefits? But also, why and what is LNG? Join us as we discuss this "hot topic" with Sarah from Taranaki Energy Watch and Catherine from Climate Justice Taranaki. One thing is certain: now is the right time to talk about…
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Talking Taiao: The rise of energy costs: Community Energy Taranaki's solutions for you
It's been a few weeks of "energy chaos" with fuel prices increasing a LOT reminding us how dependant we are to other countries. But what if we could reduce your energy costs by electrifying our whare (house) and businesses? What are the solutions and what are the first steps people could do?…
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Talking Taiao: From Scraps to Solutions: Rethinking Kai Waste in Aotearoa
In this episode of Talking Taiao, Sophie sits down with behaviour change specialist Alexandra Vernal to explore the big issue of kai waste in Aotearoa. From her work with the Ministry for the Environment to research and partnerships supporting organisations, Alex shares practical insights into…
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Reducing Waste and Feeding the Community: This is what On The House has been doing since 2017
From feeding 12 people in the streets of Ngāmotu - New Plymouth to thousands weekly in Taranaki, now in Bell Block and Stratford. Jump in with Terry from On The House as he tells us how and why On The House started. In this episode, he explains what they are offering to the community, including…
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Talking Taiao: Reducing Waste and Feeding the Community: This is what On The House has been doing since 2017
From feeding 12 people in the streets of Ngāmotu - New Plymouth to thousands weekly in Taranaki, now in Bell Block and Stratford. Jump in with Terry from On The House as he tells us how and why On The House started. In this episode, he explains what they are offering to the community, including…
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Talking Taiao: Business for Good in Taranaki - Celebrating B-Corp Month
How can businesses balance profit with purpose? In this episode of Talking Taiao, Sophie interviews sustainability consultant Belen Matias about her new role supporting the B Corp movement in Taranaki. Tune in for a hopeful conversation about values-driven business and practical ways companies…
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Talking Taiao: Why You Should Visit The New Junction Reuse Shop
Talking Taiao! Inspiring people, businesses, and communities to value our local taiao (environment) and embrace sustainability. Each week, the team from Sustainable Taranaki shares positive, uplifting conversations with guests working in sustainability and conservation, offering knowledge, ideas,...
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Talking Taiao: How to Love Pets and the Planet at the same time?
Today Dave (and his cat) and Elric (and his dog) are discussing how to be more sustainable with your pets. They share many tips and advice on food, waste (including how to deal with the regular poos), shopping and biodiversity! We love them, they love us, but we are all aiming to thrive on the…
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Talking Taiao: Māra Magic: Thriving Through the Late Summer Harvest
In this episode, Sophie chats with Mieke Verschoor our Organics Programmes Manager and sustainable gardening expert, about what to be doing in your māra as we move through February–March. From harvesting abundance to soil love, seed saving and sustainable gardening hacks, this kōrero is packed…
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Talking Taiao: Kaitiaki in Action: Summer Clean-Ups & Autumn Plans
In this episode hosts Sophie and Elric chat about Nature Clean-ups with Sustainable Taranaki, about a huge summer/raumati of action for te taiao. From beach and awa clean-ups across the rohe to the incredible mahi of volunteers keeping our moana sparkling, we celebrate what’s been achieved so far...
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Talking Taiao: From Volunteer to Data Analyst: meet Marie!
In 2025, Sustainable Taranaki engaged with 8,077 people, removed 4,620 Litres of rubbish from our taiao (environment), and delivered 297 events, tours and workshops around our region. How did we get those numbers? Marie, our data analyst, did! In this episode, Marie tells us how she joined as a...
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Talking Taiao: From Purpose to Practice: Leading Sustainability in Banking
In this episode Sophie chats with Lucy Graydon, Head of Sustainability at TSB Bank and new board member of Sustainable Taranaki. Lucy shares her journey into sustainability leadership, what it’s really like driving change inside a bank, and why caring for te taiao is central to our future...
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Talking Taiao: Where and how to get sustainable knowledge in 2026?
Dive in with Dave and Elric as they discuss how and where to get reliable "good" source of environmental knowledge and how to navigate the flow of information. They discuss how important and challenging this process is and will share some tips and practical advice.
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Talking Taiao: Growing Ideas, Sustainable Trails 2025 Wrap Up
Growing Ideas, Growing Community: Sustainable Trails 2025 Recap. Join Sophie as she chats with Jenni Hammonds, Co-coordinator of Taranaki Sustainable Trails, reflecting on an exciting 2025 event filled with gardens, builds, farms and community wisdom. They share stories, lessons and what’s ahead...
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Talking Taiao: Pedal Power: Why Cycling Matters for People & Planet
In this episode, Sophie chats with Sustainable Taranaki’s Communications Manager, Elric Aublant, about why he chooses cycling as his main way of getting around, and why more of us might want to join him. From emissions and city design to mental health, community wellbeing and those tiny things…
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Talking Taiao Weaving the Year Together - A Kōrero with Jane from Te Ara Taiao
Celebrate a year of inspiring rangatahi, reconnecting with te taiao, and growing environmental leaders with Te Ara Taiao (an environmental education programme for rangatahi grounded in Te Ao Maori). In this episode Sophie chats with Jane Bowden-Dobson, Kaiwhatu and Kairuruku of Te Ara Taiao, and...
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Talking Taiao: Soil, Science & the Green Loop Revolution
Sophie chats with Caroline Gottfert and Mieke Verschoor from Green Loop about turning commercial food waste into nutrient-rich compost, regenerating soil, local research, and innovation shaping Aotearoa’s circular food future.
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Talking Taiao: Medicine in our Weeds - Reconnecting with Te Taiao with Cat Neale
Join Sophie on Talking Taiao as she chats with Cat Neale, “The Medicine Woman” about medicinal plants across our landscape, plant-based living, rongoā, and reconnecting with te whenua. A lively, inspiring kōrero with plenty of earthy wisdom.
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Talking Taiao: Increasing Native Biodiversity in Taranaki with Rapid Reforestation
Meet Nathan Hills from Rapid Reforestation. They are on a mission to increase native biodiversity in Taranaki, one tree at a time! In this episode, you'll learn how this great project started, how they plan and run an event, but also how you can be involved. If you are keen to volunteer or if you...
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Talking Taiao: Rammed Earth & Real Talk: Jeff Fairweather’s Path to Sustainable Building
Sophie Walker sits down with Taranaki builder Jeff Fairweather to unpack the magic of rammed earth, the challenges of building green, and why natural materials matter more than ever. A down-to-earth kōrero rooted in community, kaitiakitanga, and a vision for healthier homes.
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Talking Taiao: Kōanga to Raumati: What’s Blooming in the Marfell Māra?
Join Sophie Walker and garden kaitiaki, Dominic Bell, as they chat about the vibrant life of the Marfell Community Garden this spring. Hear about new initiatives, kai growing strong, sustainable taiao practices, and what’s planned for raumati. A wholesome blend of laughter, learning, and...
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Talking Taiao: Graduating with a Master of Environmental Sustainability in 2025
Hannah is a physiotherapist in Taranaki, and she has recently graduated with a Master of Sustainable Development Goals from Massey University. Tune in with Elric as they discuss what the course was, what she has been taught, what she loved and what she plans to do now in this space.
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Talking Taiao: Smarter Business for a Healthier Planet
In this episode, Sophie Walker and Suzy Randall from Sustainable Taranaki share how the Business Support Programme is helping local businesses and events reduce waste, embrace circular thinking, and create lasting positive change. With hands-on guidance, practical tools, and a supportive…
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Talking Taiao: Bringing back passenger trains to Taranaki
Why should we bring passenger trains to Taranaki? How can you support it? Elric is discussing with Louise James and Sharon Bevins from the Future is Rail Taranaki to find out why bringing back passenger trains would be great for all of us. Make sure you sign their online petition!
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Talking Taiao: Protecting Our Taiao, One Snorkel at a Time
Join Sophie as she chats with Rachel Eckersley from Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR). Discover how Taranaki schools and their whānau are diving into the moana, learning to snorkel, exploring protected marine environments, and embracing kaitiakitanga. From school pools to Goat Island, Rachel...
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Talking Taiao: Less Waste, More Joy: Rethinking How We Run Events
From concerts to sporting events, Taranaki’s going zero waste! Sophie chats with Suzy Randall, our Zero Waste Events Manager, about what it really takes to keep events landfill-free, the latest innovations in waste reduction, and how you can make your next gathering greener.
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Talking Taiao: Evolving Organically: Wāhine Leading Sustainable Change - Sustainable Trails Event
In this episode Sophie and Cath chat with Franziska of Bumblebee Bakery & Crop Swap Aotearoa, and Amanda-Jane of Everkind Organic skincare. We learn about their journeys, insights, and the inspiration behind Evolving Organically, a celebration of sustainability, community, and conscious…
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Talking Taiao: Meet Joe - Sustainable Taranaki Operations Lead
Joe has grown up in Taranaki, lived in Guatemala and England, and has been the Operations Lead of Sustainable Taranaki for the past four years. Learn more about how it is to manage a local non-profit with a team of 30 people running about 12 different programmes at the moment!
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Each week we interview a different guest who has an exciting local story to share that will help us to understand our natural environment and how we can all play a part in the future our whenua.
HOSTED BY
Brittany and Elvisa
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Talking Taiao have?
Talking Taiao currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Talking Taiao about?
Each week we interview a different guest who has an exciting local story to share that will help us to understand our natural environment and how we can all play a part in the future our whenua.
How often does Talking Taiao release new episodes?
Talking Taiao has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Talking Taiao?
You can listen to Talking Taiao on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Talking Taiao?
Talking Taiao is created and hosted by Brittany and Elvisa.
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