Planting Seeds Podcast

In this episode I sit down with Professor Jason Gurney, epidemiologist, researcher, and author of The Twisted Chain, to unpack one of the most uncomfortable truths in Aotearoa: that the health outcomes for Māori aren't a story of personal failure. They're a story of systems.Jason's work studies the causes, patterns and spread of disease across populations and the data tells a story most of us were never taught. From colonisation, to where vape shops and fast food outlets are deliberately placed, to alcohol availability in our communities.But this kōrero isn't doom. Jason carries an optimism that lifted me up. He sees how far we've come, and where we're headed, and he reminds us that change is already happening.Episode Breakdown✨ Why responsibility for Māori health sits at a systems level, not just individual✨ How vape, alcohol and fast food stores are strategically located in our communities✨ What being an epidemiologist actually means.✨ The hidden patterns behind Māori cancer outcomes✨ Why Jason remains optimistic about where we're headed✨ Practical reflections for making better hauora decisionsThis conversation is about identity, agency, and reclaiming the story of our health. It's about understanding the bigger picture so we can stop carrying shame that was never ours to begin with, and step into informed, empowered choices for ourselves, our whānau and the generations coming through.Hauora isn't just a personal journey. It's a collective one.🔗 Episode Links📚 Jason's pukapuka: The Twisted Chain🙏 Te Rau Ora: HERE🎗 Hei Āhuru Mōwai: HERE🌱 Seeds of Self: ⁠HERE

What got you here . . .won't keep you here.The old version of me was quietly running the show AND I almost didn't catch it.This is a Grow With Me episode, just you and me, no guest, raw and reflective. From my 34th birthday to my 35th, I made a commitment to ask myself one simple question every single day in my journal: "What will I embody today?"It's been the most grounding, identity-shifting practice I've done in a long time. But on this run of blessings and momentum, I noticed something . . . old habits, old language, old thinking trying to pull me back into a version of me I've already outgrown.Episode Breakdown✨ The daily journal practice anchoring my year✨ The daily "What will I embody today?" question.✨ How "I'm busy" and "I'm full on" became sneaky permission slips✨ Catching the old identity before it sabotages the new✨ Why growth isn't becoming someone new, it's returning✨ Staying aligned with the energy that got you here🔗 LINKS🌱 Planting Seeds Community: HERE🟡 Bio Gold (Sponsor) – Use code SEEDS15: HERE

Deeply honoured to be joined by Dr Jacquie Kidd, a respected Māori health researcher, advocate, and wahine toa whose life's work has been about creating equity within Aotearoa's healthcare system.This kōrero was recorded during the World Indigenous Cancer Conference, hosted by Hei Āhuru Mōwai and Te Rau Ora, a gathering that brought indigenous voices from across the world together to talk about cancer, care, and culture.Jacquie shares the path that led her into healthcare, beginning as a young girl caring for her pāpā, and opens her heart about her current journey of "living fully while dying" after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis.This is one of those conversations that reminds you what actually matters.Episode Breakdown✨ What is equity?✨ Why equity in healthcare for Māori isn't optional✨ What it means to truly live✨ The beauty and sadness of dying✨ Whānau wellbeing is centric✨ The quiet power of presence, whānau, and acceptanceJacquie's kōrero invites us to ask the questions most of us avoid: What am I actually doing with my time? Who am I when stripped of the noise? What legacy am I leaving for those who come after me?In te ao Māori, death is not a separation but a transition, a continuation of whakapapa and for Jacquie she gets to see hug her mokopuna before they enter te ao marama.If this kōrero touched something in you — drop a comment and let us know what landed or share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that life is happening now.Show LinksPurchase Jacquie's book: NgakauruaMore on Te Rau Ora: HEREMore on Hei Āhuru Mōwai: HEREJoin Online Community: HERE

What if you put yourself first?I'm 66 hours into a 4-day juice fast and I want to take you inside what's actually happening — physically, mentally, and spiritually. I aligned this fast with my deload week of training on purpose. Giving back to my tinana by giving it the space to rest, recover, replenish and rebuild. In the second half I get into something I've been sitting with for a while which is, the cost of always being the sacrifice. So many of us pour everything into mahi, into whānau, into showing up for everyone else, and quietly accept that we'll be the ones running on empty. BUT it doesn't have to be that way.Episode Breakdown✨ Why I chose a 4-day fast ✨ How deload week + fasting is giving back✨ Why being "the sacrifice" is quietly costing your whānau more than it gives them✨ The shift that happens when you put yourself on your own priority list✨ Why happiness and providing aren't oppositesThis one's for the ones who give everything and wonder why they feel empty. You're allowed to be on the list too. In fact, you have to be.If this lands for you, the Planting Seeds Community is open — a space of people who are choosing to show up for themselves, not at the expense of their loved ones, but because of them.🌱 Subscribe to the Planting Seeds Community for just $49 per month: HERE

Meth is in almost every whānau in Aotearoa — whether we want to admit it or not.This kōrero might be the one that finally cracks it open.Marley Taipeti is a third-generation Black Power member who walked through the fire of addiction, dealing meth, violence, and the kind of pain most people never speak about. But instead of leaving the environment that nearly took him, he chose to stay in it AND change it from the inside.In this episode, Marley shares his journey openly about the highest of highs, the lowest of lows, and the moment he decided his whānau deserved more. What followed wasn't just his own transformation BUT he sparked the same shift in his wife, and countless others around him.We both mahi for Waiariki Whānau Mentoring, a Māori hauora kaupapa supporting our hardest-to-reach communities, most often, our gang whānau. This episode is for anyone who's been told they're too far gone to come back.Episode Breakdown✨ The reality of meth in our communities — no sugar-coating✨ What addiction actually feels like from the inside✨ Why he chose to stay in the gang environment instead of running from it✨ How transformation ripples through whānau✨ The role of kaupapa Māori in healing✨ What real accountability looks like✨ Leading by example when no one taught you howWhere to Next 💬 Drop a highlight in the comments if this kōrero landed for you.🔗 Reach out to Waiariki Whānau Mentoring HERE if you or someone you love needs tautoko.🌱 Join the Planting Seeds Community HERE.

This episode is about the theme of the upcoming wānanga on the 2nd of May, held at Otamarakau Marae. If you're keen and ready to step into a space of growth, healing and connection you can register using the link below. For the first 5 people who register will receive $200 OFF when you use code: SEEDSPlanting Seeds Wānanga: Find out more

Beauty comes from struggle.In this episode, I sit down with Jesse Wynyard, a purpose-driven creator expressing himself through hip-hop, music, and movement, while supporting others through healing and transformation.This conversation goes deep.We talk about breaking through conditioning. Moving through healing. The power of forgiveness. And learning the lessons from the breakdowns that guide you to breakthroughs.Jesse is about to drop his new album 'Out the Mud', a body of work that speaks to the beauty born from struggle, pain, and growth.If you're in a season where you're questioning the journey, feeling stuck in the mud, or searching for the lessons in the breakdown, this kōrero will meet you where you are.🔗 Follow Jesse: Instagram Link🔗 Stream 'Out the Mud' (coming soon): Spotify Link🔗 If you feel called to go deeper, join the Planting Seeds Community: Join our Community

"Boring is where the unlock is. Results don't come quick but they MUST come eventually."I just turned 34, and this season of life feels different. Not because everything's changed, but because I finally stopped waiting for the big moments and started finding purpose in the everyday, boring things.This kōrero is about gratitude, gaps, showing up fully, and why the next 365 days is about structure, systems, and zero compromise.🌱 Ready to build with intention?Join the Planting Seeds Community and lock in your spot for the upcoming Planting Seeds Wānanga, where we go deep on identity, purpose, and building the structure that supports your growth.👉 Join the Community: HERE👉 Register for Wānanga: HERE

In Episode 257 of the Planting Seeds Podcast, I sit down with D’Angelo Martin, known to many as Tuturu Māori. A proud Māori tāne from the far north, devoted pāpā, and creative known for his humour.But this kōrero goes beyond the laughs.D’Angelo opens up about a major shift in his life direction, navigating a challenging season where he is currently based in Aotearoa while his whānau are in Vietnam.One of the biggest turning points came through his child’s health, experiencing severe eczema in Aotearoa, yet becoming almost non-existent in Vietnam, where his partner’s whānau are from.This sparked deeper reflection around environment, wellbeing, and the decisions we make for our families.We also dive into:The power of small, consistent changesSurrounding yourself with go-gettersTaking care of your hauoraBacking yourself when life shiftsBeing a present and devoted pāpāAnd not wasting time on what doesn’t matterThis is a real, grounded kōrero about identity, responsibility, growth, and choosing a better path even when it’s uncomfortable.🔗 Join Planting Seeds Community Here:www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

In this Grow With Me episode, I speak openly about the season of change I’m currently navigating.I’ve had space recently to go deeper into my why, purpose, and identity and in doing so, I realised that I’ve been operating from an outdated foundation.It served me. It got me to where I am today. BUT it won’t take me to where I’m going.I also answer a powerful question from the Seeds of Self community:How do you know when you’re being called to grow… versus when you’re just uncomfortable and wanting to escape?🌱 PLANTING SEEDS WĀNANGAIf you feel called to go deeper, the next Planting Seeds Wānanga is happening:🔗 Express your interest (2-min form): https://tally.so/r/eq21yE

In Episode 255, I sit down with Hinerapa Rupuha, a mana wahine deeply anchored in te ao Māori, with a passion for te reo Māori, traditional navigation, and voyaging.Raised through kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori, Hinerapa attributes much of who she is today to her whānau and the strong foundations laid within Hoani Waititi.Her journey began with a love for the moana through waka ama, which evolved into a deeper curiosity for traditional navigation, a path she has now been committed to for over 10 years.Most recently, she completed a powerful voyage from Aotearoa to Samoa and back, embodying the knowledge, discipline, and connection required to navigate the Pacific using ancestral ways.This is a conversation about identity, discipline, culture, and trusting your path, guided not just by destination, but by who you are becoming.🔗 Join our online community Seeds of Self:www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

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

In Episode 253 of the Planting Seeds Podcast, I sit down with Jordaan Tuitama, also known as Creative Taro, a brother from the Waikato who is passionate about thrifting, reselling, and working alongside rangatahi.Jordaan shares his journey growing up in an environment shaped by violence and street life, and how over time he became desensitised to it. But instead of continuing down that path, he made a conscious shift by choosing to work with young people and be part of something more positive.We talk about the influence of his parents, the impact of American Black culture on his identity, and how that sparked his love for pop culture and creative expression. What started as interest has grown into a powerful outlet through op shopping, reselling, and sewing, which now plays a big role in who he is today.This is a kōrero about identity, influence, creativity, and choosing a different path.Also keep an eye out for his upcoming docu-series: “Thrifting Aotearoa”.Check out the links below:🔗 Website: https://creativetaro.bigcartel.com/🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativetaro/

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 of the Planting Seeds Podcast, I sit down with Whatanui Flavell, a Māori storyteller with over a decade of experience bringing stories to life across the media landscape.From presenter, camera operator, director, and producer — to now leading his own kaupapa Haututū Creatives, Whatanui shares his journey through the world of storytelling and the deeper responsibility that comes with it.We speak about being a Whaturoa, Māori creatives working across film, media, and content AND the significance this has for how we see ourselves as Māori. For the first time, we are in a position where we can truly tell our stories our way.Whatanui uses the example of the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, where over 100,000 Māori and non-Māori marched to parliament in 2024, as a powerful reminder of storytelling in action and how narrative shapes perception, identity, and unity.We also dive into his upbringing, the influence of his parents and siblings, and how those foundations shaped his why and the contribution he continues to make for te iwi Māori.This is a kōrero about identity, creativity, responsibility, and the power of owning our narrative.🔗 Follow Haututū / Whatanui:https://www.instagram.com/haututu_creatives/🔗 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 Grow With Me episode, I reflect on the inspiration that came from watching one of my closest brothers complete a FULL Ironman in Taupō over the weekend.I also share insights coming from Week 2 of the Brother to Brother kaupapa, where the theme is Identity.This week has been powerful. Tāne are stepping into the weight of the roles we carry, while also taking time to look beneath the labels we live under.Too often we define ourselves by titles, responsibilities, or expectations. But who are we beneath all of that?These are the four questions we explored together:1️⃣ What roles do you carry in life?2️⃣ Who are you beneath those labels?3️⃣ What are you hiding or putting to the side right now?4️⃣ What do you genuinely value about yourself?Many men are wired to operate in the mind and logic, but Brother to Brother is a space helping tāne reconnect with their heart and emotions, while being supported by others walking similar paths.If you’re a brother who feels the pull to grow, connect, and do some real inner work, you’re welcome to join us.If you’re interested in joining the Brother to Brother kaupapa, please use the link below to express your interest:🔗 Register your interest:https://form.typeform.com/to/lA0kwq8H

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 Grow With Me episode of the Planting Seeds Podcast, I reflect on the month of February as we’ve already stepped into March.I unpack some of the gems that came out of our recent wānanga, where the theme was DIRECTION, bringing focus back to what truly matters and creating simple, actionable steps that support clarity and forward movement.March isn’t about doing anything different. It’s about more of the same. Sticking to structure. Staying grounded. Controlling what’s in my hands.I share why getting caught in the “bigness” of a month can create overthinking, procrastination, and anxiety AND how simplifying things back to daily structure removes unnecessary pressure.If you’re someone who tends to overcomplicate growth or feels overwhelmed by what’s ahead, this episode may bring you back to steady ground.🔗 Planting Seeds Offerings

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

In this Grow With Me episode, I sit with four questions that have come from my own reflections and the Planting Seeds IG community.These questions touch on growth, culture and consistency. I answer them from where I’m at right now, not from a place of perfection.Questions:What are my current wins?How we can encourage our people to engage with and embrace culture without whakamā?How do I keep growing without feeling broken or behind?How do I stay consistent when motivation drops off?Big mihi to the sponsor of the show, Bio Gold — a natural testosterone booster made in Aotearoa.🔗Use code SEEDS15 for 15% off HERE.

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

This Grow With Me episode is a kōrero on purpose and why purpose is a critical pillar of tāne wellbeing.Purpose gives drive, meaning, and fulfilment. Without it, many men feel lost, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode. In this episode, I share the simple framework that has helped me identify and reconnect with my own sense of purpose and may support you on your journey too.I break purpose down into three key areas:Authenticity: Ko wai koe?Who are you beneath the expectations, roles and noise?Gifts: What comes naturally to you?The things you like or that you’re often good at without trying too hard.Challenges: What have you gone through?The experiences and struggles that have shaped you and may now be part of what you’re here to give.These three areas have helped me find clarity, direction, alignment and I share them openly in this episode as an invitation . . . not a prescription.IF you’re a brother based in, or connected to, the Bay of Plenty, I also share about an upcoming 12-week Brother to Brother Kaupapa, starting the first week of March.🔗 Join Brother to Brother Here:https://form.typeform.com/to/oO9vmjZD🔗 Get Your Bio Gold Here:https://biogoldnz.com/discount/SEEDS15

This episode is with Pio Terei, an Aotearoa legend whose contribution to media, entertainment, and comedy spans decades. It was an absolute honour to sit across from him on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and this has become one of the best podcast episodes to date.Pio’s lived experience, charisma, humour and depth impacted me deeply, especially around tāne-hood, talent, and parenting. He shares lessons from his upbringing, being adopted and raised by parents who showered him with unconditional love, nurtured his curiosity, and how he learned to travel the world without ever needing to leave home — through valuing people and connection.The kōrero moves into a beautiful and sacred space as Pio opens up about his healing journey through grief after the passing of his son, alongside powerful and tender stories of parenting, presence and legacy.We Dive Into:✨ Growing up adopted and surrounded by unconditional love✨ Nurturing curiosity and talent✨ Manhood beyond status and success✨ Valuing people, relationships, and connection✨ Parenting lessons that shape legacy✨ Grief, healing, and honouring his son✨ Finding depth through humour and humanity🔗 Building Awesome Whānau: HERE🔗 Express your interest in Planting Seeds offerings: HERE

This Grow With Me episode is a real and honest reflection on what often happens when you start showing up for yourself.I briefly share my experience being at Waitangi, before diving deeper into a challenge many of us face on a growth journey. The subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) shade that comes when you begin to change.“You think you’re better than me.”“You’re too cool now.”Tall poppy syndrome.These comments often come from the people closest to us, which is what makes it so hard to navigate. In this episode, I speak about why this happens, how growth naturally shifts relationships, and why outgrowing old behaviours and sometimes people is a sign of alignment, not arrogance.This kōrero isn’t about cutting people off. It’s about understanding how minimising time, changing energy, and choosing authenticity can create tension and why that tension is often a mirror.At the end of the episode, I also share about the first Planting Seeds Wānanga / Retreat, happening at the end of the month with only 10 spaces available.🔗 Fill out the interest here: https://form.typeform.com/to/PqdcWDEW

This episode is a powerful kōrero with Rangimarie Te Whenua, a staunch rangatahi from the far north, speaking on behalf of our young people and offering a perspective we need to hear more of.Rangimarie shares her whakaaro on the whakataukī “Ko ngā rangatahi ngā rangatira mō āpōpō” — and challenges it by saying,“Ko ngā rangatahi ngā rangatira o ināianei.”We talk about tikanga, what rangatahi are actually discussing among themselves, the importance of listening to rangatahi, and how movements like the hīkoi are shaping courage and collective action.This kōrero centres rangatahi leadership, not as something that’s coming one day but something that already exists. Rangimarie speaks with clarity, confidence, and heart about building better futures and what real rangatahi leadership looks like right now.IF you're interested in any of the Planting Seeds Podcast offerings please use the link below to fill out the survey and express your interest:Thats US: ⁠https://form.typeform.com/to/PqdcWDEW⁠

This episode was recorded on Waitangi Day at Waitangi and features a powerful kōrero with Eru Kapa-Kingi on the significance of the day here in Aotearoa, New Zealand and more importantly, what led to the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.Eru brings clarity and context to Te Tiriti, unpacking the historical intent, the responsibilities it carries and what it continues to ask of us today.Over the past few months, Eru has also been in the spotlight after breaking his silence around Te Pāti Māori and its leadership, something that was visibly present on the marae ātea yesterday. In this conversation, he reflects honestly on his intentions, learnings and why speaking up mattered.This is a thoughtful, grounded kōrero as Eru shares practical ways to practice rangatiratanga, how to turn pain into power, and informed ways to approach voting in the year ahead.A timely and important conversation for anyone wanting to understand Waitangi Day, Te Tiriti and their role within it.

This Grow With Me episode is a February reset — a pause to reflect and look back at January and share what actually unfolded across the four pou guiding my year: Health, Whānau, Mahi, and Money.I speak about what went well, what needed adjusting, and what January taught me — especially around choosing structure over motivation.From there, I share how I’m carrying those lessons into February, not as goals to chase, but to improve my systems to support momentum without burnout.If you’re feeling like the year has already asked a lot of you, this kōrero is an invitation to slow down, reassess, and build forward with intention.You don’t need a new year — sometimes you just need to reset, refocus and . . . start 🌱Our online community Seeds of Self is pumping with whānau growing and building and the first Seeds of Life Wānanga/Retreat is happening at the end of the month.IF you feel called to join or want to learn more, please use the link below to fill out the survey and express your interest:Thats US: https://form.typeform.com/to/PqdcWDEW

The first guest of 2026 on the Planting Seeds Podcast is none other than my beautiful wife, Hinepanea Rewiri.The last time we sat down for a podcast together was almost two years ago, shortly after the birth of our baby Aho. In this kōrero, we fill in the gap and speak honestly about what’s unfolded since — from postpartum, doing 75 Hard, navigating seasons of indulging in drinking, and the real-life challenges that come with growth.Panea also opens up about a new friendship she’s formed, why she’s usually closed off, and her perspective on some of our recent challenges around money and emotional breakdowns.This episode is raw, real, and deeply personal. It’s a look behind the scenes of our relationship, our growth, and the ways we continue to learn, stretch, and choose each other through hard seasons.Panea stepped outside her comfort zone to share this kōrero, and I’m always proud of her when she does because people get to see just how amazing she truly is.I love you hun 🤍This episode is brought to you by Seeds of Self — the Planting Seeds online community for growth-minded people who are ready to do the inner work and create real change.AND by Bio Gold, a natural testosterone booster made in Aotearoa, NZ, supporting healthy natural testosterone levels, energy, and vitality.Use the links below to either join the community or grab yourself some Bio Gold goodness:🔗 Book a 1:1 Call (Seeds of Self):FREE 1:1 Kōrero - Raniera Rewiri🔗 Bio Gold (Use code SEEDS15 for 15% off):https://biogoldnz.com/discount/SEEDS15

In this Grow With Me episode, I share some of my current focuses within my Health Pillar, aligned with the structure I’ve created for 2026.Right now, I’m in the middle of a 48-hour fast and I speak about my intentions with fasting. A way to reset, regulate, and support my body and mind. I’m already noticing benefits like mental clarity and sharpness, increased awareness of certain food habits and giving my body a genuine break from constantly digesting.I also share a deeper mental shift around body image. Instead of looking in the mirror and focusing on what needs fixing, I’m learning to appreciate and embrace where I’m at right now. This shift is guiding me into a more loving relationship with myself and helping me me to simply enjoy things.If you’re ready to show up for YOU and grow alongside like-minded whānau, I invite you to book a 1:1 call and join Seeds of Self.🔗Book 1:1 Call: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/raniera/1-on-1-korero⁠⁠Bio Gold - natural product made from pollen in Aotearoa, NZ, supporting healthy natural testosterone levels.Use code SEEDS15 for 15% off your next purchase.🔗 Bio Gold: ⁠https://biogoldnz.com/discount/SEEDS15⁠⁠

This Grow With Me episode is a bit of a rampage - an encouragement to back YOU and show up for YOU!I speak into how following through with your word builds trust and confidence within yourself, why it’s crucial to have your own back when you’re in the trenches, and how real confidence comes from creating internal value before seeking external validation.This kōrero isn’t about hype . . . it’s about integrity with yourself. About doing what you say you’ll do. About learning to trust yourself again.If this episode resonates and you feel the pull to grow alongside like-minded whānau, I’d love you to join our online community Seeds of Self.🔗 Book 1:1 Call: ⁠https://calendly.com/raniera/1-on-1-korero⁠Bio Gold - natural product made from pollen in Aotearoa, NZ, supporting healthy natural testosterone levels.Use code SEEDS15 for 15% off your next purchase.🔗 Bio Gold: https://biogoldnz.com/discount/SEEDS15⁠

This Grow With Me episode is about a shift I’m consciously leaning into . . . moving my energy from building my personal brand to growing and strengthening the Planting Seeds Podcast platform.It’s less about me and more about us, the kaupapa, and creating something that holds space for community, conversation, and collective growth.I also respond to two questions from the community, sharing my honest perspective and lived experience:1️⃣ How do I have, create and stay consistent with quality time with my sons?2️⃣ What’s the difference between growth discomfort and retraumatisation?This kōrero is reflective and not about having all the answers, but about sharing what I’m learning in real time.I hope you enjoy this episode. Please leave a comment below, I’d love to hear what landed for you.🔗 Get Bio Gold: SEEDS15 ⁠https://biogoldnz.com/discount/SEEDS15⁠🔗Book 1:1 Call to Join Seeds of Self OR Brother to Brother:⁠https://calendly.com/raniera/1-on-1-korero⁠

This Grow With Me episode is about a shift I’m making this year which is . . . choosing structure over goals.For a long time, I thought goals were the answer and to be honest setting goals have helped me achieved so much.But in this episode, I break down whats changed, and the four pou I’m using to support my health, mahi, whānau, and finances. Not to hype myself up but to hold myself steady, especially on the hard days.It’s about sustainability and staying in the game.In this episode, I speak into:✨ Why goals create pressure instead of support✨ The shift from outcomes to systems✨ My four core structures (pou) for the year✨ Trusting the process✨ Sustainability over burnout🔗 Get Bio Gold: SEEDS15 ⁠https://biogoldnz.com/discount/SEEDS15⁠🔗Book 1:1 Call to Join Seeds of Self OR Brother to Brother:⁠https://calendly.com/raniera/1-on-1-korero⁠

This episode opens the 2026 season of the Planting Seeds Podcast with honesty. Not inspiration. Not hype. Just truth.The year didn’t begin the way I expected. What was meant to be a fresh start turned into a Not-So-Happy New Year, marked by an emotional breakdown and finding myself deep in the mental trenches.In this Grow With Me episode, I share what led to that breakdown, the patterns and pressures that finally surfaced, and how I navigated through the pain instead of bypassing it. If you’ve ever entered a new year feeling heavy instead of hopeful . . . this episode is for you.In this episode, I speak into:✨ A breakdown at the beginning of the year✨ Being in the mental trenches✨ The cost of carrying things alone✨ Sitting with pain instead of escaping it✨ What breakthroughs look like after the breakdown✨ Why growth doesn’t follow a calendar✨ Starting again by filling your cup🔗 Get Bio Gold: SEEDS15 https://biogoldnz.com/discount/SEEDS15🔗Book 1:1 Call to Join Seeds of Self OR Brother to Brother:https://calendly.com/raniera/1-on-1-korero

This Grow With Me episode is Part 2 of the communication and storytelling series. In this kōrero, I speak openly about how I got into speaking, public speaking and podcasting, and the simple structure I still use today to communicate clearly and confidently.I wasn’t always a good communicator. In fact, there were specific moments that sparked my desire to get better, from listening to motivational YouTube videos, to being mentored by an amazing public speaker and storyteller, to experiencing one of the most fearful and embarrassing moments you can have when speaking in front of people.I share how many failures and hundreds (if not thousands) of reps shaped the way I speak today. There was no shortcut just commitment, curiosity and repetition.This episode is practical. The next podcast you listen to, I invite you to answer the questions alongside the guest or better yet, start shaping your own story using the structure I share:Beginning (upbringing), Middle (2–3 defining moments), End (where you are now).This series is about giving you tools to communicate your thoughts, emotions and experiences with more confidence and clarity.Make sure you tune in for Part 3 🌱We dive into:✨ How I got into speaking & public speaking✨ The events that sparked my desire to improve✨ Learning through YouTube & mentors✨ The most embarrassing speaking moment of my life✨ Why failure is part of becoming confident✨ Doing the reps over time✨ The storytelling structure I still use today✨ How to practice by listening to podcasts differently🔗 Join Seeds of Self: www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

This episode is an up-the-guts kōrero with my good brother Kawariki Thompson, also known as Mr Waana Heal Stay Real.Kawariki has been on a deep healing journey, using his real and raw lived experiences to support others in reconnecting with who they truly are — beneath the titles, beneath the masks, and underneath the hurt and pain they’ve been carrying for years.Coming from a rough background, including childhood abuse and life in gangs, Kawariki shares how those experiences shaped him — and how he eventually chose to confront them instead of running from them. Today, one of his most powerful modalities is breathwork, which he uses to help people regulate their nervous systems, process trauma, and break cycles rooted in the past.We talk about the nervous system, different ways of understanding trauma, the importance of giving and receiving love, and how breakdowns often become the doorway to breakthroughs.This kōrero is honest, confronting, and deeply human — and will resonate with anyone who knows what it’s like to carry pain and still wants more from life.We dive into:✨ Kawariki’s upbringing and lived experiences✨ Trauma, abuse, and the impact on identity✨ From gangster to healer✨ Breathwork as a tool for healing and regulation✨ Understanding the nervous system✨ Different ways to view and process trauma✨ Giving and receiving love✨ How breakdowns lead to breakthroughs✨ Reconnecting to who you really are🔗 Join Seeds of Self: HERE

This Grow With Me episode launches a new 3-part series on communication and storytelling — something that has shaped the way I live, lead, speak, and connect with people.What has helped me the most in becoming a stronger communicator is knowing my own story. So in this episode, for the first time on the podcast, I share it openly as the foundation for what’s coming next.We dive into:✨ Why storytelling matters✨ My upbringing & bullying✨ The partying years✨ Breakups & running from myself✨ Moving to Australia✨ The book that changed everything✨ Travelling for 6 months✨ The food truck & podcast journey✨ What matters most to me✨ Preparing you to tell your own storyThe hope and purpose of this series is to give you tools, insights, and frameworks that help you speak with more confidence, express yourself clearly, and communicate your thoughts and emotions with ease.Make sure you subscribe and tune in to the next episode — we’re just getting started 🌱🔗 Join Seeds of Self: HERE

The next episode is with a local brother, Eru Osborne, co-founder and owner of Uncomfortable Clothing, a brand built on the idea of doing uncomfortable things. But Eru doesn’t just talk about it — he lives it.Last month, Eru ran 465KM for Movember and Men’s Mental Health.Each day reflected the number of kilometres he would run: Day 1 = 1km, Day 10 = 10km, Day 30 = 30km.A mental and physical challenge that pushed his limits and revealed powerful lessons about mindset, discipline, self-talk, and purpose.In this episode, we talk about the 465km challenge, the story behind Uncomfortable Clothing, and how Eru began his journey of growth — working through insecurities, the desire for external validation, imposter syndrome, and what led him to stop drinking alcohol for 12 months.We dive into:✨ Running 465km for Movember & Men’s Mental Health✨ The origins of Uncomfortable Clothing✨ Doing hard things on purpose✨ Overcoming insecurities & imposter syndrome✨ Letting go of external validation✨ Choosing sobriety for 12 months✨ The importance of honest self-reflection✨ Lessons that discomfort continues to teach🔗 Book a FREE 15-minute kōrero: HERE🔗 Follow Uncomfortable Clothing: HERE🔗 Join Seeds of Self: HEREBig shoutout to @haumanuhauora for the powerful thread we speak into during the episode.

This Grow With Me episode is one of the most personal kōrero I’ve shared.I speak openly about the story that has held me back for years — the belief that “I don’t value myself enough.” A belief I thought I understood… but never realised just how false it was, and how much it’s been limiting my ability to be, show up fully, and connect with the people who genuinely care about me.What shifted everything was first my best bro and then a moment at the end of a table, surrounded by 10 others, who all reflected love, truth, and value back to me. Hearing them speak life into me woke something up, a deep realisation that I am valued, seen, and supported. Their words created a massive shift within me.I also share about the Seeds of Life wānanga that took place over the weekend, one of the BEST I’ve ever facilitated. It was special on so many levels, and I break down exactly why.I dive into:✨ The old story of unworthiness✨ How community reflected truth back to me✨ What changed at that table✨ Rewiring old beliefs✨ Breaking the survival mindset✨ Aligning with value & authenticity✨ What made Seeds of Life so special✨ How to step into your truth✨ Abundant gratitude for those around meIf you resonate with this journey and feel called to join one of my offerings through Seeds of Self, you can book a free 15-minute kōrero with me below.🔗 Book your 15-minute call for Seeds of Self:👉 https://calendly.com/raniera/1-on-1-korero

This episode is another LIVE podcast, recorded during our Seeds of Life wānanga/retreat over the weekend. A space designed for like-minded people to come together for self-discovery and connection.Our guest is Nick Smith, a brother I’ve been connected with since 2020 when he joined my then-online community Te Ara Hou, now called Seeds of Self. Nick has grown into a tuakana within our space, someone who embodies the values and intentions of our kaupapa.In this kōrero we explore the theme of the wānanga: AUTHENTICITY.We talk about learning how to simply BE, disconnecting from the mind, tuning into the lessons of the natural world and natural order, and what it means to break cycles within ourselves.We finish the episode with a LIVE Q&A session from the whānau who were watching, adding another layer to the live sessions.We dive into:✨ The meaning of AUTHENTICITY✨ Learning to simply be✨ Disconnecting from the mind✨ Nature as teacher and guide✨ Understanding natural order✨ Breaking cycles within self✨ Live Q&A with the retreat whānau✨ How Seeds of Self supports the journeyThis is a grounded and insightful kōrero, one that reflects the heart of Seeds of Life.If you resonate and would like to be part of the online community Seeds of Self OR Return to Origin Mentoring use links below:🔗 Join Seeds of Self: ⁠www.skool.com/seeds-of-self⁠🔗 Join Return to Origin: www.instagram.com/origin_mentoring

This episode is with Dr Ririwai Fox, a tāne Māori with a PhD in Psychology and kaupapa Māori, whose work explores the powerful intersection between Western psychology and Māori worldviews.Ririwai shares openly about his academic journey, studying at Victoria University while becoming a father to four children, and the many life events that shaped him along the way.We talk about the broadness of psychology, the gaps it currently has, and the findings from his research that help people understand themselves, their patterns, and their potential to thrive.He explains the pathway from surviving (-10 to 0) to thriving (0 to 10), the concept of cultural embeddedness, and the frameworks he uses to support both himself and whānau.We dive into:✨ His journey studying psychology while raising four children✨ The connection between psychology & kaupapa Māori✨ Moving from surviving to thriving (-10 to +10)✨ What “cultural embeddedness” means for Māori well-being✨ Practical frameworks he uses for himself & whānau✨ The limitations & opportunities within psychology✨ The importance of culture in healing and identity🔗 Follow Ririwai Here: https://www.instagram.com/drfoxc101/🔗 Join Seeds of Self: www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

This episode is with Tamahau Tangitu, a true man of the ocean. Raised in and on the water by his pāpā and uncles, Tamahau has lived a life connected to moana, waka and whakapapa.From being a kaihoe and captain on the waka taua of Tākitimu, to becoming a navigator of waka hourua, he recently voyaged from Aotearoa to Samoa on Ngāhirakamaitawhiti.This kōrero is a deep exploration into tangata moana, the experiences that shape you at sea, and the mātauranga Māori used to navigate the open ocean, guided only by stars, currents, instincts and ancestral knowledge.We also talk about the inner journey: working through challenging emotions, learning about himself through the moana, giving to his whānau, and the practices that keep him grounded, including his passion for mau rākau.This is a powerful kōrero of identity, purpose, connection, and discovery.We dive into:✨ Growing up on the water✨ Waka taua, waka hourua & navigating by the stars✨ The voyage from Aotearoa to Samoa✨ Mātauranga Māori as a compass✨ Lessons from the moana✨ Working through heavy emotions✨ Giving to whānau✨ His passion for mau rākau🔗 Follow Te Kura Waka Here: https://www.instagram.com/tekurawaka🔗 Join Seeds of Self: www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

This Grow With Me solo episode is a reflection on the season I’m navigating right now — a season of finding myself in a financial hole . . . again, uncovering the fear that recreated the struggle, and choosing to shift my focus away from chasing money and back toward alignment and purpose.I share openly about the internal work I’ve been doing:- Putting alcohol to the side- Recommitting to my health and fitness- Being more intentional with my vibration and frequency- And the small practices that are helping me find clarity and peace againI talk about the tools that are supporting me right now, including gratitude, midset shifts, and the audio teachings I’ve been listening to daily. This kōrero is an honest snapshot of what it looks like to grow through discomfort and come back to yourself.The episode closes with an offering for our upcoming Seeds of Life Wānanga, a space for whānau to reconnect with themselves, deepen awareness, and align with authenticity.I dive into:✨ The undertow of fear✨ Choosing to go WITHIN✨ Letting go of habits that hold you back✨ Tuning into vibration✨ Being open to receive✨ Following alignment✨ The intention behind Seeds of Life✨ What you can expect from the wānanga🔗 Interested in joining Seeds of Life Wānanga? Send me a DM on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/ranzrewiri/.🔗 Join Seeds of Self: www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

This episode is with Harlem Ratapu, otherwise known as Harmonious Ra. A brother whose energy, openness, and heart-centred way of being always brings a powerful vibration to the kōrero.It’s the second episode we’ve shared together, but this time, he’s in a completely different space, grounded, evolved, and embodying a new level of self-awareness and peace.In this kōrero, we talk about receiving koha, money, and abundance, healing sexual insecurities, and the practice of Tantra. We also touch on the love story between him and Simone, teaching whānau about diving and gathering kai, and the upcoming Creating Space event and Brother to Brother kaupapa.This is an uplifting and inspiring kōrero that explores what it means to live as a conscious tāne, one who leads with love, intention, and connection.We dive into:✨ Healing sexual insecurities and redefining masculinity✨ The energy of receiving — koha, money & abundance✨ Tantra and the embodiment of love✨ The love story of Harlem & Simone✨ Teaching and diving with whānau✨ The Creating Space event & Brother to Brother kaupapa🔗 Join Seeds of Self: www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

This is the first LIVE episode of the Planting Seeds Podcast, recorded with Te Ururangi at Te Ao Hou Marae in Whanganui 🔥We opened up the mobile studio and whānau gathered around the fire to tune in. This kōrero has been a long time in the making, and the wait has absolutely been worth it.Te Ururangi shares about his rough upbringing, the lessons of forgiveness, and the changes made in a man on the path of healing. We talk about his love for carving, how he continues to embrace discomfort, and what it means to show up in today’s world.This is an empowering kōrero of growth, healing, and transformation. One that embodies the essence of resilience and the beauty of change. We dive into:✨ Growing up and overcoming hardship✨ The power of forgiveness and acceptance✨ Finding purpose through carving✨ Navigating challenges and discomfort✨ Living with integrity and growth✨ The significance of wānanga and community🔗 Join Seeds of Self: www.skool.com/seeds-of-self📌 Mental Health Support (NZ):📞 Call or text 1737 anytime – Need to Talk?

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 passing, and the raw emotions of living with loss. He shares the tools and perspectives that are helping him and his whānau through this time, while also offering a message of hope and support for other whānau facing the same pain.This is not just a story of grief, it is a story of love, resilience, and service, showing how the Te Hau whānau are transforming their loss into a movement to help others.We dive into:✨ The life of Māwhai✨ Navigating grief and healing as a whānau✨ The power of vulnerability and honest kōrero✨ Faith, love and the importance of community✨ Turning pain into purpose and service to others🔗 Join Seeds of Self: https://www.skool.com/seeds-of-self📌 Mental Health Support (NZ): 📞 Call or text 1737📌 Wairiki Whānau Mentoring (NZ) 📞 Call 0800MYWHANAU

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 the impact it’s having within whānau who are in need, many of whom come from gang-affiliated or at-risk communities.Waata shares his experiences of how the system is failing our people, and the “net” his team are creating to catch and support whānau who would otherwise fall through the cracks. This is a powerful kōrero about service, compassion, and creating real change where it’s needed most.We dive into:✨ Growing up in Whakatāne and his early years✨ Life as a police officer and what he learned from it✨ The beginnings of Waiariki Whānau Mentoring✨ Working with whānau in need and the impact being made✨ The system’s gaps and how they’re filling them✨ The “net” that’s catching our people before they fall🔗 Follow Waiariki Whānau Mentoring: https://waiarikiwhanau.org.nz/📞 Call: 0800MYWHANAU (24/7)🔗 Join Seeds of Self: https://www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

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 sustainably with the environment around them.We talk about his childhood, the troubled years that shaped him, the purpose and impact of Raukūmara Pae Maunga, and the ecosystems within the ngāhere. Wongie also shares his perspective on dropping 1080, men’s mental health, and the look his pāpā gave him that shifted everything.This kōrero is one of grounding and reconnection — reminding us that healing the land and healing ourselves are deeply intertwined 🌿We dive into:✨ Growing up on the dirt floor in Te Kaha✨ The lessons of living with the land and seasons✨ Troubled years and turning points✨ The kaupapa and impact of Raukūmara Pae Maunga✨ Ecosystems within the ngāhere✨ Dropping 1080 and environmental balance✨ Men’s mental health and personal healing✨ The look from his pāpā that changed everything🔗 Learn more about Raukūmara Pae Maunga: https://www.raukumara.org.nz/🔗 Join Seeds of Self: https://www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

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 —weaving te ao Māori into his mahi as an architect and into the way he lives as a pāpā and husband.We talk about his upbringing, the mahi behind architecture, the realities of work-life balance, being a pāpā, tā moko, and navigating grief. This is a wholesome kōrero that beautifully blends design, identity, and healing.We dive into:✨ Growing up in te ao Māori✨ The legacy of his māmā — the first Māori architect in the world✨ Architecture through a Māori world view✨ Being a pāpā and balancing mahi with whānau life✨ The meaning of tā moko and self-expression✨ Navigating grief 🔗 Join Seeds of Self: https://www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

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 decision to walk away from the game.This kōrero goes beyond sport, we dive into the realities of depression, suicide, relationships, and healing. Pāpā also shares the daily practices and mindset shifts that have not only helped him recover but continue to keep him grounded today.This is an in-depth wānanga with a brother who is in tune, reflective, and walking his path on what he calls “the see-saw of life.”We dive into:✨ Being bullied & finding resilience✨ The early days of rugby & his professional career✨ The turning point with concussions & anxiety attacks✨ Depression, suicide & the healing process✨ Navigating relationships & personal growth✨ Daily practices that keep him balanced✨ What “the see-saw of life” really means🔗 Join Seeds of Self: https://www.skool.com/seeds-of-self📌 Mental Health Support (NZ):📞 Call or text 1737 anytime – Need to Talk?#PlantingSeedsPodcast #BrotherToBrother #CommunitySeries #RealPeopleRealStories