Love Through Loss – Pouwhitinui Te Hau on Losing His Son & Finding Strength
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
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1:26:11
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1:26:11
Building Better Futures – Waata Heathcote on Waiariki Whānau Mentoring and Māori Well-Being
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
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1:27:51
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1:27:51
Born of the Whenua – Wiremu Wharepapa on Raukūmara Pae Maunga & Māori Well-Being
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
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1:08:35
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1:08:35
Designing Through Culture – Matekitātahi Rawiri on Māori Architecture & Life Balance
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
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1:07:17
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1:07:17
The See-Saw of Life – Pāpā Wharawera on Rugby, Resilience & Healing
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
New Zealand