A Vegan Lounge

This fortnight I stopped by Alex McDonald Seed Potatoe Specialists near Springston for an in-depth chat with Owner and Managing Director Kerry Hughes about the history of potato growing in New Zealand and the level of expertise required to grow the humble little fellow on NZ soil.

In this fortnight's episode I chat with John Drew, the founder, and CEO of Blue Coconut Oil. A Christchurch-based company built on the foundations of social justice, equality, and the distributive health benefits accessible to many through the commercialization of their product.

Join me for this fortnight's show on the 1st of February at 1 pm on 96.9 Plains FM where I'm a little more local in visiting Nick Murney, Amita, and the team at Pure Oil in Rolleston. Pure Oil is New Zealand's leading oilseed producer. With over 80 dedicated growers throughout the South Island, the tide may be turning from the traditional concept of animal husbandry as ""farming"" to a more arable nature.

Join me this Wednesday the 18th of Jan at 1pm on Plains FM on location in the Marlborough region which is not only wine but olive country too as it turns out. I stop off at Wards not so best kept secret Tom and Bernie Casey’s olive grove estate namely Flaxbourne Olive Oil for a chat about their boutique operation producing high end quality olive oil.

Join me for the first show of 2023 where I chat with Roger Welsh a member of the Christchurch chapter of the global activist movement Anonymous For The Voiceless. Learn more about this clever form of activism which uses non interaction in the form of street art to promote awareness to the wider public and how they are changing public perception of animal rights groups.

This fortnight I chat with Sam Tucker, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vegan Creative Compass, a vegan digital marketing agency catering to niche markets' specific needs. Their expertise across social media, website design, and the marketing spectrum can help startups, not-for-profits, and charities compete with the oppressors enabling their message to be just as visible.

This fortnight I chatted with Su Jorgensen, hairstylist of Sukha Organic Hairdressing, at 95 Leaver Terrace North New Brighton, the first hair salon I have been to where I have felt 100 percent relaxed. You'll find her tucked away in a quiet pocket of beautiful, alternative East Christchurch. Upon entry, you'll find it's like stepping into another world.

This fortnight I drop into Bonobo Cafe in Sumner for an outstanding lunch; the delicious Bononbo burger (top billing) and a chat with owners Dean and Annelies about their vegan journey, the venture, and the long-term vision to open an animal sanctuary on the Banks Peninsula.

This fortnight I chat with Alice Shopland whose passion for producing vegan cheeses here on New Zealand soil grew from an evolving perspective on environmental justice and the desire to achieve more mainstream activism. Since 2016 her business has continued to flourish, and her products are now offered as a mainstream add-on in New Zealand fast food outlets Zambrero, Hell Pizza, and Lord of The Fries.

Join me for this fortnight's edition of A Vegan Lounge, where I drop in for a chat with Steve Bush, Manager of Trees for Canterbury, an organization behind Christchurch's subsequent regeneration following the Canterbury quakes and Port Hills Fires. Trees for Canterbury provides a unique service by running a nursery open to the public for the purchase of native trees, planting activities, a social and skill-based network, training, and education on the importance of native trees.