Originally from the US, Sharon shared her inspiring journey into the world of midwifery—a calling that has taken her across the globe. From supporting births in the US, Cambodia, Tonga, Benin (West Africa), the Peruvian Amazon, Mexico, and Aotearoa New Zealand, Sharon’s deep passion for whānau-centred care has left a powerful imprint in every place she’s been.

Sharon moved to NZ with her husband Dave and their three children (Adam, Sarah, and Will) in 2003, after time in Cambodia. She knew New Zealand was where she wanted to work as a midwife—and raise her family. For years, they called Stratford home, where Sharon managed the maternity unit until its closure in 2015—a heartbreaking time for her and the community.

Our special guest this week was Robbie from Australia. Robbie shared with us his thoughts on Australian culture versus New Zealand's, reflections on being an organic farmer and his journey to being a yoga instructor.

Amna Haroon is originally from Pakistan and moved to New Plymouth three years ago with her husband and children. Settling into a new country came with many challenges, but Amna faced them with determination and resilience. Over time, she has grown to love her new home and has built strong connections within the community.

Back in Pakistan, Amna had always dreamed of giving back and making a meaningful difference. However, between frequent moves and the demands of motherhood, those dreams were often put on hold.

Now, in Aotearoa, she’s stepping into opportunities she once only imagined — taking on new roles, contributing to her community, and living out the purpose she always hoped to fulfill. Amna believes there’s a time and place for everything, and perhaps this chapter of her life was exactly where she was meant to begin making her mark.

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Graham Nelson made his way to New Zealand in 2006 after years of surf-inspired travel. With a background in art and design and a strong passion for community building, he founded Manifold in 2015—one of New Zealand’s earliest coworking spaces. What began as a bold vision has since grown into Taranaki’s leading coworking hub, home to a thriving community of over 150 members, including startups, creatives, corporates, and freelancers. Under Graham’s leadership, Manifold has become a cornerstone of innovation and collaboration in the region.

Joey is a dedicated full-time mother to three beautiful children who have been the inspiration and catalyst for her profound spiritual journey inward. Her path to healing and inner peace has guided her to support others through the transformative power of sound, energy, and voice.

As an intuitive energy and sound healing practitioner, Joey offers 1:1 private therapy sessions and group sound bath experiences during Full Moon and New Moon circles. A gifted multi-instrumental sound alchemist, she weaves together a range of healing modalities to create her signature Shamanic Sound Journeys—designed to bring clarity, deep healing, and a sense of purpose to those she works with.

Joey is passionate about frequency healing through voice and sound, and she shares this love by teaching Native American Flute lessons as a meditative tool to foster mindfulness and help others manage daily stress with grace and intention.

This week on the Making Yourself at Home show, we welcome Adam Eager, who has truly lived a global life — born in Ireland, raised in Spain, and having worked across Europe, the Mediterranean, and Central Asia before finding home here in New Plymouth. A former offshore Captain and Marine Superintendent, Adam brings a rich story of adventure, adaptability, and family-centred decisions. From building islands in the Caspian Sea to piloting ships at Port Taranaki, Adam shares how Aotearoa became the first place where he truly felt at home.

Meet Piripi – a 54-year-old Taranaki local whose journey took him from the oil industry to travelling New Zealand with his whānau. What began as a one-year road trip turned into eight years of eye-opening experiences, leading him to create Give 4, a grassroots effort supporting homeless families. After surviving a major heart attack and stroke in 2018, Piripi rebuilt his life from scratch. His latest mission? Launching Men’s Hub — a space for men to connect, grow, and get support in all areas of life.

Juniper talks with us today about her journey with belly dancing and other creative projects, such as designing t-shirts and singing in a band.

Mandi was born in South Africa and spent most of her life near the coastal city of Durban. With a large extended family, it was in 1996 that her uncle and his family moved to Auckland. Visiting New Zealand had always been a dream of Mandi's, but it took her 26 years to make it a reality. She is an engineer (water) and arrived in Wellington on a work visa in November 2022, relocating to New Plymouth in January 2025.

Mandi absolutely loves New Zealand, not only for its stunning scenery, but also for the relaxed attitude that Kiwis exude.

Clara from Spain is living in NZ from 2017 and loves the outdoors and life in NZ. Clara is a wellbeing practitioner and a Nature and Forest Therapy guide.