In this episode, I sit down with Sam Rowland, General Manager of the Tairāwhiti Environment Centre, to talk about the future of the Coast — from forestry and erosion to food waste, recycling, and the big environmental opportunities sitting right in front of us.

We dig into the region’s bold plan to transition 100,000 hectares of highly erodible land into permanent vegetation, and the complex mix of partners involved: iwi, foresters, ecologists, council, and community groups.

Then we talk waste.
Tairāwhiti sends some of the most expensive rubbish in the country to landfill, nearly 40% of it is food waste that could become nutrient-rich compost instead of dead weight in a black rubbish bag.

We discuss about their plan to create community compost hubs, the push for a resource recovery centre, and how rethinking waste could save the region money while restoring the soil beneath our feet.

Music by Lenny Lawns

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context

01:03 Plans for Permanent Vegetation

07:18 Funding and Financial Mechanisms

08:37 Understanding Carbon Credits

12:00 Tairawhiti Environment Centre Initiatives

12:34 Waste Minimization and Community Resilience

22:58 Recycling Challenges and Solutions

Keywords

environment, forestry, carbon credits, waste management, community initiatives, biodiversity, composting, sustainability, ecological restoration, resource recovery

In this conversation, Jack speaks with Paul Naske and Panapa Ehau from Rua Bioscience about their journey in the cannabis industry, focusing on sustainable economic development for their community. They discuss the evolution of the company, the transition to a capital light model, and the current state of their sales and market presence. The conversation also touches on their share raise initiative, advocacy for decriminalisation of cannabis, and the broader societal implications of cannabis legalisation. Throughout, they emphasise the importance of community impact and intergenerational wealth.

Rua's Captial Raise:

https://www.ruabio.com/news/capital-raise
Rua's Push to Decriminalise:

https://www.ruabio.com/tell-parliament-decriminalise

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ruhr Bioscience

01:10 The Journey of Ruhr Bioscience

07:41 Founders' Perspectives and Company Values

12:02 Pivoting Business Models in Cannabis

15:52 Current Market Strategies and Sales Growth

22:12 Future Aspirations and Share Raise Discussion

24:26 Intergenerational Goals and Community Impact

28:10 Investment Opportunities and Company Growth

33:21 Navigating the Cannabis Market: Medical to Recreational

36:27 Advocating for Decriminalization and Social Acceptance

42:35 The Unique Mission of the Company: Beyond Profit

Keywords

Rua Bioscience, cannabis industry, economic development, medicinal cannabis, share raise, decriminalization, sustainable business, community impact, intergenerational wealth, New Zealand cannabis

Music by Lenny lawns.

In this episode, Jack Marshall sits down with Julian Kohn, Chair of the Eastland Wood Council, to unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the forestry industry in Tairāwhiti. There are plans afoot to convert the East Coast's most unstable land into permanent forest. What does the forestry industry think of that?

This episode discuss the region’s ongoing battle with land erosion, the role of forestry in managing vegetation cover, and what sustainable land use could look like for the future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Eastland Wood Council and Julian Cohn

05:52 The Role of Eastland Wood Council in Forestry

09:07 Plans for Permanent Vegetation Cover

18:56 Challenges and Opportunities in the Forestry Industry

23:28 Future of Forestry on the East Coast

29:07 Road Infrastructure and Its Impact on Forestry

This week, Jack catches up with Ngahuia Mita to discuss the significance of Tairawhiti Waka, a double-hulled sailing canoe that serves as a platform for education, cultural connection, and community involvement. Ngahuia shares her personal journey into the world of waka, the educational benefits of sailing, and the importance of fostering future leaders and guardians of the ocean. They also touch on the emotional and mental health benefits of being on the water, the diverse community involvement in Tairawhiti Waka, and future plans for voyages and research.

Keywords

Tairawhiti Waka, waka haurua, ocean voyaging, cultural education, leadership, community involvement, mental health, Polynesian navigation, maritime traditions, kaitiakitanga

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tairawhiti Waka

02:04 The Purpose and Function of Tairawhiti Waka

08:17 The Educational Value of Waka

12:14 Personal Experiences at Sea

16:15 Future Voyages and Research

20:52 Knowing more about the Waka

This week Jack sits down with Chamber of Commerce President Ashley Fisher discuss the current economic landscape of Gisborne. The region has challenges as businesses bare the brunt of it with their bottom line. All too often council is in the mix. So what can be done?

Ashley talks about the impact of central government policies on local businesses, the need for efficient processing of resource consents, and the potential for growth through investment in local industries.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gisborne's Economic Landscape

02:36 Challenges Faced by Local Businesses

05:30 Industry Recovery and Economic Outlook

08:59 Innovation and Hidden Gems in Gisborne

13:36 Gisborne's Competitive Advantage

16:10 Employment Opportunities and Job Market

19:58 Vision for Gisborne's Future

Keywords

Gisborne, business challenges, economic landscape, innovation, competitive advantage, local economy, industry insights, community development, council policies, job opportunities

Music by Lenny Lawns

In this episode, Jack speaks with Sheridan Gundry from Heritage Tairāwhiti about the power of storytelling, preservation, and connection in our region’s history. Sheridan — a longtime journalist turned historian — shares her passion for uncovering the human stories behind Tairāwhiti’s landmarks, rivers, and communities.

From the tales that shaped the Taruheru River to the exhibitions and events that bring the past to life, this conversation dives into how local heritage work keeps memory alive and helps us understand where we come from. It’s a celebration of people, place, and the stories that bind them together.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Heritage and Storytelling

03:04 Sheridan Gundry's Background and Journey

05:56 The Importance of Heritage and Community

09:00 Telling Compelling Stories of the Past

11:47 Exploring the Tarahiru River's History

14:55 Engaging the Community Through Events

18:10 Transitioning from Journalism to History

21:01 The Future Vision for Heritage Tairawhiti

Keywords

heritage, storytelling, history, Gisborne, Tairawhiti, community, culture, preservation, events, education

Jack talks with Ora Barlow from Raukūmara Pae Maunga, an iwi-led conservation project restoring well over 100,000 hectares of native forest on the East Coast.

Fresh off a $6 million funding boost, Ora shares how the team is reviving biodiversity, creating local jobs, and proving that when people care for the land — the land gives back.

This is a story of indigenous leadership, community resilience, and the fight to keep our forests alive.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Raukūmara Pae Maunga and Funding Success

02:58 Scale and Impact of Conservation Efforts

06:11 Historical Context and Initiation of the Initiative

09:01 Vision for Sustainable Ecological Tourism

11:51 Personal Journey and Community Involvement

16:00 Future Vision and Ongoing Challenges

18:46 Understanding Forest Health and Community Engagement

25:13 Ways to Get Involved and Support

Keywords

Raukūmara Pae Maunga, conservation, indigenous leadership, ecological restoration, community engagement, funding, sustainable tourism, environmental health, New Zealand, biodiversity, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui, Department of Conservation

In this episode, Jack sits down with artist and researcher Dayna Raroa (Ngāti Porou) to talk about the upcoming exhibition, MŌWAI: The Weight of Water. The project transforms community research on the impacts of severe weather—particularly Cyclone Gabrielle—into a powerful creative response.

Dayna shares how her work bridges kaupapa Māori research, community voices, and art to highlight the emotional and spiritual toll of disasters. With contributions from over 40 local creatives, the exhibition makes research tangible, accessible, and healing for the community.
MŌWAI: The Weight of Water, held at the Marina Building opens to the public on 6pm on September 27 and will run until October 3.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Exhibition and Research
02:37 The Impact of Severe Weather on Communities
04:55 Community Engagement and Creative Responses
07:39 Personal Stories and Emotional Responses
10:04 The Role of Art in Research
12:20 Exhibition Details and Community Involvement

Keywords: Dayna Raroa, art exhibition, severe weather, community research, emotional impact, Māori culture, health and well-being, creative responses, Cyclone Gabrielle, Tairāwhiti Arts Festival

In this episode of Now That’s an Idea Mateawa Keelan talks about life in Ruatoria and running for council. Mateawa shares her passion for Māori representation, rural voices in governance, and future-focused community well-being. Her idea is to strengthen Te Tiriti o Waitangi in council.

From local markets that support whānau and hapū to embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori perspectives into council decision-making, Mateawa makes the case for why cultural understanding and resilience are essential for the East Coast.

💡 Full archive + bonus content: https://nowthatsanidea.substack.com/

🎥 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:00 Community Resilience and Local Economy
05:40 Motivation for Council Involvement
07:49 Māori Representation in Local Government
10:04 Embedding Māori Values in Governance
12:48 Operationalizing Māori Perspectives
15:31 Cultural Understanding in Decision Making
18:09 Future-Focused Community Well-being
20:30 Candidate Pitch
22:17 Pop Quiz

🎶 Thanks to Lenny Lawns for the intro music.

In this episode, Debbie Gregory, former Gisborne Herald chief reporter and council candidate, to talk about her journey, her passion for waste management and recycling, and her vision for a more sustainable Tairāwhiti.

Debbie's idea? She see's Gisborne having a proper recycling center in Gisborne where waste is seen as a resource and delt with locally rather than shipped off at an extravagent cost.

Debbie reflects on the bureaucratic challenges of council work, and stresses why community involvement is essential in reducing waste and carbon emissions.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
04:28 Career Journey and Community Engagement
10:16 Waste Management Initiatives
15:03 Challenges in Local Governance
19:47 Vision for the Future and Closing Thoughts

20:57 Pop-Quiz

🎵 Intro music by Lenny Lawns
👉 For bonus content and the best way to support the show: https://nowthatsanidea.substack.com/

#Gisborne #WasteManagement #Recycling #Tairāwhiti #DebbieGregory #LocalPolitics #Sustainability