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

This episode is a deep and powerful kōrero with my good brother Tom Hern. He's a filmmaker, director, writer, and above all, partner and father.

Our conversation is one of depth, vulnerability, resilience, and the hero’s journey. Tom opens up about his roots growing up in Christchurch, a pivotal incident with his mother that changed the course of his family’s life, living and working on his own at age 15, his battles with drug and alcohol abuse, and the full-circle moment of deep healing with his mother.

We also talk about a documentary we are working on that will be released next year!

If you feel called to take your own growth and healing further, Seeds of Self is an online community and extension of the Planting Seeds Podcast - it's a space for those breaking cycles and making changes in health, relationships, finances, and self.

🔗 Book 1:1 Call to Seeds of Self Here: https://calendly.com/raniera/seeds-of-self

Bali was the time of our lives! We let loose, partied, ate amazing food, scootered the streets, and met incredible people BUT above all, we poured into our marriage. Our intention was FUN, and fun we had.

But we shouldn't have went - that's what our bank accounts said anyway.

What made it possible was what we’ve been learning and integrating over the past few years: the power of vibration and frequency. We trusted that things would work out, and they did.

I hope you get value from this episode - Let me know if you want to see more like this, and if you’re ready to take things further, use the link below to book a 1:1 call or join my online community Seeds of Self.

🔗 Book a 1:1 call here: https://calendly.com/raniera/seeds-of-self

This is my second episode with Joe Webb, the creative mind and founder behind YOUKNOW Clothing. We’re very fortunate to have him on because he doesn’t do many interviews, even though he gets asked plenty - so Planting Seeds Podcast whānau, we are lucky!In this kōrero we dive into:✨ The story of YK Move and why movement matters✨ How YOUKNOW Clothing grew from printing tees in Joe’s bedroom to a full-scale brand✨ Running the company while working overseas in the UK✨ Scaling through content and collaboration with his best mates✨ How YOUKNOW evolved into YOUKNOW Media, home of The Morning Shift and PlayOn Sports✨ A more personal side of Joe, including challenges he’s navigating todayThis episode is a reminder that YOUKNOW isn’t just clothing — it’s community, creativity, and connection.🔗 Shop YOUKNOW Clothing: https://youknowclothing.com/🔗 Join Seeds of Self: https://www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

This is the very first episode of a new segment I’m calling Grow With Me – a space where I’ll be sharing more of my personal journey, what’s going on behind the scenes, and the lessons I’m learning along the way.In this episode, I reflect on Hui Tāne and the recent kōrero we’ve had around men’s mental health and well-being. I also share a bit about what’s coming next and where I’m currently at in my own growth journey.More podcasts are on the way, and I’ll keep checking in to share honestly about where I’m at. My hope is that it supports you on your journey too 🌱If you're interested in the online community Seeds of Self or want to know more please use the link below to book a call or join the platform.🔗 Seeds of Self: https://www.skool.com/seeds-of-self

🔗 Book 1:1 Call: https://calendly.com/raniera/seeds-of-self

This episode is a fluid and heartfelt kōrero with Connor Watene-O’Sullivan, a young tāne, pāpā, and partner from Te Hiku o te Ika who grew up immersed in te ao Māori through kura kaupapa. Passionate about men’s well-being, Connor is part of a movement creating safe spaces for tāne to connect, share, and grow through his kaupapa Circle of Brothers.

We speak about vulnerability, maturing as men in relationships, our connections with our pāpā’s, and the importance of physical and emotional well-being.

We dive into:

✨ The journey of creating Circle of Brothers (COB’s)

✨ Vulnerability as a strength for tāne

✨ Healing relationships with our fathers

✨ Maturing as men in relationships

✨ The link between physical well-being and mental health

BIG mihi to Hui Tāne 2025 for making this conversation possible!

🔗 Follow Circle of Brothers: https://www.instagram.com/circle.of.brothers

🔗 Follow Hui Tāne Updates: /hui-tāne-national-māori-mens-mental-health

📌 Mental Health Support (NZ):📞 Call or text 1737 anytime – Need to Talk?

This episode of the Planting Seeds Podcast is a deep and insightful kōrero with Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod, a champion of te reo Māori revitalisation and a leader whose life and mahi Kauwaka Ltd reflect the powerful connection between language, culture, and well-being.

Dr Tātere opens up heart-to-heart about his personal journey – from being born and raised in Australia to returning to Hawke’s Bay at 17 to learn te reo Māori. We talk about leadership, navigating the ego and responsibility, fatherhood, ADHD, and the role of te reo Māori and culture in personal and collective well-being. He also shares a simple act of service: reach out to 3 people each week AND be interested, not just interesting.

We dive into:

✨ Learning te reo Māori at 17 and its life-changing impact

✨ Leadership, ego, and carrying responsibility

✨ How te reo Māori and culture nurture well-being

✨ Insights on fatherhood and personal growth

✨ ADHD, self-awareness, and living with purpose

Loved this kōrero and I'm sure you will too - BIG mihi to Hui Tāne for making this possible.

🔗 Follow Kauwaka Ltd: https://www.kauwaka.co.nz/

🔗 Follow Hui Tāne Updates: /hui-tĀne-national-māori-mens-mental-health

🔗 Join Seeds of Self: https://www.skool.com/seeds-of-self/about

📌 Mental Health Support (NZ):

📞 Call or text 1737 anytime – Need to Talk?

In this powerful and deeply moving kōrero, we sit down with Matua Phil Paikea, a true example of a changed man. Raised around violence and once walking that same path himself, it was a wairua encounter and the unwavering love of his wife that shifted everything.

Now, matua Phil has devoted his life to supporting tāne reintegrating from prison back into society through his kaupapa Safe Man, Safe Families. He shares practical wisdom and spiritual insight, helping men understand the difference between knowledge, comprehension, and wisdom.

We dive into:

✨ Phil’s upbringing and walk through violence

✨ The moment that sparked change

✨ The role of his wife and wairua in his healing

✨ Nuggets of wisdom for tāne on the journey of change

✨ A raw and powerful story of healing through consent and intimacy

This is one of my favourite episodes, not just because of the depth of Phil’s journey, but because of the hope and healing it offers to others.

BIG mihi to Phil, his whānau and to Hui Tāne for making thi spossible.

🔗 Follow Safe Man, Safe Families: https://safemansafefamily.org.nz/

🔗 Follow Hui Tāne Updates: /hui-tĀne-national-māori-mens-mental-health

🔗 Mental Health Support:

📞 Call or text 1737 anytime (NZ) – Need to Talk?