Seeds

Rob is a Professor and Research Leader at the HIT Lab NZ (Human Interface Technologies) at Canterbury University. This interview is released in the lead up to Techweek '18 as we highlight stories from the tech sector. In this interview we talk about Rob's background and how he started researching virtual reality in the 1990s, the origins and key points in the history of virtual reality, how you have to start with the human problem faced before getting carried away with technology and what the future holds for augmented reality.

https://www.hitlabnz.org/

Info on the new product design course mentioned in the interview here.

The event Rob is speaking at is "Extreme Environments: From the Antarctic to Space" on Thursday 24th May.

Thanks to Helen Shorthouse and the entire team organising Techweek '18 this year for the chance to highlight some tech stories. Techweek '18 runs nationally from Saturday 19th May - Sunday 27th May 2018.

For more on tech in Christchurch visit http://www.christchurchnz.org.nz/

Fiona is the Chief Executive and Secretary General of Paralympics New Zealand. In this interview we talk about her childhood growing up in the UK, the role her parents played in her days as an elite athlete in Europe and how the transition to being involved in Paralympics happened. We also talk about the role of elite sport and in particular in the context of Paralympians, what it is that they inspire in those who get to know them and understand the work they put in, what she has learned from the athletes she has met and her most joyous moments in the job (such as calling the athlete to tell them they have been selected to represent New Zealand).

http://www.paralympics.org.nz/

Thanks to RSM for providing the venue in Auckland to conduct this interview. https://www.facebook.com/SeedsPodcast/

Peter has written many books on New Zealand's leading creative authors, writers, painters and musicians. His most recent recognition was the 2017 Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement in honour of his non-fiction. In this interview we talk about his work as an editor, writer, critic, curator and former academic in New Zealand and Canada. We also talk about his memories of growing up just after World War II, the thriving literary scene in Christchurch between 1933 and 1953, his life as an academic as well as a period as a Member of Parliament for Lyttelton, his friendship and memories of the poet Allen Curnow, and what he likes about collecting books.

http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writer/simpson-peter

About Bloomsbury South: http://www.press.auckland.ac.nz/en/browse-books/all-books/books-2016/bloomsbury-south.html

Allen Curnow tribute site (run by Steven Moe): www.allencurnow.com

Chris is the Founder of Impact Ventures NZ which is a partner in the Impact Enterprise Fund which recently completed a first close having raised $8 million dollars for impact investing in New Zealand. In this interview we talk about his background and work as an investment banker before the decision to get into impact investing. We also discuss what impact investing actually is and what you look for when you go to invest such a fund which is commercially focused and wants market returns but also wants to have impact in other ways too. We also talk about developments in New Zealand in this sector such as the Social Enterprise World Forum in 2017, the role of Ākina and the network of impact investors that is developing as well as the Edmund Hillary Fellowship (Chris is a part of the first cohort).

Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissimcock/

Info on the fund: http://www.newground.co.nz/impact-enterprise-fund/

Impact Investing Network NZ: https://www.impactinvestingnetwork.nz/

EHF description: https://stories.ehf.org/ehf-fellow-chris-simcock-79b2994226de

Book mentioned is by Derek Handley: Heart to Start https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/heart-to-start-9780143771548

Nigel is a co-founder and Manager of social enterprise Crave Cafe in Morningside in Auckland. In this interview we talk about his childhood memories of the Solomon Islands, how he moved from the desire to make lots of money into setting up Crave, the challenges of operating a social enterprise (particularly in the hospitality industry), the dangers that can come with "success" and the transformation it is bringing to the suburb there and plans for the future.

Crave: http://www.cravecafe.co.nz/

Article with video on the cafe: https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/decor/88509938/high-st-to-home:-get-the-look-of-morningsides-crave-cafe-

Twitter: @seeds_podcast and @nzstevenmoe

Jarrod is a sociologist at the University of Canterbury and the author of "Patched: The History of Gangs in New Zealand" which was a finalist for best non-fiction book in the New Zealand Book Awards in 2013 (and is also the most stolen book in New Zealand). He recently co-edited "Criminal Justice: A New Zealand Introduction". In this interview we discuss his life and what has led him to become an expert in this area as well as reflect on the role mentors have had in his life, the importance of cross discipline challenges and danger of silos, changing your mind in the light of better evidence and our shared memories of being involved together with the UCSA almost 20 years ago.

www.jarrodgilbert.com

Twitter: @JarrodGilbertNZ

http://www.researchsolutions.org.nz/

https://www.facebook.com/jarrodgilbertnz/

Erica is involved in a wide variety of different groups and organisations and we talk with her about all of them and her role as an Experience Curator, Photographer, Community Weaver, #ChChAmbassador and Social Intrapreneur (working with existing organisations to help them grow). The interview begins with her memories of coming from China to New Zealand as a child, studying architecture and then making the decision to move to Christchurch and help support and grow movements here. E.A. Curation https://www.eacuration.space/ Curating meaningful experiences Christchurch Ambassador, Te Putahi - Christchurch Centre for Architecture and City-making City Organiser and Experience Curator, PechaKucha Night Christchurch Organiser, TEDxChristchurch Trustee, Watch This Space Photographer, Peanut Productions Photography Formerly Experience Awesomist, Ministry of Awesome

Michelle is the Chief Executive Officer of Kilmarnock Enterprises which is a social enterprise established 60 years ago. I interviewed Michelle for the first episode of the podcast about her own story but in this follow up episode we focus more on Kilmarnock itself and the challenges it has faced in recent years as an organisation. In particular we talk about developing a great culture as well as how you raise funds when you are a social enterprise and do not fit traditional funding requirements. We also talk about the Social Enterprise World Forum, Impact Investing and the ability of one person with an organisation to leverage change.

"We are changing attitudes through education, employment, and opportunity, empowering people with disabilities to lead purposeful and dignified lives."

For more https://www.kilmarnock.co.nz/

Or https://www.facebook.com/KilmarnockEnterprises/

www.seeds.libsyn.com

Twitter: @nzstevenmoe

Camia worked as an architect in Europe for many years before she made her home in Christchurch after the earthquakes. In this interview we talk about community building, the role of architecture in that and the key lessons learned on her journey. We also discuss the XCHC, transitional architecture with the pallet pavilion and her work now with Ohu (Office for Holistic Urbanism).

https://ohu.nz/

http://www.xchc.co.nz/

Seeds Podcast Contact: [email protected] Twitter: @nzstevenmoe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeedsPodcast/

Leighton is the Chief Executive of the Rātā Foundation which provides millions of dollars in grants to community groups and charities each year. In this interview we talk about his life and journey to taking on this role at the end of 2017. We also learn about his motivations, influences, mentors, the key experiences which have shaped him and the meaning of "True North".

http://www.ratafoundation.org.nz/

Seeds Podcast Contact: [email protected] Twitter: @nzstevenmoe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeedsPodcast/