Seeds

This conversation with Harmaan Madon we cover many different topics with a focus in on his life story and growing up in India and how he ended up in New Zealand and working with Matthew Jackson (another former Seeds guest) on Alimentary Systems. https://www.alimentary.systems This technology processes any organic waste source to create value and prevent greenhouse gas emissions. We also talk about the entrepreneurial journey, the Edmund Hillary Fellowship and nature as a key stakeholder for any business.

I really enjoyed our conversation and if you do as well why not tell one other person about this and check out some of the other 400+ episodes in the back catalogue.

Bio

Harmaan Madon - Founder & Edmund Hillary Fellow Harmaan has a Master of Engineering in Machine Design, Material Science, and Thermodynamics and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. His practical experience in developing sustainable biofuels with Mercedes and enhancing manufacturing integrity with Tata Motors showcases his innovative and solution-oriented mindset. Harmaan's unique blend of academic knowledge and real-world manufacturing integrity experience in the automotive and bioenergy sectors equips him with the tools to address and build advanced bioenergy processing facilities.

Imagine if we electrified the country and ditched fossil fuels? It is a compelling vision of a world where Aotearoa New Zealand stands apart as an example that other counntries could then follow with major positive impact for the planet. And it is possible with the right policy settings in place.

Mike Casey from Rewiring Aotearoa and I discuss this and a whole lot more in this wide ranging conversation - from his early days in Wellington to his entrepreneurial journey and how to get through the hard times, planting a 9,000+ cherry tree farm in Otago and then making it all electric with no fossil fuel vehicles, lessons along the way - we really cover a lot in this conversation.

The Rewiring Aotearoa movement is producing quality research and information on moving from fossil fuels for the benefit of the climate and to save people money at the same time - it has been fun to be part of that journey as the lawyer who helped get it set up and registered as a charity and am still involved today providing legal support. So it was great to sit down with Mike to hear his stories.

Shoutout to former guest on Seeds podcast Louise Aitken who first introduced us! Her interview is here.

Rewiring Aotearoa website: https://www.rewiring.nz/

Some of the publications we mentioned are here:

Investing in Tomorrow https://www.rewiring.nz/tomorrow

Electric Homes report https://www.rewiring.nz/electric-homes-report

"Rewiring Aotearoa represents everyday New Zealanders in the energy transition and is working to build an electrified future where every Kiwi saves money on energy bills, reduces their carbon emissions and has the resilience to keep their lights on and homes warm. Let's make New Zealand more electric!"

Conversation with Dr Jay Matenga mentioned in this: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ysxkxCszFsOhEQqAS0Zu4

This conversation with James Beck was wide ranging and I really enjoyed hearing about the podcast he has created called Ngā Here - The Many Connections (on Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/show/0tvwAw1E4ECNlLpl1Oxfz3)

In our conversation we cover his early years, his sense of identity, where he is from and what it means, some of his spiritual journey and faith and consideration of the land, relationship with creation, Aotearoa and a whole lot more.

If you enjoy this check out some of the other 425 conversations and you can find out more about the Ngā Here - The Many Connections podcast over here:

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0tvwAw1E4ECNlLpl1Oxfz3

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ng%C4%81-here-the-many-connections/id1635238036

Buzzsprout https://ngahere.buzzsprout.com/

Tom Holland book called Dominion we mention in conversation https://www.paperplus.co.nz/shop/books/non-fiction/history/general/dominion

Sam Broughton interview we mention in conversation https://theseeds.nz/podcast/sam-broughton-on-leadership-and-legacy/

Description of the show

Over the years I've noticed that there are a lot of us who can see that our planet is a bit broken and that how we live as a people in Aotearoa is a bit broken too - and we've got some pretty big questions. Questions about what the Bible might have to say about the way we live and care for creation. Questions about how we can deeply connect with the world around us and each other. Questions about why the church seems so useless when it comes to caring for God's creation. And questions about how Māori and Pākehā can learn from each other, and grow together. So if you're keen - I'd love to invite you to come along on this crazy, beautiful, journey with me, Waiora Te Moni, and Dr Andrew Shepherd - as we explore Ngā Here - The Many Connections that exist between creation, the Bible and living in Aotearoa. Ngā Here - The Many Connections is a project funded by The Wilberforce Foundation. Produced by James Beck, with Creative Direction from the Revered Spanky Moore. Our Music was created by Chris William - check him out on Spotify. Artwork by Tepene Marsden.

This is the audio of a very short story by O'Henry from more than 100 years ago called 'The Gift of the Magi'.

A short reflection I hope helps one of you as we come to a time of rest and reflection and planning for the future.

Braided rivers in New Zealand are unique as they change often, moving along in the same general direction, but never ever staying exactly the same. Trying to plan every aspect of your life means you'll miss out - to really see new opportunities, you have to be willing to also let directions shift, like a braided river, and go with where the water of new opportunities is flowing.

https://theseeds.nz/articles/braided-river-reflection/

The very first episode of Seeds was with Michelle Sharp so it was special to catch up and discuss UNICEF Aotearoa where she now is the CEO - we talk about the great work they do around the world in this episode.

The first episode on her life story is over here so have a listen to that to hear about her journey! Its one of the best of the 400+ I've done so far. https://theseeds.nz/podcast/michelle-sharp-on-kilmarnock-and-social-enterprises/

UNICEF Aotearoa: https://www.unicef.org.nz/

The second interview we did on Kilmarnock and key learnings here https://theseeds.nz/podcast/michelle-sharp-on-kilmarnocks-key-learnings/

More content is at www.theseeds.nz

What is an Advisory Board? How are they used and when? What role do they play in Governance? The Institute of Directors in New Zealand have just published an article that I wrote on Advisory Boards. The article is here: https://www.iod.org.nz/news/articles/advisory-boards-what-they-are-and-how-they-operate# It is based on a conversation I had with Louise Broekman for Seeds. It is a 3 minute read apparently, so short! In it cover: - Explains what these boards are 🏄🏼‍♂️ - How they operate 🕹️ - differences to a formally appointed board 🌊 - How they might benefit organisations (like yours) today 🌱 It starts like this: "Louise Broekman is on a mission. She is travelling the world explaining the positive role that advisory boards can play in companies, charities and other organisations. She knows all about them as she founded the Advisory Board Centre which operates globally conducting research and providing training programmes on this topic. It's important to get definitions and roles right – "advisory boards" are not the same as a governance board, which consist of the formally appointed directors of a company. Instead, advisory boards sit alongside governing boards and the management to provide insights that benefit both groups…"

The Advisory Board Centre site: https://www.advisoryboardcentre.com/ --- The article is based on a Seeds Podcast interview – have you listened to any of the 419 others? 🍎🌳

My conversation with Katherine started with Mountains and Nature, before we talked about her life, career and systems change. This felt like a very grounded conversation as a result and I know you will enjoy hearing her insights about Wellbeing Economies and what they are. If you like this then there are 420 other conversations as well - you can find out more at www.theseeds.nz

Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa site: https://www.weall.org.nz/

Katherine's site: https://katherinetrebeck.com/

Katherine is a political economist, writer and advocate for economic system change. Her roles include writer-at-large at the University of Edinburgh, Economic Change Lead at The Next Economy, and Strategic Advisor to the Centre for Policy Development. She co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) and also WEAll Scotland, its Scottish hub.

This panel discussion was at the Community Housing Aotearoa Conference 2024: Growing Together – Sharing Our Knowledge, held in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.

Financing models for new affordable housing supply, a panel facilitated by: Steven Moe with Roy Thompson from New Ground Capital, Jamie Newth from Soul Capital, Luke Strom from Community Finance and Heiko Jonkers from Westpac

For more content visit www.theseeds.nz

Soul Capital site: http://soul.capital

Community Finance site: https://communityfinance.co.nz

New Ground Capital Site: https://www.newground.co.nz

Westpac site: https://www.westpac.co.nz

Yesterday afternoon faciliatated a fascinating conversation with some amazing people at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance conference in Pōneke Wellington.

Joining me were Rachel Brown (Sustainable Business Network), Manu Caddie (Hikurangi Enterprises), Kira Day (B Labs) and Kath Dewar (Good Sense).

We covered a lot of ground - the future of business, role of nature, philanthropy and hybrid structures, director duties and consideration of ESG, advice for a high growth startup acting sustainably, the new Community Housing Funding Agency and a whole lot more. If you like this content check out the 400+ other conversations on Seeds Podcast at www.theseeds.nz

Be watching out for my conversation with Katherine Trebeck who I was able to talk to at the event which will release soon.

Some links to things discussed.

Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa site: https://www.weall.org.nz

Parry Field Lawyers https://www.parryfield.com/charities/social-enterprises-impact-companies/

Sustainable Business Network https://sustainable.org.nz

B Lab site https://bcorporation.com.au/about/

Rua Bioscience https://www.ruabio.com

Good Sense https://goodsense.co.nz