From Aotearoa to the world: how Wai Mānuka is going global
What started as a conversation between three friends in Whakatāne became a new category in drinks - a premium sparkling Mānuka honey beverage rooted in kaupapa Māori.
In this episode, Joseph Harawira shares the Wai Mānuka journey - from army discipline and sports high performance to launching at the America’s Cup and landing the brand in New York. We talk about staying true to cultural values, sharing the story of Aotearoa, and building a business that’s as ambitious as it is grounded.
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The AI tool that turns conversations into action
What if your meetings, interviews, or coaching sessions could turn themselves into structured insights, ready-to-go content, or instant action points? That’s what Contented AI - a Christchurch-based startup led by Lucy Pink and Hannah Hardy-Jones - is building.
In this episode, we talk about the journey from early idea to functioning product, bootstrapping vs raising, building with intention from Aotearoa, and how the Contented team has carved out a distinctive wedge in the AI space. We also dig into what it means to build a tool that listens and suggests - not just takes notes - and how their users are shaping what comes next.
Join us for a conversation about product-market fit, AI possibility, founder grit, and building global software that still feels human.
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Rowan Simpson on the right way to be wrong
Rowan Simpson has helped shape some of Aotearoa’s most iconic startups - from Trade Me and Xero to Vend and Timely - usually from behind the scenes. But with the release of his new book How to Be Wrong, he’s stepped into the spotlight to share some hard-earned lessons about success, leadership, and the quiet people who build great companies.
In this episode, we talk about what startup culture still gets wrong, how stories are told and who gets left out, and why the real impact of startups should be measured far beyond headlines and valuations.
Rowan opens up about the mistakes he’s made, the decisions that still stay with him, and the power of doing the right thing even when it’s hard. We dig into ideas he hasn’t been asked about elsewhere - from capital gains tax and the role of government, to the inside story of one of the stories he shares in the book that host Simon Pound was working on with him, the restructure of Vend after a funding round failed.
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How AF Drinks is leading their space in the US
AF Drinks is the fast-growing alcohol-free beverage brand from Aotearoa that is rapidly expanding into global marketplaces, landing on shelves across the US, and even teaming up with global celebrities like Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner.
Lisa King, founder of AF Drinks, joins the pod to discuss launching with purpose, building credibility in a new, huge market, and how the company is redefining what it means to celebrate without alcohol. We also dig into the reality of building a consumer product company - the capital, the inventory, the logistics - and how a few new retail launches are set to grow the brand even more.
It’s a masterclass in values-driven brand building, from one of the most impressive founders from Aotearoa.
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How Polymath is reimagining maths class
What if maths class looked more like Roblox than a workbook? In this episode, Sophie Silver - co-founder and CEO of Polymath - joins us to talk about building a game-based learning platform that kids actually want to use. From her background in psychology and tutoring to launching through Startmate and now reaching students across the world, Sophie shares how Polymath is reimagining education through adaptive algorithms, immersive gameplay, and real-world problem solving.
We explore what it takes to build a new category in edtech, why focusing only on maths has been a strength, and what others can learn from how Polymath balances fun and rigour. Plus, insights on product design, parental trust, and why sometimes the best way to teach is to play.
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Think business is boring? This podcast proves it's anything but. Join Simon Pound as he talks to everyone from accidental entrepreneurs to industry leaders about their business journeys and what propelled them to where they are today. Made in partnership with Deel.
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