Mike Casey on why we should Electrify Everything and Rewiring Aotearoa
Release Date: 01/22/2025
'Careers with Impact' book release ... and your help!
Seeds
This is a short message out to ask for your help – yes, I need you, my seeds community! To participate my email is I’ve reflected a lot on my own life and work and crafted something that is short and to the point but I really think will help you. It also reflects many concepts from guests I've learned on Seeds. Will be releasing “The Circle: Careers with Impact” a 50 page book this month and would like to: - offer you a free advance copy of it - ask for your thoughts on it so I can compile a bunch of reviews and short comments and put on the launch page...
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A conversation on my Journey, Careers, Legal Structures for Impact and answering questions (live session held in New Plymouth)
Seeds
In this session held in New Plymouth recently I share about my journey and things I have learnt in my career as well as legal structures for Impact and answering audience questions. Thanks to DOSO, Venture Taranaki and New Plyouth Council for the invitation to some and share with many startups. More content for startups is at And more on seeds is at
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Charities & Tax post Budget with Jenny, Craig and Steven recorded 30 May 2025
Seeds
In this live session recorded on 30 May 2025 Jenny Gill, Craig Fisher and I discuss the budget and related issues - and even end with a story of The Apple Tree! More resources and earlier recordings and papers And audio versions are at The Apple Tree story read at the end
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Explorers and Optimisers: a short overview with Arron Judson
Seeds
I saw a LinkedIn post from Arron Judson on the topic of different people having different skill sets and the framing of 'Explorers' and 'Optimisers'. This is the short conversation we had where he explained more on this. To find out more the site for Eidotic which is here (but check back later as being built still): This is the LinkedIn that sparked this conversation. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴...
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Seán Barnes on becoming an Impact Professional, writing a book and hosting podcasts
Seeds
Seán has written a book on being an Impact Professional and we hear all about it on this episode of seeds as well as his life story. For more episodes visit Seán's book site Impact Professional podcast Also check out the 232 Degrees podcast on books from Seán Barnes and Carl Davidson Earlier episode of that show on Seeds regarding Dr Seuss! More content at
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Shamubeel Eaqub on Social Cohesion
Seeds
This is the converstion I just had with Shamubeel Eaqub about the report on Social Cohesion that he has recently co-authored. It is a wide ranging conversation where we cover: How to foster Social Cohesion, one positive step each day The negative side and reality of poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand Whether some issues like education, health and housing need to be removed from the political cycle Superannuation and what higher contribution rates might unlock The role of arts, sport, spiritual and community groups in building cohesion It was a wide ranging interview and I would love to...
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Housing, Partnerships, Green Shoots and Challenges: Panel with Ali Hamlin-Paenga, Paul Gilberd, Cate Kearney and Steven Moe
Seeds
In this panel discussion we get to hear on Housing in Aotearoa New Zealand from the following speakers at the New Zealand Green Building Council Housing Summit held on 7 May 2025 (more on ): Ali Hamlin-Paenga - Chief Executive of Te Matapihi (Site: Cate Kearney - Chief Executive of Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (Site: Paul Gilberd - Chief Executive of Community Housing Aotearoa (Site: ) Steven Moe – Chair of Community Housing Funding Agency (Site: Thanks to Bernard Hickey for the...
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Ali Adams on Revitalised Ōtautahi Christchurch and the power of Community
Seeds
Ali Adams shares about the revitilised city of Ōtautahi Christchurch as well as her life lessons and journey to becoming the CEO of ChristchurchNZ. Seeds is a long term project with more than 440 conversations with inspiring people, most of whom are based in Christchurch. Find out more and listen to other conversations at Ōtautahi ChristchurchNZ website Earlier interview from 2019 with Joanna Norris which we mention on this episode
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Two Life Lessons shared by Ali Adams
Seeds
A very short excerpt of a long and rich conversation with Ali Adams the CEO of ChristchurchNZ where she shared two key life lessons. Be watching for the full interview out next! ChristchurchNZ website For more content visit
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Sir Maarten Wevers on a life of diplomacy, learning languages and staying curious
Seeds
This was a rich and deep conversation with Sir Maarten Wevers who shared about his life journey on this episode of seeds podcast. From being born in the Netherlands to moving to New Zealand with his family age 1, growing up with different cultural influences and then how he got into the diplomatic world, travelling the World, his learning Japanese to serve as Ambassador to Japan and then working with multiple Prime Ministers through pivotal moments in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s. From 1985 to 1987 he was private secretary to then Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, David...
info_outlineImagine 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