Welcome to PowerUp, a podcast by Venture Taranaki and produced by Roar Collective. Here we celebrate the region’s entrepreneurs and innovators who are leaving their mark on the world, while living the famous Taranaki lifestyle.
Each episode features a prominent local entrepreneur, making waves both nationally and internationally with their trailblazing spirit and can-do attitude. They'll share their successes, ah-ha moments and celebrated wins, as well as their struggles and behind the scenes failures. Our guests also reflect on how being from Taranaki influences their work and the lives they lead.
Hosted by long time business advocate and honorary Taranaki local David Downs, this series illustrates the thriving business environment within Taranaki by telling the stories of everyday people who've been able to achieve remarkable things.
Taranaki is a region where the unique natural and entrepreneurship ecosystems collide to create a place where people can flourish and achieve their full potential. Nau mai haere mai, we welcome you to hear our enterprising stories like no other.
Michael Mansvelt / Michael Mansvelt Design & Jungle Nurseries
Michael Mansvelt describes himself as a connector, someone who brings people closer to spaces, nature, and a sense of belonging. His career spans landscape, interior, and architectural design, alongside Jungle Nurseries, a nursery and creative hub based on the outskirts of New Plymouth.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Michael reflects on the experiences that shaped him as both a designer and an entrepreneur. Growing up in South Taranaki, surrounded by rainforest, farmland, and historic architecture, he shares how those early observations continue to inform his work today. Leaving school early due to dyslexia pushed him toward a creative path that eventually led to working on one of Britain’s largest private estates — reshaping his understanding of legacy, time, and design.
Michael also speaks candidly about building his business in the 1990s, the role television played in establishing credibility, and his philosophy of Everyday Opulence, finding beauty in both grand spaces and daily life.
A thoughtful kōrero about creativity, longevity, and building a values-led business grounded in place.
1 Apr 2026
Ajinkya Jagdale (AJ) and Jesse Sigurdsson / Shining Peak & State Hotel
Jesse and AJ come from very different backgrounds, but a shared passion for hospitality brought them together to create Shining Peak, a brewery that has been a cornerstone of the Taranaki hospitality scene since opening in 2019.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, they share the journeys that led them into hospitality. Jesse reflects on growing up in Inglewood and discovering brewing through curiosity and connection, while AJ talks about arriving in New Zealand from Mumbai to study hospitality at Pacific International Hotel Management School, building the foundations for his career in Taranaki.
Together, they discuss the evolution of Shining Peak, the values behind its growth, and the thinking behind the 5% Project, which directs a portion of revenue back into local charities. The conversation also explores what it means to create welcoming spaces where people feel part of something bigger.
A candid kōrero about partnership, purpose, and the future of hospitality in Taranaki.
25 Mar 2026
Michelle and Frank Lachmann / Herbi.nz
A patch of struggling soil on a Taranaki lifestyle block sparked a line of questioning that wouldn’t let Michelle and Frank Lachmann go. What began as hands-on experimentation soon turned into years of trial and error, obsessive research, and a deep fascination with the invisible world beneath our feet. That curiosity became Herbi.nz, a next-generation soil and plant food now trusted by home gardeners, market growers, and international partners alike.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Michelle and Frank share the real story behind Herbi.nz’s evolution. From the failed hemp crop that sparked it all, to the decisions, values, and practical lessons that transformed a side project into a fast-growing business. They speak openly about parenting while building a company, navigating uncertainty, and staying true to their beliefs about health, nature, and simplicity.
They also reflect on the role Taranaki played in their journey, offering space to experiment, strong community support, and a grounding connection to the land.
Herbi.nz began with a problem and that’s often where the best ideas grow.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 11 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
10
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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