Whāngārā Farms’ podcast initiative ensures flow of information

Whāngārā Farms are ready to premiere a new podcast series as an innovative way to share what is happening on the farms to those connected to the whenua.

Whāngārā Farms has 2500 shareholders and more than 6500 who are part of the hapū, iwi and whānau of Whāngārā .

The series is hosted by Whāngārā’s  Hinemihiata Sproat (nee Lardelli).

“This podcast is our way of having instant impact in that connection, in a way that is attractive to our whānau of all ages and in all locations,” Hinemihiata said.

Five episodes have been recorded. They will broadcast weekly with plans to do a monthly episode covering current events and news about Whāngārā Farms.

Podcast episodes will broadcast each Friday from today, June 16 to  July 14, on Spotify and YouTube.

The podcast is locally recorded and produced by Josh Hovell and Bjorn Ahman of Lightshift Pictures, with the use of the Haututu Hacklab video podcast room which is a part of the Tāiki E! whānau.

“This series focuses on climate change, and the mahi our four new working sub-committees — Farming, Our People, Taiao, Diversification —are doing to counter this,” Whāngārā Farms business manager Ray Leach said.

That could be letting people know the impact of the cyclone, building a native nursery, “how we strive to uplift and empower our people, or establishing additional businesses to increase revenue and spread our risk”, he said.

Whāngārā Farms decided to do the podcast to ensure their people had information about the enterprise on an ongoing basis rather than just annually at the annual meeting.

“We shared why the sub-committees were established and the various exciting projects they are working on, and what our shareholders and whānau will see in terms of the progression of Whāngārā Farms,” Mr Leach said.

“It paints a picture of our challenges such as climate change, but also what Whāngārā Farms could look like and the benefits it will bring tō the wellbeing of our people in five, 10, or 20 years’ time and beyond.”

Mr Leach said it was important to adapt and continue to adapt.

Hinemihiata said they wanted to engage online media “and provide another platform of communication that is personable and modern so we can reach as many of our people as possible, and frequently”.

“As far as we know this is ground-breaking. It is transformational not only in communication, but the way in which we engage now and in the future. It brings a human element to the work we’re doing.

“Our whānau can hear us wānanga and talk freely about these kaupapa. We hope that the podcast also prompts further kōrero about these kaupapa among listeners and their own whānau.”

The series leads up to a special event for the Matariki celebration and whānau wānanga on Saturday July 15 at Whāngārā Marae, brought together by the Paikea Whitireia Trust and Whāngārā Farms.

“More information about the wānanga will be shared shortly, but Matariki is a time where the transmission of knowledge between pakeke and rangatahi can flourish. This is the foundation of our wānanga,” Hinemihiata said, “where pakeke are sharing their mātauranga and experiences with rangatahi and vice versa.

“We learn from each other, which creates an enriching environment for Ngāti Konohi and the whānau of Whāngārā tō connect, learn, and be inspired.

“There will be keynote speakers, plus as technology becomes an ever-increasing part of our life, we will also have experts there who can help our pakeke navigate this often-confusing area, so they can become better connected with the world, and their whānau.

“This will be the first of many wānanga so jump online, come to the marae, grab a cup of tea and kai and enjoy the show,” she said.

Details for online or in-person attendance will be posted on social media channels including the Whāngārā Farms and marae Facebook pages and emailed to shareholders.

Podcast series

Episode 1:  Cyclone Gabrielle, the impact on and recovery of the farm and its effects on staff, with Richard Scholefield, GM Farming.

Episode 2: Our People sub-committee — Who we are, what we do. The new communications and engagement plan 2023 for shareholders, hapū , iwi and whānau.

Episode 3: Taiao sub-committee — Who we are, what we do, and how we embrace tikanga Māori for our whenua, moana, and tangata. Native nursery, retired land restoration and more.

Episode 4 : Diversification sub-committee — Who we are, what we do, what we are doing. The establishment of additional businesses alongside sheep and beef to increase revenue and spread our risk.

Episode 5:  Whāngārā Farms history, and what it could look like in 20 years — Vision 2045.