I’ve been growing my seedlings since — well, I guess I was just a seedling myself.

Five years ago, friends and whānau encouraged me to start sharing them with others. I sold a few, gave away more, and many of them took root right here in my hometown of Rawene. They turned out to be a hit.

Each year since, I’ve discovered even more remarkable tomato varieties — and the stories behind them. Those stories have only deepened the meaning of this work.

My heart will always belong to the Hokianga, where many of my fondest memories grew.

If you ever find yourself in the Far North, stop in at Rawene — a historic township well worth a visit. Grab a coffee at the Boatshed, or catch the ferry to Kohukohu. And don’t leave without trying the fresh flounder and chips at the Rawene Fish & Chip Shop. You won't regret it.

If you are looking for a deep and informative Māori cultural experience, begin here, The Footprints of Kupe Experience. The staff are welcoming and knowledgeable, and the store has local artists works that are truly one of a kind. Make sure you have plenty of time available, they have delicious food as a bonus too.

At low tide, there are rock pools, but not all the time; sometimes they are filled with sand and absent, but eventually the storms rip the sand out and expose them. I learnt to swim here, in rock pools of every size and depth. And I'll do whatever it takes to restore her beauty. If you want to learn more about a mission to remove sewage from our harbour with a land-based option, tune in here, Te Mauri o Te Wai. This is a project of transformation, a collaboration between local hapū, the community, and the council to install an alternative system for discharging treated wastewater.