November 8th marked a special occasion for Impact Hub Waikato - with our first ever Community Showcase event being held in our community co-working space.
This event was an opportunity for our community to come together to connect, share stories, and reflect on the year.
Weeks later, we’re still feeling a deep sense of hope from the connections formed, knowledge shared, and the meaningful kaupapa upheld together. May we carry these insights into our lives and communities and use this energy to propel us forward for the rest of the year!
A massive thanks to Jigsaw Professional Development, Raglan Food Co, Ceres Organics, Amy’s Flowers, YWCA Hamilton, and Trust Waikato for making this event possible.
Throughout the evening, 12 local changemakers took to the stage to share their stories with the audience. We couldn’t be prouder of these phenomenal humans who told their stories and shared their vision for change with such courage and conviction. We're so pleased to now share a summary of their pitches and our key takeaways!
Katrina Wolff
Katrina – a compost and edible garden consultant and a true force of nature – kicked off our series of pitches.
She shared her vision for her event waste composting services - a regenerative, creative, and kind approach for earth stewards wanting to embrace circularity. Her pitch was a powerful reminder of the role we all play in rethinking waste, particularly food waste, and how even small actions can contribute to a healthier planet.
Awhina Horne
Awhina was next to pitch - sharing her journey of self-healing, learning to be still, and listening to what her body needs. From these reflections, Awhina has decided to develop skincare products using home-sourced and grown ingredients.
Awhina reminded us of the importance of pausing, listening to ourselves, and finding inspiration within.
She’s just beginning this journey, and we can’t wait to see where she takes it.
Rowena Bahl
Rowena - a powerhouse human on a mission to elevate marginalised voices - was next to pitch, sharing her vision for Youtopi, a streaming platform reconnecting people through inspiring, solution-driven storytelling.
Her work and pitch reminded us that diversity is a source of resilience and innovation. By sharing varied perspectives through stories and communities, we enrich collective understanding and inspire broader, more inclusive solutions.
Sarah Munro
Next, Sarah, the visionary behind organic and ethical tea brand Fine and Dandy, shared her passion for tea and its rituals. Sarah reframed tea as more than a daily habit - highlighting how it can become a mindful, impactful choice. She shared the hidden costs of conventional tea production and showed how choosing ethical, sustainable brands can support fair wages, environmental stewardship, and a plastic-free experience.
Her pitch reminded us that even small, intentional choices - like the tea we drink - can drive meaningful change. We’re certainly looking forward to bringing the seemingly mundane practice of tea to a new level of consideration.
Lisa Quarrie
Lisa - the owner of Weave Eatery - took to the stage next.
She addressed hospitality's "dirty little secret" - the significant yet often-overlooked issue of food waste in New Zealand’s hospitality industry. She shared how composting and repurposing food waste can transform restaurants’ environmental impact, turning hidden problems into opportunities for change.
Her takeaway: without data, problems remain hidden and unsolved. By recording food waste, businesses can make informed changes.
Matt Robinson
Matt - a Michelin-trained chef with a background in teaching and education, pitched to us next via Zoom.
Driven by the belief that creating the change we want to see in the world begins with ensuring the future of tomorrow is cared for and considered today, he's currently spearheading an inspiring his new food education venture, EATucation.
He highlighted the staggering costs of diet-related illnesses in New Zealand and the urgent need for proactive education. His message was a powerful reminder that understanding food - its impact, preparation, and role in our lives - is the foundation for a healthier future.
Andrew Nicol
Andrew - a long-time friend of Impact Hub, shared insights from having 100 coffees with leaders across Waikato.
Amongst his key lessons was the concept of “eating the frog”—a quirky yet effective productivity strategy that suggests tackling your most challenging or dreaded task first thing in the day, to clear mental clutter and set a proactive, momentum-building tone.
Andrew’s advice was a testament to the impact of small, intentional actions in fostering productivity, connection, and growth.
Liam Carter
At just 17, Liam is breaking down barriers through his enterprise, Ride Your Trike NZ, which makes cycling accessible for people of all abilities by providing adaptive trikes and teaching students across Waikato to ride.
Much of the phenomenal success he’s achieved so far has been because of the community he’s built that amplifies his mission. His success demonstrates the power of community to elevate ideas and bring people together for a common cause. Plus, he reminds us that following what excites you can lead to meaningful work and community impact.
Zaney Huia
Zaney - a proud mother of four with over 20 years’ experience in teaching and social services, shared her journey of rediscovery next.
She's currently embarking on a beautiful new chapter blending her passion for culture and art creating Māori and Polynesian-themed puzzles as a way to honour her cultural heritage and offer others a pathway to peace.
She explored the concept of Ūkaipō - a Māori value that signifies a place of grounding and calm, and reminded us that that embracing creativity, whether through art or other forms of expression, can be a powerful tool for reconnecting with oneself and finding peace.
Natalie Jessup
Our penultimate speaker, Natalie, is creating change through her communications consultancy and mahi with the Endangered Species Foundation. During her pitch, Natalie shared sobering facts about New Zealand’s waterways - including that 45% of rivers now unsafe for swimming, and 76% of native freshwater fish at risk of extinction.
Natalie currently empowers communities to restore waterways, by providing tools and resources that educate people about native freshwater fish, and inspire communities to take care of our precious urban waterways.
Some especially beautiful outcomes emerged from Natalie’s speech - with a local school and cafe pledging their commitment to Natalie’s initiative - demonstrating what can happen when we come together, educate, share our visions.
Farshid Sarmast
Farshid closed the evening off with a pitch about his business Pearific, ended the evening.
Pearific crafts unique, 3D printed lamps from sustainable and biodegradable materials that bring light and warmth into every home - which is all part of Farshid's mission to make the world a little prettier through design.
With Christmas around the corner, his presentation was a call to support local, reminding us that when we spend money with a small company, the impact is so very direct for people and planet.
