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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.
Episodes
Thursday Mar 26, 2026
Thursday Mar 26, 2026
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.
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