In this week’s blog, I share a powerful kōrero about how life will always come with challenges - but we get to choose the type of difficult we’re willing to face.

Whether it’s physical, emotional, or financial, some paths lead to growth, and others lead to regret. It’s not about avoiding struggle - it’s about choosing what’s worth it.

In this week's blog, I unpack a common misconception about mana - that it’s all about power or prestige. Instead, I explore how true mana shows up quietly, through service, humility, and everyday acts of manaakitanga.

From sharing kai to pulling someone into the circle at a hui. The most powerful leaders aren’t the loudest - they’re the ones who lift others up.

In this week’s blog, I unpack the recent political debate around the haka in Parliament, questioning why expressions of tikanga Māori are embraced when they’re convenient, but punished when they challenge the status quo. I dive into the preamble of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, exploring the origins of our parliamentary system, and ask a bold question: does Parliament as we know it, truly belong in Aotearoa?

What really drives hustle? Is it purpose, or fear? In this blog, I reflect on my own motivation and explore the difference between chasing something meaningful and running from something that scares me. Inspired by the idea of the mouse, the cheese, and the cat, this one’s about shifting from survival mode to living with intention.

In this week's blog, I dive into a hard truth I’ve learned over the years: most of us don’t rise to meet our potential - we fall back to the standards we set for ourselves. I kōrero about why what we tolerate in our lives, our mahi, and the people we surround ourselves with matters so much more than we sometimes realise.

High standards aren’t about chasing perfection – they’re the foundation that carries us when motivation runs out. If you want better outcomes, it’s time to raise the standards you’re willing to live by.

When we say kia kaha, we often think of being tough, loud, or unshakeable. But what if real strength is something quieter? In this week’s blog, I reflect on a moment where staying true to my values meant speaking up softly – even when it was uncomfortable. It’s a reminder that being strong isn’t always about taking charge. Sometimes it’s about standing firm, staying kind, or choosing not to fold when it matters most.

On my very first day of kura, my kaiako taught me one tikanga – Kia aroha tētahi ki tētahi – show love and care for each other. No big behaviour chart, no long list of do’s and don’ts. Just that. And honestly, it’s a principle that’s stuck with me my whole life. In this blog, I share a few lessons from that first day, the mistakes I made, and why this simple piece of tikanga still guides how I try to lead, parent, and show up in the world today.

When we found out our pōtiki (youngest), Kōtuku needed glasses, it hit me harder than I expected. This blog is a bit of a reflection… on guilt, denial, and the stuff we pass on without meaning to. It’s about realising I can’t always control the outcome, but I can control how I show up. And if wearing glasses means she feels seen, supported, and not alone, then I’ll wear them with pride.

In this week’s kōrero on Beyond the Hustle, I sit down with social scientist Carl Davidson to explore the growing epidemic of loneliness in Aotearoa. From the surprising stat that 1 in 12 people are chronically lonely, to the idea that a single friendly kōrero could be the only connection someone has all day – this blog is a powerful reminder of the role hospitality plays in building community. A must-read for anyone working with people.

Shrink the Plate – Get More Done
Ever noticed how a task magically takes up all the time you give it? Whether it's an assignment at kura or a big business decision – we fill whatever space and time we allow ourselves. In this blog, Anton shares real-life examples (including garage clutter and portion control!) to show how shrinking your plate – metaphorically and literally – can unlock a whole new level of focus and productivity.

The words we choose have power – they can lift people up or tear them down. Whether we’re speaking to our kaimahi, our tamariki, our whānau, or even ourselves, the way we shape our kupu makes all the difference.

In this blog, I share a lesson from my childhood that’s stuck with me to this day, along with some real-life examples of how small shifts in the way we kōrero can create better outcomes – in business, in leadership, and in life.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about what we say. It’s about how our words make people feel.

In hospo, mistakes are inevitable. A wrong order, a long wait time, or a simple slip-up – it’s never ideal, but it happens. What truly matters is how we handle it.

In this blog, I share why owning our mistakes (without excuses) is the key to building trust, both in business and in life. From handling guest complaints to everyday challenges, the way we respond to setbacks defines us more than the mistakes themselves.

Because at the end of the day, life’s too short to waste time defending what went wrong. It’s better to find a solution and move forward.

Read the full blog here

Last week, Aotearoa stood proud as Te Matatini 2025 brought the power of te reo Māori, tikanga, and kapa haka to the world stage. Millions tuned in, social media was flooded with unforgettable moments, and people - Māori and non-Māori alike - were deeply moved by the performances.

But here’s the challenge: Te ao Māori isn’t just something to admire when it’s entertaining. We don’t get to celebrate kapa haka while staying silent when kaupapa Māori and te reo Māori are under threat.

In this blog, I reflect on the beauty of Te Matatini and ask the big question - if te ao Māori gave us this incredible gift, what will we give back?

Life gets real when we step outside our comfort zone. This week’s blog dives into why doing hard things actually makes us feel good. From my whānau’s personal wins to tackling business challenges, I’ve realised that comfort is the real trap. Happiness? It’s found on the other side of the hard stuff. Read the full kōrero here

Many people say, “I don’t see colour,” thinking it’s a way to express fairness and equality. But the truth is, ignoring cultural differences doesn’t create unity - it erases identity.

In this blog, I challenge that mindset and explore why recognising and respecting cultural differences is the real way to show aroha and manaakitanga. Whether stepping onto a marae, visiting a temple overseas, or simply engaging with different communities here in Aotearoa, acknowledging tikanga, history, and identity is how we truly build respect.

It’s time to stop pretending we’re all the same and start embracing the richness of our differences. Let’s see the world in full colour. 🌏

This week’s Beyond the Hustle kōrero was all about money - a topic that’s often uncomfortable but crucial to unpack. Money isn’t evil, nor is it scarce; it’s a tool that amplifies who we are. We explored sayings like “money doesn’t grow on trees” and “money is the root of all evil,” and flipped them on their heads.

Money can’t buy happiness outright, but it can buy time, freedom, and opportunities to create meaningful memories with the people you love. At its core, money is about how we use it to align with our values and uplift ourselves and others.

If you’ve ever felt awkward talking about money, or you’re trying to rethink your relationship with it, this kōrero is for you.

This week, we hit "Blue Monday," the day many people give up on their New Year’s goals. But why does this happen? Often, it’s because we spread ourselves too thin, trying to do too much all at once.

In this blog, I share the story of a candle and a torch to explain the power of focus. A candle spreads its light everywhere but doesn’t shine brightly enough to see clearly. A torch, however, focuses that same light in one direction, making it stronger and more effective. Take it even further—focus that light into a laser beam, and it becomes powerful enough to reach the sky.

The same principle applies to our goals. When we focus on just one or two, we start to see progress, and that momentum keeps us going, even when motivation fades.

If you’re feeling stuck or like your goals are slipping away, it’s not too late. Realign your focus, choose what matters most, and pour your energy into it.

This year, don’t be a candle. Be a torch—or better yet, a laser beam.

Haka is one of Aotearoa’s most powerful treasures. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply meaningful - but it’s not just one thing.

We love haka when it fits the narrative: at rugby games, celebrations, or tangihanga. But when haka is used to challenge, protest, or make a stand, it suddenly becomes “uncomfortable” for some.

Who decides what haka is for?

Haka is a taonga. It’s not here to sit neatly in a box or make everyone feel comfortable - it’s here to shake us, move us, and remind us that emotions, even the uncomfortable ones, deserve to be felt.

Check out our latest blog where we unpack what haka really represents and why we need to embrace it in all its forms.

I’ve realised something about myself: I can understand an idea, even think I believe it, but nothing truly changes until I see proof in my own life.

Learning leads to knowledge, but proof creates belief. And belief is where real change begins.

If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself: Do you truly believe in what you’re trying to do? Maybe you just need to find the proof—and when you do, everything changes. Read this blog to find out more.

🎯 The Secret to Achieving Your 2025 Goals 🎯

Are you setting big goals for the year ahead? In my latest blog, I share a powerful lesson I learned about achieving success in fitness, business, and life. Spoiler: It’s not about fancy hacks or shiny new ideas—it’s about consistency.

I talk about the ups and downs of reaching goals, including the cycle of optimism, doubt, and despair, and why pushing through the tough times is the key to winning.

If you’re looking for a dose of inspiration (and a reminder to stick with it), this post is for you.

Check it out now and let’s make 2025 the year of smashing goals! 💪