Our Aspiration: We want to be leading innovators in pest plant management and turning pest plants into products that enhance the wellbeing of communities and the environment and we want this journey to be guided by tikanga principles.

Vaughan and I both whakapapa to Hokianga.

Click on this link to find out more.

Hokianga Harbour | Northland | NZ 

Please ignore Vaughan's lazy thumb in the left-hand corner he must of only had nine weetbix and the phone was feeling a little heavy. Anyway, I digress, Vaughan currently resides in the picturesque harbourside town of Omapere and Koro hails from Taheke and Otaua but resides between Kerikeri and Rawene (the Ferry town) where he grew up and where his parents currently reside. 

Koro

Hapu: Ngai Tu, Ngati Paakau 

Iwi: Ngapuhi

Vaughan 

Hapu: Ngati Korokoro, Ngati Wharara and Te Puka

Iwi: Ngapuhi

We often get this question? So how do you make them? Well, it's a bit of a long story but it involves a Black and Decker power drill, an oven, some fried bread and a pair of safety goggles. I actually can't spill the beans because we are currently in discussions with Steven Spielberg. That's how amazing this story is. But in a nutshell Vaughan purchased 'Bette' (the mini not midi lathe) off Trade Me for a good price only to find out that there was a good reason why it was a good price. 'Bette' has been gorsome and with Vaughan's steady hand they are producing quite the cool looking golf tees. There's even a story behind 'Bette' but I can only tell you 'FROM A DISTANCE' wink wink.

I 💚 our cohort for our collective desire to want to change the world and humanity. I 💚 Aunty Saara Tawha Shaani Tauroa, Amy, Ashleigh, Leon, Matty, Deija, Jordan, Talia and the whanau who prepared our meals and our rooms for all the attention to detail, for connecting us with tools and pathways, for creating memories we will cherish always and for building a forever whanau. I 💚 our guest speakers for willingly and lovingly expanding our minds and hearts with experiential knowledge. I 💚 our coaches for their unconditional guidance and intent to always generate positive movement. A massive shoutout to our coach Ian Musson MBA. Bro you probably aren’t aware of the impact you had on Day 1 by making that 3D tee but that was the moment I went from neutral to third gear. Basically you are responsible for gorsome. I 💚 our advisors for believing in us and for giving our wings feathers. A special mihi to Des Topp, Kerry Topp and Simon Lovatt for your encouragement and your generosity at all times of the day and night. No question was dumb and always received a response. We are beyond grateful that you are all available to support our journey post programme. To the Programme Sponsors, you are not just accelerating ideas you are accelerating life changing journeys that have the potential to accelerate wider life changing impacts and opportunities. Our Kokiri journey went from an idea in 2021 to 1.5 years later, making and selling gorse tees in 13 weeks. That’s pretty compelling. You have changed mine and Vaughan’s life. I 💚 our friends who always have our backs. Thank you to my bestie Moana Timoko who gently reminded me with pokes and prods to follow through and then she went and pledged $1000 to our campaign. You’re friggin amazing eaow. I 💚 the organisations who some of us earn a living from for your patience and awhi. I 💚 our supporters who without, the journey would be so much more difficult. I would like to acknowledge Chris from the Motueka Golf Club who was the first golf club to reach out and let us know how they can help. That meant a lot mate. I 💚 our families for your unwavering support and understanding. You kept the home fires burning and we are thankful. A special mention to my 17 year old baby who joined me on my long trips to keep me company. I’m so happy you were able to share these experiences with Dad and I’m even happier that you totally loved it. Thank you Aunty Saara and my cohort whanau for allowing my baby to be part of our journey. I 💚 my Mum and Dad for instilling in me the values that have made me the person I am today. I’m proud of the person I have become. Chur bro Wade for your tautoko when it was just a seed and not even an idea and for your continued tautoko. Vaughan, I’m stoked you came down. It was meant to be. Let’s crack on with changing our landscapes one gorse golf tee at a time 💚🏌🏽🌱🌏👊🏾💚. 

We are two golf mates who play out of the Rawene and Kaikohe Golf Clubs which are located in New Zealand's Northland Region. We are both pretty average golfers but are insanely competitive (at least Koro is, and Vaughan is pretty chilled).   

Koro Carman – Has worked in Tourism & Hospitality for over 25 years with a focus on Environmental and Cultural Tourism Product Development. Koro has a Marketing & Sales, Communications and International Project experience. Koro currently works in the Wellness, Youth Development and Education sectors. Koro lives between Kerikeri and Rawene in the Hokianga. 

Vaughan Hemara – Is a Potter/Ceramicist and Artist who has a background in Management, Sales & Marketing and Manufacturing. Vaughan considers his time working as a support worker in the disability sector as a huge privilege. Vaughan has been involved in a couple of groundbreaking startups including creating and manufacturing a range of organic head lice products and helping to develop the world's first organic weed spray where he was responsible for conducting research, delivering field trials and looking after promotions and sales. Vaughan lives in Omapere in the Hokianga.   

We can't come up with a name for our gorse golf tees. Can you? If you can please let us know and if we like your name and go with it, we will send you some tees. The other cool thing is that you will be connected to our brand forever and therefore be our friend for life. So, what are you waiting for? Flick an email to korocarman@gmail.com if you think you can help solve our prickly little problem.