Ways to Wealth EP86: Building 150‑Year Ecological Restoration Projects, with Adam Purcell

In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Adam Purcell! Adam is the founder of Tītoki Landcare, a specialist ecological restoration company restoring forests and wetlands across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and soon Wellington. He also founded Kāmahi Foundation, a not‑for‑profit where profits are reinvested into nature conservation. With a background as a consultant ecologist, Adam saw gaps in the restoration industry and decided to take full accountability for delivering long‑term environmental outcomes.

The conversation explores Adam’s entrepreneurial path and his distinctive 150‑year mindset for conservation, which contrasts sharply with industry approaches that favour short‑term planting cycles. He discusses the challenges of persuading private landowners to invest in longer‑term ecological solutions and why councils are often more receptive to this vision.

Adam highlights the $20 billion annual funding gap in conservation following the end of the government’s Jobs for Nature programme, the urgent need for skilled operators, and his plans for training initiatives to address this shortage. The discussion also touches on his previous venture, Basic Biology, and how family influences and privilege shaped his views on wealth, accountability, and environmental stewardship.

Find out more about Kāmahi Foundation here: www.kamahifoundation.co.nz

Find out more about Tītoki Landcare here: www.titokilandcare.co.nz

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

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