What does it mean to find your identity in a world that keeps trying to put you in a box? In this episode of People's Podcast, Bernadette sits down with Alfred Ngaro for a wide-ranging conversation about hope, purpose and identity in modern New Zealand.

Alfred draws on decades of community leadership, pastoral work, politics and fatherhood to speak honestly about the struggles New Zealanders are facing right now, from financial pressure and loneliness to the slow erosion of resilience and the loss of a giving culture.

Together they explore why young people are struggling more than ever, what it looks like to build genuine hope in a community, and why the most important work we do often starts at home, not in public life.

Alfred shares some of the most memorable moments from his journey, including a challenge to a principal who had written off his own community, a workshop with 250 warehouse workers on what it means to be a dad, and a piece of wisdom from his grandmother that reframes what identity and freedom are really about.

Whether you are searching for your purpose, working through a difficult season, or simply trying to figure out who you are in a world full of noise, this episode will leave you with something worth holding on to.

NZ First MP David Wilson joins Bernadette on The People's Platform to unpack the real pressures facing small business owners across New Zealand, from rising power costs and supermarket duopolies to banking profits leaving the country. They also dig into the growing skills shortage and why vocational training has been left behind in favour of university degrees, and what needs to change. Topics covered: Cost of living and its impact on small business Supermarket and energy market reform Sovereign wealth and buying back the Bank of New Zealand Regulation and compliance burden on business owners Apprenticeships and vocational training Key industries NZ should be investing in If you run a business, work in trades, or just want to understand where New Zealand's economy is headed, this one's worth a watch. Subscribe and follow The People's Platform for more conversations shaping New Zealand's future.

In this episode of The People's Platform, Bernadette Soares is joined once again by Alfred Ngaro — former Member of Parliament, cabinet minister, pastor, and community leader — for a candid conversation about the three things many New Zealanders are quietly searching for right now: hope, purpose, and identity.

From the lasting trauma of the pandemic still being carried by communities, to the pressures of a consumer-driven culture that has quietly eroded resilience and volunteerism, Alfred doesn't shy away from the harder questions. He reflects on what it really means to belong, why so many people feel disconnected emotionally and spiritually, and how modern society's obsession with performance and productivity is costing people their sense of meaning.

This is a conversation full of wisdom, honesty, and the kind of encouragement that stays with you.

In this episode:

- What communities across New Zealand are really struggling with right now, beyond the headlines

- Why difficult times strip people back to deeper questions about who they are

- Alfred's challenge to our growing culture of labelling everything as a mental health issue

- The "swimming pool vs the ocean" story, and what it reveals about identity and belonging

- Why shame and guilt cripple people, and how to choose a different path

- The honest confession about fatherhood, and why change always starts at home

- What Alfred witnessed visiting people near the end of their lives, and what truly matters

- Why purpose doesn't arrive on day one, and what to do while you're still finding it

- What gives Alfred genuine hope for New Zealand's future

- A closing message for anyone who feels lost, discouraged, or uncertain about what comes next

About Alfred Ngaro:

Alfred Ngaro is a former New Zealand Member of Parliament and cabinet minister who served for nine years, including three years as a minister of the Crown. He is a pastor, community leader, and advocate for faith in public life, known for his work across Polynesian communities, education, and social development.

About The People's Platform:

The People's Platform is hosted by Bernadette Soares and is dedicated to shaping New Zealand's future one honest conversation at a time. New episodes explore the issues that matter most to New Zealanders today.

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