Ecstatic life
Every single magical morning, I eagerly sit down to soak in the breathtaking sunrise—without fail! This amazing ritual boosts my day, sparks my thoughts, energizes me, and transforms my life with an exciting sense renewal!
THE SUNRISE
BRINGS
ME LIGHT
Daily rituals
Absolutely, I believe in miracles! I witness them single day right here in my amazing Golden Bay community. sun shines brightly, filling us with energy and warmth, while our relationships spark incredible ideas that turn into reality. Each day, my practices become joyful rituals, allowing me to embrace the present and celebrate the beauty of life!
From starting the iconic New Zealand Cookie Time in the 1980s to pioneering health-focused startups, championing regenerative agriculture, and backing future-facing NGOs, each project here reflects a deep commitment to creating a better world. This is not just a portfolio—it’s a living, breathing legacy in progress. These are the seeds planted with heart, grown through action, and intended to ripple far beyond the now.
Innovative
ventures
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In 1983, at just 21 years old, Michael Mayell started Cookie Time in Christchurch, New Zealand, baking big, delicious cookies in his one-bedroom flat. He delivered the first batch—70 jars—to local dairies, where they were sold individually from glass jars. The cookies quickly became a hit, marking the beginning of one of New Zealand’s most iconic and loved food brands. Michael’s bold vision and entrepreneurial spirit turned a simple cookie into a national treasure.
Driven by a passion for creating food that truly fuels people, Michael co-created One Square Meal—New Zealand’s first nutritionally balanced, all-in-one food bar. Designed with scientists and nutritionists, OSM became a game-changer for busy lives and active lifestyles. Its success cemented Michael’s reputation as a visionary in functional food innovation and reflected his enduring commitment to making health simple, accessible, and delicious.
With a vision to help people reconnect with the healing power of plants, Michael founded Nutrient Rescue—a revolutionary New Zealand health company offering concentrated shots of locally grown fruits and greens. In a world overwhelmed by processed food, Nutrient Rescue became a call back to simplicity, purity, and vitality. Michael’s thinking turned this ritual into a nationwide movement, empowering thousands to boost their health naturally, one shot at a time.
Born from the idea that food can heal both people and the planet, Michael co-founded HELP New Zealand—a bold new venture creating regenerative superfood seasonings from powerful local ingredients like hemp and kelp. More than just a nutrient-packed innovation, HELP is a movement toward circular nutrition, bioregional resilience, and climate-conscious eating. With this project, Michael once again merges taste, technology, and purpose to deliver everyday foods that nourish bodies and regenerate ecosystems.
Legacy in the making
Human and nature connected to build movements, and ideas shaped by purpose—designed to outlive trends and uplift generations.
Drinkable Rivers
Drinkable Rivers NZ is an invitation to re-imagine our relationship with water and with the land that sustains us. Founded by Michael Mayell, the movement brings together science, community, and a regenerative vision: restoring Aotearoa’s waterways to a state where they are not only swimmable, but once again drinkable. It is a reminder that thriving rivers reflect thriving ecosystems — and that when we heal the water, we heal ourselves.
The Natrix
This free, nature-based game invites us to reconnect with the rhythms that have always sustained humanity—sunrise on the skin, bare feet on the earth, the quiet medicine of the forest, movement that awakens joy, and pure water that nourishes from within. It’s a pathway back to vitality through presence, simplicity, and a renewed relationship with the living world.
NeighbourGood
NeighbourGood is a living invitation to rebuild the social fabric of our neighbourhoods—one conversation, one shared space, one act of care at a time. It brings people together to co-create vibrant, connected, resilient communities where wellbeing is collective and belonging is cultivated daily. By weaving relationships, local action, and a spirit of generosity, NeighbourGood reminds us that the health of a place begins with the way we show up for one another.