John Bache

Re:Make is delivered by me (John Bache), and my network of likeminded craftspeople, artists, and other creative practitioners.

I've lived a relatively large, international life, gathering my fair share of special memories, knowledge, and scar tissue, before finally (re:)discovering my Tūrangawaewae (my place of belonging, identity, and connection - my place to stand) and true creative path in Wānaka in my late fifties.

I've been a passionate communicator of one form or another the whole trip to date, and am doing my best to pass on what I've learnt - my personal experience, values, hopes, and dreams - to my now-adult children, and whoever else is inclined to listen.

I spent over two decades specialising in creative strategy and communications across the German-speaking world, where I worked with some of the world's biggest brands, and leaders in design, media, sport, and organisational transformation.

But I've also had to navigate a couple of redundancies and plenty of other "challenges" within the corporate environment - I know what it feels like to be a senior professional who's lost sight of themself, with no immediate answer to what comes next. A writer who's only creative flexing now happens in emails and presentations. A communicator in a hierarchical system that rewards pyramidical seniority and short-term revenue influence over cognitive ability and long-term value creation.

Early in 2026 a friend of mine and I pimped a horsefloat into a mobile studio, a strike-mission stylemeister and nano VIP space. With the exception of raking leaves, shovelling snow, or mowing the lawn, it was the first analogue transformation of a physical object I'd done in far too long. The emotional benefits of that experience, what it unlocked in me, the sense of satisfaction and camaraderie, regained self-confidence and self-talk learnings, sowed the seed for Re:Make.

Since then I've come to think of a volume knob as a useful metaphor for life: while some people strive to manifest an existence within a 3-7 band, the more formative life lessons and experiences are perhaps to be had closer to the extremes of that 1 - 10 volume knob. But your life can also be loud, without it being large, and that's what I'm working towards now - a small, independent, creative, additive, flexible, fun life - that, and becoming more comfortable with uncertainty. At least that's been the philosophy that's helped me get back to my feet after another of life's unexpected beatings :-).

Now that I've figured (some more of) life out, I'm making up for lost time, trying to create something useful for others, seeing how I can help those who want to live more creative and fulfilling lives as I've belatedly begun to - this involves a beautiful amalgam of hosting The Unmaking podcast, taking photographs, and spending my spare time playing and (re:)making in nature from my base in Wānaka, Aotearoa New Zealand.