In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Kiwi Kaupa, an electrician, entrepreneur, and innovator who has taken his skills from New Zealand and Australia to the mining industry of Nevada. Kiwi shares how his love for fixing things began as a kid, how he built his career through an 8,000-hour apprenticeship, and why he sees mining as both a calling and an opportunity.
He talks about transitioning from electrician to lawyer and back to mining, starting his own company, and developing a groundbreaking laser safety device designed to improve safety in both underground and surface mining. Kiwi also opens up about his values, his "Kiwi Standard," and how family, faith, and culture drive everything he does. With humor, honesty, and a global perspective, this episode captures the story of a man who continues to innovate and raise the bar in mining safety and electrical work
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Chapters:
0:00 Childhood Curiosity & Becoming an Electrician
3:03 Early Mining Career in Australia
4:12 Moving to Nevada & Entering Mining as an Electrician
7:13 Growing Up in New Zealand & Family Life
9:22 Mission Work & Career Beginnings
10:27 Studying Law & Shifting Careers
13:08 Transitioning Back into Mining & Starting a Company
18:11 Financial Goals, Family Motivation & Work-Life Balance
26:58 The "Kiwi Standard" & Setting Rituals in Mining
43:21 Inventing the Laser Safety Device
50:51 Global Opportunities & The Future of Kiwi LLC
