How are those business leaders feeling?

Yeah, I think it's intriguing if you read the full 40-something pages, which I've done for my sin.

I mean, there's definitely what you say, which is that optimism there in the local business environment, at least.

It's kind of the sense, and I pick it up as well in my travels, that Whatever the politicians and the world does, you know, we're going to get on with it.

I would say, though, there's also, you know, subtly, and it's variable, but across this slither of business, which is the top end of town, there's also dissatisfaction.

You know, they're wanting to see, and this is across the board, across the political class, you know, when they're looking at them, they want to see more investment and infrastructure.

They want to see reform.

What about the idea of the smaller parties having more say and smaller parties of very different persuasions in the case of the coalition having more say in the next government? Yeah, I mean, my read of Mood of the

How are those business leaders feeling?

Yeah, I think it's, it's intriguing if you read the full 40 something pages, which, you know, I've done for my sin.

Um, I mean, there's definitely what you say, which is that optimism there in, in the local business environment at least, you know? There's kind of this sense, and, and I pick it up as well in my travels, that whatever the politicians and the world does, you know, we're gonna get on with it.

I, I would say though there's, there's also, you know, subtly, and it's variable, but across the slither of business, you know, which is the top end of town, there's also dissatisfaction.

You know, they're wanting to see...

And this is across the board, across the political class, you know, when they're looking at them.

They, they want to see more investment in infrastructure, they want to see reform, they want to see leadership, um, they want to see more talk about productivity, and they're not necessarily seeing that.

I noted that

How are those business leaders feeling?

Yeah, I think it's intriguing if you read the full 40-something pages, which I've done for my sin.

I mean, there's definitely what you say, which is that optimism there in the local business environment, at least.

It's kind of the sense, and I pick it up as well in my travels, that Whatever the politicians and the world does, you know, we're going to get on with it.

I would say, though, there's also, you know, subtly, and it's variable, but across this slither of business, which is the top end of town, there's also dissatisfaction.

You know, they're wanting to see, and this is across the board, across the political class, you know, when they're looking at them, they want to see more investment and infrastructure.

They want to see reform.

What about the idea of the smaller parties having more say and smaller parties of very different persuasions in the case of the coalition having more say in the next government?

How are those business leaders feeling?

Yeah, I think it's intriguing if you read the full 40-something pages, which I've done for my sin.

I mean, there's definitely what you say, which is that optimism there in the local business environment, at least.

It's kind of the sense, and I pick it up as well in my travels, that Whatever the politicians and the world does, you know, we're going to get on with it.

I would say, though, there's also, you know, subtly, and it's variable, but across this slither of business, which is the top end of town, there's also dissatisfaction.

You know, they're wanting to see, and this is across the board, across the political class, you know, when they're looking at them, they want to see more investment and infrastructure.

They want to see reform.

What about the idea of the smaller parties having more say and smaller parties of very different persuasions in the case of the coalition having more say in the next government?

How are those business leaders feeling?

Yeah, I think it's, uh, it's intriguing if you read the full 40-something pages, which, you know, I've done for my sin.

Um, h- I mean, there's definitely what you say, which is that optimism there in, uh, in the local business environment at least.

You know, there's kind of this sense...

And then I pick it up as well in my travels that whatever the politicians and the world does, you know, we're gonna get on with it.

I, I would say, though, there's, there's also, you know, subtly, and it's variable, but across this slither of business, you know, which is the top end of town, there's also dissatisfaction.

You know, they're wanting to see, and this is across the board, across the political class, you know, when they're looking at them, they, they want to see more investment in infrastructure.

I noted that

Have you heard of those two other things, Jacquemus?

Well, you know that I haven't, but you'll also know that my wife and family, sadly, from my bank balance have.

Oh, did you let them loose? No, we came out of it unscathed, but I don't know.

We'll see how the next week or so goes.

It's incredibly exciting.

Look, amazing, and to your point, international brands I haven't heard of, but as I say, others in the know have.

Homeware, food and drink.

Strategic voting, good idea, bad idea.

I think in terms of strategy at

a government level and a business level, I'd almost rather the wrong strategy than no strategy.

I think wrong decisions executed well with conviction can do good.

You know, at a level they might be suboptimal.

They might not be what I choose.

And so if we're talking about, you know, just some specifics and there'd be others we could think about.

But if we think about some specifics that I've done a bit of thinking about and I've been New Zealand's energy minister, I mean, one would be if we're talking cost of living and that issue of survival.

So it's better to be planning and thinking about how you might respond.

What's your plan?

Yeah, I mean, look, it's pretty simple.

If we want affordable, abundant energy, and I think we do, whether we're industry, whether you're tech and you want data centres, whether you're a small, medium business, whether you're households and you've been suffering, the issue is one of incentives, right? What we've got at the moment is four gen tailors, and I'm not critical of them.

They're doing what I would do if I was them.

They control the market.

And the incentives at play mean that, look, if they allow additional supply that brings down prices and reduces their income from their existing long paid for assets.

So, you know, I'm sure what's good for them, scarce supply and high prices, isn't good for the wider economy.

Now, as the business guy, what do you say about Christopher Luxon's comments in Rotorua? Is he losing his standing with the business community in New Zealand by calling them children?

But you have to ask the question, why are you as a business guy promoting a government going in there and messing with people's businesses?

Oh, I'll tell you why, because in the end I see the effect on small and medium businesses.

I see the effect on the tech sector.

I see the effect on industry that's not only in some cases pulling back because they can't do more of the, the cans of baked beans or whatever or the, the, the other heavy industry they're trying to do.

Actually they're shutting down.

And why are they doing that? Because in the end we have a mismatch between, um, power and how much we've got and the prices of it and what we need to grow a stronger economy.

I mean, to come back to what I said to you, Andrew, um, i- what is in the interest of these small number of companies unfortunately is not good for the wider economy.

Now, as the business guy, what do you say about, uh, Christopher Luxon's comments in Rotorua? Is he losing his standing with the business community in New Zealand by calling them children?

But you have to ask the question, why are you as a business guy promoting a government going in there and messing with people's businesses?

Oh, I tell you why, because in the end, I see the effect on small and medium businesses.

I see the effect on the tech sector.

I see the effect on industry that's not only in some cases pulling back because they can't do more of the, the cans of baked beans or whatever, or the, the, the other heavy industry they're trying to do.

Actually, they're shutting down.

And why are they doing that? Because in the end, we have a mismatch between, um, power and how much we've got and the prices of it and what we need to grow a stronger economy.

I mean, to come back to what I said to you, Andrew, um, i- what is in the interest of these small number of companies unfortunately is not good for the wider economy.

Now, as the business guy, what do you say about, uh, Christopher Luxon's comments in Rotorua? Is he losing his standing with the business community in New Zealand by calling them children?

Mm

... scarce supply and high prices, isn't good for the wider economy.

So we've worked hard.

Uh, I must admit, cleverer people than me, um, in the sector, as you say, independent retailers, quite a few independent in the energy sector, m- manufacturers, uh, industry, and we've come up with, I think, a simple but, but clear, effective two-step plan.

Firstly, operational separation of the Gen Tailers, 'cause what that does is it allows f- t- an opening up of competition in retail.

It means independent retailers get, get equal terms and access, uh, to, to the, to the generation that they need and to the market that they need.

Mm

... uh, to business, look, business actually hasn't been able to be an adult.

if

we want affordable abundant energy which is clearly a big issue if you're industry and you're de-industrializing you know if you want to see data centers if you're an sme actually um and and you just want to stay alive and if your household really suffering so we need as i say more affordable energy what do we need to do actually our document um which has been through the hands of many experts many people in the sector independent retailers lines companies, others as well.

Two things.

The first one is the operational separation of the generation and retail of our gen tailors.

So these are the four companies that really control the market.

They have the concentration of both generation retail, about 85% of that, and most of the firming, that is sort of the backup supply that you require.

And what that'll do is really that means that independent retailers are going to be able to compete.

their interests right

want

to say 54 years.

No, and as you say, look, challenge, but every challenge is an opportunity.

And, um, I mean, let me just, I do want to wax lyrical about the parade, the Farmer's Centre Parade.

It's a grand old lady.

It's been going, this will be its 93rd year.

It's as exciting as it ever was.

Would it be hope?

They want to go into the polling booth and they want to know they're going to get one side or the other.

I think if you'd asked me three months ago, I'd have said, yeah, no, you never get there unless you've got a Winston Peters or something.

It's not going to happen.

I tell you what, though, I think the media, and I don't mean this in a good or bad way, but in a boring election is going to push them hard.

Whether they get 5% or not, I don't know.

But what I would say is Mount Albert is the seat of New Zealand to watch this election.

I mean, if you're wanting a change of government, and I feel like I'm advocating that I'm not, right? But if you wanted a change of government and you were in the Mount Albert seat, not only would it be rational, it would be the right thing to do to vote for Kweli Wong.

Well, I don't know what she's like as a local MP, but she seems to be a bit wonky in terms of her... national profile.

Was that a different one or we just have a lot of New Zealand-China meetings going

on? I'd argue ours is the biggest and the best, and kind of, as you've said, the one with longevity.

Seeing this year's navigating the crisis, and look, I would just argue China's probably more relevant today than it has been any time since we signed the FTA.

And I say that, look, two or three reasons.

I think, firstly, that's a reflection on Trump.

as tariffs as war just the climate of uncertainty there china's positioned itself in contrast is that sure predictable kind of reliable um partner i mean asian new zealand foundation report out relatively recently more new zealanders than any time in the last decade actually see china as more of a friend than america

I

mean, the problem with that is, you know, we've got chief economists for ANZ out of Greater China.

Is that-- Was that a different one, or we just have a lot of New Zealand China meetings going on?

Oh, look, um, there are a few.

I'd argue ours is the biggest and the best and kind of, as you've said, the one with longevity.

Um, theme this year's Navigating the Crisis.

And look, I'd, I'd-- I would just argue, um, China's probably more relevant today than it has been any time since we signed the FTA.

And I say that, look, two or three reasons.

I think firstly that's a reflection on Trump.

And do you reckon that's just China or it's Trump? We're reacting to Trump and liking China more because of Trump.

Was that a different one or we just have a lot of New Zealand-China meetings going

on? There are a few.

I'd argue ours is the biggest and the best, and kind of, as you've said, the one with longevity.

Seeing this year's navigating the crisis, and look, I would just argue China's probably more relevant today than it has been any time since we signed the FTA.

And I say that, look, two or three reasons.

I think, firstly, that's a reflection on Trump.

There's tariffs, there's war, just the climate of uncertainty there.

the problem

Was that a different one, or we just have a lot of New Zealand China meetings going on?

Oh, look, um, there are a few.

I'd argue ours is the biggest and the best and kind of, as you said, the one with longevity.

Um, theme this year is Navigating the Crisis, and look, I, I, I would just argue, um, China's probably more relevant today than it has been any time since we signed the FTA.

And I say that, look, two or three reasons.

I think firstly that's a reflection on Trump, his tariffs, his war, just the climate of uncertainty there.

China's positioned itself in contrast as that sure, predictable, kind of reliable, um, partner.

And do you reckon that's just China or it's Trump? We're reacting to Trump and liking China more because of Trump.

Do we need an Auckland interest rate?

A special no interest rate increase.

Hey, I'd vote for that.

I don't know about you.

Don't know about Canterbury.

It's not what I'm necessarily advocating for.

Let's just dial that back a bit before I get in trouble.

I mean, I think

I think there will be one or two

goodies saved up, though.

You can see they've got a little bit spare there in terms of what they've reprioritised.

I think there's also a sense, Ryan, that's probably not what you want to hear, but budgets aren't.

what they used to be, these sort of swashbuckling Muldoon or Roger Douglas ones where, you know, in a commander-control economy, you'd transform things in 24 hours with massive tax hikes or cuts or something like that.

And I think in the recent political past, they haven't moved polls the way they used to.

So I think that's sort of true.

Is there, from what you can see, is there enough room? Has she cut or made enough room in order to bring them? It depends on the forecast, but bring the surplus actually forward because that would be a good way to go into an election campaign, wouldn't it?

me right now will get that that's what's probably required.

I think there will be one or two goodies saved up, though.

You can see they've got a little bit spare there in terms of what they've reprioritised.

I think there's also a sense, Ryan, that's probably not what you want to hear, but budgets aren't.

what they used to be, these sort of swashbuckling Muldoon or Roger Douglas ones where, you know, in a command-and-control economy, you'd transform things in 24 hours with massive tax hikes or cuts or something like that.

And I think in the recent political past, they haven't moved polls the way they used to.

So I think that's sort of true.

From what you can see, is there enough room? Has she cut or made enough room in order to bring them? I mean, it depends on the forecast, but bring the surplus actually forward because that would be a good way to go into an election campaign, wouldn't it?

are getting close i think the more dramatic and and um the bigger the tantrum the closer we are to the finish line simon bridges auckland business chamber with me this morning because it's budget day government's meant to be back to surface by 2030 will they get there maybe even get there earlier shaved a few hundred mil off the operating allowance banking those public service cuts are saving simon good morning hey good morning ryan predictions for this one

Oh, sensible, prudent, boring, Presbyterian budget, no fun whatsoever.

And that's fair enough.

I mean, most listening to me right now will get that that's what's probably required.

I think there will be one or two goodies saved up, though.

You can see they've got a little bit spare there in terms of what they've reprioritised.

I think there's also a sense, Ryan, that's probably not what you want to hear, but budgets aren't what they used to be, these sort of swashbuckling Muldoon or Roger Douglas ones where, you know, a commander-control economy, you'd transform things in 24 hours with massive tax hikes or cuts or something like that.

Is there, from what you can see, is there enough room? Has she cut or made enough room in order to bring them? It depends on the forecast, but bring the surplus actually forward because that would be a good way to go into an election campaign, wouldn't it?

How did it go down?

Oh, look, I think very well, and you'd expect that from that crowd.

I think, you know, really good speech, really well delivered, and a good sort of defence summation argument of the last two years, if you like.

You know, they've got the basics right.

They've done a lot there in law and order, a lot in education.

He went through that, the public sector reforms, some big stuff happening, KiwiSaver reform that's chunky, NCEA reform that's chunky, RMA reform that's chunky.

I think in terms of constructive criticism, I think it's one of the things I sort of heard and, you know, I'm seeing potentially prime minister still storing up controversies for another day.

What do you reckon?

did it go down? Oh, look, I think

very well, and you'd expect that from that crowd.

I think, you know, really good speech, really well delivered, and a good sort of defence summation argument of the last two years, if you like.

You know, they've got the basics right.

They've done a lot there in law and order, a lot in education.

He went through that, the public sector reforms, some big stuff happening, KiwiSaver reform that's chunky, NCEA reform that's chunky, RMA reform that's chunky.

I think in terms of constructive criticism, I think it's one of the things I sort of heard and, you know, I'm seeing potentially prime minister still storing up controversies for another day.

What do you reckon? Oh,

What's caused this?

Yeah, look, I think they are good.

I think, you know, it's no rock star economy.

No one's saying that.

But I think what you're seeing is future sort of beliefs and intentions from business people in Auckland and the economy is that it's looking better.

And I suppose you say, well, what's causing that? I mean, it's fundamentals, isn't it? I mean, you've got around the rest of the country, farmers with a big payout.

uh from uh fontera um record prices a low dollar so that's sort of at a level gotta start filtering through through you've got the ocr coming down it's gone from being a tough gig to being you know quite stimulatory on the economy and i think they can just see you know whether it's some of the stuff the government's been doing where i think they've picked up the pace a bit on their their policy and sort of other initiatives for auckland um So it's just starting to feel a bit better and they can see that over the next year it is going to get a bit better.

What's your feeling? Do you think that next year is going to be a rip-roarer? You know, come let's say election time next year, are we going to be absolutely going for it or is it still going to be a hard grind?