Podcast appearances and mentions of Simon Bridges

We are diving into the absolute wrought that is the New Zealand power market. While families are rationing heat, the big electricity companies have banked nearly $2 billion in profit in just six months. Duncan is joined by Auckland Chamber of Commerce boss Simon Bridges to talk about the state of the economy, the lack of bold political leadership, and why it's time to break open the current system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Government promises to ban paywave and credit surcharges from card payments appear to have stalled. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges is one of many who campaigned for an end to the policy. He spoke to Corin Dann.

Criticism over a lack of detail - as the Prime Minister delivered his State of the Nation address to business leaders in Auckland today at the International Convention Centre's first event. Chris Luxon says two years of hard work by Government and business owners will pay off this year, with more jobs and growing incomes. Business Chamber head, Simon Bridges, says he'd have liked more vision in the speech. "For not just sort of here and now - but for if there's another term, what that's going to look like. I think that's what the business community, the struggling middle, New Zealanders would want." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The business sector will want to know how the Government will support them - as the Prime Minister prepares for his State of the Nation speech. Chris Luxon will give the address at the International Convention Centre in Auckland this afternoon - the first event to be held at the new centre. Newstalk ZB understands he will try to draw attention away from turbulent affairs overseas - and to the Government's successes back home. Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Andrew Dickens that he will question if economic relief is set to continue. He wants to know what fresh Government ideas are coming through which will keep business confidence up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The business sector will want to know how the Government will support them - as the Prime Minister prepares for his State of the Nation speech. Chris Luxon will give the address at the International Convention Centre in Auckland this afternoon - the first event to be held at the new centre. Newstalk ZB understands he will try to draw attention away from turbulent affairs overseas - and to the Government's successes back home. Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Andrew Dickens that he will question if economic relief is set to continue. He wants to know what fresh Government ideas are coming through which will keep business confidence up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gone By Lunchtime is taking a break over summer. We'll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here's one of our favourites from the vault: At 7.30am, just 53 days after he replaced Simon Bridges as leader of the National Party, Todd Muller announced his immediate resignation from the job. How did it come to this, and who is likely to emerge as the new leader, with less than 10 weeks to an election? Will deputy Nikki Kaye be promoted by caucus tonight? Is it Judith Collins' time? Can Simon Bridges complete the great arc of redemption? What about Gerry Brownlee or Mark Mitchell? Or maybe just chuck a baby yak in charge. This episode was originally published on July 14 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The story that keeps getting my goat this week has been the accusation that New Zealanders take too many holidays over the Christmas-January period. It's burbled along since the weekend. Business owners, economists, Simon Bridges, and talkback callers all alleging that the country closes down for a month and that's killing our productivity. But there's no proof of that and the allegations seem little better than reckons. Let's remember that the rest of the Christian world are also off for Christmas-New Year, so we're not losing competitiveness over that week. And the northern hemisphere closes down for August while we're working our butts off. Maybe some of the people moaning about the summer break have lost track of reality for most New Zealand workers. The minimum statuary leave for most New Zealanders is 4 weeks after a year of employment. 20 precious days that week out over 12 months. There are four big school holiday periods that parents need to think about. For most New Zealanders, a big summer holiday might last until the second week of January and the longer you take over summer the longer you have to work over the rest of the year. Only a few people casually skive off for January. The successful business owners who have managers in place. The semi retired. And the superstars whose success during the year grants them privilege - I'm looking at you Mike Hosking. And the other group are the lawyers, partly because courts close down. But while judges have nice summer holidays they're only allowed a week in Spring during the rest of the year. So the lawyers bugger off to their beautiful baches. And that's why lawyers were the most concerned at the dropping of the new Resource Management system this week with a 6 week submission period. It means they're going to have to work all summer. Like the rest of us. And that's why they're grumpy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses are proposing a surcharge cap after failing to convince the government to drop the proposed ban on card payments in-store, such as payWave. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges spoke to Corin Dann.

The Auckland Business Chamber believes a a surcharge cap is a reasonable compromise to an otherwise unfair rule. In July, the Government announced its plan to ban surcharges for shoppers on methods like Paywave, forcing merchants to front the cost instead. The business chamber says this will just force businesses to increase costs, which will be unfair for other customers. CEO Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge a cap will give a balanced and more practical alternative. He says retailers like hospitality and tourism can recuperate some of their costs. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New surveys show Auckland business confidence is on the up, with reports indicating businesses are feeling less pessimistic ahead of the new year. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says the latest November survey shows the city isn't 'out of the woods' but it's no longer 'stuck in the darkest part of the forest'. Bridges says there's room for the economy to improve, but the OCR's coming down and farmers are making more money - and things are feeling more hopeful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New surveys show Auckland business confidence is on the up, with reports indicating businesses are feeling less pessimistic ahead of the new year. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says the latest November survey shows the city isn't 'out of the woods' but it's no longer 'stuck in the darkest part of the forest'. Bridges says there's room for the economy to improve, but the OCR's coming down and farmers are making more money - and things are feeling more hopeful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland  is still facing headwinds. but are better days ahead?

From Auckland mayor Wayne Brown to chamber of commerce boss Simon Bridges to the chief executive of Air New Zealand Greg Foran - the concern over Auckland's economic slump continues to grow. Music promoter Brent Eccles spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In today's episode, Trade Minister Todd McClay met with senior US officials in Washington last week, pushing for a reduction to the 15 percent tariff on New Zealand exports; From Auckland mayor Wayne Brown to chamber of commerce boss Simon Bridges to the chief executive of Air New Zealand Greg Foran - the concern over Auckland's economic slump continues to grow; We have our weekly sports panel; Kerry-Anne Walsh gives us the latest from Australia; A strawberry low fat yoghurt ice cream has been crowned the supreme champion at this year's ice cream and gelato awards.

More foreign investors could soon flock in to work hard on Kiwi businesses. The Government's new Business Investor Visa will give foreign businesspeople who invest at least $2 million into an existing Kiwi business a fast-track to residency. If a business is worth $2 million, the applicant would have to buy it, and if it's worth more, they'd have to invest at least a quarter of its total value. Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge this definitely justifies a fast-track to residency. He says the person who buys will have to work on the business for a period of time. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More foreign investors could soon flock in to work hard on Kiwi businesses. The Government's new Business Investor Visa will give foreign businesspeople who invest at least $2 million into an existing Kiwi business a fast-track to residency. If a business is worth $2 million, the applicant would have to buy it, and if it's worth more, they'd have to invest at least a quarter of its total value. Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge this definitely justifies a fast-track to residency. He says the person who buys will have to work on the business for a period of time. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland-based café Coffee on Queen is pushing back against a ban on advertising flags, and one expert says it's a sign of a bigger problem. Café owner Matt Redwood says removing the flags from the footpath would lose $200-300 a day in lost sales - which would impact jobs. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges joined the Afternoons team to discuss further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richmond-based café Coffee on Queen is pushing back against a ban on advertising flags, and one expert says it's a sign of a bigger problem. Café owner Matt Redwood says removing the flags from the footpath would lose $200-300 a day in lost sales - which would impact jobs. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges joined the Afternoons team to discuss further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show…  - I regard him as Auckland's other Mayor - former National leader and head of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Simon Bridges.  - The discussion is the future of Auckland - get this wrong and NZ nose dives  - We can't afford the incompetence and waste we saw from Labour on the now defunct light rail project. 228 Million down the drain!  - Plus some Letters to the Editor! Website: https://www.rova.nz/home/podcasts/duncan-garner---editor-in-chief Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast  TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The New Zealand Chambers of Commerce have warned that the Government's proposed ban on retail payment surcharges risks hitting small businesses with higher costs. Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber, acknowledged that the Government was trying to protect consumers from additional fees - but voiced concerns about what this ban could do for smaller operators. He says the ban isn't a cost-free exercise - and someone will have to pay the merchant fees. "It's either going to be through price hikes that consumers may not appreciate or understand - or it's going to be the poor old SME in areas like retail, hospo, tourism that are going to be having to find a way to pay for it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Chambers of Commerce have warned that the Government's proposed ban on retail payment surcharges risks hitting small businesses with higher costs. Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber, acknowledged that the Government was trying to protect consumers from additional fees - but voiced concerns about what this ban could do for smaller operators. He says the ban isn't a cost-free exercise - and someone will have to pay the merchant fees. "It's either going to be through price hikes that consumers may not appreciate or understand - or it's going to be the poor old SME in areas like retail, hospo, tourism that are going to be having to find a way to pay for it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Action to attract crucial international investment. Invest New Zealand is up and running, a government organisation that'll work with global investors to create jobs, boost innovation, and lift productivity. It's been given $85 million over four years to cement itself. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking that our settings were suboptimal, and we're now getting better ones. He says that they're not world leading, but they are being made with impeccable timing, as they're being made as the world's increasingly turning to custard. Bridges says there's real enthusiasm for this in New Zealand, as new residents investing in businesses and startups will have a real flow on effect on the economy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's soon going to see if the Government will stay true to its proclaimed 'year of growth'. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hours away from unveiling her second budget and is promising no frills or excess. It's been slowly teasing figures, with a vast majority of initiatives being funded through cost-savings and cuts. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge it'll need a sufficient response to where the country is at. He says businesses will be looking for strong, clear evidence of the "going for growth" agenda. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's soon going to see if the Government will stay true to its proclaimed 'year of growth'. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hours away from unveiling her second budget and is promising no frills or excess. It's been slowly teasing figures, with a vast majority of initiatives being funded through cost-savings and cuts. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge it'll need a sufficient response to where the country is at. He says businesses will be looking for strong, clear evidence of the "going for growth" agenda. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's Business Chamber CEO says we have nothing to lose by loosening transit visas for Chinese nationals. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's updated his Auckland Manifesto, laying out a Beehive to-do list. It includes calling for the Government to reconsider loosening transit visas for Chinese Nationals, giving them more freedom for short stays in the country. Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge it would be an easy sugar hit for the economy. He says he can't think of single reason not to do it, as China's a lot more developed and wealthy than other South-East Asian countries. Bridges is also backing the mayor's renewed call for a tourist bed tax in the city. Browns calling for the Government to reconsider an Auckland tourist bed tax, adding a small levy on short term accommodation. Bridges told Bridge it'll help bring in funding so more major events can come to the city. He says both central and local government are failing Auckland when it comes to major events. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's Business Chamber CEO says we have nothing to lose by loosening transit visas for Chinese nationals. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's updated his Auckland Manifesto, laying out a Beehive to-do list. It includes calling for the Government to reconsider loosening transit visas for Chinese Nationals, giving them more freedom for short stays in the country. Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge it would be an easy sugar hit for the economy. He says he can't think of single reason not to do it, as China's a lot more developed and wealthy than other South-East Asian countries. Bridges is also backing the mayor's renewed call for a tourist bed tax in the city. Browns calling for the Government to reconsider an Auckland tourist bed tax, adding a small levy on short term accommodation. Bridges told Bridge it'll help bring in funding so more major events can come to the city. He says both central and local government are failing Auckland when it comes to major events. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges speaks with Kathryn following an event this morning to discuss a strategy for the supercity.

Expectations we'll have a strong showing of investment opportunities for our venture-hungry guests. More than 100 offshore firms are making an appearance at the Government's Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland over the next two days. Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Andrew Dickens expects to see the opening up of public-private partnerships in areas like health, justice and the Māori economy. He says investors want the sizzle and the vision, but that's ultimately what they're coming to see - and we need their capital. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coalition of energy leaders, led by the Auckland Business Chamber, is launching a 10-point Energy Action Plan. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges spoke to Corin Dann.

The government, as you will have heard, is relaxing immigration settings to encourage migrants to invest in New Zealand businesses. While everyone was at the beach yesterday making the most of the golden weather the Prime Minister was suited and booted and spelling out the changes to the Active Investore Plus (AIP) visa category to the Auckland Business Chamber. The way it works is that there will be two “simplified” investment categories that will replace the existing “complex waiting system”, as set up by Labour. From April 1, the visa will be split into two categories: Growth and Balanced. The growth category applies to those making “higher- risk investments”, including those directly in local businesses and will require a minimum investment of $5 million for a period of at least three years. Visa holders in this category would have to reside in New Zealand for a minimum of 21 days. Not a long time. The balanced category focuses on mixed investment, allows for a minimum spend of $10 million over five years, and requires 105 days spent in New Zealand with the potential to get reductions if investments exceed $10 million. Several other changes have been made, including the stripping away of the visa's English language requirement, which demanded applicants have an English language background. Christopher Luxon said yesterday that the requirement had scared off many potential investors in recent years and the numbers certainly seem to support that. Since 2022, migrants entering New Zealand under the investor category have invested just $70 million. By contrast, in the two years prior to Covid-19 migrants invested $2.2 billion. There's a hell of a difference. However, Labour says by dumbing down the rules for the investor visa risks watering down the economic benefits for New Zealand. In his press release, Phil Twyford says “allowing people to buy residence by parking their money in a passive investment like property that won't generate jobs or sustainable economic development for New Zealand does not sit well”. And I guess that's the rub. Is it going to generate real jobs? Is it going to generate real growth? Or is it just going to be money washing around in the system? Simon Bridges talking to Andrew Dickens on Early Edition says it's a good move and most people don't realise just how important foreign investment is to the growing of the economy. “If you look at the results over time, under more permissive settings if you want to say that, the results pretty clear ... a lot of very wealthy came and I think history shows they invested in our best companies, our golf courses, they made bequeaths to our art galleries, they had an oversized contribution to New Zealand. Then we tightened them up, I think it was under the last Labour government. And we saw less of that right? You know, I think possibly New Zealanders don't quite understand how much good investment migrant settings can be really important to our economic success and we sure as hell need that at the moment.” Well, we certainly do. We certainly do need that kind of investment, but I think Simon Bridges from the Auckland Chamber is probably quite right. I don't understand how foreign investment is going to grow our economy. I can understand how bringing money in and just using it as an investment opportunity to offset your other investments if you're a wealthy foreign investor just allows you to slush money around. How does it grow it? It is it going to be the next Rocket Lab or the next Xero. How? Art galleries and golf courses are all very well and good, but they're lovely, gorgeous vanity projects and gifts to New Zealand from wealthy investors that don't really generate jobs. Where's the benefit to the ordinary Kiwi? So the government has banged the sign on the shop door and is sitting about telling the world we are open for business. But what sort of business? You know, where is it going to franchises? It going to nail bars? Is it going to fast food? Is it just money going round and round in a continual cycle within the economy? How do we ensure it's going into these businesses where we've got brilliant Kiwi entrepreneurs, brilliant startup businesses that need that extra capital to go to that next level? How do we direct it there? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is replacing the current visa settings with two new categories that will see visa settings relaxed. In a bid to encourage more foreign investment, the Government is introducing the balanced category and the growth category, the latter requiring a minimum a $5 million invested for a minimum of three years. Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges explains the change to Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a push for the Government to focus on increasing tourist numbers to maximise economic growth. Nicola Willis —the minister now charged with driving the growth agenda— is considering visa changes to pull more tourists through the door. She wants to see Chinese visitor numbers back to pre-Covid levels. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges wouldn't be drawn on whether increasing the international visitor levy last year was a good idea. He told Ryan Bridge the sector has real issues, and if the Government's looking to get the economy back on track, visa issues are a start. Bridges told Ryan Bridge incentivising airlines could be the answer. He says there's nearly as many flights coming in from China as the US. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's relationship with the incoming Trump administration will be the main topic at a US Business Summit in Auckland today. It will feature speeches from the Prime Minister, Trade Minister Todd McClay, US Ambassador Tom Udall, and a variety of business voices. Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Bridges says it will be a great chance to get the Government's perspective on the American relationship. He told Mike Hosking that Trump's win is hugely consequential, and it's not enough for the Government to simply say they'll wait and see. Bridges believes there can be some optimism though, as New Zealand is generally good at riding the waves and trade with the US flourished after Trump ripped up the CPTPP during his last term. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inland Revenue is being asked not to seesaw on its stance, with rising liquidations across the country. Centrix's July figures reveal business liquidations are up 19 percent overall year-on-year. They sparked spiked sharply in Auckland in the second quarter, up 33 percent annually. Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Bridges says he thinks IR's hard-line approach is behind a majority of closures. "I think it's probably a movement from Covid settings, where, like the RBNZ, they realised they overdid it one way and they came back in hard on the other way." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 3 September 2024, the Government is hiking the tourism levy to $100 - against advice from the industry. But Tourism Minister Matt Doocey tells Heather it's not going to lead to fewer visitors. The boss of NZ's spy agency tells Heather there's a "realistic possibility" of a terrorist attack in New Zealand... and who's the most likely person to attempt such an attack. The number of liquidations is up almost 20% year on year. Auckland Chamber of Business boss Simon Bridges says an IRD crackdown might be to blame. Plus, the Huddle debates why more and more people in their 50s are getting divorced ... is menopause to blame or men not emptying the dishwasher? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes that business can be kept separate from geopolitics arise at today's China Business Summit in Auckland.  Key issues on the card include the Government's goal to double exports by value within 10 years, and the implications of expanding into other markets alongside China.  China Business Summit co-chair Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking “In China, it's very interesting times.”  Bridges said “With China's economy – critics say it's in trouble, and supporters say it's robust.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, you can't keep a good idea down, can you?Strike Force Raptor is back! Do you remember that? That was Simon Bridges' big crime plan when he was the National Party leader in opposition. He announced a dedicated anti-gang police squad called Strike Force Raptor which would go around "harassing and disrupting gangs every single day”. He was mocked for it and the idea was put to bed.And guess what Police Commissioner Andrew Coster just announced today - it's basically the same thing. He's not calling it Strike Force Raptor, but that's basically what it is, it's a specialised National Gang Unit across the country.We're still a little bit light on detail today, Coster couldn't say how many officers there would be or what the targets would be and I'm guessing some of these questions may be answered in the Budget in a couple of weeks.But the the bones of the idea are there, and it's a pretty good idea. Because it's worked in Australia. Strike Force Raptor wasn't our idea, it was set up in New South Wales in 2009. Its numbers got boosted last year, it's won international crime fighting awards. And it was so successful, it had reportedly broken the back of the bikie gangs in Sydney so badly that many of the bikie bosses moved overseas to continue their drug operations - because it had just gotten too hard.  Here, we've just seen the value of hassling the gangs. That gang funeral for the Ponsonby shooter yesterday seemed to be a non-event, because the cops were there en masse to give the gang members a hard time. Compare that to the infamous gang tangi in Optoiki last year, which shut down a main road to citizens, had schools shut and basically just seemed to get out of hand - because the cops were watching from the side of the road and being impotent. It seems like it's a good idea to hassle gangs - who would have thought? Coster can call this whatever he likes, if it keeps the gangs in check, it's a good idea. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon looks at a new Curia poll revealing who Aucklanders favour as their next mayor. Simon Bridges is out in front, with Paula Bennett and Wayne Brown trailing behind. 

Simon is the former leader of the National party, and the first ever Māori to lead a major party in New Zealand. We cover a lot of ground here- the good, the bad and the ugly. And there is plenty of each!We chat about his very recent serious fall off a Lime scooter, his early acting role on Hercules, his law career including his time as a crown prosecutor and the toll that takes on a person's mental health. Then we get into politics- including his regular TV appearances with Jacinda Arden and the on-screen chemistry they had. Getting told off by then PM John Key, receiving death threats, being publicly mocked for how he speaks, his reflections on voting against hay marriage. Life after politics and much much more.Thanks to my friends at Radix and Generate for sponsoring this episode.Radix is a Waikato based nutrition company who are going mainstream in a BIG WAY. Their protein powders are world class- I start every day with a shake made with their protein powder. There is a reason these guys have a 4.9 rating from 1600 reviews. They are that hard to fault:https://radixnutrition.co.nz/Generate have a team of KiwiSaver advisers across the country available to meet with you, chat through your options, and help you make sure your KiwiSaver investment is working for you. If you've never got KiwiSaver advice before, head to:https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/dom(A copy of their product disclosure statement is available on their website. The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited and of course past performance does not guarantee future returns). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Auckland ratepayers will be saddled with a bill of roughly $220 million each year to run the City Rail Link - once it opens. Chief executive Sean Sweeney says the project is 80 percent complete, but there's no guarantee the November 2025 deadline will be met. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says there's no excuse for these extended cost blowouts and delays. "It's created a huge amount of problems. Just by the cost blowouts, the fact that this has taken too long and there doesn't seem to be a particularly good end in sight." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Simon Bridges, Michael Every, Laura Koot, and Christopher Luxon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask the former National Party leader for his thoughts on the prospects of the new Coalition Government, how the "Wily Old Crocodile" Winston will behave, whether Sir John Key is in the ear of Chris Luxon and, finally, if Maureen Pugh was useless, what does that say about Damien O'Connor?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Simon Bridges, Kate Acland, and Mark De Lautour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She was a lively old 'Week That Was' panel today! I was joined by Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce Simon Bridges and Founder and CEO of Valocity and Data Insight Carmen Vicelich to discuss: The coalition negotiations. Congestion charges. Why the 'City of Sails' can't seem to host any sailing events. And the dire state of our marine environments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She calls herself the yoyo MP. But this time National's Maureen Pugh has sprung back into parliament in spectacular fashion apparently wrestling the long time red seat of West Coast Tasman off Labour's Damien O'Connor. You might know her name because former National party leader Simon Bridges was caught on tape calling her F****ing useless. Maureen Pugh has previously been trapped in the revolving door of politics. In 2014 she was in via the party list on election night, but out after the special votes, in 2017 it was the same story. But she bounced back in twice when senior MPs resigned creating a list spot for her. The 2020 election was a knife edge for her too. But this time Maureen Pugh is 915 votes ahead of outgoing Minister Damien Occonnor, with special votes still to be counted. So Checkpoint picked up the phone. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6339223555112

The Northern Infrastructure Forum says key highway projects will deliver game-changing perks.  Its data shows the proposed Warkworth to Wellsford and Cambridge to Piarere routes would each add up to $500 million annually to our GDP once operational.  That's $6 billion over 20 years.  It would be generated through improved supply chain efficiency, resilience, and business productivity.  Forum Chair, Simon Bridges, told Mike Hosking that the strongest message is that we should get on with these.  He said that ignoring them is leaving money on the table.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has this morning put forward five options for an additional Waitemata Harbour crossing, with Transport Minister Michael Wood labelling it a congestion-buster for the city. The options include both bridge and tunnel options and each includes a new walking and cycling link. Feedback on the proposals is being sought and the preferred option will be confirmed in June. Kathryn is joined by RNZ political reporter Katie Scotcher, Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Simon Bridges and Road Transport Forum head Nick Leggett.

Future proofing Aotearoa's massively neglected state highway network should be a priority, after Cyclone Gabrielle exposed a significant weak spot - ripping up roads and cutting off social and ecomonic lifelines. That's according to former Transport Minister Simon Bridges, who is now head of the Auckland Business Chamber. He concedes it will take large scale investment and probably a political pact. Simon Bridges talks to Lisa Owen.

The sweeping reset of government policies yesterday included the pausing of the planned income insurance scheme and a significant rise in the minimum wage. A $5 million support package for flood-hit businesses was also announced including up to $3 million to support those at high risk of closure. The flood assistance package for businesses was developed after consultations with the Auckland Business Chamber and the Employers and Manufacturers Association. Kathryn speaks with the head of the Auckland Business Chamber, Simon Bridges.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce says the biggest worry for businesses is inflation, as they prepare to meet with the new Prime Minister today. Simon Bridges says that's especially true for small to medium firms. He told Morning Report there's no set script for today's meeting with Chris Hipkins, and he expects there to be a free flowing discussion. Mr Bridges says the rate and size of increases to the minimum wage have also been hard for businesses to swallow.