Podcasts about sir ian taylor

Tonight, broadcaster and businessman Sir Ian Taylor sits down in the Auckland studio with Emile Donovan.

Until recently, Jim Grenon hadn't crossed Sir Ian Taylor's radar. But when news broke that he'd acquired a significant stake in NZME, the company behind the New Zealand Herald, Newstalk ZB, and some of the country's biggest radio and digital platforms, Ian started paying attention not just to who Grenon was, but who the people Grenon had in his circleIn a feat of determination, New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker held the Senate floor with a marathon speech that lasted all night and into Tuesday evening (local time), setting a historic mark to show Democrats' resistance to President Donald Trump's sweeping actions.Te Pāti Māori are planning to hold their own version of privileges Committee after skipping today's meeting over fears of unfair hearing and a decline of waiting for their lawyer, Chris Finlayson, time to be available. Judith Colins have given them one more chance to appear, TPM have said they won't be=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Businessman and entrepreneur Sir Ian Taylor is fronting a new campaign to convince one per cent of pensioners to donate part or all of their NZ Super

Happy Holidays! It's compilation time on Between Two Beers, and in the first of a two-part series - we've chopped up some of the best bits from all of our entertainment and business episodes from 2024. In this episode you'll hear from Tim Brown, Jesse Mulligan, Mark Stafford, Kanoa Lloyd, Sir Ian Taylor, Karen O'Leary, Matt Heath, Shane Bradley, Jehan Casinader, Di Foster, Brooke Howard-Smith, Jason Gunn, Jamie Pennell, Bree Tomasel and Zion Armstrong. It's quite a list! We recorded 45 new episodes in 2024, so this is just a small sample of some of our favourite bits, and hopefully it encourages you to go back and listen to the full episode - if you're hearing them for the first time. Kepp an eye out for the best of sport next week. This episode is brought to you by TAB, download the new app today and get your bet on! Listen on iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts from or watch the video on YouTube. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dunedin entrepreneur Sir Ian Taylor has had quite a year - he was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame back in September and then he was off to support Team New Zealand's successful defence of the America's Cup

A New Zealand entrepreneur and former Waitakere City Mayor are getting behind a waka-shaped museum on Auckland's waterfront. Sirs Ian Taylor and Bob Harvey say a mega attraction on Wynyard Point could be Auckland's answer to the Sydney Opera House. Sir Ian says he wants to explore its commercial viability. He says he wouldn't want the Government to have to fork out for it. "It could be an iwi, it could be a fully commercial operation - there are examples all over the place where that works." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New Zealand entrepreneur and former Waitakere City Mayor are getting behind a waka-shaped museum on Auckland's waterfront. Sirs Ian Taylor and Bob Harvey say a mega attraction on Wynyard Point could be Auckland's answer to the Sydney Opera House. Sir Ian says he wants to explore its commercial viability. He says he wouldn't want the Government to have to fork out for it. "It could be an iwi, it could be a fully commercial operation - there are examples all over the place where that works." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a busy fortnight for Steve and Seamus. The lads discuss Seamus' commentary for the Wellington Phoenix, delivering a presentation to the Chiefs, recording 8 podcasts in two weeks, Dion Nash's epic business lessons, Sir Ian Taylor, next week's guest and much, much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Ian has lived one hell of a life.He was the lead singer of a rock band, he served in the army, worked at a brewery, studied law, became a kids presenter for TVNZ, then a TV star, before setting up his own production company.Today, he's one of New Zealand's top business leaders. His team at ARL have revolutionised how we watch sport, he's earned a knighthood for his services to broadcasting and business and he's become an outspoken columnist. In this episode we talk about the day he went to work to shut down his company, and why he didn't, the origin story of creating graphics for sport and how he secured contracts all over the world, why his company only made their first profit in 2019, his thoughts on politics and the current state of NZ and much, much more. Sir Ian is one of NZ's great characters, with so much wisdom to share and love to spread. This was a chat we felt priviliged to be a part of with one of NZ's greatest innovators. We're also super stoked to tell you about the business we've built. If you'd like to hire one of our incredible guests to speak or MC your event, check out our epic lineup at B2Bspeakers.co.nz and get in touch. And while there sign up to our weekly newsletter with all the biggest news from us and the podcasting space in NZ.     Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube.     This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer garden studio. Enjoy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports broadcasting entrepreneur Sir Ian Taylor, joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss the concept of adding microphones to players mid-game.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missed the show this morning? No worries, catch all the action right here from @SENZMornings with Ian Smith featuring, Steve Lancaster, Talkback Time, Smithy's Multi, Sir Ian Taylor, Louis Herman-Watt, Alex Chapman, Nick Bishara, Sports Desk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

QUICK LISTEN | “To put it in context…if we've got ten to twelve bits of data after the ball has bounced, we can be pretty certain that the prediction is gonna be correct… Sir Ian Taylor on Virtual Eye tech in sport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missed the show this morning? No worries, catch all the action right here from @SENZMornings with Ian Smith featuring, Steve Lancaster, Talkback Time, Smithy's Multi, Sir Ian Taylor, Louis Herman-Watt, Alex Chapman, Nick Bishara, Sports Desk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sir Ian Taylor catches up with Smithy to talk about technology in sport, DRS, the Ben Stokes scenario, Fox Sports, NZ Golf Open, Americas Cup & lots more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sir Ian Taylor has long been a Labour voter, this time around he voted for National. He is not regretful of his vote, but he does acknowledge that he has seen some unintended consequences for National having to go into coalition with ACT and NZ First. A 45-minute conversation recorded earlier this week in this pre-recorded episode ================================================ Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

National so wrong on Northland cigarette suppliers under the Smokefree 2025 legislation that they are repealing stating on numerous occasions that there would only be "1 store in Northland" when in truth there would have been 35. Newshub told them last week and they continued to share the lie up until today. Sir Ian Taylor has written an op-ed citing unintended consequences he is seeing from NZ electing a National led government. Sir Ian is particularly surprised by the cancellation of Labour's Smokefree 2025 target and policy. See Ian's op-ed here https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/301019123/sir-ian-taylor-the-unintended-consequences-of-the-new-government Education Minister, Erica Stanford, has made a bold statement that 80% of intermediate students by 2030 will enter secondary school at or above their expected curriculum learning level. Fresh water could dramatically worsen with National's plan to roll back environmental projections ================================================ Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Sir Ian Taylor - who heads the tech company behind the America's Cup race graphics - has become the latest to resign from organisations to be able to speak out against the government. He joins Newsable to talk about why he didn't want to put Mike King's Gumboot Friday charity at risk. We check progress at the annual international UN climate conference in Dubai, where New Zealand has chosen not to sign an agreement over renewable energy plus a year with ChatGPT in our lives and New Zealand's "chill" weddings.

Let's kick-off with a bit of financial advice. If you have shares in a sausage roll factory or an ice cream shop, sell them now. Because, after today, sales are going to plummet without the politicians screaming around the country filling their gobs and scooping the cold stuff into cones. Come midnight tonight, we are done for another three years. Although the real action is still to come with voting still happening until 7 o'clock tomorrow night and then the results. I love election night. But what I think is going to be very different this time around is how people are going to react if the result isn't what they want. I'm picking that the mood of this campaign is going to linger. That's because I agree with business leader Sir Ian Taylor who is saying today that this has been the worst campaign he's ever seen because of how divided everyone is. Not just the politicians and the parties, but us voters as well. I have never known people to be either totally forthright in saying how bad they think the parties, the policies and the individual politicians are; or terrified of getting involved in arguments about politics. Especially socially. I've even heard stories about social occasions being delayed until after the election because people just don't want to risk getting groups together and it turning into a row about politics. But that's not going to end tomorrow night, or whenever we know which parties are going to be in government. That's because I reckon that this is the most divided we have been as a country since the 1981 Springbok rugby tour. The division among people then as to whether the tour should've been happening or not was probably the most divided we have been as a country. But the way things have been during this election campaign - and even before that - would have to be a close second to the division during the Springbok Tour, don't you think? I'm definitely with Sir Ian Taylor when he says that this has been the worst campaign ever because of the anger and division. Which is obvious in some of the policies that have been touted by the various parties. Policies designed to try and calm the farm because we're all so angry. GST off fruit and veggies. A crazy policy. But, hey, it could mean we're less angry when we go to the supermarket. Ending co-governance. Yep, apparently we'll be less angry if they stop that blimmin' “iwi takeover”. Less road cones. Yep - that'll make us less angry. And, as Sir Ian is saying today, with all these politicians coming up with ideas that they think will make us less angry - or policies that just put oil on the squeaky wheel - none of the parties have come up with a long-term vision for our country. The sort of vision you might expect politicians to come-up with. But that isn't happening, because of the divisiveness and anger. Which was apparent in last night's Leaders' Debate on TVNZ, wasn't it? Man alive, Chris Hipkins especially was just letting rip. Especially when Christopher Luxon was going-on about Hipkins having no control over his Cabinet, and the Labour leader came back with that line of the night, saying: "None of my MPs beat people up with a bed leg." Which was a reference, of course, to National MP Sam Uffindell. And depending who you talk to, it was either a very low blow or a brilliant piece of debating. I think it was both. It definitely made me sit up and pay attention! Put it that way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Ian Taylor joins Jesse to share how extremely proud he is of his son Sam, who is profoundly deaf and finishing his final year of vascular surgery training.

Now this is more like it team!    Leaders of Labour, National, and the Green Party all pledged last night to build at least another 1000 state houses a year in Auckland, if they win the election, in whatever configuration. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, National's deputy leader Nicola Willis, the Greens Co-leader Marama Davidson were guests at the launch in Māngere of Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga Tāmaki Makaurau, an umbrella group for this social housing sector which combines 45 groups all within the social housing sector - community housing providers, churches, unions and community networks.  It wasn't all peace, love, and Kumbaya, though. I mean, there is an election campaign underway, after all.   So, during the speeches and the pledging Chris Hipkins pumped up Labour. Labour has already exceeded the 1000 commitment. We've built 12,000 social house units since 2017. Seven thousand of them have been in Tamaki Makaurau but there is more work to be done.  National's Nicola Willis told the audience there were 261 people on the state house waiting list in Auckland when Labour took office in 2017, now there are 8175. So both parties made their points while making the pledge, but be that as it may, I think this is a really good first step.    Remember the other day when we were talking about the doctor's strike? And during a conversation I said, why don't the main parties agree to a minimum level of staffing in all hospitals, so that whoever's in Government says that this is the commitment we've made?  This is what we need to do. This is how many people we need to have on the floor at any given time and commit to it. Make it happen.   There should be some absolute fundamentals when it comes to infrastructure and a best practice curriculum within the education system, you know the basic stuff that keeps the country running. Then the politicians can play politics around the edges. If they're just left to tinker around the edges, that will minimise the damage that comes with ideologically driven politics. We need best practice, common sense politics.    So I think this is a good start, but boy, imagine being on the waiting list for a home.   This was where the election was, to a certain extent, won and lost for National in 2017. Ultimately, Winston Peters decided who won that election, and there must be a special place reserved in Hades for people like that. But housing was our big issue for National with people sleeping in their cars, families sleeping in their cars, with marae opening their doors and housing people through the cold winters.   And housing has been big news again because of Labour's empty hollow promises. Because Labour has also done some work, belatedly, on trying to get more state houses. But on the fact that there is so much need and again you can argue that's Labours poor policy. The unintended consequences of which they have been so often guilty, when it comes to the bright line test and the landlords.   Sure, it might make people get out of the private landlord market, but it has swollen the emergency housing list and the state housing list.   So 1000 a year in Auckland alone, sure. That's a very good start. It'll take more than eight years to even meet the need right now. Where are those houses going to come from and where are people living? If they can't afford to rent, they can't afford to pay their mortgage. Where do you live? How do you get your kids going to a school regularly when you've got no security about where you wake up?   In other political news, Nationals committed to building 10,000 new electric vehicle chargers because Chris Luxon says kiwis aren't switching to EVs because they have range anxiety. That would be a no.   I'm not switching to an EV because at the moment I have other things to spend $60,000 on. You know, even with the Government subsidy for EV's, that's a lot of money to spend on a car. Also, because I'm going to need a hard car in the Hokianga. All well and good pootling along in my little electric vehicle but if I'm stuck in the floods in the Hokianga, I'm going to need something with a bit of tit to get me out.  And my Nissan Leaf isn't going to be it, is it? No. So range anxiety is the least of my anxieties at the moment, Christopher Luxon. But thank you very much anyway.    Labour has announced a five point plan to grow the economy. I think my 6-year-old grandson could probably have come up with the same five points. He reads a bit. We have big discussions. He knows a bit about New Zealand. Export stuff. Yes, very good, excellent. Make our agriculture sector excellent - it is already, in spite of your Government, Chris Hipkins. Be a global leader in renewable energy. Well, that's a relatively new one. OK, I'll give you that one. Harness New Zealand's digital creativity and expertise. Have they met the team behind Weta? Have they heard of Sir Ian Taylor? These people have been developing New Zealand's digital creativity and being experts at it for years, all by themselves, without any Government handouts whatsoever. In fact, you've been an impediment to these people doing business.   Oh, and the last one. Get tourists to come here. Good one. Genius Chris! God. That's what we're doing or are trying to do, but you keep getting in the way. All of these things New Zealanders have been doing for more than 150 years. I'd even go so far as to say the digital stuff. You know, we've been innovating constantly because we've had brilliant scientists and we've had great minds. We've been doing this and all you have done for the past six years is get in the way. And impeded people from doing what they do best. Your five point power plan for the economy. Seriously, that is the best you can do? Cannibalize and ride on the coattails of what's already being done. Cool. Cool policy, Chris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's podcast: Sir Ian Taylor is having an interesting life. Born in Northland, raised in what today would be considered poverty, he graduated in law, became a television performer and a singer in a band; today he is a massively successful businessman.A Labour supporter over 50 years of voting, he is now less than impressed.And like many countrymen he doesn't know how he's going to vote come October 14.We had a vibrant discussion, even if you might not agree with him.We visit a lengthy Mailroom with Mrs Producer; the first in a month.And we finish with commentary from Ramesh Thakur on the debate over the “Voice”. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:To subscribe via iTunes click here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first episode of Leaders Getting Coffee, Bruce is joined by former TV presenter turned sports animation pioneer and Animation Research Limited founder Sir Ian Taylor, to discuss leadership advice, how Ian got got his company off the ground and through Covid, and thoughts on some recent headlines. Read Bruce's column hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were a lot of reasons to be upset about the Football Ferns' performance last night. VAR was definitely a big one - with the Ferns' only goal disallowed by a contentious offside decision. So is this technology making the game better?  Sir Ian Taylor of Animation Research has been introducing tech to sport for decades, he spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

D'Arcy Waldegrave is back to weigh in on a full day of sports updates! Highlights for tonight include:  Sir Ian Taylor of Animation Research on whether technology like VAR is ruining sport. Tech talkback. Paris Olympics NZ chef de mission Nigel Avery on there being one year to go til the event. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I reckon I'm like most people. Quick to think something's a good idea but, if it means me forking out some of my own money, then the old enthusiasm can wane a bit. And that's exactly how I'm feeling about the Green Party's tax policy. I'll tell you why shortly. But first, you will have heard and seen that there's already been the usual whingeing about their idea of a wealth tax. The wealth tax critics always crack me up because they trot out the same old lines about wealth taxes being a bad thing because they stop people aspiring to better themselves. Which is such a load of nonsense because, you ask anyone who's made a real success of something - for example, they might've invented an amazing new product or they might be an amazing artist or musician - and nine-times-out-of 10 they'll tell you that making money was never in their mind when they started out. Do you really think Ed Sheeran, for example, picked up a guitar because he wanted to be a millionaire? Of course not! Do you really think Sir Ian Taylor, who started Animation Research in Dunedin years ago and is doing all sorts of incredible stuff with live sports broadcasting, do you think his number one motivation was making a truckload of money? Of course it wasn't. So anyone who says wealth taxes stop people from striving or having aspirations doesn't know what they're talking about. But the aspect of the Green party's tax policy that's got my attention is this idea of a Minimum Income Guarantee. The basic idea is that everyone would be guaranteed to get paid at least $385 per week. Individuals would be paid at least $385 per week. Couples would be paid at least $770 per week. And single parents would get at least $735 per week. The Greens think this is the way of ending poverty in New Zealand. As I said earlier, this is one of those things that I want to like. Because who is going to argue against the obvious benefits of making sure every adult in the country has something coming in the door each week? But it's also one of those ideas where I find my enthusiasm waning a bit because it means I have to have some skin in the game. By paying more tax. The Greens are making the bold claim that their plan would see 95 percent of us paying less tax. It's a line some media outlets have been trotting out but, when I look more closely at what they're proposing, I wouldn't bet the house on it. Because the only reduction I can see - other than the zero tax on revenue under $10,000 per annum - is where someone earns between $10,000 and $50,000. Currently, the maximum rate people in that bracket pay is 17.5 percent. The Greens would reduce it to 17 percent. So, marginally better-off. Elsewhere, if you earn over $75,000, the Greens want your top tax rate to be 35 percent. At the moment it's 33 percent. If you earn over $120,000, your top tax rate will be 39 percent. At the moment it's 33 percent. If you earn over $180,000, your top tax rate will be 45 percent. At the moment it's 39 percent. So I reckon that, despite what the Greens are saying, most of us would actually end up paying more income tax if this Minimum Income Guarantee was going to be even remotely possible. And I'm afraid that even my good heart is stopping me from giving a ringing endorsement to this idea. Yes, I think a Minimum Income Guarantee would be brilliant. But I think the Greens have gone off half-cocked. Because I'm not convinced they've done the numbers properly. I'm not convinced that a wealth tax and tinkering with current income tax rates would make the scheme sustainable. Most significantly, though, I don't believe the Greens when they tell me that I wouldn't have to pay more tax to make it happen.   I like their idea. But I don't like it enough to pay more tax.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 'The Week That Was' this week I'm joined by digital technology pioneer Sir Ian Taylor, and entrepreneur and former National Party candidate Nuwi Samarakone. On the menu today:  How is the current government performing? The rise and rise of artificial intelligence. Our Honours system. And is our banking industry broken? Plus I announce another 'Wanker of the Week'..See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let me give you a bunch of reasons why you can- and should- ignore this letter from 97 ‘wealthy' Kiwis asking the Government to tax them more. This is the letter that starts: “We write as people who are frustrated with how much tax we pay. We want to pay more”. They do not want to pay more themselves. What they actually want is other rich people to pay more tax. And you don't have to take my word for it, I'll quote the guy who founded Ecostore, Malcom Rands, who signed the letter. He was asked if he was offering to pay more tax if others weren't also required, and he said no.   He said: "Even someone who's as big-hearted as me would not feel good paying more tax when other people aren't.”  That's the real test, isn't it? Because if they wanted to pay more themselves, they would simply tax themselves like some wealthy people do, and then use that money for charity. For example, build a hospital for children like Mark Dunajtschik in Wellington.  This plea for more tax is not as benevolent as it looks, by the way. Not all of these signatories are as wealthy as you might think. Names like Philip Mills of Les Mills gyms, yep. Sir Ian Taylor, absolutely. But there are names on that list that are clearly not worth anywhere near the $50 million that would make them the kind of high net worth individuals that would've had IRD snooping around their tax for the last year. In fact, I was so surprised by the list of random names on the list, that I called the people who helped coordinate the list. And they admitted that there was no benchmark for how rich you had to be to sign this letter. It was opt in. You could simply decide that you felt rich and wanted to sign it. One of the people I raised with them, they said they thought was worth $5 million based on a Google search. That is a long way from $50 million. That's a house and a couple of investment properties in Auckland nowadays. That's pretty much the aspiration of most mums and dads. There's nothing special about that.  So let me ask you this- if extreme wealth is not the thing these signatories have in common, what is it really? Political leanings, maybe?  Philip Mills- one of Labour's biggest donors. Robyn Malcolm- long-time Green supporter. Rob Campbell- long-time union man. David Cunliffe, yes, David Cunliffe signed the letter- former Labour leader. I suspect this is really an attempt to help a particular political party get a potential tax plan over the line. Because if they really want to pay more tax, pay it in charity. Leave the rest of us who just want to own a home and a couple of investment properties alone. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 100 wealthy New Zealanders have signed an open letter to the Government to say they want to pay more tax. Those who signed include Sir Ian Taylor, Phillip Mills, of gym chain Les Mills, company director Rob Campbell, actress Robyn Malcolm and Dame Susan Devoy. Tonight we hope to speak with Ian Taylor and Phillip Mills New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has labelled the perpetrators of ram raids overnight as "feral dropkick losers" and accused the Government of not doing anything as New Zealand's streets become "more violent". But Justice Minister Kiri Allan says Peters' description of offenders reflects "dog-whistle politics" and believes "name-calling" isn't helpful when ram raids are causing harm in the community. Donald Trump's primetime appearance in a live CNN town hall today had the former president - and 2024 presidential candidate - doubling down on his explosive comments about grabbing women's genitals made in an Access Hollywood tape which came to light during the 2016 election campaign. Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of #BHN https://www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Almost 100 wealthy individuals have signed an open letter because they are frustrated with how much, or how little, tax they pay. Someone who has signed the letter is Sir Ian Taylor and he joined Kerre Woodham. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 100 wealthy individuals have signed an open letter because they are frustrated with how much, or how little, tax they pay. Someone who has signed the letter is Sir Ian Taylor and he joined Kerre Woodham. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand introducing a capital gains tax is back in the spotlight following the release of the bombshell IRD report. Sir Ian Taylor has voiced support for a capital gains tax and reckons other business people he knows would be happy to pay one. He explained that a capital gains tax would help cover the significant costs New Zealand faces in terms of health, education and infrastructure. "That's how businesses operate. We took risks, there were times where things looked really tough, but we got through those. But equally, if I come out the end of this and somebody ended up buying this- which isn't the intention- but if they did, I would fully expect that there would be a margin." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand introducing a capital gains tax is back in the spotlight following the release of the bombshell IRD report. Sir Ian Taylor has voiced support for a capital gains tax and reckons other business people he knows would be happy to pay one. He explained that a capital gains tax would help cover the significant costs New Zealand faces in terms of health, education and infrastructure. "That's how businesses operate. We took risks, there were times where things looked really tough, but we got through those. But equally, if I come out the end of this and somebody ended up buying this- which isn't the intention- but if they did, I would fully expect that there would be a margin." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Sir Ian Taylor, Mike Petersen, Stephen Bell-Booth, and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following on from his column in the NZ Herald, one of the country's leading tech entrepreneurs wonders aloud “what's happened to the Labour Party that I have supported all my life?”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran broadcaster Sir Ian Taylor recently wrote a disparaging opinion piece about the current state of the Labour Party. The piece focused on the political blunders Labour has been wrapped up in, the highlights being the Royal Commission inquiry on the Covid-19 response, Willie Jackson's infamous interview about the TVNZ-RNZ merger, and the mishandling of Three Waters. Sir Ian Taylor also contrasted the image of Jacinda Ardern's glamorous Women's Weekly cover with the supermarket shoppers who were struggling to afford the food in their baskets in a separate interview with Jamie Mackay. Jamie Mackay addressed the content of the interview today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Ian Taylor - Former lead singer of a band, television host, and founder of Animation Research Limited.  Kiwi Ingenuity in business at its best!  His band's name was Kal Q Lated Risk which is a great summation of his life! What a journey! Animation Research Limited has pioneered animation used in sports coverage around the world. They came up with the graphics used in Americas Cup, PGA golf and so much more. They have also created simulators for Formula 1 and training Air Traffic Controllers!In this interview shares in a very honest, humble and entertaining manner. An incredibly inspiring story that shouldn't be missed!Part 10:45 Background4:00 30+ years later - founding staff are still in the company8:00 Borrowing 1/2 million!11:00 Voyages across the Pacific Ocean17:15 Why choose to stay in Dunedin21:30 Ian's music career26:45 Studying law27:14 What exactly is Ian's job?28:40 Cricket in India32:00 Closing it all down33:15 Dealing with stress36:00 Never using the word "challenge"Watch out for part 2www.isintosuccess.com For more great content, go to:https://www.isintosuccess.comhttps://www.instagram.com/insightsintosuccess/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVRkDL7gZSP98vnVyZ5445ghttps://www.tiktok.com/@insightsintosuccessEmail us at: paul.d@msofmarketing.comThanks for supporting us in our journey to find the secrets to success!

 Sir Ian Taylor - Former lead singer of a band, television host, and founder of Animation Research Limited.  Kiwi Ingenuity in business at its best!  His band's name was Kal Q Lated Risk which is a great summation of his life! What a journey! Animation Research Limited has pioneered animation used in sports coverage around the world. They came up with the graphics used in Americas Cup, PGA golf and so much more. They have also created simulators for Formula 1 and training Air Traffic Controllers!In this interview shares in a very honest, humble and entertaining manner. An incredibly inspiring story that shouldn't be missed! PART 20:37 How has he ended up with such great staff?4:41  Doing the first TV commercials11:43 Software for Air Traffic Control13:43 America's Cup software20:35 Any competition?22:02 What is Sir Ian's motivation?28:34 If you do the job well, the money will come.30:08 Working only with people they like32:10 A different approach to business36:14 Where does he fit in to the business?38:18 Where to from here?45:10 Advice to succeed in life www.isintosuccess.com For more great content, go to:https://www.isintosuccess.comhttps://www.instagram.com/insightsintosuccess/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVRkDL7gZSP98vnVyZ5445ghttps://www.tiktok.com/@insightsintosuccessEmail us at: paul.d@msofmarketing.comThanks for supporting us in our journey to find the secrets to success!

The government has come out defending its MIQ programme, despite losing a High Court challenge launched by the Grounded Kiwis group, representing New Zealanders stranded overseas and unable to come home. The High Court found that the MIQ system operated unjustly in some cases, and that the so called 'virtual lobby' which allocated MIQ spaces operated like a lottery. It also found the emergency allocation process, which was supposed to help stranded and desperate New Zealand citizens, was not run effectively. And in what is perhaps the most damning aspect of the finding, the Court said that a more sophisticated system, that better prioritised those with a right to return, was reasonably available, and would have met the government's public health strategy. One of those loudly calling for the government to change its MIQ settings was Sir Ian Taylor. He talks to Nick Truebridge.

New emails show the Health Ministry asked Rapid Antigen Test suppliers to prioritise its orders over those of private businesses. On January 22, staff flagged concerns they only had information on five percent of their January and February orders - just two percent were confirmed for delivery.  By month's end, businesses began reporting their orders were cancelled - because the Government had taken their stock.  Businessman Sir Ian Taylor told Mike Hosking these emails show a sense of panic. He says it's the result of the Government realising after two years of banning RATS, they needed them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New emails show the Health Ministry asked Rapid Antigen Test suppliers to prioritise its orders over those of private businesses. On January 22, staff flagged concerns they only had information on five percent of their January and February orders - just two percent were confirmed for delivery.  By month's end, businesses began reporting their orders were cancelled - because the Government had taken their stock.  Businessman Sir Ian Taylor told Mike Hosking these emails show a sense of panic. He says it's the result of the Government realising after two years of banning RATS, they needed them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I get together with Sir Ian Taylor, Grant Straker and Te Pūoho Katene to talk about the current state of Aotearoa. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.  The Protest: 3/10 "It didn't work, it wasn't Groundswell, it wasn't well organised, it had mixed messages, too many nutters, and too many angry people. Protests make a point and sway a debate, this one just pissed everyone off."  Rapid Antigen Tests: 1/10 "We had the revelations around acquisition or stealing, the Sir Ian Taylor falling out, and the stories of threats and stand-over tactics. This is a shabby, low rent, and nasty business by a government that looks increasingly mafiaesque."  Labour: 2/10 "Yet again we face a crisis at the workplace and in the fields. Grapes, kiwifruit, house building, teachers, pick a job and we are short. Look to the border it is closed, this is no recipe for success."  Job Ads: 7/10 "Record jobs ads, which once seemed a good thing, but not if they're not getting filled. It's like saying your unemployment is 3.2 percent and yet you have 90,000 more people on a benefit, it doesn't make any sense."  Steven Joyce and Matthew Hooton: 7/10 "Look up their pieces on the state of this country. Hooton on division and Joyce on MIQ and who we are. It's high-quality reading and a big wakeup call if you value the future of this country."  The CCCFA: 2/10 Proof this week from the banks, ASB and ANZ that money isn't being lent to people who would have qualified previously. How do you buy a house when you can't get money and the bank would give you the money, if it wasn't for David Clark?"  Explore Auckland Vouchers: 3/10 "Remember the Government's vouchers in Auckland to go visit stuff? 10 percent of the population applied and only 58 percent have actually been used, who would have thought?"  Zoi Sadowski-Synnott: 10/10 "Hero of the week and a reminder the young lead the way for us all. It's uplifting to watch winners." LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses have strongly rejected the government's assertion it did not swipe their rapid antigen tests for their own stocks. The government spent much of last year with a ban on the importation of RATs, but lifted that not long before Christmas. Businesses who got their orders in say they've been swallowed up by the government - something the Beehive rejects. Businessman and boss of animation research, Sir Ian Taylor talks to Lisa Owen.  

There are claims some businesses are too scared to speak up on the rapid antigen test debacle.  The Ministry of Health indicated yesterday it took RATs ordered from overseas...and stock is already in the country.  Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins says that statement is unclear...and the Ministry's told them it involved no requisitioning of businesses' orders. Sir Ian Taylor told Heather du Plessis-Allan businesses are now asking him to speak on their behalf. “None of these major businesses can afford to speak truth to messages coming from the government because they fear the consequences of the supply to them.” LISTEN ABOVE 

Well the latest Newshub Reid Research poll has the Labour / Green government still the most popular, yet if ever we needed confirmation of the spin and PR machine that this Government really is, we got it at the weekend from Sir Ian Taylor. In a series of columns for the NZ Herald documenting his dealings with this Government, Taylor has become increasingly disillusioned. He admits he voted for them – that was probably his first mistake. Like many who voted for them, one wonders if he'll make that mistake again. Like many who believed in this Government, he went in with good faith believing they would walk their talk. Sadly, they did not. Like many business people who've tried to help this Government, he's been sidelined, rebuffed, muzzled, and shut out. It should worry every New Zealander interested in democracy and progress, that this Government continues to shut out the private sector, ignore them, and then crap all over them. The Government seems to have, on top of this bewildering level of arrogance, a very short memory. It was after all the private sector who helped them initially get their much-hailed Covid response off the ground in the first place. It was the Mowbray's of Zuru Toys fame sourcing the PPE, it was other business leaders like them loudly advocating to shut the border back at the start of all this and to act swiftly. The Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming, and as usual, once it got there, loudly claimed all the credit for it and continues to. It's strange that for a government so light on business experience itself, that they continue to believe they know best. Their bureaucrats have proven over the last three years, that that's just not the case. As Sir Ian Taylor said, government bureaucrats tend to do the same old stuff they've always done; order various reviews, take too long considering them, miss crucial windows, then scramble at the end in a mad panic. I'd hazard a guess they've probably burnt Ian Taylor now, they've burnt other business people who, as Business Editor Fran O' Sullivan pointed out, are getting increasingly sick of Ardern. O'Sullivan said in a business column last week that “the mood shift within the business sector has been moving against Ardern since late last year and has since spread more broadly.” So many of them won't be back. We know offshore Kiwis who got the border slammed shut in their face won't be back, the pensioners trapped overseas, the separated families, the businesses haemorrhaging without workers. It's doubtful many of them are ticking a red box again. So how has this Government, according to the latest poll, maintained its popularity? Either voters remain hoodwinked by them and sucked into the spin, or they don't care and would vote for this Government regardless of what it does or, no one's paying enough attention yet. I'd pick the latter.  But for the Sir Ian Taylor's, who've dealt with them at the coal face, there's first-hand experience of how not open honest and transparent they actually are. 

Sir Ian Taylor joined Tim Roxborugh and Tim Beverage to discuss why he hung up at the beginning of a conference call last Friday, and what he thinks of Dr Ayesha Verrall's reply. LISTEN ABOVE

So how awkward was the RAT kit announcement yesterday – that the Goverment's bought up 29 million more RATs from private company Kudu Spectrum.  I mean great, don't get me wrong, always great when much needed RATs are coming our way .. but super awkward when you've only got them because a private citizen (Sir Ian Taylor) hooked you up with the company who supplies them, and even then you waited two whole months to respond.  Kudu Spectrum were offering millions of tests, at way cheaper prices, two months ago. So, they'd be here by now, and at a better price. But as usual, the Government was too slow, too tardy, and now we're waiting, when they could've already been here.  If only the private sector were taken seriously at the time, when they showed the wherewithal to be more organised than the Government. As I said yesterday, the private sector knows how to strategize, they're smart, they're awash with contacts and resources, why doesn't this Government tap into them more often? And speaking of embarrassment, there's only so much bad international press this Government will stand. I mean they hate bad press in general, but especially on a global scale.  So no surprise to anyone that Charlotte Bellis has miraculously found herself not just an MIQ spot, but flight arrangements to go with it.  It only took a very pervasive global social and mainstream media campaign, and threats of a lawsuit, to suddenly get the MIQ doors thrown open for her.  The lawsuit, if you missed this development, was threatened after Chris Hipkins rather defensively and stupidly tried to shut down Bellis's claims by releasing personal details of hers, which she did not give consent for him to share. Bellis also claimed the details Hipkins shared were not even true.  Oh dear. So of course, she's got a spot no worries. As for all the other pregnant women who can't get wall to wall media and social media coverage, sorry, no deal. And that's the tragedy of all this. Have a platform, make a song and dance, get a result. Surely the only message here is that unless you're going to really publicly and internationally discredit and embarrass the Government, you're not going to get a spot. So an awkward week so far for the Government. Shamed into buying more RAT's - and buying them two months later than they could and should have, shamed by a pregnant Kiwi journo in Afghanistan who stuck it right up them on the world stage and got the result she needed – a capitulation from the power mad bureaucrats at MIQ and a ticket home. And tomorrow we potentially get the trifecta of shame, the announcement on reopening New Zealand. If the announcement is anything other than they're opening the border, then this will be a very sorry week indeed for the Government. 

Sir Ian Taylor joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels to talk about RAT test kits and the truth of working with the government. LISTEN ABOVE 

What a weird year for any government.  An historic election win, but it all came crashing down in August when Delta arrived – Auckland has had more than 100 days in lockdown.  So, with the traffic lights now in place, the borders gone – how does the government feel the year went? And what does 2022 have in store? We had a talk with Sir Ian Taylor yesterday, you'll likely know his thoughts on the MIQ process and such.  Here's what he said about what happens when business tries to pitch MIQ or Covid testing ideas to the Ministry of Health, what do you say to this? “Everywhere you turn it's the Ministry of Health that seems to block any discussion, and it is interesting that there are a number of business people I have talked to that have stepped up in support, there are a number of people working with government who have stepped up in support, but all of them feel threatened to speak out. Now that's not a democracy.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a weird year for any government.  An historic election win, but it all came crashing down in August when Delta arrived – Auckland has had more than 100 days in lockdown.  So, with the traffic lights now in place, the borders gone – how does the government feel the year went? And what does 2022 have in store? We had a talk with Sir Ian Taylor yesterday, you'll likely know his thoughts on the MIQ process and such.  Here's what he said about what happens when business tries to pitch MIQ or Covid testing ideas to the Ministry of Health, what do you say to this? “Everywhere you turn it's the Ministry of Health that seems to block any discussion, and it is interesting that there are a number of business people I have talked to that have stepped up in support, there are a number of people working with government who have stepped up in support, but all of them feel threatened to speak out. Now that's not a democracy.” LISTEN ABOVE 

The long-awaited announcement around MIQ was made yesterday and yet again, people with loved ones overseas, people who are desperate to travel for business - people who just want to get off the island have been told to wait.   ‘Eventually', ‘soon', ‘shortly', seemed to be the most used words in Chris Hipkins speech.  Sure, those who have been lucky enough to secure MIQ rooms will have their stay in isolation reduced. From November 14, they will spend just one week at their MIQ hotel, not fourteen days.  They will be able to isolate at home after seven days, provided they test negative throughout their stay.   But, Hipkins warned that reducing the stay didn't mean that the number of rooms available for Kiwis wanting to travel would double.  The rooms that WILL be freed up as a result of the shorter stays will be used to isolate community cases of Covid who are unable to travel at home.   No reviving of the trans-Tasman bubble, no self-quarantining at home for the fully-vaxxed until at least the first quarter next year and no hope for people stranded overseas without the possibility of securing work because their visas have expired. I tend to agree with Sir Ian Taylor - There's not a lot of forward thinking or innovation in the Government's plan. But then I guess the Government knows they're onto a winner.   It's shocked me how many people like being locked up and told what to do.  It's shocked me too how small minded so many people are.   I'd love to talk to the travellers, the explorers, the adventurers - those who were waiting desperately for some good news from the Government on MIQ and who were let down once again. 

Sir Ian Taylor became a household name as a television presenter in the 1980's notably for TV series 'Spot On'He founded Taylormade Media in 1989 as a television production company, before establishing Animation Research Limited the following year.  Animation Research quickly became one of the top computer animation companies in New Zealand and known internationally for its work, particularly in television advertising and sports graphics. He was inducted into the New Zealand Technology Hall of Fame in 2009, has been awarded New Zealander of the Year, and in January this year was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order or Merit for services to broadcasting, business and the community.  He was Simon Barnett and James Daniels' guest for this weeks Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVEAnd if you want to hear more of Sir Ian Taylor he appeared in Episode 1, Season 2 of Newstalk ZB's  HP Business Class podcast series talking about how he and his business continued to thrive during the bleak, early days of COVID. The episode is available at iHeart Radio.

Professional golfer Michael Hendry rang Simon Barnett and James Daniels to offer some of his suggestions for MIQ after Sir Ian Taylor's plan for MIQ was approved by the Government.LISTEN ABOVE

Interviews are with Sir Ian Taylor, Pita Alexander, Blair McLean, Mikela Dennison and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.

Celebrated innovator Sir Ian Taylor has been approved by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to run a privately funded trial to prove self-isolation can be done safely and effectively. He's calling it #151 Off the Bench as he wants to show an alternative to an overloaded MIQ system. He joins us to discuss how he got his bid over the line.

One of New Zealand's leading business entrepreneurs on #151 Off The Bench - his business travel trial that uses private MIQ. He will take a quick visit to the US in November, just time for a meeting about golf with Fox Sport in LA and another with Major League Baseball in San Francisco.

Good morning — and a special good morning to the South Island.  I see you. I know you're there.  Even if other people seem to have forgotten about you — I know it's important for those regions in stricter lockdowns to hear the news regarding their alert levels first but surely a — and that means the South Island must stay in Level 2 for the meantime — wouldn't have hurt.  Anyway, the news was pretty much what I expected to hear when I listened to ZB at 5.  Although I heard the collective groans of parents when the announcement was made that school-aged children would not be returning to school on the 18th.  Parents who've been hanging on, glancing up at the calendar on the wall when things get tough and counting down the days to the 18th, circled in red, must have despaired when they heard the kids would be staying home for the foreseeable.  And the children themselves — many of them must be yearning to get back to some sort of structure and routine, to be with their mates.  And that's just the kids who are safe and well, who are loved and have a warm home and food on the table.  What about those poor little tykes living in less than ideal homes?  Whose best meal of the day came with the school lunch provided for them?  There are about 158,000 children living in hardship in this country.  There'll be plenty more living in misery and I wonder how they are being protected and cared for — Oranga Tamariki is still working but that's only for the most extreme cases. So how is the welfare of children living in poverty being monitored?  I hope they're not forgotten.  And businesses — Michael Barnett says there should be a wider vaccine mandate to support businesses who are otherwise being left to police this on their own.  Heart of the City's Viv Beck says there needs to be a deadline for mandatory vaccine passports, to create urgency and focus.  Even epidemiologist Rod Jackson has said that businesses should have been given the mandate yesterday to introduce compulsory vaccinations for staff without fear of being prosecuted.  Job ads in Wellington increased by four per cent month on month and Canterbury by nine per cent — in Auckland, they dropped eight per cent. As Liam Dann wrote in the Herald the ongoing lockdown isn't sending NZ's economy off a cliff — but that doesn't mean long term damage isn't being done.  There were signs of hope that the government is finally listening to different sectors — the mandating of vaccinations in the education and health sector, permission for Sir Ian Taylor to trial his private MIQ system for international travel.  Common sense coming through. Let's hope we see more of that.

A delighted Sir Ian Taylor has been given approval by the Government to trial a private self-isolation system for international travel, designed to free up spaces in MIQ for returning Kiwis.The Animation Research founder received approval yesterday from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to run a privately funded trial that Taylor is calling #151 Off The Bench.He wants to prove he can fly from Dunedin to Auckland, on to Los Angeles and San Francisco, and return to New Zealand safely using the latest technologies available and without taking up a space in a hopelessly overloaded MIQ system.The approval is a victory for Taylor who has outlined his plans in a series of articles published in the Herald, saying his staff need to travel, like other business people, but they do not need to take up MIQ spaces and deprive other Kiwis from returning home.travellers privately will free up much-needed spaces in MIQ hotels. Photo / Michael CraigLast month when the Government announced 150 places for business people who wanted to run a private, self-isolation system, Taylor said he didn't want to take up one of those spots either. Instead he lobbied the Government to allow him to trial his own system, #151 Off The Bench, which he is convinced will be Covid-19 proof."We're not asking anything of MIQ. What we want to do is create a system that runs parallel. That means those people who don't have the kind of resources we have can get those bids and get home. I would feel terrible to take an MIQ slot, I wouldn't take one."His will be a quick visit to the US in November, just time for a meeting about golf with Fox Sport in LA and another with Major League Baseball in San Francisco. Taylor has a lot at stake, knowing that his trial will be very public and open to scrutiny."This is about doing a full-view test showing how businesses can operate in order to keep the economy running."If he can prove it works, he sees no reason why the "road map for the future" could not be expanded outside of business to include sports and cultural teams, Government officials, film crews who are currently taking up MIQ spaces.At aged 71, Taylor is well aware he's in the high-risk category if he caught Covid-19 despite his double vaccination."I'm well and truly in the danger zone, but this is how confident I am. Yes, I'm susceptible but that's why my mask is not coming off. That's why I've got the best mask you can buy, "he said."I will have tools and tests with me so I can test every day just to make sure I haven't picked it (Covid-19) up. I will not be going anywhere near a restaurant, or a cafe or a pub. I'm there for a meeting, and most importantly, I'm there to make sure I don't get Covid because otherwise I'm not coming home. I don't get on the plane until I prove I am negative."Once back in Auckland Taylor will then self-isolate in an hotel and will continue testing.Taylor paid tribute to how quickly the Government had accelerated his proposal, particularly Minister of Economic development, Stuart Nash, Associate Finance Minister David Parker and Carolyn Tremain, chief executive of MBIE."They have been really tremendous. When they saw my plan they were really interested in my idea and the technologies I was finding, especially the New Zealand-based one."Now Taylor will work with MBIE to merge his #151 plans with the 150 private business spots."The primary objective was to say "we're here to talk. Can we help?'Taylor hopes a private MIQ system will help open up the economy and give businesses needing to send staff overseas some surety. And he is confident #151 will work. His "road map" includes technology including a geo-fence watch that will act like a virtual fence around Taylor's room when he is self-isolating in Auckland on his return."That watch when I put it on my wrist, I can't take it off. The minute I take it off, alarm bells go off and you're in big trouble," he said."People in this scheme are not g...

Right now MIQ is a bigger risk to business than Covid-19 according to a leading entrepreneur who's detailed an alternative isolation plan in a bid to get businesses travelling again. The boss of Animation Research, Sir Ian Taylor, believes companies can be trusted to manage their own strict home isolation freeing up spots in MIQ for other returning New Zealanders. Sir Ian says companies have trimmed back but some overseas travel is essential to keeping business ticking over and he has been contacted by a list of business desperate for certainty around getting workers home. He has written a series of open letters to the government laying out a blow by blow pilot trip that he would be the guinea pig for, but so far says he has had no real response from the government.

It's been fascinating to watch the reaction to Sir John Key involving himself in the political debate around our Covid response. One of the more interesting hot takes was that John Key isn't reading the room right, which is to say he's not in step with public opinion.  Isn't he?  Feels to me like he's absolutely reading the room right when it comes to Auckland.  I gather this might be news to Wellington, but Auckland is angry. Auckland is over this lockdown.    Compliance is way down. The streets are busy. People are breaking bubbles outside cafes.  More than thirty people played a game of touch in mt roskill.  We've had reports of people having parties at their houses.  And that's just what ends up in the papers.  I really feel like the mood is changing.  John Key is only the latest high-profile kiwi to have a crack at the way the Covid response is being run.  Rob Fyfe did, Sir Ian Taylor did, Don Braid of Mainfreight did, 90% of the columnists in yesterday's papers did.  This wasn't happening six months ago.  The polls are shifting in opinion.  Remember that Herald poll showing support for elimination?  Well, only 46% of people wanted to keep endlessly eliminating.  A bigger number, 52% wanted us to drop elimination now or drop it after we got to 70% vaccination rate.  This weekend, Research NZ put out a poll showing 70% support for lockdowns.  But look closer. Two thirds of those people said they only support lockdowns until we get vaccinated.    People are getting the jab and moving on from lockdowns and elimination.    And it's making people frustrated or angry enough to have a crack at the Government.  Why?  At the heart of it, because they have no plan. They can't tell us what comes next.  They used to have a plan. The plan was keep using elimination until we get the jab rolled out.  Well, the jab is here but the plan hasn't been updated.  What comes next?  We have a vague idea that they'll reopen next year but what do we actually know?  When next year?  Could anywhere between 1 January and 31 March?  What does reopen mean?  It means doubled jabbed travellers might get shorter MIQ stays or stay at home. How short? Dunno. How many travellers? Dunno. Travellers from where? Dunno.  Do we stop using level 4 lockdowns if we get to 90% jab rate? Dunno.  Auckland's aiming for 90% by next Monday. But what happens if we do? Dunno.  Are we going to get to 90% by next Monday? No.    And what happens if we don't? Dunno.  Having no plan is not normal. Norway just dropped all covid restrictions in the third step of a four-step plan.  Australia has a four-step plan. NSW just announced more of their plan: when they get to 80% coverage they can travel to the regions.  Plans are a human need. You probably have a rough idea of what you'll be doing this time next year. What school the kids will go to, whether you want to buy a new house, what suburb that will be in, whether you want to change your job, what you might do in the school holidays.  Sir John Key's gripe was ultimately about the fact that we haven't updated the plan, which means there now is no plan.  That is frustrating everyone from Sir Ian Taylor, to closed business owners, to me.  Hasn't he read the room right? 

Sir John Key has come out over the weekend, slamming the government's slow response and lack of initiative from ministers over the slow rate of vaccination, MIQ and the use of fear to control the population.  Both Sunday papers carried his opinion piece and this morning he spoke to the MHB.The PM has responded that the government is already working on some of the suggestions from the former PM - but seriously, how and why are we working on these measures?  It's such an utterly reactive response when we've had the benefit of seeing what has happened overseas and what has worked.  The saliva tests for instance - you may have read Vererena Frederika Hasel's piece in the Herald.  A German psychologist who lives in New Zealand, she went to Germany to visit family and friends in May of this year.  And far from being a place ravaged and devastated by Covid, life was pretty much back to normal.  Like everyone else, we were entitled to a free rapid virus test every day. So we started our days with a visit to a testing centre in our neighbourhood, joining people who turned up in their gym clothes because they were just about to go on their morning run. Thirteen thousand testing centres had opened up all over the country, all of them fully funded by the government. We received the test results within 15 minutes on our mobiles.  New Zealand on the other hand feels frozen in time ever since I returned.Eighteen months into the pandemic, the government has not introduced the tools that have proved effective in stopping the spread of Covid-19 in other parts of the world.  The government still owes the public an explanation for why the vaccine rollout has been so maddeningly slow. It has never explained this nor has it apologised for it. They even claimed everything was going according to plan. The reality is: If people had been vaccinated sooner, this long Auckland lockdown would have been averted.Experts who act as advisors to the government have been a bit smug. Sir David Skegg accused other countries of having let New Zealand down.They could have gone down the elimination path but they chose not to, he said. But it is not as easy as that. Not every country is an island or is able or willing to close its borders. I am actually having a very hard time accepting the border closure here.  So add this voice of reason to that of Sir John Key's, to Sir Ian Taylor's, to Rob Fyfe's - these are not people who are mad granny killers, who want to throw New Zealanders to the wolf of Covid.  They just see a government who does not seem to be able to pivot the way it has asked businesses to do, a government that is bereft of ideas, that is anything but transparent and that only knows one simplistic way to manage a crisis.  And that's to shut everything down.  

A top businessman is urging the Government to ease demand on MIQ by allowing loosening travel restrictions.More than 25-thousand people logged into a virtual lobby today to clamour for one of three-thousand MIQ vouchers.It was the first room release in weeks -- and only four-thousand more will be released each fortnight until Christmas.Animation Research Limited Chief Executive Sir Ian Taylor says it's made it near impossible to send staff overseas.But Taylor says all of his staff are immunised and could be regularly tested while abroad.He says a chain of hotels have offered to step in for the workers to stay there for three days and be tested and cleared before returning. LISTEN ABOVE

Sir Ian Taylor is once again making a plea to the Government.As an experienced businessman, he says "the economy simply cannot afford to keep replaying the same level 4 restrictions that played out over the past couple of weeks, nor can businesses expect to operate successfully on the international playing fields with an MIQ system that simply has no rules they can play by."He'd like to see some experts on the team, coming off the bench, to get us re-engaged with the world.Sir Ian Taylor joined Kerre McIvor.LISTEN ABOVE

Sir Ian Taylor says we're better to just ignore comments by Troy Bowker.The Hurricanes part-owner described animation pioneer Taylor's support for calling the country Aotearoa - as "sucking up to the left Maori-loving agenda".All Blacks and Hurricanes star TJ Perenara has called that racist and insulting.Today, Parliament Speaker Trevor Mallard said he won't go to Hurricanes games, while Bowker's on the board.But Taylor says this doesn't need to turn into a big scrap.LISTEN ABOVE

The All Blacks halfback, TJ Perenara, says the mental, emotional and cultural safety of players cannot be maintained in the wake of comments from Hurricanes minority owner, Troy Bowker. Replying to a post by Sir Ian Taylor on Linkedin, which said New Zealand excelled on the water at the Olympics due to "our ancestral DNA" and features an image of a waka, Bowker said Sir Ian was "sucking up to the left Māori loving agenda". He also asked Sir Ian, "What percentage Māori are you?" TJ Perenara used social media to speak out about Bowker's comments, saying they were said with "underlying racism", and are "insulting". Former Black Ferns and Silver Ferns player and current Labour MP Louisa Wall spoke to Susie Ferguson.

All Black TJ Perenara says he's insulted by comments made by a Hurricanes director and owner - and says the team's supporters deserve better. Businessman Troy Bowker accused animation entrepreneur Sir Ian Taylor of "sucking up to the left-loving Maori agenda" on a Linkedin post. The Hurrricanes are distancing themselves from the comments but cannot cut ties with the man who made them. Aanei te kai ripoata a Māni Dunlop.

Hurricanes Rugby says it can't control the views of one of its owners after he accused a tech entrepreneur of 'sucking up to the left-loving Māori agenda'.  Animation Research founder Sir Ian Taylor reposted a Tom Scott cartoon celebrating New Zealand's success on the water at the Olympics.  The drawing referenced the influence of the original Polynesian sailors.  In his Linked In post Sir Ian wrote that the cartoon was a 'wonderful message' to people calling for a referendum on the name Aotearoa. But Wellington businessman and Hurricanes board member Troy Bowker took serious issue with it - calling the post a load of absolute nonsense, before suggesting Sir Ian was sucking up to Māori and denying his European heritage. He finished by questioning how "Māori" Sir Ian really was.  Hurricanes fans have taken to social media saying they won't attend future games while Bowker is on the board.  Sir Ian told RNZ's Māori News Director Māni Dunlop that trying to convince Bowker of mātauranga, or Māori knowledge, may be a waste of time.  Bowker says he stands by his comments.  In a statement, Hurricanes chair, Iain Potter, says it doesn't support the remarks in question.  But he says as a part owner of the Hurricanes, Bowker is entitled to a director's role and consequently, the club are not in a position to control his opinions.   

Taking the next America's Cup overseas could help put New Zealand on the map.The next regatta's already under discussion 24 hours after Emirates Team New Zealand won this one.A new Challenger of Record for the 37th America's Cup stepped forward before the boats returned to dock.It has been rumoured that the Royal Yacht Squadron behind INEOS Team UK is that challenger, and that Team New Zealand could take the fight for the Cup to the Isle of Wight. Sir Ian Taylor - who has done the on-screen racing graphics for decades - told Heather du Plessis-Allan taking the cup overseas could help showcase New Zealand and our sailing talent."Could we benefit by taking that valuable IP in one of the fastest boats ever built, putting it on the world where you can then expect 10, 12 teams respond."Can you imagine if we took this overseas as a New Zealand expo, and the expo was ours?" He says he has found the commentary around Team New Zealand's loyalty if they took the competition overseas is disappointing when they fought hard to get the Cup back to New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE

There were no augmented reality graphics projected on to yesterday's America's Cup broadcast images after a copyright stoush over the technology has led to a protest by the provider.Sir Ian Taylor decided to pull his company's Virtual Eye Live AR feature, which measures the distance between competing boats, for today's Prada Cup event.The graphics protest only lasted yesterday.Taylor's Animation Research company will not provide the technology to media production companies Circle-O and Riedel Communications for the broadcast after they paid a copyright fee to Sir Russell Coutts' competing SailGP company to continue to use the technology.Coutts' SailGP took legal steps earlier this week to stop Sir Ian Taylor's Animation Research graphics being used for the Prada Cup and the America's Cup.Coutts claimed his company owned copyright over the superimposed LiveLine graphics that are overlaid on live footage of racing action.Sir Russell Coutts. Photo / Getty ImagesIn an attempt to resolve the dispute, Circle-O and Riedel Communications yesterday decided to pay an appropriate IP licensing fee to Coutts' SailGP to settle the dispute.But Sir Ian Taylor was not happy with this pay out - insisting SailGP has no right to be paid for the technology."We have been forced to take this step, which will only apply to today's racing, because of the deal that Riedel and CircleO did with the Sir Russell Coutts owned company, SailGP, where they have agreed to pay a License Fee to SailGP for graphics we totally dispute that they own the copyright to," Taylor said today in a written statement."The graphics that were seen on the coverage yesterday are totally original works of ARL and we reject entirely the decisions taken by Riedel and CircleO to pay Sir Russell to give us the rights to use them.""We only found out about the deal when I was contacted by media yesterday asking me about a press release from SailGP that they had come to an agreement with Riedel and CircleO that they had withdrawn their claims because Riedel had paid Sail GP a license fee and in return Riedel and CircleO would now partner with Russell on the SailGP sailing event Russell set up after Emirates Team New Zealand won the Cup off him in Bermuda.""The one thing I agree with Sir Russell is that everyone has the right to protect their intellectual property. We invested $1million on developing this solution, and when you add that to the millions we have spent over the past 30 years, we have a lot to defend."Sir Ian Taylor, the founder of Animation Research. Photo / Dean PurcellInitial High Court action threatThe Herald this week broke the news that Coutts' sailing interests Oracle Racing and F50 League LLC, which trades as SailGP, had alleged copyright infringement over graphics used by Taylor's Animation Research Limited (ARL) during racing last month.The graphics allegedly used were what is known as the LiveLine system of augmented reality broadcasting, which were overlaid on live footage of racing action.The Coutts-led companies threatened High Court action if the graphics were used in broadcasting the 36th America's Cup, which Animation Research has been contracted to provide.The most successful helmsman in America's Cup history said he was wishing to "safeguard the IP [intellectual property] that we invested millions of dollars to develop over the last decade" but preferred not to be forced to use the courts.But Taylor disputes the claim. He says the two Coutts-led companies are asserting copyright based on imagery ARL created in 1992 and that has been used in every America's Cup since then - including in 1995 when Coutts famously made "the America's Cup, New Zealand's Cup"."We have delivered those graphics for events where he has also raced against New Zealand, starting with him taking the Cup away from New Zealand with Alinghi (Switzerland) in 2003 and then winning it off Alinghi for BMW Oracle (USA) in 2010," Taylor said.Taylor, who was recen...

Ian Taylor says he could have ended up a washed-up rock singer if it wasn't for a meeting in 1989, which led him down the path to found his business Animation Research 30 years ago.That meeting was with Otago University professor Geoff Wyvill who told Taylor the future was about going digital."I had no idea what he was talking about."Wyvill gave Taylor his four top students and together they created a company that has revolutionised the viewing of golf, cricket, yachting, motor sport and baseball with 3D, data-driven graphics over live pictures from the Virtual Eye sports division."I wouldn't be here today if I hadn't met Geoff, this would never have happened."Taylor attributes the team behind him for being made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and recognised for his services to broadcasting, business and the community."This would never have happened without those people."Taylor, who describes himself as a story-teller, shared the good news with his team on Wednesday and says he wanted them to hear it from him first."It is just wonderful."He will celebrate with a traditional BBQ, which he holds every New Year with friends and family in Wanaka. "We will just do what we did last year."Taylor mulled over whether he wanted to be called "Sir" but said it came with accepting the honour."If you are going to say yes you have to respect the honour that it is. I'm very honoured to accept it."But he says he has been Ian for the past 70 years and that's not likely to change."I imagine I will get a ribbing for a few weeks then it will go back to Ian."Taylor was born in Northland's Kaeo in a house without power and brought up in the East Coast Raupunga community of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngapuhi descent.His path to success was far from straight-forward.Taylor dropped out of a business degree at Victoria University in 1968 to join rock band Kal-Q-Lated Risk.After four years with the band and a stint of compulsory army training at Waiouru, the jobless Taylor was drawn back to Dunedin. "When I had been in the Risk, we travelled all over the country and the best place we played in was Dunedin — the Ag Hall and Ocean Beach Hotel."Taylor worked as a forklift driver at Speights Brewery. then as a presenter on the children's TV programme Play School while completing a law degree at Otago University. He was about to become a lawyer when he was offered a full-time job as a presenter on the children's magazine programme Spot On.Taylor worked as a presenter, producer, writer and director for TVNZ between 1977 and 1989. He produced documentaries including Pieces of Eight, the inside story of the New Zealand Rowing Eight at the 1984 Olympic Games; Aramoana, a documentary told by those directly involved in the David Gray shootings; and Innocent Until, the inside story of the defence team for David Bain at his first trial.In 1989 Taylor was offered a current affairs job in Wellington but couldn't bring himself to leave Dunedin. Instead, he formed Taylormade Productions, making regional television commercials and corporate videos.When TVNZ closed its Dunedin studios, Taylor bought them with a $500,000 bank loan and made children's television shows.Animation Research was founded when Taylor met Wyvill who ran the Computer Science Department and computer graphics laboratory at Otago University.Taylormade Productions formed Animation Research with the university in one of the first attempts to turn academic intellectual property into a commercial activity, and then later Taylormade bought all the university shares.The original students, Craig McNaughton, Paul Sharp and Stu Smith, are still working at Animation Research 30 years later.Its first TV advertising images included the Bluebird water-skiing penguin, seagulls on a Cook Strait fast ferry, and gannets forming a koru.This year the business had to tackle the issue of not being able to travel to sports tournaments and can now cover sport remotely from Duned...