NZX Opening Bell

Hosted by NZX

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Episodes

127

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

In our Opening Bell podcast we aim to provide a snapshot into what's happening within our economy, the capital markets, our organisation as New Zealand's Exchange, and our community. Featuring a range of industry leaders, each podcast is packed with trends, insights and learning opportunities.

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60 recent

June 10, 202640 min

Building the Backbone of Tomorrow's Economy - Infratil CEO Jason Boyes

From data centers and renewable energy to airports and telco, the infrastructure behind tomorrow's economy doesn't build itself.Jason Boyes, CEO of Infratil, joins us on the Opening Bell podcast. Infratil is one of New Zealand's largest listed companies, investing in infrastructure businesses across the world. Data centers in Australia and the UK, renewable energy in the US, Wellington Airport and One NZ here at home.Jason talks about the decision to invest in data centres and renewable energy long before the AI boom, how they build a portfolio that balances reliable cash flow with forward looking bets, knowing when to cut an investment that isn't working and learning from mistakes, and a project that could see solar energy shipped from an Indonesian island into Singapore.

June 1, 202626 min

Finding Opportunity When Everything Is Uncertain - PIMCO's Sachin Gupta

With volatile markets back in the headlines and the global landscape shifting fast, one of the world's biggest asset classes is quietly becoming one of the most interesting. Sachin Gupta, portfolio manager at PIMCO, joins us on the Opening Bell Podcast to talk about the case for global fixed income right now, what the current geopolitical situation means for inflation and interest rates, and how New Zealand investors should be thinking about bonds as part of a balanced portfolio. He is joined in studio by Blake Etheridge, senior portfolio manager at Smartshares, who adds a local perspective on where New Zealand sits in the current global picture.Together they cover why the bond market is more interesting today than it has been in a generation, how to think about the inflation risks ahead, and why a globally diversified fixed income allocation matters more than ever for Kiwi investors.Disclaimer: Smartshares Limited is the issuer and manager of the Smart Exchange Traded Funds and the SuperLife range of managed investment schemes. The product disclosure statements are available at smartinvest.co.nz and superlife.co.nz/legal.

April 29, 202619 min

Behind the Tech Powering Global Trade - TradeWindow's CSO Andrew Balgarnie

Global trade is the largest commercial arena in the world, and the technology behind it is changing fast.Andrew Balgarnie, Chief Strategy Officer at TradeWindow, joins us on the Opening Bell podcast to talk about the NZX listed trade and logistics software company helping some of New Zealand and Australia's biggest exporters and freight forwarders get their goods out to the world. We talk about what's driving their growth, their push into the Australian market, and a new AI powered product that could change the way goods move across borders.This podcast was recorded 17 March.

April 8, 202617 min

Different Crisis, Same Playbook - Managing Director of Amova Asset Management Stuart Williams

Markets are moving, headlines are noisy, and investors are looking for a steady hand to help make sense of it all.Stuart Williams, Managing Director of Amova Asset Management New Zealand, has spent close to 30 years navigating financial markets through some of the biggest shocks in modern history. In this episode, Stu talks us through how the current geopolitical situation compares to past crises, why he believes New Zealand's economic settings are stronger than they might appear, and where he's seeing real opportunity across equities and bonds.We also get into the KiwiSaver contribution increase, what it means for investors, and why it could be a game changer for New Zealand markets long term.

February 25, 202630 min

The State of Kiwi Tech in 2026 - Chair of the NZ High Tech Trust Marian Johnson

New Zealand's tech ecosystem is evolving faster than ever, and in this episode we sit down with one of the people at the very heart of it.Marian Johnson, Chair of the NZ High Tech Trust, gives her take on the state of Kiwi tech in 2026. From the sectors leading the charge including aerospace, clean tech, biotech and AI, to why New Zealand's unique "go global from day one" mindset sets us apart on the world stage, Marian brings a perspective that is both globally informed and deeply rooted in New Zealand.We also get into the much anticipated NZ High Tech Awards, what makes them special, what surprises her every year, and why she calls it the Oscars of the New Zealand tech industry.Entries for the NZ High Tech Awards close 5pm on 2 March 2026. The Gala Dinner takes place Friday 22 May. To enter or grab tickets before they sell out, head to hitech.org.nz

January 14, 202627 min

The Best Place to Find Gold - Minerals Exploration Ltd (MEX) Brett Mitchell - (Formerly Uvre)

In the latest episode of the Opening Bell Podcast, we are joined by Brett Mitchell, Executive Director of Minerals Exploration Limited, to discuss the renewed focus on New Zealand gold.With the company now listed on the NZX, Brett shares why former producing mines are back in focus, how changing market conditions are reshaping mining opportunities in NZ, and what lies ahead as exploration activity ramps up.

December 17, 202524 min

The Long Term Investor’s Playbook - AFIC's Mark Freeman Returns

In the latest episode of the Opening Bell Podcast, we are joined by Mark Freeman, Managing Director and CEO of Australian Foundation Investment Company (AFIC).AFIC is a publicly listed investment company on the NZX, offering investors exposure to a broad portfolio of predominantly Australian and New Zealand companies through a long term, buy and hold approach.Mark shares a clear and disciplined perspective on long term investing, what defines a quality company, and why volatility can create opportunity for patient investors.The conversation also covers navigating market uncertainty in 2025, separating signal from noise in areas like AI and crypto, and how a consistent investment framework helps guide decisions across local and global markets.Mark also shares his outlook for 2026 and what he is keeping an eye on.

November 26, 202530 min

The CEO Behind New Zealand's First Bitcoin Treasury: Locate Technologies - Steve Orenstein

In this episode of the Opening Bell Podcast, we speak with Steve Orenstein, Founder and CEO of Locate Technologies.Steve shares the early story of Locate Technologies, from identifying a simple problem to building a platform now used by businesses worldwide. We talk about the process of developing a business, from attracting customers, to getting feedback, to promoting the end product.We also explore Locate’s move from the ASX to the NZX and the thinking behind becoming the first NZX-listed company to adopt a Bitcoin treasury strategy. Steve explains why he believes Bitcoin will play a meaningful role in the company’s future and how it fits into their approach to technology and value.Disclaimer:This podcast is for general information only and is not financial advice. Please seek guidance from a licensed financial advice provider before making investment decisions.

November 19, 202532 min

Why Listening Matters: The Secret Behind PaySauce’s NZ Growth and Australian Expansion

In this episode, we sit down with PaySauce founder and CEO, Asantha Wijeyeratne, to explore how a customer-first mindset has shaped one of New Zealand’s most innovative companies. What began with helping farmers with minimum-wage compliance challenges has grown into a platform supporting small and micro-businesses across the country.We discuss how PaySauce builds technology around real customer problems, why word of mouth has become a powerful driver of their growth, and how simplicity remains core to their product design. Asantha also shares his approach to expansion into Australia, including why local insight and customer engagement are critical as the company enters a new market.

September 4, 202529 min

Reinventing Refrigeration: The Kiwi Tech Company Behind 3 Million Fridges

From supermarkets to corner stores to restaurants, refrigeration is the invisible backbone of the food supply chain. New Zealand company AoFrio is at the centre of it, with technology powering more than 3 million fridges worldwide.In this episode of the Opening Bell Podcast, CEO Greg Balla and Vice President of Product Genevieve Clark share AoFrio’s journey from a Kiwi innovator to a global leader. They discuss the latest innovations in refrigeration technology, how data and AI are changing the way food and drinks are kept safe, and their ambitions to expand further into major markets overseas.Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only and is not financial advice. Please seek guidance from a licensed financial advice provider before making investment decisions.