Shared Lunch

• How Ventia invisibly powers your life

  You may not know it, but you’ve probably used a Ventia service today. Dean Banks, Managing Director and Group CEO, tells us how the essential infrastructure giant manages the assets that power daily life, like water, transport, and telecommunications. Dean explains the advantages of being a broad portfolio business across Australia and New Zealand, and how the company’s sheer size helps them gather the data to deliver cost savings for customers. Hear how Ventia hopes to get a bigger piece of the $100 billion energy opportunity, and new five-year contract awards in telecommunications. Dean reveals why in a volatile era, what he terms "boring reliability" is a big advantage, with a focus on keeping their 35,000 employees safe, and defending against cyber threats as a major government contractor. Plus, how Ventia's telecommunications expertise is being used in space, with telescopes in the deserts of Western Australia to take “pictures of the past". For more or to watch on YouTube—check out http://linktr.ee/sharedlunch Shared Lunch is brought to you by Sharesies Australia Limited (ABN 94 648 811 830; AFSL 529893) in Australia and Sharesies Limited (NZ) in New Zealand. It is not financial advice. Information provided is general only and current at the time it’s provided, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. We do not provide recommendations and you should always read the disclosure documents available from the product issuer before making a financial decision. Our disclosure documents and terms and conditions—including a Target Market Determination and IDPS Guide for Sharesies Australian customers—can be found on our relevant Australian or NZ website. Investing involves risk. You might lose the money you start with. If you require financial advice, you should consider speaking with a qualified financial advisor. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Appearance on Shared Lunch is not an endorsement by Sharesies of the views of the presenters, guests, or the entities they represent. Their views are their own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• The Kiwi robotics company you might not have heard of

  We’re at Rocklabs with Mike Christman, CEO of Scott Technology — the 112-year-old Kiwi engineering company that specialises in the design and manufacture of automated production and robotics. Mike explains how the company is transforming mining, protein processing, logistics, and appliance manufacturing by replacing manual tasks with AI-driven, automated systems. He shares why margins are improving, what’s behind the company’s “Destination 2030” plan,and why the biggest barrier to automation isn’t competitors — it’s customer mindset. Plus, Mike’s personal journey from London to New Zealand, and plans for the company to become far more visible to investors. For more or to watch on YouTube—check out http://linktr.ee/sharedlunch Recorded on 22nd October 2025 - All commentary reflects the timing of the original conversation. Shared Lunch is brought to you by Sharesies Australia Limited (ABN 94 648 811 830; AFSL 529893) in Australia and Sharesies Limited (NZ) in New Zealand. It is not financial advice. Information provided is general only and current at the time it’s provided, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. We do not provide recommendations and you should always read the disclosure documents available from the product issuer before making a financial decision. Our disclosure documents and terms and conditions—including a Target Market Determination and IDPS Guide for Sharesies Australian customers—can be found on our relevant Australian or NZ website. Investing involves risk. You might lose the money you start with. If you require financial advice, you should consider speaking with a qualified financial advisor. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Appearance on Shared Lunch is not an endorsement by Sharesies of the views of the presenters, guests, or the entities they represent. Their views are their own. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Can you spend your way to wealth?

  Can spending money actually build your long-term wealth? Sharesies says yes. Scott Nixon, GM Sharesies Personal, and Ruth Riviere, Country Manager for Mastercard, are talking about Spend (AKA the Sharesies debit card) and the Investback reward system that earns 1% investments as you spend. Scott explains how day-to-day money management is a big part of wealth, how payments factor into Sharesies’ bigger vision, and Mastercard's role in creating network access. Why is NZ’s digital payments adoption lower than in Australia and Europe? Why is now such a crucial moment for new tech to challenge the country's consolidated retail banking environment? Plus, hear about anti-fraud innovations like tokenization, biometrics, and numberless cards. For more or to watch on YouTube—check out http://linktr.ee/sharedlunchShared Lunch is brought to you by Sharesies Australia Limited (ABN 94 648 811 830; AFSL 529893) in Australia and Sharesies Limited (NZ) in New Zealand. It is not financial advice. Information provided is general only and current at the time it’s provided, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. We do not provide recommendations and you should always read the disclosure documents available from the product issuer before making a financial decision. Our disclosure documents and terms and conditions—including a Target Market Determination and IDPS Guide for Sharesies Australian customers—can be found on our relevant Australian or NZ website. Investing involves risk. You might lose the money you start with. If you require financial advice, you should consider speaking with a qualified financial advisor. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Appearance on Shared Lunch is not an endorsement by Sharesies of the views of the presenters, guests, or the entities they represent. Their views are their own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Bite: Gold. Still a safe haven?

  Gold took off this year, fuelled by inflation fears, geopolitical tension, and a wave of investor enthusiasm. Jacki Neumann recently spoke to Michelle Lopez from PIE funds and asked is it grounded in fundamentals and can it keep its safe-haven status through volatility? This bite is from our episode 'What's going on with the ASX?'For more or to watch on YouTube—check out http://linktr.ee/sharedlunch Shared Lunch is brought to you by Sharesies Australia Limited (ABN 94 648 811 830; AFSL 529893) in Australia and Sharesies Limited (NZ) in New Zealand. It is not financial advice. Information provided is general only and current at the time it’s provided, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. We do not provide recommendations and you should always read the disclosure documents available from the product issuer before making a financial decision. Our disclosure documents and terms and conditions—including a Target Market Determination and IDPS Guide for Sharesies Australian customers—can be found on our relevant Australian or NZ website. Investing involves risk. You might lose the money you start with. If you require financial advice, you should consider speaking with a qualified financial advisor. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Appearance on Shared Lunch is not an endorsement by Sharesies of the views of the presenters, guests, or the entities they represent. Their views are their own. PIE Funds Management Limited is the manager and issuer of the funds in the PIE Funds Management Scheme (the Schemes). The product disclosure statements for the Schemes are available at: www.piefunds.co.nz/investor-documents.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Crypto Convos: Behind Sharesies Crypto (Your questions answered!)

  To wrap up the week, we’re taking questions from you! The team behind Sharesies Crypto answers audience queries on crypto’s role in a diversified portfolio, what features they’re working on, how assets are stored in Sharesies Crypto, and your tax responsibilities.For more or to watch on YouTube—check out http://linktr.ee/sharedlunch Sharesies Crypto is offered by Sharesies Crypto Limited and is only available in NZ. Crypto is different to other types of investments and has different risks. Crypto is generally considered a high-risk investment, which means it carries potential for higher returns, but also carries higher potential for loss. It’s not suitable for everyone, especially if you’re uncomfortable with the potential of losing some or all of your investment. You should consider your financial goals, risk appetite, investment timeframe, and overall portfolio before investing in crypto. Shared Lunch is brought to you by Sharesies Limited (NZ) in New Zealand. It is not financial advice. Information provided is general only and current at the time it’s provided, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. We do not provide recommendations and you should always read the disclosure documents available from the product issuer before making a financial decision. Our disclosure documents and terms and conditions can be found on our NZ website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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