NZX Opening Bell

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

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.

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.

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.

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.