Notes From The Executive

AcademyEx
Stop waiting on developers, build it yourself with AI. Download Free Guide 👉
https://shorturl.at/EgyAj
Course Starts 17 September (Applications Close 10 September)
·
New Zealand spends about as much on petrol and diesel as it earns exporting concentrated milk. Mike Casey says that money leaves the country, and most of it does not have to.
·
He runs a cherry orchard in Central Otago on 21 electric machines, and a $50,000 diesel bill became a $25,000 revenue stream before financing costs. I asked him what the payback actually looks like machine by machine, what it cost to get there, and what a business owner with a leased warehouse and no roof access is supposed to do instead.
·
What I Asked Mike
👉 How much money does New Zealand lose every year buying fuel from offshore?
👉 What did it actually cost to electrify 21 machines?
👉 What is the real payback period, machine by machine?
👉 What can you do if you lease your building and cannot touch the roof?
👉 Who should not do this?
·
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:08 how does a business get paid for its power
09:49 what does it cost to electrify 21 machines
11:46 which machines save the most money
17:59 why stay on the grid if you generate your own power
20:01 how do solar unit economics compare to diesel
22:26 what is the real payback on solar and batteries
24:36 how do I get a bank to finance solar
26:08 what can I do if I lease my building
27:40 who should not electrify
54:22 how much money does a nine hectare orchard make
58:02 how much does New Zealand spend on foreign fuel
1:03:45 why can't small businesses get finance for solar
1:07:31 why is New Zealand behind Australia on rooftop solar
1:12:44 what would fix this for the whole country
·
Mike Casey is chief executive of Rewiring Aotearoa and co-owner of Forest Lodge Orchard at Mt Pisa, between Cromwell and Wanaka. He co-founded GradConnection, an Australian student job board sold to SEEK in 2019, then moved home and planted 9,300 cherry trees with his wife Rebecca and business partners Euan and Rachel White.
·
Follow Mike Casey
Rewiring Aotearoa https://www.rewiring.nz
·
Follow Me
Mina on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast
Mina on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp
Mina on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812
Mina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/
Mina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso

·
Notes From The Executive is New Zealand's no-BS business and entrepreneurship podcast for owners of established companies who want to grow faster, protect their margin, and build something worth selling.

<p><strong>AcademyEx</strong><br>Build Business Software Using AI (without becoming a coder)<br>&#128073; Download Free Guide: <a href="https://academyex.com/courses/micro-credential/understanding-software-development-processes-and-tools-micro-credential/">https://academyex.com/courses/micro-credential/understanding-software-development-processes-and-tools-micro-credential/</a><br>Course Starts 17 September (Applications Close 10 September)</p><p>·</p><p><strong>Pwrfully</strong><br>Get Recognised and speak to your ideal market on podcasts. Start for Free &#128073; <a href="https://www.pwrfully.com/bookacall">https://www.pwrfully.com/bookacall</a></p><p>·</p><p>Data centres are not a technology story. Greg Cross calls them the infrastructure of the AI economy, in the same way dams and power lines were the infrastructure of the electrical one. His view on where New Zealand sits: very late to the party, with a pretty embarrassing record on infrastructure decisions behind us.</p><p>·</p><p>Greg co-founded Soul Machines in 2016 with Dr Mark Sagar, the two-time Academy Award winner behind the facial animation work in Avatar and King Kong. The University of Auckland spinout raised more than US135 million dollars, about NZ225 million dollars, and worked with Pfizer, General Motors and the golfer Jack Nicklaus.</p><p>·</p><p><strong>What I Asked Greg</strong><br>&#128073; Is New Zealand already too late on data centres<br>&#128073; What does being late actually cost someone running a business here<br>&#128073; Are AI data centres going to make power more expensive for the average Kiwi<br>&#128073; Who owns your business data once it gets processed offshore<br>&#128073; Is AI really the reason big companies are laying people off</p><p>·</p><p><strong>Follow Me</strong><br>Mina on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast">https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast</a><br>Mina on Spotify <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp">https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp</a><br>Mina on Apple Podcasts <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812">https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812</a><br>Mina on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/">https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/</a><br>Mina on LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso">https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso</a></p><p>·</p><p><strong>Follow Greg Cross</strong><br>LinkedIn: Greg Cross NZ<br>Email: greg@crossventures.co.nz</p><p>·</p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong><br>00:00 Intro<br>05:57 Why are data centres infrastructure and not technology<br>08:33 Why do we keep getting infrastructure decisions wrong<br>15:45 Who owns your data in an AI world<br>37:12 What does all of this mean for a business owner<br>49:05 How did a New Zealand company raise 225 million dollars<br>59:07 Why does raising a lot of money not make you safe<br>1:10:43 Why did the company go into receivership<br>1:43:49 Is AI a growth tool or a cost cutting excuse<br>1:48:39 How to contact Greg Cross</p><p>·</p><p>Notes From The Executive is New Zealand's no-BS business and entrepreneurship podcast for owners running established companies.</p><p>·</p><p>Data centres are the infrastructure of the AI economy and New Zealand is late. I asked Greg Cross what that costs an owner running a real business here, and who holds your data once it is processed offshore. If you follow the New Zealand economy, power prices, data centres or AI adoption in NZ, start here. Grab my free list of NZ podcasts to get booked on: https://pwrfully.com/freepodcasts?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=freelist</p>

<p>Eight of his first ten deals this year went to people who already owned a business. Why do buyers keep losing the good ones?</p>
<p><strong>AcademyEx</strong><br>Build your own software (without coding) at <a href="https://academyex.com/courses/micro-credential/understanding-software-development-processes-and-tools-micro-credential/">https://academyex.com/courses/micro-credential/understanding-software-development-processes-and-tools-micro-credential/</a><br>Course Starts 17 September (Applications Close 10 September)</p>
<p><strong>Pwrfully</strong><br>Get Recognised and speak to your ideal market on podcasts. Start for Free <a href="https://www.pwrfully.com/bookacall">https://www.pwrfully.com/bookacall</a></p>
<p>Mike Ponsonby is a business broker with Kakapo Business Sales, in his tenth year in the industry. He sells New Zealand businesses in the $500,000 to $10 million range. Most of his work sits in trades and services, transport and logistics, and food distribution.</p>
<p>He did the same number of transactions in the first six months of 2026 as in all of 2025, and calls it a once in a decade year. Of his first ten deals this year, eight went to people who already owned a business. Two went to first time buyers.</p>
<p><strong>What I Asked Mike</strong><br>Is now a good time to buy a business, or is that just what brokers say<br>Why do experienced owners keep beating first time buyers to the good deals<br>How do I know if a business is worth what they are asking<br>What should I check about the seller, not just the numbers<br>What costs a buyer most in the first six months</p>
<p><strong>Chapters</strong><br>0:00:00 What happens if you buy the wrong one<br>0:01:38 Is it a good time to buy a business<br>0:05:54 Why it is a seller's market<br>0:06:34 Which businesses are hardest to buy<br>0:10:22 Why people sell a business that makes money<br>0:12:44 Buying into an industry you do not know<br>0:19:07 Who is actually buying businesses<br>0:22:48 When to walk away from a deal<br>0:28:37 How to work out what a business is worth<br>0:37:46 What to ask before you buy<br>0:43:22 How to spot dodgy financials<br>0:46:13 What to check about the seller<br>0:50:03 Keeping staff after you buy<br>0:53:38 NZ business sales in 2026<br>1:02:22 What to do two years before you sell<br>1:03:43 How fuel costs are hitting NZ operators<br>1:04:28 Where to find Mike Ponsonby</p>
<p><strong>Follow Mike</strong><br><a href="https://kakapobusiness.co.nz/team/mikeponsonby">https://kakapobusiness.co.nz/team/mikeponsonby</a></p>
<p><strong>Follow Me</strong><br>YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast">https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast</a><br>Spotify <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp">https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp</a><br>Apple <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812">https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812</a><br>Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/">https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/</a><br>LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso">https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso</a></p>
<p>Notes From The Executive is New Zealand's no-BS business podcast for owners running established companies, one million to ten million dollars in revenue, five to fifty staff.</p>
<p>Mike says there is an undersupply of good businesses in the one to three million band, and experienced buyers keep getting them under contract first. If you want to know what buying a business NZ involves, what a business valuation NZ is built on, and where the NZ business outlook sits for 2026, watch this one. Grab my free list of NZ podcasts to get booked on: <a href="https://pwrfully.com/freepodcasts?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=freelist">https://pwrfully.com/freepodcasts?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=freelist</a></p>

<p>I asked eight people whether New Zealand is actually broke, or whether that is a false narrative. They do not agree with each other, the question is, do you?</p>
<p><strong>AcademyEx</strong><br>Build your own software (without coding) at <a href="https://academyex.com/courses/micro-credential/understanding-software-development-processes-and-tools-micro-credential/">https://academyex.com/courses/micro-credential/understanding-software-development-processes-and-tools-micro-credential/</a></p>
<p><strong>Pwrfully</strong><br>If you're a business owner who is lacking visibility book a call to discuss your options at <a href="https://www.pwrfully.com/bookacall">https://www.pwrfully.com/bookacall</a></p>
<p><strong>Watch The Full Episodes</strong><br>Phil O'Reilly ONZM <a href="https://youtu.be/smuSEOkp6lg">https://youtu.be/smuSEOkp6lg</a><br>Damien Grant <a href="https://youtu.be/pz-btE8ge1M">https://youtu.be/pz-btE8ge1M</a><br>Bernard Hickey <a href="https://youtu.be/BktT8wXe-2w">https://youtu.be/BktT8wXe-2w</a><br>Nick Tuffley <a href="https://youtu.be/dS_qDECbCV4">https://youtu.be/dS_qDECbCV4</a><br>Shamubeel Eaqub <a href="https://youtu.be/96TvHjL5a0M">https://youtu.be/96TvHjL5a0M</a><br>Paul Spoonley <a href="https://youtu.be/ex4fQY5zDaA">https://youtu.be/ex4fQY5zDaA</a><br>Luke Kemeys <a href="https://youtu.be/3y2CXX5Yx-A">https://youtu.be/3y2CXX5Yx-A</a><br>Simon Bridges <a href="https://youtu.be/np6gYsXroLQ">https://youtu.be/np6gYsXroLQ</a></p>
<p><strong>Follow Me</strong><br>YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast">https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast</a><br>Spotify <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp">https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp</a><br>Apple <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812">https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812</a><br>Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/">https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/</a><br>LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso">https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso</a></p>
<p><strong>Timestamps</strong><br>0:00 Are we actually broke as a country<br>1:27 What is the myth New Zealand keeps telling itself<br>1:42 How bad is this compared to the global financial crisis<br>5:34 Why is this still a housing market with bits tacked on<br>6:20 Is a real economy beyond housing just a myth<br>9:29 Why can a business only borrow against the owner's house<br>11:34 What do you do when you cannot pay the tax bill<br>14:38 How many New Zealanders are actually leaving<br>23:42 Why one father tells his own daughters to leave</p>
<p>Nick Tuffley is Chief Economist at ASB.<br><br>Shamubeel Eaqub is Chief Economist at Simplicity.<br><br>Bernard Hickey is an economist and journalist at The Kākā.<br><br>Phil O'Reilly ONZM is Managing Director of Iron Duke Partners.<br><br>Damien Grant is a liquidator at Waterstone Insolvency.<br><br>Paul Spoonley is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Massey University.<br><br>Luke Kemeys is a director and accountant at Next Advisory.<br><br>Simon Bridges is Chief Executive of the Auckland Business Chamber and a former Minister of Energy.</p>
<p>Nick Tuffley rates this shock nine out of ten, against six or seven for the global financial crisis. Unemployment hit 5.6 percent in the June 2026 quarter, the highest since 2015, and liquidations sit at a fifteen year high. If you want the New Zealand economy explained without spin, the New Zealand recession in plain terms, or a straight answer on cost of living and the New Zealand housing market, this is the episode. Grab my free list of NZ podcasts to get booked on: <a href="https://pwrfully.com/freepodcasts?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=freelist">https://pwrfully.com/freepodcasts?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=freelist</a></p>

<p><strong>AcademyEx</strong><br>Build Business Software Using AI Tools (without becoming a professional developer). With AcademyEx Program. Sign up &#128073; <a href="https://academyex.com/courses/micro-credential/understanding-software-development-processes-and-tools-micro-credential/">https://academyex.com/courses/micro-credential/understanding-software-development-processes-and-tools-micro-credential/</a><br>Course Starts 17 September (Applications Close 10 September)</p>

<p><strong>Pwrfully</strong><br>Get Recognised and speak to your ideal market on podcasts. Start for Free <a href="https://www.pwrfully.com/bookacall">https://www.pwrfully.com/bookacall</a></p>

<p>Richard Conway moved from the United Kingdom to New Zealand in 2009 and founded Pure SEO the same year, building it into one of the country's largest independent search agencies. He is now founder and chief executive of The Optimisers.</p>

<p>He won Gold for Service to the Industry at the Interactive Advertising Bureau New Zealand awards in 2023, and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2026. His argument here: ranking first on Google no longer guarantees you appear in a large language model answer, and the brands that survive build trust signals instead of buying shortcuts.</p>

<p><strong>What I Asked Richard</strong><br>How are you actually using artificial intelligence to make money?<br>What separates using AI well from using it dangerously?<br>What mistakes are business owners making right now?<br>How do you track whether any of it is working?<br>How do you play the long game instead of the short game?</p>

<p><strong>Chapters</strong><br>00:00 Why being high on Google may not be enough now<br>01:58 How do business owners use AI day to day<br>02:50 When does using AI become dangerous<br>04:27 How do you rebuild a business system from scratch<br>06:00 Should you let AI make your sales calls<br>13:53 How do you build something with no coding skill<br>22:00 What is zero click shopping<br>26:44 Why does trust decide who AI recommends<br>30:20 Who is gaming Reddit to appear in AI answers<br>35:13 Why unique data beats weekly blog posts<br>42:21 Can a small business do this without an agency<br>49:47 What should every business owner do first</p>

<p><strong>Follow Richard</strong><br>The Optimisers <a href="https://theoptimisers.com">https://theoptimisers.com</a><br>LinkedIn <a href="https://nz.linkedin.com/in/pureseo">https://nz.linkedin.com/in/pureseo</a></p>

<p><strong>Follow Me</strong><br>YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast">https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast</a><br>Spotify <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp">https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp</a><br>Apple <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812">https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812</a><br>Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/">https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/</a><br>LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso">https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso</a></p>

<p>I sat down with Richard Conway to work out what changes when a machine, not a person, picks the supplier. Semrush data puts Reddit in about 40 percent of AI answers. In February 2026 Mastercard and Westpac completed New Zealand's first authenticated agent-led payments. He told me an industry exists to spam Reddit and plant businesses inside AI answers, and it will reach New Zealand. Covers AI search, generative engine optimisation, zero click shopping and NZ business marketing. Grab my free list of NZ podcasts to get booked on: <a href="https://pwrfully.com/freepodcasts?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=freelist">https://pwrfully.com/freepodcasts?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=freelist</a></p>