The Monday Call

Sir Bill English has spent more than three decades at the centre of New Zealand’s biggest economic and policy decisions — as Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and now a leader in business. Few better understand what drives national success and where New Zealand’s opportunities lie.

In a conversation spanning productivity, infrastructure and education, Bill will share his perspective on lifting living standards, strengthening our economy and competing globally. He will explore the role of business, the lessons government should learn, and the changes needed to unlock the country's potential.

With an election fast approaching, join the Monday Call team for a timely discussion with one of New Zealand’s most respected economic leaders. Hear why Bill remains optimistic, what leaders should focus on, and how we can build a more prosperous future.

Tim Draper is one of the defining investors of the modern era. Founder of Draper Associates, he was the first outside investor in SpaceX and an early investor in Tesla, Skype, Hotmail, Baidu and Coinbase before they became giants. In 2014, he stunned the world by buying 30,000 Bitcoin seized from the infamous Silk Road marketplace in a US government auction.

For decades Tim has invested early in breakthrough technologies, often before their potential was widely recognised. He backed digital assets, AI, robotics and space with bold conviction, while championing entrepreneurial freedom. His track record is built on spotting seismic shifts long before they reach the mainstream.

Join us for a rare conversation with one of Silicon Valley’s true legends. Hear the stories behind some of history’s most iconic companies, how he spots exceptional founders early, and where he believes the next wave of trillion-dollar opportunities will come from.

Few understand the space economy and opportunities it presents better than Chris Quilty. As President of Quilty Space, he advises investors, operators and policymakers worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the sector’s most trusted voices, regularly featured by Bloomberg, CNBC and The Wall Street Journal.
The space economy is growing rapidly. There are now over 10,000 satellites in orbit, up from 1,500 ten years ago. SpaceX operates 6,000 of these through Starlink and alone launches multiple times per week, compared with around 70 launches per year worldwide 20 years ago. Alongside others like Rocket Lab, it is building a new layer of infrastructure for communications, defence and data.
With SpaceX entering public markets and well established as a company in the modern space era, join the Monday Call team for a rare conversation with Quilty. Hear where this frontier economy is heading, the companies shaping its future, and the opportunities for long-term investors as the sector continues to mature.

One of Wall Street’s most widely followed tech analysts and a regular voice on CNBC and Bloomberg, Dan Ives is a leading commentator on AI, NVIDIA, Tesla and companies shaping the next decade of markets. As Global Head of Technology Research at Wedbush Securities, he is known for bold, high-conviction calls and deep insights on tech.

AI is expanding beyond software into infrastructure, energy, robotics – and now space. This is fuelling speculation around a SpaceX IPO, potentially valued near US$1 trillion, and what could be one of the largest issuances ever. The market impact would be significant, reshaping index flows, liquidity and global tech positioning.

Join the Monday Call team as they speak with Ives about where technology is heading, how large SpaceX could become, if space-based data centres are viable, and whether the AI revolution is still only just starting.

New Zealand’s energy system is being tested and few are closer to the action than Alexa Preston, Chief Financial Officer of Channel Infrastructure NZ. Leading the finances of a key infrastructure business, Preston offers a front-row view of where energy security and long-term decisions meet the real economy.

From its deepwater import terminal at Marsden Point to fuel networks that keep planes flying, trucks and tractors moving, and shelves stocked, Channel is a vital link in New Zealand’s supply chain. Most people barely notice the system - until conditions shift, prices react, and pressure builds.

In a world shaped by geopolitical tension, supply shocks, and changing energy needs, resilient infrastructure has become a national priority. Assets once taken for granted are now central to debates about productivity, competitiveness, and how countries stay strong when conditions grow more volatile.

Hosted by James Grigor and Stephan Clark, join Alexa Preston for a timely conversation on the infrastructure that keeps New Zealand moving. They explore why energy resilience matters more, how long-term planning supports national strength, and how today’s decisions will shape New Zealand’s future - when it matters most.