Henry Onesemo: Tala restaurant founder on the business being awarded a Michelin star

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the IMF warning the Government will need to hike taxes and cut spending

The International Monetary Fund is broadly happy with how the Government and Reserve Bank are steering the economy - but it's warned some changes need to take place. The agency says the Government will need to hike taxes, as well as continue cutting spending, to get the country’s finances on a more sustainable path forward. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained how this could be implemented. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on the state of the markets at the mid-point of 2026

2026 is halfway over, and experts have noticed which trends are leading investor conversations. The chips and computer hardware sector has seen some growth thanks to the AI boom, but the Middle East conflict has continued to generate concerns. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Here's why I'm so stoked about the NZ Michelin launch

I totally run the risk of being way too much of a fangirl about the Michelin stars handed out, but I am so excited about this. Mainly, I'm excited for the people who run those restaurants because I realise what this means for them. It means full bookings. It means international recognition. It means the ability to walk into a kitchen anywhere in the world and say, "I worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant," and have people know exactly what that means - and know that you're good. I am also stoked for the people who love eating out. All of a sudden, there's a list to tick off, isn't there? How is it, for example, that I've eaten at Arataki Restaurant in Queenstown but never at Paris Butter in Auckland, even though it's just down the road from me? I now intend to rectify that quickly. But there's also a part of me that is really pleased because this has righted a wrong - the local punishment that has been going on for Amisfield. I don't dispute that the alleged behaviour of the former head chef wasn't good and I don't dispute that the owners of the restaurant should not have allegedly turned a blind eye to it for so long. But I did not like the fact that the establishment continued to be punished even after Vaughan Mabee, who was at the centre of the controversy, had left the building. Especially by Cuisine magazine, which then refused to recommend Amisfield as a restaurant. Amisfield was the best restaurant in the country until, all of a sudden, it was no longer the best restaurant in the country according to Cuisine because one man had left. Michelin has now righted that wrong by giving it a star. That decision was controversial. I've already read one take on it that wasn't entirely complimentary. But I don't care. Because what I want to know is this: is Amisfield a good place to eat? Now that the legendary - and problematic -chef has gone, is it still good? Apparently, the answer is yes. But we had to get foreigners to tell us that because we all went a bit weird and a bit cancel-culture on the place. For the record, I ate at Amisfield when the chef at the centre of the controversy was still there. It was one of the best meals I've ever had and I'm pleased it remains excellent - at least according to Michelin. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Andrew Little: Wellington mayor on the new team chosen to help boost the capital

Wellington council has unveiled their new team aiming to help the capital get its mojo back. The council has brought together a lineup of business, property, technology and creative sector leaders to help shape a five-year plan to grow the city's economy. Mayor Andrew Little says Wellington's seen limited economic growth over the last few years, and the council's hoping to turn that around. "We've got our work cut out for us. We do have some strength - beyond being a public service city, we do have some other strengths, and it's about drawing on those things."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Henry Onesemo: Tala restaurant founder on the business being awarded a Michelin star

There's been a surge in bookings for the world's first Michelin star Samoan restaurant.  Auckland's Tala was awarded a single star at last night's New Zealand Michelin Guide awards, alongside 14 other star-winners. It was first time the event was held on our shores - after a $6.3 million dollar Government investment.  Restaurant founder and chef Henry Onesemo says he's already noticed some additional interest. "There's like 300 emails that we have to go through today, and it just seems non-stop at the moment." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.