November 9, 2025 • 31 mins
In this week's Business Panel Nick Mills chats with Barnardos CEO Matt Reid and Toyworld owner and operator Phillip Bramley.
They discussed their businesses/charity, and the impacts current conditions in Wellington had on the family and children related business sector. This included the cost of living, material hardship, government choices.
They also gave their thoughts on how business was going in the city with the new council and mayor and shared their wishes for the future. Also, how business was going heading into Christmas season from their different perspectives - retail and charity.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk sedb Mondays Mean Business. It's the business
panel on Wellington Mornings with Quadovic Property Management. A better
rental experience for all. Visit Quinovic dot co dot ins head.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Let's get done, let's get downs you Monna.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
We've had missed.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
That time of the week that we do every two weeks.
Eleven o'clock on every second Monday. We have what we
call our Business our where we get two people connected
with business and we get them in the studio. They
don't know each other, They've got no connection whatsoever. Most
of the times, I don't know whether you guys have
met each other or no, and we discuss what's going
(00:53):
on with business and Wellington Today. We're lucky enough to
have Philip Bramley, who owns toy World. Now that's an
interesting retail story. I mean, it's stuck in the middle
of sort of I don't I'm not going to say
I know where because your kick me. But it's kind
of like behind Lampton Key. Was that how you describe it, Philip?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
It is it was the feeder into Lampton Key. I
think is the best way to describe it. It all
comes down to rent versus sales ratio. We're lucky that
eels our landlord, which works really, really well as far
as that particular site is concerned. You need to be
in the CBD and you need to be as handy
to the Golden Mile as you can. Right, not all
of us can afford to play Golden Mile rent.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Well because I remember now correct me if I'm wrong,
but I remember when my kids were young. I can
still see one of my sons throwing a tantrum in
the doorway. You used to be in Willi Street, That's correct.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
So there's been a continuous Toy World in Wellington CBD
for nearly forty years. It started in Manor Street and
Manas More, then it moved to will Street, the site
of the New World currently, and then ten twelve years
ago it went to the current site we have in
Balance Street.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Right, what was the best?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
I think the site where we are at the moment
is the best. I really enjoy being right at that
end of town and handy to everything, but not right
in the middle of it.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Okay, So we're going to go from one side of
our children's health and well being and fun to the other.
And we've got Matt Read who's CEO of Bernardos. Matt,
good morning and welcome.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Good morning. That good to be here.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Tell us what tell us our listeners. Now, Bernardo's has
been around longer than I've been around. I think hopefully
I'm correct on that, because it's just in the back
of my mind what do they actually do?
Speaker 5 (02:30):
So firstly, great to be here, Nicka in origins won't
go way back to the UK, so we've been in
New Zealand for the last one hundred years. But since
nineteen seventy two, Bernardo's ar Tata has been running child
and family services across the nation, with the largest children's
charity by some distance, offering fantastic early learning experiences for
the under fives. We do social and community work from
(02:51):
in Viicago to Funaday, supporting families and children, particularly giving
them a bit of a hand up and a guide
to brighter futures.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
We run a few how do you do that? How
do we do that?
Speaker 5 (03:01):
Through quality social work and community work. We have some
great professional staff that are very far no centered in
their approach.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
We also offer a.
Speaker 5 (03:10):
Fantastic help line called eight hundred. What's up for five
to nineteen year olds. It's more a chat line now
than as a phone line eleven am to eleven pm
every day, offering our youth an opportunity to reach out
and get some support. And we also do care services
nixt so bottom of the club stuff working with families
in young people who are sometimes in the legal care
(03:32):
of the state, and we're working with Autono Tamidiki to
support those young people through some residential homes and one
secure site that we also run. So big breadth of
Work is proud to be part of.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
It and lots to go into there to just quiet.
I know that you've only been CEO for a couple
of years, but you've been on the board for many
years before that, so you know their organization very well.
Compare today to ten years.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
Ago, things have certainly certainly got harder, harder nick for
families and children, and we see that right across the
breadth of our work, financial hardships and in the homes.
You know, currently one and eight children living in material
hardship poverty. I never thought I'd live in Arts at all,
where we saw that one and seven children currently experiencing
family violence in the home. So things are things have
(04:18):
got more challenging, Nick, for families and young people.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
And can I ask you is it easier? I mean,
obviously you're a charity, so you've got to raise money,
you know, is it easier or harder? I mean, Everett,
the attentions on looking after our kids, young people, I mean,
it's attentions on that. Is it easy to get money?
Speaker 5 (04:36):
Funding is a really challenging environment for us, so reliant
on our government partners, and that's been challenging in recent
and recent times. But also we are blessed with incredible
corporate sponsors. We've got twelve thousand regular donuts who give
us from five dollars a week to larger amounts of
twelve thousand Newsylinders that dip into their pockets every day,
and we have noticed even for some of them, it's
(04:57):
it's got a bit more challenging to give us those
amounts of amounts of money.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
And do you get those phone calls you know?
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Sorry, we do, Nick, unfortunately. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:05):
Yeah, But we also get the positive ones too for
new people who learn about the breadth of what we do.
And there's some wonderful people out there that are prepared
to support children in their families.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Philip, I've got to ask you that same question. You've
been in business for a long time. Compare compare ten
years ago.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
It's a challenge. I have never been doing business retail
at the Cold Face for thirty years in Wellington, ten
years with Placemakers, twenty years with Toy World, and I've
never seen it as tough as it is now. Really yep.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Now, you see when I was in the bathroom, not
that I'm going to talk about what happens when I
was in the bathroom. When I was in the bathroom,
I was thinking to myself. You know, I used to
wander down on a Saturday morning with my kids and
going what no special occasion, nothing, just thought, hey, I'll
do something special and buy have a look through a
Toy World, will a street and buy them something. Now
I would only do that Christmas Birthdays? Is that? Am
(06:01):
I right?
Speaker 4 (06:02):
And meet people?
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Tearing back now, I.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Think the shopping is still there. The challenges facing us
from a what it's the value that people are looking
for now. The number of people that are in the
CBD is significantly less, and we could debate that all
day COVID work from home, all of those types of triggers.
But the reality is even just in the last twelve month,
(06:26):
footfalls down by a.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Third, a third a third, so you have a.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Third less people coming through the door every day than
we did twelve.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Months ago, then twelve months ago.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Than twelve months ago.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Where is the green shoots here?
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I asked the same question every day you have.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
I mean, sorry, Matt, I've got to get to this
because this is very, very important. Most people I would
have said, I'm interviewing from Toy World and they say, oh,
he'll be fine. They're selling toys. Kids are still having
to buy toys, and people legos on a huge highs
or you buy your Lego there.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
And all of those things are true, and people will
find the money for the toys. And please don't get
me wrong, I'm not doing and glooming everything like that.
We still are trading as the best we can given
the economic environment. But it's the footfall we're talking about
the city and the people in the city, or the
lack thereof. That's what the challenge is. That's the real
challenge facing Wellington.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Who do you blame for that?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I think blames are harsh.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Okay, who do you think could be doing a better
job to assist you.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
I think there are a number of factors at play
to do with you know, working from home I think
is a key one. But that's a challenge facing all
of the CBDs, not just in Wellington, Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney,
all of those different things are all facing similar challenges
around the CBD parking. You know, I know that's a
(07:47):
well worn topic, but you know, you quote the article
that was out in the paper sixteen hundred car parks
lost in the last twelve eighteen months as part of
the council's restructuring or cycle away all of those sorts
of things, sixteen hundred car parks.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
So back to you, I'll well keep talking about this
because I'm a little bit shocked, to be honest, I
thought you were going to be coming in and saying, oh, no,
you know, we're hipped, because that's one of my questions.
Are we bottomed out? Is it going to get any worse?
Can I start with you on that one, Matt? Can
we possibly get any worse?
Speaker 5 (08:23):
Well, I guess I've got to say, Nick, for many families,
they've been at rock bottom for some time. Actually, so
how long, well, many many years over successive government, So
certainly not here to blame anyone, but things have got
harder for news for many families in arte Oa. You know,
we live in the most beautiful country often referred to
as paradise. It is not paradise for all of them.
(08:45):
So I mentioned one on eight children currently living in
material hardship ten years ago it was one in ten.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
So can you describe material hardship? Because when I and
I'm scratching my head here, I remember it was things like,
aren't getting three meals a day, aren't living in a
warm house, go to bed with more than three people
in the bedroom.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
That's that's the material hardship.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
So sixteen necessities of lot, things like you just mentioned,
and if you're going without six or more of those,
you're classified as living in material Larger poverty is the
other word that get straying around around a lot, but
not a level playing field, is how I describe it.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Nick.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Yeah, And while we're talking about and I've got to
go to a break in a second. While we're talking
about charities, good, I mean a lot's been made of
some charities that have CEOs are earning you know, five
hundred thousand dollars a year, and you know, drifting along,
you know that sort of thing. I mean, there's a
little bit of people looking at charities now and saying,
should I be giving that money to charities with with
(09:40):
with organizations bigger than what the work they're doing? How
do you answer that?
Speaker 5 (09:44):
So certainly not the case here, Nick, I've just got
to say, just forget to get out there.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Not the case here.
Speaker 5 (09:48):
So you know, there's some fantastic people working in charities,
and Bernardo's is a large organization, So we need to
pay people. Well, now, do we pay top market dollar?
Do we pay anywhere near the top public sector dollar?
Speaker 4 (09:59):
No? No, we don't, but we do need to pay
good people good.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Well, come back to you in a st can Matt Reed,
CEO of Bernado's, and Philip Bramley, Toy World's owner owner manager.
I call your owner manager.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
You called me whatever you like.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I don't want to You're close enough to kick me
and I don't want to upset you. This Earlier the
Philip Bramley and Matt Reed join us on the business panel.
We didn't quite get to you, Philip on it. Have
we bottomed out? I mean, you're planning you're ordering, you're buying,
you're getting your next twelve months lined up. Are you
looking at it saying it's going to be fifteen, twenty
thirty percent better than it is this year?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I wish I could look you in the eye and
say that that's how I see it. Nick. I still
think there's a little bit more pain to come, but
we're certainly at the flatter spot that it's been for
fifteen nine years as far as retailing toys and Wellington
is concerned. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty. We're
still out there, we're still making it happen. We're still
continuing to do the Ford orders, We're bringing in all
of the product, but it's it's as flat as it's
(10:59):
been for a very long time.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Can I be sneaky and ask you if you're ordering
more than your order this year thinking it's going to
be better, because I mean you'd be order.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Yes, we are where somewhere between nine and fifteen months
in advance, depending on the product. Yes, I'm a little
bit positive. Next year is an election year. So if
you look back and you're both the business in Wellington,
all all your lives, there tends to be a bump
in election year depending, it doesn't matter what you do money.
There's more money around in the marketplace and that's what
(11:27):
I'm expecting next year.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
And I'm coming to both of you on this. Do
you actually think the effect of what the government's done
with slashing jobs and Wellington's actually made I mean a
lot of people saying it's not made a direct impact.
Has it?
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Oh? Yes, one hundred percent. The taxpayer in me is
happy to see the government looking at the cost and
the size of the public service. The retailer and me.
I've spoke of the football anecdotally, there are large numbers
of people that have been in the public sector for
a very long time that are gone. And these are
people that are earning reasonably big money and those jobs
(12:02):
are being disestablished and those people can't find work, so
they're either leaving Wellington or they're simply not working.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Has that got any effect whatsoever to Bernardos Matt Well.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
It certainly has a relation to the donations that we
receive from regular good New Zealanders, so we've sent a
bit of a drop off in that. So that's been
a concern. But again Barnardo's has been dealing at the
hard end for families and children for many many years.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
So would that effect I mean, would those people come
into hardship and then come to you?
Speaker 5 (12:33):
Sometimes yes, sometimes through and we see that through our
social work. We see in our early learning center. So
some sadly, some parents have to ring up and say
we can't get our kids to early learning because we
can't afford to pay for that. Now, because of who
we are, we support those families and exempt them from
the parent fees, but we do see it.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Let's talk about the new council and the new mayor. Matt.
I'll start with you as a Walingtonian. Did you say
you went to what college?
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Did you go to Upper Heart College?
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Okay, so your Upper Heart edd But you've been on
Wellington for many many years, So tell me what you think.
As as as Matt read about the new change in
the council and the mere, do you do you think
we're on a good trajectory.
Speaker 5 (13:18):
We're really encouraged and I think I've got to say
congratulations to me a little and the other mayors in
the region too, actually can labor out there in the
Hut and Peris and Upper Hut. I'm encouraged by an
Anita Bacon por I need to absolutely didn't mean to
miss her. Really encouraged by the comments I'm hearing around
importance of team nick. I'm really encouraged that I'm not
(13:38):
hearing blame on prior tea isn't that great? And you know,
I get tired of hearing and particularly in some of
the national government scene. We inherited this, and we inherited.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
That they have.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
But their job is to get into solutions and support
us to move forward. So I'm really encouraged by that.
I guess the proof will always be in the actions
and come an your plan next year, when your plans
get set and rates get set, I think that's going
to be the real test for these new leaders.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
And you work with a lot of people. What are
the people in your office saying? Zeron? You know, when
it gets to politics and you talk about local councils
and the mayor, what do they say?
Speaker 5 (14:18):
A lot of people I talk to want to see courage.
They want to see more ambitious leadership, and they want
to they want to see team work. No one here
can do it alone. They need a team around them.
They've got to get votes around those council tables. They
need to work with their officers and the and their
council teams. But they want courage really is the big,
big word. I hear a lot more courage. Let's really
(14:40):
lift the region again. It's a fantastic place. It is
the best, the best region in the world by far. Yeah,
let's let's let's get more ambitious for it.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Philip, what are what are your thoughts? What do you
I mean you've had a couple of months. Well, we
haven't had a month, really, I mean you've if you haven't,
give them a break.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
But I think it's a little bit early to tell.
Nicks Matts is the encouraging science. The early early shoots
are good. I think Andrew Little will bring a lit
of professionalism to counsel that is definitely needed and some
unity as and team as Matt spoke of, and I
think Andrew Little will bring that. I think he will
(15:18):
also bring a level of professionalism to that role that
we possibly could help build Wellington and grow Wellington. And
he has a great relationship with central government because remember
that's where the money comes from, you know, being like
the mayor in Auckland, you know who seems to be
always at loggerheads with the central government. I think Andrew
(15:39):
will bring the exact opposite to that. He will find
a way to partner with central government and that can
only be good for Wellington and Wellington's growth.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Can you tell us, Philip, what you want as a retailer?
What do you think you how you would neglected over
the last three years? Do you think you were neglected
over the last three year? I mean, I'm happy to
say I think I was as a hospitality operator. Do
you think you were?
Speaker 2 (16:00):
I think all of retail in the CBD was what neglected.
I don't know if the right word ignored. Possibly ignored.
There were there were agendas at play that they wanted
certain things done, and those those things were to get done.
You know, I spoke before about the car parks, psycha
(16:20):
ways we could go about it all, you know, all day,
those sorts of things. But I think the thing is
to look forward, not not to look backward, not to
look for blame or anything like that. We need to
take a positive stand and we have to work positively
to go forward. And you know, me and a little
certainly talking a good game. Let's let's see what he
can actually deliver.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
On are you excited.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
I think excited's a little bit. I'm excited for change.
I think change is really really healthy, and I think
change is always exciting.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Matt, I'm looking at you. Are you excited?
Speaker 5 (16:54):
Do you think that's again too early? Again, proof will
be in the actions. No, I want to see meaningful
actions and again that annual plane time is really important
for counsels in particular. Yes, so I'll reserve judgment into
I see, I see some actions.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
We are well you are. We are part of the
business panel this morning with Philip Bramley from Toy World
and Matt Reid from Bernardo's Let's Go. I wanted to
ask this question because it kind of annoys me. But
this week we learned that the ACC is cutting the
contribution to water safety in New Zealand at the time when
drownings increase are increasing. Uh. We you know, as a
(17:30):
country should be we were surrounded by water, Matt. I mean,
should we be looking at those sort of things that
ACC should be doing by right?
Speaker 5 (17:39):
Well, certainly, I think every every New Zealand kid needs
to learn how to swim and be safe and water.
It should should be right and saadly what we see
it's often the kids and those really deprived communities that
miss out on some stuff. The current government is very
clear on if it's going to fund something that wants
to see, you know, meaningful outcomes, and I support that.
(18:00):
I guess my worry around this, but in particular is
we might not be seeing more drownings, but how much
is this preventing drainings from happening. And that's the bit
of information that I would like to dig a bit
deeper into here.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
And we spoke to the CEO of Ward Safety in
New Zealand, and here I asked them, I said, straight out,
I said, can you tell me how many people this
is last week, between last week and the end of
summer are going to die by drowning in New Zealand?
He said that predicting forty Philip, it's one nil. It's
one over the weekend died of drowning. So we're already lost.
(18:34):
Some family is going through hell right now.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
It's tragic.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
There's no other way to describe it. But to Matt's
point about the current government, they're looking for outcomes underfunding.
There's been a million dollars last year, eight hundred and
twenty five thousand dollars the year before given to the
Water Safety Council and the number of drownings hasn't changed.
So I guess again to Matt's point, I think it's
really important that children learned to swim, and we as
(19:03):
a nation should be doing the most we can for
the children to learn to swim and be water wise
and water safe should be part of core curriculum.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Nick, well, well it was when I grew up. You
guys as as well.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
I was as well, you know, we would we I
went to school in the city and as well out
there was a school pool in my day and the
school my primary school didn't have a pool, but we
were busted once a week to swimming lessons.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Yeah, we had to learn.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
We did.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
We're surrounded by water. The one thing we should be
able to do is swim well. Actually, what water Safety
want to do is they want to be able to
keep us afloat. You know, you don't have to swim
in the Olympics back to stay a flight, survive max
it survive. What about the fencing around Wellington Harbor, what
are your guys thoughts about that. We see that that
the temporary fencing has been removed after Ian has been
(19:49):
definitely seven some say nine deaths by drowning around the harbor.
We had temporary fencing up and we had the coronas
saying it should be permanent. Matt, what are your thoughts
on this? I mean, now it's come down, the temporary
fencings coming down.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
A tricky one, Nock. I've gotta say I support the
fencing coming down. It's a beautiful part of our capital
city and it's a very special place to be.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
So it's a tricky one.
Speaker 5 (20:13):
I absolutely feel for anyone that's lost someone along there.
But I think there is a there's a balance needed here.
I'm sure we've got some very clever people in Willington
that come up with some cheaper barriers that prevent, you know,
help manage this in. Parents need to take some responsibility
to for half children.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Philip, you're about to jump it there by all means
jump in. You don't have to wait for me.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
I took the words right out of my mouth, Matt.
I think personal responsibility or parental responsibility is key in
this conversation.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
So you don't mind the temporary fences coming down. You
want to have free and open and make it look good.
I changed my tune. I was all about getting fencing.
When I read one of the stories of a death,
got emotionally effected, put fencing up, fence and fencer. Then
I thought about it and I said that that doesn't
It's a harbor.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
It is the harbor, and there are beautiful harbors all
over the world. Wellington is one of the best. It's
one of our key key at beautiful beauty harbor. You
can't beat Wellington on a good day sout and personal
responsibility for you and your family when you're out near
the water.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Something that also affected me in the last couple of
weeks is the Depression Recovery Center in the James Smith Building.
I don't know whether you guys know anything about it,
or seen it or had it. I was fortunate enough
on its opening week to go and have a look
around it, and I was completely blown away. Mental health
is something that we you know, I always call it
the illness without a scar. You know, you don't know,
(21:38):
you don't know what people are going through. And to
close that center down, to me, Matt would be I
think pretty disappointing.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (21:46):
Again, I don't know too much about the work or
be it or have huge admiration for anyone working in
that space, such a difficult space, and certainly through Bernado's work,
we're seeing increasing amounts of mental health, particularly particularly.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
For Can I ask you that, are you seeing the
numbers go up?
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Absolutely? And you feel for children? Yes. Years.
Speaker 5 (22:03):
So there was a report that came out from unis
IF earlier this year and we write New Zealand rated
very very poorly for a child wellbeing, worst for suicidal
rates and over a well being we rated very very poorly.
So and we see it in the outdated.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
How can that be? How can we have the worse
rates for youth suicide in the world. I mean, that's
not right.
Speaker 5 (22:26):
It's not right, Nick, and we've got it. We have
to work together to do something about it. So again
back to complex issues, poverty, housing issues, alcohol, gangs. I
could go on, but there's some really complex issues that
we've got to get a hids around and work to
work to improve.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
And I don't know, but I would have thought that
it doesn't actually have to be about poverty suicide. It
has to be Maybe it's about expectations too, you know,
family expectations, expect too much. The pressure gets to you
and you think that's the way out, Philip, your thoughts.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Incredibly complex issue, not one that I'm qualified to speak on.
To be honest, did a little bit of homework when
I saw the questions come through about what it is.
It's a pilot program from ACC. It was in place
for two years, a committed to can keep it, continuing
it to the end of its time. But they did
note that they've had a significantly lower number of referrals
(23:20):
than they expected to this particular program, So possibly the
money is better used.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
Spoke we spoke about, we spoke.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
About outcomes and an outcome driven government, and you know,
maybe bonandos can do something better with the money. Not
belittling it, and that mental health space is incredibly complex
and I my head is off to anybody that's operating
in that space.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
The question there has to be around what's happening with
those referrals. We haven't got less people with mental health,
so what's happening in our system that means those referrals
aren't going through?
Speaker 4 (23:52):
That's the question.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
And we've got a beautiful facility set up in the
town to try and help, so we surely we should
be using That's right. Yeah, With Philip Bramley and Matt Reed.
I want to ask you guys about the last weekend.
It was beautiful weather and one Internet sort of almost
had that real Christmas feel to me. I'm going to
ask you at the end of this part a very
specific question about Christmas, but you know, I want to
(24:15):
know from you, especially Philip, how is it feeling this
year compared to last year and the year before Christmas
time is here? How do you feel.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Christmas time is coming? As I mentioned to you briefly
or fair before, forty odd percent of toy Worlds turnover
will be done between Labor weekend and Boxing Day. So
Christmas is critical to the business and how we go.
Christmas comes every year. What happens is what people choose
to buy for Christmas. That's the challenge in these eas times. Yeah,
(24:44):
budget and also value becomes a really really important thing
in the equation. People are looking for value when times
are a little bit tougher. We tend people they're not
afraid to spend the right amount of money if they
feel they're getting value for themselves and their families.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Do you still think that families are cautious?
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Absolutely, they're cautious. They're looking for things two that are
going to give longevity, that are going to give again.
I keep using the term value, but they're going to give.
They're not just cheap throwaway gifts. They're things that are
going to either enhance or.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
Good.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Things that are going to have fun but have sustainability
and some time to keep going together.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Can I tell you that on Saturday morning, I got
up and said, I'm going to clean out. I've got
a room down the bottom of my house, like a small,
small bedroom full of stuff, toys from kids from yesteryear,
like fuller. And I said to myself, I'm going to
chuck all that out. I'm going to give it away.
I'm going to get clean up. I went and open
the door, and I closed the door again, because I mean,
our houses are all full of toys that we haven't
(25:47):
used for ten years, aren't they?
Speaker 2 (25:49):
I think so. But things change, Trends change, Like at
the moment we're seeing and this has been a trend
over the last eighteen months, we're seeing families actively looking
for things to do together as a family that unplug
the particularly the children, from their devices. And that's something
that we spend a lot of time and a lot
of energy. That's why we have the staff we have,
(26:10):
we have the products we have is to get people
away and give them alternatives to a device based babysitter.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
Matt Read this is a particularly tough time for you guys.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
I've got to say, Nick Firsley, it's a fantastic time
for most of us, right so, most of us in
New Zealand get the benefit of incredible Christmas with it.
The sun was out in the week in the weekend
and we feel good, but so sadly for Barnados, the
families and children a lot of them that we that
we serve. It's a really challenging time, hard to put
food on the table.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
How can we help apart from that just dishing out money, how.
Speaker 5 (26:42):
Can we everyone who can help? Mack there's that beautiful
outage of a village to raise a child. I truly
believe in that. Barnados believes in that everyone can play
a part in villages. You can also give to organizations
like Bonnados, you know, jump wind our website and we
will accept all alternations to make a difference for children.
(27:02):
But we do see it tough for families. Kids are
at home from school. Unfortunately, Spike and family violence, alcohol
gets involved. So it's a tough time for many families.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
Nick, if you could waive a magic wand to central
government right now, Matt and say, I want this Christmas
speed to be really special for a whole lot of families.
What what could anyone do?
Speaker 5 (27:27):
I think for me, prioritizing our most vulnerable. I'm a
huge believer in and let's judge a nation on how
we look after our most vulnerable, whether it's our children,
our our elderly. I'd like to see governments prioritize our
most vulnerable.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
So would I?
Speaker 4 (27:43):
I agree?
Speaker 2 (27:43):
Yeah, I think that your point is very valid. That
that's how a nation has judged how they look after
the seakh, the sick, the weak and the aged.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
Yeah. Do you think dis government's doing that?
Speaker 2 (27:56):
I think dis government's on the right track. There's some
economic challenges that had to be addressed, and I think
there are some signs, but I think there's more to
endure before we get to the other side of it.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
I loved your analogy a government is judged by the youth,
the sick, and the elderly.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
I believe that absolutely, and so do I.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
But I'm starting I'm sorry I'm looking you straight in
the eye. I'm feeling that this government isn't doing that.
I don't think and I don't blame that. I don't
think labor to don't anyone's done that. I think that's
what we're going wrong. That's I think that's as a
country we're doing wrong.
Speaker 4 (28:34):
We need more courage.
Speaker 5 (28:35):
Next, So governments have the power of putier money, policy
and procurement. There's a really important p missing and it's people.
It's communities, EWI councils and other organizations like Bernando's.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
They have the power of the people.
Speaker 5 (28:47):
I think we've got to see more devolution of important
services out to local community groups and organizations.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
And I think as community members, we've got to look
after other people in our community. And that's where I
wish there was a simple thing there. You could buy
an extra present and drop it off to someone you
know is not getting at a present in your community.
Speaker 5 (29:07):
You can, you can, if anyone can buy an extra
present and put it under trees and supermarkets and many
great organizations doing that, so everyone can do that.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
Take a short break on getting but emotional. Now, it's
keep talking about Christmas. We need to you know, need
to help those that need help more than ourselves. Oh
I was going to say one hundred and eighty ten eighty,
but you can't call it and speak about it. But
we will talk about it between now and Christmas how
we can help, because I think it's important. Part Business
Panel Wrap with Philip Bramley and Matt Reid. Philip someone special,
(29:39):
come on, really really special. What are you going to do?
Speaker 2 (29:41):
I had to do this recently next so very simple.
Picked them up from the airport round the base. As
I say, you can't beat Wellington and that harbor on
a beautiful day to Papa, the cable car, botanical gardens
and Zeeland need to finish and if you're there for
the evening, a lovely steak at the Poolander there you go.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
Christmas Tree. When's the earliest you can put one up quickly?
Speaker 2 (30:01):
First week in November? Maybe mid November?
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Okay, all right, Matt read come on.
Speaker 5 (30:05):
Really quite top of the mount, beautiful views, Drive out
to the extra coffee in town, Amazing cafes in town,
Drive to the doos, head up to Team Aul for
a swim in the river, brewtown for a beer, over
to the White and I Beach for a beautiful, you know,
sunset and barbecue, that's a that's a wonderful day. And
Christmas trees if it brings happiness and enjoy it's never
(30:27):
too early to put up a Christmas tree.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
Good on you. I actually walked up mountainvic the other day.
I used to do it all the time in my youth,
or you know, a couple of years ago, a few
years ago before I did this job, and I got
lost a couple of times going up there. But gosh,
what a walk up to the top of that beautiful,
beautiful You can't beat it. You cannot beat one on
a good day. And that walk from from Mount Victoria,
(30:50):
from the bottom of the mountain Courtney plays basically to
the top. You cannot beat that.
Speaker 4 (30:54):
And it's good for us to Okay, it's good for us.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
It's you're right, you're right. Supposedly, I was feeling a
bit tired, but I've got the top. I'm rad. There's
a there's a water fountain. You can have a global
water and head your way back down. Thank you both
so much for taking time out of your both your
busy schedules. Matt Read, CEO of Bananos, and Philip Bramley
the owner, occupier, owner, manager of Toy World, fabulous shop,
(31:18):
a great place to go. I'm going to be in
there on the weekend and it is a very very
good place. And Matt, thanks for all you do and
helping people. People need your help, and thank you for
all you do.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news talks It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk sedb Mondays Mean Business. It's the business
panel on Wellington Mornings with Quadovic Property Management. A better
rental experience for all. Visit Quinovic dot co dot ins head.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Let's get done, let's get downs you Monna.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
We've had missed.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
That time of the week that we do every two weeks.
Eleven o'clock on every second Monday. We have what we
call our Business our where we get two people connected
with business and we get them in the studio. They
don't know each other, They've got no connection whatsoever. Most
of the times, I don't know whether you guys have
met each other or no, and we discuss what's going
(00:53):
on with business and Wellington Today. We're lucky enough to
have Philip Bramley, who owns toy World. Now that's an
interesting retail story. I mean, it's stuck in the middle
of sort of I don't I'm not going to say
I know where because your kick me. But it's kind
of like behind Lampton Key. Was that how you describe it, Philip?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
It is it was the feeder into Lampton Key. I
think is the best way to describe it. It all
comes down to rent versus sales ratio. We're lucky that
eels our landlord, which works really, really well as far
as that particular site is concerned. You need to be
in the CBD and you need to be as handy
to the Golden Mile as you can. Right, not all
of us can afford to play Golden Mile rent.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Well because I remember now correct me if I'm wrong,
but I remember when my kids were young. I can
still see one of my sons throwing a tantrum in
the doorway. You used to be in Willi Street, That's correct.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
So there's been a continuous Toy World in Wellington CBD
for nearly forty years. It started in Manor Street and
Manas More, then it moved to will Street, the site
of the New World currently, and then ten twelve years
ago it went to the current site we have in
Balance Street.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Right, what was the best?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
I think the site where we are at the moment
is the best. I really enjoy being right at that
end of town and handy to everything, but not right
in the middle of it.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Okay, So we're going to go from one side of
our children's health and well being and fun to the other.
And we've got Matt Read who's CEO of Bernardos. Matt,
good morning and welcome.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Good morning. That good to be here.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Tell us what tell us our listeners. Now, Bernardo's has
been around longer than I've been around. I think hopefully
I'm correct on that, because it's just in the back
of my mind what do they actually do?
Speaker 5 (02:30):
So firstly, great to be here, Nicka in origins won't
go way back to the UK, so we've been in
New Zealand for the last one hundred years. But since
nineteen seventy two, Bernardo's ar Tata has been running child
and family services across the nation, with the largest children's
charity by some distance, offering fantastic early learning experiences for
the under fives. We do social and community work from
(02:51):
in Viicago to Funaday, supporting families and children, particularly giving
them a bit of a hand up and a guide
to brighter futures.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
We run a few how do you do that? How
do we do that?
Speaker 5 (03:01):
Through quality social work and community work. We have some
great professional staff that are very far no centered in
their approach.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
We also offer a.
Speaker 5 (03:10):
Fantastic help line called eight hundred. What's up for five
to nineteen year olds. It's more a chat line now
than as a phone line eleven am to eleven pm
every day, offering our youth an opportunity to reach out
and get some support. And we also do care services
nixt so bottom of the club stuff working with families
in young people who are sometimes in the legal care
(03:32):
of the state, and we're working with Autono Tamidiki to
support those young people through some residential homes and one
secure site that we also run. So big breadth of
Work is proud to be part of.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
It and lots to go into there to just quiet.
I know that you've only been CEO for a couple
of years, but you've been on the board for many
years before that, so you know their organization very well.
Compare today to ten years.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
Ago, things have certainly certainly got harder, harder nick for
families and children, and we see that right across the
breadth of our work, financial hardships and in the homes.
You know, currently one and eight children living in material
hardship poverty. I never thought I'd live in Arts at all,
where we saw that one and seven children currently experiencing
family violence in the home. So things are things have
(04:18):
got more challenging, Nick, for families and young people.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
And can I ask you is it easier? I mean,
obviously you're a charity, so you've got to raise money,
you know, is it easier or harder? I mean, Everett,
the attentions on looking after our kids, young people, I mean,
it's attentions on that. Is it easy to get money?
Speaker 5 (04:36):
Funding is a really challenging environment for us, so reliant
on our government partners, and that's been challenging in recent
and recent times. But also we are blessed with incredible
corporate sponsors. We've got twelve thousand regular donuts who give
us from five dollars a week to larger amounts of
twelve thousand Newsylinders that dip into their pockets every day,
and we have noticed even for some of them, it's
(04:57):
it's got a bit more challenging to give us those
amounts of amounts of money.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
And do you get those phone calls you know?
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Sorry, we do, Nick, unfortunately. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:05):
Yeah, But we also get the positive ones too for
new people who learn about the breadth of what we do.
And there's some wonderful people out there that are prepared
to support children in their families.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Philip, I've got to ask you that same question. You've
been in business for a long time. Compare compare ten
years ago.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
It's a challenge. I have never been doing business retail
at the Cold Face for thirty years in Wellington, ten
years with Placemakers, twenty years with Toy World, and I've
never seen it as tough as it is now. Really yep.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Now, you see when I was in the bathroom, not
that I'm going to talk about what happens when I
was in the bathroom. When I was in the bathroom,
I was thinking to myself. You know, I used to
wander down on a Saturday morning with my kids and
going what no special occasion, nothing, just thought, hey, I'll
do something special and buy have a look through a
Toy World, will a street and buy them something. Now
I would only do that Christmas Birthdays? Is that? Am
(06:01):
I right?
Speaker 4 (06:02):
And meet people?
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Tearing back now, I.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Think the shopping is still there. The challenges facing us
from a what it's the value that people are looking
for now. The number of people that are in the
CBD is significantly less, and we could debate that all
day COVID work from home, all of those types of triggers.
But the reality is even just in the last twelve month,
(06:26):
footfalls down by a.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Third, a third a third, so you have a.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Third less people coming through the door every day than
we did twelve.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Months ago, then twelve months ago.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Than twelve months ago.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Where is the green shoots here?
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I asked the same question every day you have.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
I mean, sorry, Matt, I've got to get to this
because this is very, very important. Most people I would
have said, I'm interviewing from Toy World and they say, oh,
he'll be fine. They're selling toys. Kids are still having
to buy toys, and people legos on a huge highs
or you buy your Lego there.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
And all of those things are true, and people will
find the money for the toys. And please don't get
me wrong, I'm not doing and glooming everything like that.
We still are trading as the best we can given
the economic environment. But it's the footfall we're talking about
the city and the people in the city, or the
lack thereof. That's what the challenge is. That's the real
challenge facing Wellington.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Who do you blame for that?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I think blames are harsh.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Okay, who do you think could be doing a better
job to assist you.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
I think there are a number of factors at play
to do with you know, working from home I think
is a key one. But that's a challenge facing all
of the CBDs, not just in Wellington, Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney,
all of those different things are all facing similar challenges
around the CBD parking. You know, I know that's a
(07:47):
well worn topic, but you know, you quote the article
that was out in the paper sixteen hundred car parks
lost in the last twelve eighteen months as part of
the council's restructuring or cycle away all of those sorts
of things, sixteen hundred car parks.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
So back to you, I'll well keep talking about this
because I'm a little bit shocked, to be honest, I
thought you were going to be coming in and saying, oh, no,
you know, we're hipped, because that's one of my questions.
Are we bottomed out? Is it going to get any worse?
Can I start with you on that one, Matt? Can
we possibly get any worse?
Speaker 5 (08:23):
Well, I guess I've got to say, Nick, for many families,
they've been at rock bottom for some time. Actually, so
how long, well, many many years over successive government, So
certainly not here to blame anyone, but things have got
harder for news for many families in arte Oa. You know,
we live in the most beautiful country often referred to
as paradise. It is not paradise for all of them.
(08:45):
So I mentioned one on eight children currently living in
material hardship ten years ago it was one in ten.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
So can you describe material hardship? Because when I and
I'm scratching my head here, I remember it was things like,
aren't getting three meals a day, aren't living in a
warm house, go to bed with more than three people
in the bedroom.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
That's that's the material hardship.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
So sixteen necessities of lot, things like you just mentioned,
and if you're going without six or more of those,
you're classified as living in material Larger poverty is the
other word that get straying around around a lot, but
not a level playing field, is how I describe it.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Nick.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Yeah, And while we're talking about and I've got to
go to a break in a second. While we're talking
about charities, good, I mean a lot's been made of
some charities that have CEOs are earning you know, five
hundred thousand dollars a year, and you know, drifting along,
you know that sort of thing. I mean, there's a
little bit of people looking at charities now and saying,
should I be giving that money to charities with with
(09:40):
with organizations bigger than what the work they're doing? How
do you answer that?
Speaker 5 (09:44):
So certainly not the case here, Nick, I've just got
to say, just forget to get out there.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Not the case here.
Speaker 5 (09:48):
So you know, there's some fantastic people working in charities,
and Bernardo's is a large organization, So we need to
pay people. Well, now, do we pay top market dollar?
Do we pay anywhere near the top public sector dollar?
Speaker 4 (09:59):
No? No, we don't, but we do need to pay
good people good.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Well, come back to you in a st can Matt Reed,
CEO of Bernado's, and Philip Bramley, Toy World's owner owner manager.
I call your owner manager.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
You called me whatever you like.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I don't want to You're close enough to kick me
and I don't want to upset you. This Earlier the
Philip Bramley and Matt Reed join us on the business panel.
We didn't quite get to you, Philip on it. Have
we bottomed out? I mean, you're planning you're ordering, you're buying,
you're getting your next twelve months lined up. Are you
looking at it saying it's going to be fifteen, twenty
thirty percent better than it is this year?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I wish I could look you in the eye and
say that that's how I see it. Nick. I still
think there's a little bit more pain to come, but
we're certainly at the flatter spot that it's been for
fifteen nine years as far as retailing toys and Wellington
is concerned. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty. We're
still out there, we're still making it happen. We're still
continuing to do the Ford orders, We're bringing in all
of the product, but it's it's as flat as it's
(10:59):
been for a very long time.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Can I be sneaky and ask you if you're ordering
more than your order this year thinking it's going to
be better, because I mean you'd be order.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Yes, we are where somewhere between nine and fifteen months
in advance, depending on the product. Yes, I'm a little
bit positive. Next year is an election year. So if
you look back and you're both the business in Wellington,
all all your lives, there tends to be a bump
in election year depending, it doesn't matter what you do money.
There's more money around in the marketplace and that's what
(11:27):
I'm expecting next year.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
And I'm coming to both of you on this. Do
you actually think the effect of what the government's done
with slashing jobs and Wellington's actually made I mean a
lot of people saying it's not made a direct impact.
Has it?
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Oh? Yes, one hundred percent. The taxpayer in me is
happy to see the government looking at the cost and
the size of the public service. The retailer and me.
I've spoke of the football anecdotally, there are large numbers
of people that have been in the public sector for
a very long time that are gone. And these are
people that are earning reasonably big money and those jobs
(12:02):
are being disestablished and those people can't find work, so
they're either leaving Wellington or they're simply not working.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Has that got any effect whatsoever to Bernardos Matt Well.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
It certainly has a relation to the donations that we
receive from regular good New Zealanders, so we've sent a
bit of a drop off in that. So that's been
a concern. But again Barnardo's has been dealing at the
hard end for families and children for many many years.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
So would that effect I mean, would those people come
into hardship and then come to you?
Speaker 5 (12:33):
Sometimes yes, sometimes through and we see that through our
social work. We see in our early learning center. So
some sadly, some parents have to ring up and say
we can't get our kids to early learning because we
can't afford to pay for that. Now, because of who
we are, we support those families and exempt them from
the parent fees, but we do see it.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Let's talk about the new council and the new mayor. Matt.
I'll start with you as a Walingtonian. Did you say
you went to what college?
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Did you go to Upper Heart College?
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Okay, so your Upper Heart edd But you've been on
Wellington for many many years, So tell me what you think.
As as as Matt read about the new change in
the council and the mere, do you do you think
we're on a good trajectory.
Speaker 5 (13:18):
We're really encouraged and I think I've got to say
congratulations to me a little and the other mayors in
the region too, actually can labor out there in the
Hut and Peris and Upper Hut. I'm encouraged by an
Anita Bacon por I need to absolutely didn't mean to
miss her. Really encouraged by the comments I'm hearing around
importance of team nick. I'm really encouraged that I'm not
(13:38):
hearing blame on prior tea isn't that great? And you know,
I get tired of hearing and particularly in some of
the national government scene. We inherited this, and we inherited.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
That they have.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
But their job is to get into solutions and support
us to move forward. So I'm really encouraged by that.
I guess the proof will always be in the actions
and come an your plan next year, when your plans
get set and rates get set, I think that's going
to be the real test for these new leaders.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
And you work with a lot of people. What are
the people in your office saying? Zeron? You know, when
it gets to politics and you talk about local councils
and the mayor, what do they say?
Speaker 5 (14:18):
A lot of people I talk to want to see courage.
They want to see more ambitious leadership, and they want
to they want to see team work. No one here
can do it alone. They need a team around them.
They've got to get votes around those council tables. They
need to work with their officers and the and their
council teams. But they want courage really is the big,
big word. I hear a lot more courage. Let's really
(14:40):
lift the region again. It's a fantastic place. It is
the best, the best region in the world by far. Yeah,
let's let's let's get more ambitious for it.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Philip, what are what are your thoughts? What do you
I mean you've had a couple of months. Well, we
haven't had a month, really, I mean you've if you haven't,
give them a break.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
But I think it's a little bit early to tell.
Nicks Matts is the encouraging science. The early early shoots
are good. I think Andrew Little will bring a lit
of professionalism to counsel that is definitely needed and some
unity as and team as Matt spoke of, and I
think Andrew Little will bring that. I think he will
(15:18):
also bring a level of professionalism to that role that
we possibly could help build Wellington and grow Wellington. And
he has a great relationship with central government because remember
that's where the money comes from, you know, being like
the mayor in Auckland, you know who seems to be
always at loggerheads with the central government. I think Andrew
(15:39):
will bring the exact opposite to that. He will find
a way to partner with central government and that can
only be good for Wellington and Wellington's growth.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Can you tell us, Philip, what you want as a retailer?
What do you think you how you would neglected over
the last three years? Do you think you were neglected
over the last three year? I mean, I'm happy to
say I think I was as a hospitality operator. Do
you think you were?
Speaker 2 (16:00):
I think all of retail in the CBD was what neglected.
I don't know if the right word ignored. Possibly ignored.
There were there were agendas at play that they wanted
certain things done, and those those things were to get done.
You know, I spoke before about the car parks, psycha
(16:20):
ways we could go about it all, you know, all day,
those sorts of things. But I think the thing is
to look forward, not not to look backward, not to
look for blame or anything like that. We need to
take a positive stand and we have to work positively
to go forward. And you know, me and a little
certainly talking a good game. Let's let's see what he
can actually deliver.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
On are you excited.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
I think excited's a little bit. I'm excited for change.
I think change is really really healthy, and I think
change is always exciting.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Matt, I'm looking at you. Are you excited?
Speaker 5 (16:54):
Do you think that's again too early? Again, proof will
be in the actions. No, I want to see meaningful
actions and again that annual plane time is really important
for counsels in particular. Yes, so I'll reserve judgment into
I see, I see some actions.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
We are well you are. We are part of the
business panel this morning with Philip Bramley from Toy World
and Matt Reid from Bernardo's Let's Go. I wanted to
ask this question because it kind of annoys me. But
this week we learned that the ACC is cutting the
contribution to water safety in New Zealand at the time when
drownings increase are increasing. Uh. We you know, as a
(17:30):
country should be we were surrounded by water, Matt. I mean,
should we be looking at those sort of things that
ACC should be doing by right?
Speaker 5 (17:39):
Well, certainly, I think every every New Zealand kid needs
to learn how to swim and be safe and water.
It should should be right and saadly what we see
it's often the kids and those really deprived communities that
miss out on some stuff. The current government is very
clear on if it's going to fund something that wants
to see, you know, meaningful outcomes, and I support that.
(18:00):
I guess my worry around this, but in particular is
we might not be seeing more drownings, but how much
is this preventing drainings from happening. And that's the bit
of information that I would like to dig a bit
deeper into here.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
And we spoke to the CEO of Ward Safety in
New Zealand, and here I asked them, I said, straight out,
I said, can you tell me how many people this
is last week, between last week and the end of
summer are going to die by drowning in New Zealand?
He said that predicting forty Philip, it's one nil. It's
one over the weekend died of drowning. So we're already lost.
(18:34):
Some family is going through hell right now.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
It's tragic.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
There's no other way to describe it. But to Matt's
point about the current government, they're looking for outcomes underfunding.
There's been a million dollars last year, eight hundred and
twenty five thousand dollars the year before given to the
Water Safety Council and the number of drownings hasn't changed.
So I guess again to Matt's point, I think it's
really important that children learned to swim, and we as
(19:03):
a nation should be doing the most we can for
the children to learn to swim and be water wise
and water safe should be part of core curriculum.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Nick, well, well it was when I grew up. You
guys as as well.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
I was as well, you know, we would we I
went to school in the city and as well out
there was a school pool in my day and the
school my primary school didn't have a pool, but we
were busted once a week to swimming lessons.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Yeah, we had to learn.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
We did.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
We're surrounded by water. The one thing we should be
able to do is swim well. Actually, what water Safety
want to do is they want to be able to
keep us afloat. You know, you don't have to swim
in the Olympics back to stay a flight, survive max
it survive. What about the fencing around Wellington Harbor, what
are your guys thoughts about that. We see that that
the temporary fencing has been removed after Ian has been
(19:49):
definitely seven some say nine deaths by drowning around the harbor.
We had temporary fencing up and we had the coronas
saying it should be permanent. Matt, what are your thoughts
on this? I mean, now it's come down, the temporary
fencings coming down.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
A tricky one, Nock. I've gotta say I support the
fencing coming down. It's a beautiful part of our capital
city and it's a very special place to be.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
So it's a tricky one.
Speaker 5 (20:13):
I absolutely feel for anyone that's lost someone along there.
But I think there is a there's a balance needed here.
I'm sure we've got some very clever people in Willington
that come up with some cheaper barriers that prevent, you know,
help manage this in. Parents need to take some responsibility
to for half children.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Philip, you're about to jump it there by all means
jump in. You don't have to wait for me.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
I took the words right out of my mouth, Matt.
I think personal responsibility or parental responsibility is key in
this conversation.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
So you don't mind the temporary fences coming down. You
want to have free and open and make it look good.
I changed my tune. I was all about getting fencing.
When I read one of the stories of a death,
got emotionally effected, put fencing up, fence and fencer. Then
I thought about it and I said that that doesn't
It's a harbor.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
It is the harbor, and there are beautiful harbors all
over the world. Wellington is one of the best. It's
one of our key key at beautiful beauty harbor. You
can't beat Wellington on a good day sout and personal
responsibility for you and your family when you're out near
the water.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Something that also affected me in the last couple of
weeks is the Depression Recovery Center in the James Smith Building.
I don't know whether you guys know anything about it,
or seen it or had it. I was fortunate enough
on its opening week to go and have a look
around it, and I was completely blown away. Mental health
is something that we you know, I always call it
the illness without a scar. You know, you don't know,
(21:38):
you don't know what people are going through. And to
close that center down, to me, Matt would be I
think pretty disappointing.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (21:46):
Again, I don't know too much about the work or
be it or have huge admiration for anyone working in
that space, such a difficult space, and certainly through Bernado's work,
we're seeing increasing amounts of mental health, particularly particularly.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
For Can I ask you that, are you seeing the
numbers go up?
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Absolutely? And you feel for children? Yes. Years.
Speaker 5 (22:03):
So there was a report that came out from unis
IF earlier this year and we write New Zealand rated
very very poorly for a child wellbeing, worst for suicidal
rates and over a well being we rated very very poorly.
So and we see it in the outdated.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
How can that be? How can we have the worse
rates for youth suicide in the world. I mean, that's
not right.
Speaker 5 (22:26):
It's not right, Nick, and we've got it. We have
to work together to do something about it. So again
back to complex issues, poverty, housing issues, alcohol, gangs. I
could go on, but there's some really complex issues that
we've got to get a hids around and work to
work to improve.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
And I don't know, but I would have thought that
it doesn't actually have to be about poverty suicide. It
has to be Maybe it's about expectations too, you know,
family expectations, expect too much. The pressure gets to you
and you think that's the way out, Philip, your thoughts.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Incredibly complex issue, not one that I'm qualified to speak on.
To be honest, did a little bit of homework when
I saw the questions come through about what it is.
It's a pilot program from ACC. It was in place
for two years, a committed to can keep it, continuing
it to the end of its time. But they did
note that they've had a significantly lower number of referrals
(23:20):
than they expected to this particular program, So possibly the
money is better used.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
Spoke we spoke about, we spoke.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
About outcomes and an outcome driven government, and you know,
maybe bonandos can do something better with the money. Not
belittling it, and that mental health space is incredibly complex
and I my head is off to anybody that's operating
in that space.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
The question there has to be around what's happening with
those referrals. We haven't got less people with mental health,
so what's happening in our system that means those referrals
aren't going through?
Speaker 4 (23:52):
That's the question.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
And we've got a beautiful facility set up in the
town to try and help, so we surely we should
be using That's right. Yeah, With Philip Bramley and Matt Reed.
I want to ask you guys about the last weekend.
It was beautiful weather and one Internet sort of almost
had that real Christmas feel to me. I'm going to
ask you at the end of this part a very
specific question about Christmas, but you know, I want to
(24:15):
know from you, especially Philip, how is it feeling this
year compared to last year and the year before Christmas
time is here? How do you feel.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Christmas time is coming? As I mentioned to you briefly
or fair before, forty odd percent of toy Worlds turnover
will be done between Labor weekend and Boxing Day. So
Christmas is critical to the business and how we go.
Christmas comes every year. What happens is what people choose
to buy for Christmas. That's the challenge in these eas times. Yeah,
(24:44):
budget and also value becomes a really really important thing
in the equation. People are looking for value when times
are a little bit tougher. We tend people they're not
afraid to spend the right amount of money if they
feel they're getting value for themselves and their families.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Do you still think that families are cautious?
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Absolutely, they're cautious. They're looking for things two that are
going to give longevity, that are going to give again.
I keep using the term value, but they're going to give.
They're not just cheap throwaway gifts. They're things that are
going to either enhance or.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
Good.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Things that are going to have fun but have sustainability
and some time to keep going together.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Can I tell you that on Saturday morning, I got
up and said, I'm going to clean out. I've got
a room down the bottom of my house, like a small,
small bedroom full of stuff, toys from kids from yesteryear,
like fuller. And I said to myself, I'm going to
chuck all that out. I'm going to give it away.
I'm going to get clean up. I went and open
the door, and I closed the door again, because I mean,
our houses are all full of toys that we haven't
(25:47):
used for ten years, aren't they?
Speaker 2 (25:49):
I think so. But things change, Trends change, Like at
the moment we're seeing and this has been a trend
over the last eighteen months, we're seeing families actively looking
for things to do together as a family that unplug
the particularly the children, from their devices. And that's something
that we spend a lot of time and a lot
of energy. That's why we have the staff we have,
(26:10):
we have the products we have is to get people
away and give them alternatives to a device based babysitter.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
Matt Read this is a particularly tough time for you guys.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
I've got to say, Nick Firsley, it's a fantastic time
for most of us, right so, most of us in
New Zealand get the benefit of incredible Christmas with it.
The sun was out in the week in the weekend
and we feel good, but so sadly for Barnados, the
families and children a lot of them that we that
we serve. It's a really challenging time, hard to put
food on the table.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
How can we help apart from that just dishing out money, how.
Speaker 5 (26:42):
Can we everyone who can help? Mack there's that beautiful
outage of a village to raise a child. I truly
believe in that. Barnados believes in that everyone can play
a part in villages. You can also give to organizations
like Bonnados, you know, jump wind our website and we
will accept all alternations to make a difference for children.
(27:02):
But we do see it tough for families. Kids are
at home from school. Unfortunately, Spike and family violence, alcohol
gets involved. So it's a tough time for many families.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
Nick, if you could waive a magic wand to central
government right now, Matt and say, I want this Christmas
speed to be really special for a whole lot of families.
What what could anyone do?
Speaker 5 (27:27):
I think for me, prioritizing our most vulnerable. I'm a
huge believer in and let's judge a nation on how
we look after our most vulnerable, whether it's our children,
our our elderly. I'd like to see governments prioritize our
most vulnerable.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
So would I?
Speaker 4 (27:43):
I agree?
Speaker 2 (27:43):
Yeah, I think that your point is very valid. That
that's how a nation has judged how they look after
the seakh, the sick, the weak and the aged.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
Yeah. Do you think dis government's doing that?
Speaker 2 (27:56):
I think dis government's on the right track. There's some
economic challenges that had to be addressed, and I think
there are some signs, but I think there's more to
endure before we get to the other side of it.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
I loved your analogy a government is judged by the youth,
the sick, and the elderly.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
I believe that absolutely, and so do I.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
But I'm starting I'm sorry I'm looking you straight in
the eye. I'm feeling that this government isn't doing that.
I don't think and I don't blame that. I don't
think labor to don't anyone's done that. I think that's
what we're going wrong. That's I think that's as a
country we're doing wrong.
Speaker 4 (28:34):
We need more courage.
Speaker 5 (28:35):
Next, So governments have the power of putier money, policy
and procurement. There's a really important p missing and it's people.
It's communities, EWI councils and other organizations like Bernando's.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
They have the power of the people.
Speaker 5 (28:47):
I think we've got to see more devolution of important
services out to local community groups and organizations.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
And I think as community members, we've got to look
after other people in our community. And that's where I
wish there was a simple thing there. You could buy
an extra present and drop it off to someone you
know is not getting at a present in your community.
Speaker 5 (29:07):
You can, you can, if anyone can buy an extra
present and put it under trees and supermarkets and many
great organizations doing that, so everyone can do that.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
Take a short break on getting but emotional. Now, it's
keep talking about Christmas. We need to you know, need
to help those that need help more than ourselves. Oh
I was going to say one hundred and eighty ten eighty,
but you can't call it and speak about it. But
we will talk about it between now and Christmas how
we can help, because I think it's important. Part Business
Panel Wrap with Philip Bramley and Matt Reid. Philip someone special,
(29:39):
come on, really really special. What are you going to do?
Speaker 2 (29:41):
I had to do this recently next so very simple.
Picked them up from the airport round the base. As
I say, you can't beat Wellington and that harbor on
a beautiful day to Papa, the cable car, botanical gardens
and Zeeland need to finish and if you're there for
the evening, a lovely steak at the Poolander there you go.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
Christmas Tree. When's the earliest you can put one up quickly?
Speaker 2 (30:01):
First week in November? Maybe mid November?
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Okay, all right, Matt read come on.
Speaker 5 (30:05):
Really quite top of the mount, beautiful views, Drive out
to the extra coffee in town, Amazing cafes in town,
Drive to the doos, head up to Team Aul for
a swim in the river, brewtown for a beer, over
to the White and I Beach for a beautiful, you know,
sunset and barbecue, that's a that's a wonderful day. And
Christmas trees if it brings happiness and enjoy it's never
(30:27):
too early to put up a Christmas tree.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
Good on you. I actually walked up mountainvic the other day.
I used to do it all the time in my youth,
or you know, a couple of years ago, a few
years ago before I did this job, and I got
lost a couple of times going up there. But gosh,
what a walk up to the top of that beautiful,
beautiful You can't beat it. You cannot beat one on
a good day. And that walk from from Mount Victoria,
(30:50):
from the bottom of the mountain Courtney plays basically to
the top. You cannot beat that.
Speaker 4 (30:54):
And it's good for us to Okay, it's good for us.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
It's you're right, you're right. Supposedly, I was feeling a
bit tired, but I've got the top. I'm rad. There's
a there's a water fountain. You can have a global
water and head your way back down. Thank you both
so much for taking time out of your both your
busy schedules. Matt Read, CEO of Bananos, and Philip Bramley
the owner, occupier, owner, manager of Toy World, fabulous shop,
(31:18):
a great place to go. I'm going to be in
there on the weekend and it is a very very
good place. And Matt, thanks for all you do and
helping people. People need your help, and thank you for
all you do.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news talks It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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