Latest news with #Mander
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
'Incredible atmosphere': Australia gears up for 'historic, brutal and thrilling' rugby union showdown as British and Irish Lions face off Wallabies, other teams in six-week tour
The British and Irish Lions will roar into Australia next month to bring drama and excitement for rugby fans while delivering a tourism windfall in excess of $150 million. Thousands of Australians have already bought tickets to cheer the Wallabies in what is a historic, brutal and thrilling football series. The Lions tour Australia every 12 years. Their first tour Down Under was in 1888 - before Australia was officially a nation. Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said this year the visitors will be heading here with a cheer squad of 40,000 fans from the UK. Phillipa Harrison, the managing director of Tourism Australia said the tourism benefits of the six-week tour should not be underestimated. She said the 2013 tour by the British and Irish Lions supporters pumped $150 million to the Australian economy. 'The upcoming tour offers significant opportunities for Australian tourism with the nine-game tour being played across six cities, delivering significant economic impacts to both the host destinations and Australia more broadly,' Ms Harrison said. 'While British and Irish rugby fans will be focused on what's happening on the rugby pitch, we also want to remind them of what Australia has to offer as a world-class holiday destination.' The Lions are bringing a squad of 38 players skippered by Maro Itoje, a rugby superstar who will be a major drawcard. The elusive lock was born Oghenemaro Miles Itoje in London to Nigerian parents and grew up playing many sports. He was an under 17 England shot-put champion. The Lions will play a warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin on June 20 before they fly to Australia. Tim Mander, the Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and the Olympics said the first test against the Wallabies starts at Lang Park in Brisbane on July 19. He added the Qatar Airways British and Irish Lions Tour to Australia is expected to inject around $55.5 million into the Queensland economy alone. Mr Mander, a former rugby league referee who controlled 12 test matches, expects the series will attract 38,000 visitors to Queensland from interstate and overseas. He said the Queensland Reds will play the tourists in a warm-up game at Suncorp Stadium on July 2. 'We can't wait for the incredible atmosphere that the British and Irish Lions fans guarantee: the chants, comradery and fanfare make for an unforgettable night,' Mr Mander said. 'And where better than the world's best football stadium? 'This is the beginning of our golden runway of rugby for Queensland, as we get ready to host the Men's World Cup in 2027 and the Women's World Cup in 2029.' Victoria's Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos believes a crowd in excess of 100,000 may turn out to the MCG. 'Melbourne is Australia's sporting capital, and we can't wait to see the MCG packed to the rafters with what could be a record-breaking crowd,' he said. Steve Kamper, the NSW Minister for Sport, was also claiming bragging rights. 'Sydney is the heartland of rugby in Australia, boasting the nation's strongest fan base,' he said. 'Accor Stadium is one of the finest rugby venues in the country and is a fitting stage for what promises to be the most crucial match of the series against the old foe.' It will also be a packed house in Perth when 61,000 fans turn out to see the Lions go into battle with the Western Force at the Optus Stadium on Saturday June 28. The Lions will also play the NSW Waratahs and the ACT Brumbies. Tourism Australia said there will be another rugby invasion in 2027 when Australia hosts the Rugby World Cup. Matches will be played in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle, and Townsville between October 1 and November 13. Where to see the British and Irish Lions: Saturday June 28 - Lions v Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium) Wednesday July 2 - Lions v Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium) Saturday July 5 - Lions v NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium) Wednesday July 9 - Lions v ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium) Saturday July 12 - Lions v Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) Saturday July 19 - Lions v Australia, first Test, Brisbane (Lang Park's Suncorp Stadium) Tuesday July 22 - Lions v First Nations & Pasifika XV, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium) Saturday July 26 - Lions v Australia, second Test, Melbourne (MCG) Saturday August 2 - Lions v Australia, third Test, Sydney (Accor Stadium)
NZ Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Capital Markets: A ‘force for good' in New Zealand's sharemarket
'NZSA has been a force for good for capital markets in New Zealand … in how policies, legislation, structures and institutions have developed in response to shareholder needs. Some of that wouldn't have happened to the same extent had NZSA not been in existence,' he says. 'Whether you're a member or not, we think we benefit the market as a whole.' Being in the middle means the association can facilitate conversations between different stakeholders to solve problems, by advocating directly on behalf of retail investors. Getting results Asked for an example of its effectiveness, Mander, who has led a tiny team of researchers for five years, says the list is long, but cites the case of listed cinema software company Vista last year. The appearance on the register and demands of 19.9% shareholder Australia's Potentia Capital were creating uncertainty and instability for Vista's share price, he says. 'The market doesn't value uncertainty and so for us, a really key concern was what was the best way forward to unlock the situation. 'This was an example of where we always engage with everyone involved in a situation. We talked to Potentia, we talked to the (Vista) board and executives to understand the strategy of the company and where opportunity may lie.' Another example of a good outcome from NZSA intervention is that of NZX-listed carpet maker Bremworth this year, Mander says. In its discussions with shareholder groups during a shareholder revolt over leadership and financial performance, NZSA discovered 'significant agreement' between the groups. 'We made a public call for the different groups to get together and work out a solution for the benefit of everyone. And that's exactly what happened.' Among this year's flurry of aggressive takeover actions and board battles was a proposed board rout at media company New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) by wealthy Canadian ex-pat Jim Grenon, who spent just over $9 million in March to take his holding to a 9.3% stake in the NZX-listed media company. Mander says the NZSA has met with, and continues to meet, Grenon and the NZME board. He says the discussions are an example of how the NZSA can apply its researched principles for the benefit of individual shareholders in the long term. Its main concerns in the NZME situation related to the independence of directors, he says. Independence counts Independence is an important principle for the NZSA itself. 'We are independent, we're not beholden to anyone or anything and we are not-for-profit,' Mander says. 'I'm very interested in membership, absolutely right, but ultimately [membership] provides a benefit for any shareholder, regardless of whether you're investing in KiwiSaver or via a broker or directly [yourself]. Ultimately that independence is really important as a means of holding to a set of evidence-based principles. 'That reflects great governance, which ultimately we think leads to great performance in the long term. 'Ultimately what we would love to see in terms of New Zealand capital markets is a sense of confidence in our market. We've got good access to capital in New Zealand – individual investor capital is relatively strong now and institutional capital is being driven through the likes of KiwiSaver and other wealth management.' Our capital markets are growing rapidly, Mander says. 'There's going to be a real market and a future for where that capital has to go, and it's going to go to great businesses that are well-governed, well-managed and attractive to investors – not just in New Zealand, but around the world.' Market confidence Kiwis' historic reliance on property as their main asset class is giving way to a more mature attitude to investment and diversification, the NZSA believes. 'A big part of NZSA's role is making sure that whether you're a domestic investor or an international investor looking at New Zealand, that you have confidence in our market. 'Confidence through effective disclosure, confidence those investor protections are there….that the policy is there so that people can feel confident about investment,' Mander says. With capital market growth and more investment diversification comes more risk. And says Mander, no amount of policing and encouragement of investor protections – whether they come through better legislation or improvements in listing rules and companies' own conduct – is a substitute for homework by investors themselves. New blood NZSA chair Sam Dixon, appointed this year on returning home after a 25-year international career in investment banking and fund management, says it's not the NZSA's job to mitigate investment or macro-economic risk. 'I believe we're looking after three investor groups… we're not investigating corporate risk or risk-taking via investment. 'We provide education to the younger retail investor. That's something we can do by shining a light on best practice. 'We also assist institutional investors via advocacy. (Second) supporting institutional investors and if after that there is a level playing field for investors in New Zealand, that will attract the third pool, which is foreign investors into New Zealand. 'I'd like to get a lot of younger members so they see what we do. 'They can get excited, turn up at AGMs, or use us as their proxy. That's the education piece. 'Then there's the advocacy piece where we want to work more closely with fund managers, larger institutional investors, working with them in their processes and advocating on their behalf if it's for the betterment of the wider New Zealand landscape.' Dixon says he'd like the association to get closer to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and new government agency Invest New Zealand. '(So we're) working shoulder to shoulder, making New Zealand a more attractive place to invest through advocacy, shining lights on various systems and suggesting best practice.' Mander says the association has 'immensely' improved the relationship with the FMA. '(FMA) does have a role to play in engaging with the market. Yes, it enforces the market but given New Zealand's size, that engagement development is really critical as well. 'Honestly, we'd love to see more engagement.' Managing risk Mander says investors need to understand their risk. 'There's a key balance between saying you should be protected from poor disclosure or actions that hurt your rights as a shareholder, but actually, you are still taking a risk.' It's been interesting watching company attitudes to risk evolving, almost an unintended consequence of the climate change disclosure regime,' he says. 'Whatever your views on that regime, it has certainly heightened directors' and investors' awareness of risk. 'I think companies are now having a much more mature conversation about what their risks actually are, how they relate to the business and how that is relevant for investors as well. 'That's not a bad thing and an example of how the conversation has matured over the last few years to the point we are again seeing improvements, both in terms of disclosure but also in terms of the underlying practice of how risk is identified and managed.' The NZSA aims to build trust across the investment landscape. 'We behave as we seek the markets to behave: transparent, simple, effective and equitable,' says its website. But investors themselves need to do their part, says Mander. 'Investors have to have basic involvement. I think it's great to start early because if you make mistakes when you're young, chances are those mistakes will not be life-threatening and you'll recover… and learn from the experience. 'We shouldn't be afraid of making mistakes…it's about taking risks, informed risks and learning from that mistake and moving on. 'That's how we develop and grow as nations.' Advertise with NZME. Investment decisions aren't all about the financials. '(It's also about) Understanding, having that wider context of what's going on in the world, how do geopolitics impact the company you might be interested in? Corporate strategy is another great place to start – is this a good investment or not?' Mander says it's interesting that New Zealand has a lot of listed companies with a dominant shareholder – one which owns more than 30% of the shares. He recommends investors consider this aspect, given takeover offers can come in below fair value in the case of a company trading well below its fair share value. 'It's about making sure those interests are aligned with what your own interest might be.' Corporate governance NZSA chair Dixon advises a study of a board's skills mix. 'Have a skills matrix for a company. You can see, okay, there's a good finance individual there, a good legal individual there but possibly not a good customer-facing individual there ... maybe there are three lawyers. 'If you look at a few of the board battles in the last six months, a lot of the comments from the aggressor is that a board is not fit for purpose and I think those are very valid comments.' The association believes at a macro level, governance in New Zealand performs well. But director recruitment tends to be 'a very risk-averse business, which isn't always appropriate' says Dixon. 'We think there's an untapped pool of potential directors and that's simply based on the fact they can't demonstrate public company experience. Well, how do you get that experience in the first place? 'Do I think we're well-served by the emerging executives and people who become directors? Yes I do. But boards should take a more balanced approach in terms of how they recruit.' NZSA's production of skills matrices for listed company boards is a valuable service, Dixon says. Another is its tracking of the quality of CEO remuneration disclosure. Mander says this has noticeably improved in the past year and the organisation is formally analysing by exactly how much. It plans to produce this year its first annual report on CEO remuneration structures and how they relate to performance. He agrees the workload for such a small organisation is 'very high'. 'Part of the answer is having a really great board with a diverse range of skills – that's really helping. We also have a network of volunteers who will attend corporate shareholder meetings and ask the tough questions on behalf of NZSA. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 'One of the key challenges for us over time is to ensure we can sustain (this pace) and be a sustainable advocate for investors in the long term.' This includes putting strategies in place to support an increase in investors working through fund and wealth managers, Mander says. 'We need to make sure we continue to evolve what we offer to support those fund and wealth managers as well as individual investors.' Who's running the NZSA? Chairman Sam Dixon Dixon has returned to his home town Auckland to head up Murray & Co's fund distribution business after a 25-year career in investment banking and fund management with JPMorgan and HSBC in London, Hong Kong and Sydney, including stints in Moscow, Geneva, Milan, Beijing and Mumbai. He set up HSBC's global hedge fund credit risk team and supported the launch of its prime brokerage business in Europe and Asia. He also managed global investor relationships developing multi-product relationships with an array of global investors. He says this background ensures he's well-placed to comment on best practice within global capital markets and assist investors in New Zealand connect with offshore opportunities. Dixon holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago, is a regulated banker in the EU, Hong Kong and Australia and a member of the Institute of Directors and Institute of Finance Professionals. Chief executive Oliver Mander Wellingtonian Mander joined the NZSA in 2020. He is a board member of the NZX Corporate Governance Institute and a market development consultant for Locus Technology. He is a director of a family investment company and has a private business consultancy. Mander has a Bachelor of Commerce from Canterbury University. ● The New Zealand Shareholders' Association is an advertising sponsor in the Herald's Capital Markets and Investment report.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brisbane is Magic Round's beating heart but risks becoming a victim of its own success
'Where else would you have it?', former NRL referee and now Queensland sport minister Tim Mander said on Thursday at the launch of Magic Round, rugby league's annual expo. It was a rhetorical question, but it did – for a moment at least – let the imagination wander. Perth could work, given WA premier Roger Cook's preference for rugby league and the imminent arrival of the Bears. Elsewhere, Adelaide Oval's proximity to the CBD is kick-on heaven, just ask AFL fans. Melbourne and of course Sydney can put on a show. Or could the NRL try the Gold Coast, Townsville, Newcastle, even New Zealand? Advertisement 'It's great for Queensland.' Mander's proud but suddenly desperate words echoed through the fan festival on the Lang Park forecourt. 'But it's also great for the NRL,' he said. 'We hope that the relationship will continue.' Related: Welcome to country ceremonies to go ahead at Women's State of Origin and NRL's Magic Round Just as an estimated 50,000 rugby league fans descend on Brisbane for this weekend's festivities, the relationship that Mander speaks of is far from certain to endure. A deal with the Queensland government to host Magic Round expires at the end of the 2027 season. 'We're very, very happy for that relationship to continue, for hopefully years to come,' Mander said. The heart sinks when a friend showers love and affection on their partner, who is only tepid in return. '2028 is a long time away, and the next two years are about investing and growing the game here, and growing the spectacle,' Andrew Abdo, NRL chief executive, said. 'And for as long as we see people enjoying coming to Brisbane, enjoying Magic Round and traveling for it, and its popularity grows, I'd love to be able to see it stay here.' Advertisement Queensland has been the victim of its own success. More than 150,000 attendees and 6m television viewers are expected to enjoy the entertainment in this year's sixth iteration of a concept first developed by the code in the UK. Its popularity has sparked local imitations, some successful – like the AFL's Gather Round – while others, like rugby's Super Round and the A-League's Unite Round, have been less so. But the country's rugby league expo is now rightly seen as an asset by the code's officials, and some believe there is a need in the competitive environment of Australian sport to realise its full economic value. Sydney is the obvious alternative. Accor Stadium at Homebush became a carnival during the 2023 Women's World Cup, and sponsor activations, food trucks and bars between the arena and the train station might just sustain the thousands of NRL fans who think 240 minutes of rugby league on a Saturday is not enough. Allianz Stadium offers a more upmarket option, and would give rugby league fans from Bowen to Bega an invitation to sample the shinier side of the Emerald City. Melbourne's appeal is obvious, with three venues close to the city. An MCG-hosted showpiece – off the back of the success of Melbourne's State of Origin last year – complemented by games at AAMI Park would offer a cosmopolitan twist to the rugby league formula. A South Queensland Crushers jersey might not look out of place between the baristas and boutiques of Flinders Lane. Advertisement But in both cases, Magic Round would lose much of its sparkle. It takes an Olympics to unite Sydney across its vast geography and isolated centres. And down in Richmond across from AAMI Park, there is only room for one Tigers. Related: Lachlan Galvin lifts lid on emotional toll of Tigers saga after 'tough' few weeks Brisbane still has a few cards to play. Suncorp Stadium may have been left out of the Queensland government's Olympics infrastructure plan announced in March. But the venue is a source of pride for the city. Mander described it on Thursday as 'the best rugby league stadium in the world' and added 'we want to make sure that it maintains that standard'. There is also Caxton Street. Few places exude rugby league culture like the strip of asphalt leading down to Lang Park. There is a reason the NRL bought a hotel halfway up the road. The pubs and restaurants within earshot of the main stadium act as Magic Round's beating heart. Nine games of football across four days, plus complementary events, podcast recordings and meet-and-greets, could wash away in another city. But on Caxton Street during Magic Round, rugby league's ink never runs dry. Looking out over the city's famous brown snake in the hours before Women's State of Origin as a tyre – complete with rim – bobs by, one is left to wonder whether the grass may be greener elsewhere. Or, how much another state might pay for the privilege of putting up tens of thousands of men in coloured polyester. But sometimes, you can't mess with magic.
The Guardian
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Brisbane is NRL Magic Round's beating heart but risks becoming a victim of its own success
'Where else would you have it?', former NRL referee and now Queensland sport minister Tim Mander said on Thursday at the launch of Magic Round, rugby league's annual expo. It was a rhetorical question, but it did – for a moment at least – let the imagination wander. Perth could work, given WA premier Roger Cook's preference for rugby league and the imminent arrival of the Bears. Elsewhere, Adelaide Oval's proximity to the CBD is kick-on heaven, just ask AFL fans. Melbourne and of course Sydney can put on a show. Or could the NRL try the Gold Coast, Townsville, Newcastle, even New Zealand? 'It's great for Queensland.' Mander's proud but suddenly desperate words echoed through the fan festival on the Lang Park forecourt. 'But it's also great for the NRL,' he said. 'We hope that the relationship will continue.' Just as an estimated 50,000 rugby league fans descend on Brisbane for this weekend's festivities, the relationship that Mander speaks of is far from certain to endure. A deal with the Queensland government to host Magic Round expires at the end of the 2027 season. 'We're very, very happy for that relationship to continue, for hopefully years to come,' Mander said. The heart sinks when a friend showers love and affection on their partner, who is only tepid in return. '2028 is a long time away, and the next two years are about investing and growing the game here, and growing the spectacle,' Andrew Abdo, NRL chief executive, said. 'And for as long as we see people enjoying coming to Brisbane, enjoying Magic Round and traveling for it, and its popularity grows, I'd love to be able to see it stay here.' Queensland has been the victim of its own success. More than 150,000 attendees and 6m television viewers are expected to enjoy the entertainment in this year's sixth iteration of a concept first developed by the code in the UK. Its popularity has sparked local imitations, some successful – like the AFL's Gather Round – while others, like rugby's Super Round and the A-League's Unite Round, have been less so. But the country's rugby league expo is now rightly seen as an asset by the code's officials, and some believe there is a need in the competitive environment of Australian sport to realise its full economic value. Sydney is the obvious alternative. Accor Stadium at Homebush became a carnival during the 2023 Women's World Cup, and sponsor activations, food trucks and bars between the arena and the train station might just sustain the thousands of NRL fans who think 240 minutes of rugby league on a Saturday is not enough. Allianz Stadium offers a more upmarket option, and would give rugby league fans from Bowen to Bega an invitation to sample the shinier side of the Emerald City. Melbourne's appeal is obvious, with three venues close to the city. An MCG-hosted showpiece – off the back of the success of Melbourne's State of Origin last year – complemented by games at AAMI Park would offer a cosmopolitan twist to the rugby league formula. A South Queensland Crushers jersey might not look out of place between the baristas and boutiques of Flinders Lane. But in both cases, Magic Round would lose much of its sparkle. It takes an Olympics to unite Sydney across its vast geography and isolated centres. And down in Richmond across from AAMI Park, there is only room for one Tigers. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion Brisbane still has a few cards to play. Suncorp Stadium may have been left out of the Queensland government's Olympics infrastructure plan announced in March. But the venue is a source of pride for the city. Mander described it on Thursday as 'the best rugby league stadium in the world' and added 'we want to make sure that it maintains that standard'. There is also Caxton Street. Few places exude rugby league culture like the strip of asphalt leading down to Lang Park. There is a reason the NRL bought a hotel halfway up the road. The pubs and restaurants within earshot of the main stadium act as Magic Round's beating heart. Nine games of football across four days, plus complementary events, podcast recordings and meet-and-greets, could wash away in another city. But on Caxton Street during Magic Round, rugby league's ink never runs dry. Looking out over the city's famous brown snake in the hours before Women's State of Origin as a tyre – complete with rim – bobs by, one is left to wonder whether the grass may be greener elsewhere. Or, how much another state might pay for the privilege of putting up tens of thousands of men in coloured polyester. But sometimes, you can't mess with magic.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Poets lament decline of traditional Punjabi folklore Kavishri
Poets, often dubbed as 'kavishar', performing at the Kavishri Darbar organised by the Punjabi Sahit Akademi on Sunday, highlighted the growing neglect of traditional folklore. They said Kavishri, once a powerful voice of Punjab's bravery, spirituality, and social consciousness, now struggles for space in modern times. Despite its deep roots in the state's history and culture, it has been pushed to the margins, with fewer young artists taking interest in it. Poets pointed out that the rise of commercial music, lack of formal training, and limited platforms for traditional arts have made it difficult for Kavishri to survive. Reflecting on the state of this traditional art form, Amarjeet Sherpuri, a veteran artist and retired municipal corporation employee, said, 'Kavishri is a folklore performed without musical instruments but is recited in a melodious tone. It is prominently performed in troupes of two to four members.'. 'Kavishri is our living folklore. We recite without instruments, yet our voices carry the soul of Punjab. But today, fewer schools host weekly sessions, and our troupes struggle to find audiences. If we do nothing, this art will vanish, he noted. Describing it as a ballad form that recites stories from Punjabi history, historic events, and traditional literature, Sherpuri said that at present, Kavishri has been largely confined to youth festivals of colleges, where it is mostly rural students who perform it. 'As these stories are still alive in rural Punjab, the art form maintains some recognition there. He lamented that such regular exposure has now disappeared from Punjabi cities, leaving Kavishri unable to capture the imagination of urban youth, who prefer western rhythms and glossy pop.,' he said. Sherpuri also pointed to the decline of Punjabi programmes on mass-media outlets. 'Families once used to tune in religiously to Doordarshan and Akashvani for Punjabi oriented content. But now, with these channels driven by commercial interests, there's little room for our ballads. While social media offers new avenues, most young people remain unaware of the rich stories that underpin their own heritage, he added. Notably, the highlight of the event was the musical performance led by 50-year-old Navjot Singh Mander from Jarg village near Khanna. Mander, who began playing at the age of 15 after learning from local musicians performing at village carnivals. He lamented that while contemporary Punjabi music enjoys global fame, the rich heritage of traditional folklore remains largely overlooked. 'As the trend of village carnivals has faded, art forms like Kavishri, which were once performed among the masses, have lost their charm,' he said. Mander emphasised that Kavishri events should be held in villages to promote social values and preserve traditions. Gulzar Pandher, General Secretary of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi, said, 'As we celebrate Rangla Punjab, we must safeguard the art forms that embody our history. This Darbar, dedicated to the 300th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh and Baisakhi is a pledge to ensure Kavishri does not slip into oblivion.' Additionally, the programme featured stirring recitations by kavishars Lakhbir Singh Teri, Sukhmeet Singh (Amritsar), Preet Singh Sandal (Maksudra), Gursewak Singh Dhillon, Narinder Singh Bagga and Narinderpal Singh (Abul Khurana), each backed by small troupes.
