Kiwi singer-songwriter Greg Johnson is celebrating his 60th birthday with a career-spanning national tour.

His new upcoming album Somenight, Somewhere is out this October, but the tour will cover decades of hits from over the course of his career.

He says he's been reflecting on his career over the years, and he's learned a lot about his own creative abilities. 

"There's a consistent thing I've come to understand about myself, and that is that the one constant I've had ever since I can absolutely remember is music." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Kiwi singer-songwriter Greg Johnson is celebrating his 60th birthday with a career-spanning national tour.
His new upcoming album Somenight, Somewhere is out this October, but the tour will cover decades of hits from over the course of his career.
He says he's been reflecting on his career over the years, and he's learned a lot about his own creative abilities.&nbsp;
"There's a consistent thing I've come to understand about myself, and that is that the one constant I've had ever since I can absolutely remember is music."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your Sunday morning listening covered with The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin on Newstalk ZB.

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Greg Johnson: Kiwi singer-songwriter celebrates turning 60 with new tour

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c2f2ae43-a600-46c5-9bb4-b42a001b958e/transcript

Well, it wasn’t the most exciting Budget week was it? Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ budget was designed around fiscal restraint, deficit reduction, and a return to operating surplus by 2028/29 (depending on the accounting measure used!).

It does appear to make progress toward reducing spending growth. Major savings are expected from restructuring the public service and ending the final-year “fees free” tertiary policy. Whether these cuts are fully achievable is uncertain. The plan to reduce around 8700 public-sector jobs by 2029 relies on agency mergers, technology adoption, and continued restraint across departments. That’s a lot to get done right. Critics argue these reductions may prove politically difficult due to differences between the coalition parties.  

On the revenue side, the Government introduced a new levy on banks and insurers and adjusted several tax settings, but the Budget largely depends on stronger future growth to lift tax receipts over time to make the numbers work.

The Government also attempted to address productivity and long-term growth through increased capital investment in infrastructure, defence, hospitals, schools, vocational training, and technology development. Supporters argue these investments will improve economic capacity over time. Critics contend we still lack a comprehensive productivity strategy and under-invest in innovation and business growth.

So it’s not an aspirational Budget. Or an interesting one. It’s not a Budget that is going to seriously address inequality and inequity in NZ. It’s a back to basics, practical Budget and pretty much what we were expecting.  

But what I do like, and what makes this Budget distinctive, is the medium and long-term approach which, considering the pickle we’re in, is refreshingly grown-up. 

This is a Budget focused on long-term economic management rather than near-term popularity. It largely devoid of gimmicks, bribes, or incentives for voters. This is a Budget that draws a line in the sand. This is National and the coalition practising what they preach and defining themselves by their decision making.  

Whether the strategy succeeds politically is another question. Yes, it demonstrates fiscal credibility and attempts to address underlying economic weaknesses. But you can also argue the Government has underestimated public demand for immediate cost-of-living relief.  

Overall, the Budget moves New Zealand closer to stabilising debt and returning to surplus, but its success depends heavily on economic growth forecasts, successful implementation of spending cuts, and stable global conditions.

Given weaker growth projections and international uncertainty, achieving surplus by 2029–2030 is far from guaranteed.  

As ever, it’s another case of us needing to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Well, it wasn’t the most exciting Budget week was it? Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ budget was designed around fiscal restraint, deficit reduction, and a return to operating surplus by 2028/29 (depending on the accounting measure used!).
It does appear to make progress toward reducing spending growth. Major savings are expected from restructuring the public service and ending the final-year “fees free” tertiary policy. Whether these cuts are fully achievable is uncertain. The plan to reduce around 8700 public-sector jobs by 2029 relies on agency mergers, technology adoption, and continued restraint across departments. That’s a lot to get done right. Critics argue these reductions may prove politically difficult due to differences between the coalition parties. &nbsp;
On the revenue side, the Government introduced a new levy on banks and insurers and adjusted several tax settings, but the Budget largely depends on stronger future growth to lift tax receipts over time to make the numbers work.
The Government also attempted to address productivity and long-term growth through increased capital investment in infrastructure, defence, hospitals, schools, vocational training, and technology development. Supporters argue these investments will improve economic capacity over time. Critics contend we still lack a comprehensive productivity strategy and under-invest in innovation and business growth.
So it’s not an aspirational Budget. Or an interesting one. It’s not a Budget that is going to seriously address inequality and inequity in NZ. It’s a back to basics, practical Budget and pretty much what we were expecting. &nbsp;
But what I do like, and what makes this Budget distinctive, is the medium and long-term approach which, considering the pickle we’re in, is refreshingly grown-up.&nbsp;
This is a Budget focused on long-term economic management rather than near-term popularity. It largely devoid of gimmicks, bribes, or incentives for voters. This is a Budget that draws a line in the sand. This is National and the coalition practising what they preach and defining themselves by their decision making. &nbsp;
Whether the strategy succeeds politically is another question. Yes, it demonstrates fiscal credibility and attempts to address underlying economic weaknesses. But you can also argue the Government has underestimated public demand for immediate cost-of-living relief. &nbsp;
Overall, the Budget moves New Zealand closer to stabilising debt and returning to surplus, but its success depends heavily on economic growth forecasts, successful implementation of spending cuts, and stable global conditions.
Given weaker growth projections and international uncertainty, achieving surplus by 2029–2030 is far from guaranteed. &nbsp;
As ever, it’s another case of us needing to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Francesca Rudkin: The Government delivered a refreshingly grown-up Budget

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2d4e99ee-f1a1-402b-af89-b45a017bd1a6/transcript

Heather Mitchell is regarded as one of Australia's most well-known and hardest working stars, and she's taking on a new, unique role on stage. 

RBG: Of Many, One debuts at Auckland theatre company this week, and will run until June 7th - and Mitchell portrays the late US Supreme Court Justice.

It's a one-woman show, where Mitchell portrays Ginsburg from the age of 13 to 97, and she plays numerous characters across a story that lasts almost two hours.

"Really, all it requires is being present and in the moment and being there, for those imaginary characters."  

LISTEN ABOVE

Heather Mitchell is regarded as one of Australia's most well-known and hardest working stars, and she's taking on a new, unique role on stage.&nbsp;
RBG: Of Many, One debuts at Auckland theatre company this week, and will run until June 7th - and Mitchell portrays the late US Supreme Court Justice.
It's a one-woman show, where Mitchell portrays Ginsburg from the age of 13 to 97, and she plays numerous characters across a story that lasts almost two hours.
"Really, all it requires is being present and in the moment and being there, for those imaginary characters."&nbsp;&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Heather Mitchell: Australian actress on playing US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her solo show

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4f3e97f4-85fd-4ade-8492-b45400141377/transcript

Dave Dobbyn is regarded as a national treasure among Kiwi music fans, and he's set to hit the stage this July.

From Th’ Dudes to DD Smash to a highly successful solo career, he's made an impact on New Zealand music, with many of his hits becoming Kiwi anthems.

He's set to do a one night show in Auckland later this year, 'Selected Songs Encore' - a follow-up to last year's 'Selected Songs' tour.

"It was a real thrill and I warmed to it, because every time you play for an audience, you just become closer - and that's a pretty satisfying feeling." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Dave Dobbyn is regarded as a national treasure among Kiwi music fans, and he's set to hit the stage this July.
From Th’ Dudes to DD Smash to a highly successful solo career, he's made an impact on New Zealand music, with many of his hits becoming Kiwi anthems.
He's set to do a one night show in Auckland later this year, 'Selected Songs Encore' - a follow-up to last year's 'Selected Songs' tour.
"It was a real thrill and I warmed to it, because every time you play for an audience, you just become closer - and that's a pretty satisfying feeling."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Sir Dave Dobbyn: Kiwi musician ahead of his 'Selected Songs Encore' show in Auckland

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9dac8255-10c4-48e2-b5df-b454000fe88d/transcript

Greg Johnson: Kiwi singer-songwriter celebrates turning 60 with new tour

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