1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:11,972 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talks, they'd be 2 00:00:12,373 --> 00:00:16,173 Speaker 1: follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:16,613 --> 00:00:19,692 Speaker 2: The government is promising big changes to special licensing rules 4 00:00:19,692 --> 00:00:22,973 Speaker 2: to make it easier for organizers to run the events. 5 00:00:23,012 --> 00:00:24,813 Speaker 2: If you're affected by this, love to hear from you 6 00:00:25,012 --> 00:00:28,133 Speaker 2: or what roadblocks did you face when trying to run 7 00:00:28,213 --> 00:00:30,533 Speaker 2: an event. But one of our most successful and well 8 00:00:30,573 --> 00:00:34,533 Speaker 2: known promoters and Australasia is Brent Equals and Brent is 9 00:00:34,613 --> 00:00:38,253 Speaker 2: on the line now, very good afternoon to you mate. 10 00:00:38,293 --> 00:00:40,732 Speaker 3: Now have you in the past had to give up 11 00:00:40,732 --> 00:00:44,092 Speaker 3: on gigs and events because of the licensing red tape? 12 00:00:45,613 --> 00:00:49,132 Speaker 4: Well, I don't know about give up, but it can 13 00:00:49,173 --> 00:00:53,253 Speaker 4: make it very very tricky and it can be disappointing 14 00:00:53,293 --> 00:00:55,853 Speaker 4: for the punters when they can't do what you want 15 00:00:56,013 --> 00:00:59,413 Speaker 4: to do and have a act like act like they 16 00:00:59,453 --> 00:01:01,213 Speaker 4: wouldn't a normal life and be able to get a 17 00:01:01,293 --> 00:01:03,733 Speaker 4: drink or a couple of drinks which will shout for 18 00:01:03,773 --> 00:01:06,693 Speaker 4: their mates, and it makes it difficult. So we'd like 19 00:01:06,733 --> 00:01:09,613 Speaker 4: to have gigs that run smoothly. Most of us are 20 00:01:09,733 --> 00:01:13,173 Speaker 4: very responsible, so we just feel that every time we 21 00:01:13,253 --> 00:01:15,053 Speaker 4: have to go to a special license there should be 22 00:01:15,093 --> 00:01:18,652 Speaker 4: some you know, some easy and easier way through. 23 00:01:19,212 --> 00:01:19,973 Speaker 5: I guess. 24 00:01:20,572 --> 00:01:23,173 Speaker 3: So do you like what you've seen from these changes? 25 00:01:23,212 --> 00:01:25,452 Speaker 3: What buts are good? And do they go far enough? 26 00:01:26,493 --> 00:01:28,773 Speaker 4: Well, the thing is that you know the as social 27 00:01:28,853 --> 00:01:32,053 Speaker 4: mysts of justice, and Nicole McKee is she's a good 28 00:01:32,053 --> 00:01:34,893 Speaker 4: listener and she's an advocate of us, so she's she 29 00:01:34,973 --> 00:01:38,053 Speaker 4: has started this process of undoing the red tape, which 30 00:01:38,093 --> 00:01:40,973 Speaker 4: is kind of a really good step in the process 31 00:01:41,133 --> 00:01:44,453 Speaker 4: that she's listening and she agrees with us that it's 32 00:01:44,493 --> 00:01:45,092 Speaker 4: just crazy. 33 00:01:45,212 --> 00:01:46,773 Speaker 5: So this is the first step. 34 00:01:46,813 --> 00:01:48,893 Speaker 4: That's not the ultimate answer, but it's the first step, 35 00:01:48,893 --> 00:01:50,773 Speaker 4: and it's we're going to get into a good position. 36 00:01:50,893 --> 00:01:51,653 Speaker 5: I can just feel it. 37 00:01:52,053 --> 00:01:54,453 Speaker 3: So how can can you see how it would if 38 00:01:54,453 --> 00:01:57,413 Speaker 3: the nationally applied framework which they're suggesting, so you don't 39 00:01:57,413 --> 00:02:00,613 Speaker 3: have to reinvent the wheel every time? How how would 40 00:02:00,653 --> 00:02:03,013 Speaker 3: that change the way you go about managing events? 41 00:02:03,973 --> 00:02:06,293 Speaker 4: Well, maybe it's because it's based on well, say, for me, 42 00:02:06,693 --> 00:02:09,773 Speaker 4: for example, if equals entertainment running an event, we have 43 00:02:09,813 --> 00:02:14,213 Speaker 4: a reputation that is reflected in the process. So it's 44 00:02:14,293 --> 00:02:15,973 Speaker 4: you know, if we've been been good at what we 45 00:02:16,053 --> 00:02:18,933 Speaker 4: do and we say we we say that we're going 46 00:02:19,013 --> 00:02:20,733 Speaker 4: to do something and actually do it, then we have 47 00:02:20,773 --> 00:02:23,252 Speaker 4: an easier road through then perhaps someone who's doing it 48 00:02:23,293 --> 00:02:25,053 Speaker 4: for the first time. And I think that's kind of 49 00:02:25,053 --> 00:02:28,053 Speaker 4: the basis of what this is all about. And it's 50 00:02:28,093 --> 00:02:30,653 Speaker 4: also recognizing that Kiwis like to drink. 51 00:02:31,013 --> 00:02:32,013 Speaker 5: Yeah, and it's a fact. 52 00:02:32,053 --> 00:02:37,132 Speaker 4: I mean, alcohol is in is in our community. So 53 00:02:37,252 --> 00:02:39,333 Speaker 4: you start making rules and where do you end up. 54 00:02:39,373 --> 00:02:41,573 Speaker 4: You end up with prohibition and that's not going to work. 55 00:02:42,133 --> 00:02:44,173 Speaker 4: I mean, trying to stop people drinking is not going 56 00:02:44,252 --> 00:02:46,693 Speaker 4: to work. And it seems that there are people in 57 00:02:46,813 --> 00:02:50,093 Speaker 4: responsible positions who just are trying to make that happen 58 00:02:50,173 --> 00:02:51,293 Speaker 4: and it's just not going to fly. 59 00:02:52,013 --> 00:02:55,292 Speaker 3: Yeah, So that have you thought, because I've seen this 60 00:02:55,333 --> 00:02:57,053 Speaker 3: and I want to know if I'm over egging egging it. 61 00:02:57,093 --> 00:02:59,213 Speaker 3: But it seems that a lot of these rules are 62 00:02:59,252 --> 00:03:04,373 Speaker 3: made by insane activists who are pushing an agenda that's 63 00:03:04,413 --> 00:03:08,053 Speaker 3: outside what most Kiwis would think. They the way they 64 00:03:08,053 --> 00:03:11,733 Speaker 3: want their events to be run, and which begs the 65 00:03:11,733 --> 00:03:13,693 Speaker 3: sort of question, who's making the national rules. Is it 66 00:03:13,733 --> 00:03:15,012 Speaker 3: going to be the same people that make that the 67 00:03:15,093 --> 00:03:18,693 Speaker 3: national rules as have made these insane, insane rules. 68 00:03:19,693 --> 00:03:22,053 Speaker 5: Well, I think it's sort of simple. 69 00:03:22,493 --> 00:03:25,533 Speaker 4: The try agency has been alcohol harmed police and health. 70 00:03:26,213 --> 00:03:29,693 Speaker 4: There are people in those organizations. I respect what they do, 71 00:03:29,893 --> 00:03:34,173 Speaker 4: but they are just don't get it, don't understand events 72 00:03:34,213 --> 00:03:37,213 Speaker 4: and consider events as dangerous, so they try to everything 73 00:03:37,253 --> 00:03:39,773 Speaker 4: they can to make it difficult and hard to run. 74 00:03:39,933 --> 00:03:41,453 Speaker 5: And that's really unfair. 75 00:03:41,573 --> 00:03:43,333 Speaker 4: I think the idea is that's going to they're going 76 00:03:43,333 --> 00:03:44,293 Speaker 4: to move away from that. 77 00:03:47,013 --> 00:03:48,893 Speaker 5: We're just yeah, sorry. 78 00:03:48,613 --> 00:03:50,253 Speaker 2: God, well I was just going to say, so so 79 00:03:50,373 --> 00:03:53,093 Speaker 2: dickie rules like we've seen the likes of Electric Care, 80 00:03:53,133 --> 00:03:55,693 Speaker 2: for example, they kicked off on this one about one 81 00:03:55,813 --> 00:03:59,413 Speaker 2: drink minimum rules. When you're at a festival, it's a 82 00:03:59,493 --> 00:04:01,773 Speaker 2: day long thing. You're there to enjoy yourself and have 83 00:04:01,853 --> 00:04:04,813 Speaker 2: it maximum sorry, maximum of one drink per person. Is 84 00:04:04,813 --> 00:04:06,813 Speaker 2: that the sort of dicky rules that hopefully will be 85 00:04:06,813 --> 00:04:10,053 Speaker 2: affected by some of these these What, yes, it. 86 00:04:10,013 --> 00:04:12,533 Speaker 4: Will be, because if you've heard me speak on this before, 87 00:04:12,573 --> 00:04:15,773 Speaker 4: there are so many security and alcohol prevention people at 88 00:04:15,773 --> 00:04:19,173 Speaker 4: those gigs more than anywhere. Why would you why would 89 00:04:19,213 --> 00:04:21,733 Speaker 4: you constrain a gig like that? What if I said 90 00:04:21,733 --> 00:04:23,933 Speaker 4: to you, guys, can I buy you a drink? You said, yeah, Brent, 91 00:04:24,053 --> 00:04:26,773 Speaker 4: oh should I can't? Only buy one, so I'll go 92 00:04:26,853 --> 00:04:27,533 Speaker 4: back three times? 93 00:04:27,533 --> 00:04:27,893 Speaker 5: Should I? 94 00:04:28,173 --> 00:04:28,373 Speaker 4: Yeah? 95 00:04:28,973 --> 00:04:32,013 Speaker 5: Whats going on here? It's just really it's crazy. 96 00:04:32,173 --> 00:04:33,893 Speaker 3: I mean, and I've said this to you before when 97 00:04:33,893 --> 00:04:35,973 Speaker 3: we've interviewed in the past. And yet those people on 98 00:04:36,013 --> 00:04:38,053 Speaker 3: the way home can go to a bottle store and 99 00:04:38,093 --> 00:04:41,573 Speaker 3: buy fifteen bottles of one, one, two fives of gin. 100 00:04:42,253 --> 00:04:43,253 Speaker 5: You know, of course they can. 101 00:04:43,773 --> 00:04:47,693 Speaker 3: And when they're not, you know, regulated by security in 102 00:04:47,733 --> 00:04:50,733 Speaker 3: a safe environment. Well, this make it a real difference 103 00:04:50,773 --> 00:04:54,133 Speaker 3: for medium and large festivals because can you can see 104 00:04:54,133 --> 00:04:57,173 Speaker 3: yourself or people in the industry doing more, say four 105 00:04:57,253 --> 00:05:00,213 Speaker 3: hundred to one, nine hundred and ninety nine person gigs, 106 00:05:00,213 --> 00:05:02,133 Speaker 3: because that's before you have to go to the major planning. 107 00:05:03,053 --> 00:05:05,293 Speaker 4: Yes, that's what they're saying. You don't have to go 108 00:05:05,413 --> 00:05:07,733 Speaker 4: up to all the major event planning. When you go 109 00:05:07,813 --> 00:05:10,173 Speaker 4: up there less in two thousand, Well you still have 110 00:05:10,173 --> 00:05:12,773 Speaker 4: to be responsible. You can't just go you go helpful leather, 111 00:05:12,813 --> 00:05:15,093 Speaker 4: but you know, it just means it won't be as 112 00:05:15,093 --> 00:05:16,893 Speaker 4: hard and if it's very sensible, because it means the 113 00:05:16,973 --> 00:05:19,813 Speaker 4: smaller wineries or the smaller outdoor gigs, the boots seat 114 00:05:19,893 --> 00:05:22,452 Speaker 4: things don't have to go because you can't. It's costs 115 00:05:22,453 --> 00:05:25,333 Speaker 4: way too much money. So that's very sensible. It's a 116 00:05:25,373 --> 00:05:28,373 Speaker 4: smart move. I think it's all going in the right direction. 117 00:05:28,533 --> 00:05:29,813 Speaker 3: Oh that's good. Do you think it's going in the 118 00:05:29,893 --> 00:05:31,573 Speaker 3: right direction? But do you think it goes far enough? 119 00:05:33,173 --> 00:05:35,213 Speaker 4: Well, it's very if you read the repress release, it's 120 00:05:35,293 --> 00:05:35,893 Speaker 4: very open ended. 121 00:05:36,013 --> 00:05:36,493 Speaker 3: Yeah. 122 00:05:36,613 --> 00:05:38,493 Speaker 4: So we just need to keep we need to keep going. 123 00:05:38,493 --> 00:05:41,573 Speaker 4: And one of the things they say is that you know, simple, 124 00:05:41,653 --> 00:05:45,053 Speaker 4: stable and practical rules. Well, I agree, that's that's practical, 125 00:05:45,133 --> 00:05:47,173 Speaker 4: simple like kwies. 126 00:05:46,773 --> 00:05:52,533 Speaker 3: Want, Yeah, exactly. And Preen Nichols, you know we've we've 127 00:05:52,533 --> 00:05:55,973 Speaker 3: been in business together in the past and and you're 128 00:05:56,013 --> 00:05:57,373 Speaker 3: one of the best in the business. And I know 129 00:05:57,453 --> 00:05:59,573 Speaker 3: you're at the top of this game. So I know 130 00:05:59,693 --> 00:06:03,533 Speaker 3: you love events. But from a societal level, how valuable 131 00:06:03,533 --> 00:06:06,213 Speaker 3: for the community are concerts, gags? Events? And what do 132 00:06:06,213 --> 00:06:08,173 Speaker 3: we lose out when they become too hard to put on? 133 00:06:09,253 --> 00:06:09,453 Speaker 5: Yeah? 134 00:06:09,573 --> 00:06:11,653 Speaker 4: I think for the psyching of the of the community, 135 00:06:11,653 --> 00:06:14,933 Speaker 4: they're really good. For the psyche of the constituents that 136 00:06:14,973 --> 00:06:17,293 Speaker 4: you know they're voting in the government, they're also very 137 00:06:17,373 --> 00:06:19,733 Speaker 4: very good. They take you to a place that you 138 00:06:19,773 --> 00:06:21,373 Speaker 4: know you can forget your woes and have a good 139 00:06:21,373 --> 00:06:24,093 Speaker 4: time with your mates and watch a great show and 140 00:06:24,373 --> 00:06:26,413 Speaker 4: whatever level you want to watch it on. But I 141 00:06:26,413 --> 00:06:29,493 Speaker 4: think it's judging by the amount of tickets that we sell, 142 00:06:29,773 --> 00:06:30,453 Speaker 4: people want. 143 00:06:30,333 --> 00:06:32,413 Speaker 5: To go to concerts. There's no doubt about it. 144 00:06:32,693 --> 00:06:34,813 Speaker 4: And I think moving on to something else that the 145 00:06:35,053 --> 00:06:38,533 Speaker 4: major events fund they're talking about long overs you but 146 00:06:38,613 --> 00:06:40,533 Speaker 4: boys a huge buzz in the industry about it right 147 00:06:40,533 --> 00:06:41,693 Speaker 4: now sort of. 148 00:06:41,613 --> 00:06:44,733 Speaker 3: Come alive, Brent. 149 00:06:44,773 --> 00:06:47,813 Speaker 2: Fantastic to check to you as always and it sounds 150 00:06:47,893 --> 00:06:49,653 Speaker 2: like good news and a step in the right direction 151 00:06:49,733 --> 00:06:50,973 Speaker 2: to really appreciate you coming on. 152 00:06:51,613 --> 00:06:53,133 Speaker 5: Next time I see you, I buy you a drink. 153 00:06:53,493 --> 00:06:56,533 Speaker 3: I'll buy you four. Now we're talking. 154 00:06:57,853 --> 00:06:59,933 Speaker 2: Go well mate. That has Brent equals one of our 155 00:06:59,973 --> 00:07:02,893 Speaker 2: most well known and successful promoters. And Australasia. 156 00:07:03,053 --> 00:07:03,493 Speaker 5: New Zealand. 157 00:07:03,653 --> 00:07:05,813 Speaker 2: Yeah, great New Zealand, both in New Zealand and Australia. 158 00:07:05,933 --> 00:07:08,133 Speaker 2: So step in the right direction for more 159 00:07:08,453 --> 00:07:11,533 Speaker 1: News talk set b listen live on air or online 160 00:07:11,653 --> 00:07:14,053 Speaker 1: and keep our shows with you wherever you go with 161 00:07:14,133 --> 00:07:16,093 Speaker 1: our podcasts on iHeartRadio.