Consume This

Sophie Stewart unpacks why the sun is so strong in Aotearoa, and how we can protect ourselves. In this episode she's joined by: Christina Baldarelli, NIWA's Olaf Morgenstern, and University of Otago researcher Bronwen McNoe. This episode was made possible in part with support from the Ministry of Health. To become a member of Consumer NZ check out our website .    For updates follow us o...

Journalist Bernard Hickey joins Jon Duffy on this episode of Consume This to discuss, competition, scams, and why we all deserve better from our banks. As part of this podcast for a limited time Consumer NZ members can get 50% off a full subscription to Bernards independent media platform The Kaka. You can find all the details of that offer here . To become a member of Consumer NZ check out our we...

Toothbrushing is one of the most important things you can do for your oral health. Done right it takes just four minutes a day, can save endless pain, and thousands of dollars. Because let’s face it, the only thing that might worse than the excruciating, eye popping pain of a toothache is forking over an entire pay packet to the dentist... On this episode of Consume This we take on the latest New...

In 1947, the small west coast town of Greymouth came together to fight an increase in the price of beer. Their boycott of the local pubs lasted four and a half months, was ultimately a success, and became the first major consumer action in our history.   In this episode Jon Duffy & Sophie Stewart look back at the history of Consumer action in Aotearoa, unpick Consumer NZs role in it,...

Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley sits down with Consume This producer Tom and Powerswitch manager Paul Fuge to discuss the future of New Zealand's electricity sector. In this exclusive episode, Shipley shares her insights on the Bradford reforms, gentailers, and the need for a more sustainable energy future. She also weighs in on the controversial issue of nuclear power, and offers her tho...

Consume This hosts a pre-election panel debate featuring the leaders of four of New Zealand's major political parties. ACT MP Damian Smith, Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter, Labour Party MP leader Ingrid Leary, and National Party MP Andrew Bayly will fiercely debate the cost of living crisis, the environment and greenwashing, transport, and more. This is a must-listen episode if you want to know w...

This episode is part two of our examination of the electricity industry. We attempt to understand what changes we should make to the structure of our electricity market to keep it functioning well into the future. Joining Jon Duffy in this high voltage episode are: Paul Fuge - Manager of Powerswitch Dame Jenny Shipley - Former Prime Minister Max Bradford - Former Energy Minister David Reeve &...

Twenty-five years ago, sweeping reforms of New Zealand’s electricity sector promised us increased competition and lower prices. We look back to assess what we were promised against what was delivered… Joining Jon Duffy in this high voltage episode are: Paul Fuge - Manager of Powerswitch Dame Jenny Shipley - Former Prime Minister Max Bradford - Former Energy Minister Geoff Bertram - Economist...

Jon Duffy & Sophie Stewart catch up with four of our favourite stories from previous seasons. Starring: Rachel from Scammed: How I Lost $100k On A Dating App Toby Green from Bamboozled: Can We Kick The Plastic? Thomas Swain from The Bank Of Mum & Dad Vladimir Zdravkovich from My House Earns More Than Me To become a member of Consumer NZ check out our website . For updates follow us on Face...

The ability to access healthcare services is vital for the overall well-being of individuals. With the rapid development of technology, these services have evolved significantly over time, providing opportunities to expand access and improve healthcare delivery.  Telehealth platforms have emerged as a prime example of this evolution, connecting patients and healthcare providers regardless of...

In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabriel, Philip Barber, Paul Paynter, and Ben Duclercq faced an uncertain future. With their vineyards and farms left waterlogged and devastated, they have to make some difficult decisions. It’s a story of destruction, personal loss, and ultimately hope for the future.  In this episode, you will be able to:  Grasp the profound effects of Cyclone Gabr...

On this episode we explore the “Therapeutic Products Bill” and the impact the proposed new legislation will have on natural health products, supplements, their consumers and the people who make them.  We want to know what you think about these supplements and the proposed regulation, so for the first time ever we open the Consume This phone lines and take your calls!  The full “Ther...

Sophie Richardson unpacks how a lack of regulation led to Aotearoa developing a world leading youth vaping problem. We examine how our vaping rates compare to the rest of the world, why, and what we can do about it. Featuring the story of Ollie* a 17 year old former schoolyard vape dealer who picked up the habit at just 11 years old. As well as contributions from public health and tobacco exp...

This episode takes you on a trip into the world of harm reduction and illegal-drug checking clinics. Aotearoa is the first country in the world to explicitly legalise these testing services. We also link up with James*. He has a mysterious brown powder which was sold as MDMA, but is it? There’s only one way to find out... We attend a testing session with 'Know Your Stuff' to get it checked. W...

Jon Duffy & Sophie Richardson are joined by Consumer NZ advocate Aneleise Gawn. She talks us through the recently launched "Flight Rights" campaign and answers your airline related questions. If your flight is delayed or cancelled for reasons within an airline’s control, such as staffing, operational or mechanical issues, you have rights under the Civil Aviation Act (CAA). But airlines ar...

Consume This hosts Jon Duffy & Sophie Richardson recap on season two and share some of their favourite moments from the episodes. Join the Consume This mailing list here . You can find more information on Consumer NZ and become a member here . We'd love it if you'd consider joining. If you have any feedback or anything you'd like us to cover in season three we'd love to hear from you. You can...

How much information should a landlord or property manager ask for? In this episode we delve into the thorny issue of power imbalance in the New Zealand residential rental market. Plus what can go wrong when your sensitive information isn't protected. Host Sophie Richardson is joined by Jackie Adams the Compliance & Enforcement Manager at the Office Of The Privacy Commissioner, Ashok Jacob fro...

Consume This presents a special one off bonus episode recorded live at the Wellington Museum. It's a panel discussion and Q&A which was held as part of our stakeholder engagement event. The panel is hosted by Sophie Richardson and features Toby Green, Kena Duignan & Paul Smith. Slight correction: at around 5'45 Kena says that the Hauora Kai Co-Op supplies 11,000 whānau. This should be 1,10...

What do retailers did with nearly new, but faulty, small appliances? If they are repaired, it’s not obvious where they are resold. If they aren’t repaired, where do they end up? We use GPS trackers to follow a dead fridge and faulty food mixers to their final destinations. Follow our journey to see where the broken appliances end up. In this episode host Jon Duffy is joined by Consumer NZ 'Product...

What do retailers did with nearly new, but faulty, small appliances? If they are repaired, it’s not obvious where they are resold. If they aren’t repaired, where do they end up? We use GPS trackers to follow a dead fridge and faulty food mixers to their final destinations. Follow our journey to see where the broken appliances end up. In this episode host Jon Duffy is joined by Consumer NZ 'Product...

Why is it so hard for us to stop using single use plastic packaging? We follow Elysian Foods owner Toby Green on his quest to ditch the polymers. In this episode he's joined by host Jon Duffy, we're joined by packaging consultant Sarah and Yanez ThinkStep technical director Jeff Vickers . The 'Rethinking Plastics Aotearoa' report can be found here . ThinkSteps lifecycle analysis for NZ post is her...

Why is it so hard for us to stop using single use plastic packaging? We follow Elysian Foods owner Toby Green on his quest to ditch the polymers. In this episode he's joined by host Jon Duffy, zero wast expert Hannah Blumhardt , and ThinkStep technical director Jeff Vickers . The 'Rethinking Plastics Aotearoa' report can be found here . ThinkSteps lifecycle analysis for NZ post is here . To become...

The Bank of Mum and Dad plays a sizeable role when it comes to helping young home buyers on the property ladder. Consume This research has found the Bank of Mum and Dad (BOMD) has doled out a whopping $22.6 billion in loans. That make it the fifth largest lender after ANZ, ASB, Westpac and BNZ when it comes to owner-occupier loans. Last time up we heard from the borrowers. In this episode......

The Bank of Mum and Dad plays a sizeable role when it comes to helping young home buyers on the property ladder. Consume This research has found the Bank of Mum and Dad (BOMD) has doled out a whopping $22.6 billion in loans. That make it the fifth largest lender after ANZ, ASB, Westpac and BNZ when it comes to owner-occupier loans. You can find out full Bank Of Mum & Dad research report h...

Sophie is on a journey to understand how and why a doctors visit for a mild fear of flying resulted in a blanket "Mental Health Exclusion" when she applied for income protection insurance. We unpick how this happened, why, and what it tells us about the way we treat mental health. Part two sees Sophie visit insurance broker Alan Borthwick and track down Naomi Ballantyne, the managing director of P...