The NBR Podcast

Once dependent on property to power its economic engine, China is pivoting to AI and robotics. The country is now producing more robots than babies. We took the podcast to the annual China Business Summit to explore what's happening under the hood of China's economy, New Zealand's biggest trading partner, and what these shifts mean for New Zealand businesses, trade, and the future of t...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: The stock popped 40% and, at one stage, SpaceX was worth more than Amazon. Yet it doesn’t make money.  A week on, we ask whether the valuation was justified and where will it go from here? Plus, could there be an investor windfall for NZ’s space industry? Links to audio clips used  here . For early access to new NBR Podcast episodes, subscrib...

As the NBR Rich List celebrates 40 years, Hamish McNicol reflects on the evolution of wealth in New Zealand, from property and industry to technology, entrepreneurship and global success stories. Links to all media clips use here

Gallagher Group CEO Kahl Betham reveals how the iconic New Zealand agritech and security company is achieving record growth, expanding towards $1 billion in revenue, and becoming a global technology exporter. From electric fences and virtual fencing to high-security infrastructure, Five Eyes-certified security systems, innovation, manufacturing, and agritech leadership, this episode explores the f...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Would you trust a humanoid? Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley tells us her answer after a robot asked the question during a conference in China. There’s plenty of humanoid hype around but their development needs a new ‘physical AI’, which means humans training robots on how to do their jobs. Links to audio clips used  here. For early a...

Businessman Grant Baker opens up on billion-dollar deals, building iconic Kiwi brands like 42 Below Vodka and Turners, backing Liam Lawson’s Formula One career, battling bowel cancer, and the high-risk mindset behind going all in. Links to all social clips used here

New Zealand’s stock market, capital markets, KiwiSaver growth and the future of NZX come into focus as outgoing chief executive Mark Peterson reflects on nearly a decade at the exchange, the case for regulatory reform, and what it will take to unlock more investment and economic growth. Link to social clips used here

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon discusses the key issues shaping the road to Election 2026, including the Government’s Budget, coalition management with Winston Peters, fuel security, economic pressure, and the challenges facing the National-led Government ahead of November 7. With less than six months until election day, Luxon e...

New Zealand’s frozen vegetable industry is under pressure after the planned closures of Watties and McCain processing plants. This episode looks at what it means for Kiwi growers, food security, supermarket margins, processed vegetable supply, and the future of local horticulture. Links to all social media used here

Artificial intelligence is powering a huge market rally, but is the boom starting to look a little too frothy? This week the NBR Podcast examines whether soaring tech valuations are backed by real returns or driven by hype, fear of missing out and the race to avoid being left behind. Links to all social media used here

In this 100th episode of The NBR Podcast, host Simon Shepherd is put on the spot as the show marks its centenary milestone. To mark the occasion, NBR’s editors decided it was time to turn the tables and ask some proper questions. Topics were sourced from Simon Shepherd’s colleagues at the NBR, with Te Ao Māori Editor, Mike McRoberts stepping in as a guest interviewer to grill the host and put him...

NBR's Accountants series is back! With flat growth, fewer jobs, and rising AI adoption, New Zealand’s accounting sector is at a turning point. New data from the country’s largest firms highlights declining headcount, subdued revenue growth, and shifting demand for consulting, revealing what it means for business confidence, employment, and the wider NZ economy. The full series asks CEOs and ma...

New Zealand’s small businesses power the economy, but are they losing ambition? New data on growth, productivity, and tech adoption, reveals what it means for the country’s economic future, from global rankings to the real challenges facing Kiwi business owners. Links to audio clips used here

A New Zealand startup is reshaping the future of farming. Halter’s $3.4B rise, global expansion, and the future of farming-one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing agtech companies reshaping agriculture with technology, AI, and data-driven innovation. Links to audio clips used here

Energy security is back in focus as global conflict drives fuel volatility and power prices higher. Could the answer lie beneath our feet? In this episode, we explore New Zealand’s geothermal potential — from doubling output by 2040 to the high-risk push into supercritical energy that could transform the grid. With insights from Energy Minister Shane Jones and leading scientists, we examine whethe...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd, we investigate how surging jet fuel prices are clipping Air NZ's wings to cut services and raise fares; and what that means for Kiwi travellers. We look at the real cost of NZ's jet fuel dependency, why supply shocks hit us harder than most, and the Marsden Point project aiming to change that, with a sustainable aviation fuel twist th...

Is banking about to have its Netflix moment? In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: We take a dive into the AI revolution focusing on the global banking industry. We're talking AI agents that could one day manage financials, budgeting, investing, lending decisions... all without a human in the loop. Links to audio clips used  here.

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: The red tide of 2020 was washed away by a blue suburban wave in 2023 as Auckland voters deserted Labour for National. Now the battle for our biggest city is on again, with both major parties choosing to deliver their State of the nation speeches in Auckland. This episode focuses on the flipped seats, what business wants, and how the mayor jus...

Gavin Faull, Swiss-Belhotel chairman, has successively built a global hospitality and tourism chain with 165 hotels across 20 countries. From humble NZ farm beginnings, Faull shares his journey on success in international hotel management, overcoming challenges and leading Swiss-Belhotel to reach an ambitious 530 hotels by the year 2035. Links to audio clips used  here.

New Zealand’s 2026 election is being shaped by inflation, unemployment, OCR settings, mortgage rates, business confidence, and the cost-of-living crisis, as voters weigh whether the economy is truly recovering — driving sharp political divides between National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Barbara Edmonds. Links to audio clips used here

Plastic pollution is one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges, with the drinks industry producing hundreds of billions of single-use bottles every year. Brianne West is taking aim at that problem with Incrediballs, a plastic-free drink concentrate designed to eliminate packaging altogether and prove that sustainable product design and ethical entrepreneurship can reshape global industri...

China’s birth rate has fallen to a record low and the markets have noticed. With just 7.9 million babies born last year, a shift has already begun rippling through global markets, from infant formula and A2 Milk to New Zealand’s broader export exposure and emerging growth in India. Links to audio clips used  here.

Limitless clean energy from a nuclear fusion reactor. Early next decade, Kiwi startup OpenStar Technologies is hoping to be the first to create fusion in way that can supply reliable electricity. Founder Dr Ratu Mataira discusses sustainable power solutions, cleantech energy innovation and the future of energy as his company tries to replicate the power of the sun. Links to audio clips used  here.

Is electric marine transport coming? We’re cruising above the waves aboard Vessev’s nine-metre EV hydro-foiling boat as the Kiwi company goes global in 2026. Chief executive and co-founder Eric Laakmann talks sustainable transport innovation and clean technology as the company ramps up production, preps for a capital raise, and sells into new countries. He believes it could be the next Kiwi startu...

Will the Coalition grasp another victory or be delivered an infamous single term defeat. Political Editor Brent Edwards looks at the state of the parties as we return from the summer break and realise that yes ... it is election year!