The NBR Podcast

Tech saw some big, listed company deals and some impressive new players. Chief Reporter Will Mace covers the top end of tech town while Senior Journalist Fiona Rotherham has a taste for startups. Together they take us through the big events of 2025 and what to look out for 2026.

Around the office we call him The Goat. This year Tim Hunter was named NZSA Business Journalist of the Year for the fourth time. We finally coaxed him in front of the mic to talk about his scoops and why he's been tempted to go to bed with some spreadsheets.

It's time to don the budgie smugglers and head across the ditch to ask 'how's the serenity?' after a turbulent 2025. From landslide elections to some questionable business practices, we cover it all in this end of year 'View from Australia" with our correspondent Lachlan Colquhoun.

It’s the stories that gripped our member subscribers. From Du Val developments to banned winery directors, name suppression, the shock exit of Adrian Orr, and our latest NBR Rich Listers.  Co-editors Calida Stuart-Menteath and Hamish McNicol background what made the stories so popular.

Demand for charitable services in New Zealand is rising sharply but the level of funding is not matching it. Many charities are reducing services or shutting down as the nonprofit sector faces a nationwide funding crisis. With the upcoming great wealth transfer — an estimated $1.6 trillion is set to pass from baby boomers to their families. Could this historic shift in family wealth reshape charit...

A 46-year-old man and his wealthy family and its business were granted permanent name suppression over his jailing for possessing 11,775 files of objectionable material involving children. We explore how New Zealand’s name suppression laws are applied to high-profile criminal cases, potential unintended consequences for the public when social media and AI falsely identify innocent people as perpet...

Four Uber drivers have been deemed employees not contractors by the Supreme Court, and a thousand other drivers also have claims pending. Uber warns the entire contractor model is under threat while unions argue this is about workers rights. Now all eyes are on the Government’s impending contractor legislation. Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio cl...

What's the impact on New Zealand businesses from the 2025 Trump tariffs? The uncertainty has created major NZ trade challenges and global supply chain disruption. We discuss the trade policy instability and export challenges with a major exporter, Skellerup, and a small shoe designer, Oya. Plus some advice from trade expert Stephen Jacobi and ASB’s chief investment officer Frank Jasper.   Feed...

A retreat from net-zero goals is happening. We talk to two business sustainability consultants about business climate strategy, corporate responsibility trends and environmental leadership in business. Has the sector has overreached and undersold its message? Are companies still doing the work – or are they just not talking about it? Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr....

The Labour party has announced a new capital gains tax policy. Labour leader Chris Hipkins the tax policy debate, whether it will win over business, and what could change if the Greens and Te Pāti Māori win big at the election? Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio clips used  here.

Thousands of Americans hand back their US passports every year. This episode, we look at exit tax, FATCA and expat tax obligations to find out why US citizens are giving up on ‘the land of the free’. Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio clips used  here.

Are AI investments overvalued? Are we headed for a stock market crash? How exposed are NZ’s Kiwisavers? Artificial intelligence companies have made deals with each other worth more than a trillion dollars. We get market trend insights from BlackRock and some input from the founder of Salt Funds, who warns about the investment risks in AI. Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon...

For the full uncut interviews and articles on NBR: Auckland:  Wayne Brown goes to town on ‘idiotic’ Wellington Wellington:  Wellington’s new mayor Andrew Little aims to rein in costs Queenstown: John Glover on solving Queenstown’s infrastructure challenges as tourism grows Dunedin:  New Dunedin mayor Sophie Barker aims to roll out red carpet for business

What are the big deals and who is behind them? We talk to Jarden’s Silvana Schenone, who has been named as one of the most powerful Australasian dealmakers. Plus M&A lawyer from DLA Piper Reuben Woods explains why he is bullish about the coming year.

For the full uncut interviews and articles: Dealmakers 2025: From arm wrestles to handshakes When it comes to local elections, the smaller the better Political will required to stimulate NZ’s capital markets AI in the workplace causes confidentiality concerns

The New Zealand media landscape has changed dramatically but Stuff NZ has survived since CEO Sinead Boucher's $1 buyout. The business leader talks bringing in TradeMe, splitting the company in two, gifting 10% to staff , and whether there was a secret backer. Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio clips used  here.

For the full uncut interviews and articles over on NBR.co.nz : RBNZ expected to cut interest rates again to boost economy FREE ARTICLE ON NBR ('til midnight 12 October): Should the RBNZ be independent? The Government’s electoral hopes of an economic recovery Courts get more aggressive on redeployment of redundant workers Podcast #77: Sinead Boucher talks about Stuff Independent Traffic Control...

While the NZ public health system is struggling, more Kiwis are seeing the cost of private health insurance rise. Premiums are being hiked across the board. We sat down with Southern Cross's insurance CEO to find out what’s going on. How can New Zealanders continue to access affordable healthcare? Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio clips used ...

What was it like for Spark CEO Jolie Hodson when half-year profits dived wiping a billion dollars off the company's value? We discuss the telecommunications company’s new five-year strategy, staff cuts, asset sales, as well as leadership in technology and digital transformation. Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio clips used  here.

For the full uncut interviews and articles: Rotorua seeks fresh spark and investment to thrive Chill winds blast Colin Neal’s Polar Capital One in 10 women resign during menopause: legislation catches up Aussie Liberals risk oblivion over net zero fight

What are the ethics of investing in technology that has civilian and military applications? Drones, AI, cloud services are all examples of civilian technology with a military application in the "grey zone" of investing. Should New Zealanders take sides or not invest at all? Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio clips used  here.

For the full uncut interviews and articles: Trailblazer’s push to close the protection gap Damien Grant doesn’t do himself any favours There are still lessons for employers from the Covid era Matos charts a new course at ANZ

At Xerocon, the 2025 Xero conference, we talk with Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh-Cassidy about Xero cloud accounting software. She is heading a major push into the US, so could the future of Xero possibly be a move to America?  Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz

For the full uncut interviews and articles: Special delivery for Auckland’s historic Chief Post Office Chinese cars continue their conquest of Australia Move away from US dollar, assets necessary: Amova boss BNZ and whistleblower Melissa Bowen challenge $506,000 ERA award

Even before the foreign home buyer ban was lifted, the new ‘Golden Visa’ – the Active Investor Plus residency visa – had sparked a big uptick in applications and promised dollars from wealthy foreign investors seeking a New Zealand investor visa and planning migration to New Zealand. The Government has been pushing the growth option but what happens when investors get residency and want their mone...