The NBR Podcast

For the full uncut interviews and articles: How digital identity could free us from big tech dependency Stark contrasts of NZ’s two-speed economy Podcast #72: Where are the Golden Visas at? Covert recording of staff working from home illegal in NZ Generation fault lines are Australia’s biggest danger

Is there an AI job apocalypse coming? A new survey shows almost half of organisations implementing AI say it is impacting on hiring new people. We talk to the AI Forum about AI job displacement, canvas the opinions of the latest AI startup Aether on Job automation, recruitment agency Robert Walters on impact of AI on hiring trends, and Supahuman – a company building AI solutions for businesses on...

For the full uncut interviews and articles: PM concedes running a country is harder than running a business Missed opportunity or wise decision? RBNZ could have cut by 50bps Employment law reform will create two-tier system: lawyer F&P Healthcare investors murmur not shout over pay incentive bump Wild ride on the ASX bull market

“Fake pass rates” – that’s how Crimson Education’s Jamie Beaton describes the NCEA. He argues our qualifications need “intensity, ambition, and goal orientation” if New Zealand’s going to compete on the world stage. In a fast-talking episode, we also cover Trump, geo-politics, and whether that $1b unicorn valuation is still valid.

For the full uncut interviews and articles: Beehive Banter weekly roundup Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points Australia's high tax on cigarettes How should employers deal with difficult employees Battle over the boardroom at electronic parts manufacturer Rakon

The law touches all of us, but what do we really know about the people that practise it? In a brand new NBR Focus series,  NBR  Editor Hamish McNicol reveals  how big the sector is , the issues it’s facing, and whether AI-generated legal advice might disrupt this opaque industry. Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio clips used  here.

For the full uncut interviews and articles: Gaza debate, polls, pay equity, the Covid-19 inquiry no-show Households, businesses and the Government wait for the recovery Victoria’s WFH law unlikely to catch on in New Zealand Green hydrogen dreams, hot air, Net Zero Kōrero with the Continent: the Māori-French trade roadmap

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: The story of the collapse of the Du Val Property Group has fascinated listeners. Raided and placed into rare statutory management a year ago, it’s been revealed a whistleblower helped spark the FMA investigation into the group and its colourful founders Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke. So why haven’t they been charged?  Feedback, story ideas, com...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Jason Te Brake took over as Zespri CEO a year ago, the same year the Kiwifruit marketer broke $5 billion dollars in annual fruit sales. He says it’s now our 10th largest company. But can Zespri keep up that momentum and is it really contemplating selling unlicensed gold kiwifruit grown in China under the Zespri brand? Feedback, story ideas, c...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: We’re last cab of the OECD rank to have an AI strategy and it hasn’t been well received by the AI industry. The Government’s ‘light touch’ approach has been labelled as ‘wild west’ and ‘severely lacking’. Innovation Minister Shane Reti defends his new strategy but admits there’s more work to do.  Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome –...

For the full uncut interviews and articles: Coalition Government’s challenge to shift economic perceptions How not to breach the NZ-EU free trade agreement The RBA and the dark art of monetary policy Four-day workweek improves worker wellbeing, new research shows Land lease communities an Australian phenomenon

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Obesity. Conservatively, it's a two-billion-dollar problem. But the latest weight loss drugs are either here or on their way. Are they everything the marketing says they are? And how will sectors like fast food and medical care cope with this so-called revolution? Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to...

For the full uncut interviews and articles: The great data centre goldrush Government’s last opportunity to address skills training concerns The tricky business of casual vs permanent part-time employees No clear path in Australia’s China dilemma

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: They’re famous listed companies but the average share price of these five big names has dropped by 85% since their all-time highs. So, investment firm Forsyth Barr has done a deep dive and come up with key governance problems for shareholders to look out for.  Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audi...

For the full uncut interviews and articles: Happy 25th birthday to Australia’s GST. It’s time to grow up Interim reinstatement declined for law firm ‘dobber’ Southland ‘punches above its weight’ with growth opportunities Māori giving NZ a winning edge in global conferences

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: The accounting company he co-founded, Xero, is now worth $30 billion. And, according to the  NBR Rich List , Rod Drury is worth a couple of those. He is about to be inducted into the Business Hall of Fame but that doesn’t mean he’s resting on his laurels. In fact, Drury is pursuing a grand renewable energy vision for New Zealand. Feedback, st...

For the full uncut interviews and articles: Your Business: Family Businesses Multi-level marketing isn’t going away Podcast #63: Rod Drury – my vision for New Zealand Should the RBNZ introduce a January OCR decision? Why the ‘Māori tax advantage’ is a myth

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: He’s led investment company Mercer for 16 years and been through all sorts of financial events, yet we really don’t know much about him. Now Martin Lewington is leaving at the end of June. He opens up on how to deal with volatile markets, how combining empathy with economics brings the best results, and why he doesn’t want to end up like Gran...

For the full uncut interviews and articles, click here: Kiwi agritech Halter valued at $1.65b following $165m cap raise Infrastructure plan sets the foundation for political consensus Māori regional entrepreneurship delivers more than jobs Exporters need to pay close attention to geo-political issues

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Covid, Silver Lake, Ian Foster, and a financial reset. Mark Robinson reflects on his six years as NZR CEO, plus why New Zealand’s stadia are stopping the All Blacks from making money and hosting a World Cup.

For the full uncut interviews and articles, click here: Economists cheer monthly inflation data for monetary policy The Greens put the case for investment to reduce fiscal risk Uber case still worth fighting, Workers First Union says Sustainable aviation fuel industry looks for trans-Tasman takeoff

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: After Queenstown was hit hard by the pandemic, a new agency wants to diversify the adventure capital’s tourism economy into tech. It could be worth $1 billion in 10 years, but what would it take?  Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome -email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio clips used  here.

For the full uncut interviews and articles, click here: Elevating NZ Inc: what Rich Listers would do to make us better Regulators to the rescue for ASX and public markets Will WorkSafe beat itself with its own stick? Constructive political debate still a distant ideal

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Why do we celebrate sports stars more than business stars? NBR Rich List editor Hamish McNicol reveals what our country’s most successful business people think about being on the NBR Rich List 2025 and how they think New Zealand's economy and society could be ‘elevated’.

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Is it tinkering around the edges or a major overhaul? The Government’s raised your KiwiSaver contribution rates while slashing its own. Four experts weigh in with their views on what the changes mean for businesses, the savers and health of the industry. Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email  simon@nbr.co.nz Links to audio clip...