The NBR Podcast
NBR - National Business Review
Stay informed on business current affairs and leadership changes.
In this New Zealand business podcast, The NBR Podcast, Simon Shepherd interviews the CEOs, ministers and founders shaping the New Zealand economy, and stays past the talking points. New Zealand's business news podcast from NBR, the home of award-winning business journalism. Interest rates, the Reserve Bank, KiwiSaver, the sharemarket, property, policy, startups and tech. No jargon. No assumed knowledge. New episodes weekly. NBR subscribers listen one week early at nbr.co.nz. Watch every full interview on YouTube: @TheNBRPodcast.
In this New Zealand business podcast, The NBR Podcast, Simon Shepherd interviews the CEOs, ministers and founders shaping the New Zealand economy, and stays past the talking points. New Zealand's business news podcast from NBR, the home of award-winning business journalism. Interest rates, the Reserve Bank, KiwiSaver, the sharemarket, property, policy, startups and tech. No jargon. No assumed knowledge. New episodes weekly. NBR subscribers listen one week early at nbr.co.nz. Watch every full interview on YouTube: @TheNBRPodcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 26, 2026 • 21min
The Firmus data centre flop – How a blockbuster IPO fell apart
In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: It was going to be the biggest ASX IPO in decades, but the Firmus listing suddenly fell over. We look at the founder’s back story, why investors got cold feet, and whether it has ramifications for the wider AI investment boom.Consider subscribing to NBR.co.nz, to support our newsroom. Free NBR newsletter here: https://tinyurl.com/mzpm75va
Oct 19, 2026 • 27min
NZX says our tech investors have an opportunity | The NBR Podcast
In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: To mark NBR’s annual Dealmakers series we’ve been at the NZX’s first-ever Tech Investors Day. We talk to bankers from UBS, Chapman Tripp partner Roger Wallis, and two companies – Mint and AoFrio – about the challenges of raising money and whether a company should make the leap and list!
Oct 12, 2026 • 23min
New Zealand stares down a Tauranga-sized problem | Treasury secretary Iain Rennie
In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: The numbers look rosier but the risk remains. The financial future of New Zealand depends on the work of the Treasury, so when it opens the books for the election, everyone is poring over the economic tea leaves. Which is why we have Treasury Secretary Iain Rennie to guide us through the Pre-election economic and fiscal update puzzle.
Oct 5, 2026 • 25min
Victoria Harris on bending The Curve
In this episode of The NBR Podcast, a new investment fund is taking a feminist approach to finance, with a focus on female-led, founder-led and future-focused businesses. Simon Shepherd speaks with The Curve’s Victoria Harris about closing the gender wealth gap, getting more women investing, AI, global equities, KiwiSaver and diversity in finance.
Sep 28, 2026 • 22min
Sam Stubbs vs the finance industry
Ten years after launching Simplicity, Sam Stubbs is still shaking up New Zealand’s financial industry.In this episode of the NBR Podcast, Simon Shepherd talks to Simplicity founder Sam Stubbs about KiwiSaver fees, low-cost investing, retirement savings and the future of wealth management in New Zealand.They discuss Simplicity’s growth to more than 200,000 members, its expansion into build-to-rent housing and infrastructure investment, the case for compulsory KiwiSaver, and why Stubbs believes New Zealand could be heading towards its most prosperous decades yet.
Sep 21, 2026 • 24min
Election 2026 - Small Business Debate
Small business is shaping up to be a major battleground in Election 2026.In this episode of the NBR Podcast, Simon Shepherd hosts Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds for a debate on the policies affecting New Zealand businesses, including Investment Boost, asset write-offs, capital gains tax, GST, corporate tax, late payments and business confidence.Links to all social clips used can be found here
Sep 14, 2026 • 19min
Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Anna Breman joins Simon Shepherd to discuss the OCR rising to 2.75%, inflation, interest rates, mortgage costs and the outlook for the New Zealand economy.Breman explains what the latest RBNZ decision means for borrowers and savers, why inflation remains a concern, the uneven economic recovery, employment, fuel prices and whether further OCR hikes could be ahead. Plus, she discusses central bank independence and political pressure.Links to all social clips used here
Sep 7, 2026 • 27min
Election 2026 – Saving for the future
Is New Zealand saving enough for retirement — or are we overestimating the problem?In this episode of the NBR Podcast, Simon Shepherd explores the future of KiwiSaver, NZ Super, retirement savings and compulsory superannuation with retirement policy analyst Michael Littlewood, financial services sector perspectives, and new Retirement Commissioner David Boyle. The discussion also looks at whether New Zealand should follow Australia’s superannuation model and what that could mean for taxpayers and future retirees.Links to all social clips used here
Aug 31, 2026 • 17min
Using AI to get clients – Lawyers stuck with fewer billable hours
In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: The second edition of NBR’s focus series, The Lawyers, has found that when times are tough, people need their lawyers. Which means the industry is thriving. NBR co-editor Hamish McNicol has surveyed the big and small firms about how busy they are, are they hiring, and whether AI is finally forcing change in the age-old profession.For early access to new episodes, head over to NBR's website.
Aug 24, 2026 • 23min
Steve Lancaster - Where does NZ Rugby go from here?
The New Zealand Rugby (NZRU) boss, Steve Lancaster, talks about seeing his friend (and All Blacks coach) Scott Robertson, Razor - sacked, why AI investment is making it hard to chase sponsorship dollars, and where he sees future growth for rugby in New Zealand.Links to all video sources can be found here
