NBR Podcasts

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Almost two years since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the east coast, there are literally green shoots of optimism sprouting in New Zealand’s fruit bowl. NBR senior journalist Jono Mitchell and content producer Joseph Hisayasu have been on the ground assessing the heartbreak, the rebuild, and the future.   Links to audio clips used here.

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 22 November. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:00) THow business recovered after Cyclone Gabrielle. For the full article click here. (08:53) The sausage and the triangle: Aotearoa’s demographic crossroads. For the full article click here. (18:34) Chris Hipkins not confident of reasoned debate on Treaty bill. For the full article click here. (28:34) Drugs and drunken rants: what the David Coote case reveals. For the full article click here.

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: In the two years since the release of ChatGPT, the world of generative AI chatbots has exploded. There are thousands on offer. So, how does a business go about implementing a fast-moving disruptive technology? Silicon Valley veteran Ed Ortega from Machine & Partners outlines his strategy on navigating the world where AI startups are “faking it till they make it”. Timestamps below:  (01:30) - Can you explain why you can offer insights into this somewhat crazy world of AI? (11:57) - At a top level, New Zealand businesses are lagging in adoption. Does that reflect what you see elsewhere?  (17:23) - You're telling me that I won't be able to tell the difference between a human and an AI?

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Nuclear fusion has long been the Holy Grail of clean abundant energy. Now the physics of the sun, the Earth, and Kiwi tech have combined to create ‘first spark’ at New Zealand’s nuclear fusion startup OpenStar. Lead investor Angus Blair talks about reaching that milestone and what’s next. Plus another Kiwi venture capital fund, GD1, reveals why it’s investing in an American fusion startup. Timestamps below:  (01:10) - OpenStar Technologies (09:20) - Investing in the fusion race (17:10) - Where to from here?   Links to audio clips used here.

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 15 November. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:10) Thousands march across Auckland’s harbour bridge. For the full article click here. (08:08) Simon Watts pushing for more global action on climate change. For the full article click here. (16:31) Regional development crucial for Northland to thrive again. For the full article click here. (28:24) Australia awaits the uncertainty of Trump 2.0. For the full article click here.

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: US markets hit highs, crypto is still heading to the moon, but will the euphoria after Donald Trump’s victory continue? In the aftermath, countries are positioning themselves for possible tariffs while inflation and interest rates could rise. So, what happens next? For their insights we’re joined by Jarden director of global equities Felix Fok, Forsyth Barr investment strategist Zoe Wallis, and NZ International Business Forum trade expert Stephen Jacobi. Links to audio clips used here.

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: How annoying is it when the price of a product surges online while you are trying to buy it? Surge – or dynamic pricing – is a widespread pricing tactic designed to manage demand and maximise profit. It's also one of several techniques the Australian government has labelled as unfair. It's putting a ban in place, so what is New Zealand doing? Timestamps below: (05:22) - So what is dynamic pricing?  (11:26) - Are they serving them, or they just trying to get the last bit of profitability out of that event? (15:12) - I guess the business is trying to maximize revenue. Is that bad?  Links to audio clips used here.

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 8 November. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:12) Labour’s fiscal plan likely to spend more on infrastructure. For the full article click here. (12:11) Billions in revenue, no tax paid. How do corporates do it? For the full article click here. (16:47) Unemployment unlikely to exceed forecasts of 5.5%. For the full article click here. (23:14) Recorp seeks to foster Kiwi can-do attitude. For the full article click here. (32:40) Labour’s hopes of avoiding capital gains tax pitfalls. For the full article click here.

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: NZ Green Investment Finance was created to address ‘market failure’ in the climate finance sector. Five years on, is it still needed or has the market fixed itself? New CEO Sarah Minhinnick argues the case that the zero carbon 2050 transition is such a huge job there‘s a role for everyone.  Timestamps below: (03:45) - The only way to have a real impact is to get larger scale projects underway, or larger scale investments in projects underway. Is that, and is that why you're there? (09:26) - So the reason for nzgift being established in the first place seemed to be that there was market failure in the climate finance sector. That may have been the case then, but is that really the case now? (12:43) -$700 million to invest. You've invested more than 400 million. So there's sort of just under 300 million left in the kitty. Is that correct?  (15:46) - You reference bigger deals. Do you have bigger deals in the pipeline?  Links to audio clips used here.