When the Facts Change

The surge in working from home looks here to stay, unleashing a whole new class of software tools for bosses to keep an eye on workers — and not always in a good way. Bernard Hickey talks to Multitudes.co founder and CEO Lauren Peate about the risks of employer surveillance, and how software can be made more ethical, more productive and less stressful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, insurers have begun rapidly repricing the land beneath homes for flood risk, which is creating a Wild West for home owners impatient to find out if their lands are going to continue to be insurable. Bernard Hickey talks to insurance and banking academic Dr. Michael Naylor from Massey University to explore what home owners can do to protect their housing insurance in a warming climate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Hipkins' dump of Ardern-era policy has potentially jeopardised a major part of the government's climate change response. Bernard Hickey talks to climate policy expert Christina Hood from Climate Compass to find out why this month’s Emissions Trading Scheme auction failed and how she feels cabinet have destroyed confidence in the market by accident. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Chris Hipkins transitioning into a new era of policy, what does that mean for the Green Party's agreement with Labour? Green MP Julie Anne Genter joins Bernard to discuss the Green Party's position on Labour's policy dump, who they're willing to go into government with, and her hopes for the upcoming election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has embarked on a money saving scheme to plug a $295 million "fiscal black hole" in the council's finances, but is it true? A Better Budget for Auckland's India Logan-Riley talks with Bernard Hickey about the flaws in Brown's logic and suggests an alternative to the mayor's belt tightening that doesn't involve slashing social services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the environment changing faster than we can adapt to? The emissions trading scheme incentivised livestock farmers to rid their land of animals in favour of converting it for pine forestry. However, the silt and leftover slash used to make those forests are the same things that wrecked havoc on horticultural lands during Cyclone Gabrielle. Alison Dewes and John Burke are two farmers who feel they've adopted a much better, and more sustainable farming practice - converting some of their grass paddocks back into native forest and wetlands. They talk with Bernard Hickey about the benefits and hidden profits that have come with this decision, and how government could best write policy for farmers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is really winning from skyrocketing inflation? National Party finance spokesperson Nicola Willis went head to head with Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr this week, blaming him and the government for being an active contributor to inflation by printing mass amounts of money during the COVID response. However, another factor may be to blame - corporate price gouging. Bernard Hickey explores how widening company profit margins may be the real reason behind the countries inflation issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amongst the tragedy of Aotearoa's recent climate disasters is an opportunity to enact lasting legislation to prevent it happening again. Climate policy academic David Hall is tasked with finding the economically and politically sensible ways that we can adapt to the climate crisis. He talks with Bernard Hickey about gnarly politicking and the changes we need to make to avoid environmental disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The effects of climate change are beginning to pool at the feet of New Zealand's coastal home owners. Climate Sigma managing director Belinda Storey says most beachfront properties will either need to be moved or demolished in the next 30 years. She and Bernard discuss the morally hazardous world of climate finance, the future cost of repairing mega-mansions, and how the taxpayer can avoid footing the full bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A replacement to the Resource Management Act of 1991 is currently going through the motions of parliament with hopes to create more resource and eco friendly industries in Aotearoa. However, Irrigation NZ CEO Vanessa Winning is worried the new version of the RMA could create perverse and unintended consequences. Bernards talks to her about how the government's good intentions could negatively impact our produce production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices