Episodes
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Victoria University professor of taxation Lisa Marriott talks to Bernard Hickey about the fundamental flaws at the core of our tax system, how they have produced historic levels of wealth inequality in Aotearoa - and how we can fix them.
Lisa is speaking at the Pakukore: Poverty, by Design conference at Victoria University, 21-23 November.
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For decades, Pat Hanley has been a tireless advocate for the rights of beneficiaries, drawing attention to the persistent challenges they face. In this week’s episode of When the Facts Change, he sits down with Bernard Hickey to unpack the deep-rooted causes of poverty in Porirua. Hanley argues that both the underlying issues and society’s approach to addressing poverty demand a comprehensive overhaul, calling for transformative change to create a fairer, more supportive social landscape.
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Our prisons are bursting at the seams. They cost at least $2 billion per year to run – and that’s before we consider the longer-term and wider-reaching costs to our health, education, housing, justice and welfare systems.
University of Auckland indigenous studies professor Tracey McIntosh joins Bernard to interrogate the reasons why we, as a society, persist with ever-larger and ever-more-damaging institutions that are failing to reduce crime rates or recidivism (and, in fact, may actually be increasing them).
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Fintechs are changing the way we spend and save, but they are also set to change the way we could be paid for work, or more correctly, how workers are paid benefits on the fringes. Bernard Hickey talks to Steven Zinsli, the founder of Extraordinary (formerly HealthNow) about his new payments card system to help employers deliver extra benefits to employees through electronic cards, rather than having to claim expenses or just get plain old cash paid straight into a bank account.
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The animal spirits of the economy are stirring back to life after a whopper of an interest rate cut - with expectations of one more to come. Bernard Hickey talks with Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr about how businesses are feeling heading into the Christmas sales season, and what might upset the metaphorical applecart.
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What if your hot water cylinder could help solve New Zealand’s energy crisis? And how is an hour of free electricity helping with our notoriously problematic electricity market? Electric Kiwi co-founder and CEO Huia Burt sits down with Bernard Hickey to explore how they are helping New Zealanders tackle the cost-of-living crisis, all while reducing our national reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Tune in for a fascinating discussion about electricity, innovation, and the potential for real change.
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Finance minister Nicola Willis is on a mission to crunch the size of government debt from well over 33% of GDP to under 30% within a few years, as well as fire up growth in an economy experiencing its worst-ever recession per capita. Doing one would be hard, but both at the same time seems a mission impossible for a politician wanting to win a second term. Bernard asks her how the government will both keep its promises and engineer even bigger spending cuts in per capita terms than those delivered by Ruth Richardson in the early 1990s.
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As our national population grows older (and the superannuation system becomes increasingly burdened by the growing ranks of retirees), how will the government balance the books? The ratio of tax-paying adults to superannuitants is steadily falling, and raising the age of eligibility for super won't cover the forecasted shortfall. So what kind of fiscal policy changes are needed before public debt starts getting scary?
Dominick Stephens, chief economic adviser at the Treasury, joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the long-term unsustainability of our current situation, the impacts of migration and outsized labour force participation by over-65s, and what’s at risk if we don’t make changes soon.
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Aotearoa’s biggest problems are largely caused by a lack of infrastructure - housing, transport, water, hospital and education - in the areas that need it most. So how could (or should) we plan the systems that keep our country running? And who is responsible for divining the future to make decisions that can have an impact for decades to come? Bernard Hickey is joined by Peter Nunns, acting general manager of Te Waihanga NZ Infrastructure Commission, to discuss the murky business of planning infrastructure projects for an uncertain future.
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Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich joins Bernard to discuss the current economic landscape and what’s happening (and likely to happen) with interest rates. Steve also shares his thoughts on the future of Kiwibank, open banking and if he considers possible banking plays by likes of Apple and Google to be a legitimate threat.
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As recently as late May, the Reserve Bank thought it wouldn't need to cut rates until well into 2025. However, a batch of leading indicators revealed a slump in economic activity through June, and the RBNZ decided to hit the brakes by lowering the official cash rate in its August monetary policy statement. Reserve Bank chief economist Paul Conway talks to Bernard Hickey about why the RBNZ decided to change course, what kinds of data they are lacking compared to other central banks, and what they can't change about our economy.
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Selling everything and booking one-way tickets to Thailand marked the beginning of an extraordinary life for popular travel vloggers Dane and Stacey. With over 200,000 followers on Instagram and YouTube, the digital nomads have built a thriving business by offering travel tips, guides and an authentic peek behind the curtain of their lives. Join us as we find out how Dane and Stacey make their relationship work and keep the money coming in, no matter where in the world they are.
Check out all the episodes from season three of This is Kiwi:
5th August - TJ Perenara
12th August - Kirsten Dodgen
19th August - Jess Quinn
26th August - Taylor Roche
2nd September - Jess Hong
9th September - Dane & Stacey
A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network.
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Saul Griffith helped change the world a couple of years ago when he and a couple of "tech bro" mates convinced Joe Biden to rewrite the Democrats’ Green New Deal and pitch it as an Inflation Reduction Act to rewire America’s economy with renewable energy. Saul makes a pitch for Aotearoa to do the same, but much cheaper and much faster, instead of the government’s current plan to spend $1 billion importing gas over the next couple of years. He presents Rewiring Aotearoa’s paper on The Electrification Opportunity, which estimates cheaper power costs worth $10.7 billion per year by 2040.
https://www.rewiring.nz/tomorrow
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Most actors don’t go straight from performing lunchtime school shows to landing the lead role in a big-budget Netflix series, but Jess Hong isn’t most actors. Since being cast as Jin Cheng in the blockbuster sci-fi series 3 Body Problem, life has been a whirlwind for the self-confessed introvert. Jess might be living the Hollywood dream, navigating global career success and financial freedom, but the core of who she is remains the same. Find out how an attempt to overcome her shyness as a teenager took Jess Hong from school stages to Tinseltown.
Stay tuned for new episodes each Monday:
5th August - TJ Perenara
12th August - Kirsten Dodgen
19th August - Jess Quinn
26th August - Taylor Roche
2nd September - Jess Hong
9th September - Dane & Stacey
A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network.
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Accountants often have low profiles and their accounts seem merely to keep score on the games of capitalism, but they can sometimes shape capitalism itself - and maybe even the atmosphere.
Bernard Hickey talks with Dr Amelia Sharman from the External Reporting Board. Typically an obscure setter of accounting standards nestled somewhere between the government and companies, she details how the XRB’s new standards for emissions accounting might just change the world.
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How do you become the most viewed New Zealand artist on TikTok? With over 46 million likes on the platform, Taylor Roche has shown that challenging the status quo and turning obstacles into opportunities can truly pay off. What began as posting funny videos online for fun has evolved into a thriving career, allowing him to grow his personal brand while making an impact with his music. Taylor’s story goes beyond his TikTok fame – join us as we explore the rise of one of our most dynamic content creators.
Stay tuned for new episodes each Monday:
5th August - TJ Perenara
12th August - Kirsten Dodgen
19th August - Jess Quinn
26th August - Taylor Roche
2nd September - Jess Hong
9th September - Dane & Stacey
A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network.
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In 2018, The Consumer Advocacy Council was set up by cabinet in response to a commissioned investigation into the nation’s problematic electricity market. It was designed to act as an independent advocate for residential and small business electricity consumers in Aotearoa. Then came Budget 2024. With the stroke of a pen, the council was scrapped by the coalition government to help balance the books.
Former chair Deborah Hart speaks to Bernard Hickey about what the loss of the council means for everyday consumers, what’s wrong with our electricity industry and how we can improve things in the future.
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There are few who embody resilience quite like Jess Quinn. Having suffered cancer and an amputation as a child, Jess has faced challenges most of us could never imagine. Now, just over two decades later, she can list model, writer, dancer and social advocate on her CV as she uses her channels to inspire hundreds of thousands online. Join us as we explore Jess’ journey, uncovering the struggles and triumphs that have seen her go from surviving to thriving.
Stay tuned for new episodes each Monday:
5th August - TJ Perenara
12th August - Kirsten Dodgen
19th August - Jess Quinn
26th August - Taylor Roche
2nd September - Jess Hong
9th September - Dane & Stacey
A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network.
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The Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate this week for the first time since the beginning of Covid. Bernard talks with Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr about how the central bank changed its mind when the facts changed, and what it means for mortgage rates and the housing market.
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Kirsten Dodgen is a world-renowned dancer whose talent and dedication have taken her across the globe. Turning her hobby into a successful career has brought her financial independence and creative fulfilment. It’s also seen her perform with top music stars, appear on a hit Korean reality TV show, and build a social media following of over three million. But it hasn’t always been easy – Kirsten has had to lock into her vision and overcome the discouragement of others to achieve success. Join us as we explore Kirsten’s incredible journey and get to know the beautiful soul behind the dance moves.
Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes each Monday:
5th August - TJ Perenara
12th August - Kirsten Dodgen
19th August - Jess Quinn
26th August - Taylor Roche
2nd September - Jess Hong
9th September - Dane & Stacey
A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network.
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