When the Facts Change

The Spinoff has just launched a brand new series called Behind the Story, where site editor Madeleine Chapman sits down with a staff writer or contributor to gain more insight about a big story on The Spinoff from the week. We thought you might like to check out the first episode, and if you enjoy it please follow it wherever you get your podcasts! On Friday, Bulletin editor Anna Rawhiti-Connell sent her final newsletter, and took the opportunity to share what she’s learned about the news over two years of curating it for thousands of New Zealanders. Earlier in the week, she’d seen reports of Auckland dog owners discarding their pets’ turds on the ground after Auckland Council removed bins across the city. And so, the column “If you love a dog, you must also love disposing of its shit” was born. Anna joins Madeleine Chapman to talk about the power journalists have when framing a story and how to find the middle ground between boring and sensational. For The Spinoff editor’s thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week’s best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bernard Hickey talks with property academic Deborah Levy about her research into the changes in the way bach owners feel about their holiday homes. Where once the bach was the centrepiece of 'the kiwi dream’, a place for friends and families to gather, relax and create memories, they have now become a financialised asset to be added to the portfolio of the increasingly wealthy few. What's behind this change? What insights can this research give into the rest of our dysfunctional national property market? Listen in to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Reserve Bank wants to know how the public feels about a potential new type of digital cash. This digital currency would be exchangeable one-for-one with ‘old’ forms of bank-issued electronic money and ye olde paper cash and metal coins, but would not outright replace the physical stuff. RBNZ’s Head of Money and Cash Ian Woolford joins Bernard to discuss what’s different with this new digital cash, what problems it could solve and how it might open up a whole new front in bank competition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr joins Bernard to discuss and dissect the trajectory of inflation and interest rates, both here in Aotearoa and around the globe. Inflation is stickier than expected and interest rates are likely to stay higher for longer, but what does that mean for the kiwi dollar? How do US Fed chair Jerome Powell's recent comments affect us? And what is going on with the price of gold? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kiwibank economist Sabrina Delgado joins Bernard to discuss the ways inflation affects various groups in Aotearoa. From homeowners and renters to beneficiaries and pensioners, they explore how inflation impacts everyone differently, and reveal who is being hit hardest by the current spike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Auckland Airport wants to put up its landing charges to help pay for a multibillion dollar revamp of its terminals. Its biggest customer, Air NZ, is complaining that the airport is over-charging. So who is right? What is fair? And what happens when two effective monopolies butt heads? Bernard Hickey talks to Auckland Airport CEO Carrie Hurihanganui about the dispute, how the Commerce Commission factors in, and what the airport is planning to mitigate its long-term impact on the changing climate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The evidence is clear: it's good for our pockets and for the planet, so what's stopping families and businesses from going electric? How do we address the electrification knowledge gap and other barriers that stand in the way of adopting cleaner, more affordable energy both as individuals and organisations? Bernard Hickey talks to Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey about their recent report 'Electric Homes', and how NZ is one of the first countries to reach the "electrification tipping point". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the majority of Aotearoa struggling to meet basic needs, philanthropic funding is more important than ever. Cheryl Spain, executive director of The Gift Trust, joins Bernard Hickey to explain why philanthropic giving needs to become part of New Zealand culture, where funding should be directed within an organisation for maximum effectiveness and how to navigate the complications that come with financial giving.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special edition of When The Facts Change, Bernard Hickey talks with The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus about the historic victory for YIMBYs in last week’s District Plan votes by the Wellington City Council. Who knew that town planning could be so important? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transpower is taking a new approach to handling the massive increase in demand for electricity. Instead of building bigger power pylons (and a lot more of them), they want to reduce demand for electricity in the first place. Bernard Hickey is joined by Transpower’s John Clarke to discuss the state-owned power transmission company's recent RFP for non-transmission solutions; novel ideas such as buying demand reduction through virtual grids and batteries. And ground zero for their electrical innovations? Te Waipounamu, the South Island. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich joins Bernard Hickey to discuss how businesses and consumers are feeling early in 2024, why an RBNZ rate hike last week would not have helped and how banks are thinking about the challenges of climate risk and cybersecurity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Te Pūtea Matua governor Adrian Orr joins Bernard to discuss the bank’s decision to hold the official cash rate at 5.5%, rather than hiking it further in an attempt to control rampant inflation (which is still roughly double where the RBNZ wants it). Listen in to hear the governor's reasoning behind the cash rate hold, his thoughts on New Zealand's record net migration and whether the government's decision to remove the bank's inflation/unemployment dual mandate earlier in the year has made any meaningful difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World-class athlete Sarah Hirini has spent nearly a decade as captain of the national women’s sevens team. Through the course of her career she’s clocked up Olympic gold and silver medals, a couple of Rugby World Cup wins and in 2019 was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She was also winner of the NZ Sports Leadership award at last year’s Halberg Awards. There’s no doubt Sarah is truly inspirational, but what sets her apart is her leadership style – nuanced, caring, and focused on lifting up others in their own leadership journey. Listen to our final episode for season two of This is Kiwi to find out how this champion athlete turned her passion for rugby into a pathway for personal growth and empowerment for others. This episode was recorded in November, 2023 A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christopher Luxon has described Aotearoa’s government finances as fragile, but the most qualified folks in financial markets don’t see it that way. Bernard Hickey talks to S&P Global’s government ratings director Anthony Walker about just how fragile our government and local council finances actually are. According to Anthony, NZ’s AAA rating means international investors view NZ as a strong borrower with $120 billion worth of borrowing headroom to solve its infrastructure deficits. Yet the government still won’t borrow. Why not? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At just 22 years old, Nico Porteous is one of New Zealand's most accomplished athletes. He first made his mark on Aotearoa sporting history at 16 when he became our youngest Olympic medalist, claiming bronze in the men's freeski halfpipe. In 2022 he soared even higher in Beijing, clinching an Olympic gold to add to his two X Games gold medals alongside being made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Nico's accolades speak volumes, but beyond the medals there’s a depth of character and wisdom that belies his age. Nico joins Jane to discuss his journey to global success, how he navigates intense performance pressure and the values shaping his life beyond the slopes. Get ready for an inspiring conversation with a remarkable role model. Stay tuned for the final episode of this season: 26th February - Sarah Hirini on growth and leadership A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After releasing a paper earlier this week outlining her policy recommendations for the government, retirement commissioner Jane Wrightson joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the complex challenge of superannuation in Aotearoa. Why should the age of eligibility stay at 65? Which demographics would be adversely affected by a decision to raise it? And is it a problem that approximately 50,000 pensioners collect NZ Super while earning over $100,000 a year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In sharing daily dad life with his social media following of nearly two million, Louis Davis challenges fatherhood stereotypes by being meaningfully present for his family. Join Louis as he sits down with Jane Yee and, through genuine humour and heartfelt anecdotes, offers an alternative narrative about the role and responsibilities of fathers. As he shares his wisdom on the beauty of whānau, the joys of parenthood and the importance of integrity, Louis' story serves as a poignant reminder of life's simple pleasures and the power of genuine connections. Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes each Monday: 19th February - Nico Porteous on the process of performance 26th February - Sarah Hirini on growth and leadership A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In order to limit global warming to 1.5ºC, and avoid the catastrophic effects brought on by further warming, every person on the planet must limit their personal carbon dioxide emissions to just two tonnes per year. The current annual emissions average for someone living in New Zealand? Over eight. Writer, consultant and climate justice campaigner Emily Mabin Sutton joins Bernard Hickey to help figure out how we can get our own carbon emissions under control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kendall Flutey is on a mission to help create a better future for kids all over the world. As the founder of financial literacy software Banqer, Kendall is focusing her ambition for good in a bid to empower the next generation towards a future of financial wellbeing. Combining unbridled passion, a generous spirit and tenacious business acumen, Kendall is a force to be reckoned with in the entrepreneurial space. She joins Jane Yee to discuss what it means to be intentional in all areas of life and share wisdom from her journey that can benefit us all. Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes each Monday: 12th February - Louis Davis on modern fatherhood 19th February - Nico Porteous on the process of performance 26th February - Sarah Hirini on growth and leadership A Kiwibank series in collaboration with The Spinoff Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you measure the cost of the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle? A year on from these catastrophic weather events, NZIER economist Roshen Kulwant joins Bernard Hickey to discuss which costs we're measuring, what we’ve learnt and what still needs to be done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices