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The NBR Podcast
The NBR Podcast
Author: NBR - National Business Review
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Each episode explores issues impacting business & the New Zealand economy. Listen to in-depth interviews with NZ CEOs.
NBR (National Business Review) publishes NZ's leading business and finance podcasts, artificial intelligence, covering market shifts, investment, economics, and corporate leadership.
Episodes feature analysis of New Zealand companies, global markets, government policy, and entrepreneurship.
The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: in-depth interviews with business leaders.
Learn more on NBR.co.nz
NBR (National Business Review) publishes NZ's leading business and finance podcasts, artificial intelligence, covering market shifts, investment, economics, and corporate leadership.
Episodes feature analysis of New Zealand companies, global markets, government policy, and entrepreneurship.
The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: in-depth interviews with business leaders.
Learn more on NBR.co.nz
185 Episodes
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New Zealand’s 2026 election is being shaped by inflation, unemployment, OCR settings, mortgage rates, business confidence, and the cost-of-living crisis, as voters weigh whether the economy is truly recovering — driving sharp political divides between National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Barbara Edmonds.Links to audio clips used here
Plastic pollution is one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges, with the drinks industry producing hundreds of billions of single-use bottles every year. Brianne West is taking aim at that problem with Incrediballs, a plastic-free drink concentrate designed to eliminate packaging altogether and prove that sustainable product design and ethical entrepreneurship can reshape global industries.Links to audio clips used here
China’s birth rate has fallen to a record low and the markets have noticed. With just 7.9 million babies born last year, a shift has already begun rippling through global markets, from infant formula and A2 Milk to New Zealand’s broader export exposure and emerging growth in India.Links to audio clips used here.
Limitless clean energy from a nuclear fusion reactor. Early next decade, Kiwi startup OpenStar Technologies is hoping to be the first to create fusion in way that can supply reliable electricity. Founder Dr Ratu Mataira discusses sustainable power solutions, cleantech energy innovation and the future of energy as his company tries to replicate the power of the sun.Links to audio clips used here.
Is electric marine transport coming? We’re cruising above the waves aboard Vessev’s nine-metre EV hydro-foiling boat as the Kiwi company goes global in 2026. Chief executive and co-founder Eric Laakmann talks sustainable transport innovation and clean technology as the company ramps up production, preps for a capital raise, and sells into new countries. He believes it could be the next Kiwi startup to hit unicorn status.This episode is available as a video on Spotify, YouTube and NBR.co.nzLinks to audio clips used here.
Will the Coalition grasp another victory or be delivered an infamous single term defeat. Political Editor Brent Edwards looks at the state of the parties as we return from the summer break and realise that yes ... it is election year!
Tech saw some big, listed company deals and some impressive new players. Chief Reporter Will Mace covers the top end of tech town while Senior Journalist Fiona Rotherham has a taste for startups. Together they take us through the big events of 2025 and what to look out for 2026.
Around the office we call him The Goat. This year Tim Hunter was named NZSA Business Journalist of the Year for the fourth time. We finally coaxed him in front of the mic to talk about his scoops and why he's been tempted to go to bed with some spreadsheets.
It's time to don the budgie smugglers and head across the ditch to ask 'how's the serenity?' after a turbulent 2025. From landslide elections to some questionable business practices, we cover it all in this end of year 'View from Australia" with our correspondent Lachlan Colquhoun.
It’s the stories that gripped our member subscribers. From Du Val developments to banned winery directors, name suppression, the shock exit of Adrian Orr, and our latest NBR Rich Listers. Co-editors Calida Stuart-Menteath and Hamish McNicol background what made the stories so popular.
Demand for charitable services in New Zealand is rising sharply but the level of funding is not matching it. Many charities are reducing services or shutting down as the nonprofit sector faces a nationwide funding crisis. With the upcoming great wealth transfer — an estimated $1.6 trillion is set to pass from baby boomers to their families. Could this historic shift in family wealth reshape charitable giving? supporting struggling social services and offer long-term sustainability options to NZ charities. Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email simon@nbr.co.nzLinks to audio clips used here.
A 46-year-old man and his wealthy family and its business were granted permanent name suppression over his jailing for possessing 11,775 files of objectionable material involving children. We explore how New Zealand’s name suppression laws are applied to high-profile criminal cases, potential unintended consequences for the public when social media and AI falsely identify innocent people as perpetrators, and the impacts of these crimes on victims.Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email simon@nbr.co.nzLinks to audio clips used here.
Four Uber drivers have been deemed employees not contractors by the Supreme Court, and a thousand other drivers also have claims pending. Uber warns the entire contractor model is under threat while unions argue this is about workers rights. Now all eyes are on the Government’s impending contractor legislation.Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email simon@nbr.co.nzLinks to audio clips used here.
What's the impact on New Zealand businesses from the 2025 Trump tariffs? The uncertainty has created major NZ trade challenges and global supply chain disruption. We discuss the trade policy instability and export challenges with a major exporter, Skellerup, and a small shoe designer, Oya. Plus some advice from trade expert Stephen Jacobi and ASB’s chief investment officer Frank Jasper. Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email simon@nbr.co.nzLinks to audio clips used here.
A retreat from net-zero goals is happening. We talk to two business sustainability consultants about business climate strategy, corporate responsibility trends and environmental leadership in business. Has the sector has overreached and undersold its message? Are companies still doing the work – or are they just not talking about it?Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email simon@nbr.co.nzLinks to audio clips used here.
The Labour party has announced a new capital gains tax policy. Labour leader Chris Hipkins the tax policy debate, whether it will win over business, and what could change if the Greens and Te Pāti Māori win big at the election?Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email simon@nbr.co.nzLinks to audio clips used here.
Thousands of Americans hand back their US passports every year. This episode, we look at exit tax, FATCA and expat tax obligations to find out why US citizens are giving up on ‘the land of the free’.Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email simon@nbr.co.nzLinks to audio clips used here.
Are AI investments overvalued? Are we headed for a stock market crash? How exposed are NZ’s Kiwisavers? Artificial intelligence companies have made deals with each other worth more than a trillion dollars. We get market trend insights from BlackRock and some input from the founder of Salt Funds, who warns about the investment risks in AI.Feedback, story ideas, comments, all welcome – email simon@nbr.co.nzLinks to audio clips used here.
For the full uncut interviews and articles on NBR:Auckland: Wayne Brown goes to town on ‘idiotic’ WellingtonWellington: Wellington’s new mayor Andrew Little aims to rein in costsQueenstown: John Glover on solving Queenstown’s infrastructure challenges as tourism growsDunedin: New Dunedin mayor Sophie Barker aims to roll out red carpet for business
What are the big deals and who is behind them? We talk to Jarden’s Silvana Schenone, who has been named as one of the most powerful Australasian dealmakers. Plus M&A lawyer from DLA Piper Reuben Woods explains why he is bullish about the coming year.







