Beat the Bank

Tax policy sounds complicated and boring, but underneath all the detail, most of the debate comes down to one question:"Where should the tax burden sit?"Hosted by Ben Stewart and proudly brought to you by Venture Wealth: https://www.venture.co.nz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-stewart-cimaIn this solo episode, Ben breaks down the major tax approaches being proposed ahead of the 2026 New Zealand election; including income tax, capital gains tax, wealth tax, land tax, and the argument for introducing no new taxes at all.Rather than telling you which policy is best, Ben explains the underlying trade-offs: whether more tax should come from income, property gains, accumulated wealth or land, or whether government should instead work within the tax it already collects.At its core, the episode is about making election tax policy easier to understand so you can decide for yourself where you think the tax burden should sit.

Most people think insurance is money you pay every month and never see again.But with some mutual insurers, there’s a different model. Because there are no external shareholders, surplus generated by the business can ultimately be returned to members in different ways, including payments back to policyholders.Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by ⁠⁠Ben Stewart⁠⁠, and proudly brought to you by Venture: ⁠⁠https://www.venture.co.nz⁠⁠In this episode, Ben sits down with Quintin Augustine, Chief Product Officer at PPS Mutual. They unpack how mutual insurance works, why some insurers can return money to their members, and the difference between an insurer owned by shareholders and one owned for the benefit of its policyholders.They also discuss how insurers price risk, why choosing the cheapest policy can cost you later, why premiums can rise over time, and how insurance could become more personalised through AI and technology.Podcast produced & filmed by ⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠.

Most people assume ethical investing means making a trade-off — you can invest according to your values, or you can focus on returns.But that assumption is starting to change.Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by ⁠Ben Stewart⁠, and proudly brought to you by Venture: ⁠https://www.venture.co.nz⁠In this episode, Ben sits down with John Berry — Co-Founder and CEO of Pathfinder — to unpack what ethical investing actually means, whether investors really have to sacrifice returns, and how to know if your money aligns with your values.John also breaks down the difference between ethical and impact investing, how managers navigate grey areas around major companies, why some “sustainable” funds may still hold businesses you wouldn’t expect, and how KiwiSaver investors can check what they actually own.At its core, the conversation is about whether you really have to choose between making money and investing in a way that reflects what matters to you.Podcast produced & filmed by ⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠.

Most people think property investing is about buying the right building at the right time. But with commercial property, a lot of the value is created after you buy it.Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by Ben Stewart, and proudly brought to you by Venture:https://www.venture.co.nzIn this episode, Ben sits down with Sarah Wrait, Founder and Director of Azure Property. They unpack why commercial property is a long-term game, how professional management can protect and create value, and why DIY landlords can leave money on the table over time.They also discuss the differences between commercial and residential property, how families can approach intergenerational wealth, and why the hardest part for many investors is simply getting started.Podcast produced & filmed by ⁠Fanaticals⁠.

Most people think building wealth is about picking the right investment.But what if success comes down to the way you think?Welcome to Beat the Bank, hosted by Ben Stewart, and proudly brought to you by Venture: venture.co.nzIn this episode, Ben sits down with Dean Anderson, CEO & Founder of Kernel. They explore what happens when an investor becomes a founder, why removing emotion leads to better financial decisions, and how the same principles that build successful investment portfolios can also build successful businesses.They also discuss why Kiwis are becoming more engaged with investing, the opportunities emerging beyond residential property, how to assess a business before buying it, and the mindset Dean believes gives people the best chance of building long-term wealth.Shoutout to Dean for coming on the 'Beat the Bank' podcast.Podcast produced & filmed by Fanaticals.