In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: In the two years since the release of ChatGPT, the world of generative AI chatbots has exploded. There are thousands on offer. So, how does a business go about implementing a fast-moving disruptive technology? Silicon Valley veteran Ed Ortega from Machine & Partners outlines his strategy on navigating the world where AI startups are “faking it till they make it”. Timestamps below:  (01:30) - Can you explain why you can offer insights...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Nuclear fusion has long been the Holy Grail of clean abundant energy. Now the physics of the sun, the Earth, and Kiwi tech have combined to create ‘first spark’ at New Zealand’s nuclear fusion startup OpenStar. Lead investor Angus Blair talks about reaching that milestone and what’s next. Plus another Kiwi venture capital fund, GD1, reveals why it’s investing in an American fusion startup. Timestamps below:  (01:10) - OpenStar...

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 15 November. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:10) Thousands march across Auckland’s harbour bridge. For the full article click here. (08:08) Simon Watts pushing for more global action on climate change. For the full article click here. (16:31) Regional development crucial for Northland to thrive again. For the full article click here. (28:24)...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: US markets hit highs, crypto is still heading to the moon, but will the euphoria after Donald Trump’s victory continue? In the aftermath, countries are positioning themselves for possible tariffs while inflation and interest rates could rise. So, what happens next? For their insights we’re joined by Jarden director of global equities Felix Fok, Forsyth Barr investment strategist Zoe Wallis, and NZ International Business Forum trade...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: How annoying is it when the price of a product surges online while you are trying to buy it? Surge – or dynamic pricing – is a widespread pricing tactic designed to manage demand and maximise profit. It's also one of several techniques the Australian government has labelled as unfair. It's putting a ban in place, so what is New Zealand doing? Timestamps below: (05:22) - So what is dynamic pricing?  (11:26) - Are they serving them, or...

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 8 November. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:12) Labour’s fiscal plan likely to spend more on infrastructure. For the full article click here. (12:11) Billions in revenue, no tax paid. How do corporates do it? For the full article click here. (16:47) Unemployment unlikely to exceed forecasts of 5.5%. For the full article click here. (23:14)...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: NZ Green Investment Finance was created to address ‘market failure’ in the climate finance sector. Five years on, is it still needed or has the market fixed itself? New CEO Sarah Minhinnick argues the case that the zero carbon 2050 transition is such a huge job there‘s a role for everyone.  Timestamps below: (03:45) - The only way to have a real impact is to get larger scale projects underway, or larger scale investments in projects...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Donald Trump says he loves the word tariff more than the word love itself. So if he's elected US President what could that mean for a small trading nation like New Zealand? Plus an American tariff expert explains why they believe Trump's policies could put the global economy in a dangerous place. Timestamps below: (02:29) - So on the political front, do you think that has the potential to damage the Trump campaign?  (11:34) - How does...

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 1 November. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:30)  New Zealand's challenge dealing with a new US president. For the full article click here. (07:13) Aussie billionaires behaving badly. For the full article click here. (12:19) Firing a casual employee more fraught than first thought. For the full article click here. (18:53) Testing the balance...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: The former TV3 boss and now RNZ board member Brent Impey gives his takes and predictions for the media landscape. He also reveals his love for the people of Ukraine and details his plan to develop rugby in the war-torn country along with his mate Sir Graham Henry. Timestamps below: (02:08) - So you can't tell me whether you think that Radio New Zealand should have merged with TVNZ? (08:48) - Could we one day see no free to air TV...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Private equity has a reputation for being high-risk, high-reward, but is it where KiwiSaver fund managers should be directing more money? Compared to other countries, we have a tiny amount in private companies. We talk to start up fund Movac which says our KiwiSaver funds are afraid to fail, and to Fisher Funds which has decided to dive in. Timestamps below: (01:00) - How does Kiwisaver compare to other countries retirement...

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 25 October. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (00:52)  Steaming ahead with geothermal innovation. For the full article click here. (06:30) Is retail’s decline permanent or cyclical?. For the full article click here. (12:00) First Union fears changes worsen redress for exploited migrants. For the full article click here. (19:05) Market-led approach...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Many New Zealanders won’t know who under-the-radar Jonny Hendriksen is, but the successful entrepreneur is building a global company to satisfy the complex content needs of social media. Shuttlerock is targeting $100 million in turnover as it harnesses AI to produce tens of thousands of short video ads across 30 languages for major brands such as BMW and Nestlé. The company has offices around the world – but the headquarters stayed in...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: GovGPT is here! A three-month pilot of the new government chatbot is underway. We road test it with some mixed results and ask Callaghan Innovation's Stefan Korn why the war in Ukraine inspired the project. Plus Arcanum CEO Asa Cox reveals why his AI company is pushing into the Aussie local government sector. Timestamps below: (00:53) - The war in Ukraine and the new government chatbot (06:26) - Taking GovGPT for a spin (11:31) - The AI...

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 18 October. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:05)  Dealmakers 2024: Murray & Co’s 20-year evolution. For the full article click here. (10:03) NZ Initiative argues Supreme Court is not staying in its lane. For the full article click here. (19:00) ‘Don’t do that!’: visiting your sick workers at home. For the full article click here. (26:16)...

This week NBR focuses on mergers and acquisitions in the series Dealmakers 2024 - to read more head to NBR.co.nz.This episode of The NBR Podcast talks to major dealmaker and co-founder of Direct Capital, Ross George, about doing 30 years of deals and keeping secrets. For more independent journalism, and to get early access to the podcast, subscribe to NBR.co.nz.

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Mining is back in favour with 11 projects on the Government’s new Fast-Track Approvals Bill. What does that mean for environmental protection measures? We talk to both sides, with a focus on Oceana Gold’s proposal to mine underneath conservation land in the Coromandel. Timestamps below: (04:47) - I have spoken to Oceana Gold and they say that this will not lessen their approach to environmental safeguards. (07:43) - There is the...

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 11 October. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:02)  The Treaty Principles Bill – debate and debunk. For the full article click here. (16:55) Finance Minister hopes lower OCR will help government books. For the full article click here. (28:43) Potentia sets up pistols at dawn showdown with Vista Group. For the full article click here. (35:21)...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: NZ Steel chief executive Robin Davies talks about accusations of ‘corporate welfare’ over the $140 million dollar subsidy for the company’s new electric arc furnace. He reveals why the project could remove 200,000 more tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions than first predicted and describes the steel market as similar to the days of the GFC. Timestamps below: (01:55) - I want to understand why is the electric arc furnace such a big...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: Our tourism industry bounce back post-Covid is slowing down. So now there's an ambitious plan to kickstart and grow export revenue by $5 billion over five years. It's based on the concept of deseasonlisation: is it possible and what even is that? Timestamps below: (03:40) - There is this plan for the next five years, from tourism NZ to grow international tourism by $5 billion over the next five years. Is it doable? (07:10) - Do you...

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 04 October. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:14)  Aussie ‘dark companies’ come into the light. For the full article click here. (6:14) Christchurch is thriving after years of quake pain. For the full article click here. (14:58) Working from home: no entitlement, plenty of expectation. For the full article click here. (22:22) NZ needs a strong...

In this episode of The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd: As he turns 70, music promoter Brent Eccles reveals why concert ticket prices are so expensive, why Celine Dion is responsible for ‘surge pricing’, how he ended up drumming for iconic Aussie rock band The Angels, and what he thinks of the current line-up of Kiwi musicians. Timestamps below: (01:30) - How would you describe the current state of New Zealand music?  (03:52) - Is that one of the reasons that some international artists aren't...

This is a wrap of the week's top business stories for the week ending 27 September. For today's top stories, head to NBR.co.nz. Proudly 100% subscriber funded. Timestamps for this week's content: (01:04)  Bryers’ ‘cunning plan’ likely to end in Aussie jail. For the full article click here. (6:07) The tortured path of RMA reform. For the full article click here. (10:05) The cost of not dealing properly with punches to employee’s head. For the full article click here. (17:44) ‘Relatively...