When the Facts Change
Hosted by journalist Bernard Hickey, When the Facts Change is your essential weekly guide to the intersection of economics, business and politics in Aotearoa New Zealand. Presented by The Spinoff together with Kiwibank.
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1
A handy Primer for the global AI economy
Sean Gourley, founder and CEO of US-based AI company Primer, joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the role Aotearoa can play in the development of AI, defence technology and the geopolitical contest between China and the United States.
33 min
2
Shock and Orr
In an emergency edition of When The Facts Change, Bernard Hickey talks with NZ Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich and Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr about Adrian Orr’s surprise resignation.
31 min
3
Mortgage rates, braking and accelerating
Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr joins Bernard Hickey to discuss whether the Reserve Bank should be speeding up its response to the economy rather than just easing off.
26 min
4
The startup savant behind Trade Me and Xero
Founder, investor and now author Rowan Simpson joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the startup close calls and near misses that led to his new book.
34 min
5
‘Show me the money’: What Kiwi are buying this ...
Kiwibank senior economist Mary Jo Vergara joins Bernard Hickey to sift through the latest spending data for insights on how Kiwi used their money over the summer.
22 min
6
Rising tides and sinking boats
Journalist and researcher Max Rashbrooke joins Bernard Hickey to discuss recent inequality trends in Aotearoa, and how we could use Kiwisaver to jumpstart the wealth of every New Zealander.
17 min
7
How do we measure the value of social investment?
ImpactLab CEO Maria English joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the economics of social investment, and how the company uses data to quantify positive change.
30 min
8
Is 2025 the year to thrive?
Kiwibank economist Sabrina Delgado joins Bernard Hickey for a gaze into to the economic year ahead.
17 min
9
What austerity actually means
Disability rights lawyer Huhana Hickey joins Bernard for an in-depth look at what impending government spending cuts mean for people with disabilities, hospitals and carers.
19 min
10
A fast track to cronyism?
In a special summer mini-episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard appraises the new Fast-track Approvals Bill, as well as an impassioned response to the bill by Labour MP Arena Williams.
7 min
11
“Tariffs are beautiful. They’ll make us rich”
In a special summer mini-episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard looks forward to how Donald Trump’s re-election will affect economies around the world.
5 min
12
It’s darkest before the dawn
In a special summer mini-episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard reflects on how Adrian Orr and the RBNZ managed the official cash rate.
6 min
13
What’s on Aotearoa’s shopping list?
Kiwibank senior economist Mary Jo Vergara joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the latest retail spending data from Kiwibank, and what we can learn about how Kiwi are spending their money.
21 min
14
Inside Wellington’s homeless crisis
Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the scale of the housing crisis.
31 min
15
Home on the marae
Miriana Stephens joins Bernard Hickey to discuss how her iwi is tackling the housing crisis with marae-centered affordable homes.
28 min
16
The OCR grinch has turned into Father Christmas
Kiwibank’s Jarrod Kerr returns to When the Facts Change to discuss the latest monetary policy statement, and the Reserve Bank governor’s transformation from grinch to Santa.
22 min
17
How fair is our tax system?
Victoria University’s Lisa Marriott joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the fundamental flaws at the core of our tax system and how we can fix them.
24 min
18
Behind Porirua’s poverty
Pat Hanley, a long-time advocate for beneficiaries' rights, joins Bernard Hickey to explore the roots, realities, and the urgent need for change in addressing poverty in Porirua.
30 min
19
The cost of prison
University of Auckland professor Tracey McIntosh joins Bernard Hickey for a deep dive into the problems with and possible future of our prisons.
28 min
20
How to give employees what they want, when they...
Steven Zinsli, founder of Extraordinary, joins Bernard Hickey to discuss how fintechs are reshaping employee benefits with new payment card systems, potentially transforming how fringe benefits are delivered beyond traditional cash payments.
35 min
21
An economic spring in our step
Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr joins Bernard Hickey to how businesses are feeling heading into the Christmas season, and what might upset the metaphorical applecart.
23 min
22
The hidden battery in your home
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.
25 min
23
Is Nicola Willis cutting costs or cutting growth?
Finance minister Nicola Willis joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the government’s plan to cut spending growth in health, transport and housing as part of their effort to 'tighten its belt' and how they plan to reduce the risk of higher debt in the long run.
23 min
24
We’re all getting older and something has got t...
Treasury chief economic adviser Dominick Stephens joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the long-term fiscal issues caused by an ageing population, and what’s at risk if we don’t make policy changes soon.
27 min
25
Gazing into the infrastructure crystal ball
Acting GM of Te Waihanga Peter Nunns joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the murky business of planning infrastructure projects for an uncertain future.
28 min