When the Facts Change

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. 


When the Facts Change is currently on hiatus and is open for sponsorship. For more details, contact bec@thespinoff.co.nz

Business News
Politics
26
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
27
“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
28
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
29
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
30
Inside Wellington’s homeless crisis
Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the scale of the housing crisis.
31 min
31
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
32
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
33
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
34
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
35
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
36
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
37
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
38
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
39
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
40
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
41
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
42
When the interest rates change
Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich joins Bernard to discuss what’s happening (and likely to happen) with interest rates, his thoughts on the future of Kiwibank and if he considers possible banking plays by likes of Apple and Google to be a legitimate threat.
29 min
43
Navigating our economy forward (by looking in t...
Reserve Bank chief economist Paul Conway talks to Bernard Hickey about the thinking behind the RBNZ’s decision to change course last month.
25 min
44
This is Kiwi: Dane and Stacey on choosing adven...
While you wait for the next episode of When the Facts Change, join Jane Yee as she gets to know popular travel bloggers and digital nomads Dane and Stacey.
45 min
45
An electrifying plan for Aotearoa
Saul Griffith joins Bernard Hickey to advocate for a greener, more affordable energy future for Aotearoa.
22 min
46
This is Kiwi: Jess Hong on chasing dreams as an...
While you wait for the next episode of When the Facts Change, join Jane Yee as she goes behind the public persona of Jess Hong, lead actor in Netflix's sci-fi blockbuster 3 Body Problem.
46 min
47
Building better goal posts for emissions accoun...
Dr Amelia Sharman from the External Report Board joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the XRB’s new standards for emissions accounting.
26 min
48
This is Kiwi: Taylor Roche on turning obstacles...
While you wait for the next episode of When the Facts Change, join Jane Yee as she goes behind the public persona of Taylor Roche, one of New Zealand's biggest TikTok sensations..
47 min
49
The lights have switched off at the Consumer Ad...
Deborah Hart, former chair of the Consumer Advocacy Council, joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the government’s decision to scrap the council, and what’s wrong with New Zealand’s electricity industry.
27 min
50
This is Kiwi: Jess Quinn on normalising differe...
While you wait for the next episode of When the Facts Change, join Jane Yee as she goes behind the public persona of disability advocate Jess Quinn
48 min