Money Talks

First it came for the groceries, the mortgage and the power bill. Now the economy is coming for our fun. From $12 glasses of wine and $27 movie tickets to streaming subscriptions that keep creeping up, the cost of enjoying yourself is becoming harder to justify. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker unpack “funflation”, the latest inflation data, and whether bird flu could make chicken and eggs the next household staples to surge in price.The Economy of Everything is made in partnership with CMC MarketsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could compulsory KiwiSaver help make New Zealanders wealthier and build a stronger economy? In this episode of Money Talks, Liam Dann speaks with policy advocate and economics student Leonard Hong about why he believes New Zealand needs a more ambitious approach to saving, investment and long-term wealth creation. Leonard reflects on his Korean-New Zealand upbringing, his fascination with economics and politics, and the lessons New Zealand could take from Australia and Singapore. He also discusses Gen Z’s financial anxiety, the future of work in an AI-driven economy, and why compulsory retirement saving could give ordinary Kiwis a far more secure future. Money Talks is brought to you in partnership with CMC Markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Official Cash Rate has risen for the first time in three years — but does that mean mortgage rates are about to climb too? Tamsyn Parker is joined by NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenée Tibshraeny to unpack the OCR hike, the risk of inflation becoming embedded and why fixed-term borrowers may not feel the impact immediately. They also examine an OECD report suggesting New Zealand’s real wages are near the bottom of the developed world, why workers are struggling to negotiate pay rises, and whether restrictive employment contracts are holding back productivity. Plus, thousands of properties could carry a hidden natural-hazard warning that may affect insurance claims, renovations and even the ability to secure a mortgage. The Economy of Everything is brought to you with the help of CMC Markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are signs of optimism in the New Zealand economy, but are we ready to believe in the recovery? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker look at the latest economic signals, from falling petrol prices and a stronger sharemarket to the lingering pressure on households. They also discuss new research showing young New Zealanders are more worried about the cost of living than their global peers, the impact of AI on the future of work, and why the Indian Prime Minister’s visit could mark a major trade moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could the AI frenzy end in a painful market correction? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker discuss the warnings and what it could mean for KiwiSaver. Plus, should the Reserve Bank should leave interest rates alone? And what does the falling New Zealand dollar mean for you? The Economy of Everything is brought to you by CMC Markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's proposal to make KiwiSaver compulsory could be one of the biggest changes to New Zealand's retirement system in decades. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker break down what it would mean for workers, businesses and future retirees. Is compulsory saving the key to closing the wealth gap with Australia? They also examine new data on the cost of living, wage growth and why so many New Zealanders feel poorer than they did a few years ago. Plus, are younger generations giving up on the traditional Kiwi dream, and what does that mean for our future economy?The Economy of Everything is brought to you by CMC Markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US-Iran peace deal has brought down oil prices and eased some inflation fears. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker discuss what that means for Kiwi wallets, the outlook for interest rates, and whether New Zealand's long-awaited recovery might finally be gaining momentum.Plus, what can we learn from Switzerland's debate over immigration and population growth? The Economy of Everything is brought to you by CMC Markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From collecting bottles for pocket money in small town South Canterbury to advising governments at the IMF, Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold has spent a lifetime thinking about how economies work. He joins Money Talks to discuss inflation, productivity, inequality and why New Zealand's biggest challenge may not be how we divide the pie, but how we grow it.Money Talks is brought to you by CMC MarketsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House prices are still falling in real terms, construction is slowing and businesses are losing faith in a quick recovery. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker discuss what could be New Zealand's biggest property reset in decades,  They also explain why Auckland's economy is feeling the pain and consider whether upcoming GDP figures will show the recovery has stalled once again (probably). The Economy of Everything is brought to you by CMC Markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should the retirement age rise to 67? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker discuss the growing cost of NZ Super and whether younger generations are being asked to foot the bill. They also look at the surprising figures opposed to the potential rise in retirement age. Plus, a new levy on banks and insurers, the Heartland-TSB merger and what a split OCR vote could mean for mortgage holders.   The Economy of Everything is brought to you by CMC MarketsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday's Budget is being illed as 'grown-up' with no lolly scrambles under a cloud of tough choices ahead. But with rising mortgage costs and stubborn inflation, will the Government deliver something people can actually feel in their wallets? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker unpack what’s been revealed ahead of Budget day and what might still be hiding in the numbers.Plus, are mortgage holders already trapped by rising rates, and is AI becoming a convenient excuse for job cuts?The Economy of Everything is brought to you by NZ Herald in partnership with CMC Markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices surged, inflation risks are rising again, and all eyes are now on the Reserve Bank’s next OCR decision. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker break down why petrol prices haven’t hit worst-case forecasts, what it means for the wider economy, and whether interest rate hikes are coming sooner than expected. The Economy of Everything is brought to you by NZ Herald in partnership with CMC Markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It might feel weird telling the young people in your life to pack up and head across the ditch for better prospects, but right now it may actually be the best advice.   Youth unemployment is sitting at worrying levels in New Zealand, the cost of living crisis is dragging on and somehow our mates in Australia seem to have jobs to spare and money to burn.   Join Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker as they unpack why so many young Kiwis are eyeing Australia, what’s driving the latest brain drain fears and whether New Zealand’s economy is about to get even tougher.   The Economy of Everything is brought to you by NZ Herald in partnership with CMC Markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the first episode of The Economy of Everything, with thanks to CMC Markets. To kick things off, our hosts Tamsyn Parker and Liam Dann tackle the cost of living crisis, what's happening with markets as the Middle East war kicks back into gear, and the significance of today's unemployment data release.    The Economy of Everything is brought to you by NZ Herald in partnership with CMC Markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the final episode of season eight,  Liam is joined by Money Talks producer Jane Yee to look back at the best bits of the show for 2025.    A huge thanks to all our guests for sharing their money journeys with us. Thanks also to editor Richard Martin for bringing the show to life. See you in 2026!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In May, we launched this season of Money Talks with Nigel Latta - clinical psychologist, author, broadcaster, and friend of host Liam Dann. With the sad news of Nigel’s passing, we’re reissuing that conversation to honour his voice and perspective.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Dann sits down with broadcaster Sam Wallace to explore the financial realities behind the glitz and glamour of fame. Sam opens up about the pressures of maintaining a public image, the unexpected costs of staying relevant, and the personal sacrifices made along the way. From hair transplants to high-end home furnishings, the conversation delves into the hidden expenses that come with a career in the spotlight. Join them for an honest discussion about the true price of fame and the lessons learned from navigating the financial challenges of public life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s really behind rising health insurance premiums? Southern Cross Medical Care Society CEO, Nick Astwick, joins Liam to talk about the challenge of funding care and striking the balance between health and wealth, and why he reckons your health is a more valuable asset than your house. Nick also shares his own money journey, from childhood lessons to career-defining choices, offering his perspective on what it takes to live well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pic Picot has lived his life like it's one big experiment. He's tried a bit of this, had success with a bit of that, lived on a commune, sailed the Pacific and modified a concrete mixer to roast peanuts in. The latter was the humble beginnings of what you'll now know as Pic's Peanut Butter. The self-confessed hippy joins Liam to talk risk-taking, money-making and the future of the beloved Pic's brand after a majority stake was recently sold to an Australian firm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to be responsible for one of New Zealand’s biggest banks? Westpac CEO Catherine McGrath joins Liam Dann to discuss the responsibility of holding billions in public trust, how she manages risk, and the human side of leading in high-stakes environments. From money management lessons to her personal journey in banking, Catherine shares insights on resilience, leadership, and financial literacy for all New Zealanders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadcaster, author and Taskmaster NZ star Bree Tomasel reckons her whole job can be summed up as “talking shit for a living.”  But behind the laughs is grit, hustle and a surprisingly conservative approach to money. She chats with Liam Dann about farm life, broke uni days, indulgent splurges and whether she'd take a million right now or risk it all for a 50/50 shot at a billion.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef, TV host and farmer Mike Van de Elzen has worked in some of the toughest kitchens in the world, from London’s high-pressure restaurant scene to running his own award-winning eateries in Aotearoa. He joins Liam Dann to talk about growing up on a Henderson poultry farm, funding his first motorbike with chicken manure sales, surviving on scraps in London and why the term “celebrity chef” makes him uncomfortable. Michael also shares how Eat Well for Less has adapted to the cost-of-living crisis, his battle with cancer and the lessons he’s learned about money, work and life after 37 years in hospitality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, prolific board director Wayne Boyd shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann, including pivoting from his planned legal career to helping break up Telecom, and his other high-profile board roles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, founder and managing partner of property investment company Opes Partners, Andrew Nicol, shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. From his family's financial struggles growing up in Christchurch, bothering banks for their reports for a school competition, choosing a career over uni - and how that led to him buying his first home at 19, sparking a career and a businessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Rosa Powers and Margot Flanagan - better known as the Two Raw Sisters - join Liam Dann to share their best and worst money stories, from how their parent's were early motivators in their careers, to the health battles and personal struggles they had to overcome in order to mend their relationship, and how that has led to a successful brand that covers cookbooks, apps, and podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Perpetual Guardian chief executive Patrick Gamble shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann, including his family's life changing move to Ireland when he was a toddler, his experiences dabbling in the property market while at university - and failing - and how he ended up as a Special Envoy for Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the co-founders behind sexual wellness brand Girls Get Off, Viv Conway and Jo Cummins, join Liam to discuss how their different experiences at school and growing up lead to them crossing paths, and eventually starting a business that wants to change how people talk about sex - even if banks, insurers and social media companies aren't quite on board yet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the founder and CEO of KidsCan and Pet Refuge, Dame Julie Chapman, shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann, from how she originally planned to being a cop to how the need for her charities has increased over the years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Liam is joined by entrepreneur Derek Handley to discuss his varied career in the tech and startup space and how that has changed over the last two decades, and why he is now trying to get young people into their first homes faster with his latest venture, Aera. And he weighs in on the future of AI and our jobs, and his feelings about politics after the public controversy over the Labour Government's attempt to appoint him Chief Technology Officer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, CEO of The Icehouse Olivia Blaylock shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann - from her start in the business world, her experience running her own company, what more can be done to help entrepreneurs and business owners in NZ, and how dealing with lockdowns, the GFC and cancer in her family helped her learn what's important in running a business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, multi-talented entertainer Chris Parker shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann, from his first childhood job starring in a milk ad, to being unable to buy a drink on his first date with his future husband, and how he maintains his increasingly varied workload. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the chief executive of 2degrees, Mark Callendar, shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann, including his unusual path to running a major company, and the current state of the telco industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Liam is joined by singer-songwriter Georgia Lines, who shares her best and worst money stories - from starting her own businesses as a teenager, to how money has impacted her art.  Georgia is nominated for four Aotearoa Music Awards, being handed out tonight, and will perform Under the Stars with Friends at the Auckland Live Cabaret Season - tickets and details available here: https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/cabaretfest25-georgia-lines See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Liam is joined by Mat Croad and Nick Marshall, co-founders of RTD business Pals, to discuss how a previous failure informed their meteoric rise in the drinks world, growing up in Tauranga together, and the different career paths they took before working together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, chief executive of the NZ Super Fund, Jo Townsend, shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann - from her upbringing in rural Tasmania in the 1970s, to working on the trading floors in Sydney, to getting into the super industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, for the first guest of the new season, Liam is joined by clinical psychologist, author and TV presenter, Nigel Latta, to discuss his career on and off camera, his cancer diagnosis last year, and his new app Parentland. You can find more details on it and how to download it at https://www.parentland.app/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the final episode of the year, former Prime Minister Sir Bill English shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Musician and Shihad frontman Jon Toogood shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former National Party MP and Minister, acting CEO of Westpac, CEO of TVNZ, and now CEO of Fisher Funds, Simon Power, shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economist Oliver Hartwich shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesswoman, TV star and informercial icon Suzanne Paul shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. Suzanne returns to Celebrity Treasure Island, airing on TVNZ2 from Monday September 9th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darren Shand, who spent 20 years as manager of the All Blacks before launching his own company, Winning Teams, shares his and best money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EnableMe founder and author of Kill Your Mortgage & Sort Your Retirement, Hannah McQueen, shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chief Executive Officer for Bayleys Auckland, Lloyd Budd, shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs chief executive Chris Quin shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TVNZ and Newstalk ZB host Jack Tame shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rich-lister, Sunshine Books founder, and author of Teaching the World to Read, Dame Wendy Pye, shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT leader, MP for Epsom and Associate Finance Minister - amongst other portfolios - David Seymour shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ockahm Award-winning author of Lioness, Emily Perkins, shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briscoes Group managing director and majority owner Rod Duke shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.