Best Podcasts NZ / Vincent Heeringa Podcasts (2025)

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Why is Zespri trialling biochar? 30:31

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15d ago30:31

30:31

Biochar is a much-touted but rarely used carbon-rich material derived from organic waste, great for soil health. Kind of like charcoal it’s the result of slow, anaerobic burning. But it has not yet been widely tested in perennial tree or vine crops. Until now. Zespri has been trailing biochar as part of new innovation programme. This project aims t…

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Why ESG boxes on and on: Lee Stewart, ESG Strategies 35:46

28d ago35:46

35:46

Lee Stewart has written the book on sustainable business...No, actually, he really has! He’s written the e handbook ‘How to build sustainability into your business strategy’ for managers across Australasia. A Kiwi with experience in the UK, Australia and the Pacific, Lee has worked for Fujitsu and Fonterra and now heads ESG Strategies, a consulting…

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Climate Disclosures: Onerous and Expensive, or Far-Sighted - Dr. Yinka Moses, Victoria University 31:32

2M ago31:32

31:32

New Zealand was an early mover in corporate climate disclosure; these days around 200 of our largest companies publicly report on what they’re doing about their emissions and the risk they’re exposed to from climate change. Now the government is considering relaxing the reporting regime because, we’re told, it’s onerous and expensive. Victoria Univ…

1
A Sticky Business – Tim Williams, Nilo 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

The industrial adhesives essential to MDF, particle board and the like are a health hazard and a $12billion business. New Zealand company Nilo has a better, kinder glue made from recycled plastics. Managing director Tim Williams tells Ross Inglis all about a sticky business.By Podcasts NZ / Vincent Heeringa

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The ROI on sustainable business - Lewis Patterson, Sustainable Brands 24:04

2M ago24:04

24:04

On May 13 the best and brightest descend on Rotorua for the Sustainable Brands conference, the first time this global franchise will host a major event down under. Now in its 17th year, Sustainable Brands is a ‘community of optimists who believe in brand-led market transformation’. It takes a brave man to feel optimistic right now and perhaps even …

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Oh, behave! The real reason for overshoot - Joseph Merz 35:18

3M ago35:18

35:18

In September 2023, a group of scientists and writers had a paper published in a niche academic journal. The paper “World scientists’ warning: The behavioural crisis driving ecological overshoot” might have quietly retired in a graveyard along with a thousand other important but forgotten tomes - except it didn’t. At last count the paper has had 70,…

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Coffee prices and climate - Richard Goatley, Altezano Brothers 29:23

3M ago29:23

29:23

Just three years ago, the average price of a takeaway coffee was $4.33. Since then prices have marched north with Stats NZ officially recording the average to be $4.85 but good luck finding that in Auckland or Wellington. The reason: coffee beans. The price of the most popular bean, arabica, soared 70% in 2024 and nearly 20% so far this year to an …

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Greenwash v Greenhush - Rebecca Styles and Fiona Stephenson 27:45

4M ago27:45

27:45

How do you promote sustainability effectively? Do you sugarcoat the bad news? Or scare them with the facts? When does green marketing become greenwashing or the reverse, greenhushing? The way we talk about sustainability can make a massive difference in its adoption. Especially in this febrile atmosphere of anti-woke, techbro, climate-denying toxic…

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A Climate Contribution that contributes very little - Marc Daalder, Newsroom 23:32

4M ago23:32

23:32

New Zealand’s newest target for reducing greenhouse gases is as little as one percent better than our previous one. Newsroom’s Marc Daalder tells Ross Inglis why the target matters, why it is so modest, and what it means for business.By Podcasts NZ / Vincent Heeringa

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A better economic model - Ganesh Nana, former Productivity Commissioner 33:21

4M ago33:21

33:21

As New Zealanders struggle with the worst recession in 34 years, a group of economists have warned that the government’s austerity programme is making it worse. One of those critics is Dr Ganesh Nana, former Productivity Commissioner and Chief Economist and Research Director at BERL, Business and Economic Research Limited. Ganesh is a regular advis…

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Future of Food 05: Climate change. The threats and opportunity in climate change 15:05

5M ago15:05

15:05

With both science and storms pointing to a warming world, New Zealand food producers must prepare for climate change. But is the sector sleepwalking into disaster? How can food sector not just survive but flourish in a hothouse climate?By Podcasts NZ / Vincent Heeringa

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Future of Food 04: Emerging proteins. Will new and novel proteins eat New Zealand’s conventional lunch? Or is there room for both traditional and new and novel proteins? 18:26

5M ago18:26

18:26

New and novel proteins could threaten New Zealand’s traditional strengths in dairy, red meat and seafood. Predicted to be lower in emissions, lighter on water and land, cruelty-free and at industrial scale, new and novel proteins may become the first choice in a climate-constrained world. Can we adapt?…

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Future of Food 03: Riches in niches. How well is the New Zealand food sector innovating to meet global demand? 18:55

5M ago18:55

18:55

An explosion in the number of small food brands in the last 20 years hints at where New Zealand's future food opportunities exist: in global niches. New Zealand’s strength in co-ops and single-desk trading gave this tiny country global clout in commodities. But with consumer demand fracturing along almost individual lines - and combined with ever-i…

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Future of Food 02: Sir Jonathan Porritt: What changes are coming for the food sector? Interview with Sir Jonathan Porritt 16:58

5M ago16:58

16:58

Sir Jonathan Porritt is patron of the Aotearoa Circle, the founder of Forum of the Future and a leading advocate for sustainability and climate action. He spoke to us on a hot UK morning about the future of food.By Podcasts NZ / Vincent Heeringa

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Future of Food 01 Gene Technologies: How Gene Technology is changing the Future of Food 13:30

6M ago13:30

13:30

New Zealand’s food and fibre industry is built on generations of selective breeding - from ryegrass and cows to kiwifruit and apples. But recent improvements in gene technologies offer a step-change in how we can create new resilient and productive varieties. Will New Zealand seize the opportunity or be left flatfooted in a race to the future?…

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Nature, commerce and COP 16 - Manu Caddie 36:56

6M ago36:56

36:56

Every two years, delegates meet at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity - a sort of nature version of the more famous climate COPs. This year, COP16, was held in Cali, Colombia, and there were high expectations following the successes at the COP15 in Montreal in 2022 which launched the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). However, despite some…

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The Global Warming Premium – Kali Mercier 22:26

6M ago22:26

22:26

As sea levels rise, home insurance premiums follow. A new report from the Helen Clark Foundation and engineering consultancy WSP New Zealand says it’s time we sorted out how best to protect our homes. Report author Kali Mercier tells Ross Inglis what residential property insurance could look like in a time of climate change.…

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A fair trade in Cola - Albert Tucker, Karma Cola Foundation 32:24

7M ago32:24

32:24

Vincent had the pleasure of interviewing Albert Tucker, chairman of the Karma Cola Foundation, and a leading figure in the Fairtrade movement. The interview was part of a talk he gave at a Sustainable Business Network event, so apologies for sound issues as it was a live recording. Albert is an amazing individual. He was born in Sierra Leone but fl…

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Facing up to Managed Retreat - Kelly Flatz 26:33

7M ago26:33

26:33

If 2023's Cyclone Gabrielle proved anything, it was that New Zealand is woefully exposed to the risks of climate change and has no coherent strategy for moving people and assets away from them. Sustainability consultant Kelly Flatz tells Ross Inglis that the national conversation about managed retreat is only just starting.…

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Climate is a Health Issue too - Dr Jan Raymond, Ora Taiao 32:57

7M ago32:57

32:57

A new report by medical journal The Lancet shows heat-related deaths, food insecurity and the spread of infectious diseases caused by climate change have reached record levels. In our concern for its effect on economy or the environment it’s easy to forget that climate change is also health crisis. To ensure it’s not forgotten, more than 1000 healt…

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Clean Sweep: Loo Roll goes Geothermal - Mark Stevens, Essity 26:00

8M ago26:00

26:00

You probably know Essity more what’s in your house: Purex and Sorbent in your loo and Handee towels in your kitchen. You may also know that this tissue is produced in a mill in Kawerau, central North Island, across the road from the old Tasman Pulp & Paper mill. Perhaps what you didn't know is that by the end of this year, the Essity mill will have…

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A Natural at Business - Helen Paul Smith, Oku 31:01

8M ago31:01

31:01

Few businesses have figured out how to make Aotearoa's native bush 'pay'. Helen Paul Smith husband Scott have patiently created a health and beauty brand, Oku, entirely from native extracts and bioactives. Reinvesting the profits into regenerating Ngahere in the Waikato, Oku is an inspirational story of business done right.…

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Will more oil and gas lower energy costs? Christina Hood and David Hall 30:09

9M ago30:09

30:09

In late August the wholesale energy price spiked as high as $1000 mwh (megawatt hour) as the country felt the effects of a dry winter - when the hydro lakes aren’t replenished by ice melt and rain. The spike has added woes to an already woeful economy and at least one factory - Winstone Pulp International - announced closure. In response, the gover…

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An App for the Forgetful Business - Ben Redwood, Mutu 22:02

9M ago22:02

22:02

If you think you’re forgetful, spare a thought for New Zealand businesses. Mutu, a Kiwi start-up, says they routinely forget assets they bought and never used - up to five million tons of them annually. Mutu’s resource-sharing app does the remembering for them and adds up the cash and carbon savings they make by using stuff they already own..…

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Staring into the Abyss - James Hughes,Tonkin + Taylor 24:39

9M ago24:39

24:39

James Hughes looks into the future and tells New Zealand’s councils just how bad life could get as a result of climate change. James, technical director for climate and resilience for engineering consultancy Tonkin + Taylor, performs climate risk assessments. You could call it staring into the abyss; he tells Ross Inglis it’s often the starting poi…

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Sunny Days for Solar - Jason Foden, Rānui Generation 41:14

9M ago41:14

41:14

Solar developer Rānui Generation started ground works the Twin Rivers Solar Farm, near Kaitaia. The 31MWp project could power 6,000 households or 25,000 electric vehicles for a year - and it’s the first of four solar farms planned around the country. To talk about the project and what role solar will play in our energy future, Vincent was joined by…

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Steven Moe, purpose-driven lawyer and quiet revolutionary 31:59

10M ago31:59

31:59

You might know Steven Moe as a lawyer for Christchurch based Parry Field, specialising in charities and the impact sector; or as the chair of Community Finance - an investor in community housing; or as the host of Seeds, a longstanding weekly podcast; or as the author of The Apple Tree, or as a mentor for Christchurch incubator Ministry of Awesome …

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The Business of Nature - Sam Rowland and Kirsty Brennan 29:20

10M ago29:20

29:20

What does ‘nature’ mean for business? How do companies incorporate nature dependency and nature opportunity into their strategy and action? And what is TNFD? Vincent was joined by two experts: Sam Rowland, the Programme Manager for Nature at the Sustainable Business Network and Kirsty Brennan, the Environmental and Sustainability Business Partner a…

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Congestion pricing to lower emissions: eRoad’s Mark Heine 26:19

11M ago26:19

26:19

Could congestion pricing be the way to address traffic gridlock and reduce emissions? Auckland Council seems to think so, suggesting congestion pricing within the next two years. If so, how will it work? Mark Heine is the CEO of eRoad, the Kiwi company managing electronic road user charges, or eRUCs. He sees a promising future for transport managem…

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Aviation Emissions are taking off: Economist Dr Paul Callister 23:25

11M ago23:25

23:25

When it comes to aviation emissions, New Zealand is far from clean and green. Economist Dr Paul Callister tells Ross Inglis that we are the world’s sixth highest per-capita aviation polluter, emissions are tracking the wrong way, and the sector’s plans to cut emissions offer little real hope.By Podcasts NZ / Vincent Heeringa

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What’s land for anyway? Geoff Simmons chief economist, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment 32:27

12M ago32:27

32:27

You’d be hiding under a rock if you haven’t noticed that there’s fierce disagreement about the growth of pine plantations on rural New Zealand. On the one hand, we need fast growing permanent forests to act as carbon sinks. Lots and lots if we’re meet our net zero goals. If grown on marginal these forests make welcome additional income for farmers …

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Busting the Bikes and Business Myth – Karen Hormann, Bike Auckland 8:38

1y ago8:38

8:38

So businesses love parking and hate cycleways. Or do they? Bike Auckland chair Karen Hormann tells Ross Inglis about a new campaign that tackles a lopsided narrative about commerce and cycling.By Podcasts NZ / Vincent Heeringa

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The big picture on food waste - Kaitlin Dawson and Iain Lees-Galloway 35:29

1y ago35:29

35:29

We know that about a third of food is wasted. If global food waste was a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind only China and the USA. No one believes it’s a good idea. So why does it keep happening? And who’s in charge of this madness? It’s turns out, it’s no one. Those numbers are mere guesses and gaps in the s…

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Sustainability Reporting is here. How should Kiwi Businesses respond? 24:33

1y ago24:33

24:33

There’s a fast-growing thicket of regulations and trade agreements standing between corporate New Zealand and its overseas markets. This emerging landscape has been mapped out by law firm Chapman Tripp in Protecting New Zealand’s Competitive Advantage, a report for the Aotearoa Circle. Co-authors Nicola Swan and Alana Lampitt told Ross Inglis what …

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Is civil disobedience effective? David Williams, Newsroom 29:31

1y ago29:31

29:31

David Williams is a journalist with Newsroom. He recently interviewed Extinction Rebellion protesters, Nick Hanafin and Siana Fitzjohn who climbed aboard the oil rig COSL Prospector in the Cook Strait in 2020 and were subsequently prosecuted. The interview piqued my interest, as it got into the minds and hearts of two incredibly brave and yet, surp…

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Disrupting the bottle business – Jayden Klinac, Anew 32:27

1y ago32:27

32:27

Is another plastic bottle the way to disrupt the plastic bottle business? Jayden Klinac of Anew believes so. The Anew system builds on years of trying to find a sustainable, commercially viable plant-based, recyclable, compostable, cradle-to-cradle plastic packaging solution. Brave man. Vincent spoke to Jayden ahead of his talk at the Spark Future …

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Unilever as B Corp - Why and what’s changed? 38:43

1y ago38:43

38:43

Two years ago Unilever Australia-NZ became a B Corp. It was the first really large corporate, with household brands Surf and Persil, to join a scheme that’s been home to environmental hero brands such as EcoStore. Why did Unilever join? What did they discover in the process? And what impact has a major corporate had on such a spirited brand as B La…

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Climate Change Activism heads to the courts – Nick Chapman, Simpson Grierson 23:16

1y ago23:16

23:16

Climate change activism is everywhere: in politics, in business, on the streets and, increasingly, in the courts. Simpson Grierson’s Nick Chapman tells Ross Inglis what’s driving the movement towards climate change litigation and just where might it take us.By Podcasts NZ / Vincent Heeringa

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Electric Homes - Mike Casey, Rewiring Aotearoa 46:43

1y ago46:43

46:43

Mike Casey is the CEO of Rewiring Aoteraoa, part of an international movement to accelerate the shift to a renewable, electric-powered economy. Rewiring’s first report is all about the electric home - think rooftop solar, heat pumps, EVs and so on. But Mike is also a horticulturist and a passionate advocate for decarbonising the primary sector. He …

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Disinformation exposed – Byron Clark and Mandy Henk 40:18

1y ago40:18

40:18

Whether it’s swallowing bleach to treat Covid or casting climate change as a Chinese conspiracy, disinformation takes nutty ideas from fringes and mainstreams them into our popular discourse. At best, it's hilarious - seen how windmills kill dolphins anyone? But mostly it's just sad and sometimes tragic. What is disinformation? How is it different …

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A Sustainable Commute at a Discount – Connor Read, Workride 15:38

1y ago15:38

15:38

If you’ve wanted to get yourself a discounted bicycle or scooter under something like the UK’s Cycle to Work Scheme, here’s the good news: you can. Ōtautahi Christchurch-based WorkRide now offers a national ride-to-work scheme that uses a Fringe Benefit Tax exemption to slice up to 63 percent off the cost of your next commuter toy. Ross Inglis aske…

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How to change carbon behaviour, big time - Ben Gleisner, Cogo 33:44

1+ y ago33:44

33:44

The conscious consumer movement has an impact but it’s still small - a minority of people choose to change their behaviour. Imagine if you could make your carbon footprint your bank's problem. Imagine these large institutions, with millions of customers and insights into their spending, worry about their customers’ carbon footprint. That’s the geni…

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Copping flak: Rod Oram at COP28 31:05

1+ y ago31:05

31:05

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) closed last week with a notable first: an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. Not quite the phase out most countries had wanted, and reflective perhaps of the influence of petrostates, including the host Dubai. Indeed, the chair is a head of an oil company, and the next COP is due to …

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Scope 4 and the new reporting - Dr Jodi York, Climate VC Fund, Kilara Capital 18:35

1+ y ago18:35

18:35

Heard of Scope 4? Us neither. If you thought Scope 3 emissions are hard to count and reduce then Scope 4 lifts the ambition yet again. Scope 4 or so-called avoided emissions ask businesses to create products that replace dirty ones and thereby avoid emissions – think renewables replacing gas or bioplastic replacing PETs. To explain Scope 4, Vincent…

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The Kiwi Company taking the pain out of Climate Disclosure - Dougal Watt, ClimateTracker 20:48

1+ y ago20:48

20:48

Climate-related disclosures are on their way. Auckland-based ClimateTracker has cloud-based software that eases the compliance overhead and makes sense of the data. Co-founder and data architecture heavyweight Dougal Watt backgrounds the new era of climate disclosure and tells Ross Inglis it’s as much about opportunity as it is about risk.…

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Watts up with car charging in NZ? Stephanie Smits O’Callaghan, Hikotron 27:51

1+ y ago27:51

27:51

Armed with its own IP, Hamilton-based car charging innovator Hikotron is rolling out a national network of charge points. Ross Inglis asked co-founder Stephanie Smits O’Callaghan how Hikotron tackles the chicken-or-the-egg dilemma of building a network for a small but fast-growing market, how to make sense of all those charging standards, and what …

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Climate Leaders Coalition turns five – Jolie Hodson of Spark and Mike Burrell, SBC 23:35

1+ y ago23:35

23:35

The Climate Leaders Coalition turned five years old. Its signatories, which include some of NZ’s largest polluters, are a group of 88 companies that have committed to climate agenda and they’ve notched up some impressive achievements. Collectively they’ve reduced emissions by 3.6 million tonnes, that’s a nearly 30% percent reduction since 2018. And…

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What’s behind the sunny spell in solar power? Matt Ward, solarZero 45:10

1+ y ago45:10

45:10

Every 35 minutes solarZero installs a new residential solar system. It plans to invest $1 billion in new solar and battery systems over the next decade and already has 12,000 installations. It made headlines this time last year when it was acquired by Blackrock, the world’s largest investors. And in September just gone, the government-owned NZ Gree…

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Around the world in an ETS – Ian Parry, IMF 20:26

1+ y ago20:26

20:26

Ian Parry is the Environmental Fiscal Policy Expert at the International Monetary Fund. He came to speak at a series of events in New Zealand about tax. It doesn’t get more exciting than that. But there’s more. Ian is a specialist in carbon pricing, emission trading schemes, and the role of fiscal policy in climate mitigation. The timing couldn’t b…

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Will Auckland’s climate plan survive a change of government? Richard Hills & Parin Rafei-Thompson 44:27

1+ y ago44:27

44:27

How is the Council progressing with Te Tāruke ā Tāwhiri, Auckland’s Climate Plan? In the three years since it was ratified, we’ve had Covid, a change in council, and now a change of government. Will it survive and how much progress has been made? We check in with its architects, councillor Richard Hills, chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks…