Consume This
41 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingConsume This is a Gold Award-winning podcast. It’s brought to you by Consumer NZ, hosted by Jon Duffy and Sophie Richardson.
Our goal is to help you navigate the increasingly complex world we live in. For the most part we all want to make good, well-informed decisions, but it can be difficult to know what they are. We’re constantly bombarded with conflicting articles, news bulletins, social media posts and research reports. Throw in marketing and ad campaigns and it’s practically impossible to keep up. You can’t be an expert in everything. You shouldn’t have to be. And let’s face it, you’ve got other things to be getting on with.
That’s where we come in. Consume This is designed – or as one of those ad campaigns would say, specially formulated – to provide you with impartial, entertaining and actionable information. We cover the topics that you’ve told us you care about. Things that will actually make your life better and provide a window into our culture along the way.
All the views and opinions expressed in the programme are the hosts’ own and do not represent those of any employers, institutions or organisations they are affiliated with, unless explicitly stated. At least for Sophie, Jon's the Consumer CE so... All views and opinions are expressed in good faith.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
Summer's Coming: Spot The Problem
December 14, 2023 07:55 - 19 minutes - 35.3 MBSophie Stewart unpacks why the sun is so strong in Aotearoa, and how we can protect ourselves. In this episode she's joined by: Christina Baldarelli, NIWA's Olaf Morgenstern, and University of Otago researcher Bronwen McNoe. This episode was made possible in part with support from the Ministry of Health. To become a member of Consumer NZ check out our website. For updates follow us on Facebook, Instagram or sign up to our mailing list here. You can get in touch via Podcasts@consumer....
Bernard Hickey Talks Bank Scams
November 12, 2023 13:00 - 35 minutes - 40.2 MBJournalist Bernard Hickey joins Jon Duffy on this episode of Consume This to discuss, competition, scams, and why we all deserve better from our banks. As part of this podcast for a limited time Consumer NZ members can get 50% off a full subscription to Bernards independent media platform The Kaka. You can find all the details of that offer here. To become a member of Consumer NZ check out our website. For updates follow us on Facebook, Instagram or sign up to our mailing list here. Hos...
Tooth School
November 07, 2023 13:00 - 27 minutes - 49.9 MBToothbrushing is one of the most important things you can do for your oral health. Done right it takes just four minutes a day, can save endless pain, and thousands of dollars. Because let’s face it, the only thing that might worse than the excruciating, eye popping pain of a toothache is forking over an entire pay packet to the dentist... On this episode of Consume This we take on the latest New Zealand Health Survey Data to understand where we are going wrong with our approach to oral hea...
Consumer Power: Our Past, Present & Future
September 17, 2023 14:00 - 30 minutes - 69.3 MBIn 1947, the small west coast town of Greymouth came together to fight an increase in the price of beer. Their boycott of the local pubs lasted four and a half months, was ultimately a success, and became the first major consumer action in our history. In this episode Jon Duffy & Sophie Stewart look back at the history of Consumer action in Aotearoa, unpick Consumer NZs role in it, and look towards our future. To become a member of Consumer NZ check out our website. For updates follow ...
Jenny Shipley - The Full Interview
August 14, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 148 MBFormer Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley sits down with Consume This producer Tom and Powerswitch manager Paul Fuge to discuss the future of New Zealand's electricity sector. In this exclusive episode, Shipley shares her insights on the Bradford reforms, gentailers, and the need for a more sustainable energy future. She also weighs in on the controversial issue of nuclear power, and offers her thoughts on how New Zealand can meet its energy needs in the years to come. This is a must-listen...
Politics & A Pint - The Election Debate
July 31, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 144 MBConsume This hosts a pre-election panel debate featuring the leaders of four of New Zealand's major political parties. ACT MP Damian Smith, Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter, Labour Party MP leader Ingrid Leary, and National Party MP Andrew Bayly will fiercely debate the cost of living crisis, the environment and greenwashing, transport, and more. This is a must-listen episode if you want to know what the major political parties are planning to do about the most pressing issues facing New ...
The Future Of Our Electricity Network
July 19, 2023 14:00 - 33 minutes - 76.6 MBThis episode is part two of our examination of the electricity industry. We attempt to understand what changes we should make to the structure of our electricity market to keep it functioning well into the future. Joining Jon Duffy in this high voltage episode are: Paul Fuge - Manager of Powerswitch Dame Jenny Shipley - Former Prime Minister Max Bradford - Former Energy Minister David Reeve & Steve Batstone - Whiteboard Energy Consultants To become a member of Consumer NZ check out o...
The Bradford Reforms - 25 Years On
July 12, 2023 14:00 - 40 minutes - 92.8 MBTwenty-five years ago, sweeping reforms of New Zealand’s electricity sector promised us increased competition and lower prices. We look back to assess what we were promised against what was delivered… Joining Jon Duffy in this high voltage episode are: Paul Fuge - Manager of Powerswitch Dame Jenny Shipley - Former Prime Minister Max Bradford - Former Energy Minister Geoff Bertram - Economist David Reeve & Steve Batstone - Whiteboard Energy Consultants To become a member of Consumer N...
Where Are They Now?
July 05, 2023 14:00 - 41 minutes - 96 MBJon Duffy & Sophie Stewart catch up with four of our favourite stories from previous seasons. Starring: Rachel from Scammed: How I Lost $100k On A Dating App Toby Green from Bamboozled: Can We Kick The Plastic? Thomas Swain from The Bank Of Mum & Dad Vladimir Zdravkovich from My House Earns More Than Me To become a member of Consumer NZ check out our website. For updates follow us on Facebook, Instagram or sign up to our mailing list here. You can get in touch via [email protected]...
Can You Trust Your Gut When It Comes To D.I.Y Health?
June 01, 2023 14:00 - 37 minutes - 85.8 MBThe ability to access healthcare services is vital for the overall well-being of individuals. With the rapid development of technology, these services have evolved significantly over time, providing opportunities to expand access and improve healthcare delivery. Telehealth platforms have emerged as a prime example of this evolution, connecting patients and healthcare providers regardless of distance. Chair of the ‘NZ Telehealth Forum’ Dr. Ruth Large joins us to discuss the ‘Patient Anywher...
Food Security After Cyclone Gabrielle
April 17, 2023 14:00 - 45 minutes - 103 MBIn the aftermath of Cyclone Gabriel, Philip Barber, Paul Paynter, and Ben Duclercq faced an uncertain future. With their vineyards and farms left waterlogged and devastated, they have to make some difficult decisions. It’s a story of destruction, personal loss, and ultimately hope for the future. In this episode, you will be able to: Grasp the profound effects of Cyclone Gabriel on Hawke's Bay agriculture industry. Explore the financial and emotional challenges growers face due to enor...
Regulating Natural Supplements – A Tough Pill To Swallow?
March 26, 2023 13:00 - 39 minutes - 89.6 MBOn this episode we explore the “Therapeutic Products Bill” and the impact the proposed new legislation will have on natural health products, supplements, their consumers and the people who make them. We want to know what you think about these supplements and the proposed regulation, so for the first time ever we open the Consume This phone lines and take your calls! The full “Therapeutic Products Bill”, all 423 pages(!) are available to read here. You can read our considerably shorter w...
The Land Of The Long White Vape Cloud
February 12, 2023 13:00 - 34 minutes - 79.5 MBSophie Richardson unpacks how a lack of regulation led to Aotearoa developing a world leading youth vaping problem. We examine how our vaping rates compare to the rest of the world, why, and what we can do about it. Featuring the story of Ollie* a 17 year old former schoolyard vape dealer who picked up the habit at just 11 years old. As well as contributions from public health and tobacco expert Candace Bagnall, and Onslow College principal Sheena Millar. The MoH public consultation docume...
Test Your Drugs: A Trip With James
December 14, 2022 13:00 - 31 minutes - 71.3 MBThis episode takes you on a trip into the world of harm reduction and illegal-drug checking clinics. Aotearoa is the first country in the world to explicitly legalise these testing services. We also link up with James*. He has a mysterious brown powder which was sold as MDMA, but is it? There’s only one way to find out... We attend a testing session with 'Know Your Stuff' to get it checked. We also find out what evidence there is that these services are reducing harm and keeping people safer...
Flight Rights - What Are You Entitled To?
September 26, 2022 13:00 - 28 minutes - 66.2 MBJon Duffy & Sophie Richardson are joined by Consumer NZ advocate Aneleise Gawn. She talks us through the recently launched "Flight Rights" campaign and answers your airline related questions. If your flight is delayed or cancelled for reasons within an airline’s control, such as staffing, operational or mechanical issues, you have rights under the Civil Aviation Act (CAA). But airlines aren’t required to tell you about these rights. Instead, they keep quiet, or worse, provide false or misle...
The End Of Season Wrap Show
July 21, 2022 14:00 - 7 minutes - 16.2 MBConsume This hosts Jon Duffy & Sophie Richardson recap on season two and share some of their favourite moments from the episodes. Join the Consume This mailing list here. You can find more information on Consumer NZ and become a member here. We'd love it if you'd consider joining. If you have any feedback or anything you'd like us to cover in season three we'd love to hear from you. You can get in touch via [email protected]. Please consider leaving us a review in your podcast app...
A Home For Sensitive Information
July 14, 2022 14:00 - 36 minutes - 83.2 MBHow much information should a landlord or property manager ask for? In this episode we delve into the thorny issue of power imbalance in the New Zealand residential rental market. Plus what can go wrong when your sensitive information isn't protected. Host Sophie Richardson is joined by Jackie Adams the Compliance & Enforcement Manager at the Office Of The Privacy Commissioner, Ashok Jacob from Renters United, David Pearse from the RPMA and Zenani Moore. OPC Privacy guidance for landlords ...
Bonus Live Episode
June 23, 2022 14:00 - 29 minutes - 67.1 MBConsume This presents a special one off bonus episode recorded live at the Wellington Museum. It's a panel discussion and Q&A which was held as part of our stakeholder engagement event. The panel is hosted by Sophie Richardson and features Toby Green, Kena Duignan & Paul Smith. Slight correction: at around 5'45 Kena says that the Hauora Kai Co-Op supplies 11,000 whānau. This should be 1,100. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cut & Chuck: Where Faulty Goods Go To Die - Part 2
June 16, 2022 14:00 - 31 minutes - 71.1 MBWhat do retailers did with nearly new, but faulty, small appliances? If they are repaired, it’s not obvious where they are resold. If they aren’t repaired, where do they end up? We use GPS trackers to follow a dead fridge and faulty food mixers to their final destinations. Follow our journey to see where the broken appliances end up. In this episode host Jon Duffy is joined by Consumer NZ 'Product Test Manager' Paul Smith, as well as Appliance Outlet manager Michael Lovell and Computer Recy...
Cut & Chuck: Where Faulty Goods Go To Die - Part 1
June 09, 2022 15:23 - 28 minutes - 65.9 MBWhat do retailers did with nearly new, but faulty, small appliances? If they are repaired, it’s not obvious where they are resold. If they aren’t repaired, where do they end up? We use GPS trackers to follow a dead fridge and faulty food mixers to their final destinations. Follow our journey to see where the broken appliances end up. In this episode host Jon Duffy is joined by Consumer NZ 'Product Test Manager' Paul Smith, Porirua City Council Waste Manager David Down, & the boss of Spicer ...
Bamboozled: Can We Kick The Plastic? - Part 2
May 26, 2022 14:00 - 29 minutes - 66.8 MBWhy is it so hard for us to stop using single use plastic packaging? We follow Elysian Foods owner Toby Green on his quest to ditch the polymers. In this episode he's joined by host Jon Duffy, we're joined by packaging consultant Sarah and Yanez ThinkStep technical director Jeff Vickers. The 'Rethinking Plastics Aotearoa' report can be found here. ThinkSteps lifecycle analysis for NZ post is here. To become a member of Consumer NZ check out our website. For updates follow us on Facebook...
Bamboozled: Can We Kick The Plastic? - Part 1
May 19, 2022 14:00 - 30 minutes - 69.1 MBWhy is it so hard for us to stop using single use plastic packaging? We follow Elysian Foods owner Toby Green on his quest to ditch the polymers. In this episode he's joined by host Jon Duffy, zero wast expert Hannah Blumhardt, and ThinkStep technical director Jeff Vickers. The 'Rethinking Plastics Aotearoa' report can be found here. ThinkSteps lifecycle analysis for NZ post is here. To become a member of Consumer NZ check out our website. For updates follow us on Facebook, Instagram or...
The Bank Of Mum & Dad - Part 2
May 05, 2022 14:00 - 35 minutes - 80.5 MBThe Bank of Mum and Dad plays a sizeable role when it comes to helping young home buyers on the property ladder. Consume This research has found the Bank of Mum and Dad (BOMD) has doled out a whopping $22.6 billion in loans. That make it the fifth largest lender after ANZ, ASB, Westpac and BNZ when it comes to owner-occupier loans. Last time up we heard from the borrowers. In this episode... It's the turn of the bank. Noel Bates & Bob Metcalfe share their efforts to help their children into...
The Bank Of Mum & Dad - Part 1
April 28, 2022 14:10 - 25 minutes - 58.9 MBThe Bank of Mum and Dad plays a sizeable role when it comes to helping young home buyers on the property ladder. Consume This research has found the Bank of Mum and Dad (BOMD) has doled out a whopping $22.6 billion in loans. That make it the fifth largest lender after ANZ, ASB, Westpac and BNZ when it comes to owner-occupier loans. You can find out full Bank Of Mum & Dad research report here. In this episode we're joined by economist Shamubeel Eaqub, and recent Bank of Mum & Dad recipient ...
Flight Or Fight - Part 2
April 16, 2022 16:06 - 24 minutes - 56.8 MBSophie is on a journey to understand how and why a doctors visit for a mild fear of flying resulted in a blanket "Mental Health Exclusion" when she applied for income protection insurance. We unpick how this happened, why, and what it tells us about the way we treat mental health. Part two sees Sophie visit insurance broker Alan Borthwick and track down Naomi Ballantyne, the managing director of Partners Life - one of New Zealand's largest insurers. If you are struggling with your mental h...
Flight Or Fight - Part 1
April 13, 2022 14:00 - 25 minutes - 58.9 MBSophie is on a journey to understand how and why a doctors visit for a mild fear of flying resulted in a blanket "Mental Health Exclusion" when she applied for income protection insurance. We unpick how this happened, why, and what it tells us about the way we treat mental health. Part one features Mental Health & Wellbeing Commission board member Taimi Allan and Sophie's ex-GP Dr Lesley Rothwell. Plus guest appearances from insurance broker Alan Borthwick & managing director of Partners Li...
We Need Your Help
February 14, 2022 13:00 - 51 seconds - 1.96 MBWe'd love to get some of your feedback on series one and our first twelve episodes. What do you like? What could we do better? Is there anything you'd desperately like us to cover in series two? This 2-minute survey will help us understand what you like and how we can improve. Complete the survey before midnight, 27th February 2022 and you'll go in the draw to win a $50 Prezzy® card. Full Terms & Conditions apply. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Access Over Ownership: The Sharing Economy
February 03, 2022 13:00 - 32 minutes - 75 MBThe average car is parked 95% of the time and the average drill gets used for just 13 minutes across its whole life. With that in mind do we really all need to own our own, or is there another way? Should we, and could we, all just share? For updates follow us on Facebook, Instagram or sign up to our mailing list here. You can get in touch via [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An Attempt At Intimacy
January 20, 2022 16:16 - 39 minutes - 89.6 MBDoes sex come with consumer rights? The short answer is yes, if you pay for it. In 2003 the ‘Prostitution Reform Act’ squeezed through New Zealand parliament by just one vote! The result of that one vote is that it’s 100% legal to operate a brothel, work as a Sex Worker, or be a client. The law reform was driven by the NZ Prostitute Collective with the aim of creating safer conditions for Sex Workers. According to studies by the University of Otago & the Prostitution Reform Committee, th...
New Zealand, The Foreign Land
December 27, 2021 13:00 - 37 minutes - 85.5 MBWhat’s life like for our Newest New Zealanders? This episode looks at the small struggles and barriers recent arrivals need to overcome to make Aotearoa their home. Staring Rohingya Refugee Hafsar Tameesuddin, former Yugoslav Vladimir Zdravkovich, recently married couple Hassan Tahir & Mehpara Kahn, and South African Kathryn Laverock. Our thanks this week to Open Road. You can find out more about their program here. For updates follow us on Facebook, Instagram or sign up to our mailing li...
Feel The Burn: Sunscreen Fraud
December 13, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 68.4 MBSunscreen, Sun cream, Teamy Creamy... Whatever you call it, it’s a crucial part of summer. It stops us burning and makes a day at the beach, or on the cricket field that bit more enjoyable. But not all sunscreens are created equal. We know that SPF 50 provides better protection than SPF 30, but it goes way beyond that. As unlikely as it may seem Sunscreens are the scene of a three decade, international, multi-million-dollar fraud. A fraud conducted by Gabriel Letizia Jr and his testing compa...
What’s In a Present? The Economics of Gift Giving
November 29, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 69.7 MBAs scary as it sounds, we’re rapidly heading towards Christmas! The holidays can be an exciting time, they’re full of food, friends, family and fun. But they can also be crammed with spending and shopping. One of our biggest expenses, in time and money, is the Christmas present! On this episode of Consume This we’re unwrapping the psychology and economics behind our giving. Plus, New Zealand's ‘unofficial Christmas historian’ Ali Clarke delves into why we give gifts at Christmas at al...
The Not-So-Supermarkets
November 15, 2021 13:00 - 22 minutes - 51.1 MBWe all have a vague sense that groceries are really expensive. If you’ve been around long enough you might even be thinking ‘it never used to be this way’. But are we really being charged too much? According to the Commerce Commission the answer may well be yes. For the last 12 months they’ve been conducting a market study into the grocery sector. They recently published their draft report, and its findings are pretty damning for the two big supermarket chains. Simply put, they believe a lac...
Game Over: Can You Afford To Die?
November 01, 2021 13:00 - 23 minutes - 52.7 MBDeath is one of life’s certainties, but can you afford to die? According to the Ministry of Health the average price of a funeral is $8-10k. While this may not seem like a lot for some people, one in ten New Zealanders have no savings. We examine the funeral industry – can you BYO coffin? Why does it cost so much? Also, why is it so hard to find out funeral costs up front? We talk to one woman about her experience navigating the death industry after the sudden and unexpected death of her m...
How Instagram Made Me Buy a Worm Farm
October 18, 2021 13:00 - 28 minutes - 65.1 MBIs social media encouraging you to buy things you don’t need? According to podcast host Sophie Richardson the answer is no... but then again, she thinks the worm farm subscription Instagram has just sold her is an essential item! On this week's episode we explore how Instagram is changing the way we shop. Specifically, we’re on a quest to find out how it convinced Sophie to sign up for that subscription worm farm. How was she targeted, and how did Instagram know exactly what she wanted, eve...
Scammed: How I Lost $100k On A Dating App
October 04, 2021 13:00 - 39 minutes - 91 MBWhen we think about scamming, we think 'that wouldn't happen to me'. Scams are supposedly reserved for the elderly, hopeless, and those who are totally gullible. Rachel, a tax accountant from Auckland, in her late 30's wouldn't put herself into any of those categories, yet she was swindled out of $100,000. This is a cautionary tale that involves, deceit, love, a hostage situation, lots of texting, and the pillaging of a hard-earned savings account. This is her story... The scam that Rache...
Should You Stop Eating Red Meat?
September 20, 2021 14:00 - 27 minutes - 61.9 MBNew Zealand has built a mythology around meat and three veg for dinner. We have one of the highest rates of meat consumption per capita in the world, but times are changing... Particularly how much red meat we are stuffing in our faces. According to OECD Food & Agriculture statistics there has been a significant decrease in red meat consumption over the past 20 years. This fits with other research which shows a 27% rise in the number of us going vegetarian and an even larger proportion of us...
My House Earns More Than Me
September 06, 2021 15:00 - 31 minutes - 73.1 MBIs it harder than ever to buy your first home? To do that we're joined by Habitat for Humanity CEO Alan Thorp & Economist Bernard Hickey. Plus we hear from Wellingtonian Vladimir Zdravkovich on his never ending quest for home ownership. And Whangārei home owner James. Stats NZ’s Housing in Aotearoa:2020 report shows home ownership rates have been falling since 1991 and recently hit a 70-year low. The average home in New Zealand now costs $906,532 –a 22% price increase from this time last ye...
Can You Buy Sustainable Fast Fashion?
September 06, 2021 14:00 - 32 minutes - 73.3 MBThis week we’re asking the question – is it possible to buy sustainable fast fashion? To answer that we’re joined by sustainable fashion consultant Jacinta FitzGerald and GoodOnYou.eco founder Gordon Renouf. Fashion is a huge business here in Aotearoa. In 2020 we collectively spent $7.8 billion on clothes and shoes. That’s over $1,300 each. Going back a little bit further in 2019 an estimated 63 million tons of clothing was produced globally. That’s more than the weight of 19 million Toy...
Introducing Consume This - 2023 Update
August 12, 2021 21:44 - 2 minutes - 5.72 MBWelcome to Consume This, a podcast discussing the human face of consumption in New Zealand. Hosted by Jon Duffy & Sophie Richardson. We explore the issues that shape our lives. SHARE THE TRAILER - https://kite.link/AZcKXo3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Introducing Consume This
August 12, 2021 21:44 - 1 minute - 1.54 MBWelcome to Consume This, a podcast discussing the human face of consumption in New Zealand. Hosted by Jon Duffy & Sophie Richardson we'll explore the issues that shape our lives. We'll be bringing you two episodes month kicking off August 31st. Hit subscribe in your podcast app now and you won't miss a thing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.