Best David Firth Podcasts (2025)

1
Kerre Woodham: Is it any wonder the Govt's interfering with the judiciary? 6:06

11h ago6:06

6:06

I've steered clear of much of the sentencing changes proposed by the Government because it's a topic that we do canvas often. The Government campaigned on toughening up on crime and on criminals, and so far they seem to be delivering, so you know, leave them to it. But Paul Goldsmith's proposal that the government could introduce more minimum or ma…

1
Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on the Covid-19 inquiry, emergency housing, crime 34:37

12h ago34:37

34:37

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says speeding up the justice system is a priority. Recent announcements by the Justice Minister include bigger fines for trespassing and harsher penalties for coward punches and assaulting first responders. Hipkins told Kerre Woodham unlike National, he wouldn't spend the first 18 months in power overturning the last Gov…

1
Kerre Woodham: Are the banks paying their fair share of tax? 5:17

1d ago5:17

5:17

To start the morning, I wondered about looking at the fairness - or otherwise - of the corporate tax rate. The Finance Minister, according to a New Zealand Herald story, has quietly asked Inland Revenue to look at the appropriateness of the tax settings being applied to banks. Nicola Willis confirmed to the Herald a wide range of options is being c…

1
#413 The Raw Milk Revolution: Nature's Superfood and its Untapped Potential w/ Mark McAfee 1:04:02

12h ago1:04:02

1:04:02

In this podcast episode, I discuss the benefits and misconceptions of raw milk with guest Mark McAfee. McAfee, a raw milk farmer and advocate, shares his journey from being a paramedic to running one of the largest raw milk dairies in the world. The conversation covers various topics including the differences between raw and pasteurized milk, the h…

1
Kerre Woodham: Schools need to be teaching civics 6:32

5d ago6:32

6:32

There are a lot of things parents can teach children without schools needing to get involved. Basic hygiene, reading, physical education, even driving – parents should and could teach their children these skills. And I know schools already have a lot to be dealing with as regards to the needs of our children in their classroom, they've got a lot of…

1
Royal Grief in Medieval Iberia with Nuria Silleras-Fernandez 56:45

5d ago56:45

56:45

For three medieval Iberian queens, grief - and the way they expressed it - had immense and far-reaching consequences. This week, Danièle speaks with Núria Silleras-Fernández about what grief and widowhood were "supposed" to look like, how grief and madness were thought to be intertwined with love, and how the grieving women in the famous Isabella t…

1
Moana Theodore: Dunedin Study Director on the new tool that can estimate how fast someone's aging 10:18

5d ago10:18

10:18

A new tool can now estimate how fast a person is aging. University of Otago scientists have found a way to use an MRI scan of the brain to quantify the rate of biological aging of middle-aged people to forecast risks of dementia, chronic disease, and death in older adulthood. The technology was developed using data from the Dunedin Study, a decades…

1
Kerre Woodham: Let's put an end to the fun and start verifying political promises 6:03

5d ago6:03

6:03

I don't know about you, but I want to know how big our Finance Ministers' holes are. I think it's really important to know what political parties’ promises are going to cost us. A nine-year battle to get a publicly funded body to cost political parties election promises, starting with the 2026 election, ended at cabinet on Monday after ACT and NZ F…

1
Caryn Zinn: Dietician and co-author of What The Fat? on losing weight, weight loss drugs 14:48

6d ago14:48

14:48

Weight loss drugs are becoming increasingly sought after, with Wegovy hitting New Zealand pharmacies this month. It’s currently not funded, and people will need a prescription to get it. However, people are warning that weight loss drugs aren’t a silver bullet, and lifestyle changes are needed for long term success. ‘What The Fat?’, co-authored by …

1
Kerre Woodham: Have we not learned from slash damage and flooding? 5:40

6d ago5:40

5:40

In the wake of the Motueka valley flooding with warnings that Australia's bomb cyclone is set to bring severe weather conditions to New Zealand, we're on weather watch. Not just the media, although looking at the television screens in my studio —one on BBC talking about the heat waves in Europe and another on Sky News from Australia talking about s…

1
Mark Bloomberg: University of Canterbury School of Forestry Adjunct Senior Fellow on slash 9:05

6d ago9:05

9:05

Forestry is a major industry in New Zealand, but the practices involved contribute to the damage left in the wake of cyclones and major weather events. After 2023’s Cyclone Gabrielle, the Government revised slash management rules, ruling that forestry owners will have to remove slash if it’s over a certain size. They’re now consulting on a proposal…

1
Kerre Woodham: Why do we struggle to run the Cook Strait ferry crossing? 6:14

8d ago6:14

6:14

I don't know who these people or these organisations would be and what on Earth their motivation might be, but it would appear that Treasury has identified several private operators who have expressed an interest in establishing a commercial competitor to Bluebridge with government help. Which basically means the opportunity to privatise the KiwiRa…

1
Kerre Woodham: Tougher sentences are the way to go 6:46

8d ago6:46

6:46

The Government's harshest sentencing rules begin today. Rules like capping the maximum discount that a judge can apply at 40 percent, with some exceptions. There will be no repeat discounts for youth offenders, those aged 18 to 25. No discounts for remorse, if you're sorry again and again and again, you only get to be sorry once, because Justice Mi…

1
#412 The Liver King Story - Finding The Truth 1:45:31

7d ago1:45:31

1:45:31

In this episode, we are welcoming, Brian Johnson, known as the Liver King. We discuss Brian's visit to the host's property, highlighting Brian's appreciation for the host's home, dojo, and lifestyle. The podcast explores Brian's dedication to his family and personal growth. Brian shares his thoughts on personas and public figures, including his own…

1
Greg Murphy: Kiwi motorsport legend on the Govt's proposal to axe practical tests for full drivers licenses 6:13

11d ago6:13

6:13

A Hawke’s Bay-based motorsport legend says a plan by the Ministry of Transport to remove the full-licence practical test is nothing short of “ludicrous”. In April, Minister for Transport Chris Bishop announced a range of suggested changes to the licensing system, including removing the full-licence practical test and introducing safety mitigations …

1
Kerre Woodham: Driving is the most dangerous thing we do everyday 5:03

12d ago5:03

5:03

Two stories today, one from Hawke’s Bay, one from Nelson, and they have a horrible, horrible intersection. Motorsport legend Greg Murphy has slammed plans by the Ministry of Transport to remove the full license practical test. Back in April, the Minister for Transport Chris Bishop announced a range of suggested changes to the licencing system, incl…

1
Kay Firth-Butterfield: Using AI Wisely 29:32

12d ago29:32

29:32

Kevin Werbach interviews Kay Firth-Butterfield about how responsible AI has evolved from a niche concern to a global movement. As the world’s first Chief AI Ethics Officer and former Head of AI at the World Economic Forum, Firth-Butterfield brings deep experience aligning AI with human values. She reflects on the early days of responsible AI—when t…

1
Mysterious Manuscripts with Garry Shaw 55:07

12d ago55:07

55:07

There are several famous examples of mysterious medieval writing, including the so-far unbreakable Voynich Manuscript. So, what secrets were medieval people trying to hide? And why? This week, Danièle speaks with Garry Shaw about who was encrypting their manuscripts, the codes they used, and the centuries of attempts to crack the Voynich Manuscript…

1
Hamish Firth: Mt Hobson Group Director on the housing intensification around City Rail Link stations 11:16

12d ago11:16

11:16

The Government's instructed Auckland Council to allow apartments at least 15 storeys high near key City Rail Link train stations. Density requirements around the Mt Albert and Baldwin Ave stations require at least 10-storey apartments, while buildings around the Maungawhau, Kingsland, and Morningside rail terminals will be allowed to reach at least…

1
Kerre Woodham: I'm a fan of building around the train stations - with caveats 7:02

12d ago7:02

7:02

The Government has instructed Auckland Council to allow apartment buildings of at least 15 storeys near key train stations as the City Rail Link nears completion. Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown said the Government would require Auckland to allow even greater housing and development around the CRL stations than had …

1
Kerre Woodham: Is there a way we can regulate weapons in schools? 6:35

13d ago6:35

6:35

This morning we thought we'd start with the fact that more and more kids, it seems, are bringing weapons to school, And we're not talking about the States, we're talking about New Zealand. Figures released under the Official Information Act show that 526 students were stood down, suspended or excluded for using or having a weapon at school last yea…

1
Kerre Woodham: US strikes on Iran - where do we go from here? 7:06

15d ago7:06

7:06

The world is on fire, World War III imminent, what can New Zealand do? Well, very little. Those were the headlines over the weekend. After telling the world he'd decide within two weeks whether or not to unleash the power of the United States on Iran in support of Israel, Donald Trump and his administration sent B2 stealth bombers into Iran on Frid…

1
#411 Life on Radical Terms: A Primal Approach to Modern Time w/ Ste Lane 1:09:03

12d ago1:09:03

1:09:03

This episode welcomes Ste Lane, a former MMA fighter and host of Radical Health Radio. Ste discusses his journey from MMA fighting to embracing primal living and holistic health. He talks about growing up in England, overcoming the tall poppy syndrome, and his later years spent traveling, which redefined his view of success and sparked his interest…

1
Dale Cendali: How Courts (and Maybe Congress!) Will Determine AI's Copyright Fate 39:33

19d ago39:33

39:33

Kevin Werbach interviews Dale Cendali, one of the country’s leading intellectual property (IP) attorneys, to discuss how courts are grappling with copyright questions in the age of generative AI. Over 30 lP awsuits already filed against major generative AI firms, and the outcomes may shape the future of AI as well as creative industries. While we c…

1
Johannes Gutenberg with Eric White 52:06

19d ago52:06

52:06

There are a lot of gamechanging inventions that shifted the trajectory of the Middle Ages, but one machine managed to hit at just the right time and place to create a massive enterprise in medieval Europe, with consequences that touched the entire globe: Gutenberg's printing press. This week, Danièle speaks with Eric White about Johannes Gutenberg’…

1
Sonia Gray: Broadcaster on being in psychedelic drug trials to treat anxiety 8:10

19d ago8:10

8:10

Changes to allow over the counter sales of Melatonin in New Zealand alongside relaxing rules on magic mushrooms as medicine. MedSafe's approved Melatonin for sale to adults without a prescription. Psilocybin remains unapproved, but one specifically qualified psychiatrist is now permitted to prescribe it for treatment-resistant depression. Broadcast…

1
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the GDP rising by 0.8% 8:43

20d ago8:43

8:43

GDP figures just out are stronger than economists had forecast. Stats NZ says New Zealand's gross domestic product grew 0.8% in the March quarter – overtaking predictions of 0.7%. It follows a 0.5% increase the quarter before. Herald Business Editor-at-Large Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham it could mean the OCR won't get another cut next month. He say…

1
Jonny Bannister: Coastguard Regional Manager on the deaths of Gemma and Ryder Ferregel and the need for compulsory lifejackets 5:38

20d ago5:38

5:38

There's a call for compulsory nationwide lifejacket use following the death of a 10-year-old boy in the Manukau Harbour. Ryder Ferregel and his mother, Gemma, died in November 2022 after a boat carrying five people capsized near Clarks Beach. They both drowned after hours of clinging to the overturned hull and even after reaching the relative safet…

1
Sean Broughton: Stats NZ Population and Housing spokesperson on the changes to the Census 8:27

20d ago8:27

8:27

It's goodbye to the five-yearly Census from 2030, and hello to a smaller annual survey. They're changing things up, instead assessing a smaller chunk of the population yearly. Information people have already provided to Government departments will be used to inform the data, and Stats NZ says the changes will help provide more accurate and timely i…

1
Kerre Woodham: Outsourcing surgeries has to be a win for patients 8:29

21d ago8:29

8:29

Simeon Brown took the words right out of my mouth. I was just saying this very morning, that people living with bone-on-bone pain don't really care where their hip replacement is done or whether their knee is replaced in a private hospital or a public one. And there in the statement released from the Health Minister's Office is Simeon saying patien…

1
#410 The Path to Unity: Exploring Spiritual Growth & Challenges w/ Paul Chekk 2:30:09

19d ago2:30:09

2:30:09

This episode welcomes back Paul Chek, a mentor and friend, who delves into a deep and comprehensive discussion on the nature of love, growth, and spiritual development. The conversation covers Paul's recent life experience of being bitten by a rattlesnake, which he uses to illustrate resilience and calm. Paul introduces his concept of the 'Spirit G…

1
Kerre Woodham: Prisons are evidence of failure, but what's the alternative? 6:38

26d ago6:38

6:38

Prisons to me are tangible evidence of failure. Failure of a person to do the right thing, failure of family, of community, of society. Before they've even been used, they smell like failure. I’ve emceed a fundraiser for the Shine domestic violence prevention charity at Mount Eden's remand prison before the first prisoner had stepped foot inside it…

1
Brenda Leong: Building AI Law Amid Legal Uncertainty 36:52

26d ago36:52

36:52

Kevin Werbach interviews Brenda Leong, Director of the AI division at boutique technology law firm ZwillGen, to explore how legal practitioners are adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. Leong explains why meaningful AI audits require deep collaboration between lawyers and data scientists, arguing that legal systems …

1
Inventing the Renaissance with Ada Palmer 55:55

26d ago55:55

55:55

Given that the term literally means “rebirth”, the Renaissance throws some not-so-subtle shade on the period that comes before it. So, where did the idea of the Renaissance actually come from? And was it truly a golden age? This week, Danièle speaks with Ada Palmer about Petrarch, Machiavelli, atheism, and how we should look at the period formerly …

1
Kerre Woodham: The wool directive has to be a win for everyone 4:38

26d ago4:38

4:38

Good news for the wool industry. Wasn't such good news in December of last year when Kainga Ora, the country's largest landlord, put out tenders for new carpet and underlay, and specifically said wool suppliers need not apply. So that was in December of 2024 then in January 2025, the agency opened its tender process to wool carpet suppliers, allowi…

1
Kerre Woodham: Are farmers in the position to invest in new technology? 5:45

27d ago5:45

5:45

The largest agricultural expo in the Southern Hemisphere, one of the largest business expos in the Southern Hemisphere, has opened its gates this morning, and exhibitors are ready to do business. That hasn't always been the case in Fieldays’ 57 year history – the rural economy has had its ebbs and flows over the years, and Fieldays in Hamilton has …

1
Katrina King: Franchise Association CEO on franchising in New Zealand 8:11

27d ago8:11

8:11

As more people take the leap to owning their own businesses, many seem to be buying into already established brands. Data suggests the business of franchising and owning established brands is booming, with around 30,000 franchise unites currently existing nationwide. Association CEO Katrina King told Kerre Woodham they see franchising as being in b…

1
Justin Flitter: NewZealand.AI founder on the applications and benefits of AI in business 33:26

27d ago33:26

33:26

There’s been plenty of buzz around AI in the last few years. The most recent headlines have been highlighting its evils, such as the creation and lack of regulation around deepfake technology and fake pornography. However, there are many positive applications for AI technology, particularly in business. Justin Flitter, founder of NewZealand.AI, joi…

1
Kerre Woodham: Is it feasible to leave your job and buy a business? 6:25

28d ago6:25

6:25

If you turned up to work yesterday, first day of a new week, with a bad case of Mondayitis, feeling like you're getting nowhere working for the man, thinking now is the time in your life when you should be the master of your own destiny, making your own decisions, getting the true reward for your labours, well join the queue. Buyer demand for New Z…

1
Aidan Gent: ASB General Manager for Rural on the loans for farmers to install solar and battery systems on their properties 7:36

28d ago7:36

7:36

ASB is offering loans to help farmers balance their energy costs. They’re offering five-year, interest-free loans of up to $150,000 for the installation of solar and battery systems on their properties. The bank said farm electricity costs are rising, with the average 2025/26 season power bill expected to be around $28,000 for owner-operated dairy …

1
Kerre Woodham: The new 'Parent Boost' visa makes perfect sense 5:37

29d ago5:37

5:37

When I was doing the rounds of the open homes, travelling all over the Auckland isthmus a couple of years ago, I was looking for something quite specific. A house where I could have my own space and where the kids could live separately as a family, because we were buying together. And there were quite a few just like that. One house I visited was o…

1
National Blood Donor Week: NZ Blood Service CEO Sam Cliffe calls for more donations 11:14

29d ago11:14

11:14

Kerre Woodham talks to NZ Blood Service CEO Sam Cliffe at the start of National Blood Donor week. NZ Blood is asking Kiwi's to find their superpower and start saving lives by becoming a blood or plasma donor. COVID's impact on the methods of recruiting young blood donors has led to a decrease in the number of young people donating blood. Since 2020…

1
#409 Unlocking Lifelong Health & Vitality w/ Troy Casey 1:05:45

27d ago1:05:45

1:05:45

In this episode Kyle sits down with guest Troy Casey, a long-time friend and wellness practitioner who has studied under Paul Chek. Troy Casey, known as the Certified Health Nut, has a comprehensive background in natural medicine, including Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, herbology, and iridology. The discussion covers Troy's movement practic…

1
Matt Crockett: Kāinga Ora CEO on increased warnings and evictions, vacant properties 34:04

1M ago34:04

34:04

Clearer boundaries around Kāinga Ora tenant behaviour could explain a 600% surge in formal warnings. In the past 10 months, 63 tenancies were terminated because of abusive, threatening, or persistently disruptive behaviour. Nearly 1,500 warnings have been issued in the financial year to date. Chief executive Matt Crockett told Kerre Woodham behavio…

1
Shameek Kundu: AI Testing and the Quest for Boring Predictability 37:00

1M ago37:00

37:00

Kevin Werbach interviews Shameek Kundu, Executive Director of AI Verify Foundation, to explore how organizations can ensure AI systems work reliably in real-world contexts. AI Verify, a government-backed nonprofit in Singapore, aims to build scalable, practical testing frameworks to support trustworthy AI adoption. Kundu emphasizes that testing sho…

1
Saint Thomas Becket with Michael Staunton 57:16

1M ago57:16

57:16

It's one of the most notorious political assassinations in history: the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. The story of two friends who became bitter enemies in a struggle between church and state that drew in some of the most powerful people from all over medieval Europe. So, how did a pretty ordinary kid from London end up as …

1
Kerre Woodham: Who should be paying more for home insurance? 8:05

1M ago8:05

8:05

It's not really a huge shock, is it? The news that homeowners will have to pay even more for home insurance to help the Natural Hazards Commission (formerly known as the EQC), is to be expected. Insurers have been warning for years that premiums will rise and will continue to rise, that they may have to put some of the cost of risky properties back…

1
Kerre Woodham: How can we take polls seriously? 6:55

1M ago6:55

6:55

Honestly, I don't know why we report on polls. Seriously, I don't know why I'm even talking about them myself, but it's really ripped my nightie overnight. They're so frustrating, and because media companies commission them, it makes the media look like master manipulators. This is from 1News last night (I didn't watch 1News, obvs) but this is from…

1
Ben Speedy: ASB's General Manager of Commercial Banking on businesses' uncertainty regarding the impact of Trump's tariffs 6:38

1M ago6:38

6:38

Kiwi business leaders fear the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs will be more severe than the impact of the Global Financial Crisis and the Covid pandemic. ASB and Talbot Mills have been surveying more than 300 business leaders, including CEOs and founders. Two-thirds of businesses are concerned about the impacts, including almost 80% of exporters. …

1
David Farrar: Curia Market Research Owner on how political polls work 13:13

1M ago13:13

13:13

How is it that two recent polls had such starkly different outcomes? The latest RNZ Reid Research poll —out this morning— has the right bloc on 46.4, behind the left bloc on 50.3. But the latest 1 News Verian poll —released last night— has the right bloc on 50-percent, well ahead of the left bloc on 45. Curia Market Research Owner David Farrar told…

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