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Artwork for Public Interest

Public Interest

Public Interest
New Zealand
New Zealand Health System
Energy Crisis
Labour Party
Te Tiriti O Waitangi
Economy
Fees Free
Conservation Amendment Bill
Wellington Works
Two-Tier Health System
Health Funding
Wellington City Council
Z Energy
Fonterra
Criminal Justice System
Penal Populism
New Zealand Rich List
Wealth Inequality
Council Of Trade Unions
Universal Health Care

Making sense of politics, power and the economy in Aotearoa NZ. Independent, accessible, audience-funded.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes14Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Public Interest

Latest Episodes

Why is the government pushing health and safety reforms that even many businesses oppose? Journalist Rebecca Macfie joins Public Interest to unpack the coalition's Health and Safety Amendment Bill, the myths about "red tape", and why she believes New... more

The government is backing down on the most controversial part of its proposed conservation reforms. But Forest & Bird says the Conservation Amendment Bill still poses serious risks. Ollie Neas speaks with national conservation advocate Bianca Ranson ... more

In the face of a sweeping assault on workers’ rights, New Zealand’s unions seem to have found renewed confidence. But are we witnessing a genuine union revival, or is this just a blip in a longer story of decline? In this special live edition of Unde... more

The NBR's annual Rich List has revealed that the wealth of New Zealand's richest 134 people has surged from $102 billion to $129 billion in just one year. So why are the rich getting richer so much faster than everyone else? Ollie Neas is joined by r... more

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Recent Guests

Bianca Ranson
National Conservation Advocate with Forest & Bird; co-founder of Kaia Whina; Waiheke Local Board member
Forest & Bird
Episode: In Brief: Government backs down on conservation land. Is the fight really over?
Sandra Grey
Council of Trade Unions President
Council of Trade Unions
Episode: Undercurrents: Are the unions back?
Max Rashbrooke
researcher and journalist
National Business Review
Episode: In Brief: What does the Rich List say about New Zealand?
Max Harris
Lawyer and activist running as Labour candidate for Tamaki
Labour Party
Episode: In Brief: Max Harris on Labour, Rogernomics and the 2026 election
Asher Emanuel
Author of The Valley, lawyer
Bridget Williams Books
Episode: Undercurrents: Who really benefits from tough on crime?
Gabriella Brayne
Lawyer, prison reform advocate
Episode: Undercurrents: Who really benefits from tough on crime?
Bryce Edwards
Political commentator, director of the Democracy Project
Democracy Project
Episode: In Brief: A landmark corruption scandal? Bryce Edwards on the climate lobbying cover-up
Ashok Jacob
Secretary of Unions Wellington
Unions Wellington
Episode: In Brief: Inside the fight over outsourcing in Wellington
Ti Lamusse
President of the Tertiary Education Union; lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington
Tertiary Education Union
Episode: In Brief: What the end of fees-free means for NZ’s polytechs and unis

Hosts

Ollie Neas
Host of Undercurrents and Public Interest, frequently engages in critical analysis of policy, politics, and public provision.
Ollie Nees
Host with a focus on investigative discussion and policy critique, often moderating multi-voiced debates.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#19
New Zealand/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#72
New Zealand/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

In Brief: What does the Rich List say about New Zealand?
Q: What policies could change the balance of wealth and power in New Zealand?
Policies like predistribution measures (default union membership, fair pay agreements) and taxation on wealth or capital gains could reduce concentration and fund support for those struggling.
In Brief: What does the Rich List say about New Zealand?
Q: How does wealth concentration relate to democracy and political influence in New Zealand?
Wealth concentration translates into political influence through donations and lobbying, with weak restrictions in NZ compared to OECD peers, potentially undermining democratic equality.
In Brief: What does the Rich List say about New Zealand?
Q: What are the key takeaways from this year's Rich List, or what are the differences from last year?
The key takeaway is a 25% increase in wealth among the richest, with more entrants from tech, and a notable portion of wealth still inherited, which complicates the entrepreneurial narrative.
In Brief: Max Harris on Labour, Rogernomics and the 2026 election
Q: How does Labour's past shape its present policy direction, especially regarding Rogernomics and universalism?
He discusses Labour's reckoning with Rogernomics, recent moves toward universalism (like three free GP visits and public transport caps), and argues that returning to universal public services is essential for fairness and economic stability.
In Brief: Max Harris on Labour, Rogernomics and the 2026 election
Q: Why Labour, and what makes this party the best vehicle for progressive change in New Zealand?
Harris cites Labour's roots in the Labour movement, its broad base in working-class and Māori/Pacifica communities, and a history of pursuing universal public services as reasons for his alignment with the party.

Audience Metrics

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Public Interest

What is Public Interest about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across recent episodes, the show regularly interrogates how power, policy, and money shape public services and the economy in Aotearoa NZ. Key threads include debates over outsourcing and in-house provision of local government services, the impact of education funding policies on students and institutions, and critiques of health and energy systems through a public-interest lens. Guests tend to be union leaders, activists, policy researchers, and analysts who challenge status-quo approaches and push for more equitable, publicly accountable outcomes. The format often blends frontline perspectives with historical context and strategic discussions about organizing and reform, making it valuable for listeners who want critical, pragmatic analys... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Public Interest?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Public Interest:

1. Gone By Lunchtime
2. Coherent
3. Better off Read
4. Both Sides Now
5. Cross Party Lines

How many episodes of Public Interest are there?

Public Interest launched 3 months ago and published 14 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Public Interest?

Recent guests on Public Interest include:

1. Bianca Ranson
2. Sandra Grey
3. Max Rashbrooke
4. Max Harris
5. Asher Emanuel
6. Gabriella Brayne
7. Bryce Edwards
8. Ashok Jacob

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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