The NZ-US Podcast - SoundSage

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In this episode we look at what it is that our industry voices on the panel think New Zealand government actors should be doing in this space, what steps or actions should be taken.

There is a clear theme about the need for expanded regulatory cooperation across jurisdictions and using existing international fora on standard and regulation setting.

And to really lean into these fora and be active on putting our opinions forward on these big technology issues.

There is also a comment there from Stuart Wilson, CEO of Endace, about the need to have the difficult conversations that these tech issues raise, particularly as they relate to New Zealand’s relationship with China and finding a way to do that without disrupting our primary goods trade.

Watch the full discussion and panel here: https://youtu.be/fsilMyh3MVg

Panel bios:

Professor David Capie – Director, Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University of Wellington
Dr Reuben Steff – Senior Lecturer – International Affairs, University of Waikato
Ainikki Riikonen – Research Associate, Technology and National Security Program, Center for a New American Security
Stuart Wilson – CEO, Endace
Anna Kominik – Asia Pacific Regional Director, Wisk

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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In this episode, we look at supply chains with a focus on silicon and other rare earth minerals.

Included is a question posed by Anna Kominik early in the discussion - is this redefining globalisation? I think the answer is absolutely yes with all the complexity, disruption, duplication, impacts on innovation, and increased costs that comes with this.

But perhaps these are the kinds of trade offs we'll have to make for the sake of greater supply chain resilience and diversity. And we are seeing this right now through the case study of silicon and semiconductors and the planning for new foundries.

There is a also a comment there about the need for a lot of more work to be done to get prepared and that this needs to be a deliberate process and as a nation having an opinion and approach to how we deal internationally with some of these big technology issues.

Watch the full discussion and panel here: https://youtu.be/fsilMyh3MVg

Panel bios:

Professor David Capie – Director, Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University of Wellington
Dr Reuben Steff – Senior Lecturer – International Affairs, University of Waikato
Ainikki Riikonen – Research Associate, Technology and National Security Program, Center for a New American Security
Stuart Wilson – CEO, Endace
Anna Kominik – Asia Pacific Regional Director, Wisk

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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In this episode, we look at the question - are we heading towards a full-on tech cold-war?

This was scenario 3 from Dr Reuben Steff’s issue brief and scenarios paper: The Great Disconnect? US-China technology decoupling and its implications for New Zealand.

Fortunately, the common answer from our panellists was that this is unlikely. That no one seems to want that kind of outcome.

And interestingly there did seem to be some optimism there about the US and China reaching some accommodation, or at least there could be a settling in tensions once these current supply chain challenges are worked through with greater supply chain diversity and resilience established.

However, Taiwan and the silicon supply chain and semiconductors will not be resolved any time soon because this requires massive investment to establish alternative supply chains which is several years away.

Watch the full discussion and panel here: https://youtu.be/fsilMyh3MVg

Panel bios:

Professor David Capie – Director, Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University of Wellington
Dr Reuben Steff – Senior Lecturer – International Affairs, University of Waikato
Ainikki Riikonen – Research Associate, Technology and National Security Program, Center for a New American Security
Stuart Wilson – CEO, Endace
Anna Kominik – Asia Pacific Regional Director, Wisk

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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In this episode I include a really interesting exchange between our panel moderator Professor David Capie and Ainikki Riikonen from DC think tank, the Centre for a New American Security.

Here we get a better understanding of what the US approach to international technology looks like. Ainikki talks about a multilateral more inclusive approach likely to be the bedrock of the administration’s approach to technology and acknowledges that the US can’t go it alone.

Our industry voices during the panel back up and support this approach saying there needs to be international alignment on policy, standard setting and regulation, otherwise the business complexity is too great.

Unfortunately the reverse of this seems to have been the trend over the last few years.

And then there are some interesting comments on industrial policy and a totally hands off approach no longer being an option because the competition is state-backed and the US government will need to find the right balance, between providing support but not over reaching.

Watch the full discussion and panel here: https://youtu.be/fsilMyh3MVg

Panel bios:

Professor David Capie – Director, Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University of Wellington
Dr Reuben Steff – Senior Lecturer – International Affairs, University of Waikato
Ainikki Riikonen – Research Associate, Technology and National Security Program, Center for a New American Security
Stuart Wilson – CEO, Endace
Anna Kominik – Asia Pacific Regional Director, Wisk

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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In this episode we go right to the start to look at this concept of “decoupling” in the context of technology supply chains: what is it?, why does it matter? and how might it play out?

And then in later episodes we look at the experience of a couple of industry players who are seeing the impact right now of decoupling.

In this episode you’ll hear mainly from Dr Reuben Steff, an academic from the University of Waikato, and author of the issue brief and scenarios paper: The Great Disconnect? US-China technology decoupling and its implications for New Zealand.

It’s a really quick read, designed to give an overview of what this is all about, and includes three scenarios of how decoupling might play out.

The scenarios are designed to encourage debate and discussion and hopefully some planning. For example, you’ll hear in later episodes why our panel of experts think the most extreme scenario is unlikely to come to fruition while all agreeing that we need to be planning towards a range of possibilities and delving into the questions that this thinking and process forces.

Watch the full discussion and panel here: https://youtu.be/fsilMyh3MVg

Panel bios:

Professor David Capie – Director, Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University of Wellington
Dr Reuben Steff – Senior Lecturer – International Affairs, University of Waikato
Ainikki Riikonen – Research Associate, Technology and National Security Program, Center for a New American Security
Stuart Wilson – CEO, Endace
Anna Kominik – Asia Pacific Regional Director, Wisk

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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Season 2, Episode 5: What are some next steps on digital trade?

In this episode we look at what’s next, what can we be working on immediately, perhaps before even getting to the point of negotiating a digital agreement.

It includes comments from most of our panelists and includes ideas such as: forming Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), getting better bilateral cooperation between our researchers and scientists, better digital enablement and interoperability on digital identities, harmonisation on the rules, regulations and standards in areas like paperless trading. And plenty more.

Further information on this seriesThis current series on digital trade follows the release of our latest report on the future of New Zealand-United States digital trade, the challenges experienced by our digital exporters, and the case for a digital services agreement.

What we’re focusing in on for this series of episodes - are some of the current and future policy issues in this space.

Looking at questions like - what is digital trade, what is a digital trade agreement, the best vehicle for an agreement with the US, why do one of these agreements, in the US political and policy context what’s actually possible on trade, how can you regulate in such a fast-changing environment and what’s the best approach, what are some of the next steps that New Zealand and the US could take right now.

We're doing this in very short, single question episodes, generally 8-10 minutes long.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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Season 2, Episode 4: How do you regulate in such a fast changing environment?

In this episode we've included discussion during the panel on regulating in such a fast changing environment, and the idea of regulating for outcomes.

Panelists highlighted a number of perverse outcomes that they’ve seen where, for example, inferior technology solutions needed to be advanced in order to met the regulatory requirements.

This is another area where innovation on the regulatory front is required.

You’ll hear a number of voices from those in the room and our panelists: Andy Prow, co-founder of Kiwi cybersecurity firm RedShield, Joshua Meltzer and Stephanie Honey who has featured in our earlier episodes.

The idea of regulatory experimentation and regulatory sandboxes is discussed to encourage regulatory innovation. This is the kind of conversation we need to be encouraging.

In the next episode we cover: What are some next steps on digital trade?

What we’re focusing in on for this series of episodes - are some of the current and future policy issues in this space.

We're doing this in very short, single question episodes, generally 8-10 minutes long.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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Season 2, Episode 3: What’s happening with US trade policy and what’s possible on digital?

In this episode you’ll hear from Joshua Meltzer, Senior Fellow - Global Economy and Development with The Brookings Institution in Washington DC where he has a specific focus on digital trade.

Joshua is an Australian who has been based in Washington DC for the last 14 years. He gives us his thoughts on the current US trade position and policy and what he thinks might be possible.

Clearly he doesn’t see the Comprehensive and Progressive Transpacific Partnership - or the CPTPP - as a realistic prospect. Even more so now that China has applied to accede it to the agreement.

But he thinks digital might provide an opportunity for US leadership on the trade front.

He also picks up on the EU-US trade and technology Council’s agenda which he thought gives a feel for the direction of US trade priorities on digital and technology, and the drive of the US to work with trusted partners on digital and technology issues.

In the next episode we cover discussion on regulating in such a fast changing environment.

What we’re focusing in on for this series of episodes - are some of the current and future policy issues in this space.

We're doing this in very short, single question episodes, generally 8-10 minutes long.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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Season 2, Episode 2: Do we need a digital agreement with the US and what’s the best vehicle?

In this episode we’ll hear again from Stephanie Honey this time answering the question, what’s the value in doing these digital agreements, and a thought on the best vehicle for doing this type of agreement with the US.

Toward the middle of the excerpt is an interesting question and comment from Stephanie on legitimate exceptions to the free flow of data - when can governments restrict the flow of data, in what areas is it valid for government’s to preserve “policy space” and the ability to regulate. Which of course is an especially hot topic in trade.

This leads into the next episode where Joshua Meltzer answers: What’s happening with US trade policy and what’s possible on digital?

What we’re focusing in on for this series of episodes - are some of the current and future policy issues in this space.

We're doing this in very short, single question episodes, generally 8-10 minutes long.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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Season 2, Episode 1: What is the future of NZ-US digital trade?
In this episode we include a simple explanation of digital trade and the emerging global rule set on digital trade.

Included is Stephanie Honey of Honey Consulting, a leading expert on digital trade here in New Zealand.

She provides one of the clearest descriptions I've heard of what of digital trade is, what it includes, and some of the complications for business trying to decipher what rules to apply.

The next episode takes this a little further considering why should we be looking to do a digital trade agreement with the United States and what's the best current agreement vehicle available for doing this.

What we’re focusing in on for this series of episodes - are some of the current and future policy issues in this space.

We're doing this in very short, single question episodes, generally 8-10 minutes long.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

For comments and feedback:
Email: podcast@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

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Today's discussion is with Evan Osnos.

Evan is a staff writer at The New Yorker where he writes about foreign affairs and politics and has recently just written the book “Joe Biden: The Life, the Run, and What Matters Now”.

It’s a timely book providing a concise examination of President-elect Biden based on lengthy interviews with Biden himself, and on revealing conversations with more than a hundred others, including President Barack Obama, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, and a range of progressive activists, advisers, opponents, and Biden family members.

I’ve just finished reading the book, it’s a great read, very accessible, and you do come away feeling like you’ve got a real insight into the man and his character. Definitely put it on your summer reading lists or for the Christmas stockings.

We cover a lot during the discussion with Evan including Joe Biden's personal story and tragedies, what he's guided by, his relationship with the Senate, his understanding of the centre ground, China, trade, Obama and much much more.

Full discussion on Youtube:https://youtu.be/lclMfk9wGJw

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biographies:
Martijn Rasser: https://www.cnas.org/people/martijn-rasser
Ainikki Riikonen: https://www.cnas.org/people/ainikki-riikonen

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today I’m bringing you a discussion with Martijn Rasser, and Ainikki Riikonen from U.S. think tank the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).

They are authors of a recent report titled: Common Code: An Alliance Framework for Democratic Technology Policy which advances the much talked about idea of the need for the world’s democratic nations to work together on technology policy.

They describe in their report that “the global order is at an inflection point where decisions made by world leaders in coming months will shape the world for decades…”. The liberal democracies, if they fail to come together, will miss the bus and with it the ability to shape how emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, biotechnology and communications will be used.

However, missing the bus in this case doesn’t mean a period of inaction, or simply waiting for the next bus it actually means ceding the ground to authoritarian nations - China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela - who are working together to decide how these technologies will be used for everyone.

This is where this proposal comes in for “like minded” democratic nations to work together for the benefit of all. Adhoc, reactive, one-off responses from individual nations advances nothing. A joined up approach among nations with shared values and vision is needed. This report represents progress on the idea.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biographies:
Martijn Rasser: https://www.cnas.org/people/martijn-rasser
Ainikki Riikonen: https://www.cnas.org/people/ainikki-riikonen

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today we’re back talking U.S. politics with a panel discussion - Leon Grice and Kenny Clark - as we count down to polling day in the U.S..

We start with a quick chat about New Zealand’s recent elections, Labour's historic victory, what kind of mandate has the win provided, and the future of the National Party.

And then we take a look at the U.S. elections. Now 10 days out from polling day - Tuesday the 3rd November - fivethirtyeight.com gives Trump a 12 in 100 chance of winning, not great but still a chance. We look at Trump's strategy from here and what's within his control to turn this around.

We consider the 'undecideds' - estimated at between 2-6 percent this year, versus 13 percent at the last election - and the special kind of scorn undecided voters seem to be receiving from some media quarters at this time. Who are the undecideds at this point, what is it they're weighing up? Are they likely to be a key factor this time around?

Then we end by looking at the final presidential debate, the two different preparation approaches of the candidates, and what difference will a good debate performance make at this late stage. And finally how are the two candidates likely to approach the debate.

It's a lively and fun discussion.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biographies:
Leon Grice: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leongrice/
Kenny Clark: https://www.lillisclark.com/team/kenny-clark/

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today’s discussion is with Dr Reuben Steff.

Reuben is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand.

He teaches courses on New Zealand foreign policy, international relations and global security. Reuben has worked for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the International Security and Disarmament Division, and the Strategic Policy Division.

We talk about his soon to be released book: US Foreign Policy in the Age of Trump: Drivers, Strategy and Tactics (Routledge, 2020). It’s a good read where Reuben attempts to objectively look at Trump’s foreign policy approach, to find patterns of behaviour and to look beyond the bluster. It’s not intended as a justification of the administration’s approach and choices. Rather his purpose in writing the book is to enable better debate of it.

It’s an interesting discussion, with references to Nixon and Kissenger’s Madman theory in foreign affairs - characterised by irrationality, volatility and unpredictability. We talk a lot about whether there is strength or advantage to be gained from unpredictability. President Trump has previously said that the U.S. had become too predictable.

Of course, we also consider what this uncertain context means for small states like New Zealand.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:
Dr Reuben Steff: https://www.waikato.ac.nz/fass/about/staff/rsteff

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today’s discussion is with Hayden Thorne.

He is a Kiwi, an aspiring academic, and a legal historian currently undertaking his PhD focused on the United States Supreme Court and the role that legal representation plays in the outcome of significant decisions.

The Supreme Court, its decision making and traditions, the personalities on the Court and the critical role that the Court plays in the US is something that has fascinated me for many years. And I’ve been in search of someone to talk to about the Court for months now and just in the last week or so stumbled upon Hayden.

Of course we talk about the impact of the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg - a liberal icon, and powerful voice for woman, minorities, and the disenfranchised. We look at whether her jurisprudence changed during her tenure or just that the persona and profile grew. And we briefly consider the importance of conventions and customs concerning the nomination and confirmation of Supreme Court justices and what might be lost when these are tossed aside because of the politics of either side.

I was also really keen to talk about the recent series of decisions from the Supreme Court. These included decisions on LGBTQ employment rights, abortion, and immigration and saw the Supreme Court's Chief Justice play a critical swing role siding with the Court’s liberal justices to provide a majority.

We talk about these decisions, the composition of the Court, and what it is that Chief Justice Roberts, a conservative, is possibly motivated by.

As President Trump has nominated a replacement to Justice Ginsberg we recall the words of Justice Ginsberg herself saying that Presidents have often been disappointed with their nominations to the Court. Hayden provides a historic perspective and examples of where nominations to the Supreme Court haven't always panned out as expected.

Links mentioned during the recording:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/a-potential-disaster-for-us-law
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/us-abortion-laws-intentionally-inflammatory

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:
Hayden Thorne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-thorne-a1518a5a/

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today’s discussion is with Andrea Durkin. Andrea is the Editor-in-Chief of TradeVistas and Founder of Sparkplug, LLC.

TradeVistas is a great online resource providing very easily digestible information on the latest trade issues. We include a lot of their material on the NZUS Council website.

Andrea’s background includes having previously served as a U.S. Government trade negotiator. She has proudly taught international trade policy and negotiations for the last fifteen years as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Foreign Service program.

Our discussion with Andrea focuses on trade:

Whether trade policy is a feature of this year’s presidential election?
Are there likely to be substantive differences in the trade policy pathways of a Trump 2 or Biden 1 administration?
American public opinion towards the WTO and global leadership on the trade front.
The voting patterns of congress and whether we’re ever likely to see again the kind of coalition that led to the passage of the USMCA.
The race for the role of Director General of the WTO and her recent interaction with the leading candidates for the role and Andrea’s opinion on what kind of leadership is needed at the WTO.

Links mentioned during the recording:

https://tradevistas.org/trade-and-politics-2020/

Host biography:Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Andrea Durkin: https://tradevistas.org/author/adurkin/

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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This episode includes a discussion with Ambassador Derek Shearer.

Our latest US election series speaker, a longstanding Democrat, former Clinton administration figure, former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, professor in international affairs and diplomacy at Occidental College in California, and long time friend to New Zealand.

During the discussion Derek answers the question: why is the 2020 presidential election the most important of the century?

This is an edited down version of a webinar moderated by NZUS Council Chair, Leon Grice. You can find the full video discussion on our YouTube account here: https://lnkd.in/g6HwtQy

Some highlights from the discussion:

You can not have a discussion about US politics without talking about the role of race and culture and the impact that this will have on these elections. Derek talks about the possibility of a new civil rights movement emerging as recent events have finally landed and registered with white mainstream America.
The state of the Democratic Party campaign team and potential Biden administration figures. Derek says the party has never been more united, and mobilised by the common purpose of defeating Trump, and willing to make compromises.
A Biden administration's approach to foreign affairs, diplomacy, international engagement, and soft power.
And finally why he will be watching the debates closely and the impact that these might have on early voting.

Host biography:Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Leon Grice: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leongrice/
chair@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:
Derek Shearer: https://www.oxy.edu/academics/faculty/derek-shearer

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today’s episode includes a discussion with Richard Fontaine and focuses on the foreign policy of a future U.S. administration - whether a second term under President Trump or a first term Biden administration.

Richard Fontaine is CEO of the highly influential DC based think tank - the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).

He is young, sharp, highly qualified and already one of the foremost voices on foreign policy of this generation. So we were fortunate to have Richard join us for a discussion and hear his thoughts on where everything is moving.

He is a self-described internationalist, a Republican, and a moderate. He served as foreign policy adviser to the late Senator John McCain, was an adviser in the National Security Council under President George W Bush, worked in the State Department, and began his foreign policy career as a staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, focusing on the Middle East and South Asia.

What I”m including today is an edited discussion which trims the 65 minute webinar content down to roughly 35 minutes. Obviously there is quite a bit that didn’t make the final cut for this podcast product. However, do not despair - the full, uncut, unedited version is available, together with video, and a link is included here in the episode notes.

The webinar is moderated by NZUS Council chair - Leon Grice. Leon is joined by a panel made up of NZUS Council members - Fran O’Sullivan, Stuart Wilson and Sam McIvor.

Even in this edited version a lot of ground is covered:

The future of the Republican Party
The U.S.-China relationship, decoupling and whether there is any way for the U.S. and China to get along, bifurcation of technology and supply chains, the role of China in the world, the critical position of Taiwan in the semi-conductor supply chain as well as Richard’s thoughts on US presidential candidates positions on Taiwan..
Trade and the World Trade Organisation.
The priority that Biden will give to climate change to the extent that he can do this without needing to go through Congress.

There’s loads in this episode and plenty more in the full version.

Full version of the discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMfNIlPJXA4&t=1510s

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:Richard Fontaine: https://www.cnas.org/people/richard-fontaine

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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This episode's discussion is with an exceptionally talented Kiwi - Xaviour Walker.

He’s a medical professional, President of the Kiwi Leadership Network USA, and has recently returned to New Zealand after 11 years in the U.S..

The discussion was recorded right at the end of July before Auckland went into lockdown again. At the time of recording he warns that we need to avoid being complacent and that we have this difficult and cautious 2-3 years ahead.

However, this is not another pandemic discussion. Xaviour provides a perspective on and experience of the NZ-US relationship. And that’s partly what this podcast is about - bringing those perspectives and experiences into focus.

As you’ll hear its also what the Kiwi Leadership Network USA is about - to highlight inspiring Kiwis doing amazing things in the U.S. It is a common mission for both our organisations.

I really enjoyed the conversation, learning more about where his drive comes from, his family, parents, the role of sport in his early background, and the strong sense of responsibility he feels to help those around him, to contribute, to fully utilise all his talents.

You also get the very clear feeling that he was totally at home in the US. Being at the epicentre of developments in his field, the ambition and competitiveness of being in such a large market.

We talk about the importance of telling the stories of New Zealanders who are doing amazing things in the US. He rightly identifies that we too often are unaware of what our Kiwi compatriots are getting up to and there is so much there we can be proud of if we just shine a little light on their achievements and create an environment where our people feel comfortable to share their greatness.

There’s a lot in the discussion. I really enjoyed chatting with Xaviour and I hope you enjoy listening.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:Xaviour Walker: https://www.otago.ac.nz/dsm-medicine/people/Profile/index.html?id=3276
Kiwi Leadership Network USA: http://www.kiwileaders.org/

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today’s discussion is with Molly Reynolds is focused on races for the US House of Representatives and the Senate, the likely composition in 2021, and what their legislative priorities might be.

Molly Reynolds is a senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings in Washington DC. She studies Congress, with an emphasis on how congressional rules and procedure affect domestic policy outcomes, and she’s an expert on filibustering in the US Senate.

We first met Molly at the end of 2018 following the mid-term elections where she gave this really insightful presentation on why those elections were such a wave for the Dems and some of the trends underlying that wave of support for the Democrats.

It is an edited discussion part of a webinar we held recently for NZUS Council members and the public.

On current polling it looks like the Dems will take the Senate, along with holding the House. That’s a situation that has changed dramatically over the last 6 months or so where the odds were on the Republicans holding the Senate.

With this there is very real talk of the Dems using their simple majority - that’s 50 votes - to change the filibuster rules within the Senate to enable the passage of big reform - democracy or voter rights reform, climate change. If that is the case, expect that battle to be fierce in early 2021. During the discussion we try to work out what the legislative priorities might be for a Biden presidency, and unified Dems held Senate and House.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:Molly Reynolds: https://www.brookings.edu/experts/molly-e-reynolds/

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today’s discussion is with Professor Todd Belt in the first of our NZUS Council US Elections Speaker Series running over the next month or so where we dig into the ins and outs of the US electoral contest.

Professor Belt is director of the Political Management program at The Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University where he is educating the next generation of political operatives. His research and writing focuses on the mass media, public opinion, the presidency, campaigns and elections…

It’s a dense discussion. We cover a lot of ground. If you love US politics and you love the spectacle of US political campaigns then this is the episode for you.

We talk:

Campaign strategy during COVID and the connections between the presidential race and senate races, and the kinds of calculations that the campaign teams must make.
The 12 states that he is monitoring really closely, their latest forecasts, and what’s happening in each of those states.
Why Biden is in such a strong position right now - he has options on how he can put together a pathway to victory, whereas Trump must win the rustbelt states.
We look at the reliability of polling and why the polls were so wrong in 2016 - or were they?
What are the policy issues - the economy, China, immigration, COVID response?
We talk a lot about the changing demographics in the US as it becomes more diverse, more suburban and urban, more educated - and what that all means.
Party realignment - is the Reagan Coalition still in play for the GOP, or do they need to rebuild a new coalition of voters.

There is so much in this episode you might need to listen to it twice.

Finally, this is a recorded webinar discussion with NZUS Council members. I’m joined by Leon Grice - chair of the Council and I ask a number of questions from those participating in the webinar.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:Professor Todd Belt: https://gspm.gwu.edu/todd-belt

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today’s episode is from a discussion earlier this week with the Hon Simon Bridges - National's new foreign affairs spokesperson.

It's reported that Bridges held out for the foreign affairs portfolio after being replaced as leader. So we talk about what his motivation was for wanting foreign affairs, his views on the geopolitical landscape, how NZ should navigate through these uncertain times… we talk a lot about China, US-China tensions, NZ-China relations - and the importance of both protecting our interests and safeguarding our values.

During the discussion you’ll hear different voices and questions coming in from our board and advisory board members. I think it all adds up to quite an interesting early view into how Simon Bridges is thinking about the portfolio and how he is likely to position from here on some of the big issues in the portfolio.

Some key takeaways:

He says that "walking the line" will become challenging in an increasingly volatile and dangerous world.
He makes the point, unapologetically, that the Key government was focused on trade first and foremost - but the times have changed. Trade of course is still important but the geopolitics component is becoming more important.
National’s positioning on China has not changed, rather the Chinese position globally has changed.
In respect of Hong Kong and the extradition agreement - he says we should have moved quicker, in line with Canada, Britain and Australia - to condemn the national security law because it is the right thing to do rather than to keep in step with traditional partners.
Multilateralism is at the core of his thinking and that New Zealand should continue to be pushing into relationships with like minded nations.
The US is still the powerhouse in innovation, creativity, technology and that New Zealand must be close to that.

It will interesting to talk to Bridges again in 6 months time and track his thinking as he grows in the role and the global circumstances continue to change.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:Hon Simon Bridges: https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/bridges-simon/

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Today’s show is a scene setting episode as we fast approach November’s US elections. It's a 101 on the US electoral process and campaign strategy setting up the discussion for this episode and those we’ll have over the coming months.

Importantly, it also sets out the State races or battleground races we need to monitoring over the coming months. We look at the concept of the electoral map and this idea of a “pathway to victory” that you’ll hear about over and over again up until November. And finally we look at current polling - nationwide, and in each of the battleground states.

But before we get into this we look at the issue of social media consumer boycotts based on the political views of a company owner or shareholder where there seems to be increasingly limited scope to enjoy a product or service made by someone who holds a political view different to your own.

I discuss this all with special guest Kenny Clark of Lillis Clark - a Wellington based public affairs firm.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:Kenny Clark: https://www.lillisclark.com/team/kenny-clark/
https://www.lillisclark.com/

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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This episode is a little different in that it takes a quick look back at four of my favourite episodes with short snippets from each.

We're marking in a small way the milestone of having reached 25 episodes. Each of the selected episodes are a little different, and for different reasons make my favourites lists. What's common across each though is a clear message, lesson or takeaway.

The 4 episodes are:

Hon Tim Groser (Episode 1): I pick up the conversation at the point where Tim is reflecting on the victory of President Trump in 2016, what he terms the ‘cry of the dispossessed’ and the disconnection of the ‘lightly educated’ from the concept of the American Dream and the idea of progression and social mobility.

Anna Kominik (Episode 13): We talk about the future of transport and opportunity for New Zealand to take a leading role in the development of the future of the transport industry. There’s also a strong message in there about how we can and should do foreign investment in New Zealand.

Leon Gurevitch (Episode 19): We reflect on Leon’s research into Weta Digital and the ability of Weta to bring together the technical or hard skills of science, mathematics, computing and engineering with creativity, art, story-telling required by the film sector. The broader lesson is that we need this convergence to happen everywhere for innovation and disruption to thrive.

Demian Smith (Episode 23): Demian talks about the future of the relationship and comments powerfully on the Black Lives Matters movement, the history of the US on race, slavery, and his family’s story. He makes the point that the US is a complex place, it is not a simple story, where people have had to fight for their rights and where painful generational change, built off dissent and protest leads to growth.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Episode links:
https://www.fridaydownload.nz/episodes/episode-1-struggling-american-working-class-impeachment-trade-and-interning-in-congress

https://www.fridaydownload.nz/episodes/covid-19-takeover-and-flying-taxis

https://www.fridaydownload.nz/episodes/leon-gurevitch-insights-on-creativity-innovation-and-transformative-technologies

https://www.fridaydownload.nz/episodes/demian-smith-what-makes-for-a-good-us-diplomat

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS CouncilEstablished in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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Today I'm including a discussion with Mark Turnbull - Chief Executive Officer and Director of Foley Wines.

Foley Wines wholly owns a collection of iconic wineries and brands: Martinborough Vineyard, Te Kairanga and the Lighthouse Gin brand in Martinborough; Grove Mill and Vavasour in Marlborough; and, Mt Difficulty in Central Otago. It is NZX listed with US investor and businessman - Bill Foley - its major shareholder. Bill is a major investor in the US wine industry and his company Foley Family Inc. is a Top 20 wine company in the US, owning 17 wineries with over 150 dedicated sales personnel in the US.

Mark's career started as an accountant with Ernst and Young, then for the next 16 years he was Managing Partner of the brand consultancy Designworks. Mark was Chairman of the New Zealand Wine Fund when it was acquired by Foley Family Wines in 2009. In 2011, Mark had a sabbatical year and attended London Business School where he completed a Masters of Science in Leadership and Strategy with Distinction.

The discussion provides really interesting insight into how and why we need to be brand builders in New Zealand, the importance of storytelling and creating brand experiences - both in the vineyard and virtually - for consumers to connect, continuing to drive the shift from bulk to being a premium producer.

We talk about foreign investment and what motivates investors like Bill Foley and others - and its not just about profit. Its often about creating something special and a strong feeling of connection to New Zealand. Finally, we look to the future and what that might look like and how consumers will be more driven to seek out brand stories, to understand the inputs, values and overall sustainability of the products that they consume.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:Mark Turnbull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turnbull-143a1232/
https://www.foleywines.co.nz/

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS CouncilEstablished in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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This week's discussion is with Demian Smith, Political and Economic Counselor in the US Embassy here in Wellington. He is an experienced well-known, well-liked, well-respected and highly effective diplomat. Demian's three year posting is coming to an end and he'll return to Washington DC later this month.

For the discussion I’m joined by NZUS Council chair - Leon Grice - for a very open conversation with Demian about his time here, what it takes to be a good diplomat and whether it is different being a US diplomat, we reflect on some of the big political and geopolitical shifts, movements and events of the last three years.

We look at the current challenging and complex terrain in the NZ-US relationship - China, the WTO, and the multilateral/international order - where there may often be agreement on the need for reform but differences in the approach, and what he thinks the future holds. Above all it is a discussion that celebrates democracy, our shared democratic values, and the ability of democratic nations to change.

Host biography:
Jordan Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancsmall/
jsmall@nzuscouncil.org

Guest biography:Demian Smith:https://www.linkedin.com/in/demiansmith/
Leon Grice:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leongrice/

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS CouncilEstablished in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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This week I’m bringing you a discussion with Leon Grice, chair of the NZUS Council, businessman, former consular general in Los Angeles, a big thinker and big project specialist.

In today's discussion we focus on New Zealand's international profile coming out of COVID, what will actually change in a post-COVID world, the areas he thinks need to be re-imagined, the trade and foreign policy challenges ahead of us, and current events in the US and why New Zealand's relationship with US remains vitally important.

It is a thought-provoking, interesting and timely discussion.

Guest biography:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leongrice/

For comments and feedback:Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS CouncilEstablished in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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This week I’m bringing you part two of the discussion with Leon Gurevitch that I released a few weeks ago. That discussion focused on innovation, advanced technologies and the creative sectors. This week’s episode furthers that theme and builds on last week's episode with Kristy Grant of the Miramar Creative Centre on New Zealand’s creative exports. Leon co-authored a report with Kristy Grant looking at the creative export sector. We pick up the discussion in this episode with that report, how creativity is not exclusive to the creative sector, automation and the critically important role that creativity will play in this shift, how inequality and insecurity slows innovation, and much more.

Guest biography
Leon Gurevitch: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/design-innovation/about/staff/leon-gurevitch

Creative Sector Export Report
https://www.exportnz.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/181164/CreativeExportersReport_FA3.pdf

For comments and feedback
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council
Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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This week I bring you a discussion on the creative export sector with Kristy Grant of the Miramar Creative Centre.

It is a pre-COVID discussion recorded late last year but Kristy’s message for the future of the screen sector and broader creative sector is still on point - continue to up-skill the creative industry, giving our creative talent a broader set of skills to succeed, and continue to advance our technological edge in the sector.

Our discussion focuses mainly on the screen sector which has been hard hit by COVID but there are green shoots appearing, with segments of Hollywood looking to move to New Zealand's near-Covid-free shores. It is reported that 47 local productions with a spend of around $200 million were stalled or unable to start when lockdown hit. That was on top of seven or eight international projects in production or about to start, employing about 3300 people and spending just under $400m.

Kristy with Jamie Selkirk and Victoria University of Wellington set up Miramar Creative Centre to offer students the opportunity to hone their crafts in the heart of Wellington’s creative industries. Connected to and drawing on industry. They’re focused on empowering the next generation of industry talent - who are not only technically talented but also equipping them with transferable skills that prepare them for the increasingly competitive and ever changing world in which we live.

Recorded late last year this discussion with Kristy follows the release of a report on New Zealand’s creative export sector - co-authored by Kristy. You can find a link to that report in the episode notes. We look at the origins of Wellington’s screen sector and the influence of Weta, how the screen sector and broader creative sector through advanced technologies create broader commercial opportunities, some of the challenges our creative exporters are facing, and how she sees the future of the sector.

Guest bios:

Kristy Grant: https://www.miramarcreative.nz/what-we-do
Creative Sector Export Report: https://www.exportnz.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/181164/CreativeExportersReport_FA3.pdf

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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In this episode I'm joined by Leon Gurevitch - an Associate Professor at Wellington’s Victoria University in their Design school. Leon’s research focuses on global creative industries, innovation and transformative technologies.

Recorded late last year - it is a discussion that really couldn’t be more on point for today. Particularly, as the national discussion focuses on restarting the economy and taking the opportunity to reset and rethink what we want our post-COVID world and post-COVID New Zealand to look like.

It is quite a wide ranging chat where we look at encouraging experimentation, what is innovation, the importance of R&D spend to attracting highly qualified international talent, the opportunity that World War two presented to put aside conservatism and the barriers to innovation, and the kind of policy settings that have been helpful elsewhere in the world.

Leon has researched closely Weta Digital and other global digital workshops - so the discussion is often through the case study of Weta and the lessons or insights we can take from this example.

Guest bios:

Leon Gurevitch: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/design-innovation/about/staff/leon-gurevitch

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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In this episode I'm joined by Kenny Clark of Lillis Clark - a Wellington based public affairs firm.

We look at the government’s expected decision to move the country down from the current COVID-19 alert level 4 to level 3 enabling some businesses to return to operating and a slight easing of restrictions. We look at the economic costs of lockdown, the shift from a strategy of flattening the curve to elimination, and the debate or lack of debate on the options and the corresponding trade-offs.

We then take a quick look at the nomination of Vice President Biden to represent his party - how do you run a campaign in the current context, his potential running mates, and the importance of his team.

Guest bios:

Kenny Clark: https://www.lillisclark.com/team/kenny-clark/

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org
Podcast Website: www.fridaydownload.nz

Links to clips used during the podcast:

Coronavirus score: https://soundcloud.com/user-275864738/viral-counterpoint-of-the-coronavirus-spike-protein-2019-ncov
Sanders endorses Biden: https://www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/watch/watch-bernie-sanders-endorse-joe-biden-for-president-81979973949

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS CouncilEstablished in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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In this episode I start by looking at the success of New Zealand's four week lockdown as the number of new cases continues to drop.

During this segment I highlight the increasingly vocal tensions of the business community asking for a little certainty on what a move to Level 3 or Level 2 will mean specifically for them and their ability to resume some form of operations. Ramping up our contact tracing capability will be critical to getting back a little normalcy but it is important that we maintain effective checks on what will potentially amount to the mass collection of population data.

I’m then joined by John Ballingall - an economist with Sense. Partners based here in Wellington. John has worked on some of the biggest policy and business issues in New Zealand over the past two decades, as an economist and Deputy Chief Executive at NZIER (a economic consultancy) and as Deputy Director of the Economic Division of New Zealand’s foreign ministry.

We talk about the local and global economy, where are the glimmers of hope - the sources of optimism - in amongst all the hurt and pain, how will firms actually build resilience into their supply chains, and then we look to the future and how COVID-19 might present an opportunity to shape globalisation to address the ills and become more people-centred.

Guest bios:

John Ballingall: http://www.sense.partners/bio-john-ballingall

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org
Podcast website: www.fridaydownload.nz

Links mentioned during the podcast:

Clip of Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters talking to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/winston-peters-on-balancing-the-health-of-kiwis-while-saving-the-economy/
WTO trade report: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid19_e/covid19_e.htm
Sense. Partners daily economic tracker: http://www.sense.partners/views/2020/4/7/8zy6u29qem0ph2a2334ous6sbgk2lj

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a stronger bilateral relationship with the United States.

View Details

In this episode, one week into our four week lockdown period here in New Zealand, I look very briefly at the work of the special parliamentary select committee - the Epidemic Response Committee - meeting via public Zoom sessions, and made up of MPs from across the House.

At a time where we have given the executive extraordinary emergency powers the Epidemic Response Committee is performing an essential role and I think we can be proud of the MPs involved, the process, and our system based on democratic values, open government, and the ability to test government decision making - we're much stronger for this.

Also included in this episode is a discussion with Erica Crawford of LoveBlock. I recorded this discussion late last year at a different time for the wine industry and I understand that the industry is hurting. But for me the key takeaway from this chat with Erica, and what is still relevant right now, and more so going forward, is the story about innovation, risk-taking and the audacity to do something different, to take a different approach.

Something that will be vitally important as we come out of lockdown and enter a new post-corona world and where we will need to continue to innovate, rethink business models and find new ways of operating, take risk, create new marketing channels, and be ready for when restrictions are lifted. It is an inspiring story.

Guest bios:

Erica Crawford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-crawford-b958ba14/

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org

Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil

Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil

Website: nzuscouncil.org
Podcast website: www.fridaydownload.nz

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

In this episode I’m joined by Stephen Jacobi for a discussion on the response to COVID-19 and how trade policy can both contribute to or indeed complicate a public healthcare response like the one we are experiencing right now.

Stephen is Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum, former executive director of both the NZUS Council and NZ China Council, and a former ministerial trade adviser and diplomat.

Here’s the issue, in the current coronavirus context few nations are able to produce all the medical supplies they need to respond effectively to this pandemic and many nations will face shortages, especially as healthcare systems come under greater pressure. This means governments must go abroad to source these medical supplies and that’s where trade policy comes into play.

We see this currently with PPEs - Personal Protective Equipment - where some governments are hoarding these essential supplies, going on global buying missions, building stockpiles and/or limiting exports where they have a local manufacturing capability.

This raises immediate questions over how we can keep the trade in these essential supplies flowing in order to effectively respond to the healthcare crisis before us. It also raises more longer-term questions on how do we avoid the emergency protective measures that have been rolled out in nations all over the world becoming entrenched, and what changes will need to be made to supply chains to diversify risk and reduce vulnerabilities.

We look at these questions and others during our discussion.

Guest bios:
Stephen Jacobi

Background/sources

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/dont-abandon-globalizationmake-it-better/608872/
https://www.tradeworks.org.nz/trade-and-the-virus-united-we-stand/
https://internationalinsider.org/international-affairs-the-global-geopolitical-order-after-coronavirus/
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2020-03-26/how-avoid-coronavirus-depression?utm_campaign=tw_daily_soc&utm_source=twitter_posts&utm_medium=social
https://www.cfr.org/timeline/major-epidemics-modern-era?utm_medium=social_owned&utm_source=li

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org
Podcast website: fridaydownload.nz

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council
Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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In this special episode of the Friday Download I chat with Daniel Thomas - a Kiwi based in Chicago for more than 10 years about COVID-19. He is CEO and President of creative communications agency - TimeZone One - which represents a number of clients across the travel and tourism sectors.

We discuss what it's like to be there in Chicago right now, the on-the-ground experience of living through a lock down, how you run a business under these conditions, what we as New Zealanders might learn from the experience, and what business can do to actively respond to the situation.

Its an interesting conversation and while it is certainly tough at the moment Daniel remains optimistic about the prospects of recovery, the ability of businesses to innovate and come up with new models of delivering to customers, and the changes that will inevitably result from this crisis.

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We’re recording this episode from an empty office in Wellington’s Central Business District at a really strange time as the threat of Covid-19 causes fear and worry. We take a quick look at current US political events, which have really been dominated by the COVID-19 response, New Zealand’s response to date, and then talk to my guest - Anna Kominik, Country Director for Wisk, about the future of transport. Anna leads a multinational team bringing the world’s first self-flying electric air taxi to market.

Guest bios:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakominik/

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/us/politics/takeaways-march-democratic-debate.html

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS CouncilEstablished in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

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It’s been another big week in US politics with the latest Tuesday primaries (10 March) and Joe Biden cutting a clear and really dominating path to be the Democratic nominee.

We’ll look at the latest races and what were some of the interesting takeaways and importantly what they might tell us about Biden’s chances against Trump should he go forward to clinch the nomination.

We come back to ‘electability’ - we’ve looked at this in previous episodes, but always as a side discussion. We bring that front and centre and talk about what the US media missed about Joe Biden’s electability and how they were seemingly sidelined by his ‘comeback’ over the last 11 days or so.

And then we round out our discussion by braving a few predictions.

Referred to during the podcast:

Ezra Klein ‘What the media missed about Joe Biden’s electability’: https://www.vox.com/2020/3/9/21169367/joe-biden-electability-democratic-primary-bernie-sanders-donald-trump

Guest bios:

John Harbord: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-harbord-3a145b7/

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3l3UEAEycc
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/electability-eye-beholder-what-hell-do-we-actually-know-about-n1020576

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

It’s a return to our normal panel format for a discussion on the super Tuesday results where 14 US states went to the polls with over a third of all available delegates were up for grabs. We look at Vice President Biden’s victory 10 of those states and a number of key trends, the ongoing race with 6 more states up on 10 March, and Mike Bloomberg and Senator Elizabeth Warren’s as candidates and their objectives. Finally, we consider the two Democratic frontrunners positions on trade and what this might be mean for New Zealand.

Guest bios:

Kenny Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennyclarknz/
Leon Grice: https://www.nzuscouncil.org/about/our-people/

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

Vice President Joe Biden claims Super Tuesday victory: https://www.nbcnews.com/video/watch-joe-biden-s-full-super-tuesday-speech-79961157919
Bernie Sanders attack ad on trade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF0wxBQUMEc

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

In this episode we take a quick look at what’s happened politically over the last week.

With a convincing victory in last week’s Nevada contest it's now being called as Bernie’s race to lose… but is this really the case with Super Tuesday just around the corner?
As they say a week is a long time in politics and Mayor Bloomberg has gone from hero to zero with really poor debate performances. But does it really matter?
And then to Biden and South Carolina where he has bet all his political capital - is the black vote holding up for Biden?

We then chat with Shaun Edlin - CEO and co-founder of Dotterel Technologies. Dotterel is a New Zealand start-up with a focus on the US developing a drone acoustic device - that reduces the noise of drones as well as a special array of microphones and onboard software that enables real time audio input. It’s really a fascinating discussion looking at the growth of the drone sector, the impact of geopolitics, and Dotterel’s ambitions… It's a 12 minute piece and well worth the listen.

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

RNZ clip on Bernie Sanders Nevada victory: https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018735677
CNBC highlights reel from Nevada debate: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/02/20/democratic-debate-highlights-bloomberg-left-battered-after-first-debate.htm
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn endorsing Joe Biden: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/26/politics/jim-clyburn-endorses-joe-biden/index.html

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

In this week’s episode I take a quick look at current US political events including Michael Bloomberg’s surge into second place and the massive target on its back over the last week. And Bernie Sanders moving into the top spot across a number of polls.

I then have a chat with Export New Zealand’s executive director and NZUS Council board member - Catherine Beard - on the changing export scene and the exciting snowball effect with technology, services and innovation based exporters and the importance of the New Zealand-United States relationship in this growth.

It’s a shorter episode and well worth the listen.

Guest bios:

Catherine Beard: https://www.exportnz.org.nz/about/our-people

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

Michael Bloomberg on 'Stop and Frisk' policy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hgyKGdB7Aw
Attack ad on Bernie Sanders: https://www.mediaite.com/news/watch-anti-bernie-democrats-launch-brutal-ad-hitting-sanders-over-heart-attack/
Frank Sinatra singing ‘New York New York’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMfz1jlyQrw
Flight of the Conchords: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re0nu9UtEY8

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

Today’s episode is a little different. We, in our own small way, pay tribute to the Rt Hon Mike Moore who passed away earlier this month and will be laid to rest today. As the NZUS Council we had very close connections with Mike. He was a patron to the Council. And of course as New Zealand Ambassador to the US the Council worked closely with Mike and his Embassy team over a number of years.

He also lent his name to and was involved in the set up of the NZUS Council Mike Moore Congressional Internship Programme - where we send 4 young New Zealanders to intern in congress each year. He was a big supporter of the programme and its aim to help the next generation of New Zealand leaders build a deeper understanding of the United States through working in Congress and building personal relationships with Members and their staff.

So today I’m joined by three of our recent congressional programme alum from our 2018/19 intake:

Annie McDonald, a consultant with Allen + Clark here in Wellington, Annie interned with senior democratic Congressman Denny Heck.
Max Beckert, a tax consultant with EY, and interned for conservative Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.
And finally, Kaitlyn White, who is a solicitor in Christchurch for law firm Buddle Findlay, and interned for Congressman Adam Schiff - certainly one of the men of the moment - as the Democrat’s House manager in the impeachment proceedings.

Together we look at their experiences working as interns in Congress, and the range of current political issues: President Trump’s State of the Union address, the conclusion of the impeachment proceedings, and the Democratic Party race coming out of Iowa and New Hampshire. I enjoyed hearing their insight and a more youthful perspective on some of the current events we’ve been looking at ever week for the last few months.

May we also pass on our sincerest condolences to Mike Moore’s wife Yvonne and Whanau/family on what will be a day of sadness but also celebration and recognition of a great New Zealander.

Guest bios:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-macdonald-8a35aa121/?originalSubdomain=nz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-white-77a782164/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-beckert-5370307a/

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

Mike Moore to talking to Guyon Espiner as part of the RNZ “9th Floor” content series: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/02-02-2020/mike-moore-1949-2020/]
State of the Union speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MauZdBmffo8

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

In this episode, Friday Download host - Jordan Small (NZUS Council Executive Director) - is joined by Kenny Clark (Partner - Lillis Clark) and John Pask (Economist - Business NZ) for a look at developments of the past week. They start with a look at the local political context with the election later in the year, and then segue into a look at pathway to electoral success for President Trump in November, before again quickly considering the latest developments on the impeachment proceedings and the issue of electability in the Democratic Party’s primary process. Finally, Jordan outlines the new Digital Economy Partnership Agreement and growing importance of digital trade and services in the US-NZ trade relationship.

Guest bios:

Kenny Clark https://www.lillisclark.com/team/kenny-clark/
John Pask https://www.businessnz.org.nz/about-us/meet-the-team/john-pask

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org

Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil

Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil

Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

Prime Minister Robert Muldoon calling a snap election in 1984: https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/28167/announcing-the-snap-election
Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing speaking at the signing of the Digital Economic Partnership Agreement://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afwFTZvqUvE

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

In this episode, Friday Download host - Jordan Small (NZUS Council Executive Director) - is joined by Leon Grice (NZUS Council Chair) and John Harbord (Partner - Senate SHJ) for a look at the big events of the last few weeks:

Escalating US-Iran tensions following the US assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and retaillatory actions taken by Iran.
Articles of Impeachment now moving to the Senate.
Latest polling in Democratic primaries.
Agreement reached on a partial US-China trade deal.

We also look at the Council’s upcoming DC travel - what’s the point of the trip, what do we hope to achieve, and what are we looking forward to?

For comments and feedback:

Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

President Jimmy Carter talking to CNBCs Tania Bryer back in 2014 about his time in office and his response to the ‘Iran hostage Crisis’ in 1979, the impact on his re-election, how he could have played the strongman card and “wiped Iran off the map…” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Rt1a1xII8
The characters of the ever popular and long running cartoon - The Simpsons - titled The Simpsons Travel To Washington DC… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fNLQ8D7Y-s

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council

Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

In this episode Friday Download host - Jordan Small - is joined by Leon Grice (NZUS Council Chair) and Pam Ford (General Manager - Economic Development, ATEED) for a look at the big events of the last year, make some predictions about 2020, and look ahead to 2020 and 2021 and the big events happening in Auckland and what Pam and her team are doing to set the conditions for innovation, start-ups and creative businesses to thrive.

Enjoyed the quick fire segment asking my guests to make some calls on the next year - listen to the episode to hear their responses to the following questions:

How would you rate the probability of NZ and the US agreeing an FTA in 2020?
What impact will the ongoing impeachment proceedings and a likely Senate acquittal have on President Trump’s 2020 presidential reelection prospects - negative, neutral, positive?
Who will be the Democratic Party presidential candidate? And VP candidate?
Is the US-China trade war our new normal - a 100 year war?
Looking out to the next decade - will we see flying cars?

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern speaking in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings on the 15th of March 2019 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/15/one-of-new-zealands-darkest-days-jacinda-ardern-responds-to-christchurch-shooting
A clip from the late 1950s on the NAS Jet Propulsion Labratory talking about the US response to the Russia's first moves into space with Sputnik 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ezHG7vHgfE]

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council
Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

In this episode Friday Download host - Jordan Small - is joined by Business NZ CEO Kirk Hope for a discussion on local and global business conditions and concerns and how New Zealand businesses are responding to these.

They focus in on low business confidence levels and what the reasons might be for this given some pretty positive headline figures and the international factors that are weighing on the minds of New Zealand CEO and business leaders. They look at the geo-strategic tensions and change of posture of the New Zealand government towards China.

Kirk makes the point that it is important for New Zealand to continually diversify its market risk through continually expanding to reach of New Zealand’s FTA network. On pursuing an FTA with the US we should, he argues, pursue all avenues and highlights the value-add, services, creative and technology components of the US-NZ relationship.

For the policy discussion they listen to a clip of Jamie Dimon - Global CEO of JP Morgan and Chair of the US Business Council - talk about the Roundtable’s statement on the purpose of a corporation, which signals a shift away from maximising shareholder value to being focused on broader stakeholder value.

This is something New Zealand business seems to be well ahead on, for example, 86% of CEOs say they’re investing in employees to acquire new skills for the changing workplace, while some 84% say they are supporting local communities and sustainability practices. The future of work and regional economic development are a focus for the Council and an area that BusinessNZ has been doing a lot of work in. Kirk takes us through his thoughts on the scale of potential displacement, examples of how businesses are currently responding, and what New Zealand businesses need from government to effectively respond.

The show rounds out with a short segment on the business of the Council and upcoming trip to the US in late January where we’ll be meeting with think tanks, industry associations, and political and policy leaders. Updates will be provided via this podcast and the Council’s social media channels.

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

Hon Grant Robertson talking in September 2019 at the NZ Herald Mood of the Boardroom event. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12270180
Jamie Dimon - global CEO of JP Morgan and Chair of the US Business Roundtable talking about the role of business in society https://fortune.com/longform/business-roundtable-ceos-corporations-purpose/]

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council
Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

This week on the Friday Download podcast host Jordan Small is joined by Esther Guy-Meakin (International Trade Policy Manager, Beef and Lamb NZ), and Tracey Epps (Trade Consultant, Chapman Tripp) as we talk all things trade, the current global trade environment, the Trade for All Advisory Board's recently released report on inclusive trade, and the WTO's appellate body.

During the show we consider:

Whether the findings of the Trade for All Advisory Board's recent report address the concerns of those who came out in protest over the Trans Pacific Partnership?
Was growing inequality and the unequal distribution of the benefits of trade addressed as part of the Trade for All Advisory Board's report - or is trade policy not the right vehicle?
On December 10th the appellate body will no longer be able to hear new cases - what is left of the WTO without an effectively operating dispute settlement process, will the multilateral trading system collapse as a result, and what will notice come December 11th?

Please excuse a few sound quality issues - we're working on improving these with each episode so please stick with us.

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast:

RNZ Clip - TPP protesters in Auckland in February 2016: https://youtu.be/kqu3wnaMg8w
Jennifer Hillman speaking on NZUS Council/Chapman Tripp panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4is3DCwvurg

Credits – opening and closing music:
Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council
Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

This week on the Friday Download podcast host Jordan Small has a fascinating discussion with guest co-host Ambassador Derek Shearer where he provides:

An insider's view on the Democratic Party's presidential primary contest and of course the ever dominating impeachment process.
Thoughts on the contest between authoritarian states, such as Chinese and Russian, and liberal democracies on the use and deployment of advanced technologies such as AI.
And a teaser of Derek's 2020 New Zealand speaking tour and what he describes as one of the most 'consequential and important elections' of all time for the US and the global system.

Please excuse a few sound quality issues that we can put down to the vagaries of the internet.

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Links to clips used during the podcast - each is well worth listening to in full:

President Trump annual pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-50566087/trump-pardons-two-turkeys-bread-and-butter
John F Kennedy accepting the Democratic Party's nomination in 1960: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TVtaVuSyug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsdomV7giC0
Brad Smith talking to RNZ: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018688067/microsoft-head-tech-sector-must-do-more-post-christchurch

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council
Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

In this our first episode of the Friday Download podcast host and NZUS Council executive director Jordan Small together with guest co-host the Hon Tim Groser look at:

the struggle of the American working class and the political impacts
the impeachment process
New Zealand’s prospects for a free trade agreement with the US and the general positive state of the relationship; and
the NZUS Council’s congressional internship programme.

For comments and feedback:
Email: thefridaydownload@nzuscouncil.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nzuscouncil
Twitter: twitter.com/nzuscouncil
Website: nzuscouncil.org

Credits – opening and closing music:

Happy Boy Theme Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About the NZUS Council
Established in 2001, we are a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US.

View Details

A trailer for the Friday Download - listen and subscribe - a podcast where we provide a New Zealand perspective on the latest US political and policy news and try to make sense of its all.

The NZ-US Podcast: Recent Episodes

NZUS Council