Live at the Nut Bar
Episodes
Wealth-destroying habits (and the first home buyer blindspots you can’t ignore)
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we make financial decisions that feel right… but cost us in the long run?In this bonus episode of Live at the Nut Bar, Chief Squirrel David C...
From survival mode to (finally) some stability
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the season finale, JB and DC pull up a stool at the Nut Bar to chat about the final OCR cut of 2025, why house prices haven’t boomed, what’s tu...
Cashbacks and curve balls - how to manage your home loan
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This time DC is joined by Kat McInnes and Dave Tyrer to dive into better ways to manage your home loan. They talk cashbacks, clawbacks and what to wat...
How property developers can connect with buyers
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica James talks to JB and Sarah Hahn from TRA about exactly property how developers can use hard facts obtained in our research to connect with th...
Delving into the research: what buyers REALLY want
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week JB is joined by Sarah Hahn from TRA and Nathan Miglani from Squirrel's Christchurch office to talk all about the recent research that we und...
Is the NZ housing market stuck in the mud?
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The NZ housing market has been...sluggish at best. Let's dig into the dirt and discuss what's going on. DC and JB are joined by Mary Jo Vergara, Senio...
The one for First Home Buyers
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Calling all first home buyers - DC describes this moment as the "Goldilocks time" for getting into your first home. Conditions are JUST RIGHT. In this...
Should we brace for impact?
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How US tariffs affect NZ homeowners and savers - should we all be concerned? JB and DC weigh in to the ongoing debate and dig into how we might b...
Surviving not thriving
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is there light at the end of this loooong tunnel? We're all feeling it, the economic relief that's been promised just hasn't quite eventuated. JB and ...
Tariff and OCR chat with the OGs
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Yes that's right, JB returns to the pod this week to chat with DC all about the OCR and the word on the tip of everyone's tongue right now...yep it's ...
Simon Jensen's back again
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here's part two of our discussion with Simon Jensen, President of the Banking & Financial Services Law Association to the Nut Bar. If you missed p...
Simon Jensen spills all
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we welcome Simon Jensen, President of the Banking & Financial Services Law Association to the Nut Bar. Him and DC chat about Adrian Orr,...
The importance of insuring yourself
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you get a mortgage, the bank requires you to have home insurance. But what about YOU? This week, DC delves into the importance of “in...
Addressing breaking news - resignation of the Reserve Bank Governor
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we just had to dive right in and discuss the breaking news which was the shock resignation of the Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr. Why did ...
Welcome to Season 3 of Live at the Nut Bar!
02 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to season 3! DC introduces our first guest, Jessica James and they have a brief chat about this and that. So much to come this year - as well ...
Talking productivity with Bevan Graham
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week it's the season finale with Bevan Graham, Chief Economist at Salt Asset Management. JB and Bevan discuss NZ's productivity problem - are we ...
A meaty one all about OCR
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week David Cunningham and Dave Tyrer discuss allll the things OCR! Like, how the latest 0.5% cut is likely to affect people. We all know that the...
Why brokers will beat the banks on service every time
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're back after a brief hiatus! This week JB and DC are debating the differences between mortgage brokers and banks (you know which camp we're in) - ...
Why floating is not the answer when home loan rates are falling
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David Cunningham and Dave Tyrer yarn about how to manage your mortgage in a falling interest rate environment. Surely the answer is to go on a floatin...
David Grubb from Valocity talks property prices
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we welcome David Grubb from Valocity onto the pod. He and DC talk our national obsession, property prices. Will we see a rapid recovery in p...
Managing your home loan and savings during interest rate cycles
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week it's the two Daves: David Cunningham and Dave Tyrer, discussing home loans and deposit interest rates. They talk through how to manage your ...
A home loan rate under 5 percent by Christmas?!
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week our duo discuss why, with this week’s 0.5% cut to the Official Cash Rate, we could be seeing some interesting (lol) changes in home loan i...
How to build wealth and be happy
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about the ultimate kiwi dream - how you can build your wealth whilst also maintaining a work life balance. DC and JB discuss the role of yo...
How to navigate the flood waters as a home buyer or seller
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we've got special guest Craig Hobbs from Auckland Council Recovery Office giving us the lowdown on what home buyers and sellers need to know...
House prices might not be heading the way you think
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
NZ house prices have fallen by 2% over the last three months. Is that about to change with the recent interest rate cuts, or are there other forc...
Let the price wars begin
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week DC and Dave Tyrer tackle the challenges non-bank lenders have in competing with the big banks, and what might actually make a difference to ...
The market study into Competition in Personal Banking
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
JB and DC provide a no-holds-barred assessment of each of the 14 recommendations made in the Commerce Commission Market Study into Competition in Pers...
The OCR has been cut FINALLY
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, it's the news we've all been waiting for (what seems like forever). JB and DC discuss what it all means and what we might expect in the com...
Fox in the Henhouse
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have a timely chat about property developers Du Val Property Group and what's been happening in the news of late. If you have any questio...
Much ado about economics
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week DC and JB are together again and reflect on the dramatic about-turn that the majority of economic forecasts have taken of late. It seems tha...
The forever question: is NOW the time to buy?
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we welcome Nick Goodall, Head of Research at Core Logic, to the pod. He talks through house price trends through the ages and what the folk ...
Solving problems for retirees with Lifetime Retirement Income
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week DC chats to guests Ralph Stewart and Chelsea Devlin from Lifetime Retirement Income about their innovative new product, Lifetime Home. They ...
It's a cost of credit crisis
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Confronting mortgage rates that are doubling payments makes for more than a cost of living crisis - it's the cost of credit that's really the killer. ...
Does Granny need a flat?
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we discuss the changes in legislation for granny flats among other things. DC and JB also examine those March GDP numbers and talk economics...
Is the Reserve Bank overstepping?
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week it's a meaty discussion all about our feelings on the RBNZ and what they've been up to lately. Plenty to say here! If you have any questions...
It's always darkest before the dawn
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recent economic forecasts suggest that the rest of the industry are finally catching up with JB and DC's view of how bleak the economy is. So, this we...
Commercial property with Ollie Mellsop
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're joined by Ollie Mellsop, experienced commercial property expert. We discuss how investing in commercial property measures up vs reside...
What in the first home buyers grant removal IS this
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
JB and DC reflect on the RBNZ monetary policy statement and give their thoughts about the decision to remove the first home buyers grant. Might not be...
The only way is up...
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As we all know, when you've reached the bottom the only way is up! There might be a bit of bouncing along but enough doom and gloom, we're looking for...
Paying the cost of bureaucratic incompetence
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we keep on the rampage about how Kiwi are paying the price for the incompetence of the decision makers that be. Evidenced by unemployment, t...
JB's crusade finally pays off
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Well well well, we made it. From JB's journey all the way to parliament back in 2021 to today, the government has finally made the decision to take ba...
Reading the inflation tea leaves
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our dynamic duo is back together and this week JB and DC discuss the latest inflation numbers and the different ways they could be interpreted. W...
Property development with Dan Bell and Matt Evans
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week JB is still living it up overseas and DC has a great chat about property development with our two resident experts on the ground, Dan Bell a...
Getting the lowdown from two mortgage advisers
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today DC gets perspectives from two of Squirrel's top mortgage advisers, Emma Wallace from Auckland and Nick Virtue from Wellington. What's really hap...
Ye olde banking enquiry and it's findings
24 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's been an enquiry into retail banking and we discuss what's been unearthed. But will it actually have any impact in reality? We then chit chat a...
Ever heard of deposit insurance?
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Dave Tyrer (DT) steps in for JB who is swanning around, and we discuss the latest introduction to the insurance suite - enter deposit insura...
It's not easy being a small business owner
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Times are tricky for small business owners! Rising rates, rising costs and rising challenges abound. This week JB shares his insights as a business ow...
It's a no-CR for the OCR this time
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Yesterday it was announced that the OCR will be held at 5.5%, for now. JB and DC get into it all and what this means for Kiwi - and why their view is ...
The murky world of home insurance
25 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Insurance...for some it's a dirty word, but for homeowners it's necessary. Jargon, smallprint and exclusions abound - this week we delve into the dept...
Immigration and the housing market
18 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're talking about NZ immigration. What do the stats show? How does the migrant population affect industry, rent, prices, inflation and int...
How employment stats affect interest rates
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Better than expected employment stats came out this week, and some economists say the not-so-silver lining of this could be that home loan interest ra...
Assessing current lending rules for borrowers
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
JB and DC go over the detail on loan to value ratios and debt to income ratios, and how these affect your chances of getting a mortgage with the curre...
Let's talk investing in property
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy new year Nutters! We're back for a brand new season!JB and DC are back and delving into a hot topic, property investing! If you're thinking of t...
GUEST Tony Alexander talks economics
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week JB is joined by special guest Tony Alexander to discuss the New Zealand economy and make predictions about where things will go from here. T...
Big conversations about big topics
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week JB and DC go macro discussing climate change, consumerism, population decline, nationalism and inequality. They talk about the global influe...
Why are house prices here SO different?
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we compare New Zealand house prices with other markets around the globe. Why aren't our house prices reflective of the UK, Aus or Canada? We...
A pod of two halves: interest rates and geopolitics
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss our favourite topic, interest rates. We then move into geopolitical topics and how we might be affected in little old New Zealand.If you ha...
The rumbling sound of rising house prices
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mortgage advisers are noticing a recent rise in property prices which could signal a property boom on the way. JB and DC consider rates, inflation, in...
Discussing financial stability
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Going over the headlines from the Reserve Bank's Financial Stability Review. DC and JB also talk about Australian house prices and interest rates acro...
Buzz Buzz there's a bee in our bonnet again
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Those pesky banks have been hiking their mortgage rates again and it feels like there's no real justification. DC and JB discuss WHY this seems unreas...
The votes have been counted (mostly)
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's the start of a new era for New Zealand with a new government. JB and DC discuss how the property market might be impacted by the election results...
Productivity - are New Zealanders coming in last?
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, JB and DC think we're all lagging behind the rest of the western world in terms of productivity. They get excited about how tech can help u...
Reflections on JB's China trip
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week our dynamic duo are back together. JB recounts the highlights from his recent trip to China and our Squirrels discuss the latest on the OCR....
Views from a real life first home owner
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week DC is joined by investing guru Dave Tyrer whilst JB is in China. They talk shop about the likes of swap rates, then chat to first home owner...
What’s a kiwi to do? Rent or buy?
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
JB’s back! With high mortgage rates and a shortage of rental properties, choosing the best course of action can be tricky. JB and DC go into the pro...
Want to borrow some money? The do's and don'ts for successful borrowing
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week our Squirrels dive into the five 'C's of credit: character, capacity, capital, collateral and conditions. These are the criteria that you'll...
Tales from advisers on the front line
03 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're sans JB, but David caught up with Emma and Nick - two of Squirrel's own mortgage advisers who work on the front line every day. They c...
What in the crypto is a stablecoin?
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
PayPal is making big moves with the launch of something called a stablecoin, Apple's got a high interest savings account (which funnily enough sounds ...
Colicky cash cows, house prices and other things
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Reserve Bank put out a hawkish statement with their latest official cash rate announcement, China's economy is in on shaky ground and Aussie banke...
Why are New Zealanders so gloomy at the moment?
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There seems to be a perception from a number of overseas visitors that the general feeling in our country is a bit... flat. Are we taking longer than ...
Nobody likes a break fee
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week JB, the original Squirrel mortgage adviser, discusses with DC the implications of fixing a short-term vs long-term mortgage rate at this poi...
House building lessons from the mighty South
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week the guys are joined by Jason McGirr, head of Fowler Homes in Queenstown. Jason shares what's going on in Queenstown's housing market, though...
Musings from the wopwops of America
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week JB and David Cunningham are joined by none other than Harry Cunningham (is that last name a coincidence..?) all the way over in the States.H...
What the hell is going on with the global economy?
16 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Here in New Zealand consumer spending is down, construction is having a slow down, and business confidence is pretty dreary. It's all sounding pretty ...
Thoughts on the surprise ASB mortgage rate hike
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We've got two opposing views once again - JB thinks ASB will lead the pack in increasing mortgage interest rates, DC says they won't. How sneaky is th...
Confessions from ex-bankers
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week JB and DC are dishing the dirt on what goes on behind the scenes in banks and they aren't holding back. Spoiler: bankers are actually quite ...
We are a nation of bank lovers
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our 2 ex-bankers discuss the merit (or lack) of a banking enquiry, and whether the government should in fact be educating the NZ people on the banks a...
Property Investing 101
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
JB and DC realised that last week's episode may have flown over a few heads so this week they talk about property investing for the beginners out ther...
What's with property investing ATM?
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We've been a bit quiet about property investing lately and it's time to talk about it. JB and DC also chat about new builds and how things are going o...
How lucky really is the Lucky Country?
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week JB and DC welcome Paul Davey onto the pod from Aus to discuss property prices and interest rates in various areas of Australia and New Zeala...
OCR prediction time
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Will the Reserve Bank surprise us again? Time will tell if JB and DC's predictions come true.If you have any questions or things you’d like to hear ...
Procrastination! What it's costing us all.
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you aware you're being charged by your bank when you choose to tap and go instead of insert your bank card? You're not alone! JB and DC share some...
Have property prices bottomed out
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
DC and JB debate whether it's really justified that Kiwi have been spending up to 45% of their income on property. What are the indications in the eco...
Welcome to the Nut Bar
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
David says home loan interest rates have peaked and JB says they haven't. Why are the banks earning $2.3b per year from Kiwi money? And why have a cou...