30 with Guyon Espiner

David Stilwell 30.06.2026 31min

"We only criticise what the US does." Former US Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell defends America's actions in Iran, discusses New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance, and explains what Washington now expects from allies like New Zealand.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Karen Hao 23.06.2026 31min

Are we witnessing the greatest technological breakthrough of our time or the greatest sales pitch? Karen Hao argues AI has been oversold, its limits downplayed and its hidden costs ignored.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Peter Greste 16.06.2026 32min

From prison cell to press freedom advocate, Peter Greste talks to Guyon about free speech and cancel culture. Plus, his warning about what happens when political leaders turn the public against the press.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Qiulae Wong 09.06.2026 31min

"He's a handbrake." Opportunity party leader, Qiulae Wong, on Winston Peter's political power. Plus their vision for NZ: From a radical tax overhaul to a reset of Superannuation and Social Welfare. Watch the full episode hereFor 30 years, Winston Peters has held the balance of power in New Zealand politics, helping decide who governs and shaping coalition deals from both the left and the right.Now, new leader Qiulae Wong says it's time for a different kind of kingmaker.As Opportunity Party surges in the polls, Guyon talks to leader, Qiulae Wong, about her Party's plans for NZ: From a radical tax overhaul to a reset of Superannuation and Social Welfare.In this episode of 30 with Guyon Espiner, Wong discusses power, influence, lobbying and political transparency, and explains their vision for a citizens' income, compulsory KiwiSaver, free public transport and a new approach to long-term policy.Can Opportunity Party finally break into Parliament and if it does, what would it demand in exchange for support?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Johan Rockström 02.06.2026 32min

The climate catastrophe once dismissed as science fiction. Leading climate scientist, Johan Rockström, on the tipping points that would plunge Europe into an ice age while catapulting the southern hemisphere into an endless heatwave. Watch the full episode hereCould climate change trigger an ice age in Europe? On this episode of 30, world-leading climate scientist Johan Rockström explains the growing fears around the collapse of the AMOC, the Atlantic ocean circulation system, that helps regulate the planet’s climate. Rockström warns the world has now breached seven of nine planetary boundaries, and says we are approaching dangerous tipping points that could reshape life on Earth.30 with Guyon Espiner: long-form conversations with the world’s leading thinkers, scientists and changemakers.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dame Therese Walsh 26.05.2026 31min

Dame Therese Walsh sits at the centre of some of New Zealand’s biggest business decisions chairing ASB Bank and Air NZ . In this episode she confronts the rise of AI and admits “there will be job displacement” as automation transforms banking, business and the public sector.Watch the full episode hereDame Therese Walsh sits at the centre of some of New Zealand’s biggest decisions chairing ASB Bank and Air New Zealand while advising on climate and economic policy.In this episode of 30 with Guyon Espiner, she confronts the rise of AI and admits “there will be job displacement” as automation transforms banking, business and the public sector.She also faces tough questions over Air New Zealand’s climate commitments, sustainable aviation fuel, inequality, homelessness, and whether Wellington is losing its mojo.A wide-ranging conversation about power, technology, climate change and the future of New Zealand.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Don McGlashan 09.12.2025 32min

A revealing conversation with one of our great songwriters. He opens up about the heartbreaking loss behind his song Andy . Plus his one regret about the night he told a minister to “shut up” at the Music Awards. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Anne Applebaum 02.12.2025 30min

"Ruled by thieves." From Putin to Trump, the global web of dictators stealing vast wealth and laundering it through the West is on the march.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bill English 25.11.2025 31min

Sir Bill English weighs in on Chris Luxon’s performance and whether National should consider a new leader before the election. He also reflects on his years working with Te Pāti Māori, and why he barely recognises the party today.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Gary Stevenson 18.11.2025 30min

Gary Stevenson went from selling cannabis in East London to becoming Citibank's most profitable trader in the world. But in 2011, he realized something his wealthy colleagues couldn't see: rising inequality was going to crush ordinary families and bankrupt governments. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Chris Hipkins 11.11.2025 31min

Chris Hipkins on how he would bring real competition back to New Zealand and take on the monopolies. From capitalism “with a human face” to the politics of coalition, he opens up about how he'd lead a government of the left.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Agnès Callamard 04.11.2025 31min

Amnesty’s top official says New Zealand is losing its reputation as a human-rights leader and warns the governments “Trumpian accent” is being noticed internationally. She urges the government to rediscover the moral courage that once defined its nuclear-free and anti-apartheid stands.Watch the full episode hereGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kenneth Roth 25.06.2025 31min

Do Israel’s actions amount to genocide? Kenneth Roth has spent decades documenting human rights violations. He explains how genocide is defined—and whether it’s happening in Gaza. Plus, is Trump's power on the wane? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Scott Beard 17.06.2025 33min

Detective Inspector Scott Beard opens up about tackling child abuse, leading the Grace Millane case, and how tech is changing crime. Plus, why increased surveillance is taking its toll on homicide investigators, and the simple hand signal that could save a child's life..Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dame Julie Christie 10.06.2025 31min

Has reality TV crashed and burned in New Zealand? Reality Queen, Dame Julie Christie, on our troubled TV industry and the pros and cons of offering tax breaks for films made downunder. Watch the full episode hereGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

David Seymour S3 03.06.2025 31min

Deputy PM, David Seymour, on why he pushed pay equity reforms through so quickly. Plus, his reasons for introducing the Regulatory Standards Bill and why he thinks nearly all the submissions made against it were "fake."Watch the full episode hereGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Geoffrey Hinton 27.05.2025 31min

Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton on the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and why he left Google to sound the alarm. Plus, his stark warning that already gives humanity a 10-20% chance of completely losing control to digital beings.Watch the video version of this episode hereGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Chlöe Swarbrick 20.05.2025 31min

Guyon Espiner puts Chlöe Swarbrick on the spot over the Greens' alternative Budget. Plus, who's fuelling New Zealand's "culture wars" and what it would take for them to join forces with National?Watch the full episode hereGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Graci Kim 13.05.2025 31min

Award-winning author Graci Kim on her canceled U.S. book tour amid Trump-era bans—and how Korean resilience and Kiwi optimism made her a New York Times bestsellerWatch the video version of this episode hereGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nigel Latta 06.05.2025 32min

Nigel Latta on which parenting fads drive him crazy, why he never posts pictures of his kids on social media, how optimism is a superpower and how he accidentally became a famous psychologistWatch the video version of this episode here Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details