The Front Page

Auckland’s mayor wants control of the city’s roads and rail network and he wants the next Government to hand it over. As he did before the last election, Wayne Brown has released a manifesto outlining what Auckland Council wants from the next government. Just nine days out from the election, he's pitching a major shakeup of transport governance, and some bold ideas about how to boost the inner city's population. He’s also calling for changes to housing, infrastructure funding and planning rules, arguing Aucklanders, not Wellington, should decide what the city looks like. Today on The Front Page, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is with us to discuss what he wants from the next government. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine waking up after election night to find neither side has enough seats to govern. Polls have suggested there is a chance we'll see a hung parliament, with neither the left or right blocs having a majority of seats. With election day fast approaching, we're looking under the bonnet of how MMP runs, how coalition talks work, and what happens if parties can't agree on anything. Today on The Front Page, University of Otago law professor, Andrew Geddis is with us to break down how Parliament works, what happens if the numbers don't stack up, and how messy things could get. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children falling behind. Teacher shortages. Classroom disruption. Questions over what our kids are learning, and whether the system is giving every child the chance to succeed. Education is one of the few issues where the consequences of political decisions can last a lifetime. Are our children learning enough? Are schools getting the support they need? Is the curriculum working? And are we doing enough for the children who are falling behind? This week on The Front Page, we're asking the parties what they would change and how they plan to improve outcomes for New Zealand children. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A concerning situation in Australia has sparked warnings of a 'new reality' in politics. Australian Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical but stable condition after an attack outside her electorate office in Victoria. Her husband has confirmed she has had both legs amputated. A 43-year-old man is accused of ramming his Toyota LandCruiser into Haines while she was unloading her car, pinning her between the two vehicles. While the motivations remain unclear – it's sparked a wave of politicians revealing their experiences of harassment and intimidation. Back home, and a 2024 Otago University study found that 98% of 54 MPs surveyed had experience harassment, and nearly one in five reported an actual or attempted physical attack. Today on The Front Page, Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley is with us to discuss. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three debates. Two major party leaders. And a whole lot of political point-scoring. National’s Christopher Luxon and Labour’s Chris Hipkins have gone head-to-head, trading blows over the economy, the cost of living and who deserves the keys to the Beehive’s ninth floor offices over three debates. Last night’s Stuff leaders debate marks the end of their final face-to-face battle of the election campaign. Their last match-up came after the latest 1News Verian poll showing National hitting 32%, up from 28% last week, and Labour slipping to 27%. But they’re not the only ones fighting for a say, with the minor parties stepping up and reminding us how much influence they could, and probably will, have after November 7. So, beyond the zingers and the soundbites, what have we actually learned? Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths is with us to break down the biggest moments from the campaign debates, and what they tell us about the race for power. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's the day New Zealand's landmark free trade agreement with India enters into force. The deal creates new opportunities for our exporters with one of world's fastest growing markets - by giving us preferential access. Almost 57% of our existing trade can now enter India duty-free and over time, tariffs will be reduced or removed for 95% of our exports. Tariffs are being eliminated right away on sheep meat, wool, coal and more than 95 percent of forestry and wood products. Today on The Front Page, Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy is with us to go through what this means for New Zealand’s red meat sector. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governments around the globe are grappling with how to gain back control over social media giants. Labour is the latest to campaign on it – promising to progress the social media ban and giving people more of a say on what they see online. The party says it will get current legislation restricting social media for under 16s through to select committee within its first 100 days. They also want an online regulator that can fine platforms and, like Australia, would introduce a digital duty of care law. But how would these changes work in practice? And could New Zealand really force some of the world’s biggest tech companies to change the way they operate? Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington Senior Lecturer in Information Management Dr. Alex Beattie joins us to discuss. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting a GP appointment, paying for treatment and waiting for hospital care are major concerns heading into the election. So what are the parties promising to change? Chelsea Daniels hears from National, Labour, ACT, the Greens, NZ First and the Opportunity Party about their health priorities, and outlines Te Pāti Māori’s proposals — from free GP visits and more medicines to workforce support, prevention and long-term planning. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’ll come as no surprise that new data’s revealed more Kiwis are struggling with cost of living. The latest New Zealand Consumer Lifestyles survey from the University of Otago shows just over half of respondents went without something to buy essentials. More alarming though, 48% believe they need to leave the country to get ahead, up from 28% in 2020. Today on The Front Page, lead researcher Associate Professor Leah Watkins is with us to break down the numbers. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand keeps announcing infrastructure projects, putting them on hold and paying more when they finally move ahead. A new industry survey shows overwhelming support for cross-party agreement, with 44 percent of responding organisations cutting staff in the past year. Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett joins Katie Bradford to explain the cost of political stop-starts, why funding matters more than promises, and what the next government needs to do to get projects moving. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee Host: Katie Bradford See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both National and Labour are banking on economic growth to help repair the Government’s finances. But could their spending plans undermine the recovery they’re counting on? With households reluctant to spend, property values under pressure and an ageing population putting more demand on public services, journalist and economic commentator Bernard Hickey says the numbers deserve a harder look. Today on The Front Page, he joins us to explain why he thinks both major parties are making the same economic gamble. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer/Host: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National’s fiscal plan promises no new taxes and leaves the door open to future tax cuts — but only once the books are back in surplus and economic conditions allow. So how much money is actually available, how does Labour’s plan compare, and what could coalition negotiations do to either party’s numbers? NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan joins Richard Martin to unpack the plans, the pressure on public services, and the difficult choices ahead on superannuation. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Editor/Producer/Host: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tougher sentences, more police or greater investment in prevention — how would New Zealand’s political parties make the country safer? In this election policy special, Chelsea Daniels speaks to representatives from National, Labour, ACT, the Greens, NZ First and the Opportunity Party, and outlines Te Pāti Māori’s proposals. From gangs and youth offending to drug reform, burglary and the future of prisons, we examine where the parties agree and where their approaches diverge. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could solar panels and electric vehicles help New Zealand households save thousands on energy? Rewiring Aotearoa’s Mike Casey joins The Front Page to explain the potential savings from electrification, the upfront costs stopping people from making the switch, and how cheaper finance could help. Plus, would breaking up the big power companies lower bills, does New Zealand need an LNG terminal, and could we one day buy electricity directly from our neighbours? Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Katie Bradford Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the price of moving goods around New Zealand rises, who picks up the bill? Increasing fuel prices are putting pressure on the trucking industry, with fuel now accounting for up to 30% of operating costs. And that cost can travel far beyond the petrol pump, into the price of groceries and other everyday essentials. So how much can freight companies absorb, and how much gets passed onto us? Today on The Front Page, I talk to Justin Tighe-Umbers, CEO of National Road Carriers about the squeeze on trucking and what his industry wants from the next government. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Katie Bradford Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cocaine use appears to be surging in New Zealand. The latest NZ Drug Trends Survey reveals the proportion of people reporting cocaine use has almost tripled since 2017, while the price of the drug has fallen by nearly a third. Researchers say we could be in the "honeymoon phase", where cocaine looks increasingly normal, affordable, and consequence-free – before the serious harms of addiction start to emerge. So how big is New Zealand’s cocaine problem becoming, and where is this trend heading? Today on The Front Page, Massey University professor Chris Wilkins joins us to break down the numbers. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KiwiSaver might be about to get a makeover. The parties are pitching very different ideas for what should happen to your retirement savings... from changing contribution rates to tweaking who gets government support. But what would these proposals actually mean for your KiwiSaver balance and who stands to gain or lose? Today on The Front Page, Financial Services Council CEO Kirk Hope is with us to unpack the parties’ promises and what they could mean for your retirement. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Violent crime is on the rise again. New figures show the number of victims has climbed to around 148,000 a year – up 9000 on the previous quarter. But dig into the numbers, and the picture gets a bit more complicated. So what is really happening with violent crime in New Zealand – and how much can we actually say about the Government’s record? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior journalist Derek Cheng is with us to crunch the numbers. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s housing market has taken another step backwards. Property values have now fallen for six months in a row, with the national median value dropping below the previous cycle low. And while buyers have more choice and bargaining power, there’s still little sign of a sharp rebound - with high mortgage rates, economic uncertainty and plenty of houses on the market keeping a lid on prices. So, what’s happening in the housing market, and how much longer could this subdued period last? Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ chief property economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to break it all down. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders are working. The economy is growing. So why aren’t we getting much more out of it? For more than a decade, New Zealand’s productivity growth has been painfully weak – and that could be one of the biggest economic problems facing the next Government. But you wouldn’t necessarily know it from the election campaign. The parties are promising tax cuts, more housing, cheaper groceries, changes to immigration and more spending on public services. But how many of those policies will actually make New Zealand more productive? Today on The Front Page, University of Otago economics associate professor Dennis Wesselbaum reckons productivity is the economic elephant in the room this election. He joins us now. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s opened its books and it’s showing a return to surplus is well on track. The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update shows a stronger and slightly faster surplus than predicted... with the books expected to get out of the red by 2028/29. Treasury also predicts unemployment has already peaked - and will track down. But, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Predictions of house price growth have been slashed, and there are some choice words about how costly our super is. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann is with us to break it all down. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a weekend of big political theatre, as both National and Labour officially launched their election campaigns. Christopher Luxon and his National crew pushed the message of “no new taxes” ... meanwhile, Labour and Chris Hipkins unveiled a new policy to wipe 10% of student loan debt. But in the lead up to Election 2026, it’s not just the big parties fighting for our attention. So what actually makes a political campaign work? What makes a slogan, a speech, an image or a campaign ad stick in voters’ minds – and what can make a campaign fall flat? Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland Marketing professor Bodo Lang is with us to break down the campaign launches, the strategies behind them, and what the parties are getting right – and getting wrong. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the election just weeks away, a new poll gives us a glimpse into how voters feel about one of the major topics this campaign season – tax. No new taxes for working people. No new taxes full stop. Taxes for capital gains. Tax the rich. Tax inheritance. Tax landowners. The campaign season’s only just officially begun but it feels like we’ve already been hearing debates about the subject of taxes and levies for a while now. The latest Ipsos Issues Monitor survey dove deeper into the tax debate, showing about two-thirds of Kiwis would support a wealth tax. Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter, Ethan Griffiths is with us to break down the numbers. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament is officially over and now the gloves are coming off. New Zealanders go to the polls on November 7, and between now and then we’re going to see the parties make their pitches, ramp up their attacks, and fight for every last vote. The next 44 days will be filled with policy announcements, political debates, carefully choreographed photo ops, an endless stream of memes, and inevitably -- drama. So, as the buzz of the Beehive fades into silence and the campaign proper takes centre stage, what issues are likely to dominate and who has the most to gain, and perhaps -- the most to lose? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan is with us to break it all down. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicky Hager is back with a new book taking aim at one of the country’s most prominent lobby groups, the Taxpayers’ Union. He alleges the organisation has played a key role in shifting New Zealand politics to the right, claiming they worked with the tobacco industry and focused on race-based campaigns. The NZTU’s director Jordan Williams flatly denies the allegations and has said the book is full of inaccuracies. So, what exactly is Hager claiming, what evidence does he have, and what does the book tell us about the political landscape heading into this election? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior journalist, David Fisher, joins us to take us through the the allegations and the broader picture around them. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A damning report into the Reserve Bank’s actions during Covid, a backdown from Labour on landlord tax breaks, and a last look at the Government’s books before the election. That’s all ahead of the much-hyped release of a new book from Nicky Hager tonight. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenée Tibshraeny joins us to break it all down. Follow The Front Page on the iHeart App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host/Producer: Katie Bradford Producer: Jane Yee Editor/Producer: Richard Martin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supermarket owners are fighting back as they find themselves firmly in the sights of almost all political parties. To recap, National and NZ First want to break up the Foodstuffs co-operative, while the Greens want to kickstart a government-owned supermarket. Labour has announced plans to split Foodstuffs’ and Woolworths’ retail and wholesale arms, alongside measures to ban price gouging. Now, a concerted campaign from Foodstuffs supermarket owners is underway. Clare Gallagher from New World Kawerau joins The Front Page to discuss. Follow The Front Page on the iHeart App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host/Producer: Katie Bradford Producer: Jane Yee Editor/Producer: Richard Martin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s do or die for the Warriors as they head into this weekend’s sudden death match against the Newcastle Knights with a spot in the preliminary final against the Penrith Panthers on the line. Last weekend the Warriors seemed in control against the Dolphins before three late tries saw the visitors take the win, denying the Wahs a direct path through to the next round. Now they have to do it the hard way, and while they may have the hometown advantage, you’d be hard pressed to say they have the homeground advantage. Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by NZ Herald sports reporters Nathan Limm and Christopher Reive to look at what went wrong last weekend and what needs to happen at Eden Park on Sunday to keep our grand final dreams alive. Follow The Front Page on the iHeart App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host/Producer: Jane Yee Editor/Producer: Richard Martin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should we put the brakes on AI? Well, the bosses of some of the world's largest AI companies say we should. Sam Altman and Elon Musk have both backed head of Anthropic Dario Amodei after he came out and said we need to slow the pace of AI development. He's warned that AI could become capable of "taking over the entire internet" within a year. So if the people developing this tech are worried about where we're heading, should the rest of us be worried too? Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland professor and director of Huanui – The AI Initiative, Dr Alexander Richter is with us to discuss whether we're moving too fast, and what would actually happen if we slowed things down. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National and Labour have both unveiled new plans to shake up the supermarket sector. National wants to investigate splitting Foodstuffs into two competing nationwide groups, while Labour is promising to make price gouging illegal – not just for supermarkets, but a range of essential goods and services. Both parties say they want to bring down the cost of living, but they’re taking very different approaches to the supermarket sector, while the minor parties have their own – not dissimilar ideas - about how to shake up the market. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford is with us to unpack the new supermarket policies and what they tell us about how the election campaign is taking shape. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infrastructure shapes our daily lives, but some might think that it's too often planned election by election. Infrastructure New Zealand wants to put an end to stop-start funding and shifting priorities, launching "Let's Build NZ". The campaign promises to put choices in front of voters and rate the parties against its eight priorities. Today on The Front Page, Infrastructure NZ chief executive Nick Leggett is with us to explain what concrete changes he wants to see so we can build for generations, not just the next election. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What we should do with KiwiSaver continues to be a hot topic this election season. The latest party to throw their idea into the ring is Labour, which wants to lift the employer contribution rate to 6% by 2032. They would also introduce compulsory employer contributions, even when employees have paused or reduced their own share and extend employer contributions to workers over 65. Nicola Willis was quick to call the policy a "watered-down" version of National's. Both New Zealand First and National are proposing compulsory contributions for all workers but have also both announced policies that would automatically enrol babies and children. Today on The Front Page, Labour's finance spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds is with us to talk us through the plan, and why it's actually different from other parties. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's finally here, one of the biggest infrastructure projects New Zealand has ever seen. After years of construction, disruption, and delays, the City Rail Link is finally a reality, which promises to transform the way people move through the heart of the city. So, what does this mean for Auckland? How will it change the city? And will it all be worth the wait? Today, we're on location at Te Waihorotiu station as Auckland marks this major milestone. We'll be speaking to the Herald's property editor Anne Gibson, who's been reporting on the CRLfor decades, and Transport Minister Chris Bishop, who gets to cut the ribbon. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like we're constantly being told that our kids are really bad at math. In 2023, we were informed kids recorded their worst ever results in something called the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) exams. It was called "disastrous", "disappointing" -- but, we'd heard it all before. In 2020 the 13-year-olds recorded their worst-ever results in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or TIMSS ... in 2023, almost 60% of Year 8s were failing maths according to something called the National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement, or NMSSA. In 2024, data from the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (CIPS) showed just 22% of Year 8s were at the expected curriculum benchmark for maths. PISA, TIMSS, NMSSA, CIPS. What are all of these? Are Kiwi kids really that bad at maths? Or, is this just a case of cherry-picking from random data sets to suit a certain narrative? Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland maths expert Dr Lisa Darragh is with us to try and make sense of all the numbers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand investment in women-only founding teams has more than tripled in a year, but a huge gender gap remains. Gender Investment Gap University of Auckland Business School data shows these teams are still receiving less than six cents in every investment dollar, while male teams get 70 cents. And while there's been more investment in women-led businesses, it starts falling away at later funding stages. So, why does it all matter? Today on The Front Page, founder of tech startup Dispute Buddy, Jenny Rudd is with us to discuss. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 10,000 public servants are set to strike following prolonged pay negotiations. While the Public Services Association says members are walking off the job for fair pay and better service delivery, the move has been accused of being politically motivated. Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith's pointed out pamphlets that read "change the government"... and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said they should all be at work. But, the PSA says the workforce is at breaking point, pay is falling further behind the cost of living, and job cuts are now hitting the services New Zealanders rely on. Today on The Front Page, PSA organiser Duane Leo is with us to explain what members are demanding and why they believe strike action is necessary. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re seven weeks out from the general election, and nearly 190 thousand young people are missing from the roll. Only around 57% of 18-24 year olds have enrolled to vote, the lowest representation of any age group – and by a huge margin. Today on The Front Page we’re talking to Adriana Bird from On a Roll, a nonpartisan campaign which aims to help young people to enrol and vote. We're asking why young people are so disengaged with democracy and what it will take to get them to the polls on November 7. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders spend billions of dollars every year on transport, through fuel taxes, road-user charges, rates and tolls. But the Act Party says we're not getting enough for what we're spending. New Zealand has spent an average of 5.8% of GDP on infrastructure each year over the past couple of decades, towards the highest of the OECD. Yet we rank towards the bottom for getting bang for our buck. Today on The Front Page, Act's infrastructure spokesperson Simon Court is with us to walk through his party's plans to make every transport dollar deliver. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Aucklanders, sitting in traffic can feel like an unavoidable part of life. But, what if you had to pay to do it? Auckland Council is considering congestion charging, with three options on the table that could see drivers charged between $2 and $7. Supporters say it could get traffic moving and raise money for improvements – but critics are asking whether we have enough alternatives to make it work. Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland senior lecturer in urban planning Dr Timothy Welch joins us to explain how it could work and what we can learn from cities overseas. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The diplomatic chess board is getting complicated in the Pacific. At least five Pacific leaders have pulled out of the annual Pacific Island Forum in Palau this week. Meanwhile, China's Pacific envoy says there will be consequences for Taiwan being allowed to send representatives to the forum. It's while the US and New Zealand team up to co-fund a Cook Islands port upgrade – a potential blow for China, who has a controversial "strategic partnership" with the island nation. Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Alexander Gillespie is with us to break down why leaders are skipping the forum and how China's leverage in the Pacific is changing. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s debt burden has nearly doubled in 10 years. But, there are signs the country’s borrowing habits are becoming more sustainable. New Zealand businesses have boosted their borrowings by more than $6 billion in the last year to $143b, which is a potential sign of rising confidence in the economy. So, is debt really as bad as we think – or are the numbers telling a more nuanced story about households, businesses, and the government? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor-at-large Liam Dann is with us to examine the numbers behind the nation’s march towards $1 trillion in debt. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National is promising to crack down on people abroad who are failing to pay back their student loans. If re-elected, the party would ease compulsory student loan repayments from 12 percent to 10 percent - and charge those living overseas an extra one percent in annual interest. Arrest warrants could be sought for serious, ongoing defaults. Leader Christopher Luxon has said 93% of overdue payments are overseas, and about 21% of overseas borrowers haven't paid back for 15 years and have no payment plan. But, is this holding the country's young people to ransom? Is it their fault that there are more, higher-paid opportunities overseas? Today on The Front Page, Victoria University Student Association president Aidan Donoghue is with us. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Searches continue through the devastation in Nepal after a catastrophic flash flood. More than 389 people have been killed and there are reportedly 1300 people missing, including at least 700 foreigners from two dozen countries. Our officials understand at least five New Zealanders are believed to have been impacted. Rescuers are battling severe conditions as they race to find survivors. Today on The Front Page, World Vision international external engagement and strategy director Uma Mager joins us from Nepal to give an update about what it's like on the ground, and more importantly what we can all do to help. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could we FINALLY be at an economic turning point? Westpac economists have forecast the economy will return to growth in the current quarter. They reckon there'll be 2.1% growth across 2026 – even picking up to 3% next year ... with exports and tourism doing the heavy lifting. So, are we out of the woods - or is this just a brief respite before the next shock? Today on The Front Page, Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold joins us to break down what it means for your wallet, your job, your mortgage – and whether this recovery is for real. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government wants to force councils to keep rate hikes at a maximum 4% from 2029. Councils would be expected to prepare for the change from next July. Local Government Minister Simon Watts has said it'll ease cost-of-living pressures and get councils back to basics. But, what will a lower income coming in mean for our core services? And how do we get councils to spend more wisely? Local Government New Zealand reckons councils can't be expected to deliver more infrastructure and support growth with fewer levers. Today on The Front Page, the Taxpayer's Union's Jordan Williams is with us to walk through the numbers and what our rates bills might look like in future. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.