The Front Page

Misleading information, unanswered questions, and more than $30 million down the drain and nothing to show for it. You may have heard about immigration officials being in hot water lately over scrapping an IT upgrade and apparently obscuring information relating to the project’s cost blowouts. Even the Prime Minister has admitted his confidence in the public service has taken a knock over the debacle. So, what exactly happened? How could it happen? And how do we make sure public money isn’t squandered on stupid projects? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald deputy political editor Adam Pearse is with us to take us through what has happened, and where to from here. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism is booming again, but who should pay for the pressure that comes with it?  A powerful alliance of mayors and tourism leaders is pushing for a nationwide accommodation levy, or bed tax.  They argue tourists should help fund the roads, rubbish collection, public facilities and major events that keep our biggest destinations running.   Supporters say it’s a common-sense user-pays model, one that would take pressure off local ratepayers.   But critics say it’s just another tax, one that could make New Zealand more expensive and harder to compete as a travel destination.   So why is this idea back on the table now? Why has it failed to get across the line before? And if a levy does happen, who pays, who collects it, and where should the money go?  Today on The Front Page, Regional Tourism New Zealand chair Andrew Wilson is with us to discuss the growing push for an accommodation levy. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One major theme has emerged for this year’s election... money. Two parties at the weekend launched ideas to get the country’s finances in order and future-proof our economy for generations to come.  National held its annual party conference in high spirits, despite a polling support slide since the last election. They announced policy that would make KiwiSaver compulsory, raise minimum contributions, and require employers pay for staff over 65. On the other hand, the Greens are focusing on taxing the rich, imposing a levy on the four big banks, and taxing offshore profits earned by tech giants. NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor is with us to break it all down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Super Rugby Pacific final is here, and the excitement is already at fever pitch. Tickets for the decider on Saturday sold out in just 15 minutes, as the Hurricanes and Chiefs prepare to meet in Wellington in what shapes as one of the biggest rugby nights of the year. So what makes this matchup so compelling? Which team has the edge, which players could define the contest, and what does the huge demand for tickets say about the state of rugby in New Zealand right now? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Rugby Direct podcast co-hosts the Herald’s Liam Napier and NewstalkZB’s Elliott Smith to break down the final, the key storylines, and why this game has captured so much attention. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Jones’ controversial fisheries reform has been abandoned – for now. The Oceans and Fisheries Minister told a select committee today that his “much-loved bill” would not be progressed in this term of government. The Fisheries Amendment Bill had caused division within the coalition... changes to minimum legal-size limits for commercial fishing operators had to be walked back. Other changes included plans to block the public from obtaining footage of fish dumping under the OIA. Meanwhile, Jones has revealed that two orca were found dead as bycatch – the first recorded deaths of orcas in set nets in New Zealand. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, New Zealand has spent big on infrastructure without always getting the results to match.  Now, the Government's vowing to change that. It’s supporting all 16 recommendations in the Infrastructure Commission's National Plan – a blueprint for how the country plans, funds, and delivers the things we all rely on.  The 30-year plan includes a review of the Land Transport Fund and requires Crown entities to publish long-term investment plans. Labour and the Greens are also backing it -- but the question remains whether this is the beginning of real reform, or just another ambitious plan on paper. Today on The Front Page, Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett joins us to discuss what it all means. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis fronted a press conference on Sunday, complete with a black dossier labelled Labour's Hidden Bill, accusing the opposition of leaving an $18 billion funding gap in its plans.  Since then, independent economists have also questioned Labour’s figures around their recently announced fare cap policy, saying the numbers don’t quite stack up. Labour says the attack is a distraction while National says voters deserve answers.  But beyond the numbers themselves, does this tell us something about how both major parties plan to fight the election campaign? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford joins us to unpack the battle over Labour's alleged hidden costs and what it reveals about the state of Election 2026.  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 MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says the United States and Iran have reached a peace agreement, with a formal signing ceremony expected later this week. The announcement follows weeks of negotiations and comes in the wake of an Israeli strike on Beirut that reportedly disrupted the process at the last minute. If the agreement holds, it could reshape relations across the Middle East and have implications for everything from regional security to global oil markets.  Today on The Front Page, Robert Patman - professor of international politics at Otago University - joins us to discuss what the deal means and how durable it’s likely to be in reality. 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 MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leading paediatrician is warning more New Zealand babies will end up in hospital this winter while a treatment that could prevent many RSV cases remains unavailable. The breakthrough antibody injection is already being used in countries like Australia, the UK and the US, but here it's still awaiting approval and funding decisions. The delay has reignited questions about how we prioritise child health and whether New Zealand is moving quickly enough when it comes to proven medicines. Today on The Front Page, senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah joins us to discuss his reporting on this issue, before we speak to recently retired South Auckland paediatrician Dr Adrian Trenholme about what he's witnessed on the frontline over nearly five decades. Michael Morrah's story:https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/top-paediatrician-warns-more-babies-will-suffer-as-rsv-drug-still-unapproved/SMDDIY4VDJCOVN6RZDFNF2VBGU/ 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 MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For just the third time in history, New Zealand is heading to football's biggest stage. The FIFA World Cup is ready for kick off and the All Whites are returning to the tournament for the first time since that memorable campaign in South Africa in 2010. Back then, New Zealand achieved something no other team did – leaving the tournament undefeated. Fast forward to 2026 and the World Cup is bigger, the game is faster – the competition has changed, and the All Whites have changed too. With a deeper squad, and captain Chris Wood coming off the best season of his career, do we dare let our hopes go beyond being “just happy to be there”?  Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald sports reporter Chris Reive joins us to discuss New Zealand's chances and the stories set to shape the world's biggest sporting tournament. 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 MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour has unveiled its first major policy announcement since the Budget, promising to cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in the main centres. But is this really just a transport policy, or the first glimpse of a broader election strategy? Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths joins Richard Martin to break down what the announcement says about Labour's campaign, whether the numbers stack up and why cost of living is shaping up as the key battleground. They also discuss the controversy surrounding Labour's newest candidate, the scrutiny over Chris Hipkins' holiday home mortgage and whether the Opposition leader is entering the election campaign in a stronger position than many expected. 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 MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few months ago, the Government said New Zealanders could end up helping fund a new LNG import terminal through their power bills. Now it's changed its mind.  As of today, the customer levy is gone, but the plan to import liquefied natural gas as a backup for dry years is still very much alive.  So why the backdown and who ultimately will end up paying?   And with LNG now being described as the fastest and most flexible option available by 2028, is this the best solution for New Zealand's dry-year problem, or just the quickest one on the table?  Today we're joined by New Zealand Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford to discuss the politics, economics and energy security questions behind one of the Government's biggest infrastructure bets.  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 MartinProducer: Jane Yee  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland is supposed to be moving again.  The City Rail Link is almost here, the CBD is looking better, and there’s been a lot of talk about the economy finally turning a corner.  But for many Aucklanders, it still doesn’t feel like a recovery.  New figures show the value of building work in Auckland has fallen sharply, with non-residential construction taking a major hit. And when construction slows down, it doesn’t just affect developers. It affects jobs, confidence, businesses, the city centre, and the wider economy.  So, is Auckland’s construction slump one reason the country’s biggest city still feels stuck?  Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor-at-large Liam Dann joins us to explain what’s happening, why it matters, and whether there’s any sign of momentum returning.  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 MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four New Zealand MPs who visited Taiwan last month have been banned from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau for a year. National's Maureen Pugh, Labour's Duncan Webb, ACT's Laura McClure and NZ First's David Wilson were visiting as part of a cross-party Parliamentary group to improve relations with Taiwan. The Chinese embassy has said the ban could be reduced or waived with an apology. It’s the first time China has imposed such a move-- so does this mark a turning point in China–New Zealand relations, or is it a targeted, symbolic strike that won’t fundamentally change anything? Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington Contemporary China Research Centre director Jason Young is with us to unpack what’s behind China’s decision, why it happened now, and what the backlash could mean for our future relationship with Beijing. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US and Iran are exchanging the biggest strikes in months amid ceasefire talks. It comes just days after a call between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu apparently got heated as negotiations over the Iran War continue. Iranian media signal talks between Tehran and Washington are ongoing, despite reports that Iran suspended them.  Trump has said that negotiations are going “very well” - and that a ceasefire could happen “over the weekend”. Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman joins us to unpack the latest developments. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has just handed its lowest-paid workers a 4.75% pay rise, lifting the minimum wage to just over $25-Australian-dollars an hour – which is about $32-New Zealand-dollars.   That means a full-time worker across the Tasman will now earn nearly $1004-Aussie-dollars, before tax. -- or $1216- Kiwi dollars.  Here, the minimum wage went up just 2% this year to $23.95 an hour. Even our voluntary Living Wage, at $29.90, falls short of Australia’s legal minimum.   At a time when rent, groceries, petrol, and power bills keep climbing – the comparison is stark.  So, what does this say about how New Zealand values its workers? And, why on earth would any young person want to live and build a life here?  Today on The Front Page, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions president Sandra Grey is with us to talk about the growing wage gap, what it means for workers here, and whether New Zealand is in danger of pricing itself out of its own future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frigates, freeloading, and our nuclear-free identity are all suddenly up for debate.  New Zealand is being called a “freeloader” by the US Secretary of War for not increasing our defence spending as much as he’d like.  Meanwhile, there’s a suggestion that we should have a “conversation” about our decades-old nuclear-free policy.  So, as the world rearms and pressure from allies grows, where does New Zealand draw the line?  Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Al Gillespie is with us to talk about what happens next. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infrastructure and health are the big priorities in this year's Budget, as banks face a new levy, and cuts take shape.  There are no specific cost-of-living payments or Budget sugar hits - but Finance Minister Nicola Willis promises spending initiatives will create thousands of jobs.  And our books are set to return to surplus earlier than expected.  But, Opposition parties are saying the Government doesn’t live in the same reality as struggling Kiwis.  So, what does it actually mean for households, for the economy, and for the political landscape?  Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald chief political reporter, Jamie Ensor, is with us to break down the numbers, the politics, and what it all means for you.  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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While everyone counts the dollars and tries to make sense of Budget 2026 – there are thousands of public servants staring down losing their jobs. In her pre-Budget speech, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced plans to slash the sector by about 8,700 roles by mid-2029. The overhaul will also include reducing the number of government departments and increasing the use of AI. The Public Service Association says the changes will further decimate public services, at a time when workers are already stretched to breaking point. So, is this really about efficiency or is it just shrinking the state and hoping services will hold together?  Today on The Front Page, Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons is with us to talk about what happens next.  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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Energy security. Financial security. International security. Social cohesion.  These are the government’s priorities for Budget 2026 that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon laid out earlier this month. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says this Budget will lay out a clear plan. Where the country is now, where we're headed, and the road we'll take to get there. So, what should we look out for? How does this position the Coalition for the election? Will the spending be worth the thousands of public sector jobs being cut to pay for it? Today on The Front Page, University of Otago Honorary Research Fellow, Dr Michael Swanson, is with us for a pre-Budget 2026 chat. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's announced a $1.2 billion gas transition loan scheme – a big bet on keeping some of New Zealand’s most gas hungry businesses afloat.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will guarantee 80% of each loan, with about $48 million set aside to cover potential losses.  It’s being framed as a lifeline: help gas‑heavy manufacturers and processors stay open, protect jobs, and ease pressure on a shrinking and increasingly expensive fuel.  But behind the headlines, big questions remain. Who really benefits, who foots the bill, and will any of this cost creep its way into your power bill or tax bill?  Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with us to unpack whether this scheme is an economic rescue mission, a political pivot, or something more complicated. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just weeks out from the end of greyhound racing in New Zealand, a secretive charter flight plan is raising eyebrows. It’s understood a number of dogs are being prepped for a trip across the ditch before the sport’s banned here. But, why now? What about the welfare of these animals? And is this just a last ditch effort to make some cash before it’s lights out for the industry. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah is with us to unpack what he’s uncovered, and what it says about the final days of greyhound racing in New Zealand. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Football fever is about to hit Auckland like we’ve never seen before.  Auckland FC is hosting the Grand Final at Go Media Stadium against Sydney FC on Saturday.  It’s the first time New Zealand has hosted an A‑League decider, and the city is on the brink of a huge sporting moment.  Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB’s Weekend Sport host Jason Pine is with us to talk about how Auckland FC has reached meteoric heights, and what this final could mean for football in New Zealand.  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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It started with a young Māori man trying to help a stranger on the street. He ended up being pinned to the ground, handcuffed, locked in a cell, and a four-year court battle.  Jamie Lawry ended up being found not guilty, but the case raises harder questions about racism and systemic bias in the north. Many Māori parents up north have to have what is called “the talk” - where they have to teach their kids how to act around police in order to be safe. Today on The Front Page, Green MP Hūhana Lyndon – who is based in Te Tai Tokerau – tells us about what “the talk” means in her whanau and in communities across the region – and why so many Māori families have no choice but to have these conversations. But first, NZ Herald senior writer David Fisher is with us to take us through what happened to Lawry. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Mongrel Mob-run meth rehab programme ended up at the centre of a fierce political fight. After being funded by Jacinda Ardern’s government, the Coalition government turned off the tap for drug rehabilitation programme Kahukura. But behind the politics, did Kahukura actually help people get off meth? And what does it tell us about who is best placed to deliver addiction treatment? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior writer Derek Cheng has gone through the reports on the programme’s intakes, and he joins us now to talk through what really happened – and the role of gangs in frontline services. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve spent any time on Auckland’s motorways, you’ll know the city’s traffic problem is no joke – and one of the big fixes being talked about is charging people to sit in it. The AA has surveyed its Auckland members on time-of-use charging, and while the results show plenty of scepticism, a lot of people back the principle. But only if the scheme is designed fairly and the details are smart enough to actually work.  Today on The Front Page, AA policy director Martin Glynn is with us to take us through what congestion charging might look like in future and whether it could finally get Auckland 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. Host: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First will campaign on buying back the BNZ bank and making KiwiSaver enrolment compulsory at birth.  Winston Peters’ appearance at Trusts Arena in West Auckland at the weekend comes at a time when his party is surging in the polls...   He’s also closing in on National leader Christopher Luxon in the preferred Prime Minister ranking, months out from the election.  Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald chief political reporter, Jamie Ensor, 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence is being sold to us as the future.   Faster, smarter, more efficient, maybe even world changing.  But as a handful of tech companies race to build ever more powerful AI, there are growing questions about secrecy, exploitation, and the extraordinary concentration of power behind the scenes.  Journalist Karen Hao has spent years reporting on OpenAI and the global AI industry, and in her book Empire of AI, she argues this isn’t just a story about technology, it’s a story about ideology, labour, resources, and control.  Today on The Front Page, Karen Hao joins us to unpack the rise of OpenAI, Sam Altman, and the real cost of the AI arms race. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland’s long-running second harbour crossing debate is back in the spotlight. It’s a project that politicians love to talk about but have long struggled to deliver - given the complex work, the very high price tag, and the wide range of very heated opinion on what would be best for the City of Sails. NZTA is in the final stages of refining both a tunnel and a bridge option and will seek a decision on which to progress with “in mid-2026". It’s after reports show the existing bridge’s ongoing maintenance burden – and the possibility of repair work forcing closures. Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland senior lecturer in urban planning, Dr Timothy Welch is with us to unpack the politics, the planning, and the choices ahead. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On paper, New Zealand Super is one of the simplest parts of our welfare system.  Most people become eligible at 65, it’s not means tested, and for decades it’s been treated as a kind of social contract: work hard, reach retirement, and the state will be there. But that contract is under growing pressure. As our population ages and governments look for ways to contain long-term costs, the debate keeps returning. Should we raise the age of eligibility, and if we do, who pays the price? Today on The Front Page, Auckland University Business School associate professor Susan St John is with us to talk about the future of superannuation, the arguments for and against raising the retirement age, and why this debate never stays settled for long. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard there’s a new virus making headlines.  Three people have died and several others have fallen ill after an outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship.   Governments and health agencies around the world are coordinating a mass evacuation of passengers – working together to get people home while at the same time trying to prevent any further spread.  So, should we be worried here in New Zealand? What are the real-world risks for most people? What are the warning signs? And, what does this response tell us about how authorities handle a serious disease threat? Have we gotten any better at it?   Today on The Front Page, Massey University infectious diseases expert Professor David Hayman is with us to unpack the outbreak, the evacuation, and whether this really is an unprecedented public health operation. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If an election were held today, the coalition Government would likely be returned to power and not by a narrow margin. A new NZ Herald–Motu Research Poll of Polls model suggests the Government has an 88.3% chance of winning a second term, with support across National, Act and New Zealand First holding steady.   NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan joins The Front Page to talk through the latest results, and how Winston Peters could once again be kingmaker come November 7.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barbara Demick has spent her career telling the stories of people living under some of the world’s most repressive and dangerous regimes. From North Korea to Tibet and Bosnia, her reporting and books have helped readers understand what life looks like far beyond the headlines. Her latest book, Daughters of the Bamboo Grove, chronicles the true story of Chinese twin girls, born in rural Hunan, separated by China’s one-child policy. Demick joins The Front Page to explain how the book acts as more than one family’s tragedy. It’s also an account of how state policy reshaped private life, family structure and identity in China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Youthline ASB report is shining a light on the mounting pressures facing young Kiwis. The 2026 State of the Generation report includes Gen Alpha for the first time and is based on a nationwide survey of more than 1000 people aged 12 to 24. The report reveals a lot is worrying our younger generations, and the consequences of these pressures are dire. In the past three months, Youthline recorded an all-time high, connecting an average of four young people a day with emergency services. That’s compared with one a week five years ago. Youthline CEO Shae Ronald joins the show with more on the things that are keeping our young people up at night.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Salvation Army report is putting a spotlight on why an alarming number of ex-prisoners go on to reoffend. In New Zealand, more than 43% of people released from prison end up back there within two years. Almost two-thirds reoffend. The Salvos reckon more focus is needed on ‘reintegration’ services, to make sure people return to the community with stability, support, and resources. Today on The Front Page, The Salvation Army’s social policy mission officer, Ian Hutson, is with us to discuss why our current system is failing to build the "home base" that so many people need - to break the cycle of re-imprisonment for good. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand businesses are running on fumes, with cash reserves dwindling amid surging fuel prices and KiwiSaver costs... all while the full shockwave hasn't fully hit yet. Economist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey, joins us to explain why the fuel crisis reality is only dawning, the supply chain pain ahead, and what it means for New Zealand's economy.  He also answers the question we've all been asking ... what does Wylie Coyote have to do with any of this?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s unemployment rate is expected to hold steady - at least on paper - when new data is released this week.  But beneath that headline number, economists are warning the labour market may already be weakening, just as global tensions and an oil shock begin to bite.  There are also growing concerns about something called ‘stagflation’... where higher unemployment and rising inflation collide... and what that could mean for households and the wider economy.  Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to unpack what to look for in the latest data, what it really tells us about the state of the economy, and what could come next. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Soper is a name and certainly a voice that’s recognisable across New Zealand. After decades in the Beehive, Soper put pen to paper outlining his time covering 12 Prime Ministers, from Muldoon to Luxon. He blends personal stories, policy critiques, and behind-the-scenes tales ... like Muldoon’s drunken Schnapps election call, Lange’s antics in Africa, and Bolger’s mimicry habits. As former PM John Key wrote in one of the book’s forewords, “Barry knew, and still knows, where the bones are buried”. The other foreword is penned by Helen Clark. Barry Soper joins The Front Page to discuss how political reporting has changed over the years, and where he thinks it’s headed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man has been charged with attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump after trying to storm the White House correspondents’ dinner. The 31-year-old was carrying a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shot gun, and three knives as he charged past security. A White House security review’s been launched to understand how this person managed to get so close to the President. So how should we understand this moment? Is it part of a long historical pattern, or something new? And what are the risks of copycat attacks, political escalation, and the way this is reported? Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Alexander Gillespie is with us to unpack the history, the legal questions, and what it all means from here. Host/Producer: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Executive Producer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

El Niño is set to hit New Zealand this winter.  Global climate models show there’s a greater than 60% probability that this ‘event’ will be ‘strong’ by spring, with the potential to intensify later this year.  But, what does this all actually mean? What happens when the ocean surface warms? And what does it mean for our weather?  Today on The Front Page, Earth Sciences New Zealand and MetService meteorologist Jon Tunster is with us to make sense of it all. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.