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. 

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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

 

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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. 

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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. 

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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.

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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

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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. 

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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

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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. 

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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.

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.

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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 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.

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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.