The Front Page

We’re now in the final stretch of the election campaign, and Chris Hipkins is hoping to lead Labour back into Government. 

Labour has been campaigning with a focus on easing the cost of living, improving public services, and building a fairer economy. 

For Hipkins, the last few weeks has been an opportunity to connect with Kiwis and make his case for why he should be Prime Minister. 

Today on The Front Page, Labour leader Chris Hipkins is with us to talk about the highs and lows of the campaign and the moments that have stuck with him. 

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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 major parties are making their last pitch to voters, crisscrossing the country, trying to win over undecided Kiwis and convince them they deserve another three years in Government. 

But while the party leaders are focused on winning power, there’s another battle playing out behind the scenes: the fight for political survival. 

With both National and Labour polling well below their 2023 election results, a number of sitting MPs could find themselves out of a job come Saturday night. 

So, who’s at risk, and what could the final days of campaigning mean for the make-up of the next Parliament? 

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths is with us from the National Party tour bus. 

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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.

There are some new Warrant of Fitness rules that could save Kiwis billions. 

The changes mean people who buy a new car will only need to get their next WOF after four years. 

Vehicles aged 4 to 14 will only need a WOF every two years - with cars over 14 still needing one every year. 

Today on The Front Page, AA motoring spokesperson Allister Wade is with us to talk through the changes and what it 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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warehouse built its name on being the place where everyone gets a bargain. 

But with Kmart winning over shoppers and Temu competing for their dollars online, the red shed has struggled to keep its place in Kiwi shopping baskets. 

Now, the company has unveiled a new strategy to turn things around, after its chief executive admitted it had lost sight of what customers want. 

So what will it take to win them back? And after years of trying to turn its fortunes around, what makes this plan different? 

Today on The Front Page, the Herald’s Tom Raynel joins us to explain what’s next for The Warehouse.

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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.

Every party promises a stronger economy. But what would their plans actually mean for your wages, bills and tax?

In the final episode of The Front Page’s election series, Chelsea Daniels asks National’s Nicola Willis, Labour’s Barbara Edmonds, ACT’s David Seymour, the Greens’ Lawrence Xu-Nan, New Zealand First’s Craig Stobo and Opportunity’s Qiulae Wong how they would grow the economy and tackle the cost of living.

From business tax cuts to taxes on wealth, land and property profits, the parties explain their competing approaches. Plus, a look at Te Pāti Māori’s tax and income policies.

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 just days to go until election day, hundreds of thousands of eligible New Zealanders could find themselves unable to have their say. 

The rules governing this year’s election have undergone their biggest overhaul since MMP was introduced. 

The Electoral Amendment Act 2025 has restricted the advance voting period to a 12-day window until the day before the election, with voter enrolment closing 13 days out. 

Previously, voters could enroll or update their details until the day before election day by casting a special vote, except in 2020 and 2023, when same-day enrolment was allowed. 

So, is this a sensible change, or a threat to our democratic process? And with voter turnout and enrolment already a concern, could the rules themselves influence the result? 

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago politics lecturer Dr Bryce Edwards is with us to break down the changes, and what we should do 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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.