The Front Page

New Zealand’s hospitality scene feels like it’s at a crossroads. 

On one hand, cafés, bars and restaurants are battling a brutal mix of rising costs, mounting debts and changing consumer habits.  

Venues are closing, owners are exhausted, and many are wondering how much longer they can hang on. 

On the other, Aotearoa has just taken a historic step onto the global culinary stage, with the launch of its first ever Michelin Guide and Kiwi restaurants receiving coveted stars.  

It’s a moment that could reshape tourism, attract high‑value visitors, and shine a new spotlight on the talent in our kitchens. 

Today on The Front Page, Hospitality NZ’s Kristy Phillips is with us to talk about how tough things really are, what the Michelin Guide could mean for the sector, and whether there is genuine light at the end of the tunnel for New Zealand hospitality.

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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.

Fuel prices are one of those costs that almost everyone notices immediately.

When they rise, households feel it, businesses feel it, and suddenly a number on the forecourt becomes a national talking point.

The average price of petrol has dipped under $3 for the first time in more than three months as a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran holds.

If the price stays below $3 for four consecutive weeks, the Government’s fuel support package aimed at 143,000 low-to-middle income families will end.

They’re currently getting $50 a week through a boost to the in-work tax credit.

But, how low will prices go? And how likely is it that prices will soar again?

Today on The Front Page, AA fuel spokesperson Terry Collins is with us to unpack how fuel prices in New Zealand actually work, what’s driving them right now, and whether the current reprieve could last.

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.

Benefits, boosting apprenticeships, and the coalition headache already looming over Election 2026.

Both Labour and Act kickstarted their campaigns at the weekend.

David Seymour wants a much tougher welfare system. Chris Hipkins wants to bolster a Covid-era trade scheme.

Meanwhile, National’s questioning its coalition partners’ intentions, with Christopher Luxon not “100% sure” about whether they can take Winston Peters’ word he won’t work with Labour.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan is with us to break down the weekend’s big political moves, and what they might mean for the campaign 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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Police has been rocked by an investigation into the country’s top cop. 

An inquiry’s underway into complaints against Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. 

He is strongly denying the claims.

But, it comes at a time when trust and confidence in police is on shaky ground already.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah is with us to take us through how we got here, and 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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could now be the time to see a new party in Government? Better yet, is it time to see a new Kingmaker?

The Opportunity Party is nearing the 5% threshold to get into Parliament for the first time in its 10-year history.

At the centre of that pitch is a bold Tax Reset policy: a universal Citizens Income, a Land Value Tax, and a major rethink of retirement savings.

But the real question now is whether voters are genuinely ready to send Opportunity to Wellington, or whether this is another polling bump that will fade before election day.

Today on The Front Page, Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong is with us to talk about the party’s momentum, the policies driving it, and whether this is finally the year TOP crosses the line into Parliament.

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.

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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See 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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See 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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See 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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.