The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: Is this finally the economic turning point New Zealand has been waiting for?

   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.

   August 27, 2026·19min
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   Number 2: Is banning social media the best way to protect children online?

   The Government's pushing ahead with banning social media for under-16s. It mirrors rules that took effect in Australia last year - requiring the likes of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to bring in stronger age verification. If they don't, the social media giants could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue. But coalition partners Act and NZ First both agree to disagree with it - and Christopher Luxon has admitted the bill won't get a look-in before the election. So, what's the point? Will these measures even work? And what are the risks of getting it wrong? Today on The Front Page, Tech Users Association of New Zealand CEO Craig Young is with us to break down the bill, how age checks would actually work, and what we can learn from overseas experience. 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.

   August 25, 2026·23min
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   Number 3: Can councils deliver more with less under a 4% rates limit?

   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.

   August 26, 2026·18min
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   Number 4: Should your fuel tax and road-user charges pay for roadside sculptures?

   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.

   September 04, 2026·20min
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   Number 5: What each party wants to do with your taxes

   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.

   September 25, 2026·19min
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