The Government is set to cut billions of dollars from spending at the upcoming budget as a cost-saving measure in these tight financial conditions.

But what if there was a way to raise more revenue from existing industries?

Analysis from the Herald has looked at the ‘black market’ or the informal economy – the industries dominated by cash in hand methods of payment that pass by the tax system.

NZ Herald Head of Newsroom Data Chris Knox has run the numbers, and joins us today on The Front Page to talk through how much the country is missing out on.

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: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party is looking to follow Australia and ban social media for under-16s.

It has submitted a members bill that would look to limit how young people engage with the likes of Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Since Australia’s world-leading ban was passed into law last year, multiple countries are looking at bans as a way of addressing concerning social media habits.

But is a ban actually feasible, and would it address the real issues with social media?

Today on The Front Page, Dr Alex Beattie, a media lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington joins us to discuss the potential ban and if we should be following in Australia’s footsteps.

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.

Sound Engineer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 22 years, video calling platform Skype is shutting down.

After its inception, to ‘skype’ became a verb – and it was the go-to service for many years.

That is... until Covid-19 and Zoom took over.

So how has something once thought to be so innovative become so obsolete?

Who decides what apps and sites we migrate to – and looking to the future, what could be the next big bang – or bust?

Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington professor of information systems, Alex Richter joins us to discuss the fickle world of tech.

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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year marks 15 years since the birth of Auckland’s Super City.

The controversial idea to merge eight regional and district councils into one SUPER council was kickstarted after a Royal Commission on Auckland Governance back in 2007.

The city now stretches from Wellsford down to Bombay, and from Muriwai to Orere Point.

More than a decade later, discussions are still being had about whether it was a good move for New Zealand's largest and most populated city.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior writer, Simon Wilson, joins us to discuss what needs to be done to make sure Auckland’s still thriving for the next 15.

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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has made it through his 100 days back in office – and people are not thrilled with his performance.

His approval ratings at the 100 day mark are the lowest in 70 years, with only a 44 percent approval for a man who won the popular vote only 7 months ago.

It comes as his tenure has so far been dominated by tariffs and trade wars, cutting public services, gender, mass deportations, and hitting out at his enemies.

And the Trump bump has even taken on a new meaning – with Canada and Australia’s left-leaning political parties reversing polls from the start of the year to stay in government.

But with roughly 2000 days left in his presidency, what does the future hold for Trump 2.0?

We’re working through that today on The Front Page with University of Otago Professor of International Relations, Robert Patman.

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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is Rape Awareness Week in New Zealand.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experience sexual violence at some stage in their lifetime.

Repeated surveys show that tens of thousands of New Zealanders are experiencing this type of assault every year.

So what’s being done to try and stop the violence – and are those victims who are speaking up, getting the justice they need?

Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Clinical Psychologist and HELP Executive Director Kathryn McPhillips to discuss this crisis.

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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City will have a new mayor by the end of this year.

After previously committing to run for a second term, mayor Tory Whanau has pulled out of the race.

It comes after her term was dominated by personal incidents and infighting between councillors – but she made her decision only a day after work finally started on the Golden Mile project.

A number of men are running to take over the mayoral reins – with former Labour Minister Andrew Little just the latest to enter the competition.

But whoever takes on the city’s top job will need to deal with rising rates, declining house prices, and ongoing ferry issues.

Today on The Front Page, NZME Wellington reporter Ethan Manera joins us to discuss what Whanau’s departure means for our Capital in crisis.

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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month, the Government will deliver its second budget, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis is starting to tease what exactly we could see from it.

And basically — don’t expect much.

There will be just $1.3 billion of new discretionary operating spending in this year’s Budget, as the Government focuses once again on reducing spending by “billions” of dollars.

So where is all this money going, and what goodies could the Government offer up in such tight conditions?

Today on The Front Page, Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny is with us to look through what to expect for the Budget.

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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian federal election is heating up.

Anthony Albanese is facing the challenge of becoming the first PM to be re-elected since John Howard. He has been an MP since 1996, when he was the youngest Labor member of the house.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton brings with him a wealth of experience, having been elected to the house of representatives in 2001 aged 30.

Both have sat across the aisle from each other for years. And this Saturday, Australians will vote which will lead their country for the next three years.

Today on The Front Page, ABC News political reporter Claudia Long takes a break from following around the candidates and joins us from Melbourne to talk polls, policies – and what Kiwis in Aussie need to know.

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
Sound Engineer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crime is a constant hot topic of debate in New Zealand – one that is rarely far from the front pages.

The recent alleged murder of University of Auckland student Kyle Whorrall in Auckland has served as a reminder of the randomness that comes with violent crime – with a 16 year old now charged with his murder.

But the Government is touting that violent crime is on the decline – years before their intended target.

So are our streets really any safer – and is vibe more than policy influencing this?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior journalist Derek Cheng is with us to discuss the stats.

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
Sound Engineer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.