The Front Page

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. 

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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 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.

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.

National is committing to no new taxes if re-elected – but the jury is still out over whether that means no tinkering to existing taxes.

This means the party is scrapping both a bed tax and bank tax – something that's disappointed Mayors in tourism hotspots around the country.

Meanwhile, Labour's banking on its capital gains tax to get us back to surplus by 2029/30.

They released their fiscal strategy at the weekend, targeting spending and revenue at around 33% of GDP - and net debt at 20% "over time".

So, what do these competing approaches mean for the economy, and for taxpayers.

Today on The Front Page, independent economist Cameron Bagrie is with us to explain who stands to win or lose, and what voters should be looking for in the numbers before election day.

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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.

Severe respiratory illness rates are now the highest they've been in the last decade, mostly because of the flu. 

It comes as ambulance services struggle to meet demand, and Health NZ urges people to save emergency departments for emergencies. 

RNZ reported this week that hospitals have even created dedicated flu wards and some elective surgery is being cancelled as influenza A hits the health system. 

So, why has this flu season been so late, so sharp, and so severe – and what does it mean for our hospitals, our most vulnerable, and the rest of winter? 

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker is with us to break down what’s driving this surge and what all of us can do to stay well and keep pressure off the health system.

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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 Mount Maunganui landslide has been described as "preventable". 

A damning review into the disaster has revealed a litany of failures by authorities who “missed several opportunities” to evacuate campers to safety. 

Six people died after the slip crashed into the campground on January 22. 

It's now been revealed that over decades, "one consultant after another" warned Tauranga City Council of the risks at the holiday spot at the bottom of the mountain. 

Today on The Front Page, University of Canterbury senior lecturer in disaster risk and resilience, Dr Tom Robinson is with us to take us through what happened, who is to blame, and what 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.

New Zealand’s birth rate stats just keep getting worse... 

The latest show ‘natural population growth’ has fallen to 18,700 for the year to June – the lowest it’s been since WWII. 

Births are at their lowest since 2003. 

So should we throw money at people to have babies, or are there some other options on the cards? And how bad is it really?  

Today on The Front Page, Infometrics principal economist and lead demographer Nick Brunsdon is with us to break it all down. 

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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.

A development in the Middle East, with US President Donald Trump turning on a key US ally. 

He’s threatened to bomb Oman if it interferes in the Strait of Hormuz. 

It’s all while a 60-day ceasefire with Iran expires – and officials say that there’s been very little diplomatic progress to reopen the key waterway. 

So, why is Trump lashing out at a key ally? What does this latest stalemate mean for the rest of us? And at this point, what is and should be the US’ main priority? 

Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Al Gillespie is with us to break it all down. 

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.

Kiwis are constantly wondering why their groceries are so expensive. 

The Green Party is the latest to promise a fix in the way of a members bill aimed at banning price gouging by the supermarket duopoly, which has a whopping 82% market share. 

New rules would aim to prohibit supermarkets from charging prices that are excessive when compared to the cost of supplying groceries. 

Breaches could see a company fined up to $10 million or 10% of turnover. 

But, what constitutes “excessive”? And how would it be policed? 

Today on The Front Page, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick is with us to tell us how it would work.

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 drawn-out employment legal dispute, the sale of one of the country’s top media companies, fears AI could take newsroom jobs, and RNZ planning to cut roles.

The Kamahl Santamaria saga continues as the former broadcaster and TVNZ head to court next week. 

Meanwhile, do the Aussies have what it takes to shake up our media landscape? And will AI take over our newsrooms?

All this while RNZ prepares to cut up to 30 roles as part of a major cost-cutting move.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald’s Media Insider and editor-at-large Shayne Currie joins us to talk about the changing tides and what the future looks like.

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.