The Government has honed in on rebuilding the economy as a priority for the coming months. 

Amongst several promises in a new action plan, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has promised to deliver a budget that reduces wasteful spending, delivers tax relief to hardworking New Zealanders, and invests in frontline services. 

Yet this promise comes days after his Finance Minister once again highlighted the fragile state of the economy. 

So how bad are things looking, and should we still be looking at tax cuts?  

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny joins to take a look at the state of our economy.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEOs in New Zealand continue to get paid more than ever.

While not as high as the 15 per cent increases seen in 2022, remuneration packages for NZX-listed chief executives increased on average by 3.58 percent in the 2023 financial year.

And despite a stagnant local share market, one CEO has set a new record for the largest ever pay packet in the history of the Herald’s CEO pay survey.

To run us through the trends and the seven figure salaries, we’re joined today on The Front Page by BusinessDesk investigations writer Murray Jones.

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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
Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s flicking the off switch on EV owners.

From today, road user charges will have to be paid for light electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

Bringing EVs in line with other vehicles has been a priority for this government, but little else in the plans so far have suggested what their strategy is for the environment and climate change.

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political and climate reporter Demelza Jackson joins to discuss if this government is making the right moves for the planet’s 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
Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The financial year is coming to an end.  

While that may not mean a lot for the average Kiwi, when the new financial year kicks off on April 1st, many of us could see a little more money in our back pockets. 

This is when the Annual General Adjustment takes place, with things like benefits and the minimum wage rising to account for inflation or wage growth. 

It’s also one of the dates when tax changes or new fees come into effect – and this year, that means changes for EV drivers and those with a family.  

To discuss what these changes mean for you, today on The Front Page, we’re joined by NZ Herald business editor at large and author of BBQ Economics, Liam Dann. 

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks 40 years since Ernie Abbott went to work at Wellington’s Trade Hall, and never returned home.

On March 27, 1984, the caretaker was locking up for the day when he spied a discarded light-green suitcase on the ground behind a wall.

Curious, he picked it up by its cloth-wrapped handle - triggering a mercury switch hidden inside. He was killed instantly as the force tore through the passageway of the Vivian St building.

The Police investigation to find the man who was seen carrying the suitcase into the building just before 7.30am that day has garnered more than 550 suspects and thousands of exhibits.

Today on The Front Page, Detective Sergeant Sam McKenzie joins to discuss whether police are any closer to closing this cold case.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour is going back to the drawing board - and tax is on the table.

Party leader Chris Hipkins has delivered his first major speech in Opposition, six months after Labour were kicked out of government.

He has taken aim at the country’s tax system as being inequitable, and laid blame for the current financial woes at National’s feet.

Today on The Front Page, Hipkins joins to discuss what his party plans to offer the country at the next election, as well as to respond to recent criticism of the past government's actions on race and crime, and if he will run again in 2026. 

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For over 50 years, the secretive Christian community of Gloriavale has fascinated New Zealanders.

While the community has long been discussed by former members who have left Gloriavale behind, in the last few years, multiple official investigations and Employment Court proceedings have shone more light on what's happening behind the scenes.

Now, a new TVNZ documentary, Escaping Utopia, is looking back at the community’s chequered history and its recent problems.

Today on The Front Page, co-director Justin Pemberton joins us to explain this fresh look at historic concerns.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has been diagnosed with cancer. 

She revealed the news in a video released this weekend, after months away from the public eye following abdominal surgery. 

The public was told that surgery was not related to cancer – but subsequent tests revealed the Princesses condition, and she is now undergoing chemotherapy. 

So what does this mean for the Royal Family that’s now facing two cancer battles at the same time? 

For this special bonus episode, UK correspondent Gavin Grey joins The Front Page from London to discuss this latest royal shocker.  

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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
Sound Engineer: Dan Goodwin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government earlier this month made it through its first 100 days after a few ups and downs, but the months ahead could be a little rougher.

Questions continue to be asked about how the coalition can fund its much-promised tax cuts amid reports of a growing fiscal hole and criticism from international financial agencies, with just two months left until this National-led government delivers its first budget.

To talk us through the state of the economy, the public’s feedback on the government, and the state of his other portfolios, today on The Front Page we’re joined by Associate Finance Minister and Act Party leader, David Seymour.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boeing - one of the world’s largest airplane manufacturers and once its most well respected - has seen  a string of concerning incidents have tarnished that reputation.  

This year alone, we’ve seen a door plug blow off mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 in January, while closer to home, a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney to Auckland plunged mid-air – injuring at least 50 passengers, some seriously. 

It comes only a few years after two fatal crashes involving Boeing 737 Max plans only five months apart. 189 people died when Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea in October 2018, and in March 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed, killing 157 people.

One of those people was Graziella de Luis y Ponce, a United Nations interpreter.  

Her brother is Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics lecturer, Javier de Luis. He was then asked to serve on the US Federal Aviation Administration’s panel that reviewed Boeing’s safety practice last year.  

He joins The Front Page today to discuss the ongoing issues with Boeing. 

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.