The Front Page

An investigation into the supermarket majors is underway as a merger of hundreds of stores around New Zealand fails to satisfy our competition watchdog.

Ahead of its final decision later this year, the Commerce Commission said that a merger of Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island would effect “significant structural change” in the sector – and it continues to have concerns around competition.

It’s all while the commission’s investigating after Consumer NZ lodged a complaint claiming supermarkets were engaging in ‘misleading pricing’.

So, what will all of this mean for you, and the price of your weekly grocery shop?

Today on The Front Page, we’re talking all things supermarkets, first with NZ Herald reporter Kate MacNamara, and then with independent consultant, Ernie Newman.

Since this episode was released, a Foodstuffs spokesperson has pointed out there is no precedent for the government forcibly breaking up a private company. 

"Telecom voluntarily split into two as a result of the National Government's Ultra-Fast Broadband initiative."

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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.

An inquiry into New Zealand’s banking competition, or lack thereof, is currently underway.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced it in June, putting particular emphasis on rural banking and lending.

A ComCom market study has already, unsurprisingly, found a lack of competition among our largest financial institutions – with a full report due next month.

So, what does it all mean for the average Kiwi consumer – and is there hope on the horizon for some healthy competition?

Today, Victoria University of Wellington associate professor of economics Martien Lubberink takes us through the state of our banking sector, and ABC journalist Dan Ziffer explains what lessons could be learned from Australia’s massive Royal Commission into Banking.

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.

US politics is in a freefall, after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

The shooting killed a spectator and injured two others – while the Secret Service fatally shot the gunman, a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, where the rally was being held.

The shocking incident comes at a time when the United States is already polarised politically, smack bang in the middle of the 2024 election race.

The Republican National Convention is still going ahead this week, and pundits are already predicting that this event could have a major impact on the 2024 Presidential election.

Today on The Front Page, we speak to University of Waikato international law professor Al Gillespie on what’s next – and how this event could change the US political landscape.

But first, we’ll get the latest from CBS News campaign reporter, Jake Rosen, who was at the Pennsylvania rally when the shots rang out.

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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.

More and more Kiwis are heading overseas to see if the grass is really greener on the other side.

Most of us are heading to Australia, with latest figures showing 27,000 moved last year, but thousands are still flocking to the United Kingdom for their OE.

People are gambling on getting better pay and conditions overseas, and escaping New Zealand’s high cost of living, but are things really better overseas?

Today on The Front Page, we’ll explore what the stats say with NZ Herald journalist Ben Leahy.

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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.

In this breaking news edition of The Front Page, former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appears to have been shot at at a rally in Pennsylvania.  

Trump was pushed to the ground by Secret Service Agents before being pulled off stage with blood covering his ear. US media is now reporting that the shooter and someone from the crowd is dead.

For the latest, Chelsea talks with Newstalk ZB reporter, Blake Benny.

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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.

With a price tag of $153 million – the coalition government’s paving the way for charter schools to make a comeback in 2025. 

Government has places to fund 15 charter schools and the conversion of up to 35 state schools to charter schools. 

The application process is officially open, despite ongoing criticism from the Opposition and teaching unions about the return of the controversial system.  

Today on The Front Page, Associate Minister of Education and character school champion David Seymour joins to discuss the pros and cons of the 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
Sound Engineer: Evan Paea
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank has delivered their last judgement on the Official Cash Rate – and surprise surprise, there’s been no change.  

The Reserve Bank still says it won’t be cutting rates anytime soon, but economists believe that such a cut will need to come later this year. 

It comes as the economic outlook for New Zealand continues to look bleak, with more people heading either overseas, or to the Jobseeker queue.  

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann, joins to discuss what the OCR rate says about the state of our economy.  

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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.

Crime is one of the key issues the coalition government was voted in on, and it’s easy to see why.

The latest data shows overall crime is sitting steady – but despite barely moving figures, people are feeling more unsafe.

The government wants to tackle crime and create fewer victims of violent offences, but with law and order their key focus for the coming months, are they focusing on the right crimes?

To run us through the numbers and the policies, today on The Front Page we’re joined by senior political journalist, Derek Cheng.

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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.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is off to the United States this week – the world’s largest economy and our second biggest trading partner.

He’s there for what’s described as “D.C.’s diplomatic Super Bowl”, where dozens of foreign leaders will descend upon Washington for the NATO Summit.

A number of bilaterals with other NATO leaders is on the cards – as well as a spattering of sideline meetings with top US politicians.

Today on The Front Page, former NZ ambassador to the US, Tim Groser joins to discuss how important tapping into the US market is – and what movers and shakers Luxon will shake hands with.

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.

Green MP Darleen Tana has spent half of her short Parliamentary career under investigation, after allegations she is linked to migrant exploitation at her husband’s bicycle company. 

A report on the lengthy investigation was delivered to the Green Party on Friday night, and the party has now called on Tana to resign. 

To explain what’s happening, and why they aren’t firing Tana themselves, for this bonus episode of The Front Page, Cherlsea talks with Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls.  

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.