The Front Page

The Government's working through merger proposals from councils around the country. 

City and district councils were given until this week to pitch plans to create larger unitary councils, to replace existing local and regional councils. 

Approved plans are due to be signed off next year and take effect after local elections in 2028. 

So who’s likely to merge with who? What regions are deeply split? How will it all work out? And most importantly, how will it affect you? 

Today on The Front Page, Gisborne Mayor and Local Government New Zealand president Rehette Stoltz is with us to breakdown what it all means and what could happen next. 

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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.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is staying in the top job. 

He's emerged from another confidence vote with the support of his caucus. 

National MPs were summoned to Wellington for an urgent meeting this morning - after speculation about a potential coup. 

The meeting ran for three hours. 

But, questions remain... What happened behind closed doors? What will happen to the detractors?  

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford joins us from Wellington 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.

Speculation is mounting over Christopher Luxon’s future as National Party leader, with reports of caucus unrest putting his leadership back under the spotlight.

NZ Herald Senior Correspondent Katie Bradford joins Chelsea to examine how serious the threat is, who could be waiting in the wings, and if National can really change leaders this close to an election.

 

 

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National has unveiled new fiscal rules promising tighter spending, lower debt and no new taxes on working New Zealanders. But Taxpayers’ Union executive director Jordan Williams argues much of it repackages existing policy and questions whether the Government has delivered on its earlier promises to rein in spending and return to surplus.

He joins Chelsea Daniels to discuss government debt, where meaningful spending cuts could come from, what actually counts as a tax, and whether National’s new language around “working people” risks muddying its election pitch on tax.

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Data centres are not a new phenomenon, but hyperscale AI data centres? Well, that's a whole other conversation.

There are currently no AI hyperscale data centres in New Zealand, but that looks to change with plans already approved to build one in the South Island. Not everyone's happy about it, including the Greens who have called for one-year moratorium on consenting new AI data centres.

Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland AI expert Dr Kerry McInerney joins Chelsea to discuss how big data became such a big deal. 

Host: Chelsea Daniels 
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Executive Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like Auckland is entering its big city era.

New Zealand’s largest transport infrastructure project ever, the City Rail Link will open to passengers on September 13.

It’s being touted as being truly transformative for the country’s biggest city ... a city that is rapidly growing.

And that’s partly thanks to the Fast-Track scheme – which has meant developers don’t need to jump through as many hoops to get things moving. But, at what cost?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson is with us to unpack what this all means for Auckland’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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unemployment has risen again – and it’s worse than everyone expected. 

Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate increased to 5.6 percent in the June quarter. 

That's up from 5.4 percent in the March quarter and it's slighter higher than most economists were predicting. 

So, what does that mean? Should we panic? Or is this just part and parcel of an economy in recovery? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to break down the numbers and what it means for our 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 Prime Minister is in damage control mode after telling struggling business owners in Rotorua to “be adult”. 

Christopher Luxon made the remarks at a business event, and they’ve sparked a fierce backlash. 

He’s since had to apologise after being labelled out of touch and patronising. 

So, is this a gaffe that’ll keep haunting him, or just a bad week in a challenging political environment? And what does it say about how the Government sees its role in supporting or stepping back from struggling businesses? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Chief Political Reporter Jamie Ensor joins us to break down how National’s caucus is reacting, 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.

Act wants to give teachers the legal power to remove disruptive students from the classroom. 

Staff would be able to use “reasonable force” to do so – and there’d be a mandatory stand-down or suspension for any students who assaulted another student, teacher, or staff member. 

Parents would be required to attend a meeting – if they don’t rock up, they could be fined $300 for a first offence, rising to $3000 for repeat offenses.  

But just how big is the problem here? Are classrooms really this disrupted and would these changes actually help? 

Today on The Front Page, Post Primary Teachers’ Association president Chris Abercrombie is with us to unpack what’s happening in schools, and whether this plan would make a difference or risk making things worse. 

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.

It’s a battle of the islands to become New Zealand’s economic engine room.

All eight South Island Chambers of Commerce have launched a joint election manifesto highlighting their $100 billion contribution to the economy.

They’re calling for more investment and productivity with the goal of lifting South Island GDP per capita to $130,000 by 2035.

Representing around 7000 businesses, it’s the first time they’ve all come together to push for political parties to pay closer attention to the south.

Today on The Front Page, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson is with us to explain why the South Island wants to move ahead of the national average, not just keep up, and what it will take to get there.

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.