Two of our biggest cities are facing tough budget decisions.

Both Auckland and Wellington need to save money and raise more funds to pay for everything.

It means both cities are facing the prospect of cutting services or large-scale plans – or, for Auckland at least, major rate rises in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.  

So how did Wellington and Auckland get into such a financial mess? And what needs to change about the way they’re run?

Super City reporter Bernard Orsman discussed the massive headache on Auckland mayor Wayne Brown’s agenda. and Wellington reporter Georgina Campbell shares the details behind the capital’s financial woes.

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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: Damien Ventuto
Producer: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 29th: National finally released its fiscal policy today, and it has already sparked strong words from Labour. And claims of race-baiting take up oxygen on the campaign trail.

Deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan joins us again to dissect the fiscal policies, and also recaps the 21st edition of Mood of the Boardroom.

Host: Hamish Fletcher
Producer: Ethan Sills
Editor: Paddy Fox

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Prominent business leaders have had their say on what they think of the current Government and those vying to take over. 

The Herald’s Mood of the Boardroom is back for its 21st year, and this time the survey has recorded the pulse of the executive suite on the eve of Aotearoa’s general election. 

There are strong suggestions that business leaders want change, and that’s bad news for Labour and their leader Chris Hipkins. But why are business leaders so eager for something different? What are they most concerned about?  

And is former CEO Christopher Luxon faring any better than Hipkins on his home turf?  

Today on The Front Page, Mood of the Boardroom executive editor Fran O’Sullivan gives Damien a rundown of her survey results and shares what she’s learned from delving into our top business minds. 

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

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September 28: In a bumper episode of On the Campaign, Georgina is joined first by NZ Herald editor at large Shayne Currie to discuss the Newshub leaders' debate and which leader came out on top - and which answer sparked the worst response from the crowd.

And then she talks with Wellington reporter Melissa Nightingale about the latest Parliament protest. Plus, new policies from Act, a commitment from National, and strong words from Labour.

Host: Georgina Campbell
Producer: Ethan Sills

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It’s been a year since retail giant Costco first opened its doors in west Auckland.  

From day one, shoppers quickly streamed in to buy plus-size versions of everything, and that hype has not died down 12 months later. 

The arrival of Costco came with the promise of greater competition and more diverse shopping options. But has the firm actually delivered on those? And will the success of Costco serve as an invitation for more major international retailers to come here?      

Today on The Front Page, marketing expert Ben Goodale gives his verdict on the impact of Costco in Aotearoa.  

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: Damien Ventuto
Producer: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 27: Labour has released their fiscal policy detailing how they will pay for things - and took aim at National in the process.

And as the second televised debate goes to air, the focus turns to advanced and early voting - NZ Herald head of data Chris Knox joins to discuss the stats and what influence those early decisions have. 

Host: Hamish Fletcher
Producer: Ethan Sills

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As the Hollywood writer’s strike prepares to come to an end, another key part of the entertainment industry is weighing up industrial action. 

Reality TV has become the default option for plugging programming gaps caused by strike action. Now cast and crew members are starting to shine a light on how they are treated behind the scenes, and the level of compensation offered for turning their personal lives into entertainment fodder. 

Several recent examples – both locally and overseas – have also raised questions about what protections are in place to keep contestants safe.  

Today on The Front Page, Damien is joined by Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the UK’s University of Aston, Helen Wood. She has written extensively about reality TV, and served as a parliamentary advisor for an inquiry into the industry.

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: Damien Ventuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 26: All parties dipped their toes into the policy announcement pool today, with National targeting beneficiaries, Labour boosting Pharmac, and Greens supporting new families. 

Plus, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann joins to discuss a financial debate he moderated and how Grant Robertson and Nicola Willis are performing on the campaign. 

Host: Georgina Campbell
Producer: Ethan Sills

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New Zealanders love their houses – and that love can sometimes see them getting ripped off. 

Two cases reported on by the NZ Herald in recent weeks have highlighted cases where home buyers have purchased their dream homes on false pretences, in both cases related to misleading information about moisture levels.

So what exactly happened in these cases, how were the people found out, and what does it say about the real estate industry as a whole?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior reporter Lane Nichols explains what we can learn about real estate from these cases. 

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: Damien Ventuto
Producer: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 25: A busy weekend of policy announcements preceded one of the most important weeks of the campaign, with advanced voting starting overseas and early voting kicking off from next week.

Today, Hamish is joined by deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan for his analysis of the latest policy announcements, the significance of this week, and what to make of Christopher Luxon's decision about NZ First.

Host: Hamish Fletcher
Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.