The Front Page

Go onto any parents group in the country and you’ll find comments about arbitrary school uniform rules.  

Socks falling down, no scarves in class, skirts instead of shorts, and no t-shirts underneath despite not seeing them – and that’s just what our team has seen.  

And that’s all before we talk about the costs that come with a compulsory uniform. The Act Party is campaigning to make school uniforms more affordable, saying some families are spending well over $1000 a year. 

The University of Otago’s Dr Johanna Reidy has been involved in research to find out if uniforms had an impact on education and health.  

She joins us today on The Front Page.

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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.

New Zealand’s superannuation problem is something that constantly rears its head. 

Whether it’s abolishing MPs’ gold-plated super scheme, if we should introduce means testing, or heighten the retirement age – one thing’s always clear... our status quo is untenable. 

The annual cost of NZ Super has already risen from less than $20 billion in 2023 to $24.7b this financial year, and is forecast to pass $30b in 2030. 

Meanwhile, the annual superbill for older migrants has hit a billion dollars – five years after Parliament tightened eligibility. 

So, what are the real pressure points in the system and how politically realistic are any of the fixes? 

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths is with us to unpack the numbers, the politics, and what changes might actually be on the table.

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.

91 petrol is set to stay below $3 a litre for the fourth week in a row, and that means the $50 weekly fuel payment for working families should be coming to an end. 

The Government has always said any support would be timely, temporary and targeted — but with so much volatility in the Middle East, should it be extended? 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said she’ll take advice to Cabinet next week about extending the payment. 

But, there’s also the argument that this is all part of a bigger picture: New Zealand lagging behind other countries on EVs, solar and batteries. 

Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey joins us to unpack whether the fuel support should continue, and what New Zealand risks if it keeps moving too slowly on electrification. 

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 National Party has promised to gradually extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected. 

That would see the entitlement lift to 27 weeks in next year’s Budget, before rising again in the following two Budgets. 

The announcement came days after NZ First candidate Stuart Nash resigned his candidacy after calling National MP Katie Nimon lazy for taking leave after having a baby. 

But, some commentators have said the plan doesn’t go far enough. 

Today on The Front Page, military veteran, leadership expert and founder of #workschoolhours movement, Dr Ellen Joan Ford joins us to unpack what the policy could mean for families, employers, and the wider debate about who should pay for it. 

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 conflict in the Middle East is widening fast. 

Yemen's Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea - threatening to cut off a crucial route for the kingdom's oil exports. 

The price of oil has surpassed 100 US-dollars a barrel for the first time since May.  

Meanwhile the US has carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.   

So, what’s really going on here? Is this the start of a broader regional crisis, or are we seeing a dangerous standoff that could yet be contained? 

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us to unpack the stakes for global shipping, energy markets, and the risk of further escalation in the Middle East. 

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 housing market remains firmly in buyers’ favour. 

Sales activity is continuing to weaken and property values are showing little sign of a broad-based recovery. 

But, while first-home buyers remain active, investors are pulling back, with some wary of what a shifting political and tax environment could mean for returns. 

So, what’s really going on here? Is this just a subdued patch, or a market that’s lost its heat for longer? 

Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to unpack where housing stands right now, and what it all means for buyers, sellers and investors. 

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 Fast-track Approvals Act has been in force since December 2024, and it was sold as a simpler, faster way to get projects moving. 

Since then, it’s been tied to everything from new homes to aquaculture, farming projects, roads and public transport, but it’s also drawn plenty of criticism along the way. 

NZ First is still pushing for Ministers to have the final say on what gets approved, despite that idea facing strong pushback through the select committee process. 

And now we’re seeing some of the real-world fallout, with projects like a controversial 1200-home development in Ōrewa raising questions about infrastructure, cost, and who ultimately pays. 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford is with us to unpack it. 

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.

Inflation has hit 4.1% - the highest level in more than two years.

Economists had expected it surge to somewhere between 3.9 and 4.1 percent. 

However, the end result is well below some previous forecasts, which reached 4.9%. 

If we ignored the surging fuel prices, Westpac economists reckon inflation would be about 2.8 percent. 

So what does this actually mean for the cost of living, for interest rates, and for the story of the New Zealand economy in 2026? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to unpack how we got to 4.1%, what’s really driving the numbers, and what comes next for households, businesses, and the path back to stable prices.

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.

Spain have beaten Argentina to win the Fifa World Cup for the second time in history.  

It caps off a tournament that delivered drama on the pitch – and a long list of controversies off it. 

From sky‑high ticket prices and visa headaches, to political grandstanding and fresh questions over Fifa’s priorities, many fans are wondering whether this World Cup was still about the football – or about power and money. 

So what does the tournament tell us about where the global game is heading – and where to from here for the world’s biggest sporting event? 

Today on The Front Page, we speak to NZ Herald sports journalists, Michael Burgess and Nathan Limm to unpack Spain’s triumph, the controversies that overshadowed 2026, and the future of the World Cup.  

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The idea of a celebrity running for office is nothing new.  

All over the world, ex TV stars, movie icons, and comedians try their hand at a new role: politician.  

This week, Election 2026 has been rocked by the announcement that ex-broadcaster Paul Henry will be entering the fray – running for the Act Party.  

There have been countless headlines, interviews, and analysis since the surprise move.  

But, is it that surprising? Why do we get so swept up in name recognition and does it ever really work out well?  

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths is with us to explain how much star power really matters at the ballot box, whether high‑profile names actually change votes, and what history can tell us about how this latest twist might play out.

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.