The Front Page

The Labour Party's key focuses for Chris Hipkins' first party congress as leader were keeping the age of superannuation static and continuing an apprenticeship scheme.

But the National Party also made a grab for the spotlight by pulling its support for bipartisan joint housing accords.

Who came out looking stronger? And do the would-be governing parties have their eye on the minor parties who may decide 2023's election?

Today, NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett cuts through the party PR and bluster to reveal the reasons behind the political moves. 

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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 Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trusts have hit the headlines in recent weeks.  
 
First, a major IRD report revealed that extremely wealthy people were earning most of their money through trusts. Then, shortly afterwards, the Government announced an increase in the tax rate on trusts. 

So what exactly is a trust? How do you earn money from it? How many New Zealanders will be impacted by this tax hike? And is there a risk that average Kiwis take the biggest hit?   

Today, Deloitte tax partner Robyn Walker and partner at TGT Legal Aimee Mitchell take Damien through the trust system’s inner workings. 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank this week lifted the Official Cash Rate to 5.5 per cent, as expected.  

But the big surprise came when Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr told Kiwis that his work was done and that the Reserve Bank didn’t see the need to lift rates any higher. 

So why has the Reserve Bank suddenly changed its mind on further hikes? Are Kiwis in for a longer run of inflation? And what factors will have the biggest impact on the economy over the next 12 months?    
 
Today, on the Front Page, NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenée Tibshraeny explains the repercussions from the latest OCR hike.   

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 Venuto
Producer: Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a weather forecast battle brewing as two taxpayer-funded agencies go toe to toe for our attention.  

MetService and NIWA have dominated headlines in recent months amid numerous extreme weather events, but animosity is simmering between them. 

There’s growing concern that their remits are starting to overlap as they vie for the attention of New Zealanders desperate to understand what weather is heading our way.

So why are two agencies, both accountable to the Government, becoming so competitive? Who should the public trust when we need accurate information?

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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 Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has just been confirmed that Auckland’s City Rail Link opening has been delayed yet again, pushing out the opening date out to 2026.

This comes off the back of numerous earlier delays and cost blow-outs and will only exacerbate the level of frustration in the city. The initial idea for the plan goes back to the 1920s, and delays have spread to the actual project.

So how much longer will Auckland’s inner city remain a construction site? What has gone wrong with this project? And could it have repercussions for other major infrastructure plans around the city? 
 
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior journalist Bernard Orsman takes Damien under the surface of the CRL situation to find out what’s going on.   

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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 Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After an earthquake near the Loyalty Islands last Friday, a tsunami warning sparked sleepless nights in coastal areas around Aotearoa as residents waited for the potential waves.  

While the damage was limited, one Ahipara resident told the NZ Herald the resulting swells were “much, much worse” than those that came in after Cyclone Gabrielle earlier this year. 

It again raises the question about how prepared our coastal country is for a potential tsunami. 

To explain the science of tsunamis and what we need to know about them, today on The Front Page, Damien speaks to Jose Borrero, a tsunami expert and director of eCoast Marine Consulting and Research.

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 Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The annual Government Budget announcement is always a major PR opportunity for the Government, to lay out its vision for the country. 
 
Labour has now presented that vision – and unsurprisingly, Opposition parties aren’t onboard with what they see.  

National leader Christopher Luxon said that it showed the Government had run out of ideas – and warned that a Capital Gains Tax is on Labour’s agenda for the election.  

So what would he have done differently if his party had been shaping this Budget, and what are his economic plans for the election?

Today on The Front Page, Christopher Luxon, gives us a view of the alternative choice voters have in the lead-up to the election.

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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 Venuto
Producer: Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Labour Government delivered its sixth Budget. It's their last before October’s election, with key figures in the worlds of childcare, public transport, and public housing.  

This Budget arrives at a time when the economy faces a cost-of-living crisis and pressures stemming from the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.  

So how has Finance Minister Grant Robertson handled the tightrope of balancing the books versus election sweeteners?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Business editor at large and host of the Money Talks podcast, Liam Dann, gives us a rundown of what effect this Budget is likely to have on the economy, and the country’s future.

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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.

Hosts: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from inside the Budget 2023 lockup, this special episode of The Front Page's sister podcast On The Tiles has NZ Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan talking to Infometrics' Brad Olsen about some of the major figures from this year's Budget, with immediate reaction on what it could mean for the Government and inflation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The deadly Loafers Lodge fire in Wellington has shocked the country – not simply for the loss of life involved, but due to the building’s safety standards. 

While the hostel did not have sprinklers, it was not breaking any laws and was not required to retrofit them. 

It’s just one aspect of Aotearoa’s building code that has been put into the spotlight by this fire and has raised concerns around how many other buildings could be at risk. 

Today on The Front Page, John Gray from the Home Owners and Buyers Association of New Zealand joins us to talk about his concerns for the safety of our older buildings.

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.

Hosts: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.