The Front Page

Are voters looking for politicians or celebrity in 2026? 17.07.2026 17min

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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How H5N1 reached NZ and what it means for our birds 16.07.2026 18min

H5N1 bird flu has landed in New Zealand.  The positive result from a brown skua found at Wellington’s Petone Beach is the country’s first case of the strain.   For months, officials, farmers, and DOC workers have been bracing for this moment, trying to protect our wildlife from a virus that’s already devastated birds around the world.  We’ve been one of the last places on Earth untouched by H5N1. That’s no longer true.  So, how likely is it to spread, which animals are at risk, and should anyone be worried about their own safety?  Today on The Front Page, University of Otago virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan is with us to unpack what this means for our wildlife, our poultry sector, and the risk to people.  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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The part of politics Paul Henry admits he’s not ready for 15.07.2026 18min

Ex broadcaster Paul Henry is running for Act in the upcoming election.  He stood for National in 1999 but is best known for hosting TVNZ's Breakfast in the mid-2000s.  Henry’s long media career has been marked by a string of public controversies, many of which have led to him being criticised for his offensive and inflammatory remarks.  So, with Act stagnant in polls - will this colourful personality be the party’s secret weapon or agent of chaos – or both?  Today on The Front Page, Paul Henry joins us to discuss why politics, why now, and what happens 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is NZ’s supermarket duopoly our biggest cost of living threat? 14.07.2026 17min

Don’t you think it’s time for New Zealand to have more supermarket options? The Government's announced a new guide for international chains wanting to set up shop here. It’s all in the hope of luring overseas investors to break up our duopoly grocery sector. Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has said the guidelines are like rolling out a red carpet for those looking here to invest – but, the question is, will anyone actually want to walk it? Today on The Front Page, Grocery Action Group chair Sue Chetwin is with us to explain why the option and ownership problems go deeper than new rules, and whether this could really change what’s on Kiwi dinner tables. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Trump's next move could mean for Iran and its neighbours 13.07.2026 16min

The United States has unleashed its biggest round of strikes on Iran in weeks. The US has said it struck about 140 Iranian military sites – which prompted Tehran to attack allies in the region, including Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar. Meanwhile, Washington insists that the Strait of Hormuz is open, despite Iran saying it has closed the waterway amid renewed strikes. Today on The Front Page, Waikato University international law professor Alexander Gillespie is with us to break down the legality of these strikes, the risks of further escalation, and what could come 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Modi’s visit is testing NZ’s diplomacy and diversity 09.07.2026 16min

This week, New Zealand will host Narendra Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit this country in four decades.  It should be a major diplomatic and economic moment, coming as the India free trade agreement edges closer to ratification and the Government celebrates early signs of export growth.  But behind the diplomatic spectacle, political tensions are still bubbling away.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters- who will absent from the weekend’s events- has been openly critical of the deal, accusing National of quietly tightening immigration settings linked to it without proper transparency.  So, is this a genuine breakthrough in one of New Zealand’s most significant relationships — or is the politics around the deal threatening to muddy the moment?  Today on The Front Page, India New Zealand Business Council chair Edwin Paul is with us to unpack Modi’s visit, what the trade deal could actually mean for New Zealand, and whether the political noise risks overshadowing a historic opportunity.  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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour’s SolarSaver plan promises cheaper power - and help for renters too 08.07.2026 15min

Labour has unveiled its pitch to make power bills cheaper.  If elected, the party’s promising subsidies of up to $3000 to low-and-middle-income households so they can install solar panels.   The party is also promising two Government-backed low-interest loan schemes for home energy upgrades, alongside rule changes that would let renters install plug-in solar too.  If that sounds familiar, it’s because National rolled out its own solar policy just a few weeks ago.  So what, exactly, sets Labour’s plan apart? And will it actually make a meaningful dent in household power bills?  Today on The Front Page, Labour leader Chris Hipkins is with us to explain how it would all work. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the oil shock is keeping the OCR guessing game alive 07.07.2026 18min

All eyes are on the Reserve Bank this week, as it prepares to make its latest call on the Official Cash Rate.  Just weeks ago, a hike looked likely.  But as Wednesday’s announcement approaches, that once-simple story has become a lot more complicated.  Fuel prices have fallen, inflation fears have softened, and economists are now sharply divided on whether the Bank should move at all.  So what changed? And what does this moment reveal about the balancing act the Reserve Bank is trying to pull off?  Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to talk through the OCR call, the growing uncertainty around it, and what comes next for borrowers, businesses, and the economy.  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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside National's pitch to double exports and target new markets 06.07.2026 17min

National has unveiled an ambitious new trade pitch, promising to pursue New Zealand’s “next billion customers”. The party says it’s all part of a plan to grow exports, create jobs and boost incomes, with a long-term goal of doubling export value by 2034. Supporters say that is the kind of ambition a small trading nation needs. Sceptics say the policy may be trying to do too much at once. Today on The Front Page, BusinessDesk Senior Correspondent Dileepa Fonseka joins us to dig into the policy, the politics, and what it could actually mean for the New Zealand economy. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What the latest ruling means for Kim Dotcom’s long legal saga 03.07.2026 15min

Kim Dotcom has spent more than a decade at the centre of one of New Zealand’s most high-profile legal and political sagas.  From the dramatic FBI-backed raid on his Coatesville mansion in 2012, to the long-running fight over extradition to the United States... The former Megaupload mogul is never far from the headlines.  Now, with fresh developments putting Dotcom back in the spotlight, the big question is no longer just what’s happened, but what comes next.  Is this the beginning of the end of a years-long legal battle, or is there still another twist to come?  Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior writer David Fisher joins us to help us make sense of the latest twist in the Kim Dotcom saga, why this case has lasted so long, and what could happen 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How a strong El Niño could reshape New Zealand’s spring and summer 02.07.2026 17min

El Niño is back and scientists say it could become one of the strongest we’ve ever had to deal with. That means the weather patterns shaping our spring and summer may be about to shift in a big way. But El Niño can also be one of those phrases we hear a lot without always fully understanding what it actually means or how seriously we should take it when scientists start sounding the alarm. So, what is happening in the Pacific right now, why does it matter so much for us here in New Zealand, and how worried should we be about what’s coming? Today on The Front Page, Earth Sciences New Zealand principal scientist Chris Brandolino is with us to explain what’s driving this El Niño event, what it could mean for New Zealand in the months ahead. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Michelin stars save New Zealand’s struggling restaurant industry? 01.07.2026 15min

New Zealand’s hospitality scene feels like it’s at a crossroads.  On one hand, cafés, bars and restaurants are battling a brutal mix of rising costs, mounting debts and changing consumer habits.   Venues are closing, owners are exhausted, and many are wondering how much longer they can hang on.  On the other, Aotearoa has just taken a historic step onto the global culinary stage, with the launch of its first ever Michelin Guide and Kiwi restaurants receiving coveted stars.   It’s a moment that could reshape tourism, attract high‑value visitors, and shine a new spotlight on the talent in our kitchens.  Today on The Front Page, Hospitality NZ’s Kristy Phillips is with us to talk about how tough things really are, what the Michelin Guide could mean for the sector, and whether there is genuine light at the end of the tunnel for New Zealand hospitality. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are petrol companies passing on lower costs fast enough? 30.06.2026 17min

Fuel prices are one of those costs that almost everyone notices immediately. When they rise, households feel it, businesses feel it, and suddenly a number on the forecourt becomes a national talking point. The average price of petrol has dipped under $3 for the first time in more than three months as a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran holds. If the price stays below $3 for four consecutive weeks, the Government’s fuel support package aimed at 143,000 low-to-middle income families will end. They’re currently getting $50 a week through a boost to the in-work tax credit. But, how low will prices go? And how likely is it that prices will soar again? Today on The Front Page, AA fuel spokesperson Terry Collins is with us to unpack how fuel prices in New Zealand actually work, what’s driving them right now, and whether the current reprieve could last. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luxon raises coalition doubts as Labour and Act unveil election priorities 29.06.2026 22min

Benefits, boosting apprenticeships, and the coalition headache already looming over Election 2026. Both Labour and Act kickstarted their campaigns at the weekend. David Seymour wants a much tougher welfare system. Chris Hipkins wants to bolster a Covid-era trade scheme. Meanwhile, National’s questioning its coalition partners’ intentions, with Christopher Luxon not “100% sure” about whether they can take Winston Peters’ word he won’t work with Labour. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan is with us to break down the weekend’s big political moves, and what they might mean for the campaign ahead. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are New Zealand Police facing another crisis of confidence? 26.06.2026 17min

The New Zealand Police has been rocked by an investigation into the country’s top cop.  An inquiry’s underway into complaints against Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.  He is strongly denying the claims. But, it comes at a time when trust and confidence in police is on shaky ground already. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah is with us to take us through how we got here, and what happens 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could a new kingmaker be emerging as coalition support slips? 25.06.2026 19min

Could now be the time to see a new party in Government? Better yet, is it time to see a new Kingmaker? The Opportunity Party is nearing the 5% threshold to get into Parliament for the first time in its 10-year history. At the centre of that pitch is a bold Tax Reset policy: a universal Citizens Income, a Land Value Tax, and a major rethink of retirement savings. But the real question now is whether voters are genuinely ready to send Opportunity to Wellington, or whether this is another polling bump that will fade before election day. Today on The Front Page, Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong is with us to talk about the party’s momentum, the policies driving it, and whether this is finally the year TOP crosses the line into Parliament. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigration IT scandal: What happens when Ministers stop trusting their officials? 24.06.2026 15min

Misleading information, unanswered questions, and more than $30 million down the drain and nothing to show for it. You may have heard about immigration officials being in hot water lately over scrapping an IT upgrade and apparently obscuring information relating to the project’s cost blowouts. Even the Prime Minister has admitted his confidence in the public service has taken a knock over the debacle. So, what exactly happened? How could it happen? And how do we make sure public money isn’t squandered on stupid projects? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald deputy political editor Adam Pearse is with us to take us through what has happened, and where to from here. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should tourists help pay for New Zealand’s infrastructure? 23.06.2026 16min

Tourism is booming again, but who should pay for the pressure that comes with it?  A powerful alliance of mayors and tourism leaders is pushing for a nationwide accommodation levy, or bed tax.  They argue tourists should help fund the roads, rubbish collection, public facilities and major events that keep our biggest destinations running.   Supporters say it’s a common-sense user-pays model, one that would take pressure off local ratepayers.   But critics say it’s just another tax, one that could make New Zealand more expensive and harder to compete as a travel destination.   So why is this idea back on the table now? Why has it failed to get across the line before? And if a levy does happen, who pays, who collects it, and where should the money go?  Today on The Front Page, Regional Tourism New Zealand chair Andrew Wilson is with us to discuss the growing push for an accommodation levy. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KiwiSaver vs Wealth tax - the new political divide 22.06.2026 16min

One major theme has emerged for this year’s election... money. Two parties at the weekend launched ideas to get the country’s finances in order and future-proof our economy for generations to come.  National held its annual party conference in high spirits, despite a polling support slide since the last election. They announced policy that would make KiwiSaver compulsory, raise minimum contributions, and require employers pay for staff over 65. On the other hand, the Greens are focusing on taxing the rich, imposing a levy on the four big banks, and taxing offshore profits earned by tech giants. NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor is with us to break it all down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Hurricanes and Chiefs stack up for the title showdown 19.06.2026 18min

The Super Rugby Pacific final is here, and the excitement is already at fever pitch. Tickets for the decider on Saturday sold out in just 15 minutes, as the Hurricanes and Chiefs prepare to meet in Wellington in what shapes as one of the biggest rugby nights of the year. So what makes this matchup so compelling? Which team has the edge, which players could define the contest, and what does the huge demand for tickets say about the state of rugby in New Zealand right now? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Rugby Direct podcast co-hosts the Herald’s Liam Napier and NewstalkZB’s Elliott Smith to break down the final, the key storylines, and why this game has captured so much attention. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.