The Front Bench
The Front Bench
As Election 2026 approaches, Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson unpack the policies, personalities and power plays defining the race. Expect informed analysis, spirited debate and differing viewpoints as they explore the issues driving the national conversation.
The Front Bench: The political fallout of visiting the Mongrel Mob
Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Childfund CEO Josie Pagani have the insight and analysis as the campa…
32:50
The Front Bench: The lack of vision from our political parties
Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Childfund CEO Josie Pagani have the insight and analysis as the campa…
33:30
The Front Bench: Predictable policy and the rising star of Barbara Edmonds
Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Childfund CEO Josie Pagani have the insight and analysis as the campa…
33:14
Election 2026: The Front Bench
Election 2026 is set to be one of the most important in recent memory. To cut through the spin – join Newstalk ZB’s The Front Bench to get to the heart of the issues that matter most. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson thrash out the big political issues in t…
00:29
The Front Bench: Could we be facing a second election?
Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and a…
32:04
The Front Bench: What does Chris Hipkins' Covid diagnosis mean for the campaign?
Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and a…
31:40
The Front Bench: Luxon confirmed he'll work with Peters- could National lose support?
Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and an…
32:27
The Front Bench: Will hecklers be a problem for the rest of the campaign?
Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and a…
31:43
Watch: The Front Bench- ACT playing hardball with National
Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and an…
32:06
The Front Bench: Attack ads already being published- could this be the most negative campaign yet?
Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and an…
31:51