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 analysis.

This week the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper.

Our expert panel discusses National’s warning that if it can’t get a suitable deal with New Zealand First and Winston Peters – it may lead to a second election.

They also chat about Act’s sizeable drop in the polls – and what’s leading driving their numbers down.

The experts dissect the electorates to watch - and chat both Sir John Key and Helen Clark getting involved in the campaign.

Plus, each will reveal their favourite policy of the campaign – and give their election night prediction.

LISTEN ABOVE

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 analysis. 
This week the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper.
Our expert panel discusses National’s warning that if it can’t get a suitable deal with New Zealand First and Winston Peters – it may lead to a second election.
They also chat about Act’s sizeable drop in the polls – and what’s leading driving their numbers down.
The experts dissect the electorates to watch - and chat both Sir John Key and Helen Clark getting involved in the campaign.
Plus, each will reveal their favourite policy of the campaign – and give their election night prediction.
LISTEN ABOVE

Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Election 2026. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated election podcast...

Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Election 2026. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated election podcast...

Election 2026: The Front Bench

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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.

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 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, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Childfund CEO Josie Pagani have the insight and analysis as the campaign rolls on. 

This week on The Front Bench, Heather asks the panel about the potential fallout for Te Pāti Māori and the Greens for visiting the Mongrel Mob. 

They give their takes on National's Right to Silence policy and Labour's social media policy. 

Heather also asks about there should be concerns about the Opportunity Party candidates lack of political experience. 

Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.  

Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio. 

LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW

Part 1 Below

Part 2 Below

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 campaign rolls on.&nbsp;
This week on The Front Bench, Heather asks the panel about the potential fallout for Te Pāti Māori and the Greens for visiting the Mongrel Mob.&nbsp;
They give their takes on National's Right to Silence policy and Labour's social media policy.&nbsp;
Heather also asks about there should be concerns about the Opportunity Party candidates lack&nbsp;of political experience.&nbsp;
Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day. &nbsp;
Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW
Part 1 Below

Part 2 Below

The Front Bench: The political fallout of visiting the Mongrel Mob

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fec36fd8-3217-45a2-98f5-b4e80046fcba/transcript

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 campaign rolls on. 

This week on The Front Bench, Heather asks the panel whether they think the campaign so far has been dull and if anyone has a vision for New Zealand. 

Our experts give their take on the fiscal plan debate and whether it shifts the needle for any party. 

Plus they debate whether National is making enough of the difference between its and Labour's education policies. 

LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW

Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.  

Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio. 

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 campaign rolls on.&nbsp;
This week on The Front Bench, Heather asks the panel whether they think the campaign so far has been dull and if anyone has a vision for New Zealand.&nbsp;
Our experts give their take on the fiscal plan debate and whether it shifts the needle for any party.&nbsp;
Plus they debate whether National is making enough of the difference between its and Labour's education policies.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW

Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day. &nbsp;
Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.&nbsp;

The Front Bench: The lack of vision from our political parties

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/53585df6-43ae-48fa-9b93-b4e1004a3d54/transcript

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 campaign rolls on. 

In the first edition of The Front Bench for Election 2026, the panel gives their take on which party is being the most predictable so far this election campaign. 

Heather asks whether Barbara Edmonds is the new star of the Labour Party and where Winston Peters has been so far during the campaign. 

Plus does David Seymour have an issue with the Herald's Poll of Polls? 

Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.  

Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio. 

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 campaign rolls on.&nbsp;
In the first edition of The Front Bench for Election 2026, the panel gives their take on which party is being the most predictable so far this election campaign.&nbsp;
Heather asks whether Barbara Edmonds is the new star of the Labour Party and where Winston Peters has been so far during the campaign.&nbsp;
Plus does David Seymour have an issue with the Herald's Poll of Polls?&nbsp;
Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day. &nbsp;
Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-election-2026-the-front-b-71012065?follow=true" target="_blank" data-anchor="?follow=true">follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.</a>&nbsp;

The Front Bench: Predictable policy and the rising star of Barbara Edmonds

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4ef8d44a-8f2a-4ded-a10e-b4da004d9ea0/transcript

The Front Bench: Could we be facing a second election?

Election 2026: The Front Bench

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