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

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

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: 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

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 the lead up to Election 2026. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated political discussion.  

Josie Pagani brings decades of political experience and insight, having worked across government, policy and communications. A respected political commentator and current Child Fund CEO, she offers a deep understanding of the forces shaping New Zealand politics and the decisions confronting voters.

Director of Sherson Willis PR, Trish Sherson draws on a career spanning politics, communications and business leadership. A former press secretary, she brings firsthand experience of how political decisions are developed, communicated and scrutinised, while her extensive governance and corporate affairs background provides valuable perspective on the real-world impact of policy.

And of course, you’ll get the best analysis from Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis Allan and Barry Soper.  

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. 

Election 2026 is set to be one of the most important in recent memory. &nbsp;
To cut through the spin – join Newstalk ZB’s The Front Bench to get to the heart of the issues that matter most.&nbsp;
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 political discussion. &nbsp;
Josie Pagani brings decades of political experience and insight, having worked across government, policy and communications. A respected political commentator and current Child Fund CEO, she offers a deep understanding of the forces shaping New Zealand politics and the decisions confronting voters.
Director of Sherson Willis PR, Trish Sherson draws on a career spanning politics, communications and business leadership. A former press secretary, she brings firsthand experience of how political decisions are developed, communicated and scrutinised, while her extensive governance and corporate affairs background provides valuable perspective on the real-world impact of policy.
And of course, you’ll get the best analysis from Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis Allan and Barry Soper. &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;

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9919e3f9-c6ea-4164-915d-b4d90171114d/transcript

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

Election 2026: The Front Bench

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