Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spent the last week in South East Asia.

His first overseas trip beyond the Tasman Sea saw Luxon visit Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, joined by several MPs and a delegation of business leaders for a trip largely focused on “reinvigorating” New Zealand’s relationships across Southeast Asia.

So did he make much of a splash there, and does he have any wins to bring back home?

NZME Managing Business Editor and managing director of NZ Inc Ltd Fran O’Sullivan has been part of the business delegation, and joins The Front Page from the Philippines for her thoughts on how it’s all gone.

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 Daniels
Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spent the last week in South East Asia.
His first overseas trip beyond the Tasman Sea saw Luxon visit Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, joined by several MPs and a delegation of business leaders for a trip largely focused on “reinvigorating” New Zealand’s relationships across Southeast Asia.
So did he make much of a splash there, and does he have any wins to bring back home?
NZME Managing Business Editor and managing director of NZ Inc Ltd Fran O’Sullivan has been part of the business delegation, and joins The Front Page from the Philippines for her thoughts on how it’s all gone.
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 Daniels Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox Producer: Ethan Sills

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Did Christopher Luxon deliver on his trip to Southeast Asia?

Sales volumes have continued to decline across New Zealand’s housing market.

It marks a third consecutive monthly fall and extends the subdued start to 2026 – even as property values remain broadly stable.

But beneath the surface, the picture is uneven.

Auckland remains soft, first home buyers are propping up demand, and the rental market is showing signs of strain.

At the same time, global uncertainty and inflation risks are starting to cloud the outlook.

Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to unpack what’s really happening in the housing market, 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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

Sales volumes have continued to decline across New Zealand&rsquo;s housing market.
It marks a third consecutive monthly fall and extends the subdued start to 2026 &ndash; even as property values remain broadly stable.
But beneath the surface, the picture is uneven.
Auckland remains soft, first home buyers are propping up demand, and the rental market is showing signs of strain.
At the same time, global uncertainty and inflation risks are starting to cloud the outlook.
Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to unpack what&rsquo;s really happening in the housing market, 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 Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

NZ house sales keep falling as first-home buyers drive demand

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/15560dc5-4a4f-4a27-a722-b4350049a839/transcript

It’s safe to say our last episode on EVs amid the current fuel crisis sparked some lively debate.

Our last guest’s take on unreliable EVs and the possibility of brand collapses drew strong pushback.

So, today, we're flipping the script with a fresh take to tackle your top concerns head-on. EV registrations are still surging alongside hybrids and PHEVs. 
As of April 19, there were 5346 EVs registered this year, compared to 2493 at the same time last year. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or PHEVs, are at an all-time high up 79% and Hybrids up 6.2%.

Today on The Front Page, AA chief mobility officer, Jonathan Sergel, is with us to break down the fact and fiction around EVs.

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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

It&rsquo;s safe to say our last episode on EVs amid the current fuel crisis sparked some lively debate.
Our last guest&rsquo;s take on unreliable EVs and the possibility of brand collapses drew strong pushback.
So, today, we're flipping the script with a fresh take to tackle your top concerns head-on. EV registrations are still surging alongside hybrids and PHEVs. As of April 19, there were 5346 EVs registered this year, compared to 2493 at the same time last year. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or PHEVs, are at an all-time high up 79% and Hybrids up 6.2%.
Today on The Front Page, AA chief mobility officer, Jonathan Sergel, is with us to break down the fact and fiction around EVs.
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 Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

The new age of car buying: EVs, hybrids and the end of old myths

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ecd70900-53d8-4146-afc3-b434004affce/transcript

The Prime Minister has initiated and survived a motion of confidence as National Party leader. 

After about a three-hour caucus meeting, Christopher Luxon read a short statement out to media before leaving without taking questions. 

This all comes after weeks of speculation about whether his performance during the Iran fuel crisis mixed with poor polling would be enough to get him kicked out of the Beehive. 

So, does Luxon actually have the full support of his caucus? Will this all quieten leadership rumours? And what will it mean for the election?  

NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor was in amongst the action all day today – he joins us now on The Front Page.

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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

The Prime Minister has&nbsp;initiated&nbsp;and survived a motion of confidence as National Party leader.&nbsp;
After&nbsp;about&nbsp;a three-hour caucus meeting,&nbsp;Christopher Luxon&nbsp;read a&nbsp;short statement out to&nbsp;media&nbsp;before&nbsp;leaving without&nbsp;taking&nbsp;questions.&nbsp;
This all comes after&nbsp;weeks of speculation about&nbsp;whether his performance&nbsp;during the Iran fuel crisis mixed with poor polling&nbsp;would be enough to get him kicked out of the Beehive.&nbsp;
So, does Luxon&nbsp;actually have&nbsp;the full support of his caucus? Will this all quieten leadership rumours? And what will it mean for the election?&nbsp;&nbsp;
NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor was in amongst the action all day today &ndash; he joins us now on The Front Page.
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 Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

Luxon survives confidence vote, but questions remain

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c6950627-4bac-452c-8797-b433004dc0ab/transcript

Did Christopher Luxon deliver on his trip to Southeast Asia?

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