Thousands of jobs have gone, millions of dollars have been spent on redundancy payouts – and it’s not over yet as the public sector continues to tighten its belt.

Budget 2024 set targets for $1.5 billion worth of cost-savings, with estimates for $1b in further savings over numerous financial years.

But as the axe falls, there are questions over whether the cuts will hit the front-line – something the Government’s promised will stay intact.

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell joins us for an update on whether changes have stayed in the back room – and how many more jobs are at risk.

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

Thousands of jobs have gone, millions of dollars have been spent on redundancy payouts – and it’s not over yet as the public sector continues to tighten its belt.
Budget 2024 set targets for $1.5 billion worth of cost-savings, with estimates for $1b in further savings over numerous financial years.
But as the axe falls, there are questions over whether the cuts will hit the front-line – something the Government’s promised will stay intact.
Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell joins us for an update on whether changes have stayed in the back room – and how many more jobs are at risk.
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

Keeping up to date with the news just became a little easier. Available every weekday at 5am, tune in as Chelsea Daniels chats with the journalists and newsmakers, going behind the headlines to break down what you need to know on the biggest stories of the day. 

Keeping up to date with the news just became a little easier. Available every weekday at 5am, tune in as Chelsea Daniels chats with the journalists and newsmakers, going behind the headlines to break down what you need to know on the biggest stories of the day.

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

Public service cuts unlikely to slow down: How many jobs have been cut so far?

This Matariki is the third time the annual celebration has been an official public holiday.

But while this holiday is safe, the future of other public holidays – and annual leave in general – currently sits with Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden.

Van Velden is currently seeking feedback on suggested changes to the Holidays Act, with a draft proposal due in September – but, employee advocates are already sounding the alarm on what the refresh could mean for workers.

To discuss these changes with us, as well as her thoughts on public holidays, we’re joined now on The Front Page by Minister Brooke van Velden.

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

This Matariki is the third time the annual celebration has been an official public holiday.
But while this holiday is safe, the future of other public holidays – and annual leave in general – currently sits with Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden.
Van Velden is currently seeking feedback on suggested changes to the Holidays Act, with a draft proposal due in September – but, employee advocates are already sounding the alarm on what the refresh could mean for workers.
To discuss these changes with us, as well as her thoughts on public holidays, we’re joined now on The Front Page by Minister Brooke van Velden.
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

Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden on future of public holidays and Holidays Act

If you’ve been struggling with the cost of living, some good news is in store.

While Kiwis have to wait a few more weeks to see the Government’s tax cuts come through, from July 1st, parents, investment property owners and Auckland drivers are due for some relief.

It could all be short-lived though, with many councils eyeing major rates increases to tackle their flailing budgets.

Today on The Front Page, Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen to discuss the ongoing struggle with the cost of living and how these changes might help - and what impact the rates rises will have. 

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

If you’ve been struggling with the cost of living, some good news is in store.
While Kiwis have to wait a few more weeks to see the Government’s tax cuts come through, from July 1st, parents, investment property owners and Auckland drivers are due for some relief.
It could all be short-lived though, with many councils eyeing major rates increases to tackle their flailing budgets.
Today on The Front Page, Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen to discuss the ongoing struggle with the cost of living and how these changes might help - and what impact the rates rises will have. 
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

Cash boosts to provide relief from July 1 - will you benefit?

Over the last year, the term ‘atmospheric river’ has entered our daily vocabulary, as New Zealand sees more intense rainfall hit our shores.

From the Auckland anniversary floods, to two months worth of rain hitting the East Coast in just one day, the whole country seems susceptible to increased rainfall.

But is this really the case, and if so, what’s the cause?

Today on The Front Page, Dr Daniel Kingston from Otago University joins to discuss their latest research into the cause and effect of rainfall in this country.

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

Over the last year, the term ‘atmospheric river’ has entered our daily vocabulary, as New Zealand sees more intense rainfall hit our shores.
From the Auckland anniversary floods, to two months worth of rain hitting the East Coast in just one day, the whole country seems susceptible to increased rainfall.
But is this really the case, and if so, what’s the cause?
Today on The Front Page, Dr Daniel Kingston from Otago University joins to discuss their latest research into the cause and effect of rainfall in this country.
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

Public service cuts unlikely to slow down: How many jobs have been cut so far?

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