The future of KiwiRail is at risk of going off the rails.

There has been an exodus of directors from the Board following the early retirement of chairman David McLean, and the company has been under intense scrutiny of how it’s handled the Cook Strait ferry business.

So, what does the future hold for a state owned enterprise responsible for a significant part of our transport network? And is there a way to get its fortunes back on track?

Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by BusinessDesk Infrastructure Editor Oliver Lewis to dive into KiwiRail’s problems.

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: Georgina Campbell
Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

The future of KiwiRail is at risk of going off the rails.
There has been an exodus of directors from the Board following the early retirement of chairman David McLean, and the company has been under intense scrutiny of how it’s handled the Cook Strait ferry business.
So, what does the future hold for a state owned enterprise responsible for a significant part of our transport network? And is there a way to get its fortunes back on track?
Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by BusinessDesk Infrastructure Editor Oliver Lewis to dive into KiwiRail’s problems.
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: Georgina Campbell 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.

Ferry fails and board exodus: Is KiwiRail's future on the line?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/41627144-d161-4eef-9033-b1bc006d8278/transcript

While everyone counts the dollars and tries to make sense of Budget 2026 – there are thousands of public servants staring down losing their jobs.

In her pre-Budget speech, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced plans to slash the sector by about 8,700 roles by mid-2029.

The overhaul will also include reducing the number of government departments and increasing the use of AI.

The Public Service Association says the changes will further decimate public services, at a time when workers are already stretched to breaking point.

So, is this really about efficiency or is it just shrinking the state and hoping services will hold together? 

Today on The Front Page, Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons is with us to talk about what happens 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

While everyone counts the dollars and tries to make sense of Budget 2026 &ndash; there are thousands of public servants staring down losing their jobs.
In her pre-Budget speech, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced plans to slash the sector by about 8,700 roles by mid-2029.
The overhaul will also include reducing the number of government departments and increasing the use of AI.
The Public Service Association says the changes will further decimate public services, at a time when workers are already stretched to breaking point.
So, is this really about efficiency or is it just shrinking the&nbsp;state&nbsp;and hoping services will hold together?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons is with us&nbsp;to talk about what happens next.&nbsp;
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

Union warns of lasting damage from Budget 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4aa43f88-ea74-4361-b63b-b45800387927/transcript

Energy security. Financial security. International security. Social cohesion. 

These are the government’s priorities for Budget 2026 that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon laid out earlier this month.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says this Budget will lay out a clear plan. Where the country is now, where we're headed, and the road we'll take to get there.

So, what should we look out for? How does this position the Coalition for the election? Will the spending be worth the thousands of public sector jobs being cut to pay for it?

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago Honorary Research Fellow, Dr Michael Swanson, is with us for a pre-Budget 2026 chat.

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

Energy security. Financial security. International security. Social cohesion.&nbsp;
These are the government&rsquo;s priorities for Budget 2026 that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon laid out earlier this month.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says this Budget will lay out a clear plan. Where the country is now, where we're headed, and the road we'll take to get there.
So, what should we look out for? How does this position the Coalition for the election? Will the spending be worth the thousands of public sector jobs being cut to pay for it?
Today on The Front Page, University of Otago Honorary Research Fellow, Dr Michael Swanson, is with us for a pre-Budget 2026 chat.
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

Get ready for the belt-tightening Budget 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/04318486-9408-438b-b688-b457003b77a0/transcript

The Government's announced a $1.2 billion gas transition loan scheme – a big bet on keeping some of New Zealand’s most gas hungry businesses afloat. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will guarantee 80% of each loan, with about $48 million set aside to cover potential losses. 
 
It’s being framed as a lifeline: help gas‑heavy manufacturers and processors stay open, protect jobs, and ease pressure on a shrinking and increasingly expensive fuel. 

But behind the headlines, big questions remain.

Who really benefits, who foots the bill, and will any of this cost creep its way into your power bill or tax bill? 

Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with us to unpack whether this scheme is an economic rescue mission, a political pivot, or something more complicated.

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 Government's&nbsp;announced a&nbsp;$1.2 billion&nbsp;gas transition loan&nbsp;scheme &ndash; a big bet on keeping some of New Zealand&rsquo;s most gas hungry businesses afloat.&nbsp;
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will guarantee 80% of each loan, with about $48 million set aside to cover potential losses.&nbsp; &nbsp; It&rsquo;s being framed as a lifeline: help&nbsp;gas‑heavy&nbsp;manufacturers and processors stay open, protect jobs, and ease pressure on a shrinking and increasingly expensive fuel.&nbsp;
But behind the headlines, big questions remain.
Who really benefits, who foots the bill, and will any of this cost creep its way into your power bill or tax bill?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with us to unpack whether this scheme is an economic rescue mission, a political pivot, or something more complicated.
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

How the $1.2b gas loan gamble could reshape big industry’s energy use

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/62728916-6dbb-4ed5-9cb0-b456003addb2/transcript

Ferry fails and board exodus: Is KiwiRail's future on the line?

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