Finance Minister Nicola Willis fronted a press conference on Sunday, complete with a black dossier labelled Labour's Hidden Bill, accusing the opposition of leaving an $18 billion funding gap in its plans. 

Since then, independent economists have also questioned Labour’s figures around their recently announced fare cap policy, saying the numbers don’t quite stack up.

Labour says the attack is a distraction while National says voters deserve answers. 

But beyond the numbers themselves, does this tell us something about how both major parties plan to fight the election campaign?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford joins us to unpack the battle over Labour's alleged hidden costs and what it reveals about the state of Election 2026. 

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.

Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

Finance Minister Nicola Willis fronted a press conference&nbsp;on&nbsp;Sunday,&nbsp;complete&nbsp;with a black dossier labelled&nbsp;Labour's Hidden Bill, accusing the opposition of leaving an $18 billion funding gap in its plans.&nbsp;
Since then, independent economists have also questioned Labour&rsquo;s figures around their recently announced fare cap policy, saying the numbers don&rsquo;t quite stack up.
Labour says the attack is a distraction while National says voters deserve answers.&nbsp;
But beyond the numbers themselves, does this tell us something about how both major parties plan to fight the election campaign?
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford&nbsp;joins us to unpack the battle over Labour's alleged hidden costs and what it reveals about the state of Election 2026.&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.
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

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.

Can Labour afford its election promises?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a398a984-21d0-48eb-9458-b46b002acf69/transcript