The Prime Minister is in damage control mode after telling struggling business owners in Rotorua to “be adult”. 

Christopher Luxon made the remarks at a business event, and they’ve sparked a fierce backlash. 

He’s since had to apologise after being labelled out of touch and patronising. 

So, is this a gaffe that’ll keep haunting him, or just a bad week in a challenging political environment? And what does it say about how the Government sees its role in supporting or stepping back from struggling businesses? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Chief Political Reporter Jamie Ensor joins us to break down how National’s caucus is reacting, and what 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

The Prime Minister&nbsp;is in damage control mode after telling struggling business owners in Rotorua to &ldquo;be&nbsp;adult&rdquo;.&nbsp;
Christopher Luxon made the remarks at a&nbsp;business event,&nbsp;and&nbsp;they&rsquo;ve&nbsp;sparked a fierce backlash.&nbsp;
He&rsquo;s&nbsp;since had to&nbsp;apologise&nbsp;after being labelled out of touch and&nbsp;patronising.&nbsp;
So, is this a gaffe&nbsp;that&rsquo;ll&nbsp;keep haunting him, or just a bad week in a challenging political environment? And what does it say about how the Government sees its role in supporting or stepping back from struggling businesses?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;NZ Herald Chief Political Reporter Jamie Ensor joins us to break down how National&rsquo;s caucus is reacting, and&nbsp;what 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

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 Luxon repair the damage with small business before the election?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b855c73a-c898-44a1-9771-b49c00238fe7/transcript

Unemployment has risen again – and it’s worse than everyone expected. 

Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate increased to 5.6 percent in the June quarter. 

That's up from 5.4 percent in the March quarter and it's slighter higher than most economists were predicting. 

So, what does that mean? Should we panic? Or is this just part and parcel of an economy in recovery? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to break down the numbers and what it means for our future.

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

Unemployment has risen again&nbsp;&ndash; and&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;worse than everyone expected.&nbsp;
Stats&nbsp;NZ figures show the unemployment rate increased to 5.6 percent in the June quarter.&nbsp;
That's&nbsp;up from 5.4&nbsp;percent in the March&nbsp;quarter&nbsp;and&nbsp;it's&nbsp;slighter higher than most economists were predicting.&nbsp;
So, what does that mean? Should we panic? Or is this just&nbsp;part and parcel&nbsp;of an economy in recovery?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to break down the numbers and what it means for our future.
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

Is 5.6% unemployment just the start of a longer slump?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3da21ac4-5ccf-42f7-b2d6-b49d003fdbb3/transcript

Act wants to give teachers the legal power to remove disruptive students from the classroom. 

Staff would be able to use “reasonable force” to do so – and there’d be a mandatory stand-down or suspension for any students who assaulted another student, teacher, or staff member. 

Parents would be required to attend a meeting – if they don’t rock up, they could be fined $300 for a first offence, rising to $3000 for repeat offenses.  

But just how big is the problem here? Are classrooms really this disrupted and would these changes actually help? 

Today on The Front Page, Post Primary Teachers’ Association president Chris Abercrombie is with us to unpack what’s happening in schools, and whether this plan would make a difference or risk making things worse. 

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

Act&nbsp;wants to give teachers the legal power to remove disruptive students from the classroom.&nbsp;
Staff would be able to use &ldquo;reasonable force&rdquo; to do so &ndash; and&nbsp;there&rsquo;d&nbsp;be a mandatory&nbsp;stand-down or suspension for any students who assaulted another student, teacher, or staff member.&nbsp;
Parents would&nbsp;be required&nbsp;to attend a meeting &ndash; if they&nbsp;don&rsquo;t&nbsp;rock up, they could be fined $300 for a first offence, rising to $3000 for repeat offenses.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But just how big is the problem here? Are classrooms really this&nbsp;disrupted and&nbsp;would these changes&nbsp;actually help?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;Post Primary Teachers&rsquo; Association president Chris Abercrombie is with us&nbsp;to unpack&nbsp;what&rsquo;s&nbsp;happening in schools, and whether this plan would make a difference&nbsp;or risk making things worse.&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

‘It’s a stupid policy’: Union slams Act’s proposal to remove disruptive students

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ae401843-7b07-4ee0-be6c-b49b002c40af/transcript

It’s a battle of the islands to become New Zealand’s economic engine room.

All eight South Island Chambers of Commerce have launched a joint election manifesto highlighting their $100 billion contribution to the economy.

They’re calling for more investment and productivity with the goal of lifting South Island GDP per capita to $130,000 by 2035.

Representing around 7000 businesses, it’s the first time they’ve all come together to push for political parties to pay closer attention to the south.

Today on The Front Page, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson is with us to explain why the South Island wants to move ahead of the national average, not just keep up, and what it will take to get there.

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 a battle of the islands to become New Zealand&rsquo;s economic engine room.
All eight South Island Chambers of Commerce have launched a joint election manifesto highlighting their $100 billion contribution to the economy.
They&rsquo;re calling for more investment and productivity with the goal of lifting South Island GDP per capita to $130,000 by 2035.
Representing around 7000 businesses, it&rsquo;s the first time they&rsquo;ve all come together to push for political parties to pay closer attention to the south.
Today on The Front Page, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson is with us to explain why the South Island wants to move ahead of the national average, not just keep up, and what it will take to get there.
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 South Island’s economic power play ahead of Election 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e49680e9-cb4c-4d77-bba4-b4980026fd32/transcript

Can Luxon repair the damage with small business before the election?

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