We are halfway through the year, but there have already been a number of confronting headlines about early childhood education providers in 2025. 

Earlier this year, the Herald ran a number of stories about children “escaping” from centres around the country. 

And in the last week, two coroners reports have come out highlighting tragic deaths that befell two young children. 

The news comes after a review by the Ministry of Regulation into ECEs and how they operate, with another review just announced by the Education Ministry into funding coming next. 

Today on The Front Page, we are discussing what’s happening with rules, regulations and funding with Dr Sarah Alexander, chief advisor to the Office of Early Childhood Education.  

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/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

We are halfway through the year, but there have already been a number of confronting headlines about early childhood education providers in 2025.&nbsp;
Earlier this year, the Herald ran a number of stories about children &ldquo;escaping&rdquo; from centres around the country.&nbsp;
And in the last week, two coroners reports have come out highlighting tragic deaths that befell two young children.&nbsp;
The news comes after a review by the Ministry of Regulation into ECEs and how they operate, with another review just announced by the Education Ministry into funding coming next.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;we are discussing what&rsquo;s happening with rules, regulations and funding with Dr Sarah Alexander, chief advisor to the Office of Early Childhood Education. &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 Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin 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.

Early Childhood Education: Are calls to cut regulations really what the sector needs? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6a549c46-9ab9-4857-b46d-b2ff0038341e/transcript

91 petrol is set to stay below $3 a litre for the fourth week in a row, and that means the $50 weekly fuel payment for working families should be coming to an end. 

The Government has always said any support would be timely, temporary and targeted — but with so much volatility in the Middle East, should it be extended? 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said she’ll take advice to Cabinet next week about extending the payment. 

But, there’s also the argument that this is all part of a bigger picture: New Zealand lagging behind other countries on EVs, solar and batteries. 

Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey joins us to unpack whether the fuel support should continue, and what New Zealand risks if it keeps moving too slowly on electrification. 

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

91 petrol is set to&nbsp;stay&nbsp;below $3 a&nbsp;litre&nbsp;for the fourth week in a row, and that means the $50 weekly fuel payment for working&nbsp;families should&nbsp;be&nbsp;coming&nbsp;to an end.&nbsp;
The Government has always said any support would be&nbsp;timely,&nbsp;temporary&nbsp;and targeted &mdash; but with so much volatility in the Middle East, should it be extended?&nbsp;
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said&nbsp;she&rsquo;ll&nbsp;take advice to Cabinet next week about extending the payment.&nbsp;
But,&nbsp;there&rsquo;s&nbsp;also the argument that this is all part of a bigger picture:&nbsp;New Zealand&nbsp;lagging behind&nbsp;other countries on EVs, solar and batteries.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey joins us to unpack whether the fuel support should continue, and what New Zealand risks if it keeps moving too slowly on electrification.&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

Should the Government extend fuel support as prices dip below $3?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0b602bb2-6e2f-4b0b-8407-b49500277f05/transcript

The National Party has promised to gradually extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected. 

That would see the entitlement lift to 27 weeks in next year’s Budget, before rising again in the following two Budgets. 

The announcement came days after NZ First candidate Stuart Nash resigned his candidacy after calling National MP Katie Nimon lazy for taking leave after having a baby. 

But, some commentators have said the plan doesn’t go far enough. 

Today on The Front Page, military veteran, leadership expert and founder of #workschoolhours movement, Dr Ellen Joan Ford joins us to unpack what the policy could mean for families, employers, and the wider debate about who should pay for it. 

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 National Party has promised to gradually extend paid parental leave from 26 to&nbsp;30 weeks&nbsp;by 2029 if re-elected.&nbsp;
That would see the entitlement lift to&nbsp;27 weeks&nbsp;in next year&rsquo;s Budget, before rising again in the following two Budgets.&nbsp;
The announcement came days after NZ First candidate Stuart Nash resigned his candidacy after calling National MP Katie Nimon lazy for taking leave after having a baby.&nbsp;
But,&nbsp;some commentators have said the plan&nbsp;doesn&rsquo;t&nbsp;go far enough.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;military veteran, leadership expert and founder of #workschoolhours movement,&nbsp;Dr Ellen Joan Ford joins us to&nbsp;unpack what the policy could mean for families, employers, and the wider debate about who should pay for it.&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

Critics say National's promise of 30 weeks parental leave isn't enough

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6df0be0b-a54f-4683-8200-b4940043ac72/transcript

The conflict in the Middle East is widening fast. 

Yemen's Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea - threatening to cut off a crucial route for the kingdom's oil exports. 

The price of oil has surpassed 100 US-dollars a barrel for the first time since May.  

Meanwhile the US has carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.   

So, what’s really going on here? Is this the start of a broader regional crisis, or are we seeing a dangerous standoff that could yet be contained? 

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us to unpack the stakes for global shipping, energy markets, and the risk of further escalation in the Middle East. 

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 conflict in the Middle East is widening fast.&nbsp;
Yemen's Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea - threatening to cut off a crucial route for the kingdom's oil exports.&nbsp;
The price of oil has surpassed 100 US-dollars a barrel for the first time since May.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Meanwhile the US has carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
So,&nbsp;what&rsquo;s&nbsp;really going on here? Is this the start of a broader regional crisis, or are we seeing a dangerous standoff that could yet be&nbsp;contained?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us to unpack the stakes for global shipping, energy markets, and the risk of further escalation in the Middle East.&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

Why a narrow strait could tip the Middle East crisis further

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2e573f73-3b0c-46bc-a67c-b4910042dece/transcript

Early Childhood Education: Are calls to cut regulations really what the sector needs?

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