The Government is set to cut billions of dollars from spending at the upcoming budget as a cost-saving measure in these tight financial conditions.

But what if there was a way to raise more revenue from existing industries?

Analysis from the Herald has looked at the ‘black market’ or the informal economy – the industries dominated by cash in hand methods of payment that pass by the tax system.

NZ Herald Head of Newsroom Data Chris Knox has run the numbers, and joins us today on The Front Page to talk through how much the country is missing out on.

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: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

The Government is set to cut billions of dollars from spending at the upcoming budget as a cost-saving measure in these tight financial conditions.
But what if there was a way to raise more revenue from existing industries?
Analysis from the Herald has looked at the &lsquo;black market&rsquo; or the informal economy &ndash; the industries dominated by cash in hand methods of payment that pass by the tax system.
NZ Herald Head of Newsroom Data Chris Knox has run the numbers, and joins us today on The Front Page to talk through how much the country is missing out on.
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: 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.

Gangs to tradies - How big is our 'informal economy' and how much tax are we missing out on?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bcf3bded-eef9-4a30-bfc5-b2d8002e096d/transcript

It seems the ongoing uncertainty of whether pumps will dry out has got people thinking greener.

As at April 12, there were 5,137 EVs registered this year – up 116% from the same time last year. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or PHEVs, are at an all-time high up 75% and Hybrids up 5%.

These kinds of numbers haven’t been seen since the Clean Car Discount/post-lockdown boom seen in 2023.

Sellers and auction sites are reporting hugely increased interest in zero-emissions cars; with good reason, because a typical EV might cost you as little as $10-15 to "fill" at home overnight.

But, before you Covid-style panic buy an electric vehicle, it might pay to do some homework first. Today on The Front Page, motoring expert Clive Matthew-Wilson.

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 seems the ongoing uncertainty of whether pumps will dry out has got people thinking greener.
As at April 12, there were 5,137 EVs registered this year &ndash; up 116% from the same time last year. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or PHEVs, are at an all-time high up 75% and Hybrids up 5%.
These kinds of numbers haven&rsquo;t been seen since the Clean Car Discount/post-lockdown boom seen in 2023.
Sellers and auction sites are reporting hugely increased interest in zero-emissions cars; with good reason, because a typical EV might cost you as little as $10-15 to "fill" at home overnight.
But, before you Covid-style panic buy an electric vehicle, it might pay to do some homework first. Today on The Front Page, motoring expert Clive Matthew-Wilson.
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

Are we buying the wrong cars in the fuel crisis EV boom?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8c0d4953-6188-4bd4-b71b-b42f00411a19/transcript

The Iranian military has threatened shipping in the Gulf, Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman if the US naval blockade continues.

The threats made by general Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi were apparently aired on Iranian state television.

Meanwhile, talks could resume as early as this week with NBC news reporting Trump has said the war was “very close to over” while Tehran has said messages were still being exchanged via Pakistan. 

Trump has also claimed that China is “very happy” about the situation – that was after Beijing labelled the US blockade “dangerous.” 

He also said that President Xi Jinping had agreed not to send weapons to Iran.

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us.

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 Iranian military has threatened shipping in the Gulf, Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman if the US naval blockade continues.
The threats made by general Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi were apparently aired on Iranian state television.
Meanwhile, talks could resume as early as this week with NBC news reporting Trump has said the war was &ldquo;very close to over&rdquo; while Tehran has said messages were still being exchanged via Pakistan.&nbsp;
Trump has also claimed that China is &ldquo;very happy&rdquo; about the situation &ndash; that was after Beijing labelled the US blockade &ldquo;dangerous.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He also said that President Xi Jinping had agreed not to send weapons to Iran.
Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us.
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 the Red Sea the world's next major trade chokepoint?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4397f92f-30a6-47ef-a675-b42e0048f6a1/transcript

Illicit tobacco is quietly taking hold across New Zealand.

A Retail NZ report warns the country could soon face the same violent black-market spiral seen in Australia.

It has found more than a quarter of smokers are using illicit tobacco - most sourced from China and the Middle East.

Some cartons are being sold for as little as 15 dollars - with supply controlled by organised crime groups.

So what’s driving this trade, and how serious is the threat?

Today on The Front Page, CEO Carolyn Young is with us to talk about the report’s findings and what action we need to take now.

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

Illicit tobacco is quietly taking hold across New Zealand.
A Retail NZ report warns the country could soon face the same violent black-market spiral seen in Australia.
It has found more than a quarter of smokers are using illicit tobacco - most sourced from China and the Middle East.
Some cartons are being sold for as little as 15 dollars - with supply controlled by organised crime groups.
So what&rsquo;s driving this trade, and how serious is the threat?
Today on The Front Page, CEO Carolyn Young is with us to talk about the report&rsquo;s findings and what action we need to take now.
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 illicit tobacco quietly grew to a quarter of all cigarettes sold here

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a356fd4b-73d4-4a5b-b6b3-b42d0043fcd2/transcript

Gangs to tradies - How big is our 'informal economy' and how much tax are we missing out on?

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