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

Last year ended with a promise of the largest economic reform in a generation.

It's when the Government unveiled its radical overhaul of resource management laws, which aims to cut the number of consents currently required by 40 to 50%.

Led by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, the move will see the decades-old RMA replaced with two laws – one focused on planning, and the other on environment protection.

They’re due to be passed by the end of this year, and operational by 2029.

But what does it all mean? And why has it taken so long to detangle this convoluted law if so many people agreed it needed to be done?

Today on The Front Page, Herald political editor, Thomas Coughlan, is with us to break it down.

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

Last year ended with a promise of the largest economic reform in a generation.
It's when the Government unveiled its radical overhaul of resource management laws, which aims to cut the number of consents currently required by 40 to 50%.
Led by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, the move will see the decades-old RMA replaced with two laws &ndash; one focused on planning, and the other on environment protection.
They&rsquo;re due to be passed by the end of this year, and operational by 2029.
But what does it all mean? And why has it taken so long to detangle this convoluted law if so many people agreed it needed to be done?
Today on The Front Page, Herald political editor, Thomas Coughlan, is with us to break it down.
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 the RMA is being scrapped (again) and what it means for your backyard

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ecb2e273-f90b-4364-bfec-b3d400289794/transcript

All Blacks head coach Scott 'Razor' Robertson is out of the role just two years into his four-year contract.

After reports of widespread frustration from players and staff and a damning internal review, questions remain – what went so wrong for Razor, what does this mean for our world cup campaign and who will have the job of cleaning up the mess?

The All Blacks drama spells the beginning of a huge year for sport.

2026 sees hopes of a record medal haul for New Zealand at the Winter Olympics, and a chance to cheer on the All Whites on the world stage.

And of course, we’re all curious to see how Netball NZ will rebuild public trust?

All this and more today on The Front Page, with Herald sports reporter Alex Powell.

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

All Blacks head coach Scott 'Razor' Robertson is out of the role just two years into his four-year contract.
After reports of widespread frustration from players and staff and a damning internal review, questions remain &ndash; what went so wrong for Razor, what does this mean for our world cup campaign and who will have the job of cleaning up the mess?
The All Blacks drama spells the beginning of a huge year for sport.
2026 sees hopes of a record medal haul for New Zealand at the Winter Olympics, and a chance to cheer on the All Whites on the world stage.
And of course, we&rsquo;re all curious to see how Netball NZ will rebuild public trust?
All this and more today on The Front Page, with Herald sports reporter Alex Powell.
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

What next for the All Blacks after Scott Robertson cut?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/288f04d6-bf1f-4423-8515-b3d300132896/transcript

From takeovers and sales to mergers and disputes, 2026 is lining up to be quite the year for the media world.

We might just start seeing some of the biggest changes in New Zealand media ownership in decades – well, that’s according to the Herald’s Media Insider Shayne Currie.

Last year, Currie predicted that at least one major media platform would close, a very high-profile TV broadcaster would leave their position, and that an “interesting new shareholder” would emerge at NZME – all became true.

But, what has he foreseen as he peers into his crystal ball ahead of this year?

Currie joins us now on The Front Page to talk everything ratings, advertising, broadcasting, and who will come out on top come election time.

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

From takeovers and sales to mergers and disputes, 2026 is lining up to be quite the year for the media world.
We might just start seeing some of the biggest changes in New Zealand media ownership in decades &ndash; well, that&rsquo;s according to the Herald&rsquo;s Media Insider Shayne Currie.
Last year, Currie predicted that at least one major media platform would close, a very high-profile TV broadcaster would leave their position, and that an &ldquo;interesting new shareholder&rdquo; would emerge at NZME &ndash; all became true.
But, what has he foreseen as he peers into his crystal ball ahead of this year?
Currie joins us now on The Front Page to talk everything ratings, advertising, broadcasting, and who will come out on top come election time.
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

Talent and takeovers: Media giants face year of sales, mergers and battles

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8b0025bb-2491-4b79-a9a5-b3d200305160/transcript

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

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