Energy security. Financial security. International security. Social cohesion. 

These are the government’s priorities for Budget 2026 that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon laid out earlier this month.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says this Budget will lay out a clear plan. Where the country is now, where we're headed, and the road we'll take to get there.

So, what should we look out for? How does this position the Coalition for the election? Will the spending be worth the thousands of public sector jobs being cut to pay for it?

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago Honorary Research Fellow, Dr Michael Swanson, is with us for a pre-Budget 2026 chat.

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

Energy security. Financial security. International security. Social cohesion.&nbsp;
These are the government&rsquo;s priorities for Budget 2026 that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon laid out earlier this month.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says this Budget will lay out a clear plan. Where the country is now, where we're headed, and the road we'll take to get there.
So, what should we look out for? How does this position the Coalition for the election? Will the spending be worth the thousands of public sector jobs being cut to pay for it?
Today on The Front Page, University of Otago Honorary Research Fellow, Dr Michael Swanson, is with us for a pre-Budget 2026 chat.
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.

Get ready for the belt-tightening Budget 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/04318486-9408-438b-b688-b457003b77a0/transcript

The Fast-track Approvals Act has been in force since December 2024, and it was sold as a simpler, faster way to get projects moving. 

Since then, it’s been tied to everything from new homes to aquaculture, farming projects, roads and public transport, but it’s also drawn plenty of criticism along the way. 

NZ First is still pushing for Ministers to have the final say on what gets approved, despite that idea facing strong pushback through the select committee process. 

And now we’re seeing some of the real-world fallout, with projects like a controversial 1200-home development in Ōrewa raising questions about infrastructure, cost, and who ultimately pays. 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford is with us to unpack 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 Fast-track Approvals Act has been in force since December 2024, and it was sold as a simpler, faster way to get projects moving.&nbsp;
Since then,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;been tied to everything from new homes to aquaculture, farming projects,&nbsp;roads&nbsp;and public transport, but&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;also drawn plenty of criticism along the way.&nbsp;
NZ First is still pushing for Ministers to have the final say on what gets approved, despite that idea facing strong pushback through the select committee process.&nbsp;
And now&nbsp;we&rsquo;re&nbsp;seeing some of the real-world fallout, with projects like a controversial 1200-home development in&nbsp;Ōrewa&nbsp;raising questions about infrastructure, cost, and who&nbsp;ultimately pays.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford is with us to&nbsp;unpack 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

Is the Fast-track Act delivering growth or creating problems?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ce68a8df-f45c-4091-9c91-b48f002e636b/transcript

Inflation has hit 4.1% - the highest level in more than two years.

Economists had expected it surge to somewhere between 3.9 and 4.1 percent. 

However, the end result is well below some previous forecasts, which reached 4.9%. 

If we ignored the surging fuel prices, Westpac economists reckon inflation would be about 2.8 percent. 

So what does this actually mean for the cost of living, for interest rates, and for the story of the New Zealand economy in 2026? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to unpack how we got to 4.1%, what’s really driving the numbers, and what comes next for households, businesses, and the path back to stable prices.

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

Inflation has hit 4.1% - the highest level in more than two years.
Economists had expected it&nbsp;surge to&nbsp;somewhere&nbsp;between 3.9&nbsp;and&nbsp;4.1 percent.&nbsp;
However,&nbsp;the end result&nbsp;is well below some&nbsp;previous&nbsp;forecasts, which reached 4.9%.&nbsp;
If we ignored the surging fuel prices, Westpac economists reckon inflation would be about 2.8 percent.&nbsp;
So&nbsp;what does this&nbsp;actually mean&nbsp;for the cost of living, for interest rates, and for the story of the New Zealand economy in 2026?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to unpack how we got to 4.1%, what&rsquo;s really driving the numbers, and what comes next for households, businesses, and the path back to stable prices.
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 inflation is up again and what’s really driving it

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4b9fb7d6-f8d6-4470-afe5-b48e00356483/transcript

Spain have beaten Argentina to win the Fifa World Cup for the second time in history.  

It caps off a tournament that delivered drama on the pitch – and a long list of controversies off it. 

From sky‑high ticket prices and visa headaches, to political grandstanding and fresh questions over Fifa’s priorities, many fans are wondering whether this World Cup was still about the football – or about power and money. 

So what does the tournament tell us about where the global game is heading – and where to from here for the world’s biggest sporting event? 

Today on The Front Page, we speak to NZ Herald sports journalists, Michael Burgess and Nathan Limm to unpack Spain’s triumph, the controversies that overshadowed 2026, and the future of the World Cup.  

Spain&nbsp;have beaten Argentina to win the Fifa World Cup for the second time in history.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It caps off a tournament that delivered drama on the pitch &ndash; and&nbsp;a long list&nbsp;of controversies off it.&nbsp;
From&nbsp;sky‑high&nbsp;ticket prices and visa headaches, to political grandstanding and fresh questions over Fifa&rsquo;s priorities, many fans are wondering whether this World Cup was still about the football &ndash; or about power and money.&nbsp;
So&nbsp;what does&nbsp;the tournament tell us about where the global game is heading &ndash; and where to from here for the world&rsquo;s biggest sporting event?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;we speak to NZ Herald&nbsp;sports journalists, Michael&nbsp;Burgess&nbsp;and Nathan Limm&nbsp;to&nbsp;unpack Spain&rsquo;s triumph, the controversies that overshadowed 2026, and the future of the World Cup.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Spain lifted the Fifa World Cup trophy - but did controversy steal the show?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ac5953f2-d692-47e9-a4c7-b48d004b2181/transcript

Get ready for the belt-tightening Budget 2026

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