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 Government's announced a $1.2 billion gas transition loan scheme – a big bet on keeping some of New Zealand’s most gas hungry businesses afloat. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will guarantee 80% of each loan, with about $48 million set aside to cover potential losses. 
 
It’s being framed as a lifeline: help gas‑heavy manufacturers and processors stay open, protect jobs, and ease pressure on a shrinking and increasingly expensive fuel. 

But behind the headlines, big questions remain.

Who really benefits, who foots the bill, and will any of this cost creep its way into your power bill or tax bill? 

Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with us to unpack whether this scheme is an economic rescue mission, a political pivot, or something more complicated.

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 Government's&nbsp;announced a&nbsp;$1.2 billion&nbsp;gas transition loan&nbsp;scheme &ndash; a big bet on keeping some of New Zealand&rsquo;s most gas hungry businesses afloat.&nbsp;
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will guarantee 80% of each loan, with about $48 million set aside to cover potential losses.&nbsp; &nbsp; It&rsquo;s being framed as a lifeline: help&nbsp;gas‑heavy&nbsp;manufacturers and processors stay open, protect jobs, and ease pressure on a shrinking and increasingly expensive fuel.&nbsp;
But behind the headlines, big questions remain.
Who really benefits, who foots the bill, and will any of this cost creep its way into your power bill or tax bill?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with us to unpack whether this scheme is an economic rescue mission, a political pivot, or something more complicated.
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 the $1.2b gas loan gamble could reshape big industry’s energy use

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/62728916-6dbb-4ed5-9cb0-b456003addb2/transcript

Just weeks out from the end of greyhound racing in New Zealand, a secretive charter flight plan is raising eyebrows.

It’s understood a number of dogs are being prepped for a trip across the ditch before the sport’s banned here.

But, why now? What about the welfare of these animals? And is this just a last ditch effort to make some cash before it’s lights out for the industry.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah is with us to unpack what he’s uncovered, and what it says about the final days of greyhound racing in New Zealand.

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

Just weeks out from the end of greyhound racing in New Zealand, a secretive charter flight plan is raising eyebrows.
It&rsquo;s understood a number of dogs are being prepped for a trip across the ditch before the sport&rsquo;s banned here.
But, why now? What about the welfare of these animals? And is this just a last ditch effort to make some cash before it&rsquo;s lights out for the industry.
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah is with us to unpack what he&rsquo;s uncovered, and what it says about the final days of greyhound racing in New Zealand.
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

Secret greyhound charter plan emerges ahead of racing ban

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1963fc42-07a1-4b89-8b9c-b4550030667b/transcript

Football fever is about to hit Auckland like we’ve never seen before. 

Auckland FC is hosting the Grand Final at Go Media Stadium against Sydney FC on Saturday. 

It’s the first time New Zealand has hosted an A‑League decider, and the city is on the brink of a huge sporting moment. 

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB’s Weekend Sport host Jason Pine is with us to talk about how Auckland FC has reached meteoric heights, and what this final could mean for football in New Zealand. 

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

Football fever is about to hit Auckland like&nbsp;we&rsquo;ve&nbsp;never seen before.&nbsp;
Auckland FC is hosting the Grand Final at Go Media Stadium against Sydney FC&nbsp;on Saturday.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s&nbsp;the first time New Zealand has hosted an&nbsp;A‑League&nbsp;decider, and the city is on the brink of a huge sporting moment.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;Newstalk ZB&rsquo;s&nbsp;Weekend Sport&nbsp;host Jason Pine is with us to talk about how Auckland FC has reached meteoric heights, and what this final could mean for football in New Zealand.&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 Auckland FC has captured the city

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/417ccc6c-8114-460f-94cf-b45200200308/transcript

Get ready for the belt-tightening Budget 2026

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