The Super Rugby Pacific final is here, and the excitement is already at fever pitch.

Tickets for the decider on Saturday sold out in just 15 minutes, as the Hurricanes and Chiefs prepare to meet in Wellington in what shapes as one of the biggest rugby nights of the year.

So what makes this matchup so compelling? Which team has the edge, which players could define the contest, and what does the huge demand for tickets say about the state of rugby in New Zealand right now?

Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Rugby Direct podcast co-hosts the Herald’s Liam Napier and NewstalkZB’s Elliott Smith to break down the final, the key storylines, and why this game has captured so much attention.

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 Super Rugby Pacific final is here, and the excitement is already at fever pitch.
Tickets for the decider on Saturday sold out in just 15 minutes, as the Hurricanes and Chiefs prepare to meet in Wellington in what shapes as one of the biggest rugby nights of the year.
So what makes this matchup so compelling? Which team has the edge, which players could define the contest, and what does the huge demand for tickets say about the state of rugby in New Zealand right now?
Today on The Front Page, we&rsquo;re joined by Rugby Direct podcast co-hosts the Herald&rsquo;s Liam Napier and NewstalkZB&rsquo;s Elliott Smith to break down the final, the key storylines, and why this game has captured so much attention.
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.

How Hurricanes and Chiefs stack up for the title showdown

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/63526514-b992-46e6-83d7-b46e001978e4/transcript

Shane Jones’ controversial fisheries reform has been abandoned – for now.

The Oceans and Fisheries Minister told a select committee today that his “much-loved bill” would not be progressed in this term of government.

The Fisheries Amendment Bill had caused division within the coalition... changes to minimum legal-size limits for commercial fishing operators had to be walked back.

Other changes included plans to block the public from obtaining footage of fish dumping under the OIA.

Meanwhile, Jones has revealed that two orca were found dead as bycatch – the first recorded deaths of orcas in set nets in New Zealand.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah 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

Shane Jones&rsquo; controversial fisheries reform has been abandoned &ndash; for now.
The Oceans and Fisheries Minister told a select committee today that his &ldquo;much-loved bill&rdquo; would not be progressed in this term of government.
The Fisheries Amendment Bill had caused division within the coalition... changes to minimum legal-size limits for commercial fishing operators had to be walked back.
Other changes included plans to block the public from obtaining footage of fish dumping under the OIA.
Meanwhile, Jones has revealed that two orca were found dead as bycatch &ndash; the first recorded deaths of orcas in set nets in New Zealand.
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah 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

How Shane Jones’ fishing bill sank

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c470e1bd-097d-4beb-9a24-b46d004384d6/transcript

For years, New Zealand has spent big on infrastructure without always getting the results to match. 

Now, the Government's vowing to change that.

It’s supporting all 16 recommendations in the Infrastructure Commission's National Plan – a blueprint for how the country plans, funds, and delivers the things we all rely on. 

The 30-year plan includes a review of the Land Transport Fund and requires Crown entities to publish long-term investment plans.

Labour and the Greens are also backing it -- but the question remains whether this is the beginning of real reform, or just another ambitious plan on paper.

Today on The Front Page, Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett joins us to discuss what it all means.

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

For years, New Zealand has spent big on infrastructure without always getting the results to match.&nbsp;
Now, the Government's vowing to change that.
It&rsquo;s supporting all 16 recommendations in the Infrastructure Commission's National Plan &ndash; a blueprint for how the country plans, funds, and delivers the things we all rely on.&nbsp;
The 30-year plan includes a review of the Land Transport Fund and requires Crown entities to publish long-term investment plans.
Labour and the Greens are also backing it -- but the question remains whether this is the beginning of real reform, or just another ambitious plan on paper.
Today on The Front Page, Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett joins us to discuss what it all means.
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 plan that could reshape how New Zealand builds

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/20703d32-d5e2-44de-83ae-b46c0044ef67/transcript

Finance Minister Nicola Willis fronted a press conference on Sunday, complete with a black dossier labelled Labour's Hidden Bill, accusing the opposition of leaving an $18 billion funding gap in its plans. 

Since then, independent economists have also questioned Labour’s figures around their recently announced fare cap policy, saying the numbers don’t quite stack up.

Labour says the attack is a distraction while National says voters deserve answers. 

But beyond the numbers themselves, does this tell us something about how both major parties plan to fight the election campaign?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford joins us to unpack the battle over Labour's alleged hidden costs and what it reveals about the state of Election 2026. 

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.

Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

Finance Minister Nicola Willis fronted a press conference&nbsp;on&nbsp;Sunday,&nbsp;complete&nbsp;with a black dossier labelled&nbsp;Labour's Hidden Bill, accusing the opposition of leaving an $18 billion funding gap in its plans.&nbsp;
Since then, independent economists have also questioned Labour&rsquo;s figures around their recently announced fare cap policy, saying the numbers don&rsquo;t quite stack up.
Labour says the attack is a distraction while National says voters deserve answers.&nbsp;
But beyond the numbers themselves, does this tell us something about how both major parties plan to fight the election campaign?
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford&nbsp;joins us to unpack the battle over Labour's alleged hidden costs and what it reveals about the state of Election 2026.&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.
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

Can Labour afford its election promises?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a398a984-21d0-48eb-9458-b46b002acf69/transcript

How Hurricanes and Chiefs stack up for the title showdown

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