Could we FINALLY be at an economic turning point?  

Westpac economists have forecast the economy will return to growth in the current quarter. 

They reckon there'll be 2.1% growth across 2026 – even picking up to 3% next year ... with exports and tourism doing the heavy lifting. 

So, are we out of the woods - or is this just a brief respite before the next shock? 

Today on The Front Page, Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold joins us to break down what it means for your wallet, your job, your mortgage – and whether this recovery is for real. 

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

Could we FINALLY be at an economic turning point?&nbsp;&nbsp;
Westpac economists have forecast the economy will return to growth in the current quarter.&nbsp;
They reckon there'll be 2.1% growth across 2026 &ndash; even picking up to 3% next year ... with exports and tourism doing the heavy lifting.&nbsp;
So, are we out of the woods - or is this just a brief respite before the next shock?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold joins us to break down what it means for your wallet, your job, your mortgage &ndash; and whether this recovery is for real.&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

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.

Is this finally the economic turning point New Zealand has been waiting for?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/345e3adb-abd6-45e4-98f8-b4b3003f8e5a/transcript

Searches continue through the devastation in Nepal after a catastrophic flash flood. 

More than 389 people have been killed and there are reportedly 1300 people missing, including at least 700 foreigners from two dozen countries. 

Our officials understand at least five New Zealanders are believed to have been impacted. 

Rescuers are battling severe conditions as they race to find survivors.  

Today on The Front Page, World Vision international external engagement and strategy director Uma Mager joins us from Nepal to give an update about what it's like on the ground, and more importantly what we can all do to help.

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

Searches continue through the devastation in Nepal&nbsp;after&nbsp;a&nbsp;catastrophic flash flood.&nbsp;
More than 389 people have been killed and there are reportedly&nbsp;1300 people missing, including at least 700 foreigners from two dozen countries.&nbsp;
Our officials understand at least five New Zealanders are believed to have been impacted.&nbsp;
Rescuers are battling severe conditions as they race to find survivors.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, World Vision international external engagement and strategy director Uma Mager joins us from Nepal to give an update about what it's like on the ground, and more importantly what we can all do to help.
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

Inside the desperate response to Nepal’s devastating floods

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6987e1cd-56ff-4487-973d-b4b40033450e/transcript

The Government wants to force councils to keep rate hikes at a maximum 4% from 2029. 

Councils would be expected to prepare for the change from next July. 

Local Government Minister Simon Watts has said it'll ease cost-of-living pressures and get councils back to basics. 

But, what will a lower income coming in mean for our core services? And how do we get councils to spend more wisely? 

Local Government New Zealand reckons councils can't be expected to deliver more infrastructure and support growth with fewer levers. 

Today on The Front Page, the Taxpayer's Union's Jordan Williams is with us to walk through the numbers and what our rates bills might look like in future. 

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 wants to force councils to keep rate hikes at a maximum 4% from 2029.&nbsp;
Councils would be expected to prepare for the change from next July.&nbsp;
Local Government Minister Simon Watts has said it'll ease cost-of-living pressures and get councils back to basics.&nbsp;
But, what will a lower income coming in mean for our core services? And how do we get councils to spend more wisely?&nbsp;
Local Government New Zealand reckons councils can't be expected to deliver more infrastructure and support growth with fewer levers.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, the Taxpayer's Union's Jordan Williams is with us to walk through the numbers and what our rates bills might look like in future.&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
&nbsp;

Can councils deliver more with less under a 4% rates limit?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/287a6204-cf23-498a-88ef-b4b200435827/transcript

The Government's pushing ahead with banning social media for under-16s. 

It mirrors rules that took effect in Australia last year - requiring the likes of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to bring in stronger age verification. 

If they don't, the social media giants could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue. 

But coalition partners Act and NZ First both agree to disagree with it - and Christopher Luxon has admitted the bill won't get a look-in before the election.  

So, what's the point? Will these measures even work? And what are the risks of getting it wrong? 

Today on The Front Page, Tech Users Association of New Zealand CEO Craig Young is with us to break down the bill, how age checks would actually work, and what we can learn from overseas experience.

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 pushing ahead with banning social media for under-16s.&nbsp;
It mirrors rules that took effect in Australia last year - requiring the likes of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube&nbsp;to bring in stronger age verification.&nbsp;
If they don't, the social media giants could face fines of up to 10% of their&nbsp;global revenue.&nbsp;
But coalition partners Act and NZ First both agree to disagree with it&nbsp;- and Christopher Luxon has admitted the bill won't get a look-in before the election.&nbsp;&nbsp;
So, what's the point? Will these measures even work? And what are the risks of getting it wrong?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, Tech Users Association of New Zealand CEO Craig Young is with us to break down the bill, how age checks would actually work, and what we can learn from overseas experience.
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 banning social media the best way to protect children online?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a4c3d930-ca26-4fa5-949d-b4b100322868/transcript

Is this finally the economic turning point New Zealand has been waiting for?

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