National Party MP Simon Bridges delivered his valedictory speech this week, drawing the curtain on a colourful political career that spanned 14 years, and more than a few scandals.

So what legacy does the former Opposition leader leave? And what does this mean for a National Party that has long struggled with diversity?   

Today, NZ Herald senior political reporter Thomas Coughlan joins Damien to talk about the tenure of this charming but flawed politician.  

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 / Producer: Damien Venuto
Producer / Editor: Shaun D Wilson

National Party MP Simon Bridges delivered his valedictory speech this week, drawing the curtain on a colourful political career that spanned 14 years, and more than a few scandals.
So what legacy does the former Opposition leader leave? And what does this mean for a National Party that has long struggled with diversity? &nbsp;&nbsp;
Today, NZ Herald senior political reporter Thomas Coughlan joins Damien to talk about the tenure of this charming but flawed politician. &nbsp; Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 / Producer: Damien Venuto Producer / Editor: Shaun D Wilson

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.

What made Simon Bridges such a dangerous political foe?

El Niño is set to hit New Zealand this winter. 

Global climate models show there’s a greater than 60% probability that this ‘event’ will be ‘strong’ by spring, with the potential to intensify later this year. 

But, what does this all actually mean? What happens when the ocean surface warms? And what does it mean for our weather? 

Today on The Front Page, Earth Sciences New Zealand and MetService meteorologist Jon Tunster is with us to make sense of it all.

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

El Ni&ntilde;o is set to hit New Zealand this winter.&nbsp;
Global climate models show&nbsp;there&rsquo;s&nbsp;a greater than 60% probability that this &lsquo;event&rsquo; will be &lsquo;strong&rsquo; by spring, with the potential to intensify later this year.&nbsp;
But,&nbsp;what does this all actually mean? What happens when the ocean surface warms?&nbsp;And what does&nbsp;it&nbsp;mean for our weather?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, Earth Sciences New Zealand and MetService meteorologist Jon Tunster is with us to make sense of it all.
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 rapid shift that could reshape New Zealand’s winter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ca1ad614-0ca1-4b20-a121-b43b0048c2ce/transcript

A new report suggests that New Zealand’s rapidly changing demographic make-up has reached a critical point.  

Within decades, a quarter of all New Zealanders could be 65 or older – a situation unheard of in our history.  

At the same time, migration patterns are shifting, cities like Auckland are absorbing most growth, and regional decline is accelerating. 

The Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures report argues these trends can no longer be managed as separate issues – we need a national population strategy to link housing, health, infrastructure and economic policy. 

Today on The Front Page, emeritus Professor Paul Spoonley unpacks the data, the risks of inaction, and what a credible strategy would look like for our cities, regions and prosperity. 

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

A new report suggests that New Zealand&rsquo;s rapidly changing demographic make-up has reached a critical point.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Within decades, a quarter of all New Zealanders could be 65 or older &ndash; a situation unheard of in our history.&nbsp;&nbsp;
At the same time, migration patterns are shifting, cities like Auckland are absorbing most growth, and regional decline is accelerating.&nbsp;
The&nbsp;Koi&nbsp;Tū&nbsp;Centre for Informed Futures&nbsp;report argues these trends can no longer be managed as separate issues &ndash; we need a national population strategy to link housing, health,&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;and economic policy.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;emeritus&nbsp;Professor Paul&nbsp;Spoonley&nbsp;unpacks the data, the risks of inaction, and what a credible strategy would look like for our cities,&nbsp;regions&nbsp;and prosperity.&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

Demographic time bomb: Report urges cross-party population strategy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e7113ade-a93d-4e24-ac0f-b43a004a57b3/transcript

The Finance Minister is adamant that New Zealand’s economic recovery has been delayed, but not derailed, by the war in Iran. 

Nicola Willis has shone a light on the country’s economic outlook in the lead up to next month’s budget. 

At the same time, Stats NZ data on the country’s productivity performance for the year to March 2025 shows our productivity continued to fall during what was a recessionary period for New Zealand. 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to take us through what this all means for our country’s economy, and for you. 

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&nbsp;Finance Minister&nbsp;is adamant that New Zealand&rsquo;s economic recovery has been delayed, but not derailed, by the war in Iran.&nbsp;
Nicola Willis has shone a light on the country&rsquo;s economic&nbsp;outlook in the lead up to next month&rsquo;s budget.&nbsp;
At the same time,&nbsp;Stats NZ&nbsp;data on the country&rsquo;s productivity&nbsp;performance for the year&nbsp;to March 2025&nbsp;shows our productivity continued to fall during what was a recessionary period for New Zealand.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to take us through what this all means for our country&rsquo;s economy, and for you.&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

How Iran’s war and oil shock could hit inflation, interest rates and jobs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e21e334c-b425-415c-858e-b4360037f86c/transcript

What made Simon Bridges such a dangerous political foe?

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