Billions of dollars are spent on our benefit system every year. And every election, politicians debate fiercely about where we should be cutting or increasing contributions to make the system fairer. 

This topic is incredibly fraught given that some of the population will invariably be unemployed or simply unable to work at any given point. And as we’ve seen with the Reserve Bank’s moves this year, it sometimes even better for the economy when more people are unemployed.     

Hanging over all this is the giant spectre of superannuation, which our major political parties are never as eager to talk about as other benefits.  

So how do we make sense of the numbers while also making sure our population is looked after properly? 

Today, NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan runs through what our main parties think about this issue – and whether there’s any hope of consensus across the political divide.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D. Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

Billions of dollars are spent on our benefit system every year. And every election, politicians debate fiercely about where we should be cutting or increasing contributions to make the system fairer. 
This topic is incredibly fraught given that some of the population will invariably be unemployed or simply unable to work at any given point. And as we’ve seen with the Reserve Bank’s moves this year, it sometimes even better for the economy when more people are unemployed.     
Hanging over all this is the giant spectre of superannuation, which our major political parties are never as eager to talk about as other benefits.  
So how do we make sense of the numbers while also making sure our population is looked after properly? 
Today, NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan runs through what our main parties think about this issue – and whether there’s any hope of consensus across the political divide.
Host: Damien Venuto Producer: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

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.