Labour has unveiled its first major policy announcement since the Budget, promising to cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in the main centres. But is this really just a transport policy, or the first glimpse of a broader election strategy?

Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths joins Richard Martin to break down what the announcement says about Labour's campaign, whether the numbers stack up and why cost of living is shaping up as the key battleground.

They also discuss the controversy surrounding Labour's newest candidate, the scrutiny over Chris Hipkins' holiday home mortgage and whether the Opposition leader is entering the election campaign in a stronger position than many expected.

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

Labour has unveiled its first major policy announcement since the Budget, promising to cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in the main centres. But is this really just a transport policy, or the first glimpse of a broader election strategy?
Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths joins Richard Martin to break down what the announcement says about Labour's campaign, whether the numbers stack up and why cost of living is shaping up as the key battleground.
They also discuss the controversy surrounding Labour's newest candidate, the scrutiny over Chris Hipkins' holiday home mortgage and whether the Opposition leader is entering the election campaign in a stronger position than many expected.
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

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 does the fare cap policy tell us about Labour's campaign strategy?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9f74f8de-bcb5-4aca-99be-b465003cec29/transcript

A few months ago, the Government said New Zealanders could end up helping fund a new LNG import terminal through their power bills. Now it's changed its mind. 

As of today, the customer levy is gone, but the plan to import liquefied natural gas as a backup for dry years is still very much alive. 

So why the backdown and who ultimately will end up paying?  

And with LNG now being described as the fastest and most flexible option available by 2028, is this the best solution for New Zealand's dry-year problem, or just the quickest one on the table? 

Today we're joined by New Zealand Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford to discuss the politics, economics and energy security questions behind one of the Government's biggest infrastructure bets. 

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

 

A few months ago, the Government said New Zealanders could end up helping fund a new LNG import terminal through their power bills. Now&nbsp;it's&nbsp;changed its mind.&nbsp;
As of today, the customer&nbsp;levy is gone, but the plan to import liquefied natural gas as a backup for dry years is&nbsp;still&nbsp;very much alive.&nbsp;
So why the backdown&nbsp;and who&nbsp;ultimately will&nbsp;end&nbsp;up paying?&nbsp;&nbsp;
And with LNG now being described as the fastest and most flexible&nbsp;option&nbsp;available by 2028, is this the best solution for New Zealand's dry-year problem, or just the quickest one on the table?&nbsp;
Today&nbsp;we're&nbsp;joined by&nbsp;New Zealand Herald senior correspondent&nbsp;Katie Bradford to&nbsp;discuss&nbsp;the politics,&nbsp;economics&nbsp;and energy security questions behind one of the Government's biggest infrastructure bets.&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
&nbsp;

Why the Government dropped its power bill levy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/02f6aa08-4bf4-4690-adb5-b4640021d516/transcript

Auckland is supposed to be moving again. 

The City Rail Link is almost here, the CBD is looking better, and there’s been a lot of talk about the economy finally turning a corner. 

But for many Aucklanders, it still doesn’t feel like a recovery. 

New figures show the value of building work in Auckland has fallen sharply, with non-residential construction taking a major hit. And when construction slows down, it doesn’t just affect developers. It affects jobs, confidence, businesses, the city centre, and the wider economy. 

So, is Auckland’s construction slump one reason the country’s biggest city still feels stuck? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor-at-large Liam Dann joins us to explain what’s happening, why it matters, and whether there’s any sign of momentum returning. 

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

Auckland is supposed to be moving again.&nbsp;
The City Rail Link is almost here, the CBD is looking better, and there&rsquo;s been a lot of talk about the economy finally turning a corner.&nbsp;
But for many Aucklanders, it still&nbsp;doesn&rsquo;t&nbsp;feel like a recovery.&nbsp;
New figures show the value of building work in Auckland has fallen sharply, with non-residential construction taking a major hit. And when construction slows down, it&nbsp;doesn&rsquo;t&nbsp;just affect developers. It affects jobs, confidence, businesses, the city centre, and the wider economy.&nbsp;
So, is Auckland&rsquo;s construction slump one reason the country&rsquo;s biggest city still feels stuck?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor-at-large Liam Dann joins us to explain&nbsp;what&rsquo;s&nbsp;happening, why it matters, and whether&nbsp;there&rsquo;s&nbsp;any sign of momentum returning.&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

Why Auckland’s economic recovery seems continually out of reach

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6cebb960-d24b-4200-99a9-b463002d5214/transcript

Four New Zealand MPs who visited Taiwan last month have been banned from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau for a year.

National's Maureen Pugh, Labour's Duncan Webb, ACT's Laura McClure and NZ First's David Wilson were visiting as part of a cross-party Parliamentary group to improve relations with Taiwan.

The Chinese embassy has said the ban could be reduced or waived with an apology.

It’s the first time China has imposed such a move-- so does this mark a turning point in China–New Zealand relations, or is it a targeted, symbolic strike that won’t fundamentally change anything?

Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington Contemporary China Research Centre director Jason Young is with us to unpack what’s behind China’s decision, why it happened now, and what the backlash could mean for our future relationship with Beijing.

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

Four New Zealand MPs who visited Taiwan last month have been banned from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau for a year.
National's Maureen Pugh, Labour's Duncan Webb, ACT's Laura McClure and NZ First's David Wilson were visiting as part of a cross-party Parliamentary group to improve relations with Taiwan.
The Chinese embassy has said the ban could be reduced or waived with an apology.
It&rsquo;s the first time China has imposed such a move-- so does this mark a turning point in China&ndash;New Zealand relations, or is it a targeted, symbolic strike that won&rsquo;t fundamentally change anything?
Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington Contemporary China Research Centre director Jason Young is with us to unpack what&rsquo;s behind China&rsquo;s decision, why it happened now, and what the backlash could mean for our future relationship with Beijing.
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 Taiwan is testing New Zealand’s relationship with China

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e9916df2-5555-4fdc-8f1d-b4600031bcf0/transcript

What does the fare cap policy tell us about Labour's campaign strategy?

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