The conflict in the Middle East is widening fast. 

Yemen's Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea - threatening to cut off a crucial route for the kingdom's oil exports. 

The price of oil has surpassed 100 US-dollars a barrel for the first time since May.  

Meanwhile the US has carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.   

So, what’s really going on here? Is this the start of a broader regional crisis, or are we seeing a dangerous standoff that could yet be contained? 

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us to unpack the stakes for global shipping, energy markets, and the risk of further escalation in the Middle East. 

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 conflict in the Middle East is widening fast.&nbsp;
Yemen's Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea - threatening to cut off a crucial route for the kingdom's oil exports.&nbsp;
The price of oil has surpassed 100 US-dollars a barrel for the first time since May.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Meanwhile the US has carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
So,&nbsp;what&rsquo;s&nbsp;really going on here? Is this the start of a broader regional crisis, or are we seeing a dangerous standoff that could yet be&nbsp;contained?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us to unpack the stakes for global shipping, energy markets, and the risk of further escalation in the Middle East.&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.

Why a narrow strait could tip the Middle East crisis further

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2e573f73-3b0c-46bc-a67c-b4910042dece/transcript

New Zealand’s housing market remains firmly in buyers’ favour. 

Sales activity is continuing to weaken and property values are showing little sign of a broad-based recovery. 

But, while first-home buyers remain active, investors are pulling back, with some wary of what a shifting political and tax environment could mean for returns. 

So, what’s really going on here? Is this just a subdued patch, or a market that’s lost its heat for longer? 

Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to unpack where housing stands right now, and what it all means for buyers, sellers and investors. 

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

New Zealand&rsquo;s housing market&nbsp;remains&nbsp;firmly in buyers&rsquo;&nbsp;favour.&nbsp;
Sales activity is continuing to&nbsp;weaken&nbsp;and property values are showing little sign of a broad-based recovery.&nbsp;
But,&nbsp;while first-home buyers&nbsp;remain&nbsp;active, investors are pulling back, with some wary of what a shifting political and tax environment could mean for returns.&nbsp;
So, what&rsquo;s really going on here? Is this just a subdued patch, or a market that&rsquo;s lost its heat for longer?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;Cotality&nbsp;NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to&nbsp;unpack where housing stands right now, and what it all means for buyers,&nbsp;sellers&nbsp;and investors.&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

Is now the best time for first-home buyers to act?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c17fea77-ce8c-4fb4-8fbb-b490002557bb/transcript

The Fast-track Approvals Act has been in force since December 2024, and it was sold as a simpler, faster way to get projects moving. 

Since then, it’s been tied to everything from new homes to aquaculture, farming projects, roads and public transport, but it’s also drawn plenty of criticism along the way. 

NZ First is still pushing for Ministers to have the final say on what gets approved, despite that idea facing strong pushback through the select committee process. 

And now we’re seeing some of the real-world fallout, with projects like a controversial 1200-home development in Ōrewa raising questions about infrastructure, cost, and who ultimately pays. 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford is with us to unpack it. 

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 Fast-track Approvals Act has been in force since December 2024, and it was sold as a simpler, faster way to get projects moving.&nbsp;
Since then,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;been tied to everything from new homes to aquaculture, farming projects,&nbsp;roads&nbsp;and public transport, but&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;also drawn plenty of criticism along the way.&nbsp;
NZ First is still pushing for Ministers to have the final say on what gets approved, despite that idea facing strong pushback through the select committee process.&nbsp;
And now&nbsp;we&rsquo;re&nbsp;seeing some of the real-world fallout, with projects like a controversial 1200-home development in&nbsp;Ōrewa&nbsp;raising questions about infrastructure, cost, and who&nbsp;ultimately pays.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford is with us to&nbsp;unpack it.&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

Is the Fast-track Act delivering growth or creating problems?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ce68a8df-f45c-4091-9c91-b48f002e636b/transcript

Inflation has hit 4.1% - the highest level in more than two years.

Economists had expected it surge to somewhere between 3.9 and 4.1 percent. 

However, the end result is well below some previous forecasts, which reached 4.9%. 

If we ignored the surging fuel prices, Westpac economists reckon inflation would be about 2.8 percent. 

So what does this actually mean for the cost of living, for interest rates, and for the story of the New Zealand economy in 2026? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to unpack how we got to 4.1%, what’s really driving the numbers, and what comes next for households, businesses, and the path back to stable prices.

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

Inflation has hit 4.1% - the highest level in more than two years.
Economists had expected it&nbsp;surge to&nbsp;somewhere&nbsp;between 3.9&nbsp;and&nbsp;4.1 percent.&nbsp;
However,&nbsp;the end result&nbsp;is well below some&nbsp;previous&nbsp;forecasts, which reached 4.9%.&nbsp;
If we ignored the surging fuel prices, Westpac economists reckon inflation would be about 2.8 percent.&nbsp;
So&nbsp;what does this&nbsp;actually mean&nbsp;for the cost of living, for interest rates, and for the story of the New Zealand economy in 2026?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to unpack how we got to 4.1%, what&rsquo;s really driving the numbers, and what comes next for households, businesses, and the path back to stable prices.
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 inflation is up again and what’s really driving it

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4b9fb7d6-f8d6-4470-afe5-b48e00356483/transcript

Why a narrow strait could tip the Middle East crisis further

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