New Zealand may be a small country at the bottom of the world, but some of the major retail brands that we’ve heard about for decades have started eyeing up our islands. 

Costco, Ikea, and a range of fashion brands are amongst the global icons heading our way soon. But why are they choosing to open here now, and what does it mean for local businesses?

Today, NZ Herald business reporter Aimee Shaw joins Damien for a rundown on the stores setting up shop in New Zealand, and Auckland University marketing professor Bodo Lang explains why these international brands are setting up shop here. 

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: Damien Venuto
Editor/Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

New Zealand may be a small country at the bottom of the world, but some of the major retail brands that we’ve heard about for decades have started eyeing up our islands. 
Costco, Ikea, and a range of fashion brands are amongst the global icons heading our way soon. But why are they choosing to open here now, and what does it mean for local businesses?
Today, NZ Herald business reporter Aimee Shaw joins Damien for a rundown on the stores setting up shop in New Zealand, and Auckland University marketing professor Bodo Lang explains why these international brands are setting up shop here. 
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: Damien Venuto Editor/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.

Why major global brands are flocking to New Zealand

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

Sales volumes have continued to decline across New Zealand’s housing market.

It marks a third consecutive monthly fall and extends the subdued start to 2026 – even as property values remain broadly stable.

But beneath the surface, the picture is uneven.

Auckland remains soft, first home buyers are propping up demand, and the rental market is showing signs of strain.

At the same time, global uncertainty and inflation risks are starting to cloud the outlook.

Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to unpack what’s really happening in the housing market, and what could come next.

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

Sales volumes have continued to decline across New Zealand&rsquo;s housing market.
It marks a third consecutive monthly fall and extends the subdued start to 2026 &ndash; even as property values remain broadly stable.
But beneath the surface, the picture is uneven.
Auckland remains soft, first home buyers are propping up demand, and the rental market is showing signs of strain.
At the same time, global uncertainty and inflation risks are starting to cloud the outlook.
Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to unpack what&rsquo;s really happening in the housing market, and what could come next.
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

NZ house sales keep falling as first-home buyers drive demand

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/15560dc5-4a4f-4a27-a722-b4350049a839/transcript

Why major global brands are flocking to New Zealand

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