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With just days to go until election day, hundreds of thousands of eligible New Zealanders could find themselves unable to have their say.  The rules governing this year’s election have undergone their biggest overhaul since MMP was introduced.  The Electoral Amendment Act 2025 has restricted the advance voting period to a 12-day window until the day before the election, with voter enrolment closing 13 days out.  Previously, voters could enroll or update their details until the day before election day by casting a special vote, except in 2020 and 2023, when same-day enrolment was allowed.  So, is this a sensible change, or a threat to our democratic process? And with voter turnout and enrolment already a concern, could the rules themselves influence the result?  Today on The Front Page, University of Otago politics lecturer Dr Bryce Edwards is with us to break down the changes, and what we should do 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland’s mayor wants control of the city’s roads and rail network and he wants the next Government to hand it over.  As he did before the last election, Wayne Brown has released a manifesto outlining what Auckland Council wants from the next government.  Just nine days out from the election, he's pitching a major shakeup of transport governance, and some bold ideas about how to boost the inner city's population.  He’s also calling for changes to housing, infrastructure funding and planning rules, arguing Aucklanders, not Wellington, should decide what the city looks like.  Today on The Front Page, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is with us to discuss what he wants from the next government.  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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine waking up after election night to find neither side has enough seats to govern.  Polls have suggested there is a chance we'll see a hung parliament, with neither the left or right blocs having a majority of seats.  With election day fast approaching, we're looking under the bonnet of how MMP runs, how coalition talks work, and what happens if parties can't agree on anything.  Today on The Front Page, University of Otago law professor, Andrew Geddis is with us to break down how Parliament works, what happens if the numbers don't stack up, and how messy things could get. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children falling behind. Teacher shortages. Classroom disruption. Questions over what our kids are learning, and whether the system is giving every child the chance to succeed.  Education is one of the few issues where the consequences of political decisions can last a lifetime.  Are our children learning enough? Are schools getting the support they need? Is the curriculum working? And are we doing enough for the children who are falling behind?  This week on The Front Page, we're asking the parties what they would change and how they plan to improve outcomes for New Zealand children.  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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A concerning situation in Australia has sparked warnings of a 'new reality' in politics.  Australian Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical but stable condition after an attack outside her electorate office in Victoria. Her husband has confirmed she has had both legs amputated.  A 43-year-old man is accused of ramming his Toyota LandCruiser into Haines while she was unloading her car, pinning her between the two vehicles.   While the motivations remain unclear – it's sparked a wave of politicians revealing their experiences of harassment and intimidation.   Back home, and a 2024 Otago University study found that 98% of 54 MPs surveyed had experience harassment, and nearly one in five reported an actual or attempted physical attack.  Today on The Front Page, Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley is with us to discuss.  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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three debates. Two major party leaders. And a whole lot of political point-scoring.  National’s Christopher Luxon and Labour’s Chris Hipkins have gone head-to-head, trading blows over the economy, the cost of living and who deserves the keys to the Beehive’s ninth floor offices over three debates.  Last night’s Stuff leaders debate marks the end of their final face-to-face battle of the election campaign.  Their last match-up came after the latest 1News Verian poll showing National hitting 32%, up from 28% last week, and Labour slipping to 27%.  But they’re not the only ones fighting for a say, with the minor parties stepping up and reminding us how much influence they could, and probably will, have after November 7.  So, beyond the zingers and the soundbites, what have we actually learned?  Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths is with us to break down the biggest moments from the campaign debates, and what they tell us about the race for power. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's the day New Zealand's landmark free trade agreement with India enters into force.  The deal creates new opportunities for our exporters with one of world's fastest growing markets - by giving us preferential access.  Almost 57% of our existing trade can now enter India duty-free and over time, tariffs will be reduced or removed for 95% of our exports.  Tariffs are being eliminated right away on sheep meat, wool, coal and more than 95 percent of forestry and wood products.  Today on The Front Page, Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy is with us to go through what this means for New Zealand’s red meat sector. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governments around the globe are grappling with how to gain back control over social media giants.  Labour is the latest to campaign on it – promising to progress the social media ban and giving people more of a say on what they see online.  The party says it will get current legislation restricting social media for under 16s through to select committee within its first 100 days.  They also want an online regulator that can fine platforms and, like Australia, would introduce a digital duty of care law.  But how would these changes work in practice? And could New Zealand really force some of the world’s biggest tech companies to change the way they operate?  Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington Senior Lecturer in Information Management Dr. Alex Beattie joins us to discuss. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting a GP appointment, paying for treatment and waiting for hospital care are major concerns heading into the election. So what are the parties promising to change? Chelsea Daniels hears from National, Labour, ACT, the Greens, NZ First and the Opportunity Party about their health priorities, and outlines Te Pāti Māori’s proposals — from free GP visits and more medicines to workforce support, prevention and long-term planning. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’ll come as no surprise that new data’s revealed more Kiwis are struggling with cost of living.  The latest New Zealand Consumer Lifestyles survey from the University of Otago shows just over half of respondents went without something to buy essentials.  More alarming though, 48% believe they need to leave the country to get ahead, up from 28% in 2020.  Today on The Front Page, lead researcher Associate Professor Leah Watkins is with us to break down the numbers. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand keeps announcing infrastructure projects, putting them on hold and paying more when they finally move ahead. A new industry survey shows overwhelming support for cross-party agreement, with 44 percent of responding organisations cutting staff in the past year. Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett joins Katie Bradford to explain the cost of political stop-starts, why funding matters more than promises, and what the next government needs to do to get projects moving. 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 MartinProducer: Jane YeeHost: Katie Bradford See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both National and Labour are banking on economic growth to help repair the Government’s finances. But could their spending plans undermine the recovery they’re counting on? With households reluctant to spend, property values under pressure and an ageing population putting more demand on public services, journalist and economic commentator Bernard Hickey says the numbers deserve a harder look. Today on The Front Page, he joins us to explain why he thinks both major parties are making the same economic gamble. 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 MartinProducer/Host: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National’s fiscal plan promises no new taxes and leaves the door open to future tax cuts — but only once the books are back in surplus and economic conditions allow. So how much money is actually available, how does Labour’s plan compare, and what could coalition negotiations do to either party’s numbers? NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan joins Richard Martin to unpack the plans, the pressure on public services, and the difficult choices ahead on superannuation. 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/Host: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tougher sentences, more police or greater investment in prevention — how would New Zealand’s political parties make the country safer? In this election policy special, Chelsea Daniels speaks to representatives from National, Labour, ACT, the Greens, NZ First and the Opportunity Party, and outlines Te Pāti Māori’s proposals. From gangs and youth offending to drug reform, burglary and the future of prisons, we examine where the parties agree and where their approaches diverge. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could solar panels and electric vehicles help New Zealand households save thousands on energy? Rewiring Aotearoa’s Mike Casey joins The Front Page to explain the potential savings from electrification, the upfront costs stopping people from making the switch, and how cheaper finance could help. Plus, would breaking up the big power companies lower bills, does New Zealand need an LNG terminal, and could we one day buy electricity directly from our neighbours? 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: Katie BradfordEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.