Election 2026: The Front Bench

Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager CEO Matt Ball have the insight and analysis as the campaign rolls on.
In the final edition of The Front Bench for Election 2026, the panel gives their take on the battle over vote splitting from the right bloc.
Heather asks whether National is going too far with it's attack ads against Chlöe Swarbrick.
Plus the experts give their take on the electorate seats to watch on Saturday night.
Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.
Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every week until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Childfund CEO Josie Pagani have the insight and analysis as the campaign rolls on.
This week on The Front Bench, Heather asks her panel whether the claims of Donald Trump style voter suppression hold any weight.
They talk the Kerrin Leoni resignation and whether the scandal has sunk the left's chance of an election victory.
And with less than two weeks to go - the panel talk the electorate seats to watch.
Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.
Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Childfund CEO Josie Pagani have the insight and analysis as the campaign rolls on.
This week on The Front Bench, Heather asks the panel about the potential fallout for Te Pāti Māori and the Greens for visiting the Mongrel Mob.
They give their takes on National's Right to Silence policy and Labour's social media policy.
Heather also asks about there should be concerns about the Opportunity Party candidates lack of political experience.
Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.
Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW
Part 1 Below
Part 2 Below
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Childfund CEO Josie Pagani have the insight and analysis as the campaign rolls on.
This week on The Front Bench, Heather asks the panel whether they think the campaign so far has been dull and if anyone has a vision for New Zealand.
Our experts give their take on the fiscal plan debate and whether it shifts the needle for any party.
Plus they debate whether National is making enough of the difference between its and Labour's education policies.
LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW
Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.
Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Childfund CEO Josie Pagani have the insight and analysis as the campaign rolls on.
In the first edition of The Front Bench for Election 2026, the panel gives their take on which party is being the most predictable so far this election campaign.
Heather asks whether Barbara Edmonds is the new star of the Labour Party and where Winston Peters has been so far during the campaign.
Plus does David Seymour have an issue with the Herald's Poll of Polls?
Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.
Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.