The Front Page

The Prime Minister is in damage control mode after telling struggling business owners in Rotorua to “be adult”.
Christopher Luxon made the remarks at a business event, and they’ve sparked a fierce backlash.
He’s since had to apologise after being labelled out of touch and patronising.
So, is this a gaffe that’ll keep haunting him, or just a bad week in a challenging political environment? And what does it say about how the Government sees its role in supporting or stepping back from struggling businesses?
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Chief Political Reporter Jamie Ensor joins us to break down how National’s caucus is reacting, and what next.
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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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Act wants to give teachers the legal power to remove disruptive students from the classroom.
Staff would be able to use “reasonable force” to do so – and there’d be a mandatory stand-down or suspension for any students who assaulted another student, teacher, or staff member.
Parents would be required to attend a meeting – if they don’t rock up, they could be fined $300 for a first offence, rising to $3000 for repeat offenses.
But just how big is the problem here? Are classrooms really this disrupted and would these changes actually help?
Today on The Front Page, Post Primary Teachers’ Association president Chris Abercrombie is with us to unpack what’s happening in schools, and whether this plan would make a difference or risk making things worse.
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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a battle of the islands to become New Zealand’s economic engine room.
All eight South Island Chambers of Commerce have launched a joint election manifesto highlighting their $100 billion contribution to the economy.
They’re calling for more investment and productivity with the goal of lifting South Island GDP per capita to $130,000 by 2035.
Representing around 7000 businesses, it’s the first time they’ve all come together to push for political parties to pay closer attention to the south.
Today on The Front Page, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson is with us to explain why the South Island wants to move ahead of the national average, not just keep up, and what it will take to get there.
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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Go onto any parents group in the country and you’ll find comments about arbitrary school uniform rules.
Socks falling down, no scarves in class, skirts instead of shorts, and no t-shirts underneath despite not seeing them – and that’s just what our team has seen.
And that’s all before we talk about the costs that come with a compulsory uniform. The Act Party is campaigning to make school uniforms more affordable, saying some families are spending well over $1000 a year.
The University of Otago’s Dr Johanna Reidy has been involved in research to find out if uniforms had an impact on education and health.
She joins us today on The Front Page.
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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s superannuation problem is something that constantly rears its head.
Whether it’s abolishing MPs’ gold-plated super scheme, if we should introduce means testing, or heighten the retirement age – one thing’s always clear... our status quo is untenable.
The annual cost of NZ Super has already risen from less than $20 billion in 2023 to $24.7b this financial year, and is forecast to pass $30b in 2030.
Meanwhile, the annual superbill for older migrants has hit a billion dollars – five years after Parliament tightened eligibility.
So, what are the real pressure points in the system and how politically realistic are any of the fixes?
Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths is with us to unpack the numbers, the politics, and what changes might actually be on the table.
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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.