The Front Page

October 10: A shock death on the campaign trail has revealed some of the more interesting elements of our electoral law, sparking a by-election to take place next month, as well as spotlighting the complex overhang rule that can increase the size of our Parliament. To explain what these laws means, and the Sainte-Laguë method that determines Parliament's makeup, we hear from lawyer Graeme Edgeler and NZ Herald head of data Chris Knox. And our latest electoral spotlight heads to the east coast to discuss Napier and Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, and if the shakeup in their MPs there post-Cyclone Gabrielle will see a change in representation. Host: Georgina CampbellProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For much of the election campaign, the focus has been solely on domestic issues, with questions around foreign policy during televised debates quickly shut down.   That changed this weekend after Palestinian militants  attacked settlements in southern Israel, killing hundreds, taking hostages, and sparking harsh retaliation from Israel.  As our politicians exchanged back and forths about the crisis, questions were asked about Aotearoa’s stance on a two-state solution, and what role this country can play in foreign affairs.  University of Waikato Professor of Law and foreign policy expert Alexander Gillespie shares why he wants to hear more about what positions our politicians have on matters of global concern.  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: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 9: We are just five sleeps away from Election Day, but some parties are already discussing a second election. Thomas Coughlan joins to dissect if those concerns are valid, and previews the final week of the campaign. Plus, a shock death on the campaign trail has sparked a by-election. And Georgina Campbell joins to discuss what could happen in Hutt South and Ōhāriu.You can experience the Herald's election model here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2023-can-labour-win-from-here/XNPWKLMXJFG2ZH7UK6XS2WGXKU/ Host: Hamish FletcherProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The old saying goes that money can’t buy you happiness – but it turns out, if you do rely on what’s in your wallet to keep you happy, you're going to need a lot of it.   Recently released analysis has suggested that a Kiwi family needs a household income of just shy of $200,000 to hit that point, with those in Auckland facing a higher price point on the road to contentment.   But that figure is roughly $80,000 higher than the average household income.   So, while productivity and tax cuts are being debated on the election campaign trail, is there anything we can do to change our low-wage economy? Or do we need to re-examine the relationship between money and happiness?   Today, on The Front Page, Auckland University economics Professor Robert MacCulloch, joins Damien to evaluate if any of us can really find enlightenment through our bank balance.   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: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 6: NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse joins the podcast to discuss the latest debate between the minor parties, and the growing tension between Act and NZ First. And speaking of minor parties, Newstalk ZB Christchurch reporter Georgia O'Connor-Harding joins to discuss the race for Ilam, which has garnered national attention due to TOP's Raf Manji making a strong fight for the seat to get his party into Parliament.  Host: Georgina CampbellProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billions of dollars are spent on our benefit system every year. And every election, politicians debate fiercely about where we should be cutting or increasing contributions to make the system fairer.  This topic is incredibly fraught given that some of the population will invariably be unemployed or simply unable to work at any given point. And as we’ve seen with the Reserve Bank’s moves this year, it sometimes even better for the economy when more people are unemployed.      Hanging over all this is the giant spectre of superannuation, which our major political parties are never as eager to talk about as other benefits.   So how do we make sense of the numbers while also making sure our population is looked after properly?  Today, NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan runs through what our main parties think about this issue – and whether there’s any hope of consensus across the political divide. Host: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D. WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 5: The battle over National's tax policy came up again today thanks to new analysis, while allegations of candidates being targetted resurfaced as well. And Georgina pops up to analyse the race for Wellington Central and Rongotai - two seats the Greens hope to take from Labour. Host: Hamish FletcherProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On October 14th it won’t just be the people of Aotearoa heading to the ballot box. Australians will be taking part in a referendum over whether their government should introduce an advisory group which would consult on legislation affecting Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.  Should the Indigenous voice to parliament be passed, Australia’s constitution will be updated, and future Governments would have to head to the polls again to make any changes.  Aotearoa could face a similar conversation if ACT achieves its campaign goals and gets a referendum over co-governance and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, while referendums could become commonplace, now that New Zealand First is campaigning on the abolition of MPs’ conscience vote and having the voting public decide moral calls.  So how likely is The Voice to Parliament to pass? What sort of opposition has it faced? And has how divided has Australia become?  Today on The Front Page, Damien speaks to Tom McIlroy, a political correspondent for The Australian Financial Review, to find out how their referendum is going – and what it could mean if we go down the same path.   Host: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 4th: As the main parties move on from the debate over a debate, the tension turns towards National's promise to cut the Regional Fuel Tax in Auckland - something Auckland's Mayor doesn't want. Plus, Labour targets the Defence Force as Act targets red tape, and some unwanted analysis from one of the world's top banks. Plus, NZ Herald writer David Fisher joins to go inside the race for Northland. Host: Georgina CampbellProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly 600,000 rental properties across New Zealand are home to 1.3 million tenants.  The relationship between those renters and landlords hangs in the balance.   Under the current Labour Government, we’ve seen a number of strong protections come in to give renters more certainty.   But now, both National and Act are promising to reverse some of those restrictions and in doing so return more power to the landlords.   Today, NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson joins Damien to break down the policy differences between the parties and explains why even small changes could drastically shift the balance of 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy Fox and Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.