Show Notes
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 Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from The Front Page
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 Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: 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 Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: 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 Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: 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 Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: 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 Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.