Data centres are not a new phenomenon, but hyperscale AI data centres? Well, that's a whole other conversation. There are currently no AI hyperscale data centres in New Zealand, but that looks to change with plans already approved to build one in the South Island. Not everyone's happy about it, including the Greens who have called for one-year moratorium on consenting new AI data centres. Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland AI expert Dr Kerry McInerney joins Chelsea to discuss how big data became such a big deal.  Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Executive Producer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like Auckland is entering its big city era. New Zealand’s largest transport infrastructure project ever, the City Rail Link will open to passengers on September 13. It’s being touted as being truly transformative for the country’s biggest city ... a city that is rapidly growing. And that’s partly thanks to the Fast-Track scheme – which has meant developers don’t need to jump through as many hoops to get things moving. But, at what cost? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson is with us to unpack what this all means for Auckland’s future. 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 YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unemployment has risen again – and it’s worse than everyone expected.  Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate increased to 5.6 percent in the June quarter.  That's up from 5.4 percent in the March quarter and it's slighter higher than most economists were predicting.  So, what does that mean? Should we panic? Or is this just part and parcel of an economy in recovery?  Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to break down the numbers and what it means for our future. 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 YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  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 YeeSee 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

91 petrol is set to stay below $3 a litre for the fourth week in a row, and that means the $50 weekly fuel payment for working families should be coming to an end.  The Government has always said any support would be timely, temporary and targeted — but with so much volatility in the Middle East, should it be extended?  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said she’ll take advice to Cabinet next week about extending the payment.  But, there’s also the argument that this is all part of a bigger picture: New Zealand lagging behind other countries on EVs, solar and batteries.  Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey joins us to unpack whether the fuel support should continue, and what New Zealand risks if it keeps moving too slowly on electrification.  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 YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party has promised to gradually extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected.  That would see the entitlement lift to 27 weeks in next year’s Budget, before rising again in the following two Budgets.  The announcement came days after NZ First candidate Stuart Nash resigned his candidacy after calling National MP Katie Nimon lazy for taking leave after having a baby.  But, some commentators have said the plan doesn’t go far enough.  Today on The Front Page, military veteran, leadership expert and founder of #workschoolhours movement, Dr Ellen Joan Ford joins us to unpack what the policy could mean for families, employers, and the wider debate about who should pay for it.  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 YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.