Governments around the globe are grappling with how to gain back control over social media giants.

Labour is the latest to campaign on it – promising to progress the social media ban and giving people more of a say on what they see online.

The party says it will get current legislation restricting social media for under 16s through to select committee within its first 100 days.

They also want an online regulator that can fine platforms and, like Australia, would introduce a digital duty of care law.

But how would these changes work in practice? And could New Zealand really force some of the world’s biggest tech companies to change the way they operate?

Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington Senior Lecturer in Information Management Dr. Alex Beattie joins us to discuss.

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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.

Getting a GP appointment, paying for treatment and waiting for hospital care are major concerns heading into the election. So what are the parties promising to change?

Chelsea Daniels hears from National, Labour, ACT, the Greens, NZ First and the Opportunity Party about their health priorities, and outlines Te Pāti Māori’s proposals — from free GP visits and more medicines to workforce support, prevention and long-term planning.

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’ll come as no surprise that new data’s revealed more Kiwis are struggling with cost of living.

The latest New Zealand Consumer Lifestyles survey from the University of Otago shows just over half of respondents went without something to buy essentials.

More alarming though, 48% believe they need to leave the country to get ahead, up from 28% in 2020.

Today on The Front Page, lead researcher Associate Professor Leah Watkins is with us to break down the numbers.

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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.

New Zealand keeps announcing infrastructure projects, putting them on hold and paying more when they finally move ahead.

A new industry survey shows overwhelming support for cross-party agreement, with 44 percent of responding organisations cutting staff in the past year.

Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett joins Katie Bradford to explain the cost of political stop-starts, why funding matters more than promises, and what the next government needs to do to get projects moving.

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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.

Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee
Host: Katie Bradford

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both National and Labour are banking on economic growth to help repair the Government’s finances.

But could their spending plans undermine the recovery they’re counting on?

With households reluctant to spend, property values under pressure and an ageing population putting more demand on public services, journalist and economic commentator Bernard Hickey says the numbers deserve a harder look.

Today on The Front Page, he joins us to explain why he thinks both major parties are making the same economic gamble.

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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.

Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer/Host: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National’s fiscal plan promises no new taxes and leaves the door open to future tax cuts — but only once the books are back in surplus and economic conditions allow.

So how much money is actually available, how does Labour’s plan compare, and what could coalition negotiations do to either party’s numbers?

NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan joins Richard Martin to unpack the plans, the pressure on public services, and the difficult choices ahead on superannuation.

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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.

Editor/Producer/Host: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tougher sentences, more police or greater investment in prevention — how would New Zealand’s political parties make the country safer?

In this election policy special, Chelsea Daniels speaks to representatives from National, Labour, ACT, the Greens, NZ First and the Opportunity Party, and outlines Te Pāti Māori’s proposals.

From gangs and youth offending to drug reform, burglary and the future of prisons, we examine where the parties agree and where their approaches diverge.

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.

Could solar panels and electric vehicles help New Zealand households save thousands on energy?

Rewiring Aotearoa’s Mike Casey joins The Front Page to explain the potential savings from electrification, the upfront costs stopping people from making the switch, and how cheaper finance could help.

Plus, would breaking up the big power companies lower bills, does New Zealand need an LNG terminal, and could we one day buy electricity directly from our neighbours?

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: Katie Bradford
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.