For Aucklanders, sitting in traffic can feel like an unavoidable part of life.

But, what if you had to pay to do it?

Auckland Council is considering congestion charging, with three options on the table that could see drivers charged between $2 and $7.

Supporters say it could get traffic moving and raise money for improvements – but critics are asking whether we have enough alternatives to make it work.

Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland senior lecturer in urban planning Dr Timothy Welch joins us to explain how it could work and what we can learn from cities overseas.

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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.

The diplomatic chess board is getting complicated in the Pacific.

At least five Pacific leaders have pulled out of the annual Pacific Island Forum in Palau this week.

Meanwhile, China's Pacific envoy says there will be consequences for Taiwan being allowed to send representatives to the forum.

It's while the US and New Zealand team up to co-fund a Cook Islands port upgrade – a potential blow for China, who has a controversial "strategic partnership" with the island nation.

Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Alexander Gillespie is with us to break down why leaders are skipping the forum and how China's leverage in the Pacific is changing.

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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’s debt burden has nearly doubled in 10 years.

But, there are signs the country’s borrowing habits are becoming more sustainable.

New Zealand businesses have boosted their borrowings by more than $6 billion in the last year to $143b, which is a potential sign of rising confidence in the economy.

So, is debt really as bad as we think – or are the numbers telling a more nuanced story about households, businesses, and the government?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor-at-large Liam Dann is with us to examine the numbers behind the nation’s march towards $1 trillion in debt.

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.

National is promising to crack down on people abroad who are failing to pay back their student loans.

If re-elected, the party would ease compulsory student loan repayments from 12 percent to 10 percent - and charge those living overseas an extra one percent in annual interest.

Arrest warrants could be sought for serious, ongoing defaults.

Leader Christopher Luxon has said 93% of overdue payments are overseas, and about 21% of overseas borrowers haven't paid back for 15 years and have no payment plan.

But, is this holding the country's young people to ransom? Is it their fault that there are more, higher-paid opportunities overseas?

Today on The Front Page, Victoria University Student Association president Aidan Donoghue is with us.

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.

Searches continue through the devastation in Nepal after a catastrophic flash flood.

More than 389 people have been killed and there are reportedly 1300 people missing, including at least 700 foreigners from two dozen countries.

Our officials understand at least five New Zealanders are believed to have been impacted.

Rescuers are battling severe conditions as they race to find survivors.

Today on The Front Page, World Vision international external engagement and strategy director Uma Mager joins us from Nepal to give an update about what it's like on the ground, and more importantly what we can all do to help.

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 we FINALLY be at an economic turning point?

Westpac economists have forecast the economy will return to growth in the current quarter.

They reckon there'll be 2.1% growth across 2026 – even picking up to 3% next year ... with exports and tourism doing the heavy lifting.

So, are we out of the woods - or is this just a brief respite before the next shock?

Today on The Front Page, Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold joins us to break down what it means for your wallet, your job, your mortgage – and whether this recovery is for real.

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.

The Government wants to force councils to keep rate hikes at a maximum 4% from 2029.

Councils would be expected to prepare for the change from next July.

Local Government Minister Simon Watts has said it'll ease cost-of-living pressures and get councils back to basics.

But, what will a lower income coming in mean for our core services? And how do we get councils to spend more wisely?

Local Government New Zealand reckons councils can't be expected to deliver more infrastructure and support growth with fewer levers.

Today on The Front Page, the Taxpayer's Union's Jordan Williams is with us to walk through the numbers and what our rates bills might look like in 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 Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's pushing ahead with banning social media for under-16s.

It mirrors rules that took effect in Australia last year - requiring the likes of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to bring in stronger age verification.

If they don't, the social media giants could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.

But coalition partners Act and NZ First both agree to disagree with it - and Christopher Luxon has admitted the bill won't get a look-in before the election.

So, what's the point? Will these measures even work? And what are the risks of getting it wrong?

Today on The Front Page, Tech Users Association of New Zealand CEO Craig Young is with us to break down the bill, how age checks would actually work, and what we can learn from overseas experience.

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.