The Front Page

It’s been five years since social housing in New Zealand was put under the banner of Kāinga Ora. Over that time, questions have been asked about the financial stability of the organisation, and the loaded remit Kainga Ora has to also lead and develop urban renewal projects. The Government made it a priority to investigate the state of the agency, ordering a review led by former PM, Sir Bill English, that painted a stark image of its fiscal situation. With Housing Minister Chris Bishop processing the recommendations from the report, some are wondering what the future holds for the agency responsible for over 70,000 public homes. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan joins us to discuss his recent reporting into the future of Kainga Ora and social housing in New Zealand. Read more on the future of social housing here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/inside-kainga-ora-what-the-government-wants-to-fix-and-why-its-solution-could-make-things-worse/36IR67UFUBCFRJMTAMXAF5BGP4/ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/the-43b-social-housing-cliff-no-one-is-talking-about/G3YL4MS3IBBMZH2SODH6EU4YLA/ 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Losing a loved one is one of the worst things a family can go through. But it can get a lot worse if people start fighting over the will before the body’s even cold. With so many of us relying on inheritance these days to get on the property ladder, being cut out of a will can be a devastating blow – but contesting it can sometimes be more trouble than it's worth. So how should you go about getting your fair share, and what can you do to make sure your final wishes are clearly communicated? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior journalist Jane Phare joins to share the Dos and Don’ts she’s picked up from legal experts when it comes to inheritance. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s no better way to unwind at the end of a long day of work than binging on reality TV. From The Block, to Celebrity Treasure Island, Kiwis have always had a soft spot for the genre. Right now, the country is obsessed with Married at First Sight New Zealand, back for its fourth season after a five year hiatus. And while we may still be mad about the genre, a lot has changed for reality TV since the local version of the international hit debuted in 2017. Today on The Front Page, AUT University senior communications lecturer, Rebecca Trelease, joins us to discuss our MAFS obsession, and the changing world of reality TV. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global economy is still recovering from a difficult few years, and New Zealand is not immune. The NZX 50 has been struggling recently, the recent mini-reporting season saw largely disappointing results for many companies, and the usual investment opportunities are not delivering. In these times of difficulty though, there are plenty of opportunities for new industries to invest in, and different countries for New Zealand to look at for trade. NZME Business editorial director, Fran O’Sullivan, is covering all these ups and downs in her latest Capital Markets and Investment special, and she joins us now on The Front Page to discuss the state of the market. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is a farming country, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. Agriculture and the primary sector remain central to our international trade, with export revenue hitting a record 57.8 billion in the year to June 2023. That number is expected to dip when the next figures are announced, as the tough economic climate is felt throughout all parts of society. Looking to get the most out of both the primary sectors here and overseas is the Minister for Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay. As he heads to Fieldays this week, the Minister joins The Front Page to discuss the state of his key portfolios. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years, drug busts at New Zealand’s border keep getting bigger, with record breaking hauls getting stopped by officials. But drugs are still getting into the country -- and we all know that what people think they're buying on the street will not necessarily be what they get. And some people may be consuming synthetic opioids without ever realising they're putting their health at risk. Today on The Front Page, Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm joins us to discuss the new drug that has got her organisation worried. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The parties of the coalition Government were staunch critics of the state of our healthcare system while on the opposite side of the aisle. Now that they are in charge though, the heat is being put on them to sort out everything from months-long waiting times to see specialists, to gaps in the mental health system. And most recently, Budget 2024 did not deliver the much-promised funding of 13 new cancer drugs, that has shocked advocates. Today on The Front Page, Patient Voice Aotearoa chairperson Malcolm Mulholland joins us to discuss the issues facing patients across the country, and what the Government needs to do to improve our healthcare. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1998 deaths of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope remain one of New Zealand’s most talked about cases. Scott Watson has spent the last 25 years behind bars after being convicted of murdering them, despite no bodies ever being found. Now, Watson is heading back to the courtroom four years after his case was referred back to the Court of Appeal, in what is his last shot at clearing his name. Today on The Front Page, we’re going back to 1999 with NZ Herald senior journalist Carolyne Meng Yee and editorial leader Oskar Alley who covered Watson’s first trial, and then get a rundown on the appeal case with investigative reporter David Fisher. For more on the Scott Watson case, listen to Chasing Ghosts: Murder in the Sounds wherever you get your podcast. And for more on Scott Watson's trial, click here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/double-murderer-scott-watson-to-stay-behind-bars-as-parole-board-seek-clarity-over-differing-psychological-reports/QXMO2GJ32JFRRMHF36Y77B3PS4/ A previous version of this episode didn’t include the fact hairs were found on a blanket on the Blade and two of those hairs on the blanket were found to have DNA characteristics that matched Olivia. The split in a bag containing comparison hairs was also taken from a hairbrush in Olivia’s home. Neither Police nor ESR took the hairbrush from her home. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions between Māoridom and the coalition Government have been bubbling up since the latter was sworn in last year. Outrage over the Treaty Principles Bill and cuts to services for Māori has seen multiple protests, mostly recently the ‘Carkoi’ rally across the motu on Budget Day. That same protest saw this animosity take on a new angle, with Te Pati Māori issuing a declaration of political independence and calling for a separate Māori Parliament. So how serious are these calls, and is there any path back from the precipice? Today on The Front Page, we discuss the details behind the tension with Dr Carwyn Jones, co-editor of the Māori Law Review and honorary adjunct professor in Māori Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even if you wouldn’t say it out loud, we've all fantasised about winning Lotto. Whether it’s a few thousand dollars or a couple of million, you can’t how amazing taking home a win would be. And the prize pool keeps getting bigger – in 2016, $40 million was still the limit, but now, someone could take home $43 million tonight, and it'd be the second largest draw for an individual ever. So, what happens when a life-changing amount is won? And what are some of the best ways to splash your new cash? Today on The Front Page, Lotto's Head of Corporate Communications Lucy Fullarton discusses the process of winning, and Forsyth Barr investment advisor Jeff Matthews, shares financial advice for handling millions. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the country’s economy continues to take a hit, one of the biggest sectors to struggle has been retail. Figures over the last few quarters have consistently shown low spending on retail as Kiwis prioritise where they put their money. There’s the closure of physical TradeAid stores, the sale of Torpedo7, the closure of TheMarket.com, and now the end of Auckland icon Smith and Caughey’s and the Flybuys loyalty scheme. So amidst a struggling economy, is there a way for retail to survive, or is the long-awaited end of the brick-and-mortar store finally coming to fruition? Today on The Front Page, First Retail's Chris Wilkinson joins us to discuss the challenging times for the retail sector. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year’s King’s Birthday holiday is not as celebratory as the royal family would like. While King Charles is start to get back to work after his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, the Princess of Wales remains out of action, with reports that she might not return to work until 2025. In amongst the health crises that have hit the Royal Family, the ongoing tensions between The Firm and Prince Harry have made headlines again over recent weeks. So is the monarchy getting back on track after a rough start to the year, or are the same old problems set to be a nuisance for the rest of 2024? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by UK correspondent Gavin Grey to get the latest from London on the royal family. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coalition Government has unveiled its first Budget, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis managed to deliver on her tax cut pledge. There was also money found for health and education, while the major tax cuts were funded out of significant cuts to the public sector. The Budget also confirmed that our tough financial times are set to continue until at least 2028, and Willis is putting a cap on spending for the next few Budgets. So is this the Budget the Government needed to sell their vision for Aotearoa, and how dire is our economic outlook? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is back with his analysis. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2024 has just been unveiled by Finance Minister Nicola Willis -- the first for the coalition of National, Act and NZ First. In this special bonus episode of The Front Page, Chelsea runs through the key stats you need to know about tax cuts, health, school and the economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, New Zealand’s persistently high road toll has been a worry for successive governments. 340 people died on our roads in 2023, down from the previous, but still far too high. 2024 is hardly looking any better – there was more than a day a death in January, the Easter road toll was at its highest in three years, while a recent head-on collision left five dead near Hamilton. It’s an issue that is now on the coalition government to address – so what options are available to them to rectify this issue? Today on The Front Page, we discuss what needs to be done differently with AA Road Safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insurance is becoming an increasingly costly purchase for many households. Whether you are looking to insure your house, contents, car – or even your pets – premiums are skyrocketing faster than incomes. It comes at a time when the threats of the climate crisis and natural disasters are leading some people to give up on paying for insurance all together. Former Cabinet Minister Kris Faafoi is the new chief executive of the Insurance Council, and joins The Front Page to discuss how to navigate these soaring costs. 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. Guest host: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While New Zealanders may have had their general election last year, more than 60 countries around the world will elect their government in 2024. In fact, with roughly half the world’s population due to vote, more people will be heading to the polls in one year than at any other point in human history. And with mounting global issues threatening the future of our planet – particularly our climate – who we choose to vote for is more crucial than ever. Professor of Global History at Oxford University, and author of The Earth Transformed, Peter Frankopan, was recently in New Zealand for the Auckland Writer’s Festival. While here, he caught up with The Front Page about what’s been dubbed ‘The’ election year, and what fallen civilisations can teach us about how to deal with a warming climate. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six months have passed since the coalition government was sworn into office – and the honeymoon period has well and truly ended. After being met almost immediately with protests by Māori leaders, backlash grew over the repeal of anti-smoking laws, the extent of job cuts in the public service, and cuts to disability services. As polling suggests an uphill battle for the coalition to reach a second term, moves to tackle law and order and cut back government spending has appealed to their supporters. So how has the Government fared amongst all this turmoil, and is Prime Minister Christopher Luxon managing to control his three-headed coalition? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett and Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper join to discuss the political highs and lows of the government so far. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re not officially into winter yet, but as the days get darker and the nights get colder, many of us are starting to come down with bugs and viruses. From flus and sore throats to the common cold, there's a lot going around already – and that’s without adding in the threat of yet another Covid-19 wave. But with no government restrictions in place anymore, how prepared are we for the months ahead? Today on The Front Page, University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker joins to give his advice for making it through this cold and flu season. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coalition government’s first Budget is out on May 30. After a rush to find savings, cancelling multiple major projects and cutting back the public service, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been tempering expectations for a splashy budget. So, how low key will it be, what areas should we be keeping an eye on – and what about that tax cut promise? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large and host of the Money Talks podcast, Liam Dann, is with us to explain all you need to know about Budget 2024. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the Government’s most contentious bills is now before select committee. The Fast-Track Approvals Bill is designed to speed up the process on consenting major projects, from transport initiatives like roads, to major housing developments. It also allows three ministers the power to make the final decisions on these projects, even if it goes against the advice of expert panels – or existing laws. Victoria University of Wellington Political Analyst Dr Bryce Edwards has been following this controversial bill, and joins The Front Page today to discuss why it’s causing such a fuss. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid continuing unrest in New Caledonia, our Defence Force is preparing rescue flights for about 250 stranded Kiwis. Protests in Noumea have been escalating after violence broke out over proposed changes to voter lists – with six dead and hundreds arrested. French authorities have declared a state of emergency – as pro-independence supporters and security forces clash. Today, Chelsea talks with Mike Lightfoot, a Kiwi tourist currently stuck in Noumea, who updates us on the situation as he awaits evacuation, and then geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller to explain how the unrest began – and what steps can be taken to promote calm. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The years-long saga of Julian Assange could finally be at an end – in a decision crucial not only to what happens next for the infamous whistleblower – but for press freedom as we know it. 14 years after his site, Wikileaks, published hundreds of thousands of classified US military and security documents online, and 12 years after the first warrant was issued for his arrest.... judges at London’s High Court could finally decide his fate -- and whether he will be extradited to the United States. Following the long legal battle is Alan Rusbridger, former editor in chief for The Guardian newspaper in the UK, who worked alongside Assange to publish those documents in 2010. Now editor of The Prospect magazine, Rusbridger joins The Front Page to discuss Assange’s case and what it means for journalism and press freedom. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major earthquakes may not be a regular occurrence in New Zealand, but the threat of them is often in the back of our minds. With a major faultline running through the middle of the country, you only have to look to the events in Christchurch and Kaikoura to know the risk they pose. Now, new modelling has highlighted the impact a catastrophic quake could have on this country, and if we’re prepared for what that means. Today on The Front Page, Dr Bill Fry and Dr Matt Gerstenberger from GNS Science discuss the latest research on our seismic threat. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a new movement on social media in response to celebrities’ views – or lack thereof – on the war in Palestine. “Blockout 2024” started with an inconspicuous video of a TikTok influencer posed outside the glamorous Met Gala with the sound bite “let them eat cake”. Now, an online movement to unfollow and block celebrities is gaining momentum – with the likes of Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner losing hundreds of thousands of followers. It's raised questions like: Will this effort have any effect? Why do we look at celebrities as our moral compass? And what about the celebrities who are escaping being ‘cancelled’ all together? Today on The Front Page, University of Otago researcher, Dr Sabrina Moro is with us to dive into the latest social media firestorm. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National-led Government is continuing its crackdown on gangs. Police Minister Mark Mitchell this week announced New Zealand will get its own National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units. The announcement follows a rise in gang violence, including the fatal shooting of a man on Auckland’s Ponsonby Rd by a Killer Beez gang member. It comes off the back of anti-gang legislation that continues to make its way through Parliament – which will see non-consorting laws and gang patch bans introduced. Today on The Front Page, Mark Mitchell joins to explain this Government’s push to make gang life as uncomfortable as possible. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the world becomes increasingly online, the lines between work life and home life are becoming increasingly blurred. When you can check your emails on the same device you use to stream TV or talk to friends, avoiding that late night question from your boss is becoming harder to do. Now many are calling for the ‘Right to Disconnect’ to be enshrined in law to save us from becoming perpetually available 24/7. Today on The Front Page, Dr Amanda Reilly, Senior Lecturer in Law at Victoria University of Wellington, joins to explain how this law could help you achieve a better work life 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: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conversation around New Zealand's power supply is heating up again, just before winter. Last week Kiwis were told to conserve electricity amidst a cold snap, over concerns there was not enough power to supply the country. This is not the first time such a warning has been issued, and has prompted debate about where we get our energy from, and how we should be powering our national grid. Today on The Front Page, Major Electricity Users Group Chair John Harbord joins us to explain what the issues with our power grid are – and how we can potentially fix them. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council’s financial situation has been under the spotlight for months now. With costs rising, the council has been trying to find some ways to save money without cutting back on services. Those decisions have ranged from removing rubbish bins around the city, to a since U-turned proposal for a long-term lease for Port of Auckland. And while the Government has offered hope on water prices, Mayor Wayne Brown and his councillors still have some tough choices to make. Today on The Front Page, Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joins us to discuss the challenges coming for our Super City. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head injuries and sports players have been a hot topic of debate in recent years. While the risk of concussions and long-term injuries has been well known for decades, recent concerns have arisen about how those injuries can turn into long term issues like dementia, and that’s despite efforts to reform the game to limit those concerns. As global legal cases and suspected illnesses mount, multiple researchers here in New Zealand are part of a global effort to identify the causes and the risks. Today on The Front Page, we speak with two of them from the University of Auckland – Professor Maurice Curtis and Dr Helen Murray – about the latest research in this high concern area. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To tax sugar, or not to tax sugar – that's the debate that’s raged on for years. More than 100 countries worldwide have taxed sugary drinks, but New Zealand hasn’t made the plunge yet. As the number of countries making the move to tax sugar increases, so has the data into how well it's worked, or not. So how do we delve through this information to make an informed decision on what would be best for New Zealand? Today on The Front Page, Professor of Population Nutrition and Global Health at the University of Auckland, Boyd Swinburn, joins us to explore the ongoing debate. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, former Green Party co-leader James Shaw delivered his valedictory speech, marking the end of his decade in politics. But, rather than a smooth transition to a new era, just a few hours later, Green MP Julie-Anne Genter sparked outcry across the aisle after she stood over and shouted at Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey during a Parlimentary debate. It’s the fourth scandal to hit the Greens in under a year, prompting questions about the party's future as the Shaw era ends and a new one begins under his replacement co-leader, Chloe Swarbrick. Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joins us from Parliament to discuss what the future holds for the Green Party. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rate of women killed by an intimate partner in Australia has increased by nearly 30% in the year 2022-23, compared to the previous year. And the deaths of dozens of women across the country this year alone has prompted mass protests – with thousands taking to the streets rallying against gender-based violence. But the issue isn't one that isn’t limited to our trans-Tasman neighbours. In New Zealand, between 2009 and 2020, 178 women and girls were killed in family violence-related killings. Today on The Front Page, Chelsea talks first to Australian journalist Sherele Moody, who founded the Australian Femicide Watch and the Red Heart Campaign, and then Dr. Nicola Atwool - the chairperson of the Family Violence Death review here in New Zealand. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has put improving education as one of its top priorities. Yesterday, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced plans to refocus education around ‘structured literacy’, with that teaching style winning the so-called ‘reading wars’ against ‘balanced literacy’. It marks the end of a big week for the Minister, with the nationwide cellphone ban at schools coming into effect on Monday, the same day she announced the new top priorities for education in New Zealand. Erica Stanford joins us on The Front Page to discuss her plans to fix education. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the weeks since Warner Bros Discovery and TVNZ announced cutbacks in their newsrooms, much of the focus has been on what this means for journalism in this country. The moves come amid wider belt-tightening across the television sector, as falling terrestrial TV ratings means companies are now competing against global giants more than ever to hold our attention. And that means it's not only newsrooms that could soon be fighting for survival. This episode, Chelsea talks with Kelly Martin, CEO of South Pacific Pictures, about the impacts on the production sector, and with Lauren Whitney, chief executive of the Comedy Trust, about why this could limit opportunities for the comedy sector. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Youth crime has been a hot topic over the last two years, particularly when our youngest offenders are involved in brazen robberies and violent ram raids across the country. NZ Herald senior crime reporter Anna Leask has been travelling across Australia, witnessing first-hand what groups there have been doing to try and help their troubled youth. She joins us today on The Front Page to discuss her research and what New Zealand can learn from our closest neighbours. Reporting costs for the series Breaking 'Bad' were covered by the University of Canterbury’s Robert Bell Travelling Scholarship in Journalism, received by Herald senior reporter Anna Leask in 2023." 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s time to put away your shorts and sunhats and start getting out your winter coats. Temperatures are dropping across the country as winter makes its mark on Aotearoa. And the big news here is that El Nino is starting to fade, and La Nina is set to take its place. But does that actually mean for weather in the coming months, and just how cold and wet will it be? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald reporter Jamie Morton joins us to run us through the weather maps for the months ahead. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The concept of 15-minute cities is the idea that all daily necessities – like work, shopping, education, healthcare, and leisure – can all be reached with a 5-minute walk, bike ride, or by public transit. While the idea has been embraced by many countries, some conspiracy theorists have described the notion as an instrument of government repression. Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland school of architecture and planning lecturer Bill McKay joins to explain 15-minute cities and discuss whether we should be worried. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy Fox and Evan PaeaProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian government has found themselves in a battle with billionaire Elon Musk and his legions of supporters. Australia’s eSafety commissioner last week ordered Musk’s social media platform X – formerly known as Twitter – to remove images of the alleged stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, which was captured on a live stream earlier this month. X only blocked the images to Australian users, prompting a further legal challenge that was upheld temporarily by an Australian federal court. Parallels with this case can be drawn with New Zealand’s own efforts to remove videos of the Christchurch terror attack from social media. Former Chief Censor David Shanks made that decision to permanently censor that video. He joins us now on The Front Page to reflect on that move, and this fight happening across the ditch. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure continues to pile up on the systems intended to support our military veterans. The government agency charged with meeting veterans’ needs is cutting services and has a year-long waiting list. The VIP scheme, until now, had been seen as a way of acknowledging service and offering support to those otherwise excluded from our veterans’ welfare system. So, as we come together to remember the fallen – is it about time we start thinking more about those who survived? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior writer David Fisher joins to discuss Veterans’ Affairs – and how to better support those who served. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coalition Government has seen its first cabinet reshuffle. Melissa Lee has lost her Broadcasting Minister portfolio and has been demoted out of Cabinet. Meanwhile, Penny Simmonds has lost her Disability Commission portfolio. To discuss this, Chelsea Daniels is joined by the host of the On the Tiles podcast, and NZ Herald deputy political editor, Thomas Coughlan. Follow The Front Page and On The Tiles 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For eight months, New Zealand Rugby’s biggest test has been happening behind the scenes. NZR has been at loggerheads with the provincial unions about how to reform governance for the country’s most popular sport. The battle could be nearing an end, with a meeting to take place in the coming weeks that could resolve it, but will the two sides reach an agreement, and will it be enough to help rugby bounce back from its recent woes? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald sports writer Gregor Paul joins to explain the games going on in rugby’s boardrooms. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rarely a week goes by without some sort of headline proclaiming the woes of New Zealand’s ‘low productivity’. It’s a phrase that has been discussed by economists and politicians for years, and was a particular bug-bear of Sir John Key. The Herald’s very own Liam Dann is the latest columnist to highlight it as a potential cause for some of our economic problems. But what exactly does low productivity mean, how does it impact your back pocket, and why do we struggle to do anything about it? Today on The Front Page, Liam Dann joins us to explain the issue, and what we might be able to do about 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spent the last week in South East Asia. His first overseas trip beyond the Tasman Sea saw Luxon visit Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, joined by several MPs and a delegation of business leaders for a trip largely focused on “reinvigorating” New Zealand’s relationships across Southeast Asia. So did he make much of a splash there, and does he have any wins to bring back home? NZME Managing Business Editor and managing director of NZ Inc Ltd Fran O’Sullivan has been part of the business delegation, and joins The Front Page from the Philippines for her thoughts on how it’s all gone. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Minister for Space has been working overseas promoting New Zealand’s space industry over in the US. Judith Collins has returned from the US where she spoke at the Space Symposium -- putting us on the global stage – and she met with senior US government space officials. According to Deloitte, in 2018 and 2019 New Zealand's space industry contributed $1.7 billion to the economy – but, our Space Minister thinks by now it should be three or more times larger than that. Today on The Front Page, Judith Collins joins us to discuss what opportunities New Zealand has beyond our horizons. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Unproductive and unwilling to change" - a scathing report from outgoing Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has slammed our country’s prison system. He told the government’s Justice Committee he’ll “leave the job with disappointment” that he hasn’t made “any impact in having the Department of Corrections as an organisation we can be proud of.” A report from the Office of the Inspectorate released just yesterday shows that prisoners in three units at Auckland Prison were not able to leave their cells every day, for many months. Today on The Front Page, Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, Neil Beales joins us to respond to the Ombudsman’s comments. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are growing fears the Middle East could be on the brink of war. Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of missiles towards Israel, in retaliation for what is believed to have been an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria last week. It comes after six months of fighting in Gaza, which has drawn the ire of Muslim-majority countries in the region. With no end in sight for the Gaza conflict, there are now fears that Israel may seek revenge against Iran, sparking a region-wide war that will further divide the world. Later in this episode, we’ll hear from aid workers working across Gaza for the latest on the humanitarian crisis there, but first on The Front Page, University of Otago Professor of politics and international studies, Robert Patman, joins us to dissect the latest on Israel, Iran and Palestine. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, US time, marks the beginning of Donald Trump’s slew of criminal trials. In what’s been coined the ‘hush money’ case, the former President is being accused of falsifying his company’s business records in connection to a payment to an adult film star in the run-up to the 2016 election. After a judge just last week dismissed Trump’s motion to toss out the indictment altogether, or delay the trial further, the 45th President will now must fight a criminal trial and an election campaign at the same time. Today on The Front Page, Politico magazine senior writer and former federal prosecutor Ankush Khardori joins us from New York to discuss the trial that could define the US election. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least six people are dead and many more injured after a lone attacker stabbed shoppers at a Westfield shopping mall in Sydney’s Bondi Junction on Saturday. 40-year-old Joel Cauchi was killed at the scene by Police but not until he had upended countless lives in his brutal attack. In this bonus episode of The Front Page, Sydney-based ABC News reporter Penny Timms joins to give an update on this horrific attack. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new docu-drama has revisited the horrors of Dilworth. The Auckland boarding school was intended to help disadvantaged boys, but over the decades multiple teachers have been charged and found guilty of sexual abuse – with the number of victims believed to be more than 200. On The Front Page, Open Justice editor Elizabeth Binning joins to discuss the background to this shocking abuse, and co-directors of TVNZ’s The Lost Boys of Dilworth, Mary Durham and Peter Burger, go behind the scenes of their docudrama. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.