The Front Page

Interpretations of the Treaty of Waitangi – or Te Tiriti o Waitangi – have been some of the most important discussions in Aotearoa's history, but tensions over the documents have reached a fever pitch in recent months after the coalition Government agreed to support a Treaty Principals Bill to the select committee phase.Friction over its meaning is expected to be front and centre today, as politicians, academics and Maori leaders converge on the site where the documents were signed in 1840. Since publishing the 1987 book, The Treaty of Waitangi, Dame Claudia Orange has widely been recognised as one of the country’s leading treaty experts. She joins The Front Page today from Waitangi to discuss how perceptions of the Treaty have changed in recent years, and what that means for a modern Aotearoa. 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 HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dancing, DJs and day drinking... A classic summer festival combo. But hand in hand with the music and partying comes a lesser-known festival favourite – waste. Be it beer cans, empty chip pottles or portaloos, events have a habit of creating waste, and in some cases leaving the whenua in a bad state. This was laid bare last month when dozens of tents and piles of garbage was abandoned at the Northern Base festival. Today on The Front Page, Josh Brownlow from Clean Event joins to discuss how festivals can become more sustainable, and how Kiwi festival waste management measures up to our European counterparts. 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 HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, the last Government faced constant criticism and attack from National that it wasn’t doing enough to deal with an apparent crime wave spreading across the country. Now, the burden of keeping law and order in check rests with National and their coalition partners. This week, Police Minister Mark Mitchell has had to respond to smash and grab robberies and a supermarket stabbing, but also faced controversy as the government’s promise to get 500 new cops on the beat in two years came under the microscope. So what does the Government have planned for delivering on their respective campaign promises to get on top of crime? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior writer Derek Cheng joins to give his insights into what can actually be done at a political level. 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.

Defence Minister Judith Collins will be meeting with her Australian counterpart today as both sides of the Tasman look to move towards ‘interoperability’ and working as one. This meeting comes after more details were revealed about the poor state of our military by the Herald this week. The NZSAS and the wider Defence Force are losing people in droves, and officials are doing their best to throw cash at the situation to prevent our security apparatus from grinding to a halt. So, what exactly is going wrong on our military frontlines, and is Judith Collins the Minister to fix the problem? NZ Herald investigative reporter David Fisher has been looking into this crisis for months, and joins us The Front Page today to discuss just how dire the situation is. 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 HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last three decades, six people have disappeared from the Piha area on Auckland’s west coast, all never to be seen again. While none of the bodies have been found, coroners have ruled most of the cases likely to be accidents or self-inflicted, and Police have treated them all separately. Yet for some, three men and three women vanishing from the same area feels like too much of a coincidence. Now, mystery documentary on ThreeNow, Black Coast Vanishings, has examined all six cases, and the effects they’ve had on those left behind. Today on The Front Page, co-directors Megan Jones and Candida Beveridge join to unpack the series that has got the country talking. 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 HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost-of-living crisis has come for the world’s biggest streaming services. Neon earlier this month became the first service in New Zealand to include ads on the platform, after Netflix and Disney Plus kick started the trend internationally last year. It comes as what was a major growth industry a few years ago slows, with the services starting to slash budgets, and in some cases wiping underperforming shows to save on taxes. So with prices rising and content slowing, what does the future hold for streaming in New Zealand and around the world? Today on The Front Page, Duncan Greive, founder and writer at The Spinoff, joins to discuss a once promising sector with a now uncertain 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a year on from the Interislander’s terrifying Kaitaki incident. The ferry lost power in Cook Strait with 864 people on board and issued a mayday call as it drifted towards Wellington’s rocky south coast. Luckily, disaster was narrowly avoided, and there was some comfort that KiwiRail had new mega ferries ordered and on the way to replace the ageing Interislander fleet. But fast-forward to today and KiwiRail’s mega ferry project has been canned after Finance Minister Nicola Willis refused to fund the latest budget blowout of $1.47 billion. So what’s the new plan to replace the ageing ferries and what does this mean for this critical supply chain link in the meantime? Today on The Front Page, Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison and BusinessDesk infrastructure editor Oliver Lewis discuss the decisions behind the cancellation and what needs to happen 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year, Auckland was shaken by a weather event on the city’s anniversary weekend that seemingly no one saw coming. Four people lost their lives in the shock weather event, while countless other homes were flooded or destroyed, with those affected still picking up the pieces a year later. Auckland Council and then-freshly elected mayor Wayne Brown came under fire for their handling of the crisis. Now, NZ Herald deputy head of news Tom Dillane has revisited the events of January 27th 2023 to find out just how unprepared council authorities and emergency management teams were for this event. He joins The Front Page to dig into the fresh revelations from this weather disaster. 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 announced this week that New Zealand is sending a six-person team to Yemen to provide maritime security in the Red Sea. It comes after weeks of attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships navigating the route, and subsequent retaliatory air strikes by the US and UK. All of this is unfolding against the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza conflict, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting international calls for a two-state solution to end the war. So why is New Zealand getting involved in the Red Sea, and how much longer can the bombardment of Gaza continue? Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland international relations professor Stephen Hoadley joins us to discuss the latest in the ongoing conflict. 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.

High inflation, job insecurity, and interest rates through the roof have been plaguing New Zealanders over the last few years. While it looks like we are turning a post-Covid corner, new threats are on the horizon as global conflicts continue, and questions remain over what the new Government's plans for fixing the economy actually are. From house prices and rental costs to migration woes, this year is shaping up to be a big year for the economy. Today on The Front Page, we're joined by Kiwibank senior economist Mary Jo Vergara, and Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan, to discuss the economic year 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: Katie HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National-led coalition has only been in office for two months, but already its work around Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Reo Maori has prompted backlash across Aotearoa. Last Friday a Ministry of Justice paper was leaked warning the Government’s proposed legislation to define the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi could be “highly contentious”. Part of the document suggested this was due to the “fundamental constitutional nature of the subject matter” and “lack of consultation with the public on the policy development prior to select committee”. The leak also came on the eve of a national hui, organised by the Māori King, at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia to unify Māori and discuss the potential impact of the policies. Among the ten thousand attendees was University of Auckland professor of Māori Studies, Margaret Mutu. She joins us today on The Front Page to discuss what went down at the hui, what to make of the government’s plans, and the importance of the little known document He Whakaputanga. You can read Act leader David Seymour's argument about the bill here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/act-leader-david-seymour-why-a-conversation-on-te-tiriti-o-waitangi-is-important-for-our-nation/IY4IMUEBEJDOXKG3HAHUJS3HAY/ 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 HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, our politicians are heading back to work... not that there has actually been much of a break. International crises like the Gaza conflict have needed the Government’s attention over the summer, and while we’ve been soaking up the sun, ministers have been back at their desks for a while now, sifting through reports and cancelled projects as the coalition looks to advance its 100 day plan. So, as everyone heads back to the Beehive, what are the top issues on the Government’s agenda, how likely is it that they will be achieved, and what about those parties that now find themselves in Opposition? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by New Zealand Herald deputy political editor and On the Tiles co-host Thomas Coughlan to preview the year ahead in politics. 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just when you thought Wellington’s water woes couldn’t get any worse, they have. The city is facing severe water shortages with warnings residents may have to boil their drinking water and some suburbs could run completely dry. People have queued for hours to get their hands on emergency water tanks. It comes as the city is losing 44 per cent of its treated drinking water to leaks, making for a communications nightmare when it comes to telling locals to conserve water. So, how did it get to this point and why did councils let the situation get so bad before acting? Today on The Front Page, Greater Wellington Regional Council chairman Daran Ponter joins us to discuss the looming crisis. 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The skylines of our cities are starting to change. Slowly but surely, new high-rise housing developments are cropping up all over Auckland. From built-to-rent schemes, to luxury hotels, to developer-iwi partnerships, there’s a wide variety of projects underway, all with different markets in mind. Something they all have in common, though, is that they signal a move away from suburban sprawl, to a new type of city living. So what are the main projects opening this year, how affordable will they be, and in a booming market, why are some struggling to make it to their open homes? NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson joins The Front Page to look at how apartment developments could dominate the property market in 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.

Parliament has not even returned for 2024 yet, but we’ve already got our first political scandal of the year. Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman has quit Parliament after multiple allegations of shoplifting surfaced over the last few weeks. Citing mental health concerns in her statement, it has once again raised questions about the stress placed on MPs and their suitability to serve, while the Green Party again faces scrutiny over their handling of the case. NZ Herald deputy political editor and host of the On the Tiles podcast, Thomas Coughlan, joins to dissect what to make of this scandal. 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 Light Rail is finally dead. The National-led Government has killed off the scheme first proposed by Labour on the 2017 campaign trail. Millions were spent on the project, which went through multiple iterations but never quite managed to get on track. The failure of the project has raised questions about how our Government’s approach to infrastructure will work, and why these schemes are so expensive and difficult to get off the ground. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joins us to discuss why we need to rethink our approach. 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 HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shark sightings have dominated Kiwi headlines this summer, with Surf Life Saving New Zealand recording several dozen reports over the holiday period. While some may view this as summer hysteria, the sightings did prompt water evacuations at certain beaches, and one woman suffered significant injuries to her leg after being attacked by a shark while walking through an estuary. So is global warming playing a hand in bringing these sharks close to shore, and what, if anything, can Kiwi water users do to keep safe? Today on The Front Page, shark scientist Dr Riley Elliott joins to discuss the sightings and what we get wrong when talking about these sea creatures. Host: Katie HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we’re on our summer break, The Front Page has been taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast this year. Back in April, two record drug busts within Aotearoa’s borders prompted us to take a look at why more and more drugs were passing through our borders. In the months since, more stories have landed in the NZ Herald newsroom of record hauls, including 140 kilograms of cocaine seized at the Ports of Auckland, 25 kilograms of meth found inside a Canadian man’s suitcase, and 25 million dollars worth of cannabis seized in Auckland. With so many drugs passing through our borders – or at least trying to – we're revisiting our chat on The Front Page with NZ Herald senior crime writer Jared Savage to find out why these busts are getting bigger. New episodes return January 15th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we are shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts and news events from the NZ Herald network over the last year. For years, Kiwis have pondered the identity of the ‘prominent businessman’, who, after several eventful court cases, was found guilty of sexually assaulting three men over a number of years. In 2023, he was unmasked as James Wallace, at the time a knight recognised for his services to the arts as one of our country’s biggest patrons. In a three-part special series of A Moment in Crime - the country’s top local true crime podcast - Anna Leask re-examined the case, looking at who Wallace was, the victims whose lives he ruined, and how he got away with it for so long. In this excerpt from the first episode of The Patron, you can learn who James Wallace is, and how Leask was the first journalist to report his crimes. You can listen to the full episode and series in the A Moment in Crime feed on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we’re on our summer break, The Front Page is looking back at some of the biggest news stories and top rated episodes from the podcast this year. One of the big talking points in Aotearoa for years has been the state of our education. Concerns over falling test results, and dropping numeracy and literacy rates have worried parents, educators and politicians for some time – and this all became worse during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The new National-led government has vowed to tackle education head on, but what exactly is needed to achieve this? Back in March, the Herald’s Making the Grade series, in collaboration with the New Zealand Initiative, explored what we need to do to repair this damaged system. Damien Venuto caught up with NZI Senior Fellow Michael Johnston to discuss what it will take to get our education sector back on track. New episodes return January 15th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we are shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts and news events from the New Zealand Herald network over the last year. Cold cases are relatively few and far between in Aotearoa. And that’s what makes the case of Donald Fraser stand out. 90 years after Fraser was shot dead in his bed at the Racecourse Hotel in Christchurch, questions linger about who was responsible, and why no one was ever brought to justice. Open Justice journalist Ric Stevens has been looking into this case for over a decade, and in this special series for the Herald’s Chasing Ghosts podcast, does he have an answer to this nearly century-old cold case? Listen to the first episode of Chasing Ghosts: Murder at the Racecourse Hotel now, and find the full season in the Chasing Ghosts feed on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we’re on our summer break, The Front Page is taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top rated episodes from the podcast this year. No family ever expects to find themselves in court – but for thousands in Aotearoa, that is the reality they find themselves in. In August, the NZ Herald ran a series on the Family Court, poring through the case files and talking to those at the coalface of a part of our legal system that is under crisis. Herald senior writer Jane Phare discussed what she had learnt about a system that some have described as a “warzone”. New episodes return January 15th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we are shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts and news events from the NZ Herald network over the last year. It’s a new year, and many of us will be looking for ways to improve our lives as we try to keep up with our new year resolutions. In the Herald podcast series, The Little Things, hosts Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey are trying to do the same, by looking at what the science says about living a healthier life. In this episode, they talk with medical doctor, epidemiologist, and Professor at King’s College London, Tim Spector, to cut through the crap – literally – to find out what you actually need to do to eat healthy. Listen now, and find more episodes of The Little Things on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes will return on February 3rd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we’re on our summer break, The Front Page is taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top rated episodes from the podcast this year. For decades, Waiwera Thermal Resort was one of the go-to places for Kiwis looking to cool off on a hot summer’s day. This year though marked the final nail in the coffin for the once popular destination. For six years, the complex has sat empty, but 2023 saw demolition crews come for the iconic slides, statues and pools. So how did this tourist favourite end up a ghost town, and what warnings does it hold for other destinations? The Front Page caught up with NZ Herald Property Editor Anne Gibson back in August to find out how this Auckland icon became a wasteland. New episodes return January 15th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we will be shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts and news events from the New Zealand Herald network over the last year. In February 2015, Goy Thongsi went on a diving expedition in Christchurch with four men she hardly knew. Within a few hours of setting out onto the water, Goy was dead and missing, and a cloud of suspicion surrounded her diving companions. In this season of the Herald’s true crime podcast, Chasing Ghosts, Open Justice journalist Hazel Osborne took a fresh look at this case, to see if there is any justice to be had for Goy eight years after her death. Listen to this excerpt of Chasing Ghosts: Below the Surface now, and find the full season in the Chasing Ghosts feed on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we’re on our summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top rated episodes from the podcast this year. Debt is one of those talking points we hear about from politicians constantly. How much should the nation’s finances go into arrears in order to pay for the things we need? And on a personal level, private debt is also increasing at a time when the largest asset for many families – their house – faces an uncertain future. Back in July, The Front Page caught up with the state of the country’s finances as part of the Herald’s Nation of Debt series. Now, with a new government with new priorities around the economy, let’s revisit Damien Venuto's conversation with NZ Herald Business Editor at Large Liam Dann about where our focus should be when it comes to debt. New episodes return January 15th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we are shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts and news events from the NZ Herald network over the last year. In the last year, Journalist and legal columnist Sasha Borissenko embarked on a mission to investigate the truth - and debunks the myths - about weight in Aotearoa. She teamed up with the NZ Herald for Chewing the Facts, a podcast about how society has conditioned us to feel about our weight, looking at everything from the messages we receive around food and dieting, to the societal structures in place influencing our decisions. Listen to the first episode of Chewing the Facts now, and find the full series on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we’re on our summer break, The Front Page is taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast this year. New Year’s Day, 2024 will mark 26 years since Ben Smart and Olivia Hope disappeared. In the early hours of New Year’s Day, 1998, the two accepted an offer to stay aboard a man’s yacht while staying in the Marlborough Sounds. They were never seen again. Their disappearances and presumed deaths have been pegged on Scott Watson for over two decades, but despite still being behind bars, Watson has always maintained his innocence. The case has long divided the country between those who are convinced of Watson’s guilt, and those who don’t think justice was served. Last year, broadcaster Paul Henry wrote a powerful piece for the Herald, revealing his beliefs that – even if Watson is guilty – there has been a miscarriage of justice. New episodes return January 15th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we will be shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts and news events from the New Zealand Herald network over the last year. In 2023, the New Zealand Herald partnered with broadcaster Sonia Gray for a new podcast called No Such Thing as Normal. Based on Gray’s experiences as a parent of a neurodivergent child, and living with her own neurodivergence, this series saw her talk to experts and those with lived experience, to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently. Listen to the first episode of No Such Thing as Normal now, and find the full series on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we’re on our summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top rated episodes from the podcast this year. In a year of big changes for New Zealand’s media industry, one moment stood out from the rest. Talk radio station Today FM came to a dramatic, expletive-laden end back in March. After only a year on air, Mediaworks made the shock decision to close it – sparking an on-air outburst by Today FM’s top talent. While the station had struggled to chip away at Newstalk ZB’s audience, the sudden closure stunned the country and raised some stark questions about the future of the media industry. The day it happened, the Media Insider himself Shayne Currie joined us to react to the news, and today we’ll revisit our immediate reaction to one of the most stunning moments of broadcasting Aotearoa has ever seen. New episodes return January 15th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we will be shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts and news events from the New Zealand Herald network over the last year. This year marks 70 years since the Tangiwai rail disaster. 151 people died after the Wellington to Auckland express derailed, due to a lahar washing out the rail bridge over the Whangaehu river. The tragedy is remembered as our worst ever rail disaster, but did we learn any lessons from this incident? In this collaboration between the NZ Herald and the Motuihe Group, broadcaster Hamish Williams seeks to answer these questions. Listen to this excerpt from the first episode, and for the full season of Tangiwai – A Forgotten History, find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we will be shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts and news events from the New Zealand Herald network over the last year. Growing up in Australia with a Danish father and a Māori-Pakeha mother, Myjanne Jensen always had this sense of not feeling Māori "enough". After moving back to the Far North in 2021, she started her journey of coming home and trying to better connect with her roots. In The Māori in Me, a podcast series from the NZ Herald, Jensen connects with other mixed-race Māori to discuss making that cultural connection and coming to terms with the complexity of their identities. In this episode, she talks with renowned Māori academic and rights activist, Professor Margaret Mutu, about what life was like in the Far North at the start of the 20th century and the impact of colonisation on the region and beyond. Listen to it now, and find more episodes of The Māori in Me on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite headline-grabbing ram raids becoming less common, crime was clearly still on many New Zealander's minds and a key part of many political parties’ election campaigns in 2023. Today on The Front Page, we present some of the biggest crime stories we’ve covered this year including the Auckland CBD construction site mass shooting, and an exploration of how meth kingpin Xavier Valent became only the third NZ drug importer to be sentenced to life in prison. We also hear from psychotherapist and co-host of The Nutters Club Kyle MacDonald, and NZ Herald Head of Newsroom Data Chris Knox for analysis on how much criminal activity there actually is in Aotearoa, and the psychological impact crime can have on victims. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 was a year dominated by extreme weather. In late January, some heavy rain in Auckland quickly turned into a city-wide disaster that caught everyone by surprise. It was pegged as a once in a century event – but barely a fortnight later, Cyclone Gabrielle swept down the upper North Island. While much of Auckland withstood the onslaught, the East Coast was devastated. Nearly a year has passed since the incidents though, and while pockets of Auckland and the Hawke’s Bay are still dealing with the effects of these storms, much of the country is looking to move on. So for today’s episode, we’re casting our eyes back over these extreme events as a reminder of what our country has endured, and what we need to learn to avoid things happening again. 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: Damien VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the year’s biggest shocks came only a few weeks into the new year. Back in January, Jacinda Ardern stunned the world when she used her first press conference of 2023 to announce her resignation as Prime Minister. It brought to an end the five year tenure of the reluctant premier, a politician who never sought the country’s highest office, yet found herself at the coal face for one of the most tumultuous periods in New Zealand’s history. There throughout her time on the ninth floor were Newstalk ZB political correspondent, Barry Soper, and NZ Herald senior political correspondent, Audrey Young. The two press gallery veterans joined us during 2023 to share their thoughts on Jacinda Ardern’s time in office and what her legacy holds. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a year. In 2023 there seemed to be no end to turmoil and conflict around the world. Wars, coups and disasters – natural or otherwise sprang up seemly without a break. On The Front Page we’ve done our best to make sense of what’s been happening around the globe, and our place in all this turmoil. Today we revisit some of the interviews that have helped expand our understanding of a planet that sometimes seemingly defied explanation - including the Gaza conflict, the Wagner Coup attempt in Russia, Africa's coup belt, Morocco's earthquake, and the disputed territory Artsakh / Nagorno Karabakh. Host: Damien VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The early weeks of 2023 were dominated by an ugly family feud on a global scale. Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, gave an unprecedented glimpse at the inner-workings of the Royal Family and laid bare the tensions between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the family. This set the tone for a year that was meant to be a celebration that King Charles had waited his whole life to enjoy. By the time his Coronation arrived in May, serious questions still lingered over how badly these divisions would hurt the Royal family as they entered a new era. In this look back of the year in royal news, we revisit first our recap of Spare's big revelations with UK correspondent Gavin Grey, and then return to May with NZ Herald Lifestyle Editor Jenni Mortimer live from London in the aftermath of Charles' coronation. Host: Damien VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where to begin with 2023? The year started in a big way, with the resignation of Jacinda Ardern and two once-in-a-century weather events in a row. And it didn’t slow down from there. Ministerial car crashes. An exploding submarine. World Cup highs and lows. The threat of AI. An active shooter at rush hour. A radio station that got effed live on air. Crime, the economy, trans rights, global conflict. And the coronation of both a new King, as well as the swearing in of a new government. There’s so much to digest, but how do we learn from this year’s crises, and what do we need to prepare ourselves for the year ahead? For our final episode of The Front Page for the year, we’re joined by NZ Herald editors at large, Shayne Currie and Liam Dann, and political editor Claire Trevett, for a look back and a glimpse into the future. Tune in next week for highlights from the year. New episodes return January 15th. Host: Damien VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 has been quite a year, and many of us are ready and waiting for our summer break to begin. With music festivals and other entertainment on offer, a lot of us need a break. But after a year of violent weather, what state are our key roads and highways in before the busy traffic period? And are we going to get the summer weather we missed out on last year, or could we be in for more of the same? In this episode, Damien is joined first by NIWA meteorologist Ben Noll for a preview of the weather in the weeks ahead. Then, the AA’s Martin Glynn runs through the roads to avoid when heading on holiday, and finally, NZ Herald entertainment reporter Lillie Rohan details some of the summer cultural highlights. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the biggest talking points of 2023 has been migration – not just who is coming to New Zealand, but how many of us are leaving the country. This year has seen record numbers of New Zealanders flock across the ditch and set up shop in Australia. There’s nothing new about a move across the Tasman, but the sheer volume of Kiwis leaving has sparked concerns over a potential brain drain. In among the stories of higher wages and more job opportunities, there have been some stories about some who found the grass wasn’t greener on the other side. NZ Herald journalist and Australian expat Ben Leahy has spoken to some of those about their experiences. He joins us today on The Front Page to discuss migration movements over the last 12 months. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the last two months, the world has been watching as the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip continues with no end in sight. Over 18,000 Palestinians have died as Israel continues their bombing campaign, and global efforts for a ceasefire are going ignored, even failing at the highest echelons of international politics. Yet while this conflict may be dominating headlines, war continues to rage in Ukraine, and the future of the country’s fight against Russia seems up in the air as US politicians battle over how much aid to supply the country. Today on The Front Page, we are joined by Otago University Professor of International Relations, Robert Patman, to discuss the current state of both conflicts, what the future holds for them, and if that hinges on the outcome of the US Presidential election. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Government is only a week in but there have already been some fiery exchanges. National’s Christopher Luxon and Labour’s Chris Hipkins crossed swords in parliament and we’ve already seen Kiwis take to the streets in protest. Te Pati Māori, holding its largest-ever caucus, has promised that this only the start and that there will be further protests to come. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has made a number of controversial comments that have left the Luxon red-faced. So where does this leave National-led coalition? How divisive are the Government’s policies? And how stable is the partnership between National, Act and NZ first. Today, NZ Herald political report Michael Neilson gives us a breakdown of what has been an eventful and somewhat chaotic first week for the new 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has a new Government – and this means a new Minister for Foreign Affairs. Winston Peters will take over from Nanaia Mahuta in a role that’s getting more complicated with every passing day. Trade wars, environmental devastation, and open military conflicts have returned to the globe on a level not seen in decades, to name just a few of the diplomatic tightropes that Peters will have to walk as he navigates this role. So is he still the right man for the job after all these years? And what does a change in Government mean for our role and reputation on the global stage? Today, NZ Herald editorial director and long-time columnist Fran O’Sullivan connects the dots between Aotearoa and the rest of the world. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The thought of a job with unlimited leave might seem splendid. You could ostensibly take weeks off whenever you feel like it and have a work-life balance that most could only dream of. But this isn’t always how these things work out. Jarrod Haar, Associate Dean at Massey Business School, has looked into the details of how having holidays when you want actually works in practice and found that there can be some worrying unintended consequences. 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: Damien VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the two years since Harry and Meghan sat down with Oprah, one question has hung over the Royal Family. Just who in the family raised concerns about the colour of Prince Archie’s skin before his birth? Now, the two senior royals have been named in a since-pulled Dutch translation of a new book about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their royal battles. It has sparked yet another scandal that has involved all the key players and themes of modern Royal life, from press scrutiny of the family to the ongoing tensions between Princes William, Harry and their wives. Today, NZ Herald Lifestyle and Travel deputy editor Emma Gleason joins to discuss how this scandal came to be and what happens 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us have had the unfortunate experience of witnessing the delays in New Zealand’s health system first hand. For some, that may simply mean the delay in seeing your GP or hours spent in the emergency room. But for others, the waiting game can have long-term implications for their health. NZ Herald investigate journalist Nicholas Jones for several months has been looking into cardiac patients and how they are being treated, and has heard some shocking stories about lengthy waiting times for surgery, and how some Kiwis are getting better care overseas. Today on The Front Page, he joins us to discuss how we could be doing heart health better. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has admitted to having a drinking problem. This comes after two incidents in which she has been seen visibly intoxicated in public spaces. Some councillors are now also calling Whanau’s resignation, with some questioning whether she can do the big job required of her. It also comes in the broader context of former Labour politician Kiri Allan, who blew over the legal limit after being involved in a car crash. That incident would ultimately come at the cost of her job in the Labour Government. But do these incidents actually point to something bigger? Does tell us something about the strain young politicians face when placed under constant public scrutiny? And how can the first-time MPs being sworn in this week prepare for the pressure coming their way? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior reporter Georgina Campbell digs into the latest scandal to rock New Zealand politics. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank has kept the Official Cash Rate at 5.5 per cent – and has stressed that our fight against inflation is not yet done. This comes as the country prepares for the new Government to step in and start making the big changes that were promised on the campaign trail. Luxon has pledged to slash public sector spending and has already done away with the Productivity Commission. He has further said that he wants to reduce the size of the public sector by around 5 per cent, meaning there’ll be far more jobs to go. So how much trouble is our economy in? Are there any signs that we could soon get relief from high mortgage rates? And will the widespread cuts to the public sector help or hinder the country? Today, Jenée Tibshraeny, NZ Herald Wellington business editor, wades into the messy economic picture facing the incoming 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Space – The Final Frontier. But for the new government, it’s being seen as an area ripe for expansion. Judith Collins has been appointed as New Zealand’s first ever Minister for Space, with a focus on our growing the aerospace industry With New Zealand one of the few countries in the world able to launch rockets into space, how important is this portfolio to our country’s future, and can we catch up with the big global players who have been at this since the Cold War? Today on The Front Page, Kevin Jenkins, a long-time business consultant and a board member at Aerospace Auckland, joins Damien to discuss a giant leap for our new 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education was a major battleground this election. Evidence showed decades of decline in the quality of the education system, with literacy and numeracy rates falling steadily. Add the dual problems of absenteeism and overworked teachers and you have a system in dire need of repair. So what is the new Government proposing? And will the plans put forward actually make the difference needed? Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB journalist Shannon Johnstone joins us to discuss whether Kiwi kids are alright. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.