The Front Page

Later today, Fa’anānā Efeso Collins will be laid to rest. The former Auckland Councillor and mayoral candidate turned Green MP, died suddenly last week after participating in a charity event. His funeral is expected to draw a massive crowd in Manukau, a sign of the massive respect he was held in by the wider South Auckland community he so passionately advocated for. Vaimoana Mase, the editor of the Herald’s Pasifika section, Talanoa, first met Collins as a teenager 21 years ago, and has followed his growth and career during her own. She joins The Front Page to discuss the outpouring of grief and love for the late Efeso Collins. 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.

Newshub – the news brand of Warner Bros Discovery-owned TV network Three – is due to close in June. The shocking news was delivered to staff earlier today, with many of them now expected to lose their jobs. So what led to the end of a news brand that has been around in various forms since 1989? And does it speak to broader worries about the local industry? In this bonus episode of The Front Page, Media Insider and editor at large Shayne Currie joins to discuss the tragic end of another major news giant. Host: Chelsea DanielsProducer: Ethan SillsEditor: Evan Paea 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has moved forward with plans to table a bill to disestablish the Maori Health Authority, tabling a bill this week that would see the authority shuttered after less than two years of operation. It follows through on a campaign promise by all three coalition partners, and is a part of their 100-day plan. So why is the authority being shut down after less than two years of operation – and, as the health system struggles with staffing shortages and high waiting times, where does this sit within the government’s other health priorities? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald health reporter Isaac Davison joins to discuss how the government plans to turn around an under-pressure health system. 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.

While Kiwis can celebrate an extra day of summer thanks to 2024 being a leap year, the good weather times may not last much longer. With autumn nipping at our heels, it’s nearly time to swap out the togs and towels out for scarves and sweaters. But just what do the cooler months have in store for us? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald science reporter Jamie Morton joins to dig into our strange end of summer weather, and whether the rest of the years’ systems are heading the same way. 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.

While hundreds of people go missing in New Zealand every year, most of the time it only takes a few days or weeks before they return or Police track them down. However, sadly for some families, their loved ones never return home. And dozens of these missing persons cases from 1957 to 2023 remain open and active across Aotearoa. Senior crime and justice reporter Anna Leask has covered many of these files in her podcasts, A Moment in Crime and Chasing Ghosts, and has gone through the records to detail many of the country’s current active inquiries. She joins us today on The Front Page to explain what constitutes a missing person, and what happens when a body is never found. 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.

Two years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine, but there is still no end in sight for the conflict. As Ukraine desperately seeks funding and support from its global allies, the war continues in an effective stalemate, with both sides struggling to make ground. However, could the suspicious death of incarcerated Russian opposition leader, Alexei, Navalny spur Western forces to take more of a stand against Vladimir Putin? For much of the last two years, Kiwi journalist Tom Mutch has been following the conflict on the ground in Ukraine. He joins The Front Page today from Kyiv for the latest on this war. Host: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced earlier this week he is leaving politics. He is the latest member of the Labour Party who has chosen greener pastures over three years of being back in Opposition. So with Grant Robertson out the door, where does that leave Labour as it looks to rebuild, and are the remaining MPs strong enough to hold the Government to account? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett joins to dig into Robertson’s legacy and Labour’s future. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yet another fire has burnt through hundreds of hectares of vegetation on Christchurch’s Port Hills. It would’ve been deja vu for residents – for those who experienced the 2017 fire – as the blaze forced hundreds to evacuate their homes and required round the clock action by firefighters to try and contain it. The fire has largely been contained – but as the planet gets hotter, how common could these types of wildfires become in years to come? And as we reconsider building on floodplains and cliffsides, do we also need to look at the fire risk when building homes? Today on The Front Page, we're joined by director of climate change consultancy Climate Prescience, Dr Nathaneal Melia, to discuss the fire risk of our changing climate, and University of Auckland lecturer in Urban Planning, Dr Iresh Jayawardena, joins to explore if that risk should make us reconsider where we build. 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 stats out last week drove home the message that New Zealand is in a population boom. While a record number of us departed our shores, New Zealand still added an additional 145,000 people - the largest population growth we’ve seen this century. So what’s driving this influx of people, and is it sustainable for a country that seems to be running out of money to grow further? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann joins to answer the question – is New Zealand growing too fast? 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.

Custody battles are always complex and require courts to balance the needs of the child with both parents’ wishes. When different legal jurisdictions are in play, that process becomes far more complicated. The Hague Convention is a powerful international treaty signed by over 100 countries, which assumes the courts in the country where the child usually lives are best placed to make decisions about their welfare. This treaty is supposed to make things easier, but as some recent cases have shown, it’s not the golden solution it should be. Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland law professor Mark Henaghan joins to explain how the Convention works and if after 40 years it's still fit for purpose. 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.

A horror half-year result has exposed major issues for Fletcher Building. One of/The largest construction companies in New Zealand reported a 120-million-dollar loss earlier this week, causing their share prices to plummet and forcing multiple key resignations. Fletcher Building is not the only organisation in the industry reeling from losses, as a grim outlook of declining consents and rising building costs suggests a tough time ahead. So, what is driving these woes, and how widespread is the issue around the country? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald’s Property Insider Anne Gibson weighs in on Fletcher’s losses and who might be next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country’s infrastructure woes became very clear for commuters in our biggest city earlier this week. Aucklanders were stunned after dozens of trains were delayed or cancelled right at rush hour, due to speed restrictions enforced by KiwiRail to combat overheated rail lines. It’s yet another example of our aging infrastructure, and the dire need for us to invest in replacing and upgrading failing parts of the national network. So how much would it cost to get the trains running on time – and is there the political will to meet the price tag? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett to discuss the costly issues facing the 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 was a year of dashed hopes for sports fans, with New Zealand missing the mark at four separate world cups. Now, with a new All Blacks coach, stadium proposals for downtown Auckland, and the Olympics on the horizon, our athletes will be dusting themselves off and looking towards the future. So will Scott Robertson be able to make his mark on the All Blacks? Can the Up the Wahs phenomenon take the Warriors further than last year? And who is going to bring home the Olympic gold? To preview the year ahead for Kiwi sports, we’re joined on The Front Page by Newstalk ZB sports journalist and co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast, Elliott Smith. 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.

Later this year when Americans return to the polls for their next Presidential election, they are likely to experience a bit of deja vu. Number 46 Joe Biden is likely to face Number 45 Donald Trump in a rematch of 2020, and as we slowly edge closer to election day, both men find themselves facing intense criticism for very different reasons. So will Biden be able to overcome concerns about his age and memory to hold onto the White House, or could Trump make a return despite a series of criminal cases? Today on The Front Page, Newshub US correspondent Mitch McCann joins from New York to weigh in on the upcoming election in the land of the free. 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.

Tension between Auckland Council and the Government has flared up once again. Mayor Wayne Brown is unhappy with the coalition Government’s decision to axe the Auckland fuel tax, arguing that transport projects are going to have to be cancelled – as he has ruled out increasing rates to pay for the funding shortfall. It comes as Auckland Transport faces criticism for eye-watering costs for level pedestrian crossings and lengthy delays with road works on a key commuter route. So does the city need more Government support to pay for its projects, or a rethink of how it pays for what it’s already doing? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by New Zealand Herald Super City reporter Bernard Orsman to quite literally dig into the saga of pedestrian crossings. 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.

Taylor Swift is the most famous person in the world right now. Whether she is shattering records with her globe-trotting world tour and accompanying movie, or using award show wins for one album to announce another, Swiftmania is unavoidable. And that’s not going to change in the next few weeks, with her expected appearance at the Super Bowl alongside her sports star boyfriend, Travis Kelce, before bringing her Eras Tour to Australia. So how has Swift gone from being a country popstar to world domination, and is she immune from another backlash like the one that nearly brought her down previously? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald deputy lifestyle editor Emma Gleason joins to discuss why this is Taylor’s world and we’re just living in 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: Katie HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aotearoa’s model for stubbing out cigarette use became world-renowned in 2022 when the Government passed legislation banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born after January 2009. However, some fear that progress has gone up in smoke after the coalition Government announced late last year it would repeal the smokefree laws. The plan was labelled ‘completely backwards’ by some public health experts at the time, and in the months since more controversy has followed. Today on The Front Page, Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coghlan joins us to unpack the new Government’s plan for a smokefree future and why it's been so contentious. 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.

Buckingham Palace stunned the world this week by announcing that King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. The King had already made headlines after being treated for an enlarged prostate, a procedure that has led to this new and more serious diagnosis. Only 17 months into his reign, what does this health crisis mean for our Head of State, and for the wider monarchy that now has two senior royals off duties for very different health reasons. Today on The Front Page, we’re joined from London by UK correspondent Gavin Grey for the latest on this new royal shock. 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.

Wellington has found itself at odds with the new Government. Residents of the capital city last year voted to send two Green MPs to Parliament, joining Green Party-endorsed Mayor Tory Whanau in representing the city. While National swept to power in a blue wave in other parts of the country, the election result in Wellington was not exactly an endorsement of the new Government’s policies. So, where does this leave Wellington? How does a city council that desperately needs more money navigate a right-leaning Government? And is Tory Whanau the right person for the job? Today on The Front Page, NZME’s Wellington head of news Katrina Bennett and playwright Dave Armstrong join Georgina Campbell to discuss the challenges facing our capital 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.