The Front Page
Episodes
Inside the error that sent Northland into a Covid lockdown
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Last year, two Covid-positive women sent Northland into an 11-day lockdown after entering the region when they weren’t supposed to. Reports at ti...
Why major global brands are flocking to New Zealand
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand may be a small country at the bottom of the world, but some of the major retail brands that we’ve heard about for decades have started e...
Why the world is watching our falling house prices
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
House prices have been on the slide all year, amid what economists are calling a significant correction in the housing markets. At the same, interest ...
Should we be dropping the last of our Covid restrictions?
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The world has been battling Covid-19 for nearly three years. But increasingly, people are having to learn to live with the virus. Recently, Prime Mi...
Can Warriors bounce back after another horror season?
04 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Warriors ended the season with one final heartbreak, throwing away a commanding lead to lose the last game of 2022. This result left them second f...
The legal battle linking Hollywood, Cornwall Park and NZ's events industry
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For over 100 years, New Zealanders have flocked to Auckland Showgrounds for a wide variety of events. But the doors could soon permanently close on ...
Inside the Government's u-turn over KiwiSaver reforms
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
24 hours is a long time in politics. On Tuesday, the Government tabled a bill aimed at fixing a GST imbalance between small and large KiwiSaver provid...
The key local election races and why you should be paying attention
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Voting documents will soon be sent out, inviting enrolled New Zealanders to cast their votes in the local elections. While this is meant to be an impo...
Why unions are making a comeback - and should you join one?
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a member of a union? In many industries, it’s not a question that gets asked much these days. The golden age of unions has long passed, an...
Why the Government's transport plans face a rocky road ahead
28 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand is a nation of car lovers – but it’s a costly fascination, not only for motorheads but for the Government. Roads require maintenan...
What made Trevor Mallard such a controversial Speaker?
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trevor Mallard has departed his role as Speaker after almost five years of controversy. For his nearly four decades of service to the Labour Party, he...
Why are we still offering big financial incentives to Hollywood studios?
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The New Zealand Government has been pouring money into attracting large movie makers to Aotearoa. One of the big benefactors was the new Lord of t...
Is New Zealand prepared for the effects of extreme weather?
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last week Nelson has been devastated by floods. Homes have been rendered unlivable, roads have been damaged, landslides have led to evacuatio...
As protesters return to Parliament, is their rage here to stay?
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
More than a thousand protesters are set to converge at parliament today. Fueled by frustration and anger, they falsely accuse the Government, public...
How to avoid a Lotto dream turning into a financial nightmare
21 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What would you do if you won Lotto? It's a question we’ve all asked ourselves. It’s the ultimate get-rich-quick fantasy that the majority of the...
Rugby Direct - Inside the decision to keep Ian Foster as coach
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, after intense speculation across New Zealand and the global rugby community, the New Zealand Rugby board announced that Ian Foster will rem...
Is there a right way to tackle youth crime?
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The number of people reporting that they are victims of crime has shot up to record levels. Worryingly, we are also seeing a growing trend of offences...
What does the Official Cash Rate hike mean for the average Kiwi?
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand’s Reserve Bank is desperate to bring inflation under control. Official Cash Rate lifts over the last 12 months have been the most aggres...
Is there a plan to fix two decades of falling literacy rates?
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
At the start of this century, New Zealand was considered one of the most literate countries in the world. However, multiple reports in recent years ...
Explaining the political scandals hitting Labour and National
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A week is a long time in politics – and what a week it has been for our major parties. National’s post-conference buzz was quickly dampened afte...
The cost of convenience - has Uber's success harmed local industry?
14 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The story of Uber is one of convenience. It’s about how a simple piece of tech has been at the forefront of the way people call a ride or have food ...
25 years after Princess Diana's death, is history repeating itself?
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This month marks 25 years since Diana, Princess of Wales died in a car crash in Paris. The shadow of her still hangs over the British monarchy, whi...
As All Blacks suffer historic lows - is it time to up support for other sports?
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The All Blacks have lost five of their last six games. Their latest loss against old rival South Africa leaves coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Cane...
Which party has the right approach to the welfare system?
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand’s welfare system has become a hot-button political issue. Politicians on all sides of the aisle have expressed their opinions on how ...
What life is like in Ukraine six months into Russia's invasion
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It has been nearly six months since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Yet for the millions of Ukrainians affected by the conflict, these past f...
As Europe burns, is our overworked fire service ready for wildfire threat?
07 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 2022, wildfires have scorched more than 600,000 hectares of Europe. This ranks as the second-highest total for any year, and comes amid a heatwave ...
War, crime, and Covid - debating the chaos of 2022 so far
04 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ukraine. Climate change. The Economy. Local and national politics.Rising violence. And, of course, Covid-19. The Front Page has covered a lot of topic...
Why are Auckland Mayoral candidates struggling to cut through?
03 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The political fight for Auckland mayor is balanced on a knife edge and things are starting to get dirty. Polls separate four candidates by only a f...
How the cost of living payment became so messy
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over the next three months, more than two million New Zealanders are set to receive a $350 payment from the Government. That money is intended to...
How the shift online is cutting off New Zealanders
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine waking up one morning and realising the door to almost every public service was shut to you. No matter how hard you tried, you simply couldn’...
Has New Zealand become an angry nation?
31 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a growing trend of anti-social behaviour across Aotearoa that’s affecting people of all walks of life. Recently, we’ve seen shocking hea...
How big of a threat is Foot and Mouth Disease?
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A new threat has got New Zealand’s agricultural community on edge. Foot and mouth disease, which devastated farming communities in England 21 year...
Inside Gloriavale's controversial history and recent backlash
27 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The isolated religious community of Gloriavale has gripped the nation for years. The church’s ongoing attempts to project an image of wholesome C...
Monkeypox is now a global health emergency - what you need to know
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Monkeypox cases are surging around the world. The World Health Organisation has now declared the spread a global emergency and countries are scramb...
Why Green Party members are trying to oust James Shaw
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The future of Green Party co-leader James Shaw is on the line. Party delegates have voted to reopen nominations for his position, opening the door ...
Businesses and migrants want immigration reset - will Government listen?
24 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand's net migration has been negative since March 2021. In the year to April, 8500 more people left than arrived, heaping pressure on bu...
Why are people being refused an assisted death?
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When euthanasia legislation was passed, critics worried that it could result in a slippery slope of people choosing die. But report suggests that t...
What burnt-out doctors and nurses need right now
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Emergency department wait times are the longest they’ve been in a decade. Doctors and nurses are battling against a surge in Covid-19 infections...
How much longer will the inflation pain last?
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Inflation exceeded expectations to hit 7.3 per cent this week. The highest level seen since 1990. Everything from construction costs to petrol and fo...
Could New Zealand be one of the worst countries to move to?
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A new survey has identified New Zealand as the second worst place to move to out of 52 nations. The only country which rated worse was Kuwait. Is Ao...
How can the All Blacks recover after the historic loss against Ireland?
17 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Groans were heard up and down the country on Saturday night when Ireland defeated the All Blacks 32 to 22, clinching a series victory for the visitin...
Gangs, ram raids, random attacks - is crime really on the rise?
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Police Minister Chris Hipkins has admitted that tensions between gangs are at a high. As a result, the Government has proposed new legislation tar...
Bankruptcy, protests and a fleeing president - what's happening in Sri Lanka?
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sri Lanka has been in turmoil for months. Rising food costs, long blackouts, fuel and medicine shortages, and a fertiliser crisis have severely impact...
Why wild weather is becoming more common in NZ
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Few things grip the nation’s attention as firmly as an intense weather event. And recently, it seems that those events are becoming more common and ...
Why Auckland's fighting over housing intensification
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s widely accepted that New Zealand needs to build more houses to accommodate a rapidly growing population. But as a recently Auckland Council v...
What would it take for Christchurch to be our next Super City?
10 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Christchurch could become New Zealand’s next Super City. Rapid population growth projected over the next few decades has planners mulling whether...
Boris Johnson has resigned as UK PM: Inside the scandal that brought him down
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Boris Johnson has officially resigned as leader of Britain's Conservative Party. He plans to remain as UK prime minister while the leadership conte...
From Top Gun to Stranger Things - are we addicted to nostalgia?
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our culture appears to have become dominated by the dreams of the past - whether that’s clinging to the idea of a mythical golden era or just a time...
Covid numbers have spiked - is it time to move to red?
06 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand is being hit by a winter wave of Covid-19. Case numbers are rising rapidly and understaffed hospitals are coming under increased strain. ...
Chlöe Swarbrick explains why she's fighting to change our alcohol laws
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Green politician Chlöe Swarbrick is set to take on the booze business. Her alcohol reduction bill, recently drawn from the biscuit tin, proposes a...
Dissecting the EU trade deal - is it time to diversify our exports?
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a major new trade deal with the European Union. The promise is that it would help grow exports to the EU...
Has the Country Calendar backlash highlighted wider rural tensions?
03 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A recent episode of the ever-popular Country Calendar has divided audiences in the rural community. The unconventional methods of businesspeople Geoff...
What can the community expect from new Ministry for Disabled People
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today marks the beginning of Aotearoa’s newest ministry. The newly established Ministry for Disabled People is meant to act as a powerful voice f...
What you need to know about Health NZ and the end of the DHBs
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Government’s sweeping plan to abolish all 20 District Health Boards comes into effect this week. The move will replace the DHBS with a singl...
What does the end of Roe v Wade mean for the US and NZ?
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over the weekend, the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v Wade decision - effectively striking down the nearly 50-year enshrined right of ...
After random stabbing attacks, how safe are our streets?
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Two random knife attacks in a few days have rattled the nation. The motivations behind the incidents are still unclear, but they’ve drawn attention ...
After winter warnings, is our national power grid fit for purpose?
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealanders were warned last week that we were at risk of nationwide energy blackout. High demand combined with a winter snap meant that we were...
Is our public transport network ready to replace our cars?
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand should be in a golden era for public transport. A growing awareness of climate change, combined with congestion frustrations, should m...
Stacey Morrison explains why we're celebrating Matariki
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Matariki, Aotearoa’s new public holiday, commemorates the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar. But this day is about more tha...
What can be done to lower our shocking road toll?
22 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Another horrific crash this week has served as a reminder of the dire state of New Zealand’s road toll. Hundreds of people are dying on our roads ev...
Will the lure of higher wages overseas further our healthcare woes?
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand’s nurses are not happy. They feel overworked, underpaid and frustrated by the lack of support from decision makers. Now, with large of...
What's behind the latest attacks on the LGBT+ community?
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
June is known around the world as Pride Month. A moment of celebration for the LGBT+ community. However, a growing backlash towards queer people i...
Separating the fact from fiction on Fair Pay Agreements
19 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The proposal of Fair Pay Agreements in New Zealand has become a political lightning rod. Opponents are taking out expensive billboards and ads to oppo...
Are live events prepared for a post-Covid world?
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This weekend, Eden Park will host the Blues and the Crusaders for an epic showdown to mark the end of the Super Rugby Pacific tournament. It no...
Why it could take 80 years to de-pollute the Waikato River
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand’s longest waterway has become a meandering river of filth. The Waikato River is regularly unswimmable and high levels of pollutants ...
Who's in, who's out after the Government's cabinet reshuffle?
14 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this week unveiled her latest cabinet reshuffle. The changes involving the top Ministers in Government were descri...
The massive trial to make the four-day week a reality
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The balance between work and home life has become more muddied. Technology now means we are required to always be on, stretching the workday even furt...
What's the plan to revive Auckland's struggling CBD?
12 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Auckland's city centre is going through a rough period. Construction, crime and social issues have combined to create an undesirable experience that b...
Were NZ's Covid vaccination rates misleading?
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Revelations this week have placed the spotlight on the Ministry of Health’s pandemic numbers. It turns out that the percentage of people v...
Does Australia offer any answers to NZ's growing gang problem?
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As a tit-for-tat gang war unfolds on New Zealand's streets, the National Party has called for New Zealand to implement Australian policing strategies ...
The perfect storm hitting NZ's construction industry
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In recent weeks, numerous construction companies and developers have folded amid the pressures plaguing the building industry. Bay of Plenty&rs...
Can a successful US trip boost Jacinda Ardern's local popularity?
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been welcomed with open arms during her trip to the United States, appearing on late night TV, speaking at Harvard U...
As the Queen celebrates 70 years, what's next for the Royal Family?
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Commonwealth this weekend celebrates the 70th Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It's a milestone that's never been reached by a British monarch befor...
Should New Zealand be concerned by China's interest in the Pacific?
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has previously compared New Zealand and China’s relationship to the respect a taniwha would show a dragon...
Will Government intervention fix our supermarket duopoly?
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Government is taking aim at the supermarket duopoly with a range of measures designed to increase competition in the sector. This comes aft...
Can the local music industry recover from the devastation of Covid?
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’re at the end of New Zealand Music Month. The annual celebration of local music has gone by with almost no restrictions, the first time in tw...
Is the Silver Lake deal going to help or harm local rugby?
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The All Blacks are being courted by the commercial muscle of a large private equity firm, Silver Lake, which wants to acquire a stake in the world&rsq...
The next 30 years: Will the RNZ-TVNZ merger fix anything?
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week the country has celebrated 30 years of its favourite soap opera, Shortland Street. The doctors and nurses of Ferndale have survived serial k...
We've been warned - but is the country ready for a major Alpine Fault quake?
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A series of news stories and concerns over rising tremors at Mt Ruapehu have again shed light on the risk posed by the Alpine Fault. Experts are...
Inheritance law shakeup: things could get complicated
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Inheritance law is set for a major revamp off the back of a series of recommendations by the Law Commission. This could leave relatives ex...
Can Tauranga's next MP help tackle growing concerns in the city?
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tauranga is on the hunt for a new member of Parliament. Nominations closed last week in the contest to replace the retired Simon Bridges. This e...
Australia has a new prime minister - what does that mean for NZ?
22 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our closest neighbour has a new Prime Minister. Labor leader Anthony Albanese is set to be the 31st Prime Minister of Australia, defeating Liberal Par...
Budget 2022 - what you need to know about the $6 billion package
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On Thursday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson unveiled his fifth budget – the country’s biggest ever with a six billion dollar price tag. ...
From pandemic to endemic - what does our future with Covid-19 look like?
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Could you imagine the risk of Covid-19 regional lockdowns and work from home orders still coming into effect in 2027? That’s one scenario ...
Breaking down the details of the billion dollar Emissions Reduction Plan
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Government has this week unveiled its Emissions Reduction Plan. Billions of dollars have been earmarked as part of an effort to reduce global warm...
Kiwi journalist in Ukraine on the state of Russia's invasion
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A NZ journalist believes the Ukrainian people will never accept a settlement that sees territory handed over to Russia, as a result of the atrocities ...
From oversized props to Zoom flops - Government spending under the microscope
15 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the Government prepares to unveil the 2022 budget, several stories in recent weeks have drawn attention to several controversial spending decisions...
After three decades, Peter Ellis survivor breaks her silence
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In June 1993, Peter Ellis was convicted of 16 charges involving the sexual abuse of seven children. But, despite his death in 2019, the case has...
10 years on, how is the Kim Dotcom case still in the news?
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Back in January 2012, one of the most interesting legal cases in New Zealand’s history began when police raided a Coatesville mansion belonging ...
How a broken health system is failing New Zealand women
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The nation’s health system is failing women, often making them feel like their illness is a figment of their imagination. Women are someti...
Will gloomy house price prediction shake up the market?
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Westpac Bank last week forecast that New Zealand house prices would drop by 15 per cent over the next two years – striking the gloomiest note we...
Lessons from an Auckland mum who had Covid-19 for 35 days
08 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
An Auckland woman had Covid-19 for more than a month. Her harrowing story is one that runs the full gamut of symptoms, and possibly two variants. ...
What made Simon Bridges such a dangerous political foe?
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
National Party MP Simon Bridges delivered his valedictory speech this week, drawing the curtain on a colourful political career that spanned 14 years,...
Are NZ's gangs becoming more violent?
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Gangs. Patches. And 501 deportees. These issues cause fierce debate across Aotearoa. But how much of what we hear is true? And what should the police ...
Vaping was meant to stub out smoking. Has it just replaced it?
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Vaping brands arrived in New Zealand under the auspices of helping Kiwis quit smoking. They've also contributed to hooking an entirely new generation ...
An employee exodus? The allure of Australia's big money offers
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Unemployment is forecast to hit another record low this week. It's good news for workers, but it’s also putting enormous strain on businesses de...
Will NZ's newly open borders be a quick fix for tourism?
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today is the first day in two years that tourists from around the world are allowed into Aotearoa. It's the moment the beleaguered tourism indus...
Was MIQ justified? Inside the Grounded Kiwis court case
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, lobby organisation Grounded Kiwis won their case against the Government and the MIQ lottery system. This came as vindication for many New Z...
What's behind the country's ram raid crime wave?
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There have been multiple, high-profile ram raids in New Zealand in the past two weeks. The perpetrators are becoming increasingly brazen, targeting ma...
From security pacts to dancing kiwifruit - was the PM's overseas trip a success?
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this month left New Zealand for the first time in two years, for a business-focused trip to Singapore and Japan. This tr...