The Front Page
Episodes
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...
How bad will rising inflation be for New Zealand - and Labour?
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In his quarterly forecast released last week, Westpac economist Satish Ranchhod said the quarterly inflation figure was set to be "another monster". T...
What can we do to be happier? Matt Heath's quest to find out
24 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a person happy? Is it wealth, success, fame, great Instagram pics? Or is it something simpler that even ordinary people could strive for? A...
David Farrier on the scandal rocking Arise Church
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Megachurches are big business in New Zealand, with these organisations raking in millions of dollars every year. Few have been as successful as the Ar...
Fourth death renews concerns about Ports of Auckland safety
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, a worker died in a fall at the Ports of Auckland - the latest in a string of casualties since 2017. This comes after a review last year rev...
Lachie Jones: A father wants answers about his toddler's death - does he have a case?
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In January 2019, three-year-old Lachie Jones disappeared on a summer evening. Several hours later, he was found floating face-up in an oxidation pond ...
How Netsafe went from championing online safety to fighting bullying claims
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Netsafe, the government-funded agency meant to protect New Zealanders from online harm is facing bullying allegations, a $100,000 fine for privacy bre...
Why is an increasingly secular New Zealand still celebrating Easter?
17 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Easter is upon New Zealand again - one of two religious events that are recognised as national public holidays. That’s despite census data showi...
Will Louisa Wall's parting blows leave a mark on Labour?
13 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight Labour MP Louisa Wall delivers her valedictory speech, bringing an end to a career in Parliament that lasted 14 years. However, she has not go...
How Sideswipe mastered snackable content before TikTok
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For 20 years, author Ana Samways has been a collector of New Zealand cultural curiosities. She’s been trawling through the online world for phot...
Polls, scandals, and no policy - who's who in the Australian election
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It was announced this weekend that Australians will head to the polls on May 21st, where they will decide whether to continue with the Coalition and S...
IPCC report shows why we need to stop listening to 'loudmouths'
10 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has just released a harrowing report that says our time is fast running out to avoid catastrophe. While ...
What's next for Ministry of Health after Bloomfield's shock resignation?
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In a surprising move this week, New Zealand’s Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield has resigned from his post, nearly 18 months before h...
From JK Rowling to Disney - how Hollywood's juggling the culture war
06 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, a new movie in the Harry Potter franchise hit local cinemas. It’s not too long ago that the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets ...
Death threats and online rage spreading into the real world
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A man charged with threatening to kill Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appeared in court this week. It’s the latest example of online threats step...
How do White Ferns rebuild after World Cup calamity?
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Women’s Cricket World Cup concluded over the weekend with old rivals Australia and England battling it out for glory. Sadly, New Zealand cou...
Is it time we end the daylight saving switch?
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re feeling a bit out of rhythm this morning, that’s not entirely surprising. The country’s clocks changed by an hour over the...
Has Team New Zealand back-stabbed the country?
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's been confirmed the next America’s Cup will not be held in New Zealand. After a prolonged saga, it’s been confirmed that the next even...
Will easing restrictions further the country's divisions?
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
From April 4th, vaccine pass and mandate requirements will be removed and become optional for businesses to implement. In addition to learning to live...
Why the frontrunners for Auckland mayor are causing concern
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Auckland mayoralty - sometimes considered the second most important job in New Zealand politics - is up for grabs this year. And while you'd think...
What punishment awaits Will Smith after Oscars slap?
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Will Smith ripped the gaze of the world away from Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine yesterday when he walked onto the stage and slapped comedian Chris R...
New section hopes to change Pasifika narratives in media
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pasifika communities make up more than 8 per cent of the New Zealand population, but you wouldn’t know that from looking at most mainstream medi...
Will Jane Campion triumph at controversial Oscars ceremony?
27 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The 94th Academy Awards will take place this afternoon, and New Zealand film fans are hoping Jane Campion will emerge with a bit of Oscar gold. But wi...
The Government's tricky balancing act with crisis spending
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Efforts to bail out the economy don’t come cheap. We’ve recently seen the Government forgo hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes to kee...
Will fluoride and flooding change views on Three Waters?
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the issues with water management in New Zealand were laid bare for all to see. Right after it was revealed that Wellington hasn’t had...
Kiwi journalist on life in Ukraine and why the country will never surrender
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As Russia continues its brutal attack, Ukrainians are defending their homeland with a resolve that few expected to see. But with Russia reportedly now...
Is New Zealand ready for the realities of living with Covid?
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Government will this week announce its plans to roll back vaccine passes and mandates, continuing the ongoing relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions....
The Front Page - new for 2022
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Keeping up to date with the news just became a little easier. NZ Herald’s The Front Page is back - and it is your new, go-to short, sharp daily ...
The Ports of Auckland decision is worth billions and impacts us all
05 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the possible move fo...
How new rental laws aim to change the way we live
28 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the proposed changes...
Why just listening is a powerful tool in our mental health battle
07 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's what we can all do t...
Why student loans are keeping NZers in exile
31 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's why the SkyCity fire...
Why they couldn't 'just put out' the SkyCity fire
24 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's why the SkyCity fire...
The housing crisis is about to get worse
17 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the escalating probl...
Why online voting is coming, ready or not
10 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's miniscule numbers of...
Are the days of free trade over?
03 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the changing nature ...
On the front lines in Hong Kong, and why NZ needs to be careful
26 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The protests in Hong Kong have now been going for more than 100 days, and it seems neither side is willing to give up. It started with plans to allow ...
There's still time to stop the end of the world
19 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the Covering Climate...
How can we protect our elections from foreign interference?
05 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the troubling detail...
The Alan Jones stoush: when does criticising politicians become offensive?
28 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's where to draw the li...
Do troubles for Fonterra mean trouble for farmers?
22 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the worrying financi...
Why increasing numbers of super rich leads to a tax problem
08 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the increasing numbe...
How a critical lack of money is hurting the health system
01 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's how a lack of money ...
Baby uplifts: What needs to change to protect vulnerable children?
25 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the disturbing stori...
Can NZers be convinced to give up their car love affair?
18 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the government chang...
Will banning plastic bags really solve our problems?
11 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the plastic bag ban,...
How worried should we be about NZ's biggest bank?
04 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's how ANZ got into tro...
What's in the way of fixing our traffic?
27 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the mood for change ...
How to fix a broken polling system
20 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's whether we can trust...
Is the property boom over?
13 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's what you need to kno...
The rise of eco-anxiety as the battle for our planet heats up
06 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the rising fear we'r...
The fight to help 1 million NZers escape violence
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the movement to tack...
Is it too late to get social media under control?
23 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's what needs to come n...
Why we're losing the fight against meth
16 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the second wave of m...
Behind the rising tide of diabetes amputations
09 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the shocking rise of...
Front Page 2.0
23 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
They say a change is as good as a holiday...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Revealed: the sorry state of our environment
18 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A sweeping audit has revealed our environment is under attack from virtually every direction – with climate change now also adding to the pressure.T...
RIP Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There will be no capital gains tax.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Cabinet could not reach a consensus.She says she still believes such a tax would...
Rental crisis looming for retirees
16 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The growing number of New Zealanders who do not own their homes are in for a tough retirement.That's according to a study out of the University of Ota...
Hopes that NZ nurse held by ISIS is still alive
15 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A New Zealand nurse has been held captive by Islamic state for almost six years - but until now, it was kept secret. Louisa Akavi's identity was kept ...
Property sales slump - is this the sign of an imminent crash?
12 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Real Estate Institute data out today revealed a whopping 12.9% drop in sales volumes in the last month. It's significant not only because of the figur...
Rugby stars speak out in solidarity with the gay community
11 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sports stars and politicians are united in their condemnation of homophobia today, after Israel Folau once again used social media to attack the gay c...
Why fashion's big names got a rap on the knuckles
10 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Most New Zealand fashion retailers are doing a good job of looking after the people who make their clothes, but some brands have work to do.Department...
Only two exemptions for new gun laws
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tighter gun laws are now almost reality, and we've have our first look at what the details of that would be.The bill banning military-style semi-autom...
Facebook 'not to be trusted', as strict new laws get traction
08 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook has been labelled 'morally bankrupt, pathological liars', by New Zealand's Privacy Commissioner.John Edwards used Twitter last night to post ...
Kiwis foot bill for alleged mosque gunman's lawyers
05 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today was the first High Court appearance for the 28-year-old man accused of the Christchurch mosque attacks. Because he's being held at New Zealand's...
Crusading for change: when religion and sport collide
03 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Catholic cross-emblazoned knights on horses have been scrapped from the Crusaders' pre-match entertainment, after the Christchurch mosque attacks.The ...
NZ and China: a matter of trust
02 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jacinda Ardern has finished her whirlwind visit to Beijing with a clear message from the Chinese President ... our two countries must trust each other...
The euthanasia debate is about to start in earnest
01 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A series of public debates start tonight to discuss moves to legalise euthanasia, as new figures show a huge majority of people are against the idea.M...