The Front Page

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...

Can New Zealand find the cure to terrorism?

29 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Spoken and sung words of unity and hope, have resounded throughout Christchurch's Hagley Park. Event organisers estimate 20 to 25 thousand people atte...

Facebook promises change, but could still face regulation

28 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Movement at last from Facebook.It's banning white nationalism and white separatism, in the wake of the mosque attacks.The social media giant says such...

Man dead after armed standoff with police in Christchurch

27 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A man has died from stab wounds after a protracted standoff with armed police in a Christchurch suburban street.Police are now investigating whether t...

Worldwide backlash building against social media giants

26 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Political and business leaders worldwide are turning against social media giants, in the wake of the Christchurch terror attacks. Representatives from...

Mosque survivor looking for woman who saved her and her baby's life

25 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a Royal Commission of Inquiry will be held into the Christchurch mosques terror attack.She says people are...

Love and unity as New Zealand stops to honour victims of terror attack

22 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today at 1.30pm all of New Zealand came to a halt to remember the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks a week ago. It started with a call to pra...

Semi-automatic guns and assault rifles banned in NZ, less than a week after tragedy

21 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Military style semi-automatics and assault rifles will be banned under stronger new gun laws announced today.The country's rules around guns have been...

Two-minute silence to be held on Friday, teen jailed for king-hit death

20 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There'll be a two-minute silence on Friday, to remember the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks. Jacinda Ardern made the announcement in Christ...

Mosque attacks: Jacinda Ardern refuses to name alleged gunman

19 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The families of the fallen will have justice.That's the vow of our Prime Minister in the wake of the mosque massacre.In delivering her message of cond...

Mosque terror attacks: Gun laws to change, inquiry into mass shooting

18 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced there will be reform of gun laws. She says Cabinet has made "in principal" decisions about the changes, an...

NZ mosque massacres: dozens feared killed

15 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Gunmen have opened fire at mosques in Christchurch, with reports of between nine and 27 people killed and police urging residents to stay indoors. One...

Green Party co-leader James Shaw left with black eye after unprovoked attack

14 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Greens co-leader James Shaw is "shaken" after being injured in a violent attack on his way to Parliament this morning.Shaw was punched in the face in ...

'Rotten' rest home care: elderly lives at risk

13 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Elderly lives are on the line as overworked rest home workers are resulting in residents not even bothering to ask for help.A shocking new report, In ...

Simon Bridges says his hands are clean, as National Party donations referred to SFO

12 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Police have referred Jami-Lee Ross' complaint about National's election donations to the Serious Fraud Office.Ross was kicked out of the National Part...

First sign of a thaw in the NZ-China relationship

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The first signs of a thaw in the relationship between New Zealand and China, with China-New Zealand Year of Tourism back on. Prime Minister Jacinda Ar...

International Women's Day 2019: Hear from NZ's leaders

08 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's International Women's Day - but as many of us know, there's still a lot of work to be done. And that sentiment's been echoed today by Prime Minis...

DHBs plead for help with anti-vaxxers, amidst measles outbreak

07 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

District health boards have anti-vaxxers in their sights, saying diseases almost eradicated in New Zealand are being seen again.DHB members went to Pa...

Increasing chorus to overhaul NZ dental care

06 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The New Zealand Medical Association is the latest to join the chorus of voices pleading for more affordable dental care.The association represents doc...

Politicians come out swinging against NZ jihadi

05 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Kiwi jihadi Mark Taylor has sparked a political backlash, with Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters particularly going on the offensive.Taylor,...

Kiwi jihadi captured in Syria, may be returned to NZ

04 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A Kiwi who joined Islamic State has surrendered to Kurdish forces and is being held in a Syrian prison.Mark Taylor, a former New Zealand soldier, says...

Police officer accused of sex attack on fellow cop

01 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A police officer has been charged with indecently assaulting a fellow cop.The 28-year-old accused appeared this afternoon in the Auckland District Cou...

Epidemic of strangulation shows reality of domestic abuse in NZ

28 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Police have charged almost five people a day with strangling or suffocating their partners since a new family violence law came into force criminalisi...

New Tasman wildfire ignites, whanau mourn trio killed in horror crash

27 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Residents have been told to evacuate immediately as a new fire spreads rapidly in the Tasman region.The new fire near the Moutere Highway is north of ...

Former PM found liable for millions in damages

26 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley has been found liable for millions in damages by the High Court, along with other Mainzeal directorsThe faile...

Backlash and applause as opinions split on healthy homes standards

25 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Opinions are divided on the Government's new healthy home standards, with landlords saying they need exemptions or will go elsewhere, while renters an...

Guilty: Serial rapist Malcolm Rewa guilty of murdering Susan Burdett

22 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Malcolm Rewa, after an almost unprecedented third trial, has been found guilty of murdering Susan Burdett in her South Auckland home in 1992.The jury ...

Capital gains tax recommended to Govt, but will it go ahead?

21 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Tax Working Group has recommended the Government implement a capital gains tax - and use the money gained to lower the personal tax rate.The sugge...

Cheapest KiwiBuild revealed, David Bain shocked at second murder

20 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Government's announced a new builder for KiwiBuild - and another 100 homes in West Auckland and Christchurch Home builder and developer Mike Greer...

PM concedes NZ-China issues, horse dies after frenzied attack

19 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

An acknowledgement from the Prime Minister today that there are issues with China.The Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Madam Wu XI said in Wellington...

Facebook and Google slapped with surprise new tax

18 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Google and Facebook are among the internet giants facing a surprise tax.That's news that has just been broken by the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk Z...

NZ-China relationship gets frostier: exports held up, tourism threatened

15 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand's biggest seafood exporter Sanford is having issues getting salmon through Chinese ports.It comes as suspicions grow that China is turning...

Housing woes increase: KiwiBuild problems and falling prices in Auckland

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is warning the Government's flagship KiwiBuild policy could "crowd out" the private sector.But Finance Minister Grant...

NZ polytechs to merge, HIV fears after sterilisation botch-up

13 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The country's 16 polytechnics are set to become one, under a radical shake-up of the tertiary sector.Education Minister Chris Hipkins has released a w...