The Front Page

Why Auckland fires reveal urgent need for more firefighting resources

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A major blaze at an Auckland supermarket this week has once again highlighted the incredible work of our firefighters. More than 20 appliances and ove...

Early Childhood Education: Are calls to cut regulations really what the sector needs?

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are halfway through the year, but there have already been a number of confronting headlines about early childhood education providers in 2025.&nbsp...

Israel-Iran strikes: What's sparked the latest conflict and what does it mean for the Middle East?

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tensions are high in the Middle East, as Israel and Iran continue to trade strikes. It comes after Israel launched a surprise attack last Friday again...

Mother calls for tougher boy racers laws, 12 years after daughter's death in street race

15 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was February 19, 2013. Maree Schafer was excited to start a hairdressing course at the Eastern Institute of Technology the next day. That night, th...

Lachie Jones: Coroner orders new investigation in toddler's death

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Six years after Gore toddler Lachie Jones was found dead in a Gore oxidation pond, the coroner has handed down his findings.   And coroner A...

‘Democracy under assault’: How Trump’s ICE crackdown is sparking nationwide unrest

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve turned on an American news channel in the last week, you would’ve seen wall to wall coverage of protests spreading across the co...

NZ sanctions Israeli ministers as Gaza humanitarian crisis worsens: Should we be doing more?

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More than 600 days of war and an 11-week blockade of all aid has pushed those living in Gaza into a deeper crisis. Israel imposed a full humanitarian ...

Deepfake porn and covert recordings - is NZ law keeping up with technology?

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is New Zealand’s legal system moving fast enough to adapt to new technologies? It’s a question being asked by some of our top academics an...

Survey shows Kiwis want harsher penalties for drunk drivers - so what more can be done to keep our roads safe?

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every few weeks, it seems that we are reporting on a recidivist drink driver who is once again going through the court system due to their behaviour. ...

Scandal in the PM's office and the chaos of Te Pāti Māori’s suspensions - the latest in NZ politics

08 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The divided nature of our politics has been spotlighted once again. A fiery debate has seen Te Pati Maori’s leaders suspended for Parliament in ...

Ferries, roads and rail: What are the Government's latest transport priorities?

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It has been revealed that the Government considered using private company Bluebridge to replace the current Interislander fleet. It’s just the l...

Experts push back against WorkSafe reforms - as research warns of potential for a Pike River repeat

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new study suggests that another Pike River mine disaster is likely. The Victoria University of Wellington researchers say the failures that lead to ...

Winter weather: Why the next few months will be wetter, warmer despite looming cold snaps

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A warmer winter is coming, meaning we might not need our heaters as much as we usually would. However, these conditions won’t be great for those...

From Labubu dolls to box office records: What the latest pop culture trends say about us

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The world of pop culture fandom was once on the fringes of society – comic books, anime and sci-fi movies have historically been seen as the rea...

How the Royals are coping after a year of health issues and ongoing tensions

01 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

2024 was a difficult year for the Royal Family, with King Charles and the Princess of Wales both going public with cancer diagnoses, which required le...

David Seymour talks Opposition, regulation and backlash as he becomes Deputy Prime Minister

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Act Party leader David Seymour will become New Zealand’s deputy prime minister tomorrow, taking over from Winston Peters. He will be the 19th pe...

OCR cut again as global uncertainty continues - so what's the outlook for our economy?

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Reserve Bank has cut the Official Cash Rate 25-basis-points -- to 3.25 percent. That's the lowest it's been since August 2022 – though there...

Tradie issues and cost of builds revealed as new data shines light on building sector

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all got an anecdote or a story about a tradie who did us dirty, or an issue with a new build. Well, now we’ve got some actual eviden...

Emergency department wait times hit critical mass: Is there an easy solution?

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’ll come as no surprise when I say our emergency departments are suffering. It’s a tale that’s haunted consecutive governments and...

'De-extinction': Scientists are investing in Jurassic Park-like tech - but is it ethical?

25 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new Jurassic World movie is right around the corner, taking us back to the world where dinosaurs have been brought back from the dead. But what has ...

Growth or austerity? Unpacking Budget 2025 and what it means for you

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The coalition Government has unveiled its second Budget. Over 20 billion dollars in savings has been found over the next four years, more than half fr...

Budget 2025: What you need to know

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Officially dubbed the “Growth Budget” - unofficially, the “no BS Budget” - Finance Minister Nicola Willis has unveiled where N...

The new challenges hitting NZ's education sector - from AI in exams to rising mental health concerns

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Society is always under pressure to keep up – given the world around us is in a constant state of change. Our education sector is no different. ...

Who is Jevon McSkimming and why has the former deputy Police Commissioner quit his job?

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Only a few weeks after he had reportedly been in contention for the country’s top police job, deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming was su...

How dictators fall: Inside the vulnerabilities of tyrannical regimes and how people fight back

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Adolf Hitler. Joseph Stalin. Benito Mussolini. Pol Pot. Saddam Hussein. Apart from being some of the most famous dictators in human history, they all ...

C-bombs, consequences and ‘chaos’: Unpacking an ‘unprecedented’ week of politics

18 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand’s Parliament is a ‘house of chaos’. At least that’s how our own deputy Prime Minister has described the debating c...

A.C. Grayling on culture wars and the age-old cycle of ‘cancellation’

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The ‘war on wokeness’ may feel like a new phenomenon, but in fact, it’s been around for centuries. People have been ‘cancelled...

How fair is it for countries to blame immigration for their issues?

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve looked at headlines around the world lately, you’d be forgiven for thinking that immigration is the root of all our problems. Pe...

Measles case sparks outbreak fears - how worried should we be?

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand’s on high alert – after an Auckland ferry worker tested positive for measles. They were infectious while on board a number of ...

Ceasefire called in India-Pakistan tension - How long will it last?

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a week of tensions, India and Pakistan have reached a ceasefire deal. Tensions over the disputed territory of Kashmir were reignited after a mas...

Gangs to tradies - How big is our 'informal economy' and how much tax are we missing out on?

11 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Government is set to cut billions of dollars from spending at the upcoming budget as a cost-saving measure in these tight financial conditions. Bu...

Is a social media ban the right move to protect our youth?

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The National Party is looking to follow Australia and ban social media for under-16s. It has submitted a members bill that would look to limit how you...

As Skype shuts down, who decides what tech is on top?

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After 22 years, video calling platform Skype is shutting down. After its inception, to ‘skype’ became a verb – and it was the go-to ...

Auckland's 'Super City' turning 15 - but how super is it really?

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This year marks 15 years since the birth of Auckland’s Super City. The controversial idea to merge eight regional and district councils into one...

Why Trump 2.0‘s first 100 days in office are drawing global concern

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has made it through his 100 days back in office – and people are not thrilled with his performance. His approval ratings at the 100...

Sexual violence in NZ: What more can be done to help victims?

04 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week is Rape Awareness Week in New Zealand. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experience sexual violence at some stage in their lifetime. Repeated surv...

Will a new mayor be able to sort out Wellington's issues?

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wellington City will have a new mayor by the end of this year. After previously committing to run for a second term, mayor Tory Whanau has pulled out ...

Budget 2025: Government to reduce spending by "billions" - so what could be cut?

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This month, the Government will deliver its second budget, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis is starting to tease what exactly we could see from it. ...

What you need to know about the Australian election and its impact on Kiwis

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Australian federal election is heating up. Anthony Albanese is facing the challenge of becoming the first PM to be re-elected since John Howard. H...

Are the Government's policies having an impact on violent crime?

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Crime is a constant hot topic of debate in New Zealand – one that is rarely far from the front pages. The recent alleged murder of University of...

NZ First bill, UK court ruling revamps debate on sex and gender in NZ

27 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The battle over gender and definitions is building steam in New Zealand. New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that “would ensu...

Mary Holm shares her top tips for making the most out of KiwiSaver

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Front Page podcast is taking the day off as the country marks Anzac Day. Instead, we're presenting an episode of The Prosperity Project, the Heral...

Increasing budgets and changes for veterans: Inside NZ's defence shakeup

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On April 25th, 110 years ago, soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli. About 8,700 Australians and 2,700 Kiwis wou...

Pope Francis: Unpacking his legacy as cardinals prepare to select his successor

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88.  The Vatican announced he died of a stroke at his Santa Maria residence – almost a month after a fi...

What is the Two by Twos, the secretive sect linked to a National MP?

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand Police are assisting the FBI in an investigation into a secretive religious group, which has operations worldwide. It’s a fringe, Ch...

Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal: How misconduct is handled in teaching

20 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There are a number of employment dispute avenues in New Zealand, dependent on what industry you’re in. If you’re one of the 114,000 regist...

NZH Presents: Mr Asia - A Forgotten History

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For much of the 1970s, Marty Johnstone operated as one of New Zealand’s most notorious drug dealers. Dubbed ‘Mr Asia’ by journalists...

Speed limits and drive license rethinks: The Government's changes to how we drive

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Government is keen on making it easier to get more drivers on the road. If proposed changes announced this week go through, the second practical d...

Tropical Cyclone Tam: What you need to know

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The severe storm barrelling towards the upper North Island has been upgraded to a tropical cyclone. The Fiji Meteorological Service has named the stor...

The challenges and opportunities facing the NZ fashion industry

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand fashion has had a shake-up in recent years – with both well-known and home-grown brands shutting up shop. Kate Sylvester will shut t...

New documentary puts Pauline Hanna and Philip Polkinghorne back in the spotlight

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pauline Hanna on a boat, sea breeze, big smiles. It’s the image filmmakers of a new three-part documentary into her death, and subsequent murder...

How AI’s latest advancements are already reshaping creative professions

13 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial intelligence has been the hot topic of debate in the business world for the last few years. But increasingly, it’s an area that is en...

What's next for Govt after Treaty bill voted down - and can Labour overcome Green, Te Pati Māori controversies?

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Politics is rarely quiet in New Zealand, but we’ve seen plenty of upheaval in the last few weeks. Notably, after over a year of protests and tho...

Trump pauses tariffs for some countries as he ramps up China trade war

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A week after announcing his Liberation Day tariffs and causing global market chaos, US President Donald Trump has done a 180. He has announced on soci...

Why single people face a higher cost of living in NZ

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cost of living has hit many families around the country hard – but what about the singles out there? From booking holidays to having a roof over...

Politicians raise security concerns as new research shines light on abuse faced by female MPs

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There’s no doubt about it, being a parliamentarian is a public facing, high-stress, demanding job. You’re exposed, scrutinised, and your d...

Trump’s tariffs cause economic turmoil: What do they mean for NZ?

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump’s Liberation Day has felt more like a bloodbath for the world economy. The US President last week announced what he called reciproc...

On the Up: How can we find the positives in an increasingly negative world?

06 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The world can feel like a dark and gloomy place at times, particularly at the moment. With wars, economic uncertainty and certain politicians always g...

Recent successes for NZ film industry comes as rising costs challenges the industry

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You meet anyone overseas and say New Zealand, the first thing they bring up is hobbits. Lord of the Rings was a crowning achievement for film producti...

GPs are the 'backbone of the health system' - so why are so many of them struggling?

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our primary healthcare system stands at a critical juncture - at least, that’s the latest from the New Zealand Initiative. The think tank has re...

Greens and NZ First clash sparks fears of ‘dirty campaign’ for election

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A war of words has erupted between the Green Party and NZ First this week. It comes after photos circulated on social from a private Instagram account...

Stadium wars set to continue - but which venue is really the best for Auckland?

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The so-called ‘stadium wars’ in Auckland have been raging quietly behind the scenes for several years now.  But last week, the battle...

How does the Human Rights Review Tribunal work - is it delivering justice for Kiwis?

30 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In New Zealand, there are a number of tribunals and review boards you can go to when you feel things haven’t quite gone your way.  Whether ...

What April 1 cash boosts and power bill increases mean for your wallet

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The financial year is coming to an end, and that means from next Tuesday, a lot of Kiwis will be getting more money in their wallets. April 1st is whe...

How New Zealand’s top iwi have grown assets to $8.2b

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New figures have revealed the assets of our ten biggest iwi stands at $8.2 billion. A recent report from consultancy firm TDB Advisory shows the asset...

What the All Whites' World Cup qualification means for NZ football

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Since 1930, across 22 editions of the Fifa Mens World Cup, only two New Zealand teams have featured on the biggest football stage, in 1982 and 2010. N...

Five years since the first lockdown: Are we doing enough to prepare for the next pandemic?

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At 11:59pm on March 25th 2020, New Zealand entered its first level four Covid –19 lockdown.  To many, that moment may feel like it happened...

Schoolboy rugby to star runners: How can we best protect our young athletes?

23 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

School rugby has been under the microscope for several years now after controversies over poaching between schools and live broadcast of games. Those ...

The hidden cost of online dating scams in New Zealand

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There have been a number of headlines trending throughout 2025 so far. Tariffs, trade wars, geopolitical tensions... and romance scams. Fake online re...

International visits test the Government's approach to changing face of global politics

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week is seeing New Zealand’s highest-ranking politicians walking a tricky diplomatic tightrope. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been c...

Canadians lead the world in shunning US-made products - could NZ follow suit?

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Trump's tariff wars are officially on. Donald Trump’s first two targets are Mexico and Canada, imposing 25% tariffs on their products – an...

Why critics call the Government’s latest bowel screening policy ‘pathetic’

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bowel cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in New Zealand.   1 in 10 Kiwis diagnosed are under 50 and every day, around three ...

Why does billionaire Jim Grenon want to replace NZME's board?

16 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A battle is underway for the future of one of New Zealand’s biggest media companies. Auckland-based Canadian billionaire Jim Grenon has in the l...

As Luxon heads to India - how likely are we to get a FTA?

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is heading to India, taking with him one of the largest delegations a New Zealand PM has ever travelled with.  A...

Government hits back as school lunch programme continues to face criticism - will the scheme survive?

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A brainchild of the previous Labour Government, the Healthy School Lunches Programme provides free lunches to about 242,000 students in greatest need....

How is New Zealand responding to the threat of knife crime?

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand Police continue to monitor knife crime trends worldwide while other jurisdictions introduce tough new laws, getting ahead of the curve bef...

What's on the table at Govt's Investment Summit - and could it help National in the polls?

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Government’s focus on economic growth and foreign investment is back in the spotlight this week. Later this week, the much-anticipated Inves...

Autumn weather preview: Why it's not time to farewell warmer days just yet

09 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It may not have felt like we had much of a summer this year – but a cold snap in Auckland has signalled that the seasons are changing. Temperatu...

Five years missing: Eloi Rolland’s family holds onto hope for answers

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

French exchange student, Eloi Rolland, was last seen five years ago, today. The then-18-year-old's disappearance has baffled authorities ever since......

3D bioprinting: Expert says organ printing could be decades away

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the new science fiction film Mickey 17, Robert Pattinson’s character Mickey Barnes is killed and each time he dies, a new copy of his body is...

Are movie theatres dying - and is there a way of getting audiences back?

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anybody watching the Oscars would have noticed a common theme...   It was probably about when host Conan O'Brien mocked streaming culture with a ...

Name suppression laws: How it works and what could change

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Government plans to change laws to allow victims the right to choose whether a convicted sex offender gets permanent name suppression or not. Now,...

‘Drug of choice’: NZ meth use hits unprecedented levels

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’ll come as no surprise to anyone that meth is a serious problem in New Zealand. Wastewater Testing results show the consumption of the drug i...

March Madness returns: What's the best solution to our traffic chaos?

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

March Madness is upon us – which means it’s the busiest time of year for anyone trying to get anywhere. It usually marks the end of the su...

Citizens' arrests law change sparks safety concerns in retail sector

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Government’s announced it’s giving businesses more power to make ‘citizen’s arrests’.  Up until now, citizen&rs...

Why 'tradwives' and conservative values are resonating with Gen-Z

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A few years ago, commentators and analysts often raised the idea of a ‘youthquake’ - young, first-time voters coming in and shaking up the...

Why China’s naval activities are raising eyebrows in NZ and Australia

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The appearance of three Chinese warships so close to our borders has surprised and confused Australian and New Zealand officials. The ships issued a l...

Is Asteroid '2024 YR4' a legitimate concern - or latest example of our doomscrolling obsession?

23 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Warnings of a ‘city killer’ asteroid hurtling towards earth have been filling news feeds over the last month. The space rock, dubbed &lsqu...

Three years of Ukraine war: Will US-Russia peace talks lead to more division?

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It has been three years since Russia invaded eastern Ukraine, a dramatic escalation in the conflict between the two countries that has been raging for...

Children’s Minister Karen Chhour on boot camps and the 'national shame' of child violence

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s well known that New Zealand has a huge problem with keeping our children safe, fed, and housed.    Reports over the years show ho...

Destiny Church protest reignites debate on tax-exempt status for charities

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you ever feel like you’re always being asked to donate money to some cause or another, you probably aren’t wrong. In New Zealand, there...

Health system concerns in spotlight after high turnover of senior leaders

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

‘Chaos’, ‘overstretched’, ‘a bloodbath’ -- these are just a few descriptions of New Zealand’s health sector ...

Homelessness in NZ: Advocates call for better solutions to tackle a national crisis

16 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Homelessness is one of the most visible signs of poverty in this country. Walk through the CBD of any of our major cities, and you are likely to come ...

Racing bill under scrutiny: TAB NZ could become sole online betting operator

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Bill which would give New Zealanders just one avenue to bet on racing and sports online is under the microscope. The amendments to the Racing Indust...

Pride returns to NZ amidst rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment from the US

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It is Pride Month in New Zealand, with the LGBTQ plus community making the most of the summer sun to celebrate. But, at the same time it’s a cel...

Luxon-Seymour relationship in spotlight as poll dip puts pressure on Government

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The latest Taxpayers Union-Curia poll and 1News Verian poll show the coalition Government is losing ground. Both show the left bloc of Labour, the Gre...

Is New Zealand losing ground to China in Pacific relations?

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tensions have emerged in recent weeks between New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has been accused ...

Government pushes for more foreign investment - what does that look like?

09 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the past, overseas investment in New Zealand has been seen as a privilege – rather than a right. But – could that all be about to chang...

Falling valuations to desperate landlords: What will happen to house prices and rents in 2025?

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For better or worse, house prices have been a cornerstone of our economy for decades. But a rise in prices now put home ownership out of reach for man...

Privatisation back on the agenda: What is there left for the Govt to sell?

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

National has kicked off 2025 by diving headfirst into plans for economic growth – and it wasn’t long until Act threw in their two cents. P...