The Front Page
Episodes
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...
New tourism push invites 'digital nomads' to NZ - but at what cost to locals?
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Government wants to see tourism numbers increase as part of its economic growth push. As part of that push, the existing visitor visa scheme will ...
Will the Government’s new mining strategy deliver more than coal and gold?
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mining has become a key part of the Government’s plans for economic growth. Resources Minister – and self-appointed ‘Matua of Mining...
Why economic growth has become the Government's focus
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If the theme of 2024 was ‘cutting back’, then 2025 is all about ‘growth’. The word appears 31 times in Prime Minister Christop...
What's next for AI and crypto after China's DeepSeek shakes up tech industry
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Silicon Valley’s been rattled by a low-cost Chinese AI – with the startup claiming their DeepSeek technology can emulate the performance o...
Education shakeup: New curriculum, charter schools and lunches amongst changes taking effect
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Students across the country are starting to head back to school, and there are some big changes coming from our youngest pupils. As well as 2025 marki...
Facebook whistleblower: Why tech giants are are curbing moderation and siding with Trump
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meta – the parent company of Facebook and Instagram – has implemented some changes across its organisation since Donald Trump’s elec...
DuVal, Ikea and construction woes: The property stories to watch in 2025
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the ongoing downfall of high-flying developers to promises of Swedish meatballs - this year is set to be one to watch when it comes to property n...
The Kiwi-made tech tackling retail crime: Can you opt out of being tracked?
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Security software used widely by retail staff is in the spotlight after an incident involving a former Green MP. Golriz Ghahraman quit politics last y...
Inflation, growth and tariffs: How will the economy perform in 2025?
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand's economic outlook for 2025 is expected to be a recovery from the previous two years of weakness. With inflation stagnant and the number o...
The year ahead in politics: Parliament predictions and local government elections
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The political year is ready to kick off. While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon may have got an early start with his Cabinet reshuffle, over the next ...
Gaza ceasefire to Greenland purchase: What are Trump's foreign policy plans?
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After 15 months and the deaths of around 47,000 Palestinians, the war between Israel and Hamas has ended – for now. A six-week ceasefire has beg...
What the latest Cabinet reshuffle means for the Government's priorities
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has kicked off the political year with the first major reshuffle of his Cabinet. Dr Shane Reti has lost Health to Sim...
Donald Trump's inauguration: What are his top priorities for his return to the White House?
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. After four years out of office after losing in 2020, Trump is set to...
Why thousands of townhouses are overheating this summer
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever get the feeling New Zealand just doesn’t know how to build houses properly? We had the leaky homes crisis – where timber-frame...
Why voters worldwide are ditching incumbents and shifting to the right
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this month, Justin Trudeau resigned as Canada’s Prime Minister, marking the end of his nine years in office. Trudeau was also one of the...
Protecting our police: Should NZ frontline officers carry guns?
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Growing concern about public safety has reignited the idea of arming our frontline police officers. The police union says 68% of officers support rout...
On the ground as fires burn through LA: What lessons can NZ take from this disaster?
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Destructive. Devastating. Apocalyptic. That’s how the wildfires burning across Los Angeles over the last week have been described. The blazes ha...
Billionaire to political influencer: Is Elon Musk now the most powerful person in the world?
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Billionaire Elon Musk is not content with just having the ear of US President elect Donald Trump. Over the past few weeks, the world’s richest m...
Chris vs Christopher: What our two main party leaders told The Front Page in 2024
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
How Trump's election caused '4B Movement' to gain ground on social media
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
25 years since Columbine: Victim's father warns NZ over gun law changes
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
Gloriavale's past, present and future explored in documentary series
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
Boeing's safety controversy: Aeronautics expert dissects the airline's problems
05 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
What the latest research shares about earthquakes and tsunamis in NZ
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
NZ Herald Presents: Chasing Ghosts - The Puppeteer
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we will be shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts from the New Zealand Herald network ov...
Revisiting the Hope-Smart murders as Scott Watson awaits appeal decision
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
As Kiwis leave in record numbers, is the grass really greener in the UK and Australia?
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
40 years since David Lange became Prime Minister: What is his legacy?
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
Why are we still talking about the Bain family 30 years on from their deaths?
25 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
NZ Herald Presents: Heavens Helpline
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is taking its summer break, we will be shining a spotlight on some of the biggest podcasts from the New Zealand Herald network ov...
Extreme turbulence and technical issues: What to do when your flight takes a turn
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in...
Sorting your will: How to avoid a battle over inheritance
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While we’re on our summer break, The Front Page is taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcas...
Policy priorities, a council in ‘shambles’, and a historic hīkoi: The year in NZ politics
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The year in politics has been a bumpy road for many. The coalition Government dived in quickly to reverse previous Labour policy, and pushed numerous ...
The sporting highlights from the year: Which Kiwi athletes ended the year on top?
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been a huge year for sport here in New Zealand. In one weekend in October, Team New Zealand took to the water in Barcelona and took home th...
From inflation to closures to job cuts: The challenges facing New Zealand’s economy
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The economy has been in an uncertain place for quite some time, and 2024 was no different. Over the last year, we’ve seen some improvement. In O...
Elections, conflicts, and crime - what happened around the world this year?
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While 2024 has been a big year of news in New Zealand, there’s been plenty happening around the world over the last 12 months. From wars and con...
Gangs, fraud and young offenders: Inside the biggest crime stories of 2024
15 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Law and order is always a hot topic of debate amongst politicians. The coalition government was elected in part on the back of years of ram raids and ...
2024 in review: From Luxon to Trump, economic upheavals to growing division
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While 2024 may not have brought the shocks of cyclones, Prime Ministerial resignations or election campaigns, there’s a lot to digest from the l...
'Bumbling Jihadi' Mark John Taylor charged under Terrorism Suppression Act
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A terrorism charge has been laid against a New Zealander who allegedly travelled overseas to join Islamic State a decade ago. Mark John Taylor, ...
Christopher Luxon talks economy, Māori relations, Hipkins, and 'corporate speak'
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Christopher Luxon believes his so-called ‘coalition of chaos’ has defied the critics. The Prime Minister is spending the remainder of 2024...
Infrastructure woes: New concerns for City Rail Link as decision expected for Cook Strait ferries
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Communities around the country are waiting with bated breath for news about major infrastructure projects – ones that are set to cost a lot of m...
Decades of dictatorship in Syria end after rebels take the capital - but what comes next?
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After decades years of tyrannical rule, and 13 years of civil war, the Assad regime in Syria has fallen. After rebels rapidly closed in on the capital...
DoC reset on the cards: How revenue raising plans could impact your next tramp
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Over the coming weeks, many Kiwis will be heading to our national parks and great walks for their summer holidays. But if you're doing so for a cheap ...
Strippers and sex workers seek fairer treatment as Fair Trading Act review looms
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When strippers arrive at work and don’t know how much money they’re taking home at the end of the shift. Their employer might decide to take a hig...
From online deliveries to RTDs: Do we need more laws around alcohol?
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are continued calls to tighten alcohol laws in New Zealand. The growing trend of online deliveries has made advocates worried, with a study find...
Summer weather: New Zealand warned to brace for hot, dry months ahead
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand’s summer is shaping up to be hotter and drier than average. The country’s forecast has shrugged off the rainy start to summer with tem...
Chris Hipkins on Labour's future, taxes, and whether Luxon’s a good PM
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins has told the party it must change if it wants to re-gain the trust it's lost. The party held its annual conference i...
Could changes to ADHD meds be a game-changer or a risk?
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pharmac is now funding a new medicine and has removed renewal criteria for ADHD treatments. Advocates are welcoming the move – saying it’s a gam...
Black Friday deals: Are we really getting bang for our buck?
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Black Friday and many Kiwi shoppers have already begun the hunt for some great deals. While some retailers promise big discounts – sometimes,...
OCR cut signals an improving economy - but are we still in the danger zone?
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The official cash rate has been cut by 50 basis points, bringing it down to 4.25 percent. This marks the third consecutive cut to the OCR since August...
One year of the coalition government: the highs, lows and long road ahead
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today marks a year since the coalition government of National, Act and New Zealand First took office. The coalition hit the ground running, by reversi...
Is New Zealand doing enough to tackle climate change?
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Climate change conference COP29 has wrapped up with a significant but controversial final agreement. Negotiations came down to the wire over a US$1.3 ...
New research highlights NZ's obesity crisis - is it time for more government intervention?
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New research shows a third of New Zealand adults are obese – and policies focused on individual responsibility are failing. A Helen Clark Foundation...
Minister Shane Jones on regional development, oil and gas, and climate concerns
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Regional development has been a major focus of the coalition government. The Fast Track Bill, the return of oil and gas exploration and the Regional ...
New anti-gang laws come into effect - but will they actually work?
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Government’s promised the “free ride” for gangs, is officially over. From today, gang patches will no longer be allowed to be worn in public...
1,000 days of the war in Ukraine: Will a Trump presidency bring it to an end?
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The war in Ukraine has hit the one-thousand-day mark. On February 24, 2022 – Russia invaded Ukraine – since then, hundreds of thousands of people ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer talks hīkoi, Treaty bill, and 'betrayal' by National
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The hikoi that started in Cape Reinga and has made its way down the country arrives in Wellington today. While many have taken part in various stages ...
Olivia Podmore: Coronial inquest begins three years after Olympian's sudden death
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On August 9 2021, the day after the Tokyo Olympics ended, cyclist Olivia Podmore died in a suspected suicide. Podmore had represented New Zealand in t...
What is the 4B movement that is seeing US women swear off men post-Trump?
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
People respond to election losses in various ways, from protesting to legal action to considering moving country. But, what about adopting a vow of ce...
Treaty Principles Bill: The controversial bill arrives in Parliament as protests continue
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to Parliament last week – with its first reading debate scheduled for today. The bill has sp...
Can Trump fix America's economic problems - or are they bigger than one politician?
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As votes continue to be counted in the US, President-elect Donald Trump has swept all seven battleground states, confirming his dominant performance i...
Gen Z in the workplace: Are they asking for too much or setting a new standard?
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gen Z can be credited with a few things – an uptick in climate awareness, the ability to work any kind of technology, and the revival of straight le...
‘Shrinkflation’ is becoming more common - but, what is it?
10 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like you’re getting less bang for your buck at the supermarket? Well you might be right. As production costs rise, many companies have bee...
What a Trump win means for NZ: ‘The devil will be in the detail’
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Donald J. Trump will become the 47th President of the United States of America. Democrat Kamala Harris called the former president to congratulate him...
Ultra-fast fashion: who is really paying the price?
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The rise and rise of online retailers has hit an all-time high – with the likes of Temu and Shein dominating consumption worldwide. New research has...
An assassination attempt, fiery debates, and felony crime: the lead up to the 2024 US Presidential Election
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the one story that’s been impossible to escape this year – the US Presidential election. Months of debates, rallies, and shocking developme...