The Front Page

Scott Watson appeal: Why the controversial case is going back to the courtroom

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The 1998 deaths of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope remain one of New Zealand’s most talked about cases. Scott Watson has spent the last 25 years behind ba...

Tensions growing between Māori and the Government - is there a way back?

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tensions between Māoridom and the coalition Government have been bubbling up since the latter was sworn in last year.  Outrage over the Treaty Princ...

What happens after winning a Lotto jackpot - and what should you do with your millions?

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Even if you wouldn’t say it out loud, we've all fantasised about winning Lotto. Whether it’s a few thousand dollars or a couple of million, you ca...

Retail sector facing changes after struggles with falling sales and store closures -

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the country’s economy continues to take a hit, one of the biggest sectors to struggle has been retail.   Figures over the last few quarters have...

Royal celebrations overshadowed by ongoing rifts and health crises

02 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This year’s King’s Birthday holiday is not as celebratory as the royal family would like. While King Charles is start to get back to work after hi...

Budget 2024: Did the Government deliver what the country needs?

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The coalition Government has unveiled its first Budget, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis managed to deliver on her tax cut pledge.   There was also...

Tax cuts and tight finances: The key figures of Budget 2024

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Budget 2024 has just been unveiled by Finance Minister Nicola Willis -- the first for the coalition of National, Act and NZ First. In this special bon...

What needs to be done to lower our road toll?

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For decades, New Zealand’s persistently high road toll has been a worry for successive governments. 340 people died on our roads in 2023, down from ...

Why are insurance premiums soaring - and can we avoid NZ becoming 'uninsurable'?

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Insurance is becoming an increasingly costly purchase for many households. Whether you are looking to insure your house, contents, car – or even you...

Half the world's population set to vote: How that could determine our future

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While New Zealanders may have had their general election last year, more than 60 countries around the world will elect their government in 2024.  In ...

How is the Government performing after six months in power?

26 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Six months have passed since the coalition government was sworn into office – and the honeymoon period has well and truly ended. After being met alm...

Cold and flu season begins with added worries over Covid waves, bird flu's spread

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re not officially into winter yet, but as the days get darker and the nights get colder, many of us are starting to come down with bugs and virus...

What you need to know about Budget 2024: Will we still get our tax cuts?

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The coalition government’s first Budget is out on May 30. After a rush to find savings, cancelling multiple major projects and cutting back the publ...

What is the Fast-Track Approvals Bill and why is sparking backlash

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of the Government’s most contentious bills is now before select committee.   The Fast-Track Approvals Bill is designed to speed up the process ...

Crisis in New Caledonia: Kiwis caught up as political tensions turns to violence

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amid continuing unrest in New Caledonia, our Defence Force is preparing rescue flights for about 250 stranded Kiwis. Protests in Noumea have been esca...

Julian Assange to face crucial hearing: Is this the end of the 14-year long saga?

19 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The years-long saga of Julian Assange could finally be at an end – in a decision crucial not only to what happens next for the infamous whistleblowe...

Earthquakes and tsunamis: What the latest research says about the threat of natural disasters

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Major earthquakes may not be a regular occurrence in New Zealand, but the threat of them is often in the back of our minds. With a major faultline run...

Blockout 2024: Cancel culture takes new form in viral trend, but will it have any impact?

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a new movement on social media in response to celebrities’ views – or lack thereof – on the war in Palestine.   “Blockout 2024” s...

Police Minister Mark Mitchell on how Government plans to tackle gangs and reduce crime

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The National-led Government is continuing its crackdown on gangs. Police Minister Mark Mitchell this week announced New Zealand will get its own Natio...

Right to disconnect: Can a law change fix our work-life balance?

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the world becomes increasingly online, the lines between work life and home life are becoming increasingly blurred. When you can check your emails ...

National grid crisis: How worried should we be this winter?

12 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The conversation around New Zealand's power supply is heating up again, just before winter. Last week Kiwis were told to conserve electricity amidst a...

Can Auckland Council save money and keep rates low without removing services?

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Auckland Council’s financial situation has been under the spotlight for months now. With costs rising, the council has been trying to find some ways...

Sports players and head injuries: What does the latest research show?

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Head injuries and sports players have been a hot topic of debate in recent years. While the risk of concussions and long-term injuries has been well k...

Sugar tax: Is it time NZ finally introduces one?

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To tax sugar, or not to tax sugar – that's the debate that’s raged on for years. More than 100 countries worldwide have taxed sugary drinks, but N...

Can the Green Party bounce back after a string of MP scandals?

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, former Green Party co-leader James Shaw delivered his valedictory speech, marking the end of his decade in politics.  But, rather than a s...

Calls for change in NZ and Australia after spike in killings of women and girls

05 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The rate of women killed by an intimate partner in Australia has increased by nearly 30% in the year 2022-23, compared to the previous year. And the d...

Education Minister Erica Stanford talks literacy, cellphones, and her plan for improving results

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Government has put improving education as one of its top priorities. Yesterday, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced plans to refocus educa...

Budget cuts and global competition: How can we save NZ's entertainment industry?

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the weeks since Warner Bros Discovery and TVNZ announced cutbacks in their newsrooms, much of the focus has been on what this means for journalism ...

Youth crime: Are there different ways we could be dealing with problem teens?

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Youth crime has been a hot topic over the last two years, particularly when our youngest offenders are involved in brazen robberies and violent ram ra...

Winter weather: What to expect in the coming months as La Nina replaces El Nino

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time to put away your shorts and sunhats and start getting out your winter coats. Temperatures are dropping across the country as winter makes ...

What are '15 Minute Cities' and why are some frightened by the idea?

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The concept of 15-minute cities is the idea that all daily necessities – like work, shopping, education, healthcare, and leisure – can all be reac...

What Elon Musk's censorship fight with Australia means for the internet and free speech

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Australian government has found themselves in a battle with billionaire Elon Musk and his legions of supporters.   Australia’s eSafety commissi...

Why many of our veterans aren't getting the support they need

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pressure continues to pile up on the systems intended to support our military veterans. The government agency charged with meeting veterans’ needs i...

Christopher Luxon’s surprise reshuffle: What you need to know

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Coalition Government has seen its first cabinet reshuffle.  Melissa Lee has lost her Broadcasting Minister portfolio and has been demoted out of ...

NZ Rugby's governance battle: Inside the fight to shape the future of the game

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For eight months, New Zealand Rugby’s biggest test has been happening behind the scenes. NZR has been at loggerheads with the provincial unions abou...

How can we fix NZ's productivity crisis - and what does it really mean for workers

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rarely a week goes by without some sort of headline proclaiming the woes of New Zealand’s ‘low productivity’. It’s a phrase that has been disc...

Did Christopher Luxon deliver on his trip to Southeast Asia?

21 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spent the last week in South East Asia. His first overseas trip beyond the Tasman Sea saw Luxon visit Singapore, ...

Space Minister Judith Collins on the billion dollar potential for our sector

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our Minister for Space has been working overseas promoting New Zealand’s space industry over in the US. Judith Collins has returned from the US wher...

Corrections on the defence: Is the country's prison system still fit for purpose?

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"Unproductive and unwilling to change" - a scathing report from outgoing Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has slammed our country’s prison system. He t...

Israel-Hamas war: Fears of widening conflict as aid workers fight for support

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are growing fears the Middle East could be on the brink of war. Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of missiles towards Israel, in retaliat...

Donald Trump's first criminal trial - will it impact his fight for re-election?

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, US time, marks the beginning of Donald Trump’s slew of criminal trials.   In what’s been coined the ‘hush money’ case, the former Pres...

Sydney mall stabbing: What happened in horrific Bondi Junction attack?

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

At least six people are dead and many more injured after a lone attacker stabbed shoppers at a Westfield shopping mall in Sydney’s Bondi Junction on...

The Lost Boys of Dilworth: Behind the decades of abuse at the all-boys school

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A new docu-drama has revisited the horrors of Dilworth. The Auckland boarding school was intended to help disadvantaged boys, but over the decades mul...

Airport redesigns and fare changes: How the travel industry is bouncing back

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

School holidays kick off tomorrow, and hundreds of families are set to take to the roads and skies to head off on vacation. For those of us travelling...

Job losses confirmed at TVNZ, Newshub as media industry faces an uncertain future

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Newshub is officially closing down.   Despite hopes of a last-minute lifeline, Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed all news operations will shut up s...

The latest on public service cuts - and if they'll apply to MP's pay

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Government ministries are on a mission to cut spending by 6.5 to 7.5 per cent before the coalition Government’s first Budget next month. Finance Min...

Columbine victim's father warns NZ as the government looks to alter gun laws

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The coalition Government’s signalled “everything’s on the table” when it comes to a major shake-up of New Zealand’s gun laws.   The world p...

How Meta's latest policy on political content could change the game for democracy

07 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A new social media policy is being described as having a chilling effect on politics, and by extension the health of democracy. Meta, the global behem...

The debate over Daylight Saving Time in New Zealand

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve never met a person who actually knows anything about Daylight Saving Time, just that at some point we lose an hour, and at another point of the...

Three Strikes law is set for a comeback: Does it actually work?

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Since its inception, it’s safe to say the Three Strikes law has faced its fair share of criticism.  Academics have condemned it for promoting penal...

Can the Government deliver on plans to rebuild the economy and cut taxes?

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Government has honed in on rebuilding the economy as a priority for the coming months.  Amongst several promises in a new action plan, Prime Mini...

CEO Pay Survey: How much are our top bosses getting paid - and have they earned it?

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

CEOs in New Zealand continue to get paid more than ever. While not as high as the 15 per cent increases seen in 2022, remuneration packages for NZX-li...

Is the new Government committed to tackling climate change?

31 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Government’s flicking the off switch on EV owners. From today, road user charges will have to be paid for light electric vehicles and plug-in hy...

How upcoming cash boosts and tax changes could impact you

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The financial year is coming to an end.   While that may not mean a lot for the average Kiwi, when the new financial year kicks off on April 1st, man...

40 years since the Trades Hall bombing: Are Police any closer to finding a killer?

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today marks 40 years since Ernie Abbott went to work at Wellington’s Trade Hall, and never returned home. On March 27, 1984, the caretaker was locki...

Labour's Chris Hipkins talks tax, crime and race as he sets eyes on 2026

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Labour is going back to the drawing board - and tax is on the table. Party leader Chris Hipkins has delivered his first major speech in Opposition, si...

Gloriavale documentary Escaping Utopia revisits past sins and ongoing troubles

24 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For over 50 years, the secretive Christian community of Gloriavale has fascinated New Zealanders. While the community has long been discussed by forme...

Princess of Wales diagnosed with cancer: What this means for the Royals

23 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has been diagnosed with cancer.  She revealed the news in a video released this weekend, after months away from the...

David Seymour talks taxes, cuts, the media and public backlash in wide-ranging chat

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Government earlier this month made it through its first 100 days after a few ups and downs, but the months ahead could be a little rougher. Questi...

Concerns rise over Boeing's safety record after string of incidents

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Boeing - one of the world’s largest airplane manufacturers and once its most well respected - has seen  a string of concerning incidents have tarni...

What New Zealanders can do if they get arrested overseas

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Two brothers have been arrested in Thailand this week after an alleged roadside tussle with a police officer. Video appears to show Hamish and Oscar D...

How is New Zealand's relationship with China under the coalition Government?

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand’s rolling out the red carpet for China’s foreign minister -- with Wang Yi’s visit marking the highest-level diplomatic engagement wi...

Extremism in New Zealand - how concerned should we be?

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Five years have passed since the Christchurch mosque terror attack, the country’s first ever terror attack, but it only took another two and a half ...

New Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick on what the Government's getting wrong

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chloe Swarbrick has this week become the new co-leader of the Green Party Her rapid rise to become the youngest current party leader in New Zealand co...

Princess Kate scandal turns attention on rise of AI and photo manipulation

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Photoshop fails are hardly a new thing – but rarely, if ever, do they involve members of the British Royal Family. A seemingly harmless photo of the...

Is the interest deductibility change just a tax cut for landlords?

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Government has announced it will restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties.  But it is not as much tax rel...

After TVNZ and Newshub's cuts - is there a way back for journalism?

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TVNZ has become the latest media company to cut back on its news programming. The state-owned broadcaster has proposed to shut down current affairs sh...

Scambusters: What can we do better to stop people getting scammed?

10 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Government talks about cracking down on crime, they often refer to gangs and retail crime that leave a visible mark behind.  But, for a growing ...

Inside the Government's transport plans and what they mean for you

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

National has unveiled their plan for transport over the next term and it includes some new fees coming your way.  Getting a Motor Vehicle Registratio...

Documents reveal public service 'unsettled' by Government's calls for big savings

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Government has set every part of the public service a target to find savings between 6.5 and 7.5 per cent before the Budget is delivered in May. ...

David Benbow: The trial that captivated the country and its remaining mystery

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After two trials, David Charles Benbow has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Michael McGrath in 2017. Benbow will spend at least 17 y...

Are private schools worth their increasingly rising fees?

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the cost of living crisis drags on, it seems even some of the country’s top educators can’t avoid the woes of inflation. An analysis by the Her...

From the OCR to reporting season - is our economic outlook looking good?

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Reserve Bank last week announced the Official Cash Rate would stay at 5.5 per cent. But while things are looking positive for a cut sooner than ex...

The deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies: Inside the case that has shocked Australia

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The deaths of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies have gripped both sides of the Tasman for the last week.  After a nearly week long search, Po...

Fa’anānā Efeso Collins remembered: Why his legacy is already being felt

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Later today, Fa’anānā Efeso Collins will be laid to rest.  The former Auckland Councillor and mayoral candidate turned Green MP, died suddenly la...

Newshub to close: Inside another huge loss for the media industry

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Newshub – the news brand of Warner Bros Discovery-owned TV network Three – is due to close in June.  The shocking news was delivered to staff ear...

Does the Government have the rights plans to fix a health system in crisis?

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Government has moved forward with plans to table a bill to disestablish the Maori Health Authority, tabling a bill this week that would see the au...

How hot has our summer been - and what's to come in autumn?

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While Kiwis can celebrate an extra day of summer thanks to 2024 being a leap year, the good weather times may not last much longer.  With autumn nipp...

The stories behind New Zealand's missing people

25 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While hundreds of people go missing in New Zealand every year, most of the time it only takes a few days or weeks before they return or Police track t...

What's next for the Russia-Ukraine war after two years of fighting?

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Two years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine, but there is still no end in sight for the conflict.  As Ukraine desperately seeks funding and su...

What does the future hold for Labour as another senior MP calls it quits?

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Former deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced earlier this week he is leaving politics. He is the latest member of the L...

After Port Hills: What is NZ's fire risk and what does that mean for rural communities?

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Yet another fire has burnt through hundreds of hectares of vegetation on Christchurch’s Port Hills. It would’ve been deja vu for residents – for...

Record migration figures spark worries New Zealand is growing too quickly

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

New stats out last week drove home the message that New Zealand is in a population boom. While a record number of us departed our shores, New Zealand ...

The Hague Convention - Is this treaty designed to protect children still fit for purpose?

18 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Custody battles are always complex and require courts to balance the needs of the child with both parents’ wishes.   When different legal jurisdict...

Inside Fletcher Building's big loss - and wider worries for the construction industry

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A horror half-year result has exposed major issues for Fletcher Building. One of/The largest construction companies in New Zealand reported a 120-mill...

Auckland's overheated rail network - What will it cost to fix it?

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The country’s infrastructure woes became very clear for commuters in our biggest city earlier this week.   Aucklanders were stunned after dozens of...

Razor rises, stadium wars and Olympic dreams: What's on the cards for local sport in 2024?

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

2023 was a year of dashed hopes for sports fans, with New Zealand missing the mark at four separate world cups.   Now, with a new All Blacks coach, s...

Joe Biden vs Donald Trump: Will failing memory and court cases overshadow US election?

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Later this year when Americans return to the polls for their next Presidential election, they are likely to experience a bit of deja vu.  Number 46 J...

No fuel tax and cost blowback: Can Wayne Brown sort out Auckland Transport?

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tension between Auckland Council and the Government has flared up once again. Mayor Wayne Brown is unhappy with the coalition Government’s decision ...

From awards to arena tours: How has Taylor Swift come to dominate pop culture?

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Taylor Swift is the most famous person in the world right now.  Whether she is shattering records with her globe-trotting world tour and accompanying...

How smoking legislation became a never-ending problem for the Government

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Aotearoa’s model for stubbing out cigarette use became world-renowned in 2022 when the Government passed legislation banning the sale of tobacco to ...

King Charles diagnosed with cancer: What does this means for the Royals?

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Buckingham Palace stunned the world this week by announcing that King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer.   The King had already made h...

Canned projects to failing infrastructure: Is there a plan to fix Wellington?

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wellington has found itself at odds with the new Government.   Residents of the capital city last year voted to send two Green MPs to Parliament, joi...

What are politicians getting right and wrong about the Treaty?

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Interpretations of the Treaty of Waitangi – or Te Tiriti o Waitangi – have been some of the most important discussions in Aotearoa's history, but ...

Is it possible for our festivals to become sustainable?

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dancing, DJs and day drinking... A classic summer festival combo. But hand in hand with the music and partying comes a lesser-known festival favourite...

Will the Government's plans to tackle law and order work?

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For years, the last Government faced constant criticism and attack from National that it wasn’t doing enough to deal with an apparent crime wave spr...

'Vulnerable to collapse': Why the NZSAS and Defence Force are in crisis

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Defence Minister Judith Collins will be meeting with her Australian counterpart today as both sides of the Tasman look to move towards ‘interoperabi...

Black Coast Vanishings: The new doco exploring Piha's missing people mystery

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last three decades, six people have disappeared from the Piha area on Auckland’s west coast, all never to be seen again. While none of the ...

The changes and challenges coming for streaming services

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The cost-of-living crisis has come for the world’s biggest streaming services.  Neon earlier this month became the first service in New Zealand to ...

After a $1.4b budget blowout, what happens now for Cook Strait's ferry crisis?

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a year on from the Interislander’s terrifying Kaitaki incident. The ferry lost power in Cook Strait with 864 people on board and issued a may...