The Front Page
Episodes
Inside the Michael Wood shares blunder - and Labour's other ministerial woes
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Wood is the latest minister to lose a portfolio under Chris Hipkins. He has been stood down from the Transport portfolio after revelations h...
Aged care crisis: Are we doing enough to take care of our elderly?
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Aotearoa’s population is getting older, which means more people are entering aged care every year. The problem is that our care facilities are alr...
How TikTok and targeted adverting have infiltrated our daily lives
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re being watched every single day. Our every online move is recorded, jotted down and then sold on to bidders who want our eyeballs. This is h...
King's Birthday Honours: How it works - and how can you get involved
04 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The country woke up this morning to news that former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had been declared a Dame. She is just one of 182 people from ac...
Could a battle for the middle give minor parties major power?
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Parliament’s major parties are both leaning heavily towards the political centre, in order to attract the coveted middle New Zealand vote. But in d...
Stats reveal the truth about crime in NZ: Is it really on the rise?
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Few issues have attracted as much media attention in the last year as crime. Ram raids, street violence and burglaries have grabbed headlines time aga...
How does name suppression work in New Zealand?
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Name suppression is one of the most contentious parts of the New Zealand legal system. Many high-profile criminals in recent years have received na...
Did Labour's party congress triumph over National's housing u-turn?
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Labour Party's key focuses for Chris Hipkins' first party congress as leader were keeping the age of superannuation static and continuing an appre...
Was the Government right to target trusts?
28 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Trusts have hit the headlines in recent weeks. First, a major IRD report revealed that extremely wealthy people were earning most of their money t...
Have we seen the end of OCR hikes?
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Reserve Bank this week lifted the Official Cash Rate to 5.5 per cent, as expected. But the big surprise came when Reserve Bank Governor Adrian...
Weather wars - Why do taxpayers own two competing forecasters?
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a weather forecast battle brewing as two taxpayer-funded agencies go toe to toe for our attention. MetService and NIWA have dominated he...
Auckland's City Rail Link - When will it finally open?
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It has just been confirmed that Auckland’s City Rail Link opening has been delayed yet again, pushing out the opening date out to 2026. This comes o...
How prepared is New Zealand for a tsunami?
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After an earthquake near the Loyalty Islands last Friday, a tsunami warning sparked sleepless nights in coastal areas around Aotearoa as residents wai...
Christopher Luxon on what he'd have done differently for Budget 2023
21 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The annual Government Budget announcement is always a major PR opportunity for the Government, to lay out its vision for the country. Labour has no...
Is Budget 2023 what the economy needed?
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the Labour Government delivered its sixth Budget. It's their last before October’s election, with key figures in the worlds of childcare,...
The key information from Budget 2023
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Live from inside the Budget 2023 lockup, this special episode of The Front Page's sister podcast On The Tiles has NZ Herald Deputy Political Editor Th...
Loafers Lodge fire puts safety of old buildings in the spotlight
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The deadly Loafers Lodge fire in Wellington has shocked the country – not simply for the loss of life involved, but due to the building’s safety s...
Will the budget deliver for burnt out teachers and nurses?
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The word crisis has become synonymous with our health and education sectors in recent years. Under-resourcing, long work hours and poor pay have culm...
Wellington hostel fire: What we know so far
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The nation woke up to harrowing news this morning as a blaze in Wellington ripped through a hostel. Fire crews worked through the night to save as ...
Rise of the machine - Are we prepared for an AI revolution?
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The emergence of ChatGPT has captured the imagination of the world. Depending on who you ask, the Artificial Intelligence interface is either set ...
Should the Government take on more debt?
14 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Government has promised that this year we’ll see a no-frills budget, meaning that we won’t be seeing any flashy spending. This continues a ...
Travel is booming, but can Kiwis afford to take flight?
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After the era of lockdowns, the travel sector is hitting another speed bump. The Minister for Tourism has publicly criticised the high cost of some ...
What is the psychological toll of extreme weather emergencies?
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Auckland was hit by torrential rain once again this week, stirring up memories of the record-breaking flooding seen in January. Those memories seeme...
What is the state of New Zealand's up and down economy?
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Two major financial reports have given a glimpse at the state of Aotearoa's economy. The financial stability report and unemployment figures gave us ...
How can we better predict intense rainfall?
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Much of the North Island is once again flooding amid an absolutely heaving severe downpour. Schools have been evacuated across Auckland and Northland,...
How Elizabeth Kerekere's resignation impacts the Greens - and Labour
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Having one MP resign from their party mid-term is rare enough in Aotearoa – but to have two from the same electorate is basically unheard of. Yet da...
After the Coronation - what's next for Charles III's reign?
07 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
King Charles the Third has officially been coronated, in an extravagant state affair that has not been seen in the Commonwealth for 70 years. And the ...
US writers' strike explained: How it will impact the film and TV industry
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hollywood is on strike. Around eleven thousand screenwriters have put down their pens and picked up a placard instead, after negotiations between the ...
Why has Meka Whaitiri abandoned Labour for Te Pāti Māori?
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Now former Minister Meka Whaitiri has blindsided her bosses by announcing that she will resign from the Labour Party and stand for Te Pāti Māori in ...
Stadium wars - which events arena will triumph?
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Eden Park is looking to safeguard its place as our national stadium with a multimillion-dollar renovation. This would include improving the stands and...
Why do Governments spend so much on consultants?
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Government has spent millions upon millions of dollars on outside consultants pursuing major policy ideas. This is despite Prime Minister Chris H...
What to expect from King Charles' Coronation
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The countdown to the Coronation is on. Eight months after the death of his mother, Charles the Third will go through his formal investiture as King, i...
How political parties are preparing their pitch for power
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The political machine is starting to hum as Aotearoa gears towards the general election. The chance to have your say is a mere six months away, and th...
How are New Zealand's wealthiest families paying so little tax?
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The IRD has released a massive investigation into the share of tax that New Zealand’s wealthiest families pay. The report suggests that the medi...
Why Australia's citizenship changes should prompt a local immigration rethink
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After twenty years of being treated as supposed second-class citizens, Kiwis in Australia are finally getting their rights restored. Aussie Prime Mini...
Why the modern day Defence Force is struggling to keep staff
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today is Anzac Day, the annual public holiday for us to remember our veterans and those who gave up their lives defending Aotearoa. But while we de...
Is hosting the Commonwealth Games really a good idea?
23 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's been 33 years since we last hosted the Commonwealth Games – but that could soon change. The New Zealand Olympic Committee has signaled interest...
Will the drop in inflation change our economic outlook?
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s inflation data has surprised economists around the country. The figure came in well below expectations, suggesting that the rising cost...
Can we avoid a Covid and flu surge this winter?
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Covid-19 case numbers are ticking up and up as we head into the colder months of the year. And while vaccinations and prior infection do give us some...
Is there really too much red tape holding up housing?
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richlister Chris Meehan is taking aim at the Government in a series of advertisements. The full-page newspaper ads describe Aotearoa as the land of...
Slow-slip quakes and stirring supervolcanoes: What's happening beneath our feet?
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ongoing tremors underneath Lake Taupō have seen the alert level for the supervolcano rise for the first time in history. Geologists are closely moni...
Affordable Water Reform: Will Three Waters rebrand win over detractors?
16 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Three Waters is dead - long live ‘Affordable Water Reform’. The Government has announced a revised version of their policy to improve the quality ...
Reviewing Wayne Brown's first six months as Mayor
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A damning report has been released into Auckland Council’s response to the January flooding, and has highlighted a ‘system failure’ of leadershi...
How much pain will the Official Cash Rate hike cause?
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Reserve Bank has hiked the Official Cash Rate to 5.25%, surprising many economists, politicians and journalists with the increase. The eleventh...
Could tensions between China and Taiwan escalate further?
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A visit to the US by Taiwan’s President has seen China retaliate with three days of military drills that included simulating strikes and ‘sealing ...
Are the Government's lobbying reforms going far enough?
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The relationship between our politicians and the lobbyists and donors looking to sway their minds has been thrust into the spotlight recently. Labour ...
Should the whole country still celebrate Easter?
09 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It is Easter Monday - one of the two religious holidays celebrated by the entire country. That’s despite a growing number of New Zealanders not iden...
Cops and crooks - Why NZ's big drug busts keep getting bigger
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Local police and customs officials continue to make headlines for record-breaking drug busts – including a case this year where four tonnes of cocai...
What's next for Jacinda Ardern as she leaves politics?
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jacinda Ardern shocked a sleepy nation in January when she announced that she would step down as Prime Minister and leave parliament as soon as possib...
Can we avoid culture wars dominating politics?
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Posie Parker’s brief but controversial visit to New Zealand got our politicians talking. Whether defending free speech and ‘white cis men’ or ...
Why this winter is set to be colder than recent years
02 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The end of March left New Zealanders shivering as temperatures dropped sharply across the country. This sent a warning sign that winter 2023 may not b...
How the benefit, minimum wage and pension increases will impact you
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many New Zealanders are struggling right now with the cost of living, but some help is on the way. From April 1st, increases to the pension, benefit...
The end of Today FM - what caused the station's shock shutdown?
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
MediaWorks-owned radio station Today FM is no more. After just a year on the airwaves, the station has today been shuttered. It follows a dramatic...
Why is dental care still a costly burden for most New Zealanders?
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The high cost of dental care leaves many Kiwis with decaying teeth or massive loans to pay back. The poorest members of our society are invariably the...
The motivation behind one man's anti-co-governance roadshow
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Communities around the country are playing host to a series of anti-co-governance meetings. This roadshow is being organised by a man named Julian...
TikTok, trade, and Taiwan - what's testing our ties with China?
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, Nanaia Mahuta became the first New Zealand foreign minister to visit China since 2018. Her visit comes amid growing geopolitical tensions...
What could we be doing better to combat climate change?
26 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What will it take for our politicians to start taking climate change seriously? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released its lates...
Who is Posie Parker and why are people protesting her trip to New Zealand?
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An activist from the UK has sparked controversy with her plans to host a speaking event in Auckland. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Pa...
Making the Grade: How can we fix New Zealand's education problems?
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Absenteeism and declining literacy and numeracy rates have left parents deeply concerned about the education standards in Aotearoa. This comes amid a ...
Chris vs Chris: Debating the current state of our major political parties
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today marks one year since our first episode of The Front Page, and it's been a truly haywire year for our politicians. After Labour’s popularity ...
Cost of living: The stories behind a key election issue
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We may only be a few months into 2023, but the cost-of-living is already set to dominate our year. As prices for common goods soar, Prime Minister...
Inside the drama to appoint the new All Blacks coach
19 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are just six months away from the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. After a rough 2022, the All Blacks are hoping that this could be their year to...
Why a phone call cost Stuart Nash his job as Police Minister
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stuart Nash has long been known as tough-talking, hardline politician. Now his loose lips have landed him in hot water and out of a job. Nash reveal...
Are we making the best use of MMP?
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For the last 27 years, Aotearoa has been using the mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system. This method allows for the electorate to vote ...
What does the Silicon Valley Bank collapse mean for New Zealand?
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
News about the impending collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in the United States quickly sent shockwaves around the world. Panicked investors quickly st...
The arts funding crisis: What will it take to properly support our creatives?
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand loves to celebrate our artistic community when we succeed on the world stage – and especially when a golden trophy is involved. But a...
Is The Pacifica a warning for others considering apartment living?
12 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pacifica has become a familiar part of Auckland’s skyline. With 57 floors spread across 178 metres, it is the country’s tallest apartment bu...
Crime in New Zealand - Is it really on the rise?
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ask the average Kiwi on the street, and they’ll likely tell you that they don’t feel as safe as they once did. Random crimes, ram raids, gang ...
What's behind the latest Cook Strait ferry drama?
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ferry services across the Cook Strait are one of Aotearoa’s most vital transport links. They’re also one of the most prone to failure. Recent ...
How we fail to encourage women to reach their potential
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Even at the ground level, women can struggle to break into the work force or restart their careers after taking some time off. So why do things con...
Mortgage shock: Homeowners & renters to pay hundreds more
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Half of mortgage holders will take a hit of hundreds of dollars when they need to refix their interest rates within the next 12 months. This will hea...
Slash and crash - how forestry enraged so many following wild weather
05 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Forestry waste plowing through homes, destroying farmland and piling up on east coast beaches during recent storms has angered the public. The Gove...
How did veteran chairman Rob Campbell shoot himself in the foot?
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A series of posts have come back to bite the former Te Whatu Ora and Environmental Protection Authority chairman Rob Campbell. On LinkedIn, he attacke...
Why Auckland's draft budget is already controversial
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The draft budget for Aotearoa’s super city is already whipping up worries. The proposal suggests selling the council’s shares in Auckland Intern...
How TikTok is contributing to spiralling mental health
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
WARNING: This episode features content dealing with self-harm, suicide, and related mental health topics. Scroll through TikTok and you’re likely t...
How much more wild, rainy weather will we get?
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today marks the last day of summer, but North Islanders can be forgiven for not noticing. Relentless downpours have rendered this summer one the wet...
The census is back - here's why it's incredibly important
26 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The arduous task of counting all the people who live here is fast approaching. March 7th is Census Day – meaning that each of us will have to ...
War in Ukraine - one year on is there any hope in sight?
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this day in 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, escalating their ongoing conflict in a move that sent shockwaves around the world. 12 months on, the w...
Is there an easy fix for our broken immigration system?
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Massive worker shortages across numerous industries have led to calls for more immigration, on other side of the debate there are concerns about infra...
What is really behind Auckland's endless traffic woes?
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, in the lead-up to March, the traffic grinds to halt as motorways in Auckland back up with bumper-to-bumper cars. The media has dubbed t...
Cyclone Gabrielle: East Coast attempts to recover after deadly weather
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cyclone Gabrielle has left a trail of destruction across the North Island, but the East Coast has been hit particularly hard. Thousands of people ...
After devastating weather, James Shaw wants us to get serious about climate change
19 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The combination of the Auckland floods and the impact of cyclone Gabrielle served as forceful reminder that climate change is here. Lives have been ...
The tragic cost of the destructive earthquake in Turkey and Syria
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Aotearoa may be cleaning up from our natural disaster, but we’re not the only country struggling right now. More than a week after a devastating ...
How can our cities change to handle extreme weather?
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The intense weather over the last month has caused devastation across the North Island. But how much of this damage was avoidable? From entire c...
The lasting impact Cyclone Gabrielle will have on New Zealand
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cyclone Gabrielle has started to move away from Aotearoa, but we are likely going to feel her impact for months to come. From Northland down to Auck...
Cyclone Gabrielle: How this storm formed and why it is so unusual
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cyclone Gabrielle was predicted to be the biggest storm of the century – and it certainly has made its mark. Strong winds have already knocked o...
'Cliff dwellers': After storm surges, how safe is it living on the edge?
12 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The appeal of having a vista overlooking the city can come at cost. Dramatic photographs of a cliff slide under a Stanley Point home captured the ful...
Cyclone Gabrielle approaches: Everything you need to know
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The upper North Island is due to be hit by Cyclone Gabrielle this weekend, only weeks after horrendous weather caused widespread damage last month. ...
Why does housing remain such a problem in New Zealand?
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From Kaitaia to Bluff, the one thing all New Zealanders need is a place to call home. But that’s not such a sure bet these days. Despite years of ...
Will we do anything about the looming superannuation crisis?
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealanders have been able to rely on the security of a state pension for decades. In the 1970s, this scheme kicked in from the age of 60 before st...
The business of health - are we getting value for money?
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Healthcare has always been one of the battleground issues in New Zealand politics. MPs love to sling mud over what the other party has or hasn’t don...
Does New Zealand need a capital gains tax?
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For years a capital gains tax has been a taboo political subject, avoided by politicians afraid to lose votes. Tax experts have stressed time and a...
What is co-governance and why is it dividing and confusing politicians?
05 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The issue of co-governance has become a lightning rod over the last 12 months. New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has acknowledged a backlash agains...
How the 2023 election is shaping up to be the tightest race in years
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has had a chaotic start to his time in office, with the flooding in Auckland adding to the growing list of woes the G...
After the storm - Chloë Swarbrick & Josephine Bartley on Auckland's flood response
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The damage inflicted upon Auckland during a week of record-breaking weather is expected to cost over one billion dollars to repair. From red sticke...
Pride and prejudice - the challenges facing the rainbow community in 2023
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Aotearoa’s biggest Pride Festival kicks off today. Auckland Pride runs for the next four weeks as a city-wide celebration of the rainbow community...
Auckland floods - the stats, the damage and the communications disaster
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An unprecedented weather event has completely saturated the upper North Island over the last few days. Record-breaking amounts of rain have submerge...
What can be done about abuse directed at female politicians?
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand is facing up to the abuse and misogyny faced by politicians. In the wake of Jacinda Ardern’s shock resignation as Prime Minister in J...
The year of the world cups - a look at 2023's major sports events
29 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand is set for a blockbuster year of sport, with four world cups being held. The big one will no doubt be the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which...
What legacy does Jacinda Ardern leave behind - and how will history remember her?
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After five and a half years, the Jacinda Ardern premiership has come to an end. Following her shock resignation, Ardern has officially vacated the ...