The Front Page

Auckland CBD shooting: How did it unfold?

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The country was shocked to wake to news that during the morning rush a man had entered an Auckland CBD construction site and opened fire.  After seve...

Where are the ambitious policies from the major parties this election cycle?

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are less than three months away from the election, but both sides of the political spectrum remain incredibly close.  National and Act have a slig...

The case for a New Zealand rail network that works

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Hamilton to Auckland rail connection is back in the news for all the wrong reasons.  The Te Huia service has been banned from entering the Auckla...

Hollywood actors join writers to strike against big studios

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time in decades, actors in Hollywood have gone on strike. Negotiations between the actor's union and the big studios broke down last wee...

Private vs public sector: How does pay compare for our top bosses?

16 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kiwi CEOs are paid 30 to 50 times more than the average wage.   Questions have long been asked about whether those levels of remuneration are justif...

What does the future of NZ media look like?

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The way we read, watch and listen to the news is constantly evolving and news companies need to respond – or risk becoming obsolete.  Add to this e...

Does our workforce reflect a modern day Aotearoa?

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Businesses have for years been talking about the importance of workplaces being reflective of Aotearoa’s demographics.  This is particularly impor...

Will there be any more cost of living relief before the election?

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At the start of this month, there was good news for parents as new financial benefits kicked in for them. At the same time, several wide-reaching exis...

Teaching Council responds after high profile teacher controversies

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Several headlines recently have sparked concerns about the state of our teaching pool.  Most notably, a man legally known as Taurapa has become the l...

Are we saving enough for the financial turbulence ahead?

09 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you feel you have less than you did a few years ago, you’re not wrong.   The latest data shows that Kiwis are indeed worse off overall than the...

Musk vs Zuckerberg: Will Threads change the social media game?

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Meta, the owner of Facebook, is shaking up social media with an app some are calling the 'Twitter killer'.  Threads will offer a very similar servic...

The latest controversy over a millionaire's boatshed plans

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A house, once owned by the Sultan of Brunei, in the affluent Auckland suburb of Herne Bay has become the centre of a dispute with community residents ...

Harbour Bridge woes: How long will Auckland need to wait for a new crossing?

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

High winds this week once again closed Auckland’s Harbour Bridge, something that has become a regular and frustrating occurrence in recent years.  ...

MP-staff tensions are nothing new - but does Parliament need a culture change?

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Justice Minister Kiri Allan is the latest Government Minister to have reportedly had significant issues with a member of their staff.  The reports of...

The countries taking a stand against overtourism - will it impact your holidays?

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After the pandemic forced international flights to grind to a halt, the travel industry is slowly returning to normal.  School and university winter ...

Inside the trial of 'prominent businessman' Sir James Wallace

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For years, NZ Herald readers have pondered the identity of the ‘prominent businessman’ and his five-year journey through the courts for charges re...

Abuse, lawsuits and media bans - what's happening with schoolboy rugby?

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Abuse from the sidelines. Media blackouts. Legal battles to keep players on the bench.  This is the level of drama you’d expect from sports on an i...

Why tertiary institutes are planning massive job and course cuts

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Government has stepped in to announce a $128 million funding package to assist our struggling universities.   This comes after a proposal to cut ...

Is failed Wagner Group coup the beginning of the end for Putin?

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine took a stunning turn over the weekend, when the leader of the Wagner mercenary force threatened a coup against Presiden...

How healthy homes could save lives - and $1 billion a year

25 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Winter is well and truly upon us now, and with it has come a steady stream of news articles offering advice on how to keep your house warm during the ...

The Titan submarine disaster: What went wrong below the surface?

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last week, the world has been captivated by the story of a group of five wealthy people trapped in submarine on a voyage to visit the wreck o...

How is our economy performing against recession and 'greedflation' concerns?

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our economy has slipped into a technical recession, and Kiwis around the country are feeling the pinch of high inflation and rising mortgage rates.  ...

Is NZ ready to co-host the FIFA Women's World Cup?

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s only a few weeks until the opening ceremony officially announces the start of the Fifa World Cup in both Australia and Aotearoa.   While prepa...

Should surgical waitlists take ethnicity into account?

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

News that Auckland surgeons are now being required to consider a patient’s ethnicity when deciding who should get an operation first sparked sharp d...

Is Kāinga Ora too slow in managing troubled tenants?

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kāinga Ora is getting bad press once again, following the publication of the harrowing story of a Hamilton woman who for years lived next door to dis...

Crisis in Sudan: What a Kiwi aid worker saw on the ground

18 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the world’s eyes have been fixed on Ukraine, another conflict on a different continent has seen more than a million people displaced from their h...

How are economic conditions impacting renters?

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rising interest rates and dropping house prices have seen most of our attention focused on New Zealand mortgage holders.   But we are also a nation o...

Why a champion rower is funding his career through OnlyFans

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kiwi rower Robbie Manson has found a unique way of promoting himself in the lead up to next year’s summer Olympics. The world record holder has sign...

Marama Davidson on why the Green Party is committed to a wealth tax

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As political parties look to shape the debate ahead of October’s election, the Green Party have made a bold statement when it comes to tax.  Their ...

Who is Xavier Valent? The story behind the Kiwi kingpin's drug empire

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, 34-year-old Xavier Valent was sentenced to life in prison for importing drugs into New Zealand.   It is only the third time someone has re...

Ports of Auckland boss on future of the city's most divisive organisation

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone in Auckland has an opinion on what should happen to the city's port. Businesspeople want its ownership structure to change, the mayor wants ...

David Seymour on ACT's election priorities and coalition desires

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Seymour isn’t one to mince his words.   That much was clear at the ACT Party annual conference, where Seymour used the opportunity to rally ...

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 ...