Six years after Gore toddler Lachie Jones was found dead in a Gore oxidation pond, the coroner has handed down his findings. And coroner Alexander Ho has called for a third police investigation, concluding that there were gaps in the original investigations that make it difficult to truly establish what happened to the three year old that night. NZ Herald reporter Ben Tomsett has been following the proceedings, and joins us The Front Page for a bonus episode to discuss the coroner’s findings. Fo...
Jun 13, 2025•8 min
If you’ve turned on an American news channel in the last week, you would’ve seen wall to wall coverage of protests spreading across the country. It all started in Los Angeles, where clashes between police and protesters were exacerbated by Donald Trump bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom and sending National Guard and Marine troops to the city. LA Mayor Karen Bass has blamed the protests on Trump's immigration raids, which she said "provoked" residents by causing "fear" and "panic". While Trump has ...
Jun 12, 2025•21 min
More than 600 days of war and an 11-week blockade of all aid has pushed those living in Gaza into a deeper crisis. Israel imposed a full humanitarian blockade of Gaza in March, cutting off food, medical supplies, and other aid to the more than two million Palestinians living there. And while some aid has been allowed in in recent weeks, many countries are calling for more to be done. New Zealand has joined the condemnation, placing travel restrictions against two Israeli ministers, but is that g...
Jun 11, 2025•17 min
Is New Zealand’s legal system moving fast enough to adapt to new technologies? It’s a question being asked by some of our top academics and MPs. The conversation around covert recordings has made headlines this week – as well as questions around whether it’s illegal. And Act MP Laura McClure made global headlines after holding up a photo of herself naked in Parliament. It was an AI-generated ‘deepfake’, which McClure said took her only moments to create. So do our existing laws protect victims f...
Jun 10, 2025•15 min
Every few weeks, it seems that we are reporting on a recidivist drink driver who is once again going through the court system due to their behaviour. And there are still thousands going through the justice system every year. In fact, figures show that over 15,000 people were convicted last year for driving under the influence. Now, a new survey has shown consistent support from New Zealanders to tackle drink driving. Conducted by the New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council, more Kiwis are keen to ...
Jun 09, 2025•15 min
The divided nature of our politics has been spotlighted once again. A fiery debate has seen Te Pati Maori’s leaders suspended for Parliament in the harshest punishment ever handed down to a politician. It was a vote made along party lines – with the Government parties voting in favour of the Privileges Committee recommendations, and the left-bloc voting against. And that split was highlighted once again by two polls with conflicting results showing who will win next year. Today on The Front Page...
Jun 08, 2025•18 min
It has been revealed that the Government considered using private company Bluebridge to replace the current Interislander fleet. It’s just the latest in the saga that is the Cook Strait ferries, after years of negotiations, debate, and an axed contract. But it’s hardly the first time we’ve had a major transport project face delays and changes. All forms of transport are eyeing big investments, but how long before we actually get some movement? Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political repor...
Jun 05, 2025•17 min
A new study suggests that another Pike River mine disaster is likely. The Victoria University of Wellington researchers say the failures that lead to the disaster that killed 29 men could happen again at any other organisation. One of their "potentially disturbing observations" is that health & safety training, auditors, and well-qualified staff were not enough to prevent failure – and may also have provided an "illusion of certainty" and overconfidence. The new research has come amidst a sl...
Jun 04, 2025•20 min
A warmer winter is coming, meaning we might not need our heaters as much as we usually would. However, these conditions won’t be great for those heading away for ski season. And, while the puffer jackets can stay in the wardrobe, those rain ones will be getting a workout – because with a warmer winter, comes rain. Today on The Front Page, Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino is with us, to give a glimpse into what the weather might look like in the months ahead. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio,...
Jun 03, 2025•17 min
The world of pop culture fandom was once on the fringes of society – comic books, anime and sci-fi movies have historically been seen as the realm of nerds living in their parents basement. But in recent years, the power dynamics have shifted, and what was once considered niche is now very much in the mainstream. Blockbuster movies are increasingly being dominated by superhero and fantasy genre, and that’s seeping into the world of prestige television. And everything from Labubus to the latest N...
Jun 02, 2025•19 min
2024 was a difficult year for the Royal Family, with King Charles and the Princess of Wales both going public with cancer diagnoses, which required lengthy treatment that took them out of the spotlight. Things have been looking rosier for the family so far this year, and the King is even flexing his diplomatic muscles in a visit to Canada amidst tensions between the country and the United States. However, in recent weeks, the friction between the monarchy and Prince Harry has made headlines once...
Jun 01, 2025•20 min
Act Party leader David Seymour will become New Zealand’s deputy prime minister tomorrow, taking over from Winston Peters. He will be the 19th person to be the country’s second in command. First elected to Parliament in 2014 – the last decade and a bit has seen Seymour’s meteoric rise from being his party’s sole MP to now sitting alongside 10 colleagues after Act’s best ever result in the 2023 election. That result has allowed him to push through big changes around issues like regulation and gove...
May 29, 2025•20 min
The Reserve Bank has cut the Official Cash Rate 25-basis-points -- to 3.25 percent. That's the lowest it's been since August 2022 – though there were discussions about holding it. Today's move is in line with most economists' expectations, and is another positive sign of the growth of the economy. But there remains global uncertainty over President Trump’s policies and what impact his tariffs and trade wars could have. Today on The Front Page, Infometrics chief forecaster, Gareth Kiernan is with...
May 28, 2025•18 min
We’ve all got an anecdote or a story about a tradie who did us dirty, or an issue with a new build. Well, now we’ve got some actual evidence around what’s happening in the construction industry. The Building Research Association of New Zealand has launched a new a Build Insights tool to provide accurate information on everything from tradie callbacks to new apprenticeships and the cost of new builds. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Head of Data Chris Knox is running us some of the key stats w...
May 27, 2025•17 min
It’ll come as no surprise when I say our emergency departments are suffering. It’s a tale that’s haunted consecutive governments and one that has those at the frontline crying out for support. Winter is one of the busiest periods for hospitals, and many are already reportedly at capacity. But, what do we do with this broken record? And how do we fix a sector that's been chronically underfunded for generations? Today on The Front Page, Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah joins us ...
May 26, 2025•16 min
A new Jurassic World movie is right around the corner, taking us back to the world where dinosaurs have been brought back from the dead. But what has been a science fiction concept for decades might be closer to reality. Colossal Biosciences claims it’s “successfully de-extincted" the dire wolf, a species that ceased to exist around 10,000 years ago. The biotech company, which is backed by big name investors and celebrities alike, has a goal to bring back the likes of the woolly mammoth, the Tas...
May 25, 2025•18 min
The coalition Government has unveiled its second Budget. Over 20 billion dollars in savings has been found over the next four years, more than half from controversial changes to our pay equity scheme. There are changes to KiwiSaver contributions, means testing for support for parents, and a major new tax incentive for businesses. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said that it is a “responsible budget”, while Labour has called it an ‘austerity budget’ that leaves women out and is stealing from our k...
May 22, 2025•19 min
Officially dubbed the “Growth Budget” - unofficially, the “no BS Budget” - Finance Minister Nicola Willis has unveiled where New Zealand's dollars are being spent. From the outset, she promised no frills or excess – saying for months there’s very little left in the kitty. Big changes include cuts to Government KiwiSaver contributions, means testing on the financial support parents can access, health investments, and a new tax incentive for businesses. Listen as we run through the numbers you nee...
May 22, 2025•7 min
Society is always under pressure to keep up – given the world around us is in a constant state of change. Our education sector is no different. Education officials are attempting to crack down on the use of artificial intelligence in NCEA exams, after a rise in substantiated breaches last year. It’s an extra challenge for schools on top of other issues that have emerged since Covid – like a decline in students’ mental health. Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB education reporter Jaime Cunningh...
May 21, 2025•18 min
Only a few weeks after he had reportedly been in contention for the country’s top police job, deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming was suspended and put on leave. The Independent Police Conduct Authority and New Zealand Police were investigating, but the nature of the allegations could not be reported. Months went by without any developments. That was – until last week, when McSkimming resigned after allegations surfaced of “objectionable material” being found on his work computer. NZ Her...
May 20, 2025•17 min
Adolf Hitler. Joseph Stalin. Benito Mussolini. Pol Pot. Saddam Hussein. Apart from being some of the most famous dictators in human history, they all have one thing in common. They all had dramatic, violent, and disgraced downfalls. But, in almost every case, foreign powers played a major role in shaping the post-dictatorship future. How Tyrants Fall: And How Nations Survive by political scientist Marcel Dirsus delves into the vulnerabilities of authoritarian regimes and explores strategies for ...
May 19, 2025•19 min
New Zealand’s Parliament is a ‘house of chaos’. At least that’s how our own deputy Prime Minister has described the debating chamber. The C-Bomb was dropped in Parliament last week by Brooke van Velden, quoting a Stuff column by Andrea Vance that was criticising the Government’s changes to pay equity. It has muddied an already dirty debate over women’s pay that is set to overshadow the Budget this year. And at the same time, Te Pati Maori’s co-leaders have been threatened with suspension from Pa...
May 18, 2025•18 min
The ‘war on wokeness’ may feel like a new phenomenon, but in fact, it’s been around for centuries. People have been ‘cancelled’, in one way or another, since the beginning of time – it's human nature to form tribes, create an ‘us’ and ‘them’, and serve as judge, jury, and sometimes literally, executioner. But in recent years, the ‘culture wars’ have erupted between the left and right, progressive and conservative, the woke and anti-woke over everything from gender and sexuality to race and equal...
May 15, 2025•28 min
If you’ve looked at headlines around the world lately, you’d be forgiven for thinking that immigration is the root of all our problems. Perhaps the most vocal anti-immigration critic at the moment is the United States, with mass deportations happening against undocumented migrants. Now the UK Government is vowing to fix a ‘broken’ immigration system with new policies, which are estimated to lead to a 100,000 drop in immigration per year by 2029. The move comes after the rise of Reform UK, with a...
May 14, 2025•19 min
New Zealand’s on high alert – after an Auckland ferry worker tested positive for measles. They were infectious while on board a number of Fullers360 sailings on May 5, at a Kelston supermarket, and Downtown car park. Two days later, they were at Unichem New Lynn and Pak 'n Save Mt Albert. The marine crew member had recently travelled to Asia, but they weren’t infectious on their flight home. So, how concerning is this latest outbreak? And have we not learned anything from our days of Covid? Toda...
May 13, 2025•16 min
After a week of tensions, India and Pakistan have reached a ceasefire deal. Tensions over the disputed territory of Kashmir were reignited after a massacre of Hindu tourists last month, leading to a series of bombings between the two countries that sparked fears they would return to full out war. While the ceasefire deal is holding for now, many in the Kashmir region are hoping a permanent solution can be found. Today on The Front Page, Auckland University Director of Global Studies, Chris Ogden...
May 12, 2025•20 min
The Government is set to cut billions of dollars from spending at the upcoming budget as a cost-saving measure in these tight financial conditions. But what if there was a way to raise more revenue from existing industries? Analysis from the Herald has looked at the ‘black market’ or the informal economy – the industries dominated by cash in hand methods of payment that pass by the tax system. NZ Herald Head of Newsroom Data Chris Knox has run the numbers, and joins us today on The Front Page to...
May 11, 2025•17 min
The National Party is looking to follow Australia and ban social media for under-16s. It has submitted a members bill that would look to limit how young people engage with the likes of Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Since Australia’s world-leading ban was passed into law last year, multiple countries are looking at bans as a way of addressing concerning social media habits. But is a ban actually feasible, and would it address the real issues with social media? Today on The Front Page, Dr Alex B...
May 08, 2025•19 min
After 22 years, video calling platform Skype is shutting down. After its inception, to ‘skype’ became a verb – and it was the go-to service for many years. That is... until Covid-19 and Zoom took over. So how has something once thought to be so innovative become so obsolete? Who decides what apps and sites we migrate to – and looking to the future, what could be the next big bang – or bust? Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington professor of information systems, Alex Richter ...
May 07, 2025•20 min
This year marks 15 years since the birth of Auckland’s Super City. The controversial idea to merge eight regional and district councils into one SUPER council was kickstarted after a Royal Commission on Auckland Governance back in 2007. The city now stretches from Wellsford down to Bombay, and from Muriwai to Orere Point. More than a decade later, discussions are still being had about whether it was a good move for New Zealand's largest and most populated city. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald...
May 06, 2025•23 min
