Remember remember the fifth of November... It’s Guy Fawkes, which means a sleepless night for some of our furry friends. For more than 400 years the English Catholic’s failure to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London has been celebrated – but at what cost? Every year we are warned by the likes of the SPCA that what is an exciting night for us, is a terrifying night for animals. Not to mention Fire and Emergency NZ is continuously urging people to think about the risk of fireworks before buy...
Nov 04, 2024•13 min
If there’s one topic Kiwis never get tired of talking about, it’s houses. It’s the biggest purchase most people will ever make in their lives, so if you’re looking to buy, it pays to do your research. Fortunately, OneRoof has today released its official ranking of the 100 hottest suburbs across the nation. Alongside data partner Valocity, the experts have combed through every neighbourhood in the country, and rated them on factors like affordability, amenities, and growth potential. Today on the...
Nov 03, 2024•18 min
It was a murder trial that gripped New Zealand, and the world. Pauline Hanna was found dead in a Remuera home she shared with her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, on April 5, 2021. What followed was a months-long investigation, Polkinghorne charged with murder, a mammoth trial and eventually, an acquittal. A jury came back with the not guilty verdict in September – a moment that would not be mark the end of this saga. That’s because on day one of the trial, former Auckland eye surgeon Philip Polkin...
Nov 01, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 22
New Zealand’s hunt to poach overseas doctors gets another tool in the toolbox today. From now, medical graduates from the UK, Ireland and Australia will be able to have their applications for registration assessed within 20 working days. It’ll speed up a process that would usually take six months – and the government hopes it’ll fill critical gaps in our health workforce. But, unions on the ground doubt the impact of this fast-track pathway – saying it’s welcome, but not sure that it's going to ...
Oct 31, 2024•18 min
Auckland’s Mayor Wayne Brown has never shied away from telling us exactly what he thinks. He’s waged war on council-controlled organisations, like EkePanuku and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, with proposals to abolish them altogether and bring their activities in-house. He’s never thought twice in criticising who he calls the “weasels in Wellington” (or, central Government), and he’s also never shied away from voicing his concerns around Auckland Transport, which is currently dealing with a wave of ...
Oct 30, 2024•14 min
India has suffered its first series defeat at home since 2012 – at the hands of none other than New Zealand. The 2-0 defeat came when India was bowled out for 245 by the Black Caps in their chase of 359 on the third day of the second test. So, what does this mean for cricket in New Zealand? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald online sports editor, Alex Powell joins us to discuss this historic win – and why it matters. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you g...
Oct 29, 2024•12 min
Sending your DNA in to a website to find out your background has become a trendy thing to do. But, is there a hidden cost to this? DNA testing company 23andMe is in financial crisis, raising questions about what will happen to the data it holds on 15 million customers worldwide. New Zealanders are concerned their genetic information could be on-sold and used for other purposes, including insurance or law enforcement. Today on The Front Page, privacy lawyer Rick Shera joins us to explain the conc...
Oct 28, 2024•19 min
In 2011, NZ Herald journalist David Fisher became aware that a woman had been caught catfishing dozens of teenage boys and young men across New Zealand. Catfishing is a term used for people who use stolen photos to pretend to be someone else online, usually to form relationships with real people across social media. Fisher would go on to expose the woman behind the false online accounts as Natalia Burgess. She referred to herself as ‘The Puppeteer’. Fisher interviewed Burgess on several occasion...
Oct 27, 2024•22 min
It seems that when one political scandal ends, another one rises to take its place. This week, the Green Party ended the saga that has dominated 2024 for them, with MP Darleen Tana formally removed as an MP in the first usage of the Waka Jumping Bill. As Chloe Swarbrick and her party look to the future, it’s now National’s turn to deal with an unneeded diversion, after Minister Andrew Bayly was accused of abusing a member of the public at a business event. And at the same, Deputy Prime Minister ...
Oct 24, 2024•22 min
Last week, we reported on the issues at Wellington City Council after councillors voted against selling airport shares, forcing a rethink of the council’s long term plan. The Coalition Government labelled the council a ‘shambles’, and threatened to send in a Crown Observer. Well, they’ve now delivered on that threat, with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown confirming that appointment will be coming. The move puts more pressure on Mayor Tory Whanau and her councillors to sort out their issues...
Oct 23, 2024•16 min
13 youths climbed atop a youth justice facility in South Auckland on Monday night – demanding fast food, cigarettes, and a getaway car. The group made it on to the top of the Korowai Manaaki facility in Wiri just after 6.30 that night. By 9am the next day, just four remained. They came down just before noon. It’s reminiscent of an incident at the same facility last year – when groups of young people climbed onto the roof. A month later, a trio of teens did it again – and in June, another group s...
Oct 22, 2024•17 min
Us mere mortals often idolise celebrities – their glitzy and glamorous lifestyles have had audiences captivated for decades. But at what point does the line blur from adoration to a sense of ownership? The tragic death of One Direction star Liam Payne has sparked conversations about how far is too far when it comes to the public’s entitlement over these stars – and how intrusive media can get to serve that need. It comes off the back of a number of celebrities speaking out about the intrusion fr...
Oct 21, 2024•17 min
Back in 2020, New Zealanders voted in favour of legalising assisted dying in certain circumstances. That law was passed in 2021, and next month, a three-year review will begin into how the law is going. Ahead of that review, concerns have been raised about the six-month rule on eligible patients, and the backlog in death reports by the oversight committee. From November 2021 to June this year, there have been 864 assisted deaths. Around 20 percent of applicants are deemed ineligible. NZ Herald h...
Oct 20, 2024•14 min
Should or shouldn’t New Zealand become a republic? It’s a quandary that’s sparked fierce debate over decades, and it’s back on the agenda as King Charles heads down under for his first tour – but is skipping New Zealand. With his visit prompting debate over in Australia, is it time for New Zealand to consider becoming a republic? Today on The Front Page, Republic NZ’s Peter Hamilton joins us to discuss this issue and what a monarchy-free New Zealand could look like. We did invite Monarchy NZ to ...
Oct 17, 2024•20 min
Over the next week, two big sporting gambles years in the making are about to have their payoff. On Saturday, Auckland FC – our newest A-League football team – will play their debut game against the Brisbane Roar. And then on Monday, rising Formula 1 star Liam Lawson makes his debut as a full-time driver for Red Bull at the US Grand Prix. It’s an exciting time for Kiwi sport, and shows at the changing potential of where we can succeed. Today on The Front Page, we dig into these exciting developm...
Oct 16, 2024•18 min
The Government has set its sights on sorting out Wellington City Council. After councillors last week voted against a plan to sell shares in Wellington’s airport, the city’s long term plan will need to be re-opened. It has prompted Local Government Minister Simeon Brown to seek advice on potential interventions, and he has labeled the situation a ‘shambles’. So how bad have things got in the Capital? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter and host of On the Tiles Local Edi...
Oct 15, 2024•15 min
This week marks one year since the 2023 election. That election saw Labour’s historic majority cut in half, and started weeks of negotiations between National, Act and NZ First about the shape of the government. Marking the anniversary, a 1News Verian poll shows 30% of respondents believe the country is in better shape than a year ago – while 40% think it’s worse. That divisive nature has been a cornerstone of this government, but is that having any impact on their policies? And what about the o...
Oct 14, 2024•20 min
The Government will introduce legislation later this year to create the Young Serious Offender category and empower Youth Court judges to send them to new boot camps. It’s all while Oranga Tamariki officials supported the view of experts that boot camps are not effective. So, why have every other iteration of bootcamps failed – and how might this government make them better? Today on The Front Page, Herald senior writer Derek Cheng is with us to discuss our tattered history of bootcamps, and wha...
Oct 13, 2024•20 min
The Official Cash Rate’s been cut to 4.75 percent – which is being touted as welcome news for households all over New Zealand. It’s the lowest the OCR has been in 18 months. The Monetary Policy Committee said that annual consumer price inflation was within its 1 to 3% inflation target range and converging on the 2% midpoint. While plenty of people are popping the champagne over this announcement, is this latest cut masking some of the other issues in the economy? Today on The Front Page, Herald ...
Oct 10, 2024•15 min
A local election begins today in Auckland, though you're probably not even aware. 364,000 Auckland households and businesses can vote this month for the trust board that runs Entrust. If this name sounds familiar to Aucklanders, it’s because the majority shareholder of Vector dishes out $350 payments to eligible electricity account holders every year. Yet very few of us actually vote in these elections, with voter turnout hitting single digits in 2021. Today on The Front Page, Herald senior writ...
Oct 09, 2024•18 min
As Auckland’s population continues to grow, so too are the city’s schools – and many of them are running out of space. Analysis by the Herald has found that while the school-aged population has only risen by 18 percent since the year 2000, at least one school has had its roll jump by 149 percent. With space running out, it’s also prompting tough questions for schools and what they do with out of zone enrolments. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald reporter Ben Leahy joins us to digest the data he...
Oct 08, 2024•12 min
A search for answers is underway after HM-NZS Manawanui ran aground and sank near Samoa. The $100 million ship left Auckland’s Devonport just over a week ago and was conducting a reef survey off the coast of Samoa but ran aground at 6.46pm on Saturday. The ship started to take on water shortly after, and fire broke out as well, prompting an evacuation of all personnel on board. In the end, seventy-five crew and passengers were rescued by Samoa’s Fire and Emergency Services Authority A Court of I...
Oct 07, 2024•15 min
It’s been a year since terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel – sparking the deadliest conflict in the Gaza region for decades. Since then, at least 40,000 people have died, many more injured, 1.9 million displaced, and countless buildings and homes destroyed. Aid organisations have consistently warned of the humanitarian crisis on the ground – and are pleading with the world for help. Today on The Front Page, World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah A...
Oct 06, 2024•17 min
Infrastructure is top of the agenda for the Government for the last months of 2024. The Prime Minister this week released his Q4 action plan, with plenty of targets focussing on getting things built. Among the 43 objectives is the highly controversial fast-track approvals bill, which it’s hoped will speed up the delivery of regional and national projects of significance. The focus on infrastructure comes a week after the Government announced Dunedin’s new hospital could be downgraded due to budg...
Oct 03, 2024•18 min
The Mood of the Boardroom is back today for its 22nd year. The annual survey of the country’s top CEOs and business leaders has seen a broad tick of approval for the coalition Government, with strong support for Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis and their economic plan. But they want to see the Government be bolder and set out their vision for New Zealand’s future, and that could include tackling some of the most contentious economic issues in our country. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Bu...
Oct 02, 2024•19 min
Tensions in the Middle East are ramping up at an alarming rate. Israel’s Defence Forces have said it has begun a "targeted" ground operation into southern Lebanon against “terrorist targets”. It comes after days of airstrikes within Beirut’s city limits, which started after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The escalation in the war has killed civilians, destroyed homes and displaced 1 million people in Lebanon. Today on The Front Page, Waikato University international law p...
Oct 01, 2024•15 min
Violence towards children is one of the most concerning issues in New Zealand. It’s an issue that debates decades, back when Child, Youth and Family was responsible for our most vulnerable, before it was replaced by Oranga Tamariki. And that government agency bears the brunt of trying to look after our children, and keep them safe from harm – but recent reports have shown that not only has little changed in terms of family harm, children that do end up in care are still at risk of abuse still. T...
Sep 30, 2024•24 min
Provincial New Zealand is hurting. Alliance Group last week confirmed plans to close its Timaru meat processing plant in Smithfield, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. It comes after earlier this month that Winstone Pulp International said will close two mills near Ohakune, which will see 230 people lose their jobs. To discuss the impact facing small towns in New Zealand, and if there’s a way out from them, today on The Front Page, we are joined by Dr Sean Connelly, senior lecturer at the school...
Sep 29, 2024•16 min
Public servants – or what’s left of them – have been ordered back to the office in Wellington. The Government’s call has been welcomed by central city businesses, who said that the absence of workers has impacted on their business. The decline of the city centre is one of a number of issues the capital is facing, including soaring costs from rates and struggling council finances. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has not helped things, after a week of conflicting statements on selling her car that ha...
Sep 26, 2024•19 min
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announced this week - he is ending his term early, to take up a new role as the head of the Social Investment Agency at the end of the year. Coster was the face of the previous government’s push to ‘police by consent’ and copped a huge amount of criticism from National when they were in Opposition. The race is on to replace Coster – so who will National pick, and what will that decision say about their approach to tackling law and order? Today on The Front Page,...
Sep 25, 2024•18 min
