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 behemoth that owns Facebook and Instagram, is putting a stranglehold on recommendations in user feeds that contain political content. The move, signalled in February, applies to Instagram and Threads, and will eventually extend to Facebook. Today on The Front Page, Senior writer Derek Cheng joins us to look at what’s happening, why it’s happening, and h...
Apr 07, 2024•20 min
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 year we gain one. And no, it’s not Daylight Saving s Time, either. We first introduced it nearly a hundred years ago in 1927 – and the current times have been fixed since 2007. In spring, we change our clocks forward 1 hour to New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT). In autumn, we change our clocks back 1 hour to New Zealand Standard Time (NZST). Today on ...
Apr 04, 2024•17 min
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 populism and disproportionately targeting Māori and Pasifika communities. Despite this, the return of the controversial law has made its way onto the Government’s next action plan. So, does Three Strikes only stand as a symbol of a Government’s ‘tough on crime’ approach? Or, will it garner better results a second time around? Today on The Front Page, ...
Apr 03, 2024•18 min
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 Minister Christopher Luxon has promised to deliver a budget that reduces wasteful spending, delivers tax relief to hardworking New Zealanders, and invests in frontline services. Yet this promise comes days after his Finance Minister once again highlighted the fragile state of the economy. So how bad are things looking, and should we still be looking at t...
Apr 02, 2024•18 min
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-listed chief executives increased on average by 3.58 percent in the 2023 financial year. And despite a stagnant local share market, one CEO has set a new record for the largest ever pay packet in the history of the Herald’s CEO pay survey. To run us through the trends and the seven figure salaries, we’re joined today on The Front Page by BusinessDesk...
Apr 01, 2024•14 min
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 hybrids. Bringing EVs in line with other vehicles has been a priority for this government, but little else in the plans so far have suggested what their strategy is for the environment and climate change. Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political and climate reporter Demelza Jackson joins to discuss if this government is making the right moves for...
Mar 31, 2024•18 min
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, many of us could see a little more money in our back pockets. This is when the Annual General Adjustment takes place, with things like benefits and the minimum wage rising to account for inflation or wage growth. It’s also one of the dates when tax changes or new fees come into effect – and this year, that means changes for EV drivers and those with a fa...
Mar 27, 2024•16 min
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 locking up for the day when he spied a discarded light-green suitcase on the ground behind a wall. Curious, he picked it up by its cloth-wrapped handle - triggering a mercury switch hidden inside. He was killed instantly as the force tore through the passageway of the Vivian St building. The Police investigation to find the man who was seen carrying the s...
Mar 26, 2024•15 min
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, six months after Labour were kicked out of government. He has taken aim at the country’s tax system as being inequitable, and laid blame for the current financial woes at National’s feet. Today on The Front Page, Hipkins joins to discuss what his party plans to offer the country at the next election, as well as to respond to recent criticism of the p...
Mar 25, 2024•20 min
For over 50 years, the secretive Christian community of Gloriavale has fascinated New Zealanders. While the community has long been discussed by former members who have left Gloriavale behind, in the last few years, multiple official investigations and Employment Court proceedings have shone more light on what's happening behind the scenes. Now, a new TVNZ documentary, Escaping Utopia, is looking back at the community’s chequered history and its recent problems. Today on The Front Page, co-direc...
Mar 24, 2024•20 min
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 public eye following abdominal surgery. The public was told that surgery was not related to cancer – but subsequent tests revealed the Princesses condition, and she is now undergoing chemotherapy. So what does this mean for the Royal Family that’s now facing two cancer battles at the same time? For this special bonus episode, UK correspondent Gavin ...
Mar 23, 2024•14 min
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. Questions continue to be asked about how the coalition can fund its much-promised tax cuts amid reports of a growing fiscal hole and criticism from international financial agencies, with just two months left until this National-led government delivers its first budget. To talk us through the state of the economy, the public’s feedback on the government, ...
Mar 21, 2024•24 min
Boeing - one of the world’s largest airplane manufacturers and once its most well respected - has seen a string of concerning incidents have tarnished that reputation. This year alone, we’ve seen a door plug blow off mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 in January, while closer to home, a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney to Auckland plunged mid-air – injuring at least 50 passengers, some seriously. It comes only a few years after two fatal crashes involving Boeing 737 Max plans onl...
Mar 20, 2024•18 min
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 Day wrestling with an officer for his gun, after reportedly being pulled over for speeding. They are just the latest in a very long line of Kiwis who have run afoul of the law overseas – but what exactly are your rights if you clash with cops while on holiday? Today on The Front Page, we discuss this with Waikato University international law expert,...
Mar 19, 2024•17 min
New Zealand’s rolling out the red carpet for China’s foreign minister -- with Wang Yi’s visit marking the highest-level diplomatic engagement with New Zealand’s largest trading partner on our soil in at least seven years. It comes as China continues advocating for its ‘One China’ policy with Taiwan, while our coalition government explores expanding our trading horizons. So is our relationship with China still strong, and can it survive China’ slowing economy? Today on The Front Page, NZ Contempo...
Mar 18, 2024•18 min
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 years for another one to occur at a New Lynn supermarket. A year ago, top security and intelligence officials revealed they had foiled three further terror threats. So, five years on from our darkest day, how concerned should be about threats going forwards? Today on The Front Page, Massey University distinguished professor Paul Spoonley joins to dis...
Mar 17, 2024•20 min
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 comes a little over six years since she entered Parliament, and seven years since she made national headlines for running for the Auckland mayoralty. So, what does the 29-year-old want to do when she takes the reins of the third biggest party in Parliament? Today on The Front Page, Chloe Swarbrick joins us to discuss her rise to the top of the Greens...
Mar 14, 2024•20 min
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 Princess of Wales and her three children has turned into a major embarrassment, after eagle-eyed followers saw noticeable edits had been made to the photo. It has reignited not only a debate about the Royal Family’s secrecy, but also on photo manipulation as AI tools gain more prominence. Today on The Front Page, New Zealand Herald deputy lifestyle ...
Mar 13, 2024•20 min
The Government has announced it will restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. But it is not as much tax relief for these property investors as National promised Act in the parties’ coalition agreement. So, what’s changed? And does that mean other policies in their agreement are also up for renegotiation? And, is this government prioritising landlords over renters - a group that’s a growing part of the population. Today on The Front Page, New Zealand Heral...
Mar 12, 2024•20 min
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 shows Sunday and Fair Go later this year amid cost savings measures. With Newshub also on the chopping block, local news is facing a true crisis, and many are wondering if there’s a way back from the edge. Today on The Front Page, Auckland University of Technology journalism lecturer Dr Greg Treadwell joins to analyse the state of local media. Follow...
Mar 11, 2024•20 min
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 number of New Zealanders, online scams are becoming the most common crime many of us deal with. It’s estimated that we’re losing around 200 million dollars a year to cyber crime – but given many of those affected may be too embarrassed to report a crime, some think that figure is closer to 2 billion. So is there anything that can be done to stop thes...
Mar 10, 2024•17 min
National has unveiled their plan for transport over the next term and it includes some new fees coming your way. Getting a Motor Vehicle Registration is about to become a lot more expensive, while promises not to raise fuel taxes are being kept – but only just. All of this is to fund a revival of the National Party’s Roads of National Significance, but are voters going to care when it means higher costs to drive on them? Today on The Front Page, New Zealand Herald senior political journalist Der...
Mar 07, 2024•16 min
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. These cuts have been discussed since the campaign trail, but what impact they are set to have is yet to be seen. Now, thanks to the Official Information Act, we have some idea of how 11 Ministries are trying to tackle this – and it has led to a lot of concern within the departments that run the country. Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB Wellingto...
Mar 06, 2024•17 min
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 years behind bars for McGrath’s death in a case that has garnered national attention. And that’s because McGrath’s body has never been found. New Zealand Herald senior crime reporter Sam Sherwood has been following this case for seven years, and even served as a witness for the Crown during the first trial. He joins The Front Page to discuss this ca...
Mar 05, 2024•14 min
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 Herald has revealed school fees for many of the country’s top private schools have risen drastically in the last two years. So what’s driving those costs – and do these schools results justify the fees? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior journalist Alex Spence talks us through the rising cost of going to the country’s most exclusive schools, and la...
Mar 04, 2024•15 min
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 expected, the Bank has warned inflation is still sitting above where it needs to be. So, in the wake of our major publicly listed companies reporting their half-year results, how is the economy holding up, and can we expect a sunny or stormy outlook for the coming months? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann joins us ...
Mar 03, 2024•15 min
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, Police on Tuesday said they have found their bodies in Bungonia in southern New South Wales. While the search may be over, questions remain over the response of New South Wales police, particularly as one of their own is alleged to have committed this crime. ABC News reporter Isaac Nowroozi was at the scene in Bungonia earlier this week. He joins The F...
Feb 29, 2024•18 min
Later today, Fa’anānā Efeso Collins will be laid to rest. The former Auckland Councillor and mayoral candidate turned Green MP, died suddenly last week after participating in a charity event. His funeral is expected to draw a massive crowd in Manukau, a sign of the massive respect he was held in by the wider South Auckland community he so passionately advocated for. Vaimoana Mase, the editor of the Herald’s Pasifika section, Talanoa, first met Collins as a teenager 21 years ago, and has followed...
Feb 28, 2024•19 min
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 earlier today, with many of them now expected to lose their jobs. So what led to the end of a news brand that has been around in various forms since 1989? And does it speak to broader worries about the local industry? In this bonus episode of The Front Page, Media Insider and editor at large Shayne Currie joins to discuss the tragic end of another major new...
Feb 28, 2024•12 min
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 authority shuttered after less than two years of operation. It follows through on a campaign promise by all three coalition partners, and is a part of their 100-day plan. So why is the authority being shut down after less than two years of operation – and, as the health system struggles with staffing shortages and high waiting times, where does this ...
Feb 27, 2024•17 min
