Green MP Darleen Tana has spent half of her short Parliamentary career under investigation, after allegations she is linked to migrant exploitation at her husband’s bicycle company. A report on the lengthy investigation was delivered to the Green Party on Friday night, and the party has now called on Tana to resign. To explain what’s happening, and why they aren’t firing Tana themselves, for this bonus episode of The Front Page, Cherlsea talks with Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls. Follo...
Jul 08, 2024•8 min
Each year around 40,000 New Zealanders are disconnected from the power supply for non-payment, according to Consumer NZ. They are surviving winter in cold, dark homes without access to a warm shower or a homecooked meal – sometimes for months at a time. It comes at a time when the main players in the power business are making huge profits - including charging hundreds for reconnections done by the touch of a button. So how do we ensure that the lights can stay on for everyone? Today on The Front...
Jul 07, 2024•14 min
While the final results are set to trickle in slowly, the exit poll for the UK election has shown a historic landslide for the Labour Party. The poll suggests Sir Keir Starmer will be the next Prime Minister of one of our closest allies, with a potential majority of 170 seats, while the ruling Conservative Party is out after 14 years of power, and has suffered their worst ever defeat to boot. To discuss the seismic change in UK politics, and what it might mean for a Kiwi OE to London, we’re join...
Jul 05, 2024•11 min
The Government has unveiled grand plans to ‘flood’ the market with more houses, announcing new changes to planning rules that will require councils to plan for 30 years of housing growth. It comes after Housing Minister Chris Bishop said he wants to see house prices fall. He’s already getting his wish though, with prices dropping to a point that in some of the country’s biggest cities, homeowners are delisting their properties rather than selling for a discount. So, will flooding the housing mar...
Jul 04, 2024•18 min
In recent months, stories of extreme turbulence have come to dominate travel headlines. A flight between Spain and Uruguay this week had to be diverted to Brazil after dozens were injured due to turbulence in just the latest incident. In one case in April, a man onboard an Air New Zealand flight from Bali broke his leg, while in May, a violent Singapore Airlines flight saw dozens hospitalised and one passenger die. On top of this, we’re also seeing multiple stories of domestic flights where plan...
Jul 03, 2024•20 min
New Zealand’s media industry is facing arguably the biggest shake up in years. Stuff is closing a newspaper and launching a 6pm bulletin, TVNZ sent execs to on a $30k LA jaunt amidst mass layoffs and a lengthy plan to get back to profitability, and all this while we're readying ourselves for a final goodbye to Newshub. The Government has finally come to the table with a plan to help the industry – but is it enough? Today on The Front Page, the Herald’s Media Insider Shayne Currie checks in with ...
Jul 02, 2024•18 min
Alcohol law reform could be on the cards this government term. That’s after alcohol was identified as one of the key factors that need to be addressed to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases in the Government’s Policy Statement on health. It comes at the start of Dry July, the yearly fundraiser that encourages people to give up the booze for a month – but now, many are adopting that as a permanent fixture in their lives. To discuss what alcohol reform could look like, today on The Front ...
Jul 01, 2024•20 min
The biggest sporting event of the year kicks off this month. The 2024 Paris Olympics are only a few weeks away, and nearly 200 Kiwi athletes will be heading to the City of Love for their shot at Olympic glory. Today on The Front Page, New York Times international correspondent Catherine Porter joins from Paris to discuss how the city is preparing for the event in the midst of an election, security concerns – and a costly river cleanup. And then Newstalk ZB sports host Jason Pine digs into the Ki...
Jun 30, 2024•21 min
This Matariki is the third time the annual celebration has been an official public holiday. But while this holiday is safe, the future of other public holidays – and annual leave in general – currently sits with Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden. Van Velden is currently seeking feedback on suggested changes to the Holidays Act, with a draft proposal due in September – but, employee advocates are already sounding the alarm on what the refresh could mean for workers. To discuss these ...
Jun 27, 2024•16 min
If you’ve been struggling with the cost of living, some good news is in store. While Kiwis have to wait a few more weeks to see the Government’s tax cuts come through, from July 1st, parents, investment property owners and Auckland drivers are due for some relief. It could all be short-lived though, with many councils eyeing major rates increases to tackle their flailing budgets. Today on The Front Page, Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen to discuss the ongoing struggle with the cost of livi...
Jun 26, 2024•19 min
Over the last year, the term ‘atmospheric river’ has entered our daily vocabulary, as New Zealand sees more intense rainfall hit our shores. From the Auckland anniversary floods, to two months worth of rain hitting the East Coast in just one day, the whole country seems susceptible to increased rainfall. But is this really the case, and if so, what’s the cause? Today on The Front Page, Dr Daniel Kingston from Otago University joins to discuss their latest research into the cause and effect of ra...
Jun 26, 2024•11 min
It may have taken a month to get there, but the Government has fulfilled its promise to fund new cancer drugs. Rather than the 13 promised on the campaign trail, it's giving $604 million for 54 new medicines, including 26 cancer treatments. It's hoped the promised cancer drugs will be rolled out within the next year and a half – with the first becoming available from October. But the back and forth over National’s pre-election promise has raised questions about why it’s so difficult to fund drug...
Jun 25, 2024•18 min
The Government is being warned it must invest in New Zealand's ageing infrastructure. It comes after a week of infrastructure woes, with the Defence Force plane breaking down, a track fault cancelling all trains in Auckland, and an Interislander ferry running aground. These are all areas that have been issues before, so what’s stopped us from fixing these problems before they become a catastrophe? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Wellington reporter Georgina Campbell explains what went wrong w...
Jun 24, 2024•23 min
Thousands of jobs have gone, millions of dollars have been spent on redundancy payouts – and it’s not over yet as the public sector continues to tighten its belt. Budget 2024 set targets for $1.5 billion worth of cost-savings, with estimates for $1b in further savings over numerous financial years. But as the axe falls, there are questions over whether the cuts will hit the front-line – something the Government’s promised will stay intact. Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria How...
Jun 23, 2024•20 min
The Australian government is pivoting to a stricter stance on deporting so-called "501s" - people with criminal histories who had mostly grown up in Australia but were born in New Zealand. The new directive, effective from today, takes a U-turn on previous commitments made by the Australian government in 2022 to prioritise considering a person's links to Australia in visa decisions. Between January 2015 to January this year, 3,128 people were deported from Australia. While not all of them were "...
Jun 20, 2024•18 min
30 years ago, five members of the Bain family in Dunedin were found dead in their family home. The one surviving family member, David, was later convicted of murdering his parents and three siblings. He served 13 years in prison before the Privy Council quashed his convictions, and he was subsequently found not guilty on all charges at a retrial in 2009. Despite this, for three decades, this case has joined a gallery of notorious murders that have fascinated New Zealanders across the years. Toda...
Jun 19, 2024•25 min
In May 2017, Rocket Lab launched its first rocket into space. Over the last seven years, the company has grown to become a powerhouse in the global aerospace industry, and has driven the growth of New Zealand’s space sector. The company’s astronomical success has seen founder Peter Beck receive a knighthood in the recent King’s Birthday Honours. Ahead of the company’s 50th launch, Beck joins The Front Page to discuss how far he plans the company to soar – and why the sky isn’t the limit for New ...
Jun 18, 2024•19 min
It’s been five years since social housing in New Zealand was put under the banner of Kāinga Ora. Over that time, questions have been asked about the financial stability of the organisation, and the loaded remit Kainga Ora has to also lead and develop urban renewal projects. The Government made it a priority to investigate the state of the agency, ordering a review led by former PM, Sir Bill English, that painted a stark image of its fiscal situation. With Housing Minister Chris Bishop processing...
Jun 17, 2024•16 min
Losing a loved one is one of the worst things a family can go through. But it can get a lot worse if people start fighting over the will before the body’s even cold. With so many of us relying on inheritance these days to get on the property ladder, being cut out of a will can be a devastating blow – but contesting it can sometimes be more trouble than it's worth. So how should you go about getting your fair share, and what can you do to make sure your final wishes are clearly communicated? Toda...
Jun 16, 2024•15 min
There’s no better way to unwind at the end of a long day of work than binging on reality TV. From The Block, to Celebrity Treasure Island, Kiwis have always had a soft spot for the genre. Right now, the country is obsessed with Married at First Sight New Zealand, back for its fourth season after a five year hiatus. And while we may still be mad about the genre, a lot has changed for reality TV since the local version of the international hit debuted in 2017. Today on The Front Page, AUT Universi...
Jun 13, 2024•19 min
The global economy is still recovering from a difficult few years, and New Zealand is not immune. The NZX 50 has been struggling recently, the recent mini-reporting season saw largely disappointing results for many companies, and the usual investment opportunities are not delivering. In these times of difficulty though, there are plenty of opportunities for new industries to invest in, and different countries for New Zealand to look at for trade. NZME Business editorial director, Fran O’Sullivan...
Jun 12, 2024•19 min
New Zealand is a farming country, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. Agriculture and the primary sector remain central to our international trade, with export revenue hitting a record 57.8 billion in the year to June 2023. That number is expected to dip when the next figures are announced, as the tough economic climate is felt throughout all parts of society. Looking to get the most out of both the primary sectors here and overseas is the Minister for Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay...
Jun 11, 2024•20 min
In recent years, drug busts at New Zealand’s border keep getting bigger, with record breaking hauls getting stopped by officials. But drugs are still getting into the country -- and we all know that what people think they're buying on the street will not necessarily be what they get. And some people may be consuming synthetic opioids without ever realising they're putting their health at risk. Today on The Front Page, Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm joins us to discuss the new drug...
Jun 10, 2024•19 min
The parties of the coalition Government were staunch critics of the state of our healthcare system while on the opposite side of the aisle. Now that they are in charge though, the heat is being put on them to sort out everything from months-long waiting times to see specialists, to gaps in the mental health system. And most recently, Budget 2024 did not deliver the much-promised funding of 13 new cancer drugs, that has shocked advocates. Today on The Front Page, Patient Voice Aotearoa chairperso...
Jun 09, 2024•18 min
The 1998 deaths of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope remain one of New Zealand’s most talked about cases. Scott Watson has spent the last 25 years behind bars after being convicted of murdering them, despite no bodies ever being found. Now, Watson is heading back to the courtroom four years after his case was referred back to the Court of Appeal, in what is his last shot at clearing his name. Today on The Front Page, we’re going back to 1999 with NZ Herald senior journalist Carolyne Meng Yee and editori...
Jun 06, 2024•29 min
Tensions between Māoridom and the coalition Government have been bubbling up since the latter was sworn in last year. Outrage over the Treaty Principles Bill and cuts to services for Māori has seen multiple protests, mostly recently the ‘Carkoi’ rally across the motu on Budget Day. That same protest saw this animosity take on a new angle, with Te Pati Māori issuing a declaration of political independence and calling for a separate Māori Parliament. So how serious are these calls, and is there an...
Jun 05, 2024•25 min
Even if you wouldn’t say it out loud, we've all fantasised about winning Lotto. Whether it’s a few thousand dollars or a couple of million, you can’t how amazing taking home a win would be. And the prize pool keeps getting bigger – in 2016, $40 million was still the limit, but now, someone could take home $43 million tonight, and it'd be the second largest draw for an individual ever. So, what happens when a life-changing amount is won? And what are some of the best ways to splash your new cash?...
Jun 04, 2024•20 min
As the country’s economy continues to take a hit, one of the biggest sectors to struggle has been retail. Figures over the last few quarters have consistently shown low spending on retail as Kiwis prioritise where they put their money. There’s the closure of physical TradeAid stores, the sale of Torpedo7, the closure of TheMarket.com, and now the end of Auckland icon Smith and Caughey’s and the Flybuys loyalty scheme. So amidst a struggling economy, is there a way for retail to survive, or is th...
Jun 03, 2024•17 min
This year’s King’s Birthday holiday is not as celebratory as the royal family would like. While King Charles is start to get back to work after his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, the Princess of Wales remains out of action, with reports that she might not return to work until 2025. In amongst the health crises that have hit the Royal Family, the ongoing tensions between The Firm and Prince Harry have made headlines again over recent weeks. So is the monarchy getting back on track after a ro...
Jun 02, 2024•19 min
The coalition Government has unveiled its first Budget, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis managed to deliver on her tax cut pledge. There was also money found for health and education, while the major tax cuts were funded out of significant cuts to the public sector. The Budget also confirmed that our tough financial times are set to continue until at least 2028, and Willis is putting a cap on spending for the next few Budgets. So is this the Budget the Government needed to sell their vision fo...
May 30, 2024•15 min
