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
Last week, a brand-new outlet mall opened in Auckland... right next to the International Airport. Mānawa Bay is a new 200-million-dollar mall on the airport precinct, boasting 100 stores and eateries, including some never seen before in New Zealand. The opening weekend though was marred by large traffic delays around the airport, which caused some flights to be delayed as crews were caught up in the congestion. So why has the airport decided to build a mall right next door, and how does this fac...
Sep 24, 2024•15 min
New Zealand is a country of immigrants, with tens of thousands of people moving here each year. We’re also a country of travellers, and those new arrivals help make up for the population shortfall as Kiwis migrate overseas. Due to the stream of migrants in recent years, our population has been steadily growing, but new forecasts from one economist predicts net migration may slow to zero by 2025. So if the number of new arrivals is even with the number of long-term departures, what impact will th...
Sep 23, 2024•18 min
After eight weeks at the High Court in Auckland, on the first day of the ninth week, the jury has found Philip Polkinghorne not guilty of the murder of his wife, Pauline Hanna. For more on how the last day of the trial, NZ Herald crime reporter Craig Kapitan details the decision. You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, ...
Sep 23, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 21
For the last few years, our headlines have been dominated by talk of ram raids, robberies, and gang members misbehaving. Those stories have fed through to politics, with governments making a big deal about tackling gangs and cracking down on crime. But while these crimes may make for a great photo and deliver political soundbites, little is ever said about the extent of white collar crimes like fraud. NZ Herald investigative journalist Matt Nippert has been reporting on fraud and corruption for ...
Sep 22, 2024•18 min
The pressure of the cost-of-living crunch has been felt by most of us for a few years now. Many of us hope that the more we earn, the less we have to worry about bills, unexpected costs and living week to week. This week though, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau revealed she’s had to sell her car - in order to help pay her bills. So if a mayor on a salary of just under $190,000 a year is finding it tough – can you really earn enough to avoid financial pressure? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined b...
Sep 19, 2024•17 min
Week Eight has the Crown and Defence issuing their closing statements. The Crown alleges that Philip Polkinghorne killed his wife, Pauline Hanna, on April 5 2021. He maintains she took her own life. After the Crown went first, it is now the turn of the defence - led by lawyer Ron Mansfield - to deliver its closing statement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 19, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Feral or roaming dogs have been causing concern in remote parts of New Zealand for years. But now things are getting so bad, trampers are being told they risk being attacked if they walk alone. It’s prompted calls for drastic action to be taken to curb the issue – but what tools do we have at our disposal to manage the problem, and how has it gotten so bad? Today on The Front Page, we are joined by NZ Herald premium content development deputy editor Hannah Brown, who has been looking into this i...
Sep 18, 2024•12 min
Week Eight has the Crown and Defence issuing their closing statements. First is the Crown, with Crown Prosecutor Alysha McClintock delivering it to the jury. The Crown alleges that Philip Polkinghorne killed his wife, Pauline Hanna, on April 5 2021. He maintains she took her own life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 18, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 19
New Zealand’s once world-leading education system is in a sorry state. Huge numbers of Kiwi kids are failing in key areas – with 4 out of 5 Year 8 students behind in maths. It’s prompted the government to fast-track plans for a new maths curriculum for intermediate students, and it’s tackling the teacher shortage by allowing those who were previously registered to be relievers. But can these solutions turn around a sector that is understaffed, under-resourced, and feeling burnt out? Today on The...
Sep 17, 2024•18 min
A replacement bridge, or a second one – or how about a tunnel instead? The ongoing debate about a new harbour crossing in Auckland has reignited, with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown laying out his vision for a second bridge, instead of the tunnel proposed by Labour. The proposal has already proved controversial as it would require building through Meola Reef to Kauri Point. How does this plan stack up with other proposals, and why is it taking so long to get this long debated crossing off the ground...
Sep 16, 2024•19 min
After seven weeks and over 80 witnesses, we have finished hearing evidence in the trial of Philip Polkinghorne. The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021. He maintains she took her own life. In the final days of testimony, the debate over activity on Hanna’s phone continued, before the last two witnesses to take the stand offered their views on the state of her mental health, and the risk factors that could have pushed he...
Sep 16, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 18
It’s Māori Language Week – where Kiwis are encouraged to have a go at te reo. Whereas the language was once on a pathway to extinction, now it’s flourishing as people flock to learn it. But a change in government last year saw restrictions placed on how the public service uses te reo – one of many policies that has been seen as an attack on Māori rights. Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by AUT professor Dr Ella Henry to discuss some of those policies, and how we can still celebrate Aotearoa...
Sep 15, 2024•19 min
It’s estimated we spend a third of our life at work – with the average worker clocking a staggering 90,000 hours in employment over a lifetime. Covid lockdowns saw companies adapt to remote and flexible working practices, while schemes like four day weeks have gained traction globally. Some international companies though are pulling back or restricting employees from working at home, while one CEO has gone as far as to try and stop people leaving the building during work hours. So what is the be...
Sep 12, 2024•19 min
Originally due to run for six weeks, the trial of Philip Polkinghorne is now in its seventh week. The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021. He maintains she took her own life. More witnesses from the defence took the stand to discuss their thoughts on how Hanna died, and the risk factors that could have pushed her to take her own life. New emails from Hanna were read to the court, and the question on if she used her phon...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 17
We may be two years away from our next general election, but the possibility of more tax is already being debated. Labour is starting to warm the public up to the idea of a wealth or capital gains tax being part of their 2026 manifesto - with leader Chris Hipkins saying its necessary to deal with our ageing population. The possibility of introducing either tax has been debated by the left, and rejected by the right, for years – but is it time we have that conversation? Today on The Front Page, w...
Sep 11, 2024•23 min
The construction industry in New Zealand is struggling – with building companies going to the wall as the housing market falls away. It also has one of the highest rates of workplace injuries of any industry. But there’s another workplace hazard that we’re not talking about. Construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than from an accident at work, and last year that number climbed to 80 suspected suicides, according to one report – the highest on record. Today on The Fron...
Sep 10, 2024•15 min
Scott Robertson is the most successful coach in Super Rugby history - leading the Crusaders to seven-back-to-back titles. He is also a firm favourite with the public – and is perhaps the most popular rugby coach we've ever had. But his transition from the red and blacks to leading the All Blacks hasn't been smooth sailing. The national side has posted three losses from seven matches – their latest being against the Springboks at the weekend. So what are the issues facing his side? Is there an ea...
Sep 09, 2024•16 min
The struggles facing social media platform X are back in the spotlight. In amongst an advertising exodus and concerns over owner Elon Musk’s takes on the US election, Brazil's Supreme Court has upheld a ban on the app formerly known as Twitter. These are just the latest controversies to hit the platform in the two years since Musk took it over – yet the app still has millions of users, and alternatives to the platform have not taken off. Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Vaughn Davis from...
Sep 08, 2024•16 min
