The official cash rate has been cut by 50 basis points, bringing it down to 4.25 percent. This marks the third consecutive cut to the OCR since August and brings it to the lowest level since November 2022. With inflation also dropping last month to 2.2 percent, stats show an improving economy – but low spending is sparking concerns that we aren’t out of the woods yet. Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub to run through the numbers. Follow The Front ...
Nov 27, 2024•18 min
Today marks a year since the coalition government of National, Act and New Zealand First took office. The coalition hit the ground running, by reversing the previous Labour Government’s agenda in a ‘policy bonfire’, slimming down the public service, and reverting many Crown organisations to their English names. This, and the scrapping of the Māori Health Authority, kickstarted tensions between this Government and Māoridom – with backlash on the Treaty Principles Bill only adding fuel to the flam...
Nov 26, 2024•19 min
Climate change conference COP29 has wrapped up with a significant but controversial final agreement. Negotiations came down to the wire over a US$1.3 trillion to help finance poorer countries to deal with the impacts of climate change and cut emissions. But, only about $300 billion of that target will come from direct payments or loans from richer countries – which has sparked backlash from nations in the direct line of fire from rising sea levels and increasing temperatures. So what does this d...
Nov 25, 2024•22 min
New research shows a third of New Zealand adults are obese – and policies focused on individual responsibility are failing. A Helen Clark Foundation report suggests tackling obesity will require cracking down on junk food advertising, the proliferation of takeaways, and bringing in new levies on unhealthy products. So, is the era of placing the blame on the individual going to be a thing of the past? And can the government to anything to curb obesity in this country? Today on The Front Page, Hel...
Nov 24, 2024•17 min
Regional development has been a major focus of the coalition government. The Fast Track Bill, the return of oil and gas exploration and the Regional Infrastructure Fund is all promised to get work back to the regions and help them thrive. And the man running the show is the so-called Matua of Mining and Prince of the Provinces, Shane Jones. He’s the Minister for oceans and fisheries, regional development, and resources – and there’s not an endangered frog or a surfing hippie that’s going to get ...
Nov 21, 2024•16 min
The Government’s promised the “free ride” for gangs, is officially over. From today, gang patches will no longer be allowed to be worn in public, courts will be able to issue non-consorting orders, and Police will be able to stop members from communicating with each other. Greater weight will also be given to gang membership at sentencing – and repeat offenders continually convicted of displaying their patches in public will be subject to a new court order, prohibiting them from possessing any g...
Nov 20, 2024•19 min
The war in Ukraine has hit the one-thousand-day mark. On February 24, 2022 – Russia invaded Ukraine – since then, hundreds of thousands of people have died, many more have been injured, and millions are displaced. It's been called the largest and deadliest in Europe since World War II. This week, US President Joe Biden gave the green light for Ukraine to strike Russia with US-made, long-range missiles. It comes just nine weeks before Donald Trump takes office, who on the election trail pledged t...
Nov 19, 2024•19 min
The hikoi that started in Cape Reinga and has made its way down the country arrives in Wellington today. While many have taken part in various stages of the hikoi, tens of thousands of people are expected outside the Beehive today, as a protest against the Government’s policies impacting Maori, including the Treaty Principles Bill. Te Pati Maori have been leading the push back against the Government, notably with a viral haka stunt in Parliament during the Bill’s first reading that has garnered ...
Nov 18, 2024•20 min
On August 9 2021, the day after the Tokyo Olympics ended, cyclist Olivia Podmore died in a suspected suicide. Podmore had represented New Zealand in the 2016 Olympics, but was not selected five years later. Her death sparked shock throughout the close knit cycling community and wider sporting network, and the culture at Cycling NZ was eventually investigated. Now, over three years later, a coronial inquiry into Podmore’s death is due to begin today. NZ Herald reporter Tom Dillane has been coveri...
Nov 17, 2024•18 min
People respond to election losses in various ways, from protesting to legal action to considering moving country. But, what about adopting a vow of celibacy through something called the “4B movement”? That’s what some young women in the US have promised on social media in protest of Donald Trump winning back the White House. No dating. No sex, No childbirth. And no marriage. In a world where: the next US President was found liable for sexual abuse, online vitriol against women is skyrocketing, a...
Nov 14, 2024•22 min
David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to Parliament last week – with its first reading debate scheduled for today. The bill has sparked fierce criticism since it was included as part of National and Act’s coalition agreement last year. Protests are expected outside Parliament today, while thousands of marchers protesting Government policies affecting Maori crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge yesterday as part of a hikoi to Parliament. So, now that we’ve actually seen the Bill, wh...
Nov 13, 2024•16 min
As votes continue to be counted in the US, President-elect Donald Trump has swept all seven battleground states, confirming his dominant performance in the country’s election. While many were shocked that the US would return to Trump after four years, many voters have made it clear their feelings about high inflation and the cost of living under the Biden administration swayed them towards the Republicans. It’s a similar sentiment that helped National, Act and NZ First ascend to power in our ele...
Nov 12, 2024•23 min
Gen Z can be credited with a few things – an uptick in climate awareness, the ability to work any kind of technology, and the revival of straight leg jeans, just to name a few. However, recruiters across the ditch in Australia have spoken out about Gen Z graduates’ demands on employers –saying their arrogant expectations are leaving a bad taste in their bosses’ mouths. The oldest of the generation, born between 1997 and 2012, are 27 years old, so they are set to stick around in the workplace for...
Nov 11, 2024•15 min
Ever feel like you’re getting less bang for your buck at the supermarket? Well you might be right. As production costs rise, many companies have been resorting to what’s called ‘Shrinkflation’. Rather than raising the cost to the consumer, they make the product smaller while charging the same price. According to a Global Inflation Monitor survey in 2023, 46% of consumers said that they have noticed shrinkflation, with 55% of kiwi consumers noticing the tactic and the same amount stating the prac...
Nov 10, 2024•15 min
Donald J. Trump will become the 47th President of the United States of America. Democrat Kamala Harris called the former president to congratulate him and offer their support for a peaceful transition of power. Trump won’t take up office until January 20 next year – and there are a few things that’ll happen between now and then. He faces sentencing for his felony conviction for a start, that’s put down for November 26. A judge, though, could decide to throw it out though before then. There are t...
Nov 07, 2024•13 min
The rise and rise of online retailers has hit an all-time high – with the likes of Temu and Shein dominating consumption worldwide. New research has revealed over the course of three months, one in four New Zealanders surveyed purchased products from ultra-fast fashion retailer Temu. A further 14% of Kiwis are estimated to have recently purchased from Shein. The stats keep coming: Tearfund’s 2021 Ethical Fashion Report found in 2019 that 40% of clothes imported into New Zealand could be made usi...
Nov 06, 2024•22 min
It’s the one story that’s been impossible to escape this year – the US Presidential election. Months of debates, rallies, and shocking developments have led to today when Americans are heading to the polls to decide who will lead their nation for the next four years. Vice-President Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee. Taking over from incumbent Joe Biden, she’s up against former President Donald Trump in what many are calling one of the most important elections of our lifetime. We speak to N...
Nov 05, 2024•21 min
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
