New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner has issued new rules around the automated use of biometrics. Biometric processing is the use of tech, like facial recognition, to collect and process people’s biometric information. The Code comes into force on 3 November 2025, but agencies already using biometrics have until 3 August 2026, to align themselves with the new rules. Today on The Front Page, Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster is with us, to take us through what all of this means, and how we can p...
Nov 02, 2025•18 min
Our Prime Minister has met and dined with one of the most powerful people in the world - Donald Trump. Christopher Luxon and Trump spoke at an APEC dinner last night. It's expected to be one of the most significant meetings Luxon will have at the economic conference, despite the two not having a formal bilateral. The summit is straight off the back of one with the Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN. Newstalk ZB political reporter Azaria Howell has been travelling alongside Luxon, ...
Oct 30, 2025•21 min
New Zealand may be on the cusp of another measles outbreak. There are ten known cases: One of those cases came from overseas, and the other nine were contracted locally. Health NZ has said the risk of further measles cases, contacts, and exposures across the country remains ‘very high’. The confirmation of new cases unconnected to international travel though has experts worried. Today on The Front Page, University of Canterbury senior lecturer in epidemiology, Anna Howe, is with us to discuss wh...
Oct 29, 2025•17 min
Labour has announced what some are describing a “watered down” version of a Capital Gains Tax. This targeted CGT would affect profit made after July 2027 from selling a commercial or residential property, excluding the family home. Leader Chris Hipkins promises nine out of 10 Kiwis won’t pay tax on what they own, and it’ll allow everyone to get three free doctors visits a year. On the flip side, National’s calling it an “attack on investment and savings” - with Finance Minister Nicola Willis say...
Oct 28, 2025•21 min
New research suggests our drug laws are stuck in the 70s – and that Kiwis want to see a more health-based approach to tackling the country’s drug issues. This month marks 50 years since government passed the Misuse of Drugs Act. The Helen Clark Foundation and University of Otago researchers estimate that drug harm costs close to $2 billion annually – at least half a billion alone on responding to drug use. Today on The Front Page, lead researcher Dr Rose Crossin is with us to take us through New...
Oct 27, 2025•20 min
New Zealand’s been experiencing some wild weather this week. Red wind warnings were issued for much of Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington and southern Wairarapa as at yesterday afternoon. Flights and ferries were cancelled and tens of thousands of households have been without power. Meanwhile, strong winds had been hampering firefighting efforts in several parts of the country. So, is this usual for this time of year? And how long will we have to wait for some sunny days ahead? Today on The Fro...
Oct 23, 2025•22 min
Up to 100-thousand union members across health and education are on strike today. The action prompted Public Service Minister Judith Collins, to pen a letter to New Zealanders - saying the strikes are more about politics than outcomes. The ‘mega strike’ is being tipped to be the largest in our history. So, as nurses, doctors, and teachers take to the picket line, we’ll take a look back at industrial action in Aotearoa, and whether it’s all actually worth it. Today on The Front Page, Victoria Uni...
Oct 22, 2025•19 min
In seven minutes, thieves entered the Louvre in Paris and made off with eight “priceless” jewels. The necklaces, earrings, brooches, and crowns has belonged to an array of 19th century royals, including Napoleon’s wife Marie-Amelie, and empress Eugenie, married to Napoleon III. The gang were organised, professionals, and had clearly scoped the world’s most visited gallery and knew exactly what they were after. But, after you’ve jumped the hurdles of security – what do you do with this highly rec...
Oct 21, 2025•22 min
Inflation has risen even further. Latest Stats NZ figures show inflation reached 3% in the year to September. Economists had tipped to hit the top end of the Reserve Bank’s target band of between 1 and 3%. But, some say the period of circa 3% could be short-lived. At the same time, Labour has broken its silence on what it thinks will help the economy. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to break down what all of this means for you, and your wallet. Fo...
Oct 20, 2025•22 min
This week will see mass walk outs across the country as 100,000 teachers and medical staff go on strike. This Thursday, October 23, 11,500 Allied Health workers will walk off the job, as well as: 35-hundred mental health and public health nurses and mental health assistants, more than 36,000 nurses, midwives, health care assistants, and 400 nurses and health care assistants working for Corrections. On top of all this, in a historic first, primary school teachers, primary principals, school suppo...
Oct 19, 2025•18 min
Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger has died aged 90. He became the 35th Prime Minister after leading National to a landslide victory in 1990. Bolger was ousted by his party caucus in 1997 and replaced with Jenny Shipley. Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper is with us to take us behind the scenes of Bolger’s government, and what his legacy will be. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can rea...
Oct 16, 2025•20 min
New details have emerged about what could be happening behind closed doors at Gloriavale. Authorities have been quietly been involved in yet another investigation there – with the Children’s Minister and Oranga Tamariki both involved. This time, a “mass allegation investigation” relates to concerns that parents were taught to cover the mouths of children and babies to stop them from crying. NZ Herald senior investigative reporter, Michael Morrah, has been digging into this, and he joins us today...
Oct 15, 2025•23 min
Emotional scenes in the Middle East as hostages reunite with their families across Israel. Busloads of Palestinian prisoners have also arrived to large crowds in Gaza in an exchange brokered by US President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump and other world leaders have signed a ceasefire deal during a summit in Egypt. So, could this all bring lasting peace to the region? Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us to discuss whether this a...
Oct 14, 2025•23 min
Microsoft is ending its support for the Windows 10 operating system from today. It means computers still running this system might be at risk, given security updates will stop. And while the company is urging users to upgrade for free to Windows 11, not all devices will be able to support that. At the same time, there are growing concerns about the surge in electronic waste. Today on The Front Page, Consumer NZ product test writer Nick Gelling is with us to take us through what happens to your o...
Oct 13, 2025•15 min
Artificial intelligence will likely end up touching every aspect of our days – but what about our love lives? It’s a growing trend, with men and women seeking companionship with a chatbot – some experts saying it could soon become normal to have an AI partner. This kind of online world has remained largely hidden from the mainstream until recently. But, a lack of regulation in New Zealand at the moment means that children as young as 13 can spend hours chatting with their new AI friends. Today o...
Oct 12, 2025•17 min
Today is World Homeless Day – where organisations around the globe shed light on the issue. Right now, more than 2% of New Zealanders are without a home. Stats NZ figures show more than 112,000 people are now severely housing deprived across New Zealand. In Auckland, there’s been a 53 per cent increase in rough sleeping since late last year. Manaaki Rangitahi aims to end youth homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand. CEO Bianca Johanson is with us today on The Front Page, to discuss how – as a coun...
Oct 09, 2025•19 min
Local government is how communities democratically decide what happens in their backyards. The park on the corner, what day our bins go out, your neighbours making too much noise, how much you pay in rates, whether your dog can enjoy the beach off lead. Every day we encounter a council decision whether we know it or not. So, why is voter turnout always so low? There are 78 local authorities in New Zealand: 11 regional councils, 12 city councils, 54 district councils, and Auckland Council (which ...
Oct 08, 2025•18 min
The Reserve Bank is expected to cut the Official Cash Rate today, but how deeply it will cut remains to be seen. Markets are pricing in the cut as a certainty, but the debate is now on how big it will be. So, what could a cut mean for mortgage holders and the average Kiwi? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann is with us to dive into the Reserve Bank’s upcoming decision, and what’s been happening behind closed doors. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Po...
Oct 07, 2025•20 min
It’s been more than two years since Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods. Nineteen people died. A three-week long inquest has begun in Hastings District Court, examining how prepared we were for the cyclone, how warnings were issued, and the emergency response. Today on The Front Page, Open Justice reporter Ric Stevens joins us to take us through what we know so far, and what we hope to learn from these tragic events. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts,...
Oct 06, 2025•12 min
New Zealand’s fight to attract the minds shaping the future in tech could have just gotten a bit harder. China has a new visa which targets young STEM grads and foreign tech talent. It’s while a similar US visa now comes with a $100,000 fee attached. The move has been described as “boosting Beijing’s fortunes” in its geopolitical rivalry with Washington. Today on The Front Page, Victoria University Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence Dr Andrew Lensen is with us to take a look what makes t...
Oct 05, 2025•14 min
The Corrections Association says New Zealand’s prisons are in ‘crisis’. Last year saw record-breaking numbers of assaults on staff, almost double what they were just seven years ago. There were also more than 15-hundred prisoner-on-prisoner attacks - the highest annual figure on record. All of this comes with overcrowding, tight budgets, and a growing gang and meth problem. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior reporter, Derek Cheng, is with us to dive into the numbers. Follow The Front Page...
Oct 02, 2025•15 min
US President Donald Trump says a Gaza ceasefire is “closer than ever” - but, what’s the reality? The White House has released a plan to end the Gaza war after Trump held talks with Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader has apparently agreed to the 20-point plan, which still requires sign off from Hamas. After nearly two years of war, the powers that be seem hopeful an end is near. Trump has said if Hamas doesn’t agree to the deal, it’s going to be “a very sad end”. But, given a number of provis...
Oct 01, 2025•20 min
There are huge inequities facing at least 183,000 New Zealanders, and nothing’s being done about it. New data from Blind Low Vision NZ reveals how blind, deafblind, and low vision New Zealanders face not only higher costs but also the emotional strain of barriers most Kiwis never encounter. Stats NZ figures show that 58% of disabled New Zealanders earn $30,000 or less a year, compared with 33% of non-disabled people. So, what does government need to do to make sure this community doesn’t keep fa...
Sep 30, 2025•15 min
We’re edging closer to exceeding 1.5°C of warming globally, and scientists will gather to understand the implications of missing our climate change targets. The world’s best will descend upon Austria this week for the first-ever Overshoot Conference. It’s while Winston Peters delivered a “truth bomb” at the UN recently, singling out four countries for being the world’s largest emitters. So, what happens if we don’t meet our climate targets? Today on The Front Page, Victoria University climate sc...
Sep 29, 2025•20 min
Church leaders are continuing to publicly apologise to survivors of abuse. The Presbyterian Church is the latest to address it in two public apology events, the first was in Dunedin at the weekend and the next is in Auckland this Saturday. It’s the latest in a series of public apologies from church and public sector leaders after the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Over five years of investigations, the inquiry heard nearly 3000 survivor accounts of abuse and neglect over five ye...
Sep 28, 2025•25 min
US doctors will soon be advised not to prescribe paracetamol to pregnant women, after President Donald Trump claimed an ‘increased autism risk’. He cited the unproven link as a major factor in the rise of diagnoses. The call has been criticised worldwide, with Ministries of Health globally moving to put out the flames. Experts have labelled the rhetoric “quite scary” and “really damaging”. Today on The Front Page, University of Otago pediatrics and child health science officer, Joanne Dacombe, i...
Sep 25, 2025•16 min
For the past month, Kiwis have been able to have their say on proposals to change our telecommunications sector. Minister for Regulation David Seymour has said that these services are “as essential as power and water” and that “changing the way the sector is regulated will affect almost every Kiwi”. Changes could include introducing a consumer code, replacing or phasing out the current obligation framework, and “getting rid of obsolete rules”. But, what does that all mean? And do enough New Zeal...
Sep 24, 2025•17 min
Thousands of senior doctors are on strike until midnight, after walking off the job yesterday. Their long-running pay dispute with Heath New Zealand continues, with doctors saying the latest offer represents a ‘real pay cut’ when recruitment and retention is critical. Meanwhile, Health Minister Simeon Brown claims they’re putting pay and politics ahead of patients, after thousands of elective procedures and appointments have been postponed. So, what will end this cycle of disputes and strikes? A...
Sep 23, 2025•18 min
The clock is ticking for New Zealand to join a throng of other countries recognising the state of Palestine. Britain, Canada, and Australia have all formally recognised it, with the likes of Portugal, France and several others to follow at the United Nations General Assembly this week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned their moves, saying a Palestinian state would be a "huge reward to terrorism" and "will not happen". So, what’s holding up our government? And how might the ...
Sep 22, 2025•15 min
Over the past decade, New Zealand has seen dozens of community newspapers shut down, newsroom roles cut, and programmes taken off air. A new discussion paper by former NZ Herald editor-in-chief Gavin Ellis warns that these changes are creating “news deserts” — areas where communities have little to no access to local reporting. The report highlights the Far North, Taupō, South Taranaki and Central Hawke’s Bay as regions already showing signs of reduced coverage, while parts of Auckland and Welli...
Sep 21, 2025•22 min
