The Front Page

The Australian federal election is heating up. Anthony Albanese is facing the challenge of becoming the first PM to be re-elected since John Howard. He has been an MP since 1996, when he was the youngest Labor member of the house. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton brings with him a wealth of experience, having been elected to the house of representatives in 2001 aged 30. Both have sat across the aisle from each other for years. And this Saturday, Australians will vote which will lead their country for the next three years. Today on The Front Page, ABC News political reporter Claudia Long takes a break from following around the candidates and joins us from Melbourne to talk polls, policies – and what Kiwis in Aussie need to know. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crime is a constant hot topic of debate in New Zealand – one that is rarely far from the front pages. The recent alleged murder of University of Auckland student Kyle Whorrall in Auckland has served as a reminder of the randomness that comes with violent crime – with a 16 year old now charged with his murder. But the Government is touting that violent crime is on the decline – years before their intended target. So are our streets really any safer – and is vibe more than policy influencing this? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior journalist Derek Cheng is with us to discuss the stats. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The battle over gender and definitions is building steam in New Zealand. New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that “would ensure the biological definition of a woman and man are defined in law”. It comes after a landmark ruling in the United Kingdom, where Supreme Court judges unanimously ruled a woman is defined “by biological sex under equalities law”. The court sided with a women’s rights campaign group that argued sex-based protections should only apply to “people that were born female”. Judge Lord Hodge said the ruling should not be seen as a triumph of one side over the other, and stressed that the law still gives protection against discrimination to transgender people. But it was largely seen as a victory by campaigners, while trans rights advocates have called the ruling a huge blow to some of the most marginalised people in our society. To discuss this issue, today on The Front Page, we’re joined by University of Waikato professor of sociology and social policy Katrina Roen. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Front Page podcast is taking the day off as the country marks Anzac Day. Instead, we're presenting an episode of The Prosperity Project, the Herald's personal finance podcast. Listen as host Nadine Higgins talks with personal finance columnist Mary Holm about what you need to know about KiwiSaver - including what the most important thing to consider is when picking a provider. If you enjoy the episode, follow The Prosperity Project wherever you get your podcasts, and we'll catch you back on Monday for another look behind the headlines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On April 25th, 110 years ago, soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli. About 8,700 Australians and 2,700 Kiwis would die over the eight-month campaign that followed. Since then, the term Anzac has symbolised decades of mateship – and the day is observed now by a number of Pacific nations as well. The date serves as a time to remember those who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations – but until very recently, how we defined veteran was quite narrow. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior reporter, David Fisher, is with us to take us through the latest changes in this realm – and how our defence focus is changing. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. The Vatican announced he died of a stroke at his Santa Maria residence – almost a month after a five-week stay in hospital battling pneumonia. Elected on March 13 2013, for 12 years he served as the leader of the world’s 1 point 4 billion Catholics, and was notable for his more liberal and open minded views on Christianity. Today on The Front Page, Bishop Michael Dooley, the Bishop of Dunedin, joins us to talk about Pope Francis’ legacy – and whether Hollywood’s depiction of how to choose the next pontiff is correct. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Police are assisting the FBI in an investigation into a secretive religious group, which has operations worldwide. It’s a fringe, Christian sect that has no official name – but is commonly known as the “Two by Twos”, “The Truth”, “The Way” and “The Church With No Name”. The inquiries follow a BBC investigation last year into allegations of child sexual abuse spanning decades within the church, which is believed to have up to 100,000 members worldwide. And in a bizarre twist, it's been revealed National Party MP Hamish Campbell is a high-ranking member of the group. Today on The Front Page, Herald senior crime reporter Anna Leask has been delving into what exactly this group is – and joins us now. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are a number of employment dispute avenues in New Zealand, dependent on what industry you’re in. If you’re one of the 114,000 registered teachers in this country – you have to appear before something called the “Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal”. Last year, there were 524 complaints, mandatory reports, and self-reports received by the Teaching Council - which is 0.5% of the total number of teachers who held a practising certificate. It’s more than 2023, which saw 462 -- that accounted for 0.4%. For the latest in our series looking at how different tribunals work, today on The Front Page we’re joined again by Open Justice reporter Jeremy Wilkinson. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For much of the 1970s, Marty Johnstone operated as one of New Zealand’s most notorious drug dealers. Dubbed ‘Mr Asia’ by journalists, Johnstone rose from North Shore menswear salesman to head of a global heroin empire. But his life at the top was short lived. In November 1979, his mutilated body was found in a quarry in Lancashire, England. He was just 27 when he was murdered, killed by his best friend, Andy Maher. The epic rise and rapid fall of the country’s most infamous drug gang is retold in Mr Asia: A Forgotten History, a new six-part podcast series from the New Zealand Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions. Here’s a snippet from episode one, 'When Terry Met Marty'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is keen on making it easier to get more drivers on the road. If proposed changes announced this week go through, the second practical driving test required for a full licence will be scrapped, and the number of eyesight tests needed will be reduced, with new safety measures being introduced as well. It comes as the Government continues with its pledge to reverse Labour’s “blanket speed limit reductions” - something National campaigned on. But will a more affordable drivers license system, and higher speed limits, make our roads any safer? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by AA road safety spokesperson, Dylan Thomsen , to discuss the Government’s latest plans for our roads. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The severe storm barrelling towards the upper North Island has been upgraded to a tropical cyclone. The Fiji Meteorological Service has named the storm “Tropical Cyclone Tam”, and while its centre is expected to remain west of Cape Reinga, forecasters are still warning of severe wind and rain over the next 24 hours. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand fashion has had a shake-up in recent years – with both well-known and home-grown brands shutting up shop. Kate Sylvester will shut their doors this year after 31 years of trade – and newer labels, Mina, Hej hej, and Nisa have all ended production. The struggles are perhaps best epitomised by New Zealand fashion week, which cancelled its 2024 season after cancellations in 2020, 2021 and 2022. And the issues show no sign of stopping, with global trade wars highlighting how many designers manufacture their goods in China, Vietnam and Cambodia – all hit hard by tariffs. Today on The Front Page, to discuss the state of the industry, we’re joined by Viva’s departing fashion and creative director, Dan Ahwa. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pauline Hanna on a boat, sea breeze, big smiles. It’s the image filmmakers of a new three-part documentary into her death, and subsequent murder trial of her husband, decide to open on. Philip Polkinghorne was found not guilty of strangling his wife and making it look like she’d taken her own life. The Front Page covered the mammoth nine-week trial in the series: Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial. Today on The Front Page, executive producer Mark McNeill is with us to talk about the trial, the documentary, and the life of Pauline. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence has been the hot topic of debate in the business world for the last few years. But increasingly, it’s an area that is encroaching in on the creative industries. The latest OpenAI update is so advanced, fans online have used it to eerily replicate the hand drawn art style of Japanese anime favourites, Studio Ghibli. It’s just the latest sign of AI coming for the arts, with recent headlines also highlighting concerns over entirely artificial models in ad campaigns, and fake movie trailers that look close to the real thing. What protections are there in place for our creative sector, or could they become one of the first industries to fall to our new AI overlords? Today on The Front Page, University of Sydney business school Associate Professor Sandra Peter is with us to take us through the impact of these emerging technologies. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politics is rarely quiet in New Zealand, but we’ve seen plenty of upheaval in the last few weeks. Notably, after over a year of protests and thousands of submissions against it, the Treaty Principles Bill has finally been killed off, after being voted down in its second reading in the House yesterday. But things are looking up for the Coalition, with two recent polls firming up support for National, Act and NZ First – even if it remains a tight race between the right and left blocs. Now that trade wars and tariffs have shaken up the global economy, what is the Government going to focus on to keep their re-election hopes alive? And can Labour thrive despite controversies hitting its partners? Today on The Front Page, to talk through the latest in politics, we’re joined by Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week after announcing his Liberation Day tariffs and causing global market chaos, US President Donald Trump has done a 180. He has announced on social media that he has paused tariffs against 75 countries for 90 days – but has doubled down on a trade war with China, announcing a 125% tariffs on goods from the country. US stocks rocketed higher after the declaration – the S&P 500 posted its best day since 2008, and the Nasdaq its best since 2001. So what's behind the sudden backtrack, and what could all of this mean for New Zealand? Today on The Front Page for this bonus episode, we’re joined once again by NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cost of living has hit many families around the country hard – but what about the singles out there? From booking holidays to having a roof over your head, there’s often an additional cost of doing life alone. Research shows that, for people aged 25 to 49, those who are single spend 14% more than their coupled counterparts. It has been dubbed the ‘singles tax’, and while it is gaining more traction in the mainstream, lowering costs for the partnerless is not an easy task. Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Equab has crunched the numbers on this, and he joins us today on The Front Page. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s no doubt about it, being a parliamentarian is a public facing, high-stress, demanding job. You’re exposed, scrutinised, and your decisions affect the entire country – for better, or worse. But, do the high-stakes constitute the abuse they face, some on a daily basis? Recently, we’ve seen Minister Shane Jones and his wife Dot accosted at an airport, increased security for Mayors Wayne Brown and Tania Tapsell, and death threats aimed at Green MP Benjamin Doyle – but those are all just stories from the last month. University of Otago research out today shows female MPs are being assaulted with weapons, threatened with rape, and subjected to death threats – and it’s become commonplace. Today on The Front Page, senior author and professor Susanna Every-Palmer is with us to talk about whether it’s high-time to better protect our elected officials. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump’s Liberation Day has felt more like a bloodbath for the world economy. The US President last week announced what he called reciprocal tariffs on almost every country on Earth – as well as some islands uninhabited by human life. New Zealand was not as impacted as most – with just a10 percent tariff on our goods imported into the US – but the European Union has had a 20% bump on tariffs, while China has received an additional 34% tariff. More than 50 countries have reportedly sought talks with the US to ease tariffs, but as trillions are wiped off the stock market, what does this all mean in the short term for your wallet? Today on The Front Page, we’re sorting through the numbers with NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world can feel like a dark and gloomy place at times, particularly at the moment. With wars, economic uncertainty and certain politicians always generating headlines, its hard to avoid feeling down. But in amongst all this doom and gloom, there are plenty of stories worth celebrating in New Zealand – from stars on the rise to businesses making it work in a tough environment. The New Zealand Herald is spotlighting some of these stories in a new editorial campaign, On the Up. Today on The Front Page, the Herald’s Chief Content Officer publishing, Murray Kirkness, is with us to explain the thinking behind this series. And later, we get advice from psychologist Dougal Sutherland on how to reset our minds and focus on the positive news out there. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You meet anyone overseas and say New Zealand, the first thing they bring up is hobbits. Lord of the Rings was a crowning achievement for film production in Aotearoa, and opened the door for more movies to be filmed here. A Minecraft Movie is just the latest overseas blockbuster to be produced on our shores, and that’s hitting cinemas around the world this weekend – while local film Tee-nah has been a box office sensation. But as the cost of film production soars around the world, what does the future hold for New Zealand? And can we break out of the shadow of Middle Earth? Today on The Front Page, we’re off to the movies with the chief executive of the NZ Film Commission, Annie Murray. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our primary healthcare system stands at a critical juncture - at least, that’s the latest from the New Zealand Initiative. The think tank has released a review this morning, into the country’s primary care system. It argues that the “current system faces mounting pressures that threaten its sustainability and effectiveness”. So with the vital role GPs play in our every day healthcare, what are the challenges facing our family doctors? Today on The Front Page, NZI research fellow, Dr Prabani Wood joins us to dive into another part of our health system in crisis. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A war of words has erupted between the Green Party and NZ First this week. It comes after photos circulated on social from a private Instagram account belonging to Green MP Benjamin Doyle. The account, named ‘biblebeltbussy’, also featured photos of their child, including one with ‘bussy’ in the caption. The term originated as a euphuism for a man’s anus, and can be used colloquially by some in the gay community, but Doyle’s usage of it has sparked accusations of vulgarity and being inappropriate. That was amplified by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who said on social media that Doyle should answer for the posts and that if “Police want to investigate, they can”. The Green Party has said that Doyle has received death threats as a result and have called for the Prime Minister to intervene. So does this suggest a changing battleground for politics, with family issues and social media activists taking centre stage? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Victoria University of Wellington politics professor Lara Greaves to discuss a different type of political scandal. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The so-called ‘stadium wars’ in Auckland have been raging quietly behind the scenes for several years now. But last week, the battle popped up in public once again, with Auckland Council voting to throw its support behind a plan to upgrade Eden Park, over the proposed new stadium on the city’s waterfront. Eden Park may have won on the day, but questions remain over how the upgrades will be funded, while the Government still needs to weigh in on which project to support. NZ Herald sports writer Michael Burgess has been following these discussions for over a decade, and joins us today on The Front Page to dig into what this latest vote means in the long-term. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Dan GoodwinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In New Zealand, there are a number of tribunals and review boards you can go to when you feel things haven’t quite gone your way. Whether you’ve had a bad experience leaving your job, or something’s gone wrong in your healthcare journey, these committees are tasked with working out what has gone wrong and who – if anyone – should be held responsible. But some of them can be limited in how much they can hold people to account. The Human Rights Review Tribunal is one of the few in New Zealand that can award damages if they find in your favour. Reporter Jeremy Wilkinson covers a lot of these tribunals for Open Justice, and he joins The Front Page today for the first in a series of examinations of how these processes work. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Dan GoodwinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The financial year is coming to an end, and that means from next Tuesday, a lot of Kiwis will be getting more money in their wallets. April 1st is when the Annual General Adjustment takes place – when benefits and minimum wage increase to account for wage growth or inflation. While benefits are getting a 2.22 percent rise, and Super and the Veterans Pension gets a 3.51 percent increase, minimum wage is only going up by 1.5 percent. As people continue to feel the sting of cost of living, what impact will these changes have – and how well is our economy performing at the moment? To talk us through it all, today on The Front Page we’re joined by NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures have revealed the assets of our ten biggest iwi stands at $8.2 billion. A recent report from consultancy firm TDB Advisory shows the assets only rose by $100m in the last three years, a slightly better return than 2023 – as the economic turmoil over the last five years continues to have an impact on their investments. Covering everything from property, to farming, to managed funds and offshore opportunities, many of these iwi own assets that have an impact on our day-to-day lives, so how do they compare to some of our biggest investment firms? To explain where iwis have their money, today on The Front Page, TDB Advisory director Phil Barry is with us to dive into this report. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since 1930, across 22 editions of the Fifa Mens World Cup, only two New Zealand teams have featured on the biggest football stage, in 1982 and 2010. Now there will be three. The All Whites have qualified for the 2026 Fifa World Cup – after a three nil win over New Caledonia in front of a home crowd at Eden Park. After a successful job co-hosting the womens tournament in 2023, and a strong run from new team Auckland FC in the A-League, what does the future of football look like in New Zealand? Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB’s and keen football fan Jason Pine is with us to talk about football on and off the pitch. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 11:59pm on March 25th 2020, New Zealand entered its first level four Covid –19 lockdown. To many, that moment may feel like it happened just yesterday, while others are glad its firmly in the past. Whatever your feelings are about New Zealand’s response to the Covid pandemic, that first lockdown was a life altering event for many of us. Five years on, did it change us for the better, or did it kickstart something else entirely? University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker became a household name overnight for his commentary during the pandemic. He joins us today on The Front Page to look back on the start of the pandemic, and forwards towards the next one. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School rugby has been under the microscope for several years now after controversies over poaching between schools and live broadcast of games. Those tensions have flared up again, with secondary schools pushing back against NZ Rugby’s plans for an Under-18 team to take on Australia. It’s not the only sporting code to face push back though. This week, our young rowers take to the waters for the Maadi Cup regatta, and for the first time ‘year 14’ students are barred from taking part. It all amounts to an ongoing debate about how much focus should be put on teenage athletes, while still allowing the likes of record breaking runner Sam Ruthe to soar. First on The Front Page, we speak to NZ Herald journalist Gregor Paul about his latest reporting into school sports. Then later on the show, we’ll talk to AUT Associate Professor and Co-Director of AUT's Sports Performance Research Institute NZ, Simon Walters. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have been a number of headlines trending throughout 2025 so far. Tariffs, trade wars, geopolitical tensions... and romance scams. Fake online relationships – better known as catfishes – have existed as long as social media has been around. But the increasing prevalence of AI is making it trickier to tell fact from fiction. One woman in France was conned out of 800,000 Euros after believing she was in a relationship with Oscar winner Brad Pitt, while closer to home, US-based Kiwi actor Martin Henderson has seen his face used as a front for these scams. So how common are these elaborate scams, and what protections can be put in place to better protect vulnerable people? Today on The Front Page, National Cyber Security Centre Threat and Incident Response team lead Tom Roberts is with to discuss what can be done to break up with these scammers. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is seeing New Zealand’s highest-ranking politicians walking a tricky diplomatic tightrope. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been courting his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to kickstart trade deal discussions – but their meeting took a twist when Modi raised concerns about ‘anti-Indian activity’ in New Zealand. Around the same time, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters has been in Washington for his first face to face talks with the second Trump administration. Those come at a time when the US is causing upset in Europe with its stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. So, how should New Zealand handle these new diplomatic relationships? And can we apply any of our tactics from our relationship with China? Today on The Front Page, Al Gillespie is with us to look at our changing world. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump's tariff wars are officially on. Donald Trump’s first two targets are Mexico and Canada, imposing 25% tariffs on their products – and 20% on Chinese imports. These three countries accounted for more than 40% of imports into the US last year. He’s also introduced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium products worldwide. On his social media site, Truth Social, Trump said if the EU doesn’t remove a proposed 50% tariff on US bourbon, the US will place a 200% tariff on all wines, champagnes, and alcoholic products coming out of the EU. Foreign Minister Winston Peters is currently in the US – he’s said he’s approaching the Trump administration “with eyes wide open” and that he’s “prepared to listen, hear them out, hear their side of the story”. But, will that be enough to shift New Zealand out of Trump’s firing line? CBC News senior parliamentary reporter, J.P. Tasker is with us from Ottawa, where citizens are actively boycotting US made products in response. Then, later on The Front Page we’ll speak to Buy New Zealand Made executive director, Dane Ambler about whether we’ve seen any impact here yet. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bowel cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in New Zealand. 1 in 10 Kiwis diagnosed are under 50 and every day, around three New Zealanders die from bowel cancer. Now, keep these figures in mind when I tell you that Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced the Government is lowering the screening from 60 to 58 for all Kiwis – and canned plans to lower the age for Māori and Pacific men to 50. That might be a good fit for the Pākehā majority, but less so for Māori and Pacific, given more of those groups develop cancer earlier. For example, about 26 per cent of bowel cancers in Pacific peoples occur between 50-59 years old, compared to about 11 per cent in the non-Māori or Pacific population. Today on The Front Page, University of Otago Professor of Colorectal Surgery Frank Frizelle joins us to discuss what needs to be done to prevent this disease. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer: Evan PaeaProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A battle is underway for the future of one of New Zealand’s biggest media companies. Auckland-based Canadian billionaire Jim Grenon has in the last fortnight emerged as one of the biggest shareholders in NZME – the owner of the NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB and many music radio stations. And next month, he hopes to vote out the company’s current board members and install himself and three others at the company’s shareholder meeting. It’s the latest bit of turmoil to hit the media sector in this country, with nearly every major company seeing upheaval to some degree over the last 12 months. Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Media Insider Shayne Currie to discuss what Grenon wants from NZME, and if the sector is any closer to stability. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is heading to India, taking with him one of the largest delegations a New Zealand PM has ever travelled with. And, the fanfare makes sense, given we currently export $718 million worth of goods to India annually, but we don’t have a formal free trade agreement. With the world’s largest population and on track to become the world’s third largest economy by 2030 – starting negotiations on that deal has been a priority for Luxon, above the other deals he’s focused on so far this term. Luxon even promised in the 2023 election campaign to finalise a deal within his first term of Government – but how likely is that, and what would a deal actually mean for New Zealand? Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls is with us to explain what all these agreements, memorandums, and FTAs actually mean. Then Bharat Chawla, chair India New Zealand Business Council, joins us to delve into New Zealand’s relationship with India. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A brainchild of the previous Labour Government, the Healthy School Lunches Programme provides free lunches to about 242,000 students in greatest need. Since its initial launch in 2019, the programme has often been a target by politicians and commentators over the cost involved in the scheme. It’s now under the supervision of associate education minister David Seymour, and a cheaper alternative to it launched this year. It alone has faced a myriad of issues, notably incidents of unappetising, late or absent food deliveries, and a more serious case of one child suffering second-degree burns from a hot lunch. As a result, hundreds of meals have been left uneaten – and now, one company contracted to deliver the food has gone into liquidation. So why are free school lunches such a source of controversy – and can the Government get past the negative headlines around them? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Victoria University of Wellington politics professor Dr Lara Greaves to discuss why there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Police continue to monitor knife crime trends worldwide while other jurisdictions introduce tough new laws, getting ahead of the curve before it’s too late. What they’re monitoring is reported offending involving knife crime – the likes of serious assaults and aggravated robberies. Between December 2023 and December 2024, there were 1,639 incidents involving a stabbing or cutting weapon – a 1.7% decrease from the year before. But, while New Zealand has not seen attacks like the Bondi Junction attack in Sydney, it hasn’t been immune, with notable individual attacks and mass events like the New Lynn mall attack. South Australia hasn’t seen spikes in knife crime either, but that hasn’t stopped the state introducing the toughest knife laws in the country. Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by South Australian Attorney-General Kyam Maher to talk through the state’s decision and what advice he’d give New Zealand lawmakers. And later, acting Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett is with us to chat about what police are doing to prevent knife crime here. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s focus on economic growth and foreign investment is back in the spotlight this week. Later this week, the much-anticipated Investment Summit will take place in Auckland. Businesses from over 14 countries, with six trillion dollars of capital, will be in attendance across Thursday and Friday, with Government Ministers and Labour representatives in attendance. It comes at a critical time for the Government, with mixed poll results suggesting a difficult path to re-election next year. Today on The Front Page, to talk us through who’ll be in attendance and what it all means for the Government, we’re joined by NZ Herald deputy political editor and host of the On the Tiles podcast, Thomas Coughlan. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It may not have felt like we had much of a summer this year – but a cold snap in Auckland has signalled that the seasons are changing. Temperatures dropped in our biggest city, as a cold front passed over much of New Zealand last week. It comes as cyclone season continues in the Pacific, with Cyclone Alfred last week on Australia’s east coast. With those hot summer nights fading into memory, today on The Front Page we’re looking ahead to what autumn and the rest of the year could bring, with NIWA meteorologist - Chris Brandolino. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French exchange student, Eloi Rolland, was last seen five years ago, today. The then-18-year-old's disappearance has baffled authorities ever since... Was it a murder, kidnapping, an accident, did he get lost in the bush, commit suicide or plan an escape. Is he still alive, does he want to be found? He searches Google Maps for directions to Piha about 5am the morning he vanished. He catches a train. He walks for nearly two hours. He turned on to Piha Road at 9.16am. At 9.48 the battery on his phone goes dead. And then... nothing. Nothing for five years. Today on The Front Page, Herald senior journalist Anna Leask joins us as we take a look back at Eloi’s disappearance. We’ll also hear some from Eloi’s parents, Thierry and Catherine, and Bruno Dupuis of Acapella Productions, who directed a documentary series in France about Eloi’s story. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the new science fiction film Mickey 17, Robert Pattinson’s character Mickey Barnes is killed and each time he dies, a new copy of his body is printed out. It’s a classic far-flung sci-fi premise -- but the technology it’s based on is far more science than fiction. 3D bioprinting is a technology that uses 3D printing to create tissues and organs from living cells and biomaterials. The technology has been evolving rapidly over the last couple of decades. So how far away are we from printing out multiple Robert Pattinsons? Today on The Front Page, University of Queensland’s Professor Sašo Ivanovski joins us to break down 3D Bioprinting, where the technology is at, and what its future looks like. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.