The Front Page

Bees are tiny but mighty players in New Zealand’s environment and economy. They pollinate our gardens, native plants, and crucial crops, supporting biodiversity and food production across the country. But, an invasive threat is looming – the queen yellow-legged hornet. Since June, Biosecurity New Zealand has confirmed several detections of these pests across Auckland. Today on The Fron...

Just over seventy years after Sir Edmund Hillary first ascended Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak is grappling with new ethical dilemmas. From crowded summit attempts and ecological strain, to debates about climber preparedness and the treatment of Sherpas, Everest’s story today is as complex as ever. The Himalayan Trust, founded by Sir Ed, continues to support local communities...

A chance for New Zealand to lead change the world in ‘ethical investing’. As of last year, more than half a billion dollars of New Zealanders’ KiwiSaver and other retail investments were lent to countries on ‘high alert’ for human rights violations. The new paper from Motu Research urges fund managers and industry bodies to lift standards. But what does ‘ethical...

It’s that time of year again, where we debate whether New Zealanders should be allowed to let off fireworks. Fire and Emergency New Zealand is among those opposed, saying they know first-hand how dangerous fireworks can be. Last year was the worst year for fireworks-related fires since 2017, with 166 unwanted fires.  Firework sales are restricted to a four-day period from November 2 to...

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 Pa...

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 N...

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...

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 y...

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...

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...

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 loo...

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 a...

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...

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 Corr...

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. Fo...

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...

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, Univ...

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 Pag...

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 Ne...

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 ho...

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...

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 upcomi...

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,...

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...

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...