The Front Page

Expensive flights, grounded planes, and chaos at airports. The return of travel and tourism has not gone as smoothly as we might have hoped. But amid all these problems, there are signs that the turbulence will reduce in the coming years.   A recent tourism summit saw industry leaders, share stories of how AI, luggage-sorting robots, passport-free airports, and supersonic flight could all play a r...

Match officials are battling to stay out of the headlines these days. Whether it’s rugby or football, most games are followed by furious debate – not on the merits of the players, but rather on whether the right referring calls were made, and if they were made fast enough.  Since the highly controversial Rugby World Cup final, which was dominated by TMO decisions, we’ve also seen VAR’s use in the...

One of the country’s most recognisable scientists has taken her employer to court. Microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles alleges the University of Auckland did not take enough steps to protect her against the vitriolic, and often misogynistic, abuse she has suffered for years In 2020, Wiles became one of the key faces of pandemic communications, offering her expertise to the media to help the public be...

A new study shows that 132,000 small businesses across Aotearoa have been hit by cybersecurity issues.   Of those, 29% of bosses claim they have suffered a financial loss due to these problems. What’s most striking is that over a quarter of businesses have been forced to cut their cybersecurity budgets amid the current economic strain. They simply can’t afford to invest more in protecting their bu...

The media sector has been rocked by some tough news this year. We’ve seen the closure of Today FM, the canning of The Project, restructuring at major news providers and a staggering report that MediaWorks faces an uncertain future. There are now even concerns that the cracks are starting to show in radio listenership. This comes after two decades, during which media companies have seen their busin...

After three weeks, the final vote count is in, and while some parties have lost seats, others are enjoying their largest caucuses ever. So who's on top and who's having to swallow their campaigning words? NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett joins to give us the latest. Host: Hamish Fletcher Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artsakh is a ghost town. The disputed territory, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, was once home to around 120,000 ethnic Armenians. Artsakh is officially viewed by much of the world as part of Azerbaijan. In September, Azerbaijani forces enacted a large-scale military offensive against the breakaway state. The residents fled, and soon a decree was signed that would officially dissolve all of Nagorn...

In 16 years, the value of KiwiSaver has hit a staggering $96.2 billion dollars. While that sizeable nest egg is good news for savers longer term, recent KiwiSaver balances have made for some tough viewing.  In the last three months, the total value of KiwiSaver has slipped by $1.3 billion as many funds booked negative returns.  Global instability, a tough equity market and volatility in internatio...

After a three-year absence from the halls of power, NZ First leader Winston Peters is set to make a grand return. As the country awaits the final vote tally, it is widely expected the traditionally left-leaning special votes will see National and Act require the support of Peters to form a majority government. So what motivates Peters? How does he want from the negotiations? And how far will Luxon...

Tropical cyclone. Hurricane. Typhoon. They go by many names, but these storms can have a devastating impact when they hit.  Instead of enjoying sunny spring weather this week, the north of the country faced remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Lola which was initially set for a head-on collision with Vanuatu, before the storm was downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone.   With the rapid warming of the atm...

The All Blacks’ comeback story has reached its end. The team have missed out on their chance to make history at the Rugby World Cup, falling short by just one point against the Springboks. This marks the record fourth time the Springboks have won the trophy as well as the end of coach Ian Foster’s tenure in charge of the All Blacks.   Foster can, however, still hold his head high, defying expectat...

It’s been a rough three years for Kiwis from the south to the north.   But as we gear up for the summer, NZ Herald editor at large Shayne Currie is setting out on The Great NZ Road Trip to see if there are any sprouts of optimism around the country.  Over the next two weeks, Shayne will be trading in his beloved V8 to test drive a fully electric VW ID5 as he journeys northwards from Dunedin. Along...

Property is the biggest investment most of us will make in our lives – and it’s often the biggest expense we face on a monthly basis. With a change in Government, property rules will invariably shift as politicians look to deliver on the promises they made to voters.  These changes will lead to winners and losers across the country as the balance of power swings in a different direction.  So what...

Since a brutal attack on an Israeli music festival on October 7th, relentless conflict has raged across Gaza.   Thousands have already lost their lives, and there are now risks that bloodshed could stretch across borders and involve other countries.  The war has also created a diplomatic minefield, with politicians picking their words very carefully when commenting on the violence.     After repor...

Aotearoa loves to have a drink, but that doesn’t mean all is well in the business of booze. We’ve seen major craft brewers and wine companies battle to make ends meet.   Brothers Beer, Villa Maria and Sacred Hill are just some of the biggest names to have fallen victim to these struggles.     So what’s going on in the wine and beer industries? Does this mark the end of an era for Kiwi-made alcohol...

With the election over and coalition talks in the air, it’s worth taking the time to look back at what two of the key players had to say about party policies, and each other, before the ballot boxes were emptied. Could National Party leader Christopher Luxon and Act’s David Seymour be a combo that takes our nation to a place of strength, or one that just keeps Aotearoa treading water?  Hear from t...

The incoming Government has promised to come down hard on gangs.     This comes after several years of increased illegal activity, driven by the arrival of Australian gangs in Aotearoa.    Communities have expressed deep concerns, saying they feel intimidated, unsafe and concerned about being caught in the crossfire between opposing gangs.   So what are National, Act and NZ First proposing? And mo...

During the election campaign, the National Party vowed it would tackle the cost of living crisis. Well, having won the election, they now have to deliver on that pledge. They have inherited an economy that is in rough shape but slowly on the mend, so how big of a task lies ahead for them?  And what does this crisis actually mean for those worst affected by it?    Later, we’ll be joined by the New...

October 18th: In this final episode of On the Campaign for the moment, we hear from NZ Herald head of data Chris Knox about why the special votes are so important in determining the shape and makeup of the next government. Host: Hamish Fletcher Producer: Ethan Sills  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The six years of the sixth Labour government have come to a close. Only three years after Jacinda Ardern led her party to a historic landslide, Chris Hipkins has had the dubious honour of guiding his party to the biggest electoral defeat for a governing party yet. The question now is what the future holds for Labour. The last three National governments each lasted three terms, and after losing hal...

While special votes are still to be counted, and a by-election needs to be held, it looks like National and Act are set to form the next government.   With Christopher Luxon as Prime Minister, he now has to build a Cabinet and start implementing his policies.   But without a full majority, Luxon needs to negotiate with Act and its leader David Seymour to decide what policies to adopt and how many...

October 16th: The campaign is over and the coalition negotiations have begun. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan joins to discuss what should happen over the next three weeks as National and the new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon prepare to take charge, and work out who they need to work with. Host: Georgina Campbell Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Doctors failing to catch blood clots. Cancer being missed. Medicine given to patients who are allergic to it. Surgical equipment left inside patients. We trust our lives to medical professionals to find out what’s wrong with us and help us get better, but sometimes the mistakes of medical staff can lead to dire consequences. Thankfully, processes are in place to hold doctors, nurses and other staf...

In a special crossover episode, the hosts of On The Campaign and The Front Page discuss the results of Election 2023. As the polls predicted poll night was a bloodbath for Labour. Their caucus has nearly halved, several key MPs are out and while Chris Hipkins has not resigned yet, it seems like the inevitable outcome.  But for National and Act, it was a case of celebrations. Christopher Luxon is s...

October 13: With only a day of voting left, and hours left of the actual campaign, for this last episode before Election Day, Hamish talks to NZ Herald editor at large Shayne Currie and Markets with Madison host Madison Reidy, who will be fronting the Herald's election coverage tomorrow night. They discuss the best and worst performers on the campaign, the politicians who surprised us, the policie...