The Front Page

Is New Zealand’s legal system moving fast enough to adapt to new technologies? It’s a question being asked by some of our top academics and MPs. The conversation around covert recordings has made headlines this week – as well as questions around whether it’s illegal. And Act MP Laura McClure made global headlines after holding up a photo of herself naked in Parliament.&nbsp...

Every few weeks, it seems that we are reporting on a recidivist drink driver who is once again going through the court system due to their behaviour. And there are still thousands going through the justice system every year. In fact, figures show that over 15,000 people were convicted last year for driving under the influence. Now, a new survey has shown consistent support from New Zealanders...

The divided nature of our politics has been spotlighted once again. A fiery debate has seen Te Pati Maori’s leaders suspended for Parliament in the harshest punishment ever handed down to a politician. It was a vote made along party lines – with the Government parties voting in favour of the Privileges Committee recommendations, and the left-bloc voting against. And that split was high...

It has been revealed that the Government considered using private company Bluebridge to replace the current Interislander fleet. It’s just the latest in the saga that is the Cook Strait ferries, after years of negotiations, debate, and an axed contract. But it’s hardly the first time we’ve had a major transport project face delays and changes. All forms of transport are eyeing bi...

A new study suggests that another Pike River mine disaster is likely. The Victoria University of Wellington researchers say the failures that lead to the disaster that killed 29 men could happen again at any other organisation. One of their "potentially disturbing observations" is that health & safety training, auditors, and well-qualified staff were not enough to prevent failure – and m...

A warmer winter is coming, meaning we might not need our heaters as much as we usually would. However, these conditions won’t be great for those heading away for ski season. And, while the puffer jackets can stay in the wardrobe, those rain ones will be getting a workout – because with a warmer winter, comes rain. Today on The Front Page, Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino is with us, to...

The world of pop culture fandom was once on the fringes of society – comic books, anime and sci-fi movies have historically been seen as the realm of nerds living in their parents basement. But in recent years, the power dynamics have shifted, and what was once considered niche is now very much in the mainstream. Blockbuster movies are increasingly being dominated by superhero and fantasy ge...

2024 was a difficult year for the Royal Family, with King Charles and the Princess of Wales both going public with cancer diagnoses, which required lengthy treatment that took them out of the spotlight. Things have been looking rosier for the family so far this year, and the King is even flexing his diplomatic muscles in a visit to Canada amidst tensions between the country and the United States....

Act Party leader David Seymour will become New Zealand’s deputy prime minister tomorrow, taking over from Winston Peters. He will be the 19th person to be the country’s second in command. First elected to Parliament in 2014 – the last decade and a bit has seen Seymour’s meteoric rise from being his party’s sole MP to now sitting alongside 10 colleagues after Act&rsquo...

The Reserve Bank has cut the Official Cash Rate 25-basis-points -- to 3.25 percent. That's the lowest it's been since August 2022 – though there were discussions about holding it. Today's move is in line with most economists' expectations, and is another positive sign of the growth of the economy. But there remains global uncertainty over President Trump’s policies and what impact his...

We’ve all got an anecdote or a story about a tradie who did us dirty, or an issue with a new build. Well, now we’ve got some actual evidence around what’s happening in the construction industry. The Building Research Association of New Zealand has launched a new a Build Insights tool to provide accurate information on everything from tradie callbacks to new apprenticeships and th...

It’ll come as no surprise when I say our emergency departments are suffering. It’s a tale that’s haunted consecutive governments and one that has those at the frontline crying out for support. Winter is one of the busiest periods for hospitals, and many are already reportedly at capacity. But, what do we do with this broken record? And how do we fix a sector that's been chronical...

A new Jurassic World movie is right around the corner, taking us back to the world where dinosaurs have been brought back from the dead. But what has been a science fiction concept for decades might be closer to reality. Colossal Biosciences claims it’s “successfully de-extincted" the dire wolf, a species that ceased to exist around 10,000 years ago. The biotech company, which is backe...

The coalition Government has unveiled its second Budget. Over 20 billion dollars in savings has been found over the next four years, more than half from controversial changes to our pay equity scheme. There are changes to KiwiSaver contributions, means testing for support for parents, and a major new tax incentive for businesses. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said that it is a “responsible...

Officially dubbed the “Growth Budget” - unofficially, the “no BS Budget” - Finance Minister Nicola Willis has unveiled where New Zealand's dollars are being spent.  From the outset, she promised no frills or excess – saying for months there’s very little left in the kitty.  Big changes include cuts to Government KiwiSaver contributions, means testing o...

Society is always under pressure to keep up – given the world around us is in a constant state of change. Our education sector is no different. Education officials are attempting to crack down on the use of artificial intelligence in NCEA exams, after a rise in substantiated breaches last year. It’s an extra challenge for schools on top of other issues that have emerged since Covid &nd...

Only a few weeks after he had reportedly been in contention for the country’s top police job, deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming was suspended and put on leave. The Independent Police Conduct Authority and New Zealand Police were investigating, but the nature of the allegations could not be reported.   Months went by without any developments. That was – until last week, w...

Adolf Hitler. Joseph Stalin. Benito Mussolini. Pol Pot. Saddam Hussein. Apart from being some of the most famous dictators in human history, they all have one thing in common. They all had dramatic, violent, and disgraced downfalls. But, in almost every case, foreign powers played a major role in shaping the post-dictatorship future. How Tyrants Fall: And How Nations Survive by political scientist...

New Zealand’s Parliament is a ‘house of chaos’. At least that’s how our own deputy Prime Minister has described the debating chamber. The C-Bomb was dropped in Parliament last week by Brooke van Velden, quoting a Stuff column by Andrea Vance that was criticising the Government’s changes to pay equity. It has muddied an already dirty debate over women’s pay that...

The ‘war on wokeness’ may feel like a new phenomenon, but in fact, it’s been around for centuries. People have been ‘cancelled’, in one way or another, since the beginning of time – it's human nature to form tribes, create an ‘us’ and ‘them’, and serve as judge, jury, and sometimes literally, executioner. But in recent years, the ‘c...

If you’ve looked at headlines around the world lately, you’d be forgiven for thinking that immigration is the root of all our problems. Perhaps the most vocal anti-immigration critic at the moment is the United States, with mass deportations happening against undocumented migrants. Now the UK Government is vowing to fix a ‘broken’ immigration system with new policies, which...

New Zealand’s on high alert – after an Auckland ferry worker tested positive for measles. They were infectious while on board a number of Fullers360 sailings on May 5, at a Kelston supermarket, and Downtown car park. Two days later, they were at Unichem New Lynn and Pak 'n Save Mt Albert. The marine crew member had recently travelled to Asia, but they weren’t infectious on their...

After a week of tensions, India and Pakistan have reached a ceasefire deal. Tensions over the disputed territory of Kashmir were reignited after a massacre of Hindu tourists last month, leading to a series of bombings between the two countries that sparked fears they would return to full out war. While the ceasefire deal is holding for now, many in the Kashmir region are hoping a permanent solutio...

The Government is set to cut billions of dollars from spending at the upcoming budget as a cost-saving measure in these tight financial conditions. But what if there was a way to raise more revenue from existing industries? Analysis from the Herald has looked at the ‘black market’ or the informal economy – the industries dominated by cash in hand methods of payment that pass by t...

The National Party is looking to follow Australia and ban social media for under-16s. It has submitted a members bill that would look to limit how young people engage with the likes of Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Since Australia’s world-leading ban was passed into law last year, multiple countries are looking at bans as a way of addressing concerning social media habits. But is a ban act...