The Front Page

On August 9 2021, the day after the Tokyo Olympics ended, cyclist Olivia Podmore died in a suspected suicide. Podmore had represented New Zealand in the 2016 Olympics, but was not selected five years later. Her death sparked shock throughout the close knit cycling community and wider sporting network, and the culture at Cycling NZ was eventually investigated. Now, over three years later, a coronia...

People respond to election losses in various ways, from protesting to legal action to considering moving country. But, what about adopting a vow of celibacy through something called the “4B movement”? That’s what some young women in the US have promised on social media in protest of Donald Trump winning back the White House. No dating. No sex, No childbirth. And no marriage. In a world where: the...

David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to Parliament last week – with its first reading debate scheduled for today. The bill has sparked fierce criticism since it was included as part of National and Act’s coalition agreement last year.  Protests are expected outside Parliament today, while thousands of marchers protesting Government policies affecting Maori crossed the Auckland Har...

As votes continue to be counted in the US, President-elect Donald Trump has swept all seven battleground states, confirming his dominant performance in the country’s election. While many were shocked that the US would return to Trump after four years, many voters have made it clear their feelings about high inflation and the cost of living under the Biden administration swayed them towards the Rep...

Gen Z can be credited with a few things – an uptick in climate awareness, the ability to work any kind of technology, and the revival of straight leg jeans, just to name a few. However, recruiters across the ditch in Australia have spoken out about Gen Z graduates’ demands on employers –saying their arrogant expectations are leaving a bad taste in their bosses’ mouths. The oldest of the generation...

Ever feel like you’re getting less bang for your buck at the supermarket? Well you might be right. As production costs rise, many companies have been resorting to what’s called ‘Shrinkflation’. Rather than raising the cost to the consumer, they make the product smaller while charging the same price.   According to a Global Inflation Monitor survey in 2023, 46% of consumers said that they have noti...

Donald J. Trump will become the 47th President of the United States of America. Democrat Kamala Harris called the former president to congratulate him and offer their support for a peaceful transition of power. Trump won’t take up office until January 20 next year – and there are a few things that’ll happen between now and then. He faces sentencing for his felony conviction for a start, that’s put...

The rise and rise of online retailers has hit an all-time high – with the likes of Temu and Shein dominating consumption worldwide. New research has revealed over the course of three months, one in four New Zealanders surveyed purchased products from ultra-fast fashion retailer Temu. A further 14% of Kiwis are estimated to have recently purchased from Shein. The stats keep coming: Tearfund’s 2021...

It’s the one story that’s been impossible to escape this year – the US Presidential election. Months of debates, rallies, and shocking developments have led to today when Americans are heading to the polls to decide who will lead their nation for the next four years. Vice-President Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee. Taking over from incumbent Joe Biden, she’s up against former President Dona...

Remember remember the fifth of November...  It’s Guy Fawkes, which means a sleepless night for some of our furry friends.   For more than 400 years the English Catholic’s failure to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London has been celebrated – but at what cost?   Every year we are warned by the likes of the SPCA that what is an exciting night for us, is a terrifying night for animals.  Not to m...

If there’s one topic Kiwis never get tired of talking about, it’s houses. It’s the biggest purchase most people will ever make in their lives, so if you’re looking to buy, it pays to do your research.  Fortunately, OneRoof has today released its official ranking of the 100 hottest suburbs across the nation. Alongside data partner Valocity, the experts have combed through every neighbourhood in the...

It was a murder trial that gripped New Zealand, and the world. Pauline Hanna was found dead in a Remuera home she shared with her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, on April 5, 2021. What followed was a months-long investigation, Polkinghorne charged with murder, a mammoth trial and eventually, an acquittal. A jury came back with the not guilty verdict in September – a moment that would not be mark the...

New Zealand’s hunt to poach overseas doctors gets another tool in the toolbox today. From now, medical graduates from the UK, Ireland and Australia will be able to have their applications for registration assessed within 20 working days. It’ll speed up a process that would usually take six months – and the government hopes it’ll fill critical gaps in our health workforce.  But, unions on the groun...

Auckland’s Mayor Wayne Brown has never shied away from telling us exactly what he thinks. He’s waged war on council-controlled organisations, like EkePanuku and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, with proposals to abolish them altogether and bring their activities in-house. He’s never thought twice in criticising who he calls the “weasels in Wellington” (or, central Government), and he’s also never shied...

India has suffered its first series defeat at home since 2012 – at the hands of none other than New Zealand. The 2-0 defeat came when India was bowled out for 245 by the Black Caps in their chase of 359 on the third day of the second test. So, what does this mean for cricket in New Zealand? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald online sports editor, Alex Powell joins us to discuss this historic win –...

Sending your DNA in to a website to find out your background has become a trendy thing to do.  But, is there a hidden cost to this?   DNA testing company 23andMe is in financial crisis, raising questions about what will happen to the data it holds on 15 million customers worldwide.  New Zealanders are concerned their genetic information could be on-sold and used for other purposes, including insur...

In 2011, NZ Herald journalist David Fisher became aware that a woman had been caught catfishing dozens of teenage boys and young men across New Zealand. Catfishing is a term used for people who use stolen photos to pretend to be someone else online, usually to form relationships with real people across social media. Fisher would go on to expose the woman behind the false online accounts as Natalia...

It seems that when one political scandal ends, another one rises to take its place.  This week, the Green Party ended the saga that has dominated 2024 for them, with MP Darleen Tana formally removed as an MP in the first usage of the Waka Jumping Bill.   As Chloe Swarbrick and her party look to the future, it’s now National’s turn to deal with an unneeded diversion, after Minister Andrew Bayly was...

Last week, we reported on the issues at Wellington City Council after councillors voted against selling airport shares, forcing a rethink of the council’s long term plan. The Coalition Government labelled the council a ‘shambles’, and threatened to send in a Crown Observer. Well, they’ve now delivered on that threat, with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown confirming that appointment will be c...

13 youths climbed atop a youth justice facility in South Auckland on Monday night – demanding fast food, cigarettes, and a getaway car. The group made it on to the top of the Korowai Manaaki facility in Wiri just after 6.30 that night. By 9am the next day, just four remained. They came down just before noon. It’s reminiscent of an incident at the same facility last year – when groups of young peop...

Us mere mortals often idolise celebrities – their glitzy and glamorous lifestyles have had audiences captivated for decades. But at what point does the line blur from adoration to a sense of ownership? The tragic death of One Direction star Liam Payne has sparked conversations about how far is too far when it comes to the public’s entitlement over these stars – and how intrusive media can get to s...

Back in 2020, New Zealanders voted in favour of legalising assisted dying in certain circumstances. That law was passed in 2021, and next month, a three-year review will begin into how the law is going. Ahead of that review, concerns have been raised about the six-month rule on eligible patients, and the backlog in death reports by the oversight committee. From November 2021 to June this year, the...

Should or shouldn’t New Zealand become a republic? It’s a quandary that’s sparked fierce debate over decades, and it’s back on the agenda as King Charles heads down under for his first tour – but is skipping New Zealand. With his visit prompting debate over in Australia, is it time for New Zealand to consider becoming a republic? Today on The Front Page, Republic NZ’s Peter Hamilton joins us to di...

Over the next week, two big sporting gambles years in the making are about to have their payoff.  On Saturday, Auckland FC – our newest A-League football team – will play their debut game against the Brisbane Roar.   And then on Monday, rising Formula 1 star Liam Lawson makes his debut as a full-time driver for Red Bull at the US Grand Prix.   It’s an exciting time for Kiwi sport, and shows at the...

The Government has set its sights on sorting out Wellington City Council.  After councillors last week voted against a plan to sell shares in Wellington’s airport, the city’s long term plan will need to be re-opened.   It has prompted Local Government Minister Simeon Brown to seek advice on potential interventions, and he has labeled the situation a ‘shambles’.  So how bad have things got in the C...