The Front Page

Yesterday, Stats NZ released New Zealand’s GDP performance for the last quarter of 2025, and the government tells us things are looking good with gross domestic product rising 0.2 percent.   But the Reserve Bank had forecast growth of 0.5% - so while the latest results show we’re heading in the right direct...

A new study is shedding light on the changing landscape of New Zealand’s ‘party drug’ scene. The annual New Zealand Drug Trends Survey, completed by more than 8000 people nationwide, shows that ketamine is rapidly growing in popularity. Price data puts it among the more affordable options at around $200 a gram. Overseas, the UK has dubbed young people ‘Generation K’,...

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins has acknowledged he considered his future in politics, in the wake of his ex-wife's allegations.   She made a series of claims in a now deleted private social media post on Sunday.   None of which alleges unlawful conduct.   Being a politician is one of the most public facing roles in our society, but where should the line be draw...

Inflation could hit 3.7% under Treasury’s ‘worst-case’ inflation scenario.  It’s while petrol prices have risen about 45 to 50 cents a litre, adding about $23 to the price of filling an average car.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis has outlined the government's priorities - First a focus on supply chains, then potential and antic...

A major barrier to escaping family violence, is the heartache of leaving your pet behind to get out.   Every day, pets are used as tool to control and harm victims experiencing family violence.  Pet Refuge provides a safe, temporary haven for pets – and demand for their shelter is at an all-time high.   They’ve reported a 19% increase year on year for help...

If you’re old enough, then you’ll remember there was a time when every Kiwi household had to pick a weekday where they wouldn’t drive. Carless Days were introduced in 1979 as an attempt to reduce petrol consumption amid a global oil shock thanks to the Iranian Revolution. The scheme was short lived – it was scrapped in 1980, after it achieved only a minimal reduction in pet...

Air New Zealand is set to cut 1100 flights – affecting about 44,000 customers.  CEO Nikhil Ravishankar has cited “unprecedented” jet fuel prices as the cause – which he said could not be passed on to customers, who were already facing cost-of-living challenges.  A normal price for jet fuel is about US$85 a barrel -- but the product is now...

A global oil giant is warning of a looming catastrophe unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon. The US and Israel war on Iran is wreaking havoc on global oil and gas markets, spiking prices and sending shockwaves across global economies. It’s being called by some commentators the “biggest oil disruption in history.” Saudi Arabia’s state oil company, Aramco, has said there...

The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19 has been released. Deciding that the first phase of the inquiry was inadequate, the coalition government expanded the terms of reference to focus on lockdowns and vaccine mandates. In particular, finding out whether the former government had “considered the impact these decisions would have on society, health, education, and o...

Trade Me is bidding farewell to some of its marketplace fees. From March 10, sellers won’t have to pay a 7.9% success fee when they sell things like their couch, a dress, lamp, or TV. The platform’s said it wants to make it easier for Kiwis to declutter their homes, say goodbye to their second hand stuff, and get some extra cash in their pockets. But, it the change ACTUALLY about that...

A new poll out today spells a storm brewing for National. The Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll has shown National drop nearly three-points to 28.4% -- the lowest poll for the party since it formed a Government in 2023. It’s while Labour is up 0.3 points to 34.4% - The Greens are up to 10.5%, NZ First are down to 9.7%, ACT up to 7.5%, and Te Pāti Māori up to 3.2 percent. This all means that...

Dave Rennie is the new coach of the All Blacks. The former Chiefs and Wallabies mentor will succeed Scott Razor Robertson, and take charge through until the end of the 2027 World Cup. But, does he have what it takes to bring about a much-needed reset for our national side? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior sports journalist and rugby correspondent, Liam Napier is with us to unpack the past...

The US and Israel are escalating attacks on Iran - which has launched counterattacks on neighbouring Gulf states. All the while, the push and pull on European leaders has been in the spotlight – with Trump publicly chastising UK PM Sir Keir Starmer. That’s due to his refusal to offer up a British base for the initial wave of strikes. Britain is scrambling to send a warship to Cyprus af...

Iran has cut off one of the world’s most strategically important choke points. About a fifth world’s total oil consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s revolutionary guards commander-in-chief has warned that “if anyone tries to pass” they will “set those ships ablaze”. The narrow sea passage sits between Oman and Iran. Experts have said a pr...

The US and Israel have launched a massive assault on Iran. Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the strikes will increase over the coming days. Donald Trump has said that they “figured it will be four weeks or so” when asked about a potential timeline. Iran has retaliated, unleashing its own strikes on US military bases, Israel and other targets across the Middle East. The killing of Ayato...

The debate over asset sales has reared its head again, this time after a very grim result for our national carrier. Air New Zealand has reported an after tax $40 million loss for the six months to December. We’ve had a controversial and complicated history when it comes to selling off state assets. From bailing out banks to the great 90s airport selloff, it’s always been a touchy subje...

New figures show New Zealand women are significantly under-represented in property ownership.  More than half (53%) of Gen Z men and two-thirds (66%) of Millennial men own the home they live in.  That’s compared to the female figures of about a third and under half, respectively.  Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ’s chief property ec...

Is cash really still King? For years, more stores are no longer accepting cash as payment and it’s easy to see why, with 94% of transactions in 2024 being digital. They’re also not obligated to either. In 2023, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand found cash usage for everyday purchases had decreased from 95.8% in 2019 -- to 57.2% that year.  Apparently just 8% of N...

There are calls for urgent action – after yet another fatal dog attack. The death of a 62-year-old woman in Northland marks the fourth fatal dog attack in four years. It’s while dog-related injuries and hospitalisations rise every year. ACC statistics show more than 29,200 dog-related injuries in 2024/25 - nearly half of them a result of dog bites. So, how do we get on top of this issu...

Move-on orders are being pitched as a way to “reclaim” town and city centres. The Government is proposing a law which would allow Police to order someone rough sleeping or begging to leave a public space for up to 24 hours. They could be fined up to $2000 or three months in jail if they don't. Critics say that does nothing to create homes, risks criminalising poverty, and simply shifts...

UK police have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of committing misconduct in public office. It comes after allegations the former prince shared confidential information with former financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he was a UK trade envoy, a role he held from 2001 to 2011. Police searched his Sandringham home and former Royal Lodge residence. He has since been released...

A step forward for housing capacity in our largest city – or a step back on housing affordability?  Auckland’s explosive debate over density planning has come to a head, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop making a U-turn on capacity limits.  It’s all got to do with the controv...

What does New Zealand and David Hasselhoff have in common? The answer, is TV producer Alex Breingan. He has been hit with a raft of Serious Fraud Office charges... and is the same guy whose production company, Stripe Studios, owed the Baywatch star money. Turns out, he might owe a lot more people, a lot more. Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Media Insider Shayne Currie is with us to take us thro...

Fixing the leaks, not just buying bigger mops. That’s the theme of the National Infrastructure Plan released today. It looks at 17 sectors covering central government, local authorities, and commercially regulated utilities. The 30-year outline sets out how New Zealand can improve the way it plans, funds, maintains, and delivers infrastructure... and guess what, it turns out we don’t d...

Eden Park’s gearing up for more gigs, more goals, and more growth. The number of concerts allowed each year at Auckland’s Eden Park stadium will almost triple under new rules announced today by the Government. Under the new settings, the stadium will be allowed to host up to 12 large and 20 medium-sized concerts a year - without the need for resource consent. We’ll speak to Sir G...