The Front Page

Could Russia’s war spread further? Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no sign of giving up on the embattled nation of Ukraine and has made veiled threats to escalate his fight to a nuclear war. Leaders around the world have denounced Putin’s actions, but is this nuclear talk just posturing from a famous bender of reality, or a real possibility?   Today, Damien is joined by global security and...

Aotearoa’s school decile system has been scrapped.     In its place we now have an equity index that will change how the distribution of funding to schools works.    This will give most schools a funding boost, but there are also those that will be left short-changed.   So what problem is the Government trying to fix here? What does mean for students? And will this plan even work?   Today, Damien...

After two terms, current Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is stepping aside. As things stand, Efeso Collins and Wayne Brown look the most likely candidates to take the supercity’s top job.   So, after 40 years across both local and central government, what has the former Labour Party leader learned about New Zealand politics? And who’s got his vote in these local body elections?  Today, Damien is joined b...

New Zealand’s CEOs have had their say. The latest edition of the annual Mood of the Boardroom has surveyed 165 high-profile executives and directors, to shed a light on what they really think about our politicians, and where the country is headed. So how optimistic are these business leaders feeling? Which Government politicians have left them frustrated? And what do they think about the prospect...

Meteorologists are forecasting that New Zealand may be in for another major marine heatwave this summer.   There are concerns that it could be as severe as two of the biggest we’ve ever recorded. So what impact will this have on the weather in New Zealand? What is causing these events to become more regular? And what impact will it have on the weather in this country?    Today, NIWA meteorologist...

In early August, it was first reported that human remains had been discovered inside suitcases purchased by a Manurewa family.   A few weeks later, the tragic news came from Police that these were the bodies of two children, and that an international manhunt was underway to find those believed responsible.  Last week, a 42-year-old woman was arrested in South Korea, understood to be the children’s...

Queen Elizabeth II has been laid to rest. It was the final event for a monarch who dedicated seven decades of her 96 years to a role she inherited.    The public turned up in their thousands across the United Kingdom to pay their respects to their fallen queen, and to welcome their new King.  Now that the official period of mourning is over, what’s next for the United Kingdom as the country adjust...

As Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine rages on, the world continues to watch in horror. But his invasion is just the latest example of Putin's autocratic political reign. His attempts to poison opposition politician Alexei Navalny offered a glimpse at what Putin was capable of. Film director Daniel Roher followed Navalny in the aftermath of that assassination attempt and got incredible insight i...

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth the second is set to commence today. The event will be attended by more than 2000 official guests, including many heads of state from around the world.   The eyes of the commonwealth will be fixed on a historic moment as the longest-serving monarch in British history is laid to rest.   Today, NZ Herald lifestyle writer Beth Reitsma joins Damien to discuss what to exp...

A spate of recent accidents has drawn attention to the dangers of working in the construction industry.     Amputations, explosions, electrocutions and a number of other horrific events have all shown why construction consistently rates as one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.  So why are these tragic events continue to happen? Is New Zealand’s safety management up to scratch? And is our...

A recent petition signed by 70,000 people suggested that it was time to change the official name of New Zealand to Aotearoa. This comes amid growing acceptance of the use of te reo in the public setting. But not everyone agrees that the official name of New Zealand should change. And there is also debate about whether Aotearoa is the right name to represent the whole country.   So is this the time...

Covid restrictions have been removed, the borders have been opened, and Kiwis can take flights overseas with no worries about restrictions.   The news is timely for Air New Zealand, which this week launches its direct route to New York, giving New Zealanders the quickest option yet to get to the east coast of the United States.  But, after years of closed borders and limited flights, has the trave...

The recent case of a teenage rapist who was sentenced to nine months of home detention has sparked debate across New Zealand. Hundreds recently took to the streets in protest at the sentencing, with placards questioning the justice system, accusing it of failing victims and giving out what protesters saw as a light sentence.  So what was the justification for his sentencing? Is enough emphasis bei...

For the first time in 70 years, the British royal family has to consider what it looks like under a new monarch.  King Charles has made no secret of his plans to slim down the number of working royals, plans he now has the opportunity to implement.   It could mean more work – and scrutiny – is placed on Prince William and his wife Catherine, as they assume the roles of Prince and Princess of Wales...

The changeover from one monarch to the next is a moment seeped in history and tradition. Not only for the UK, but the entire commonwealth of nations.   After years of planning, the change from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III is both an immediate one and the start of potentially months-long processes.  Now that New Zealand has a new head of state, what will this change mean for our nation so...

Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96, bringing an end to her seven decades as queen. King Charles takes the throne immediately and will be known as King Charles III. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern issued a heartfelt tribute to New Zealand’s longest-serving monarch and the nation has now moved into a national state of mourning.    So what happens next and what does mean for the Royal family? NZ Heral...

Last year, two Covid-positive women sent Northland into an 11-day lockdown after entering the region when they weren’t supposed to.   Reports at time suggested that they were sex workers and gang affiliated. Now, the release of a 700-page file into the case has revealed that wasn't true, and has detailed the bureaucratic blunder behind the case.   One of the women is now calling for an apology fro...

New Zealand may be a small country at the bottom of the world, but some of the major retail brands that we’ve heard about for decades have started eyeing up our islands.  Costco, Ikea, and a range of fashion brands are amongst the global icons heading our way soon. But why are they choosing to open here now, and what does it mean for local businesses? Today, NZ Herald business reporter Aimee Shaw...

House prices have been on the slide all year, amid what economists are calling a significant correction in the housing markets. At the same, interest rates have been rising rapidly as the Reserve Bank tries desperately to put a lid on inflation. International observers are now referring to the New Zealand housing market as the canary down the coal mine.     So how much worse could this become, wha...

The world has been battling Covid-19 for nearly three years. But increasingly, people are having to learn to live with the virus.  Recently, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed that Cabinet will be looking at the traffic light system and if it's still fit for purpose.   It comes after reports that requirements for mask mandates could be significantly narrowed.  So as case numbers drop, is this...

The Warriors ended the season with one final heartbreak, throwing away a commanding lead to lose the last game of 2022. This result left them second from bottom and marked the conclusion of one of the worst seasons in the team’s history.  Despite the stormy season, more than 20,000 fans still crammed in Mt Smart Stadium to watch the final match, and you can rest assured they’ll be back for more ne...

For over 100 years, New Zealanders have flocked to Auckland Showgrounds for a wide variety of events.  But the doors could soon permanently close on an institution of the country’s events industry.  Event operators are currently in a legal battle with the Cornwall Park Trust over the future use of the land the Showgrounds sits on – a fight that could determine the future of dozens of shows and exh...

24 hours is a long time in politics. On Tuesday, the Government tabled a bill aimed at fixing a GST imbalance between small and large KiwiSaver providers. However, after it was reported the changes would potentially take $103 billion away from people's KiwiSaver funds by 2070, the backlash was swift and severe - and the bill was pulled on Wednesday. So how badly did the Government handle the commu...

Voting documents will soon be sent out, inviting enrolled New Zealanders to cast their votes in the local elections. While this is meant to be an important part of the democratic process, participation in local elections has been woeful in recent decades, sitting at around 42 per cent. But this time, the stakes are higher. Numerous councils are in disarray and conspiracy theorists are encouraging...

Are you a member of a union?  In many industries, it’s not a question that gets asked much these days. The golden age of unions has long passed, and for many workers being a union member has become a foreign concept.  But international trends suggest that’s about to change. Major corporations are publicly fighting to stop their workers unionising, while a wave of strike action is sweeping across t...