The Front Page

It was announced this weekend that Australians will head to the polls on May 21st, where they will decide whether to continue with the Coalition and Scott Morrison or replace him with Labor and Anthony Albanese. So what are the key talking points as our closest neighbour prepares to head to the polls?   Today, New Zealand correspondent for the Australian Associated Press Ben McKay joins Damie...

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has just released a harrowing report that says our time is fast running out to avoid catastrophe. While the report focuses on what can be done to avoid catastrophe, a recent spotlight on some disappearing carparks shows some in New Zealand are unwilling to make those changes. Today, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joins Damien to look at what New...

In a surprising move this week, New Zealand’s Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield has resigned from his post, nearly 18 months before his term ended. The dust had barely settled when the Herald revealed that two other top public health officials following him out the door.  Today, NZ Herald senior writer Derek Cheng, who broke the news of the public health departues, joins Dami...

This week, a new movie in the Harry Potter franchise hit local cinemas. It’s not too long ago that the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore would have excited fans young and old alike – but the controversies of franchise creator J K Rowling have dampened the mood for a return to Hogwarts.  It comes as Disney finds itself upsetting both sides of the political aisl...

A man charged with threatening to kill Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appeared in court this week. It’s the latest example of online threats stepping dangerously close to crossing over into real-world violence. So how seriously should we take these online threats? And what can we do to help those being drawn in by dangerous ideology? Today, NZ Herald senior writer David Fisher joins Damien to...

The Women’s Cricket World Cup concluded over the weekend with old rivals Australia and England battling it out for glory. Sadly, New Zealand could only watch on as the formidable Australians asserted their dominance and went on to claim the trophy yet again.     Today, Newstalk ZB sports journalist Kate Wells joins Damien to recap the World Cup and what comes next for the White Fer...

If you’re feeling a bit out of rhythm this morning, that’s not entirely surprising. The country’s clocks changed by an hour over the weekend, throwing schedules out the window with the end of daylight saving time. But with a growing movement overseas to end the practice of changing the clocks, could New Zealand follow suit?  Today, New Zealand Herald columnist and psychother...

It's been confirmed the next America’s Cup will not be held in New Zealand. After a prolonged saga, it’s been confirmed that the next event will be held in the Spanish city of Barcelona. So how did it come to this? And what does this mean for sailing fans who wanted to see the defence in local waters?     Today, Newstalk ZB Sport director Matt Brown joins Damien to...

From April 4th, vaccine pass and mandate requirements will be removed and become optional for businesses to implement. In addition to learning to live with Covid, New Zealanders will have to also learn to live with each other as the anti-vaxxers and vaxxers, mask wearers and anti-maskers start to mix in the same spaces. What impact will this have on a country that’s just getting used to Covi...

The Auckland mayoralty - sometimes considered the second most important job in New Zealand politics - is up for grabs this year. And while you'd think that ambitious politicians would be clambering over each other for a shot at the role, the actual race is attracting a few lesser-known faces. Today, New Zealand Herald reporter Tom Dillane joins Damien to discuss who the major candidates are,...

Will Smith ripped the gaze of the world away from Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine yesterday when he walked onto the stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock. But what comes next? And will he face any punishment? For this bonus episode, NZ Herald entertainment and lifestyle editor Jenni Mortimer joins Damien to break down what happened and what's next. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio or wherever...

Pasifika communities make up more than 8 per cent of the New Zealand population, but you wouldn’t know that from looking at most mainstream media. To fill this gaping hole, the New Zealand Herald has just launched a new section, Talanoa, dedicated  to these under-represented communities.    Today, NZ Herald Pasifika editor Vaimoana Tapaleao joins Damien to discuss what it...

The 94th Academy Awards will take place this afternoon, and New Zealand film fans are hoping Jane Campion will emerge with a bit of Oscar gold. But will Power of the Dog take Best Picture after a last-minute controversy - and what of the upset surrounding the ceremony itself?  Today, New York Times awards correspondent and author Kyle Buchanan joins Damien to discuss a turbulent year for Holl...

Efforts to bail out the economy don’t come cheap. We’ve recently seen the Government forgo hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes to keep this price of petrol down amid the war in Ukraine – this comes after billions have already been spent keeping us afloat during Covid. So how much longer can this level of spend continue? Today, NZ Herald Business Editor at Large and Money Tal...

This week, the issues with water management in New Zealand were laid bare for all to see. Right after it was revealed that Wellington hasn’t had fluoride in its water for months, both Auckland and the capital saw flooding after heavy rain overwhelmed stormwater systems.  Today, NZ Herald senior journalist Georgina Campbell joins Damien to discuss what’s going on with New Zealand&r...

As Russia continues its brutal attack, Ukrainians are defending their homeland with a resolve that few expected to see. But with Russia reportedly now taking aim at civilian targets, and advancing into new territory, the situation for Ukraine is looking bleak. Today, Ukraine-based New Zealand journalist Tom Mutch joins Damien to discuss the situation on the ground in Ukraine and whether Russia&rsq...

The Government will this week announce its plans to roll back vaccine passes and mandates, continuing the ongoing relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions. This means that after two years, New Zealanders will have to get used to the idea of living with Covid. But what does this look like, how will our lives compare to what they were before, and are we prepared for this?  Today, NZ Herald senior wr...

Keeping up to date with the news just became a little easier. NZ Herald’s The Front Page is back - and it is your new, go-to short, sharp daily news podcast.  Join me, Damien Venuto, every weekday morning as he chats with journalists and newsmakers, going behind the headlines to break down what you need to know on the biggest stories of the day.  Listen to The Front Page at nzheral...

Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the possible move for Ports of Auckland, and how it could impact the whole country. Hosted by Frances Cook. New Zealand is a country that relies on its trade relationships in order to keep a good standard of living, and a lot of those imports and exports come through th...

Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the proposed changes to fix the homes we live in. Hosted by Frances Cook. Rental property law is a bone of contention currently, with proposed changes to how the system works. It could have a huge impact on people's lives, as there’s about 600,000 rental homes in New Ze...

Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's what we can all do to help those in mental distress. Hosted by Frances Cook. It’s no secret that New Zealand has a mental health problem, but many of us can feel paralysed if a friend tells us they’re having trouble. Especially if we're not entirely sure what they're go...

Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's why the SkyCity fire raged so far out of control, and what to expect next. Hosted by Frances Cook. More than 100,000 New Zealand student loan borrowers are living overseas, and some now say they feel trapped there, unable to even come home for funerals. Hundreds have ma...

Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's why the SkyCity fire raged so far out of control, and what to expect next. Hosted by Frances Cook. A shocking blaze at the $700m SkyCity convention centre has brought Auckland to a standstill, with 150 firefighters battling the fire at its peak. As the fire raged, smoke...

Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's the escalating problems in housing, and how it impacts us all. Hosted by Frances Cook. A new investigation is sounding a warning that thousands more New Zealanders are in danger of homelessness, with demand for state housing far outstripping the rate at which it's being...

Each week The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. Today it's miniscule numbers of people voting in local elections, and what needs to change. Hosted by Frances Cook. Local body elections are closing this weekend, but are already marred by plummeting voter turnout in many areas. At the last available count, 22.6 per cent of Auckla...