The Front Page

In his quarterly forecast released last week, Westpac economist Satish Ranchhod said the quarterly inflation figure was set to be "another monster". The figure of 6.9 per cent that was eventually reported on Thursday is the highest the country has seen in 30 years. Today, the NZ Herald's business editor-at-large and Money Talks host Liam Dann joins Damien to discuss how this has become one of the...

What makes a person happy? Is it wealth, success, fame, great Instagram pics? Or is it something simpler that even ordinary people could strive for? And is it even important int he grand scheme of things?   In-between hosting his show on Radio Hauraki, the New Zealand Herald’s inaugural Happiness editor Matt Heath has been on a personal quest to answer these questions.   ...

Megachurches are big business in New Zealand, with these organisations raking in millions of dollars every year. Few have been as successful as the Arise Church, which now ranks as one of the biggest in the country. But this house of worship is starting to face a rebellion from within, as members of the congregation come forward with allegations of what really goes on behind the scenes. &nbsp...

This week, a worker died in a fall at the Ports of Auckland - the latest in a string of casualties since 2017. This comes after a review last year revealed major systemic problems in the health and safety processes at the port. How does this keep happening? And how much pressure is on the new chief executive to ensure it doesn’t continue?     Today, NZ Herald senior writer Tom Dill...

In January 2019, three-year-old Lachie Jones disappeared on a summer evening. Several hours later, he was found floating face-up in an oxidation pond south of his home in Gore. Police ruled it was an accidental drowning, but the boy’s father has long disagreed - and now has a legal team on his side.  So what really happened to Lachie Jones, and is there any chance his father's fight wil...

Netsafe, the government-funded agency meant to protect New Zealanders from online harm is facing bullying allegations, a $100,000 fine for privacy breaches and departing CEO. So how is it that Netsafe became such a mess? And how do we go about fixing a system that’s meant to keep Kiwis safe?    Today, NZ Herald technology editor Chris Keall joins Damien to discuss what’s goin...

Easter is upon New Zealand again - one of two religious events that are recognised as national public holidays. That’s despite census data showing a growing number of New Zealanders do not identify with any organised religion.   So should the whole country still be celebrating holidays associated with one religious group?   Today, Reverend Frank Ritchie, host of Newstalk...

Tonight Labour MP Louisa Wall delivers her valedictory speech, bringing an end to a career in Parliament that lasted 14 years. However, she has not gone out quietly. Instead, she gave a series of interviews in which she claimed that Jacinda Ardern did not want her in cabinet or in her caucus. So why did she do this, what truth is there to her claims, and how does this reflect on Wall and the Prime...

For 20 years, author Ana Samways has been a collector of New Zealand cultural curiosities. She’s been trawling through the online world for photos, stories and other trinkets that capture the weirdness of life in New Zealand - producing over 5000 editions of the beloved New Zealand Herald column, Sideswipe.  Today, in honour of the anniversary celebrations, Samways joins Damien to ...

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...