It has been three years since Russia invaded eastern Ukraine, a dramatic escalation in the conflict between the two countries that has been raging for over a decade. 

And for three years, Ukraine has fought hard to defend itself. Over 12,000 civilians are believed to have died, a similar number captured or detained, while estimates on the military deaths range from the tens to hundreds of thousands.

During this war, most of the Western world has sided with Ukraine, and supported the country financially and with tanks and missiles.

But that could soon change, with US President Donald Trump arranging peace talks with Russia without Ukraine’s involvement.

New Zealand freelance journalist Tom Mutch has been in Ukraine for much of the last three years, and he returns to The Front Page today to discuss the state of the invasion as a potential end to the conflict approaches.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s well known that New Zealand has a huge problem with keeping our children safe, fed, and housed.   

Reports over the years show how low New Zealand ranks for child wellbeing outcomes compared to other developed countries.  

Government stats show 23.5% of children born in 1998 had been the subject of a report of concern to Oranga Tamariki by the age of 17. That’s more than one in five kids. 

One Police study into 63 young people involved in ram-raids in 2022, showed 95% of them were linked to at least one family harm event, before first coming to police attention as a suspect or offender. 

And that’s before we even get into our high rate of homicide involving children.  

Under this Government, the duty of looking after our tamariki falls on Minister for Children and for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence – Karen Chhour.  

One of her big priorities so far this term has been reforming Oranaga Tamariki, and overseeing the reintroduction of bootcamps as one way of reforming young offenders. 

She joins us today on The Front Page to discuss her portfolios and how the Government is planning to help our children.  

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you ever feel like you’re always being asked to donate money to some cause or another, you probably aren’t wrong.

In New Zealand, there are more than 28,000 registered charities – with an annual income of more than $21 billion – on top of over 110,000 not for profit organisations.

Legislation leaves the definition of a charity pretty broad – if you say you’re tackling poverty, advancing education or religion, or beneficial to the community in any way, you could sign up to the charities register.

That broad definition is in the spotlight again this week though, after an aggressive protest by Destiny Church at a rainbow family event sparked backlash over the church’s charitable status.

So, is the law up to date, or is it time we take a look at what organisations are getting a tax break?

Today on The Front Page, former Independent Advisor to the Tax Working Group, Andrea Black, is with us to discuss.

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago professor of public health, Peter Crampton joins us to give a rundown on our health system.  

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Chaos’, ‘overstretched’, ‘a bloodbath’ -- these are just a few descriptions of New Zealand’s health sector in recent days.

It’s as the sector faces its third resignation of its top brass... Director-General of Health Diana Sarfati will finish up Friday – ending her term two years earlier than expected.

Her resignation came soon after Health New Zealand chief executive Margie Apa -- followed by Public Health Director, Nicholas Jones, who quit just days after.

We are constantly being told the health system is in crisis, “on the brink of failure” – spending beyond its budget, waiting times getting longer, suffering from widespread staff shortages.

But, the decades-old question is, how do we fix it?

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago professor of public health, Peter Crampton joins us to give a rundown on our health system.  

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homelessness is one of the most visible signs of poverty in this country.

Walk through the CBD of any of our major cities, and you are likely to come across someone living rough.

But often what we may see on our streets is the tip of the iceberg for a much larger issue.

This week, HomeGround in Auckland, one of the initiatives trying to tackle this crisis, turns three –but that’s just one location in one city trying to get on top of a national problem.

Today on The Front Page, we talk with University of Otago research professor, and co-leader of He Kainga Oranga – Housing and Health Research Programme, Nevil Pierse, about how we could solve this crisis. And later, we speak to NZ Herald senior writer, Simon Wilson, about HomeGround and if it's working.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Bill which would give New Zealanders just one avenue to bet on racing and sports online is under the microscope.

The amendments to the Racing Industry Act would make TAB New Zealand the sole legal domestic operator of online racing and sports betting.

The TAB estimates Kiwis lose $185 million a year to offshore operators, with the changes expected to retain this money.

It’s all while the TAB’s operator, Entain, faces allegations of not doing enough to combat money laundering and corruption in Australia.

And there are concerns from those in the industry that the monopoly would push Kiwis onto the black market.

Today on The Front Page, Business Desk’s Gregor Thompson has been following the progression of the bill, and joins us.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is Pride Month in New Zealand, with the LGBTQ plus community making the most of the summer sun to celebrate.

But, at the same time it’s a celebration that feels increasingly under threat.

The return of the Trump administration has seen a rise in laws attacking the trans community and limiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.

It’s even seen one US state look at trying to overturn gay marriage.

And while the US may be thousands of k's away, our connected world means attitudes there can be easily imported here... We already saw that last year with rainbow crossing vandalisms and the ongoing backlash against drag queen story times.

Today on The Front Page, chair of the Auckland Pride board, Bhen Goodsir, is with us to discuss how Pride celebrations are going in an uncertain landscape.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Taxpayers Union-Curia poll and 1News Verian poll show the coalition Government is losing ground.

Both show the left bloc of Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori would have enough support to form the next government.

It’s all while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s first post-cab of the year was marred by questions about Act’s David Seymour – the man set to become Deputy PM in May.

Opposition leader, Chris Hipkins, has gone as far to call for Seymour to be removed as a Minister – over what he’s calling a “pattern of behaviour”.

So, is this the start of a fracture that can’t be healed? And does the public have good cause to be concerned about where we’re headed?

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political editor, Jason Walls, is with us to discuss the state of politics.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions have emerged in recent weeks between New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has been accused of ‘not properly consulting’ New Zealand on the country’s upcoming China deal – which is expected to be penned in Beijing this week.

Meanwhile, NZ aid to Kiribati is under review – and Samoa has sought help from China in the aftermath of the Manawanui sinking last year.

This all comes as the Trump administration has frozen aid to developing nations -- which some experts fear could push them closer towards China.

Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland retired international relations professor Stephen Hoadley is with us to discuss China’s interest in the Pacific, the impact of that frozen aid, and what it means for New Zealand’s relationship with some of our closest neighbours.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the past, overseas investment in New Zealand has been seen as a privilege – rather than a right.

But – could that all be about to change with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s latest push for economic growth?

He kicked off 2025 by announcing the establishment of a foreign investment agency – similar to those seen in Ireland and Singapore.

The Government’s holding a ‘global investment summit’ next month – with sovereign wealth and major asset management fund managers expected to attend.

So, how does foreign investment work now? And can we emulate the success of another country, like Ireland, where foreign investment accounts for much of their GDP and private sector employment?

Today on The Front Page, Glenn Shewan, will take us through what foreign investment looks like in New Zealand now – and what could change.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.