The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has shone a spotlight on political violence in the US, and around the world.

The 31-year-old was shot at a Utah university last week in front of thousands of people the alleged killer is 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who’s set to appear in court this week.

While his motive remains unclear, the killing has sparked conversations about the widening gap between left and right politics.

It’s also highlighted the deep, dark depths of the internet, and how young people can be radicalised online.

Today on The Front Page, Massey University emeritus professor and sociologist Paul Spoonley is with us to dissect the inner workings of those who perpetrate political violence, and how we might be able to stop them.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

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The All Blacks have taken a giant step backwards in a 43-10 crushing at the hands of South Africa in Wellington.

It’s their worst ever defeat – shipping six tries to one after leading 10-7 at halftime.

The performance has prompted questions about the team’s ability to recover and deliver consistent high-quality showings.

So, what does this record-breaking display mean for the future of the All Blacks?

Today on The Front Page, former All Black turned commentator Ant Strachan is with us to discuss the weekend, the consequences, and the future of the team.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International campaigns, a Russian vote-tampering scandal, and an imposter taking the win, there’s one election that New Zealanders have taken very seriously.

No, it doesn’t involve politicians— or even human beings.

For two decades the public has pored over more than 80 native birds — and one controversial bat — to crown one Bird of the Year.  

The fun is meant to highlight our native fauna, and the fact that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of threatened species in the world 

Today on The Front Page, Forest & Bird chief executive Nicola Toki is here to take us through the history and future of the competition, and why we should care.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a new plan to re-open the Christ Church Cathedral in stages.

It’s after the reinstatement of the iconic building came to a standstill last year when the project was unable to secure an extra $85 to 95 million.

The new plan still comes with a funding shortfall of between $40 and 45 million.

This news is just the latest in a saga that’s haunted Cantabrians since the cathedral was severely damaged in the Canterbury Earthquakes.

Today on The Front Page, we hear about the latest announcement from Newstalk ZB reporter Jaime Cunningham.  

Then, we speak with former National MP and Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Nicky Wagner about what it was like early on, behind the curtain when those hard decisions were being made.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Australia, the massive manhunt continues for suspected cop killer Dezi Freeman in rural Victoria.

Officers had gone to his remote property in Porepunkah with a search warrant – but were met with gunfire. Two officers died at the scene.

Hundreds of officers are looking for the so-called ‘sovereign citizen’ with a hatred of authority.

Police have also announced a $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

A former magistrate apparently issued a stark warning just weeks before the shooting, about the sovereign citizen movement in the country.

He had told Four Corners that Governments are underestimating the reach and threats of these movements”.

So, how do countries deal with growing sects of anti-government conspiracy theorists? And what should New Zealand learn from the tragic events in Porepunkah?

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago associate professor Stephen Young is with us to discuss these fringe groups, and how we might deal with them in future.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s being urged to create a new ministerial portfolio to focus on organised crime.

It’s the “number one” threat to our national security, and as such, there should be a Government Minister put in charge of tackling it – That's according to a report from experts advising the coalition. 

In recent years, there have been record busts at the border, as global crime syndicates – including Mexican cartels and outlaw bikie gangs – have targeted New Zealand as a small, but lucrative, market.

So, why are we losing the fight against drugs and organised crime? And what can be done to give us a better shot at tackling the issue?

Today on The Front Page, the advisory group’s chairman, and Meridith Connell criminal prosecutor Steve Symon is with us to discuss how New Zealand might appoint a Minister of Mafias.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early hours of Monday morning, a man police were hunting for nearly four years was shot and killed in a stand-off on a rural Waikato road.

That man was Tom Phillips, who in December 2021 vanished into the Marokopa bush with his three children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember.

There have been numerous sightings over the years of the fugitive father - the last was in August when he and another person believed to be one of his children, were seen on CCTV breaking into a Piopio superette.

The Front Page travelled to the King Country and spoke to Waitomo District Mayor John Robertson about how the community has fared and what we can learn from the ordeal.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China recently rolled out the red carpet to some of the world’s most controversial leaders – in a massive display of military might.

It was all laughs, hugs and hand holding amongst the likes of Russia’s Vladamir Putin, India’s Narendra Modi, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, and China’s Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The carefully choreographed summit was designed to showcase Xi’s vision of a new world order, a challenge to the west – a reset in global rules.

But, what does this very public display of affection mean? And does it spell trouble for the Indo-Pacific?

Today on The Front Page, Waikato University international law professor, Al Gillespie, is with us to unpack these relationships – and what it could mean for our part of the globe.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders will finally get to experience the labyrinth that is an IKEA store from December 4.

The new Sylvia Park site in Auckland is one of the company’s largest in the Southern Hemisphere – about the size of three rugby fields.

There’ll be thousands of products available online and in store, and yes, they will be serving up their famous Swedish meatballs in a 426-seat cafeteria.

So, why do we get so excited about international brands setting up on our shores? And, is there enough appetite for IKEA to succeed where others haven’t?

Today on The Front Page, Quantum Jump CEO and marketing expert Ben Goodale is with us to explain the hype around one of the world’s leading retailers coming to our shores.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police interviewing techniques have been a controversial topic here and around the globe.

There have been countless, high-profile cases where someone has been convicted but later exonerated – and their interrogations questioned.

In New Zealand, Teina Pora was wrongfully convicted of murder and rape largely based on a confession given during a lengthy police interview.

And more recently, Harry Matchitt had his manslaughter conviction quashed after a so-called “false confession”. He spent three years behind bars, and is now seeking $600,000 in compensation.  

So, why do people confess to things they didn’t do?

Today on The Front Page, Forensic Psychologist Ghazi Metoui joins us to discuss the psychology behind police interviews.

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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
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.