The Front Page

An activist from the UK has sparked controversy with her plans to host a speaking event in Auckland.
 
Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, has attracted headlines around the world for transphobic views.

Members of Aotearoa’s rainbow community have called for her right to visit this country to be blocked and are planning counter-protests.

So who exactly is Posie Parker? Why have their views sparked such outrage? And is there any legal possibility of their visitation rights being cancelled?      
 
Today, Damien speaks firstly with NZ Herald social issues journalist and co-host of In the Loop Katie Harris for the background on the controversy Parker's trip has caused, and later with Eddie Clark, a senior lecturer of public law at Victoria University of Wellington, on what the law says around visas and free speech. 

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: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Absenteeism and declining literacy and numeracy rates have left parents deeply concerned about the education standards in Aotearoa.

This comes amid a major education strike, with teachers demanding better pay for the hard work they do in the classroom every day.

So what’s gone wrong with our education system? What steps can we take to improve it? And is there enough political will to drive that shift? 

New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow Michael Johnston has co-authored a paper on this exact topic. As part of the NZ Herald’s Making the Grade series, he talks to Damien on The Front Page to explain what it will take to lift our education standards back to respectable heights.

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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks one year since our first episode of The Front Page, and it's been a truly haywire year for our politicians. 

After Labour’s popularity highs off the back of Covid, a growing backlash to their policies and a strong opposition saw Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern quit, handing over the reins to Chris Hipkins.

It is now a battle of the Chrises in the lead-up to our election in just over six months time, and little separates them in the polls. So will it be Hipkins or Luxon in the Ninth Floor this time next year – and who will be at the Cabinet table with them?

Today, Damien is joined by NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and Newstalk ZB drive host Heather du Plessis-Allan for a lively discussion about the state of our 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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We may only be a few months into 2023, but the cost-of-living is already set to dominate our year.  

As prices for common goods soar, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has made the cost of living a key focus of the election by culling a number of government projects to fund a support package. 

To help put the crisis into perspective, the Herald has launched a price tracker today to highlight some of the rising costs hitting the average consumer right now. 

Today, Damien talks first with NZ Herald data journalist Julia Gabel to shine some perspective on the realities of rising inflation, before being joined by NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett to give insight into Hipkins and his policy bonfire.

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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are just six months away from the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.  

After a rough 2022, the All Blacks are hoping that this could be their year to reclaim the Webb Ellis Cup.

But it’s the drama off the field that is dominating discussions right now.

Current coach Ian Foster announced he won’t be reapplying for the job when his tenure ends after the tournament.

This comes after a year of public backlash over performances. And now some of that fan anger is being turned on NZ Rugby, as future of our biggest sports team remains up in the air.

To discuss the inner workings of this drama, and what plot twists could come next, we’re joined by NZ Herald chief sports writer and co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast, Liam Napier. 

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: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuart Nash has long been known as tough-talking, hardline politician. Now his loose lips have landed him in hot water and out of a job. 

Nash revealed in a Newstalk ZB interview that two years ago he phoned Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to suggest appealing a sentence that had been given to an offender.

Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls explains to Damien why these comments broke a cardinal rule of cabinet, and what the scandal says about Chris Hipkins' leadership. 

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: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the last 27 years, Aotearoa has been using the mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system.  

This method allows for the electorate to vote for both the party and the MP they want to represent them. 

But after nearly three decades, is New Zealand making the most of MMP?  

Current polls suggest only five parties will be represented after October’s election, while voters are essentially choosing between two potential coalitions that already seem set in stone. 

Today, to explain how we reached this point, and how New Zealand could use MMP better, Damien talks with Massey University Associate Professor Grant Duncan. 

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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Shaun D Wilson with Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

News about the impending collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in the United States quickly sent shockwaves around the world.
 
Panicked investors quickly started pulling out their money, and the repercussions were even felt in our tech scene.
 
So what went wrong here? Could this trigger a broader domino effect? And are our local banks safe from suffering a similar fate?
 
Today, Markets with Madison presenter and co-host of the Stock Takes podcast, Madison Reidy, is with us to explain what this all means for New Zealand. 

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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand loves to celebrate our artistic community when we succeed on the world stage – and especially when a golden trophy is involved. 

But as much as we love championing these artistic wins – we aren’t very good at properly funding our creatives.  

Recent drama with Creative New Zealand has come at the same time as Australia has put significant investment into their local arts and film sector.  

So are we at risk of more of our artists being lured overseas by better funding, and how do we ensure our successful talent keeps making work locally? 

To discuss what needs to be done to better fund the arts in New Zealand, I’m joined by Dr James Wenley, drama lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington, for a discussion about the giant gap in funding. 

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: Damien Venuto
Editor: Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pacifica has become a familiar part of Auckland’s skyline. 

With 57 floors spread across 178 metres, it is the country’s tallest apartment building.  

But in recent weeks, it’s gained a reputation for more sordid details, including concerns over air conditioners, fire sprinklers – and a mysterious vibrating device.  

As more apartment buildings sprout up across the country – and many Kiwis look to them as a way of owning their own property – are the concerns around the Pacifica a warning sign to potential buyers? 

Today, NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson takes us into the bowels of this troubled tower.  

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: Damien Venuto
Editor: Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.