The Front Page

Emergency department wait times are the longest they’ve been in a decade.  

Doctors and nurses are battling against a surge in Covid-19 infections and winter illnesses in an attempt to keep up with demand. 
 
There are concerns that people could die while they wait to receive treatment. 
 
So why is the Government refusing to call this a health crisis? And what can be done to ensure that our doctors and nurses aren’t burnt out on the job?   

Damien talks to Dr Samantha Murton, President of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, on the pressure weighing on our medical staff.

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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: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Editor: Paddy Fox

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation exceeded expectations to hit 7.3 per cent this week. The highest level seen since 1990.
 
Everything from construction costs to petrol and food have increased in price, heaping pressure on the economy. New Zealand already ranked as one of the most expensive places to live, so what does this mean for Kiwi families struggling to make ends meet?
 
Damien speaks to Westpac chief economist Satish Ranchhod about the forces driving New Zealand’s cost of living skywards.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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
Editor: Paddy Fox

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new survey has identified New Zealand as the second worst place to move to out of 52 nations. The only country which rated worse was Kuwait. 

Is Aotearoa so bad? Have we failed to look out for New New Zealanders who felt isolated while the borders were closed? Or does this point to deeper issues in our society at the moment? 

Massey University public relations expert Dr Chris Galloway shares his take how Aotearoa can improve its image.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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/Editor: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Groans were heard up and down the country on Saturday night when Ireland defeated the All Blacks 32 to 22, clinching a series victory for the visiting side. 

The dismal performance adds pressure on coach Ian Foster, who has long battled with the perception that he’s not the right man for the job.    

So is there an easy fix to the All Blacks' current slump, or does there need to be some big changes to get them back in winning form? And do All Blacks fans need to get used to the idea of losing the odd test match? 

Today, Newstalk ZB rugby commentator and co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast, Elliott Smith, joins Damien to discuss what’s gone wrong with the All Blacks.  

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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/Editor: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Police Minister Chris Hipkins has admitted that tensions between gangs are at a high. As a result, the Government has proposed new legislation targeting gang violence. 

It comes after a recent rise of gang activity, which has coincided with a spate of ram raids and random attacks that have jolted the country. 

But are these new policies just tough talk from the Government looking to counter claims they are soft on crime?  And should more effort be put into preventing the causes of crime?

Today, NZ Herald investigative reporter Jared Savage joins Damien to look at what's happening with crime across the country.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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/Editor: Shaun D. Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sri Lanka has been in turmoil for months. Rising food costs, long blackouts, fuel and medicine shortages, and a fertiliser crisis have severely impacted everyday Sri Lankans’ lives.  

After four months of protests calling for his head, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa signalled his resignation – but not before protesters stormed his palace in the wake of the country being declared bankrupt. 

The impact of the months of turmoil has been felt throughout the globe, particularly for the 16,000 Sri Lankans that call Aotearoa home.

Today, Kiwi-Sri Lankan Chamanthie Sinhalage-Fonseka joins Damien to share her perspective on the breakdown of Sri Lanka’s political and economic systems. 

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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/Editor: Shaun D. Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Few things grip the nation’s attention as firmly as an intense weather event. And recently, it seems that those events are becoming more common and more extreme.  

This week, New Zealand has been in the path of yet another ‘atmospheric river’ that’s drenched the country, dumping a month’s worth in rain in a matter of hours and again damaging infrastructure.  

This comes shortly after Australia faced massive floods and as countries in the Northern Hemisphere sweat amid record-breaking heat waves.    

Today, NZ Herald science reporter Jamie Morton joins Damien to discuss the causes behind these events – and how common they could become.  

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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/Editor: Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s widely accepted that New Zealand needs to build more houses to accommodate a rapidly growing population. 

But as a recently Auckland Council vote shows, there remains an ongoing debate between those who want to see development and those who are worried about how intensification might change the character of a city. 

Today, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joins Damien to discuss the debate between character and density being played out across the country - and why time is running out to settle the argument. 

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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/Editor: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch could become New Zealand’s next Super City. 
 
Rapid population growth projected over the next few decades has planners mulling whether it might be time to change the way the city is managed.  

But not everyone is a fan of the Super City project. Former mayors are divided about whether it has worked in Auckland – and some question whether it will actually deliver better results. 
 
So, is Christchurch ready for the big changes coming it's way? Or will New Zealand’s next Super City also struggle with some of the teething issues that have plagued Auckland?    
 
Today, Christchurch-based senior NZ Herald reporter Kurt Bayer joins Damien to discuss whether Christchurch really could become Super. 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boris Johnson has officially resigned as leader of Britain's Conservative Party.  

He plans to remain as UK prime minister while the leadership contest is held, but this marks the conclusion of a tenure dogged by scandal.

So what was about this moment that made MPs decide enough was enough? And is there any chance that Johnson could bounce back as he has so many times in the past.   

For this bonus episode, Daily Telegraph chief political correspondent Camilla Turner joins Damien for a discussion on why Boris Johnson was right when he said: “In politics, no one is remotely indispensable.” 

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer/Editor: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.