The Front Page

Auckland's city centre is going through a rough period. Construction, crime and social issues have combined to create an undesirable experience that both businesses and shoppers prefer to avoid. 

So how did the CBD get to this point? And is there any way we can salvage it and create something we to be proud of?

Today, NZ Herald writer Adam Pearse joins Damien for a discussion about the mess in Auckland’s central city.

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.

Revelations this week have placed the spotlight on the Ministry of Health’s pandemic numbers. 

It turns out that the percentage of people vaccinated in New Zealand is lower than previously thought – and that some of the most glaring errors impacted vulnerable members of the community. 

So how did we get the numbers so wrong? And how damaging is this for the public's trust in the Ministry?

Today, NZ Herald senior writer David Fisher joins Damien to discuss the allegations that the Ministry of Health has been cooking the books.

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.

As a tit-for-tat gang war unfolds on New Zealand's streets, the National Party has called for New Zealand to implement Australian policing strategies that have had a big impact on gang violence across the ditch. 

This would mean drastic changes in the law as well as limiting what patched gang members can and can’t do in public.  

But can Australian policies work within New Zealand's culture? And will it do anything to correct the problems we're currently seeing on the streets of Auckland?

Today, Newstalk ZB senior reporter and news director Chelsea Daniels joins Damien for a discussion on how New Zealand can get the gang problem under control.

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.

In recent weeks, numerous construction companies and developers have folded amid the pressures plaguing the building industry.  

Bay of Plenty’s Oceanside Homes, two South Auckland developers and Wellington’s Armstrong Downes Commercial have all gone down.

Why are businesses in the booming construction industry struggling to make ends meet? And is the dominance of a few large companies bringing down smaller players?

Today, NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson joins Damien for a look inside the storm brewing in the construction industry.

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.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been welcomed with open arms during her trip to the United States, appearing on late night TV, speaking at Harvard University, and sitting down with politicians from both sides of the aisle, including President Joe Biden.  

Her rapturous reception in the US comes as Ardern’s popularity in New Zealand wanes, with recent polls putting Labour and National neck and neck, in spite of the successes that have made our PM so popular overseas. 

Is this trip going to help reverse those dipping poll numbers, or has it highlighted areas where Ardern’s international reputation falls short of her local achievements?     

Today, NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett joins Damien from Washington DC for an inside look at Jacinda Ardern’s return to the US.  

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.

The Commonwealth this weekend celebrates the 70th Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It's a milestone that's never been reached by a British monarch before, but the joyous event is being overshadowed by a number of stories currently affecting the Royal family. 

The Queen’s health is ailing, scandal continues to swirl around Prince Andrew, more commonwealth nations are becoming republics. and the ongoing saga of Harry and Meghan is still attracting headlines.  

So what does all this mean for the future of an institution that has long been at the centre of British life? 

Today, Newshub Europe correspondent Lisette Reymer joins Damien from London to discuss the Jubilee and what comes next for the House of Windsor. 

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.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has previously compared New Zealand and China’s relationship to the respect a taniwha would show a dragon. 

That respect has not prevented China continuing to try and firm up its presence in the Pacific – after success in signing a sweeping deal with the Solomon Islands, the rest of the region is now in their sights. 

Is this a policy failure for the New Zealand and Australian governments – or is China simply offering a deal too good to resist?  

Today, Newstalk ZB chief political reporter Jason Walls joins Damien from Washington DC to discuss what, if anything, New Zealand can do about the dragon at our doorstep.  

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.

The Government is taking aim at the supermarket duopoly with a range of measures designed to increase competition in the sector.  

This comes after a Commerce Commission market study showing that supermarket giants Woolworths and Foodstuffs were making hundreds of millions of dollars in excess profits. 

So will the Government’s measures help make grocery shopping more affordable, and what do the current supermarket giants have to say about this? 

Today, NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny joins Damien to dig through the details of the big supermarket changes. 

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.

We’re at the end of New Zealand Music Month. The annual celebration of local music has gone by with almost no restrictions, the first time in two years that the industry has been able to enjoy some stability.  

Yet even as we learn to live with Covid, every time concerts are planned, album launches are scheduled, or a festival date is announced – there is still uncertainty for punters and performers alike about how it’ll all play out.  
 
The path forwards appears to be restriction-free, but how quickly can New Zealand music bounce back?  

Today, NZ Herald Culture Editor Karl Puschmann joins Damien to discuss what the future holds for the local music industry.  

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 and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are being courted by the commercial muscle of a large private equity firm, Silver Lake, which wants to acquire a stake in the world’s most famous rugby team.  

The promise here is that it will bring more money into the game, allowing for development from ground up. But will this really happen, Or will the All Blacks end up as little more than a commercial entity that’s turned its back on local fans?  

Today, NZ Herald sports journalist Gregor Paul joins Damien to dig into the details of this controversial move.  

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.