The Front Page

This week the country has celebrated 30 years of its favourite soap opera, Shortland Street. The doctors and nurses of Ferndale have survived serial killers, viral outbreaks and volcanoes to make it this far – but can it survive one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of New Zealand television?  

With TVNZ preparing their merger with RNZ, and too many streaming services to keep up with, there have never been so many opportunities – and threats – to New Zealand television. 

Today, media commentator and CEO and publisher of The Spinoff Duncan Grieve joins Damien to look at a fascinating time for New Zealand TV. 

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.

A series of news stories and concerns over rising tremors at Mt Ruapehu have again shed light on the risk posed by the Alpine Fault. 

Experts are growing increasingly concerned that a devastating earthquake could be imminent, causing widespread chaos across the South Island and costing the economy billions of dollars.  

So how real is this threat, and are we prepared for its impact?

Today, Otago University Research Associate Professor Dr Caroline Orchiston joins Damien to talk about why we should be keeping a close eye on the Alpine fault in the coming years.   

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.

Inheritance law is set for a major revamp off the back of a series of recommendations by the Law Commission.  
 
This could leave relatives expecting to inherit family wealth with a bitter taste. 

To find out who will be entitled to what under the new law, Damien speaks to New Zealand Herald senior journalist Jane Phare. 

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.

Tauranga is on the hunt for a new member of Parliament. Nominations closed last week in the contest to replace the retired Simon Bridges. 

This election comes at a tense time for New Zealand’s fifth-largest city. There are growing concerns around violence and racism, while a Crown Commission has taken over all governance responsibilities from the city’s council. 

So what does all this dysfunction mean for a new member of parliament? And what will it take to fix the problems?  

Today, Bay of Plenty Times journalist Kiri Gillespie joins Damien to look at the tough road ahead for local leadership in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing cities.  

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.

Our closest neighbour has a new Prime Minister. Labor leader Anthony Albanese is set to be the 31st Prime Minister of Australia, defeating Liberal Party leader Scott Morrison and ending a decade of conservative rule. 

While questions remain over the makeup of Parliament and his government, Albanese will likely need to work alongside a mob of climate-focused MPs that have shaken up the Australian political landscape.  

Today, Australian Associated Press NZ correspondent Ben McKay joins guest host Chelsea Daniels to discuss what went down, what happens next, and what it could mean for New Zealand.  

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: Chelsea Daniels
Producer/Editor: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson unveiled his fifth budget – the country’s biggest ever with a six billion dollar price tag.  

And While Budget Day lets the party in power set out their agenda for the next year – and gives the Opposition a chance to cry foul about how they’re getting it wrong – beneath all the pantomime and catchphrases is a detailed examination of the biggest issues in the country right now. 

So where is all that money going, how will it affect everyday Kiwis, and what does this say about Labour’s future plans?

Today, New Zealand Herald Business editor-at-large Liam Dann joined Damian for all the expert analysis you’ll need.  

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could you imagine the risk of Covid-19 regional lockdowns and work from home orders still coming into effect in 2027? 

That’s one scenario envisioned by the International Science Council in their major new report examining how endemic the pandemic could become.  

And while not all the options are as pessimistic – the report does have worrying warnings. 

Today, New Zealand Herald Science Reporter Jamie Morton joins guest host Chelsea Daniels to discuss how the coronavirus could shape the rest of the decade.

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: Chelsea Daniels
Producer/Editor: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has this week unveiled its Emissions Reduction Plan. Billions of dollars have been earmarked as part of an effort to reduce global warming and avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change. 

Who are the winners and losers from this plan, and is Aotearoa on track for the future that this plan lays out? 

Today, NZ Herald Senior Political Reporter and On The Tiles podcast host Thomas Coughlan joins guest host Chelsea Daniels to look closer at this plan for our future. 

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: Chelsea Daniels
Producer/Editor: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A NZ journalist believes the Ukrainian people will never accept a settlement that sees territory handed over to Russia, as a result of the atrocities the invading forces have inflicted on the people.

Tom Mutch has been in Ukraine since before Russia invaded at the end of February, and is currently reporting out of Kramatorsk, in the Donetsk Oblast near where much of the fighting is happening on the Ukraine-Russia border.

Tom spoke to guest host Chelsea Daniels about this ongoing conflict.

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: Chelsea Daniels
Producer/Editors: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Government prepares to unveil the 2022 budget, several stories in recent weeks have drawn attention to several controversial spending decisions - from $21 million on consultants and contractors as part of its Three Waters plan, to $10,000 on two large propss as part of its Road to Zero campaign.

So is this spending justified, or is it emblematic of a Government that’s a bit too loose with the purse strings?

Today, Newstalk ZB political reporter Aaron Dahmen joins Damien to make sense of the Government’s spending habits.

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 / Producer: Damien Venuto

Producer / Editor: Shaun D Wilson

Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.