The Front Page

This week, lobby organisation Grounded Kiwis won their case against the Government and the MIQ lottery system. This came as vindication for many New Zealanders who were trapped abroad during the height of the Delta outbreak.  

What does this decision mean for MIQ as a whole, and is there a chance of compensation for those affected?

Today, Open Justice journalist Hazel Osbourne joins Damien to discuss the what went down in the courtroom this week, before the University of Auckland constitutional law expert Dr Jane Norton explains the ramifications - and why this could be good news for the Government. 

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.

There have been multiple, high-profile ram raids in New Zealand in the past two weeks. The perpetrators are becoming increasingly brazen, targeting major malls and department stores.

What’s worse is that many of those committing these crimes tend to be mere teenagers. So why has this problem become so widespread? And how much worse could it become?

Today, New Zealand Herald senior writer Jane Phare joins Damien to discuss what she has learnt about what's causing this crimewave. 

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.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this month left New Zealand for the first time in two years, for a business-focused trip to Singapore and Japan.

This trip was meant to be an announcement to the world that Aotearoa is open and ready for business. But between the high-level talks and the dancing kiwifruit, what did the Prime Minister actually achieve?  
 
Today, Newstalk ZB chief political reporter Jason Walls joins Damien to discuss what it was like on the Prime Minister’s trip to Singapore and Japan.  

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.

In his quarterly forecast released last week, Westpac economist Satish Ranchhod said the quarterly inflation figure was set to be "another monster".

The figure of 6.9 per cent that was eventually reported on Thursday is the highest the country has seen in 30 years.

Today, the NZ Herald's business editor-at-large and Money Talks host Liam Dann joins Damien to discuss how this has become one of the biggest political talking points of the year, memories of the last time New Zealand faced inflation like this, and how we can recover from it. 

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.

What makes a person happy? Is it wealth, success, fame, great Instagram pics? Or is it something simpler that even ordinary people could strive for? And is it even important int he grand scheme of things?  

In-between hosting his show on Radio Hauraki, the New Zealand Herald’s inaugural Happiness editor Matt Heath has been on a personal quest to answer these questions. 
 
Today, he joins Damien to discuss what he’s learnt and what this says about what motivates New Zealand society.      

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.

Megachurches are big business in New Zealand, with these organisations raking in millions of dollars every year. Few have been as successful as the Arise Church, which now ranks as one of the biggest in the country.

But this house of worship is starting to face a rebellion from within, as members of the congregation come forward with allegations of what really goes on behind the scenes.     

Today, independent journalist David Farrier joins Damien to discuss the scandal rocking one of New Zealand’s biggest megachurches.   

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.

This week, a worker died in a fall at the Ports of Auckland - the latest in a string of casualties since 2017. This comes after a review last year revealed major systemic problems in the health and safety processes at the port.

How does this keep happening? And how much pressure is on the new chief executive to ensure it doesn’t continue?  
 
Today, NZ Herald senior writer Tom Dillane joins Damien to discuss what it will take for workers to feel safe at New Zealand’s biggest port. 

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.

In January 2019, three-year-old Lachie Jones disappeared on a summer evening. Several hours later, he was found floating face-up in an oxidation pond south of his home in Gore. Police ruled it was an accidental drowning, but the boy’s father has long disagreed - and now has a legal team on his side. 

So what really happened to Lachie Jones, and is there any chance his father's fight will lead to a new investigation?
 
Today, NZ Herald reporter Kurt Bayer joins Damien to discuss what could have happened to Lachie Jones. 

Read more about Lachie's case here.

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.

Netsafe, the government-funded agency meant to protect New Zealanders from online harm is facing bullying allegations, a $100,000 fine for privacy breaches and departing CEO. So how is it that Netsafe became such a mess? And how do we go about fixing a system that’s meant to keep Kiwis safe?   

Today, NZ Herald technology editor Chris Keall joins Damien to discuss what’s going on with Netsafe and what will come next.

Read more on the saga here 

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.

Easter is upon New Zealand again - one of two religious events that are recognised as national public holidays. That’s despite census data showing a growing number of New Zealanders do not identify with any organised religion.  

So should the whole country still be celebrating holidays associated with one religious group?  

Today, Reverend Frank Ritchie, host of Newstalk ZB’s Sunday at Six and the lead chaplain at Media Chaplaincy, joins Damien to discuss religion's place in 2022 and if the whole country should still celebrate Easter.

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.