The Front Page

From entering Parliament in 2008 – to leading the country in 2023 – Chris Hipkins is no stranger to the spotlight.

During Covid’s beginnings, he was known as a safe set of hands, tackling Education, Health, and becoming the Minister in charge of the Covid Response for a time.

Now, he’s firmly setting his sights on election 2026 – but, is he confident he’ll still be in Labour’s driving seat when it rolls around?

Today on The Front Page, Hipkins joins us to discuss the cost of living, vibes in parliament, and whether he’ll ever be able to shake Covid.

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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: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A self-described “Prince of the Provinces” - there are few politicians like Shane Jones.

He’s Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Regional Development, and Resources -- and has been in the spotlight recently for spearheading a restart and expansion of oil and gas in New Zealand.

Over the years he’s face criticism for his close relationships with industry leaders OVER the environment. Comments like “Goodbye Freddy” when talking about if an endangered frog stood in the way of mining construction probably doesn’t help.

Today on The Front Page, Shane Jones is with us to take us through his latest push for oil and gas, changes to oceans and fisheries, and whether New Zealand’s power crisis is fixable.

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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: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should the ultra-wealthy pay more tax?

It’s a debate that’s continued for decades, even centuries. From Ancient Athens to present day, the idea has been a constant when it comes to addressing inequality.

Yet, no government has been brave enough to impose one.

It’s a staple of the Green Party’s proposed Budget, which promises bold moves to make sure everyone has a warm home, decent kai, and the care and support for a good life.

But who pays? And is leaning even more left than centre doing wonders for the party’s polling?

Today on The Front Page, Green Party co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick is with us to discuss whether it’s time for the wealthy few to fund.

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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: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early hours of Monday morning, a man police were hunting for nearly four years was shot and killed in a stand-off on a rural Waikato road.

That man was Tom Phillips, who in December 2021 vanished into the Marokopa bush with his three children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember.

There have been numerous sightings over the years of the fugitive father - the last was in August when he and another person believed to be one of his children, were seen on CCTV breaking into a Piopio superette.

The Front Page travelled to the King Country and spoke to Waitomo District Mayor John Robertson about how the community has fared and what we can learn from the ordeal.

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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: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was February 19, 2013.

Maree Schafer was excited to start a hairdressing course at the Eastern Institute of Technology the next day.

That night, three cars - a silver Holden Commodore, a blue Ford Falcon, and a grey Nissan Skyline were street racing near Napier.

The Commodore continued through an intersection, going well over 180km/hour, when the driver lost control, slid sideways across the road, and crashed into a tree.

There were three occupants in that car. One was 18-year-old Maree. She died at the scene.

Twelve years later, and boy racer events are still happening.

People are injured, cars totalled, police intimidated, and, people die.

Just last month, riot police clashed with what the Police Minister’s called “cowardly, try-hard idiots” in Levin and Palmerston North – and police are preparing for more gatherings.

Today on The Front Page, Coreen Schafer, Maree’s mother, tells us what she’d say to one of these kids, and what life is like after losing her daughter to street racing.

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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: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French exchange student, Eloi Rolland, was last seen five years ago, today.

The then-18-year-old's disappearance has baffled authorities ever since... Was it a murder, kidnapping, an accident, did he get lost in the bush, commit suicide or plan an escape. Is he still alive, does he want to be found?

He searches Google Maps for directions to Piha about 5am the morning he vanished. He catches a train. He walks for nearly two hours. He turned on to Piha Road at 9.16am. At 9.48 the battery on his phone goes dead.

And then... nothing. Nothing for five years.

Today on The Front Page, Herald senior journalist Anna Leask joins us as we take a look back at Eloi’s disappearance.  

We’ll also hear some from Eloi’s parents, Thierry and Catherine, and Bruno Dupuis of Acapella Productions, who directed a documentary series in France about Eloi’s story.

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: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders will finally get to experience the labyrinth that is an IKEA store from December 4.

The new Sylvia Park site in Auckland is one of the company’s largest in the Southern Hemisphere – about the size of three rugby fields.

There’ll be thousands of products available online and in store, and yes, they will be serving up their famous Swedish meatballs in a 426-seat cafeteria.

So, why do we get so excited about international brands setting up on our shores? And, is there enough appetite for IKEA to succeed where others haven’t?

Today on The Front Page, Quantum Jump CEO and marketing expert Ben Goodale is with us to explain the hype around one of the world’s leading retailers coming to our shores.

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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: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mistlestoe's hung, the bells are a'ringing 

And all through the malls Mariah Carey is singing 

It's the same old story, told year after year 

Of Santa and reindeer and widespread good cheer 

But look a bit closer, and you might see a crack 

In the stronghold St Nick has had since way back 

Where once stood a hero, red coat and beard white 

A sack on his sleigh promising Christmas delight 

Now stands a figure, towering six foot two tall 

With a coat of green fur, heart two sizes too small 

The Grinch who stole Christmas is making a play 

For the title of hero come this Yuletide day 

For poor old Saint Nick, this might not end well 

And to give us the lowdown is Dr Lorna Piatti-Farnell.

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: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marsden Point operated as New Zealand’s only oil refinery for nearly 60 years.

At its peak in the 80s, it employed around 1700 people – when it was closed in 2022, nearly 240 lost their jobs.

Run by Channel Infrastructure, the site now operates as NZ’s largest fuels import terminal storing and distributing 40% of the country’s fuel.

In recent weeks, a slew of Ministers have visited the site, with NZ First in particular floating the idea of introducing our first Special Economic Zone to help pump investment into the site, and life into the Northland economy.

Massey University Professor Emeritus Sustainable Energy and Climate Mitigation, Ralph Sims, joins us to discuss the site’s potential.

Later, Channel Infrastructure CEO Rob Buchanan takes us through the future of Marsden Point.

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: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is New Zealand’s largest city dying?

Auckland is home to roughly a third of the entire country’s population and is predicted to grow even bigger in the coming years.

The City of Sails is, by far, the largest contributor to New Zealand’s economic output, generating about 40% of GDP.

But, walk down many of the inner-city streets, and you’ll see vacant lots – with a lot of potential.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald property editor, Anne Gibson is with us to discuss what can be done to get developers moving on empty spaces – some, that have been desolate for decades.

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: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.