The Front Page

The coalition Government has unveiled its second Budget.

Over 20 billion dollars in savings has been found over the next four years, more than half from controversial changes to our pay equity scheme.

There are changes to KiwiSaver contributions, means testing for support for parents, and a major new tax incentive for businesses.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis said that it is a “responsible budget”, while Labour has called it an ‘austerity budget’ that leaves women out and is stealing from our kids.

To break down what this all means for you, today on The Front Page, we’re joined by NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann.

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.

You might look on Facebook marketplace for a new couch, a lamp, a rug.

But, what about class A drugs? Or how about a ghost gun?

A Herald investigation has revealed at least 56 listings were circulating on the site offering magic mushrooms, cannabis, and in one case LSD across the North Island and top of the south.

And that could just be the tip of the iceberg of illicit sales on social media.

So how do we get on top of this?

NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah has been looking into this, and joins us today on The Front Page.

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.

It’s been revealed that Police ignored sex allegations against a former top cop, and instead prosecuted a woman for ‘revenge emails’.

The woman had emailed police, politicians, and newsrooms accusing former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming of being a sexual predator.

The police watchdog has released a scathing 135-page report into how the allegations were treated, and how the “ambitions of a senior police officer were put above the interests of a vulnerable woman”.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said she was “ignored and badly let down”.

He has said it makes for “appalling reading” and the conduct of the former top brass is “inexcusable”.

He was briefed about the situation just two days before he stepped into the top role.  

During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered McSkimming had used his work devices to search for pornography, including bestiality and child sex exploitation material, for at least five years.

The 52-year-old resigned in disgrace and was later charged with possession of objectionable material. He’s pleaded guilty last week and will be sentenced next month.

This whole ordeal has been indisputably damaging to one of the most important institutions in our country.

Later we’ll speak to HELP Auckland’s executive director Kathryn McPhillips about how to support anyone who has experienced sexual abuse.

But first, someone who knows all too well what it’s like to step up to those in power is Louise Nicholas.

She alleged police officers raped her as a teen in the 80s, this resulted in criminal trials, a Commission of Inquiry, and an officer being jailed for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

She is a campaigner for victims of sexual assault, and joins us now on The Front Page.

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.

The Corrections Association says New Zealand’s prisons are in ‘crisis’.

Last year saw record-breaking numbers of assaults on staff, almost double what they were just seven years ago.

There were also more than 15-hundred prisoner-on-prisoner attacks - the highest annual figure on record.

All of this comes with overcrowding, tight budgets, and a growing gang and meth problem.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior reporter, Derek Cheng, is with us to dive into the numbers.

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.

There are more than 9,000 gang members in New Zealand, and thousands more associates.

The coalition government from the get-go promised a crackdown on gangs – they've banned gang insignia in public, handed police greater powers, and created laws to disrupt get-togethers. But, is that all enough?

Jared Savage has been a journalist at the NZ Herald for about 20 years, with a focus on organised crime.

His latest book, Underworld, is the third in a series of he’s released since 2020 – and the latest instalment delves deeper into our country’s dark underbelly of gangs, guns, drugs, and money – lots and lots of money.

Today on The Front Page, Savage joins us to discuss the rising threat of organised crime in New Zealand.

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.

A dark day in Australia, as two gunmen opened fire at a Bondi Beach Jewish event marking the first day of Hannukah.

Sixteen people are dead, including one of the assailants.

Police have confirmed there were two offenders and they aren’t looking for anyone else.

One of them, a 50-year-old man, is dead, and a second, a 24-year-old man, is in critical but stable condition. They were a father and son.

There were dozens of people in NSW hospitals overnight, from the ages of 10 to 87.

New South Wales premier Chris Minns has said “Antisemitism is toxic it is cancerous, and leads to devastating implications”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “We as a nation are stronger than the cowards who did this”.

Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor, Al Gillespie is with us to discuss this tragic attack and what it might mean for New Zealand.

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.

From geopolitical friction and climate chaos to a cost-of-living crisis and a haka heard around the world, 2025 has been a huge year for news.

Trump’s return sparked trade wars, artificial intelligence is getting, well, more intelligent, and we’re rounding out the year with no end in sight for wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

At home, Treaty principles were again put under the microscope, a huge blow for the New Zealand Police, and an end to a devastating saga in Marokopa.

All of that mixed with a TikTok blackout, an American genes ad, TV shows that sparked worldwide conversation about the manosphere, and a little monster named Labubu.

Today on The Front Page, our producers Richard Martin and Jane Yee are here to wrap up the year that was.

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.

Tis the season to celebrate the end of the year with your workmates on the company dime.

But, are the days of huge bashes and unlimited bar tabs long gone?

They’ve always been high risk and loaded with legal landmines... with employees toeing the line between loose networking and plain unprofessional.

So, should companies ditch the drama for direct deposits? Or is there still a little magic to the traditional Christmas work do?

Today on The Front Page, AUT Professor of Management Candice Harris is with us to take a look back at work parties past, present, and yet to come.

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.

Kiwis are flying the coop, most of them heading for better opportunities across the Tasman.

Latest Stats NZ figures show just over 124,000 migrant departures in the year to October, up nearly 7% - 71,000 of them New Zealanders.

What is pushing our best and brightest out the door? And is the grass really greener on the other side?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to dissect what draws Kiwis abroad, and what it all means for the ones sticking around.

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.

Australia’s social media ban comes into effect this week, when all under 16s there will be restricted from major platforms.

We’re talking TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Kick, Twitch, Threads and X.

The EU passed a similar resolution this month, and the UK has introduced age restrictions on certain content.

But, can you really outlaw part of the world wide web for a generation that has grown up online?

And, more importantly, should we?

Today on The Front Page, University of Canterbury senior law professor, Dr Cassandra Mudgway is with us to take us through what this means, and whether New Zealand should follow suit.

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.