‘Chaos’, ‘overstretched’, ‘a bloodbath’ -- these are just a few descriptions of New Zealand’s health sector in recent days.

It’s as the sector faces its third resignation of its top brass... Director-General of Health Diana Sarfati will finish up Friday – ending her term two years earlier than expected.

Her resignation came soon after Health New Zealand chief executive Margie Apa -- followed by Public Health Director, Nicholas Jones, who quit just days after.

We are constantly being told the health system is in crisis, “on the brink of failure” – spending beyond its budget, waiting times getting longer, suffering from widespread staff shortages.

But, the decades-old question is, how do we fix it?

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago professor of public health, Peter Crampton joins us to give a rundown on our health system.  

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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.

Homelessness is one of the most visible signs of poverty in this country.

Walk through the CBD of any of our major cities, and you are likely to come across someone living rough.

But often what we may see on our streets is the tip of the iceberg for a much larger issue.

This week, HomeGround in Auckland, one of the initiatives trying to tackle this crisis, turns three –but that’s just one location in one city trying to get on top of a national problem.

Today on The Front Page, we talk with University of Otago research professor, and co-leader of He Kainga Oranga – Housing and Health Research Programme, Nevil Pierse, about how we could solve this crisis. And later, we speak to NZ Herald senior writer, Simon Wilson, about HomeGround and if it's working.

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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.

A Bill which would give New Zealanders just one avenue to bet on racing and sports online is under the microscope.

The amendments to the Racing Industry Act would make TAB New Zealand the sole legal domestic operator of online racing and sports betting.

The TAB estimates Kiwis lose $185 million a year to offshore operators, with the changes expected to retain this money.

It’s all while the TAB’s operator, Entain, faces allegations of not doing enough to combat money laundering and corruption in Australia.

And there are concerns from those in the industry that the monopoly would push Kiwis onto the black market.

Today on The Front Page, Business Desk’s Gregor Thompson has been following the progression of the bill, and joins us.

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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.

It is Pride Month in New Zealand, with the LGBTQ plus community making the most of the summer sun to celebrate.

But, at the same time it’s a celebration that feels increasingly under threat.

The return of the Trump administration has seen a rise in laws attacking the trans community and limiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.

It’s even seen one US state look at trying to overturn gay marriage.

And while the US may be thousands of k's away, our connected world means attitudes there can be easily imported here... We already saw that last year with rainbow crossing vandalisms and the ongoing backlash against drag queen story times.

Today on The Front Page, chair of the Auckland Pride board, Bhen Goodsir, is with us to discuss how Pride celebrations are going in an uncertain landscape.

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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.

The latest Taxpayers Union-Curia poll and 1News Verian poll show the coalition Government is losing ground.

Both show the left bloc of Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori would have enough support to form the next government.

It’s all while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s first post-cab of the year was marred by questions about Act’s David Seymour – the man set to become Deputy PM in May.

Opposition leader, Chris Hipkins, has gone as far to call for Seymour to be removed as a Minister – over what he’s calling a “pattern of behaviour”.

So, is this the start of a fracture that can’t be healed? And does the public have good cause to be concerned about where we’re headed?

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political editor, Jason Walls, is with us to discuss the state of politics.

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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.

Tensions have emerged in recent weeks between New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has been accused of ‘not properly consulting’ New Zealand on the country’s upcoming China deal – which is expected to be penned in Beijing this week.

Meanwhile, NZ aid to Kiribati is under review – and Samoa has sought help from China in the aftermath of the Manawanui sinking last year.

This all comes as the Trump administration has frozen aid to developing nations -- which some experts fear could push them closer towards China.

Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland retired international relations professor Stephen Hoadley is with us to discuss China’s interest in the Pacific, the impact of that frozen aid, and what it means for New Zealand’s relationship with some of our closest neighbours.

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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 past, overseas investment in New Zealand has been seen as a privilege – rather than a right.

But – could that all be about to change with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s latest push for economic growth?

He kicked off 2025 by announcing the establishment of a foreign investment agency – similar to those seen in Ireland and Singapore.

The Government’s holding a ‘global investment summit’ next month – with sovereign wealth and major asset management fund managers expected to attend.

So, how does foreign investment work now? And can we emulate the success of another country, like Ireland, where foreign investment accounts for much of their GDP and private sector employment?

Today on The Front Page, Glenn Shewan, will take us through what foreign investment looks like in New Zealand now – and what could change.

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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.

For better or worse, house prices have been a cornerstone of our economy for decades.

But a rise in prices now put home ownership out of reach for many Kiwis.

Things could be changing though.

Wellington City’s new rateable valuations show that, on average, house values have plummeted 24.4% since 2021.

It comes as the city -- which once made headlines for its hotly contested rental market -- now sees landlords fighting to fill their homes.

So, is this a nationwide phenomenon, and is the dream of owning your own home becoming more of a reality?

Today on The Front Page, co-host of Opes Partners’ The Property Academy Podcast, Ed McKnight, is with us to run through the latest in property.

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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.

National has kicked off 2025 by diving headfirst into plans for economic growth – and it wasn’t long until Act threw in their two cents.

Party leader David Seymour made privatisation a key focus of his State of the Nation speech.

And while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he doesn’t want to sell anything off this term – he's suggested it could be campaigned on in next year’s election.

It’s a road that New Zealand has gone down before, with the likes of Bolger, Shipley, and Key selling everything from banks to energy companies in the 80s and 90s, and only a few state-owned enterprises remain.

So, what could be on the chopping block – and would anyone actually want to buy it?

Today on The Front Page, we put those questions to Greg Smith, Head of Retail at Devon Funds Management.

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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.

The Government wants to see tourism numbers increase as part of its economic growth push.

As part of that push, the existing visitor visa scheme will be tweaked to include welcoming ‘digital nomads’.

That will allow tourists from visa waiver countries up to nine months to travel around New Zealand while still working for their overseas employer.

The scheme has already been greeted with expressions of interest from overseas, but the introduction of digital nomad visas in some countries has contributed to a local backlash against tourism.

Today on The Front Page, Strategic Director of the Hotel Council Aotearoa, James Doolan, joins us to discuss the state of tourism in this country, and Spanish journalist Marta Bausells discusses the issues faced in Barcelona as a result of the scheme.

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.