The Front Page

As many as one in five Kiwi youth, aged between 15 and 24, have experienced anxiety or depression at some point in their lives.

The 2022/23 New Zealand Health Survey found that of those young people experiencing high mental health needs, 77% can’t access support when they need it.

So, with services experiencing this kind of unprecedented demand, what if there was another solution?

What if, teens turned to AI for mental health support?

It’s a growing trend among youth in the US, 72% of teens there admit they’ve used AI chatbots as companions. Nearly one in eight said they had sought emotional or mental health support from them.

But, is the advice their AI therapists are giving helpful, or harmful?

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has acknowledged that the risks “need to be managed, particularly around safety from a clinical perspective.”

Today on The Front Page, RAND senior policy researcher Ryan McBain takes us through the worrying trend sweeping America.

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

SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION
Where to get help:

• Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
• What’s Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)
• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Aoake te Rā – Free, brief therapeutic support service for those bereaved by suicide. Call 0800 000 053.
• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is known for unapologetically fighting for the rights of Māori.

The co-leader of Te Pati Māori never shies away from speaking her mind -- especially when it comes to social and climate justice.

Since becoming co-leader in 2020, and MP for Te Tai Hauauru at the last election, she’s been suspended from Parliament and criticised the coalition’s “intent to dismantle indigenous rights”.

At the last election, the party won six electorate seats – its best result yet.

So, Today on The Front Page, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is with us to take us through how the party’s gearing up for Election 2026 and how they’ll appeal to the masses – or, if they even want to?

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.

20 years on, and the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina is still being felt.

The category three hurricane made landfall on August 29, 2005 devastating parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama – with New Orleans suffering catastrophic flooding due to levee failures.

About 80% of the city was inundated with water, and while a mandatory evacuation order was made just one day before landfall, many people – up to 150,000 – did not or simply could not leave.

The official death toll is believed to be nearly 1,400.

University of Albany professor of political science, Eric Stern, is with us to examine some of the painful lessons learned from Katrina.

Then, later we speak to Dr Lauren Vinnell, Massey University Senior Lecturer of Emergency Management, about how New Zealand’s systems have evolved over the years.

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.

US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his ‘close relationship’ with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

In a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, he said he hopes to meet with Kim later this year, saying “I look forward to seeing him... we got along great.”

Meanwhile, in an unusual move, Kim has recently released a highly emotive video of a ceremony for fallen soldiers in Pyongyang who died fighting for Russia.

So, what is Kim’s game plan here? And should New Zealand proceed if talks turn sour?

Today on The Front Page, International Relations professor Robert Patman is with us to unpack the latest.

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.

A group of concussion researchers have likened Run It Straight events to “dwarf tossing”, where organisers turn “real human risk and harm into a spectacle”.

There are growing calls to ban these events – where two people tun head-to-head at each other before making body-jarring contact.

These ‘sporting spectacles’ have gained popularity in recent times – with competitors promised thousands of dollars for winning.

The social media driven craze made international headlines earlier this year when 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite died after suffering head injuries in an impromptu contest with friends.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald reporter Neil Reid is with us to take us through the latest on the world’s newest full-contact competition. 

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’s been a leadership shakeup at the Royal NZ Police college, after a recruit debacle.

It’s while a newly released survey of training officers has found two thirds were concerned about probationary cops’ understanding of police responsibilities when holding suspects in custody.

It also found 55% feel new cops were ‘barely or not at all’ well equipped with knowledge of arrest and charge procedures.

All of this while the government is slowly backing away from its hardline promise of 500 new cops on the beat by November.

NZ Herald senior investigative reporter, Michael Morrah has been looking into the police recruitment process, 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 illegal tobacco trade has become a very lucrative business worldwide.

In Australia for example, illegal, excise-evading cigarettes now comprise of half of the products sold to the country’s 2.7 million smokers, according to the ABC. It’s thought the $10 billion a year in revenue there is going straight into the pockets of organised crime.

But, has this trend made it to New Zealand shores? And how much of a headache is it causing those protecting our borders?

Today on The Front Page, head of Fraud and Prohibition, Chief Customs Officer Nigel Barnes, is with us to discuss how they’re cracking down on illegal tobacco.

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.

New Zealanders collectively owe more than $16 billion in student loan debt, a huge chunk of that is held my Kiwis abroad.

Three-quarters of borrowers are behind in their repayments or simply not paying at all.

Inland Revenue has been cracking down – even threatening arrests at the border.

But along with the Government’s frustration comes distress from ex-students with not out-of-control debt.

So, what can you do if your student loan continues to haunt you well after uni life?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald reporter Raphael Franks has been delving into the numbers, and the stories of those who can’t - or aren’t - repaying their loans.

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 race is on for the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election – sparked by the death of Te Pati Maori MP, Takutai Tarsh Kemp.

The Māori electorate covers central and southern Auckland areas, from the Waitakere Ranges to Bucklands Beach and Waiheke Island.

Voting begins today for overseas voters, advance voting opens on August 25, and election day is set for September 6.

Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington associate professor Lara Greaves is with us to give us a rundown of what you need to know about this sought-after seat.

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.