The Front Page

It feels like we're constantly being told that our kids are really bad at math. 

In 2023, we were informed kids recorded their worst ever results in something called the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) exams. 

It was called "disastrous", "disappointing" -- but, we'd heard it all before. 

In 2020 the 13-year-olds recorded their worst-ever results in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or TIMSS ... in 2023, almost 60% of Year 8s were failing maths according to something called the National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement, or NMSSA. 

In 2024, data from the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (CIPS) showed just 22% of Year 8s were at the expected curriculum benchmark for maths. 

PISA, TIMSS, NMSSA, CIPS. What are all of these? Are Kiwi kids really that bad at maths? Or, is this just a case of cherry-picking from random data sets to suit a certain narrative?  

Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland maths expert Dr Lisa Darragh is with us to try and make sense of all the numbers.

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New Zealand investment in women-only founding teams has more than tripled in a year, but a huge gender gap remains. 

Gender Investment Gap University of Auckland Business School data shows these teams are still receiving less than six cents in every investment dollar, while male teams get 70 cents. 

And while there's been more investment in women-led businesses, it starts falling away at later funding stages. 

So, why does it all matter?  

Today on The Front Page, founder of tech startup Dispute Buddy, Jenny Rudd is with us to discuss.

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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.

About 10,000 public servants are set to strike following prolonged pay negotiations. 

While the Public Services Association says members are walking off the job for fair pay and better service delivery, the move has been accused of being politically motivated. 

Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith's pointed out pamphlets that read "change the government"... and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said they should all be at work. 

But, the PSA says the workforce is at breaking point, pay is falling further behind the cost of living, and job cuts are now hitting the services New Zealanders rely on. 

Today on The Front Page, PSA organiser Duane Leo is with us to explain what members are demanding and why they believe strike action is necessary.

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.

We’re seven weeks out from the general election, and nearly 190 thousand young people are missing from the roll. Only around 57% of 18-24 year olds have enrolled to vote, the lowest representation of any age group – and by a huge margin.

Today on The Front Page we’re talking to Adriana Bird from On a Roll, a nonpartisan campaign which aims to help young people to enrol and vote. We're asking why young people are so disengaged with democracy and what it will take to get them to the polls on November 7.

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New Zealanders spend billions of dollars every year on transport, through fuel taxes, road-user charges, rates and tolls. 

But the Act Party says we're not getting enough for what we're spending. 

New Zealand has spent an average of 5.8% of GDP on infrastructure each year over the past couple of decades, towards the highest of the OECD. Yet we rank towards the bottom for getting bang for our buck. 

Today on The Front Page, Act's infrastructure spokesperson Simon Court is with us to walk through his party's plans to make every transport dollar deliver.

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.

For Aucklanders, sitting in traffic can feel like an unavoidable part of life.  

But, what if you had to pay to do it? 

Auckland Council is considering congestion charging, with three options on the table that could see drivers charged between $2 and $7. 

Supporters say it could get traffic moving and raise money for improvements – but critics are asking whether we have enough alternatives to make it work. 

Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland senior lecturer in urban planning Dr Timothy Welch joins us to explain how it could work and what we can learn from cities overseas.

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 diplomatic chess board is getting complicated in the Pacific. 

At least five Pacific leaders have pulled out of the annual Pacific Island Forum in Palau this week.  

Meanwhile, China's Pacific envoy says there will be consequences for Taiwan being allowed to send representatives to the forum. 

It's while the US and New Zealand team up to co-fund a Cook Islands port upgrade – a potential blow for China, who has a controversial "strategic partnership" with the island nation. 

Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Alexander Gillespie is with us to break down why leaders are skipping the forum and how China's leverage in the Pacific is changing.

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 Zealand’s debt burden has nearly doubled in 10 years. 

But, there are signs the country’s borrowing habits are becoming more sustainable. 

New Zealand businesses have boosted their borrowings by more than $6 billion in the last year to $143b, which is a potential sign of rising confidence in the economy. 

So, is debt really as bad as we think – or are the numbers telling a more nuanced story about households, businesses, and the government? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor-at-large Liam Dann is with us to examine the numbers behind the nation’s march towards $1 trillion in debt.

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.

National is promising to crack down on people abroad who are failing to pay back their student loans. 

If re-elected, the party would ease compulsory student loan repayments from 12 percent to 10 percent - and charge those living overseas an extra one percent in annual interest. 

Arrest warrants could be sought for serious, ongoing defaults. 

Leader Christopher Luxon has said 93% of overdue payments are overseas, and about 21% of overseas borrowers haven't paid back for 15 years and have no payment plan. 

But, is this holding the country's young people to ransom? Is it their fault that there are more, higher-paid opportunities overseas?  

Today on The Front Page, Victoria University Student Association president Aidan Donoghue is with us.

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.

Searches continue through the devastation in Nepal after a catastrophic flash flood. 

More than 389 people have been killed and there are reportedly 1300 people missing, including at least 700 foreigners from two dozen countries. 

Our officials understand at least five New Zealanders are believed to have been impacted. 

Rescuers are battling severe conditions as they race to find survivors.  

Today on The Front Page, World Vision international external engagement and strategy director Uma Mager joins us from Nepal to give an update about what it's like on the ground, and more importantly what we can all do to help.

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.