The Front Page

Remember remember the fifth of November... 

It’s Guy Fawkes, which means a sleepless night for some of our furry friends.  

For more than 400 years the English Catholic’s failure to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London has been celebrated – but at what cost?  

Every year we are warned by the likes of the SPCA that what is an exciting night for us, is a terrifying night for animals. 

Not to mention Fire and Emergency NZ is continuously urging people to think about the risk of fireworks before buying them.  

Each time it rolls around the question is asked – should fireworks be banned?  

And, why on earth does New Zealand even celebrate it in the first place?  

Today on The Front Page, Animates CEO Neil Cowie is with us to explain why tonight is such a scary experience for animals big and small... 

First, we speak to AA Insurance underwriting manager Nancye Maloni on the continued calls to roll back on the fireworks.  

 

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 Engineers: Dan Goodwin, Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If there’s one topic Kiwis never get tired of talking about, it’s houses.

It’s the biggest purchase most people will ever make in their lives, so if you’re looking to buy, it pays to do your research. 

Fortunately, OneRoof has today released its official ranking of the 100 hottest suburbs across the nation.

Alongside data partner Valocity, the experts have combed through every neighbourhood in the country, and rated them on factors like affordability, amenities, and growth potential.

Today on the Front Page, we’re joined by OneRoof editor Owen Vaughn to talk about their process, and some of the surprising discoveries they made along the way. 

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 Engineers: Paddy Fox, Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a murder trial that gripped New Zealand, and the world.

Pauline Hanna was found dead in a Remuera home she shared with her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, on April 5, 2021.

What followed was a months-long investigation, Polkinghorne charged with murder, a mammoth trial and eventually, an acquittal.

A jury came back with the not guilty verdict in September – a moment that would not be mark the end of this saga.

That’s because on day one of the trial, former Auckland eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne pleaded guilty to meth charges.

Today, he was sentenced to 150 hours community service – for possession of meth and a pipe.

You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineers Paddy Fox and Richard Martin.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s hunt to poach overseas doctors gets another tool in the toolbox today.

From now, medical graduates from the UK, Ireland and Australia will be able to have their applications for registration assessed within 20 working days.

It’ll speed up a process that would usually take six months – and the government hopes it’ll fill critical gaps in our health workforce. 

But, unions on the ground doubt the impact of this fast-track pathway – saying it’s welcome, but not sure that it's going to make a difference.

Today on The Front Page, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton is with us to discuss.

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 Engineers: Paddy Fox, Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland’s Mayor Wayne Brown has never shied away from telling us exactly what he thinks.

He’s waged war on council-controlled organisations, like EkePanuku and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, with proposals to abolish them altogether and bring their activities in-house.

He’s never thought twice in criticising who he calls the “weasels in Wellington” (or, central Government), and he’s also never shied away from voicing his concerns around Auckland Transport, which is currently dealing with a wave of violent attacks on drivers, and passengers.

Today on The Front Page, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown joins us to discuss these issues – ahead of his trip to China, where he hopes to put the City of Sails on the to-do list for investors.

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 Engineers: Paddy Fox, Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India has suffered its first series defeat at home since 2012 – at the hands of none other than New Zealand.

The 2-0 defeat came when India was bowled out for 245 by the Black Caps in their chase of 359 on the third day of the second test.

So, what does this mean for cricket in New Zealand?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald online sports editor, Alex Powell joins us to discuss this historic win – and why it matters.

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 Engineers: Paddy Fox, Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sending your DNA in to a website to find out your background has become a trendy thing to do. 

But, is there a hidden cost to this?  

DNA testing company 23andMe is in financial crisis, raising questions about what will happen to the data it holds on 15 million customers worldwide. 

New Zealanders are concerned their genetic information could be on-sold and used for other purposes, including insurance or law enforcement. 

Today on The Front Page, privacy lawyer Rick Shera joins us to explain the concerns here.  

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: Dan Goodwin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2011, NZ Herald journalist David Fisher became aware that a woman had been caught catfishing dozens of teenage boys and young men across New Zealand.

Catfishing is a term used for people who use stolen photos to pretend to be someone else online, usually to form relationships with real people across social media.

Fisher would go on to expose the woman behind the false online accounts as Natalia Burgess. She referred to herself as ‘The Puppeteer’.

Fisher interviewed Burgess on several occasions before she went to jail for charges related to her online activity. He thought she would have learnt her lesson, but two years ago he received an email from a woman who had had her photos stolen by Burgess, and it was ruining her life.

Fisher explored Burgess’ actions in the true crime podcast, Chasing Ghosts: The Puppeteer, and he joins us today on The Front Page, to discuss what he learned.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems that when one political scandal ends, another one rises to take its place. 

This week, the Green Party ended the saga that has dominated 2024 for them, with MP Darleen Tana formally removed as an MP in the first usage of the Waka Jumping Bill.  

As Chloe Swarbrick and her party look to the future, it’s now National’s turn to deal with an unneeded diversion, after Minister Andrew Bayly was accused of abusing a member of the public at a business event. 

And at the same, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has engaged in a war of words with Te Pati Māori and the Labour Party.  

So, to make sense of the latest political ups and downs, today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent, Barry Soper.  

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: Dan Goodwin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, we reported on the issues at Wellington City Council after councillors voted against selling airport shares, forcing a rethink of the council’s long term plan.

The Coalition Government labelled the council a ‘shambles’, and threatened to send in a Crown Observer.

Well, they’ve now delivered on that threat, with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown confirming that appointment will be coming.

The move puts more pressure on Mayor Tory Whanau and her councillors to sort out their issues – but it has also sparked debate around if the bar is too low for the Government to intervene.

Today on The Front Page, Jim Palmer, a consultant who chaired the Review into the Future for Local Government, is with us to discuss the issues at our council tables.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.