The Front Page

As Auckland’s population continues to grow, so too are the city’s schools – and many of them are running out of space.

Analysis by the Herald has found that while the school-aged population has only risen by 18 percent since the year 2000, at least one school has had its roll jump by 149 percent.

With space running out, it’s also prompting tough questions for schools and what they do with out of zone enrolments.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald reporter Ben Leahy joins us to digest the data he’s seen about the shortage of space in our schools.

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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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A search for answers is underway after HM-NZS Manawanui ran aground and sank near Samoa. 

The $100 million ship left Auckland’s Devonport just over a week ago and was conducting a reef survey off the coast of Samoa but ran aground at 6.46pm on Saturday. 

The ship started to take on water shortly after, and fire broke out as well, prompting an evacuation of all personnel on board.  

In the end, seventy-five crew and passengers were rescued by Samoa’s Fire and Emergency Services Authority 

A Court of Inquiry is underway to find out what happened, while crews are on their way to work out how it can be salvaged and if there’s an environmental concern from leaking fuel. 

Today on The Front Page, Dr John Battersby, a Teaching Fellow in the Centre for Defence and Security at Massey University, joins us to discuss the historic nature of this incident, and its potential impact on geopolitical relationships.  

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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: Dan Goodwin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a year since terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel – sparking the deadliest conflict in the Gaza region for decades. 

Since then, at least 40,000 people have died, many more injured, 1.9 million displaced, and countless buildings and homes destroyed. 

Aid organisations have consistently warned of the humanitarian crisis on the ground – and are pleading with the world for help. 

Today on The Front Page, World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong discusses the extent of the crisis after a year of fighting.  

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.

Infrastructure is top of the agenda for the Government for the last months of 2024.

The Prime Minister this week released his Q4 action plan, with plenty of targets focussing on getting things built.

Among the 43 objectives is the highly controversial fast-track approvals bill, which it’s hoped will speed up the delivery of regional and national projects of significance.

The focus on infrastructure comes a week after the Government announced Dunedin’s new hospital could be downgraded due to budget concerns.

To discuss houses, roads, hospitals - and that niggly issue of budgets - today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop.

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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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mood of the Boardroom is back today for its 22nd year.

The annual survey of the country’s top CEOs and business leaders has seen a broad tick of approval for the coalition Government, with strong support for Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis and their economic plan.

But they want to see the Government be bolder and set out their vision for New Zealand’s future, and that could include tackling some of the most contentious economic issues in our country.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Business Editorial Director Fran O’Sullivan is with us to digest the thoughts of our top business leaders.

You can read all of the Mood of the Boardroom stories at nzherald.co.nz. 

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.

Tensions in the Middle East are ramping up at an alarming rate.

Israel’s Defence Forces have said it has begun a "targeted" ground operation into southern Lebanon against “terrorist targets”.

It comes after days of airstrikes within Beirut’s city limits, which started after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The escalation in the war has killed civilians, destroyed homes and displaced 1 million people in Lebanon.

Today on The Front Page, Waikato University international law professor, Al Gillespie joins 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
Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Violence towards children is one of the most concerning issues in New Zealand.  

It’s an issue that debates decades, back when Child, Youth and Family was responsible for our most vulnerable, before it was replaced by Oranga Tamariki. 

And that government agency bears the brunt of trying to look after our children, and keep them safe from harm – but recent reports have shown that not only has little changed in terms of family harm, children that do end up in care are still at risk of abuse still.  

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior reporter Nicholas Jones joins to discuss one recent case he’s investigated where child protection services had to apologise for getting it wrong.  

And to discuss a recent report by the Independent Children’s Monitor, released two and a half years after the death of Malachi Subecz, The Front Page also speaks with Arran Jones from the Independent Children’s Monitor,  

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.

Provincial New Zealand is hurting.  

Alliance Group last week confirmed plans to close its Timaru meat processing plant in Smithfield, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. 

It comes after earlier this month that Winstone Pulp International said will close two mills near Ohakune, which will see 230 people lose their jobs.  

To discuss the impact facing small towns in New Zealand, and if there’s a way out from them, today on The Front Page, we are joined by Dr Sean Connelly, senior lecturer at the school of geography at the University of Otago. 

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: Susie Nordqvist
Sound Engineer: Dan Goodwin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public servants – or what’s left of them – have been ordered back to the office in Wellington. 

The Government’s call has been welcomed by central city businesses, who said that the absence of workers has impacted on their business.  

The decline of the city centre is one of a number of issues the capital is facing, including soaring costs from rates and struggling council finances. 

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has not helped things, after a week of conflicting statements on selling her car that has caused a distraction. 

To discuss the state of Wellington and its council, today on The Front Page, we are joined by Newstalk ZB Wellington host, Nick Mills, and Wellington editor for The Spinoff, Joel MacManus.  

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: Susie Nordqvist
Sound Engineer: Dan Goodwin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announced this week - he is ending his term early, to take up a new role as the head of the Social Investment Agency at the end of the year.

Coster was the face of the previous government’s push to ‘police by consent’ and copped a huge amount of criticism from National when they were in Opposition.

The race is on to replace Coster – so who will National pick, and what will that decision say about their approach to tackling law and order?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald investigative reporter Jared Savage will share his insight into Coster’s tenure, and how the Government might change tack.

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: Susie Nordqvist
Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.