The Front Page

Each year around 40,000 New Zealanders are disconnected from the power supply for non-payment, according to Consumer NZ.  

They are surviving winter in cold, dark homes without access to a warm shower or a homecooked meal – sometimes for months at a time.  

It comes at a time when the main players in the power business are making huge profits - including charging hundreds for reconnections done by the touch of a button.  

So how do we ensure that the lights can stay on for everyone?  

Today on The Front Page, as part of the Herald's Power to the People series, we talk with senior Research Fellow at University of Otago’s Department of Public Health, Kimberley O'Sullivan.  

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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.

While the final results are set to trickle in slowly, the exit poll for the UK election has shown a historic landslide for the Labour Party.

The poll suggests Sir Keir Starmer will be the next Prime Minister of one of our closest allies, with a potential majority of 170 seats, while the ruling Conservative Party is out after 14 years of power, and has suffered their worst ever defeat to boot.

To discuss the seismic change in UK politics, and what it might mean for a Kiwi OE to London, we’re joined now on The Front Page by former New Zealand political journalist turned expat, Henry Cooke.

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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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has unveiled grand plans to ‘flood’ the market with more houses, announcing new changes to planning rules that will require councils to plan for 30 years of housing growth.

It comes after Housing Minister Chris Bishop said he wants to see house prices fall.

He’s already getting his wish though, with prices dropping to a point that in some of the country’s biggest cities, homeowners are delisting their properties rather than selling for a discount.

So, will flooding the housing market work in a country where owning property is the cornerstone of our economy?

Today on The Front Page, Opes Partners economist Ed McKnight joins to give his take on the state of the property market.

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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.

In recent months, stories of extreme turbulence have come to dominate travel headlines.

A flight between Spain and Uruguay this week had to be diverted to Brazil after dozens were injured due to turbulence in just the latest incident. In one case in April, a man onboard an Air New Zealand flight from Bali broke his leg, while in May, a violent Singapore Airlines flight saw dozens hospitalised and one passenger die.  

On top of this, we’re also seeing multiple stories of domestic flights where planes have had issues landing, and local and international flights getting turned around midway through their journeys due to technical issues.

So why are more flights seeing extreme turbulence, should we be concerned by flights turning around, and what are your rights as a passenger if flights go wrong? 

Today on The Front Page, chief executive of Massey University’s School of Aviation, Ashok Podavul, talks about the technical side of what happens when things go wrong, and later, Consumer NZ's Jessica Walker discusses 

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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.

New Zealand’s media industry is facing arguably the biggest shake up in years.  

Stuff is closing a newspaper and launching a 6pm bulletin, TVNZ sent execs to on a $30k LA jaunt amidst mass layoffs and a lengthy plan to get back to profitability, and all this while we're readying ourselves for a final goodbye to Newshub.

The Government has finally come to the table with a plan to help the industry – but is it enough?

Today on The Front Page, the Herald’s Media Insider Shayne Currie checks in with us as the media industry continues to go through the motions.

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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.

Alcohol law reform could be on the cards this government term.

That’s after alcohol was identified as one of the key factors that need to be addressed to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases in the Government’s Policy Statement on health.

It comes at the start of Dry July, the yearly fundraiser that encourages people to give up the booze for a month – but now, many are adopting that as a permanent fixture in their lives.

To discuss what alcohol reform could look like, today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Andrew Galloway, executive director of Alcohol Healthwatch.

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.

The biggest sporting event of the year kicks off this month. 

The 2024 Paris Olympics are only a few weeks away, and nearly 200 Kiwi athletes will be heading to the City of Love for their shot at Olympic glory.

Today on The Front Page, New York Times international correspondent Catherine Porter joins from Paris to discuss how the city is preparing for the event in the midst of an election, security concerns – and a costly river cleanup.

And then Newstalk ZB sports host Jason Pine digs into the Kiwi athletes to watch out for, and our own controversy around selection. 

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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.

This Matariki is the third time the annual celebration has been an official public holiday.

But while this holiday is safe, the future of other public holidays – and annual leave in general – currently sits with Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden.

Van Velden is currently seeking feedback on suggested changes to the Holidays Act, with a draft proposal due in September – but, employee advocates are already sounding the alarm on what the refresh could mean for workers.

To discuss these changes with us, as well as her thoughts on public holidays, we’re joined now on The Front Page by Minister Brooke van Velden.

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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.

If you’ve been struggling with the cost of living, some good news is in store.

While Kiwis have to wait a few more weeks to see the Government’s tax cuts come through, from July 1st, parents, investment property owners and Auckland drivers are due for some relief.

It could all be short-lived though, with many councils eyeing major rates increases to tackle their flailing budgets.

Today on The Front Page, Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen to discuss the ongoing struggle with the cost of living and how these changes might help - and what impact the rates rises will have. 

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.

Over the last year, the term ‘atmospheric river’ has entered our daily vocabulary, as New Zealand sees more intense rainfall hit our shores.

From the Auckland anniversary floods, to two months worth of rain hitting the East Coast in just one day, the whole country seems susceptible to increased rainfall.

But is this really the case, and if so, what’s the cause?

Today on The Front Page, Dr Daniel Kingston from Otago University joins to discuss their latest research into the cause and effect of rainfall in this country.

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.