The Front Page

The last time tensions were this high was during the Cold War.  

That’s the staggering premise of State of Threat, a new book published by Massey University Press, in which local and international experts discuss whether enough is being done to protect the country amid growing uncertainty around the globe. 

US-China tensions, Russian warmongering, extremism and the danger of cyber warfare are all simmering in the background while politicians also contend with complex local problems.

So where does this threat of chaos leave us? And are politicians doing enough to keep us safe?  
 
The editors of State of Threat, Associate Professor William Hoverd, director at Massey University’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies, and teaching fellow Deidre Ann McDonald, join Damien on The Front Page.

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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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s never been easier to find a good deal online. But when you’re Christmas shopping this year, some deals might seem too good to be true.

But that’s because they’re coming with a hidden cost.

A new report from World Vision claims that a staggering $8 billion of imports to Aotearoa every year are linked to modern slavery.

Everything from shoes and clothing to furniture and electronics could be made by people working in dire conditions and paid next to nothing.

So what can consumers do to ensure they aren’t contributing to this trade? And has the Government put safeguards in place to force Kiwi companies to question their supply chains?

Today on The Front Page, Rebekah Armstrong, head of advocacy and justice at World Vision, takes us into the dark world of modern slavery.

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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who has faced a morning commute on our largest city’s roads knows that Auckland has a truly painful traffic problem.

Mayor Wayne Brown has ostensibly had enough and has announced a plan for congestion charging to be introduced.

Councillors are supporting the move and pushing ahead with the plan, but there are also serious concerns about the impact this will have on low-income earners.

So how will the plan work in practice? And more importantly, will it actually help to reduce traffic?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Super City reporter Bernard Orsman breaks down the details of the big changes coming to Tāmaki Makaurau’s roads.   

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: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence is the buzzphrase of 2023. 

The building blocks for this technology have long been in the works, but we have now reached the point the power of generative AI can actually be put into practice.  
 The promise here is that it will speed up everything we do, removing the mundane and giving us more time to focus on creative challenges.  

But what are the unintended consequences that could emerge from this? Are we ready for the idea of fewer hours of work to do on a daily basis? And what does this mean for salaried workers paid to do eight hours of work a day?  

Today on The Front Page,  founder of business consultancy New Zealand AI, Justin Flitter and Business Herald reporter Madison Reidy give us a sense of how much risk our jobs are at.   

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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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rental prices in have skyrocketed over the last year.

These high rental prices are giving young Kiwis yet another incentive to take their skills elsewhere, sparking concerns that some might exhibit their discontent by dusting off their passports.

So how concerning are these rent rises? And how much worse could they become with the balance of power swinging further in favour of landlords under the new Government? 

On The Front Page today, Brad Olsen, the chief executive and principal economist at Infometrics, joins us to discuss why it’s no fun being a renter in New Zealand.  

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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westminster is echoing with accusations of betrayal. 

The source of this indignation is former UK home secretary Suella Braverman. Braverman has been sacked by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after making a series of incendiary comments about the homeless, asylum seekers, and the Israel-Hamas war.

After Braverman’s ousting, Sunak announced a cabinet reshuffle. The big surprise? Former PM David Cameron has returned to political office as foreign secretary.

How has Cameron returned seven years after he resigned over his Brexit referendum? Can Sunak reunite the Conservative Party? And will Braverman behave on the backbenchers?

Today on The Front Page, UK correspondent Gavin Grey helps us come to grips with the turmoil that this Government has inflicted upon itself.

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.

Guest host: Shaun D Wilson
Producers: Shaun D Wilson, Paddy Fox and Damien Venuto

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hollywood is moving again.

When the writers' strike ended after 148 days there was a hope that the actors’ union and studio representatives would be able to reach a quick resolution. Instead, the strike was only called off on day 118.

SAG-AFTRA members still have to vote on the hard-bargained deal, but now they’re back to work auditioning, performing, and promoting.  

What were the sticking points that caused this major industrial access? Are there likely to be more show business strikes anytime soon? And why did studios hold for so long against the creatives that their industry is built on?

On The Front Page today, New York Times entertainment reporter Brooks Barnes explains what has been happening on the picket lines and at the negotiating table.

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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The finer details of the next Government are still being decided around the negotiating table.

But two things are clear at this stage. We will have an impressive spread of 32 Māori MPs across the political parties.

And secondly, the next Government made up of National, Act and NZ First will not have any Pasifika representation.

There are still talented Pasifika politicians across the parties in Opposition, but will this be enough to ensure the voices of these communities are heard?

And how worried should both Maori and Pasifika communities be after a sometimes-ugly election campaign during which race became a major talking point? 

Damien Venuto is joined by Pacific Business Trust CEO Mary Los’e and businessman and consultant Bernie O’Donnell.

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: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is officially the 160th anniversary of the New Zealand Herald. Listen in to hear a bevy of birthday well-wishers including Chris Hipkins, John Key, Theresa Gattung, comedians Jono and Ben, journalist Patrick Gower, broadcaster and restaurant reviewer Jesse Mulligan, One NZ CEO Jason Paris, and finance columnist Mary Holm.

The publication has survived through and witnessed two world wars, earthquakes and more than a few recessions.

But it also captured many of our proudest moments: from Kate Sheppard’s quest for suffrage to Sir Edmund Hillary’s conquest of Everest.

The Herald has been there through it all, telling our stories and reflecting on the people of Aotearoa.

So what comes next for a title that has become part of the cultural fabric? And what tales will be told over the next 160 years?
 
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald managing editor Murray Kirkness, property editor Anne Gibson and data journalist Julia Gabel join us to offer a glimpse of what was and comes next for what some have called The Royal New Zealand Herald.

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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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expensive flights, grounded planes, and chaos at airports. The return of travel and tourism has not gone as smoothly as we might have hoped. But amid all these problems, there are signs that the turbulence will reduce in the coming years.
 
A recent tourism summit saw industry leaders, share stories of how AI, luggage-sorting robots, passport-free airports, and supersonic flight could all play a role in the future of air travel.

Today on The Front Page, Grant Bradley, aviation editor at the New Zealand Herald, gives us a glimpse at what’s coming our 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: Damien Venuto
Producers: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.