Now former Minister Meka Whaitiri has blindsided her bosses by announcing that she will resign from the Labour Party and stand for Te Pāti Māori in the upcoming election. 
 
The move was so surprising that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was only made aware of the news in London, where he plans to attend the coronation of King Charles III.
 
So what motivated Whaitiri to make the move? And what does it mean for a Labour Party desperate to hang onto power?
 
Today, NZ Herald Kaupapa Māori editor Joseph Los’e explains the ins and outs to Damien of the move that shocked Labour.

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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
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

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Eden Park is looking to safeguard its place as our national stadium with a multimillion-dollar renovation.

This would include improving the stands and building a retractable roof to allow for all-weather play.

However, their plans for an upgrade façade come as a consortium looking to build a national stadium on Auckland’s waterfront prepare to introduce a new, cheaper plan. 

So who has the better proposal, and can we afford either of them? 

Today, on the Front Page, NZ Herald sports reporter Bonnie Jansen is here to give us the rundown around Auckland’s impending stadium wars. 

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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
Producer: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

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The Government has spent millions upon millions of dollars on outside consultants pursuing major policy ideas.
 
This is despite Prime Minister Chris Hipkins saying there’s a need to lessen the Government’s reliance on the private sector to get things done.

In fact, this is one of the few areas where we’ve seen bipartisan consensus, with National Party leader Christopher Luxon also critical of the level of consultant spending.

So how much is too much? And are there signs of the Government breaking free of consultants?

Today, on the Front Page, NZ Herald senior business journalist Kate MacNamara, follows the money and helps us understand how it got there in the first place.

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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
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The countdown to the Coronation is on.

Eight months after the death of his mother, Charles the Third will go through his formal investiture as King, in a ceremony he’s been waiting for his whole life.

It’s the first time the Commonwealth has witnessed a Coronation in seven decades. So what can we expect from the pomp and ceremony, and is the public keen to mark the start of the King’s reign?

Jenni Mortimer (NZ Herald lifestyle and entertainment editor and co-host of One Day You'll Thank Me) who will be covering the coronation live from London – gives Damien the lowdown on what to expect, and NZ Herald senior writer Kim Knight shares the mystery of our lost golden coronation gift from 1911.

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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
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The political machine is starting to hum as Aotearoa gears towards the general election. The chance to have your say is a mere six months away, and the good and the great are already competing for a ballot box tick by their name. 

So, who has the funds to run a massive campaign? What’s more valued, ideas or leadership?  And will any issue matter more than the economy during a planned recession? 
 
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett gives Damien her take on the runup to an election - that at this time last year, few expected to be led by two middle-aged men called Chris.

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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
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The IRD has released a massive investigation into the share of tax that New Zealand’s wealthiest families pay.  
 
The report suggests that the median effective tax rate for this group currently sits at 8.9% of their overall income. 
 
This is less than half the percentage paid by the average New Zealander. 
 
So why is there such large divide? What can be done to address this imbalance? And is it even possible to find the political will for a tax overhaul? 

Today, economist and researcher at the Victoria University of Wellington, Max Rashbrooke explains to Damien what this report has revealed. 

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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
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

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After twenty years of being treated as supposed second-class citizens, Kiwis in Australia are finally getting their rights restored.

Aussie Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made it easier for New Zealanders to get citizenship across the ditch, allowing over 400,000 Kiwis currently living there to vote and access basic support.

NZ Herald political reporter Michael Neilsen gives Damien a lowdown on these changes, and population expert Paul Spoonley explains what this means for movement between the two countries.

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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
Producer: Paddy Fox and Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

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Today is Anzac Day, the annual public holiday for us to remember our veterans and those who gave up their lives defending Aotearoa.  

But while we dedicate this day to our fallen soldiers, those currently in our defence force are struggling with low wages, poor accommodation and outdated infrastructure. 

So how have things got so bad for the defence force, and what can be done to improve the situation? 

Today, award-winning journalist Pete McKenzie joins Damien on The Front Page to discuss his feature for North and South that explored this very problem.

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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
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 33 years since we last hosted the Commonwealth Games – but that could soon change.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has signaled interest in hosting the 2034 Commonwealth Games, starting a lengthy bidding process to host the international tournament.

So, would this be an exciting showcase of local sporting talent – or is there a reason it’s taken three decades for us to put our hand up to host again? 
 
Today, Newstalk ZB sports news director, Clay Wilson, joins Damien on The Front Page to break down what a 21st-century Commonwealth Games in Aotearoa could look like. 

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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
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s inflation data has surprised economists around the country.
 
The figure came in well below expectations, suggesting that the rising cost of living had peaked.
 
This comes amid continued rates rises from the Reserve Bank, which has been among the most aggressive in the world.
 
So have rates rises gone too far? Are we unnecessarily engineering a deep recession? And where could the inflation data head next?
 
Today, NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann, is on The Front Page to break down with Damien the implications of the numbers that shocked many.

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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
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.