The Front Page

Match officials are battling to stay out of the headlines these days.

Whether it’s rugby or football, most games are followed by furious debate – not on the merits of the players, but rather on whether the right referring calls were made, and if they were made fast enough. 

Since the highly controversial Rugby World Cup final, which was dominated by TMO decisions, we’ve also seen VAR’s use in the Premier League take a walloping from pundits. 

VAR and TMO are essentially video-assisted referees who watch replays of moments in a match to ensure the best possible calls are being made.  

But this drive for greater accuracy has led to critics complaining that flow and soul of the game is being stolen by match officials sitting in a studio staring at computer monitors.

Newstalk ZB sports journalist Andrew Alderson breaks down the controversy of the big calls changing our most popular sports.    

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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

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One of the country’s most recognisable scientists has taken her employer to court.

Microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles alleges the University of Auckland did not take enough steps to protect her against the vitriolic, and often misogynistic, abuse she has suffered for years

In 2020, Wiles became one of the key faces of pandemic communications, offering her expertise to the media to help the public better understand the crisis that was unfolding. But this came at cost.

Wiles was soon targeted by venomous, misinformed, overly online bullies who felt comfortable hurling vicious attacks at the professor. 
 
The question before the Employment Court is whether the university has done enough to ensure the safety of their employees. 

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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.

A new study shows that 132,000 small businesses across Aotearoa have been hit by cybersecurity issues.  

Of those, 29% of bosses claim they have suffered a financial loss due to these problems.

What’s most striking is that over a quarter of businesses have been forced to cut their cybersecurity budgets amid the current economic strain. They simply can’t afford to invest more in protecting their businesses.

There are, however, hackers fighting on the good side to ensure that firms aren’t compromised even if they’re having to cut budgets.

One such person is Jackson Henry, a 17-year-old ethical hacker, who was able to expose a vulnerability in the UN’s security systems.

Jackson joins The Front Page to share what he’s learned about cybersecurity by smashing doors that should have been locked tight. 

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The media sector has been rocked by some tough news this year.

We’ve seen the closure of Today FM, the canning of The Project, restructuring at major news providers and a staggering report that MediaWorks faces an uncertain future. There are now even concerns that the cracks are starting to show in radio listenership.

This comes after two decades, during which media companies have seen their business model absolutely disrupted by big tech. Newsrooms have contracted, while the balance sheets of Google and Meta have ballooned. 
 
So why are media companies struggling so much right now? And what does the future hold for the Fourth Estate? 
 
Today on The Front Page, Duncan Greive, founder of The Spinoff and host of media industry podcast The Fold, is on The Front Page to discuss what comes next for the storytellers in New Zealand’s newsrooms.

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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.

After three weeks, the final vote count is in, and while some parties have lost seats, others are enjoying their largest caucuses ever. So who's on top and who's having to swallow their campaigning words? NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett joins to give us the latest.

Host: Hamish Fletcher
Producer: Ethan Sills

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Artsakh is a ghost town.

The disputed territory, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, was once home to around 120,000 ethnic Armenians.

Artsakh is officially viewed by much of the world as part of Azerbaijan. In September, Azerbaijani forces enacted a large-scale military offensive against the breakaway state.

The residents fled, and soon a decree was signed that would officially dissolve all of Nagorno-Karabakh’s institutions.

Despite the ongoing refugee crisis, this extraordinary story has faded from public attention.

One person who has been speaking about the chaos is Dr Maria Armoudian, a senior lecturer on Politics and International Relations at Auckland University, as well as host of US radio show The Scholars’ Circle.

Maria, like former University of Auckland student Dr Anna Matevosyan (who has just returned to Aotearoa from Armenia), has strong ties to the area.

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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 and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 16 years, the value of KiwiSaver has hit a staggering $96.2 billion dollars. While that sizeable nest egg is good news for savers longer term, recent KiwiSaver balances have made for some tough viewing. 

In the last three months, the total value of KiwiSaver has slipped by $1.3 billion as many funds booked negative returns. 

Global instability, a tough equity market and volatility in international stock prices have all placed downward pressure on fund balances. 

So why are these funds struggling so much? Which are the worst performers? And should Kiwis change their investment strategy amid all the current uncertainty? 

Today on The Front Page, Madison Reidy, NZ Herald business journalist and host of Markets with Madison, offers insight into the KiwiSaver 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: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a three-year absence from the halls of power, NZ First leader Winston Peters is set to make a grand return.

As the country awaits the final vote tally, it is widely expected the traditionally left-leaning special votes will see National and Act require the support of Peters to form a majority government.

So what motivates Peters? How does he want from the negotiations? And how far will Luxon bend to his will?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald senior political correspondent Audrey Young shares her experience of ultimate comeback kid Winston Peters.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tropical cyclone. Hurricane. Typhoon. They go by many names, but these storms can have a devastating impact when they hit. 

Instead of enjoying sunny spring weather this week, the north of the country faced remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Lola which was initially set for a head-on collision with Vanuatu, before the storm was downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone.
 
With the rapid warming of the atmosphere due to climate change, there are growing risks that these storms will only become stronger.

So how bad could these storms become? And can forecasters accurately predict how they will move and change over time?

Today, on The Front Page, NZ Herald science writer Jamie Morton helps Damien better understand the threat tropical cyclones pose to Aotearoa.

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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 All Blacks’ comeback story has reached its end. The team have missed out on their chance to make history at the Rugby World Cup, falling short by just one point against the Springboks.

This marks the record fourth time the Springboks have won the trophy as well as the end of coach Ian Foster’s tenure in charge of the All Blacks.  

Foster can, however, still hold his head high, defying expectations to reach the finals.  

But with Foster’s era now at an end, what next for the All Blacks – and what is the state of the global game after another major game dominated by refereeing decisions.  

Today, Newstalk ZB sports director Clay Wilson joins The Front Page to recap the final of the 2023 Men’s Rugby World Cup. 

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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
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.