The Front Page

Cancer is a diagnosis no one wants to receive, but approximately 25,000 Kiwis will hear that bad news every year. 

Making those numbers even worse is the fact that our public health system doesn’t always go as far as it could to help those afflicted by our biggest killer.  

Just this week, a Rotorua man told the Herald about having to spend more than $100,000 over the last two years in his fight against bowel cancer.  

What are the root causes that allow this to happen? And why does Australia seem to have a better handle on cancer than Aotearoa? 
 
Today on The Front Page, Rachael Heart, chief executive of the Cancer Society, helps us understand the shortcomings of a system that allows so many to fall through the cracks.  

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

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September 11th: A lot can change in a few days during an election campaign. A rough interview has seen Christopher Luxon take a hit as National's financial policy continues to face scrutiny, while Chris Hipkins enjoys a bounce back after a week of tough questions.

Hamish is joined today by deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan to discuss the weekend in policy announcements and performances.

Hosted by Hamish Fletcher
Produced by Ethan Sills
Edited by Shaun D. Wilson

For more Election 2023 coverage, head to nzherald.co.nz.

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Change is needed. 

According to an independent panel commissioned by the Government, our electoral system is due for some updates. 

Included in the wide-ranging report are suggestions on the voting age, party donations, election thresholds, and the rules on who should and shouldn’t be allowed to vote. 

This task has not been undertaken lightly, with any changes needing to ensure that the foundations of our democracy are as strong as they can be. 

But do any of these suggested changes have any chance of becoming a reality? And what are some of the biggest challenges ahead for our electoral system in the coming decades? 

Today on The Front Page, Otago University legal expert Professor Andrew Geddis joins Damien to discuss why our electoral system is due for a makeover. 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A scheme introduced by the Government last year meant to end the abuse and exploitation of migrants instead seems to have done quite the opposite. 

Multiple stories have emerged in recent weeks about migrants, brought here under the Accredited Employer Work Visa, ending up crammed in their dozens inside unsanitary houses, with many now facing eviction with nowhere to go. 

So how is ir that this one visa change could spark dozens of investigations, and what needs to be done to fix this blooming scandal?  

Today on The Front Page, Damien is joined by NZ Herald journalist Lincoln Tan who offers insight on an immigration controversy that is only set to get worse.  

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 Ventuto
Producer: Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is kicking off this week in France. 

It marks a big moment not just for the All Blacks, looking to reclaim the world title as well as recover after a rough 2022, but for the sport globally as it looks to grow its international presence.  

It could make for an interesting tournament, with the draw limiting how many of the top five countries could make this years final match. 

So which teams could cause an upset, and how will the All Blacks perform after their up and down year? 

Today on The Front Page, Damien is joined by Elliott Smith, host of Rugby Direct, and the voice of rugby for NZME, from the All Blacks camp in Lyon.  

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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 Ventuto
Producer: Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the case that has all of New Zealand scratching their heads. Marokopa resident Tom Phillips and his three children have been missing since January 2022.  

While Police are still on the hunt for the four, the latest development involves a bank heist with people being shot at in Te Kuiti. 

To discuss the many bizarre twists in this neverending case, Damien is joined on The Front Page by Newstalk ZB senior reporter Chelsea Daniels.

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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 Ventuto
Producer: Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gabon has become the latest African nation to see its leadership overthrown in a coup d’etat in recent years. 

Minutes after the ailing President Ali Bongo claimed victory in a disputed election last week, military leaders took to national television to announce that the nation was under new management. 

This is the eighth coup on the African continent since 2020, and comes just weeks after Niger’s government fell in similar circumstances, while military conflict is ongoing in Sudan. 

So why does the continent remain unstable, and is there any way to stop more countries going down the same road? And as these incidents damaging the reputation of a rapidly growing and developing African continent? 

Today on The Front Page, Professor of Political Science and lecturer on African Politics at Victoria University of Wellington, Stephen Levine, joins Damien to give us an insight into why military might so often topple leaders.  

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SkyCity Entertainment Group could soon have the operator license for their three casinos suspended if the Department of Internal Affairs has its way. 

It all stems from a complaint related to just a single customer, but this move has already had a huge impact on their share price – and, if the suspension goes ahead, it could be even more damaging.  

So how unprecedented is this move, and how does it add to woes the company is already facing after troubles in Australia? 

Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson to discuss the uncertain future ahead for our biggest casino operator.  

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 Ventuto
Producer: Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week marks one year since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

It also marks a year since the ascension of King Charles III from a lifetime of waiting, into the role he was born to inherit.

So how has the last year been for the royals, will the closeness between family members we saw last September return, or have those old wounds reopened beyond repair?

Today on The Front Page, Damien is joined by NZ Herald lifestyle editor Jenni Mortimer to hear the latest on the royal family.

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
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A years-long dispute between two pensioners and an Auckland property developer reignited over the weekend. 

Owen and Jane Hayward claim they have trespassed from the surrounding businesses of their Ōrākei apartment for their refusal to sell to property developer Kerry Knight – but Knight says he’s the one being harassed by the octogenarians.

Warring neighbours may have been perfect reality TV fodder back in the day, but as more developers seek to make the most of new zoning laws, how can these affected parties sort out their woes before the media gets involved? 

Today on The Front Page, Damien is joined by senior property lawyer Jonathan Wood for his advice on what both sides of these types of conflicts can do differently.  

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 Ventuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.