The Front Page

This week, after intense speculation across New Zealand and the global rugby community, the New Zealand Rugby board announced that Ian Foster will remain as the All Blacks coach through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. In this episode of Newstalk ZB and iHeartRadio's Rugby Direct podcast, hosts Elliott Smith and Liam Napier discuss the decision and what it means for the All Blacks' future.  You can follow Rugby Direct on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of people reporting that they are victims of crime has shot up to record levels. Worryingly, we are also seeing a growing trend of offences committed by younger members of society. We rarely see a week pass without a ram raid incident.   This has led some politicians to call for harsher penalties for those committing these crimes - even if it does ring of hypocrisy.  But do harsher penalties actually work? And as a society do we tend to be hard on some offenders while giving a free pass to others?   Today, I’m joined by Auckland University criminology expert Dr Ronald Kramer to discuss what we can do about some of New Zealand’s youngest criminal offenders.    Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 VenutoEditor: Paddy Fox Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s Reserve Bank is desperate to bring inflation under control. Official Cash Rate lifts over the last 12 months have been the most aggressive the country has ever seen. And that continued this week with the Reserve Bank pushing rates up further. The role of the Reserve Bank in firstly creating inflation and now trying to stop it has become a major political talking point.  Some critics are now even suggesting that it could be a rocky road ahead if the Reserve Bank doesn’t get the balance right.  So how bad is the economic outlook really, and what real world impacts is this having on every day New Zealanders? Today, NZ Herald business editor at large and Money Talks podcast host Liam Dann joins Damien to discuss what's going on with interest rates, Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 VenutoEditor: Paddy Fox Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the start of this century, New Zealand was considered one of the most literate countries in the world.  However, multiple reports in recent years have shown that is no longer the case. Our literacy rates are falling, and it’s a problem that affects not only children, but is being felt across all society.   The Government has announced plans to try and rectify the issues – but will it be enough to teach our country to read again?  Today, NZ Herald education reporter Dubby Henry, who has written a new series exploring literacy rates, joins Damien to discuss how New Zealand country can fix a systemic education crisis. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 VenutoEditor: Paddy Fox Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week is a long time in politics – and what a week it has been for our major parties.  National’s post-conference buzz was quickly dampened after it was revealed the party’s newest MP, Sam Uffindell, had been asked to leave an elite private school as a teenager due to bullying.  The news took the heat off of Labour’s poor poll results – until one of the party’s own MPs, Gaurav Sharma, blasted top Labour MPs and Parliamentary staff over claims of bullying.   So what exactly is going on with these scandals, and do these incidents highlight a need for a culture change in Labour and National?  Today, NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett joins Damien to explain what’s going on with our two major parties.  Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 VenutoEditor: Paddy Fox Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of Uber is one of convenience. It’s about how a simple piece of tech has been at the forefront of the way people call a ride or have food delivered.  This level of convenience is worth a lot of money, with a new report by Uber estimating the company has delivered a gross impact $930 million to New Zealand economy as a whole, including $88 million in additional value for restaurants. That convenience, however, can come at a cost to the drivers and restaurant partners who use the service – and the debate about that has spilled over into our court system.   On today’s episode, Damien speaks to Uber Eats managing director for New Zealand and Australia Bec Nyst about Uber's contribution to the economy, and the recent controversy - and we hear from Anita Rosentreter, a strategic project coordinator at First Union, and Restaurant Association of New Zealand general manager Nicola Waldren. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month marks 25 years since Diana, Princess of Wales died in a car crash in Paris.   The shadow of her still hangs over the British monarchy, which today finds itself embroiled in its more contentious period since the bitter divorce of Diana and Prince Charles.   Now, a new documentary to mark the anniversary of her death reframes Diana’s time in the spotlight, using existing footage from the period to explore a modern day tragedy.  Today, Ed Perkins, the director of The Princess, joins Damien to discuss Princess Diana’s legacy and how her public fight eerily reflects the Royal’s current battles.   Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have lost five of their last six games.  Their latest loss against old rival South Africa leaves coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Cane hanging by a thread.   But it’s not all bad news in New Zealand sport. The woes of our rugby players come amid New Zealand’s biggest ever haul at the Commonwealth Games. So is it perhaps time to reward our rising stars in other sports with more funding? And what do the current struggles mean for an All Blacks team that recently received huge investment from Silver Lake?  Today, host of Weekend Sport on Newstalk ZB Jason Pine joins Damien to compare the All Blacks' lows and our Commonwealth Games highs.  Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s welfare system has become a hot-button political issue.  Politicians on all sides of the aisle have expressed their opinions on how much support the Government should give those out of work.  While National has warned the free ride for young jobseekers is over, Labour has warned that more sanctions won’t guide beneficiaries into work.  So where does the truth lie? And what does a good welfare system actually look like?   Today, Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen joins Damien to discuss how much money the Government should be willing to give to those hunting for work. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Paddy Fox and Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been nearly six months since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Yet for the millions of Ukrainians affected by the conflict, these past few months have felt like a lifetime.   Recently, NZ Herald investigative reporter Nicholas Jones spent a week in Ukraine, in the cities of Kyiv and Irpin.  There, he spoke to one Kiwi woman who gave everything up to bring her skills to Ukraine, as well as many Ukrainians trying their best to survive.   Today, Damien talks to Nicholas about his trip and what he saw on the ground in Ukraine.  Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.