The Front Page

Christchurch could become New Zealand’s next Super City.  Rapid population growth projected over the next few decades has planners mulling whether it might be time to change the way the city is managed.   But not everyone is a fan of the Super City project. Former mayors are divided about whether it has worked in Auckland – and some question whether it will actually deliver better results.  So, is Christchurch ready for the big changes coming it's way? Or will New Zealand’s next Super City also struggle with some of the teething issues that have plagued Auckland?     Today, Christchurch-based senior NZ Herald reporter Kurt Bayer joins Damien to discuss whether Christchurch really could become Super.  Host: Damien VenutoProducer/Editor: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boris Johnson has officially resigned as leader of Britain's Conservative Party.   He plans to remain as UK prime minister while the leadership contest is held, but this marks the conclusion of a tenure dogged by scandal. So what was about this moment that made MPs decide enough was enough? And is there any chance that Johnson could bounce back as he has so many times in the past.    For this bonus episode, Daily Telegraph chief political correspondent Camilla Turner joins Damien for a discussion on why Boris Johnson was right when he said: “In politics, no one is remotely indispensable.”  Host: Damien VenutoProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our culture appears to have become dominated by the dreams of the past - whether that’s clinging to the idea of a mythical golden era or just a time when we felt comfortable.  This is reflected heavily in today’s entertainment industry. When executives want a guaranteed hit most invest in, intellectual property has been proven to have a built-in audience.  Netflix megahit Stranger Things has gained much of its popularity through recycling the tropes and style of hits of the 80s, while Top Gun: Maverick brings 80s flair to the biggest cinematic hit of the year.  Today, Professor Lorna Piatti-Farnell, who runs the Popular Culture Research Centre at the Auckland University of Technology, spoke to Damien about why we're so drawn to the past in our culture.  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 VenutoProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is being hit by a winter wave of Covid-19. Case numbers are rising rapidly and understaffed hospitals are coming under increased strain.   Modellers are now predicting that things could become worse as we move further into winter and face the cumulative impact of Covid, flu and other illnesses.   Some experts are starting to question whether it might be time to shift back to the red level, yet it appears the Government is not ready to make that call. NZ Herald senior news director Lynley Ward joins Damien for an update on what's happening with Covid in New Zealand - and what's next for our coronavirus strategy.     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 VenutoProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Green politician Chlöe Swarbrick is set to take on the booze business.   Her alcohol reduction bill, recently drawn from the biscuit tin, proposes a range of changes to the sale and advertising of alcohol.  Many councils have already thrown their support behind the suggested changes, but the politician faces a fight against some of the wealthiest lobbies in the country. So, what does the bill actually aim to do? And what are the chances of it winning enough support to pass into law?     Today, Damien is joined by Swarbrick for a discussion on why New Zealand’s alcohol laws need to change, why she's keen to take on alcohol lobby groups, and why she isn't here to taking away people's drinks.  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 VenutoProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a major new trade deal with the European Union.  The promise is that it would help grow exports to the EU by $1.8 billion a year by 2035 - it's pleased parts of the business sector, but some in the farming community don’t feel this deal does enough to support their sector.  So who are the big winners and losers in this deal? And will New Zealanders even notice any of the changes as they take effect? Today, NZ Herald business editor at large and Money Talks host Liam Dann joins Damien for a discussion about what this deal means for the country and if it's a sign we need to diversify our exports.  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 VenutoProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent episode of the ever-popular Country Calendar has divided audiences in the rural community. The unconventional methods of businesspeople Geoff and Justine Ross were not appreciated by some online, who lashed out calling it “woke and PC BS”. The backlash was saved for social media for now, but as more urbanites emigrate to the regions, does this case highlight the growing tensions between rural and urban New Zealand? Today NZX Head of Insight and rural commentator expert Julia Jones joins Damien to look at how a TV show sparked such a strong emotional response.   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 VenutoProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks the beginning of Aotearoa’s newest ministry.   The newly established Ministry for Disabled People is meant to act as a powerful voice for the needs of those living with disability. A Cabinet paper described the previous system as one that is "fragmented, slow, hard to measure, and hasn't led to the credible policy”.  So how will the new ministry deal with New Zealand’s long and ongoing history of ignoring and mistreating those who happen to have a disability?  Later in this episode I’ll speak to academic, lawyer and disability rights activist Dr Huhana Hickey.  Today, Damien talks firstly to former Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni, and then with academic, lawyer and disability rights activist Dr Huhana Hickey, about what the new Ministry hopes to achieve.  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 VenutoProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s sweeping plan to abolish all 20 District Health Boards comes into effect this week.   The move will replace the DHBS with a single health organisation, Health NZ, designed to manage the healthcare of New Zealanders around the country.  What will this mean for patients, doctors and nurses? And will this move succeed in repairing New Zealand’s fragmented healthcare system?    Today, Dr Samantha Murton, President of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, joins Damien to explain this huge shake-up to our healthcare system.  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 VenutoProducer/Editor: Paddy Fox Executive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v Wade decision - effectively striking down the nearly 50-year enshrined right of women to access abortion treatments.     The move sent shockwaves around the world, with world leaders quick to condemn the US Supreme Court’s decision to roll back abortion laws. Where does this leave the United States as a moral authority in the Western world? And will these culture wars have any impact on New Zealand politics?  In this bonus episode of The Front Page, Damien is joined first by Otago University foreign policy expert Dr Robert Patman to discuss why America is fixated on certain issues and how it is harming the country's reputation, and then talks with  Family Planning chief executive Jackie Edmond for the local perspective on this shocking move. 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 VenutoProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.