The Front Page

The Government is taking aim at the supermarket duopoly with a range of measures designed to increase competition in the sector.   This comes after a Commerce Commission market study showing that supermarket giants Woolworths and Foodstuffs were making hundreds of millions of dollars in excess profits.  So will the Government’s measures help make grocery shopping more affordable, and what do the current supermarket giants have to say about this?  Today, NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny joins Damien to dig through the details of the big supermarket changes.  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 FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re at the end of New Zealand Music Month. The annual celebration of local music has gone by with almost no restrictions, the first time in two years that the industry has been able to enjoy some stability.   Yet even as we learn to live with Covid, every time concerts are planned, album launches are scheduled, or a festival date is announced – there is still uncertainty for punters and performers alike about how it’ll all play out.   The path forwards appears to be restriction-free, but how quickly can New Zealand music bounce back?   Today, NZ Herald Culture Editor Karl Puschmann joins Damien to discuss what the future holds for the local music industry.   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 Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are being courted by the commercial muscle of a large private equity firm, Silver Lake, which wants to acquire a stake in the world’s most famous rugby team.   The promise here is that it will bring more money into the game, allowing for development from ground up. But will this really happen, Or will the All Blacks end up as little more than a commercial entity that’s turned its back on local fans?   Today, NZ Herald sports journalist Gregor Paul joins Damien to dig into the details of this controversial 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.

This week the country has celebrated 30 years of its favourite soap opera, Shortland Street. The doctors and nurses of Ferndale have survived serial killers, viral outbreaks and volcanoes to make it this far – but can it survive one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of New Zealand television?   With TVNZ preparing their merger with RNZ, and too many streaming services to keep up with, there have never been so many opportunities – and threats – to New Zealand television.  Today, media commentator and CEO and publisher of The Spinoff Duncan Grieve joins Damien to look at a fascinating time for New Zealand TV.  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 series of news stories and concerns over rising tremors at Mt Ruapehu have again shed light on the risk posed by the Alpine Fault.  Experts are growing increasingly concerned that a devastating earthquake could be imminent, causing widespread chaos across the South Island and costing the economy billions of dollars.   So how real is this threat, and are we prepared for its impact? Today, Otago University Research Associate Professor Dr Caroline Orchiston joins Damien to talk about why we should be keeping a close eye on the Alpine fault in the coming years.    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.

Inheritance law is set for a major revamp off the back of a series of recommendations by the Law Commission.   This could leave relatives expecting to inherit family wealth with a bitter taste.  To find out who will be entitled to what under the new law, Damien speaks to New Zealand Herald senior journalist Jane Phare.  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.

Tauranga is on the hunt for a new member of Parliament. Nominations closed last week in the contest to replace the retired Simon Bridges.  This election comes at a tense time for New Zealand’s fifth-largest city. There are growing concerns around violence and racism, while a Crown Commission has taken over all governance responsibilities from the city’s council.  So what does all this dysfunction mean for a new member of parliament? And what will it take to fix the problems?   Today, Bay of Plenty Times journalist Kiri Gillespie joins Damien to look at the tough road ahead for local leadership in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing cities.   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 Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our closest neighbour has a new Prime Minister. Labor leader Anthony Albanese is set to be the 31st Prime Minister of Australia, defeating Liberal Party leader Scott Morrison and ending a decade of conservative rule.  While questions remain over the makeup of Parliament and his government, Albanese will likely need to work alongside a mob of climate-focused MPs that have shaken up the Australian political landscape.   Today, Australian Associated Press NZ correspondent Ben McKay joins guest host Chelsea Daniels to discuss what went down, what happens next, and what it could mean for New Zealand.   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: Chelsea DanielsProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson unveiled his fifth budget – the country’s biggest ever with a six billion dollar price tag.   And While Budget Day lets the party in power set out their agenda for the next year – and gives the Opposition a chance to cry foul about how they’re getting it wrong – beneath all the pantomime and catchphrases is a detailed examination of the biggest issues in the country right now.  So where is all that money going, how will it affect everyday Kiwis, and what does this say about Labour’s future plans? Today, New Zealand Herald Business editor-at-large Liam Dann joined Damian for all the expert analysis you’ll need.   Host: Damien Venuto Producer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could you imagine the risk of Covid-19 regional lockdowns and work from home orders still coming into effect in 2027?  That’s one scenario envisioned by the International Science Council in their major new report examining how endemic the pandemic could become.   And while not all the options are as pessimistic – the report does have worrying warnings.  Today, New Zealand Herald Science Reporter Jamie Morton joins guest host Chelsea Daniels to discuss how the coronavirus could shape the rest of the decade. 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: Chelsea DanielsProducer/Editor: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.