The Front Page

In January 2019, three-year-old Lachie Jones disappeared on a summer evening. Several hours later, he was found floating face-up in an oxidation pond south of his home in Gore. Police ruled it was an accidental drowning, but the boy’s father has long disagreed - and now has a legal team on his side. So what really happened to Lachie Jones, and is there any chance his father's fight will lead to a new investigation? Today, NZ Herald reporter Kurt Bayer joins Damien to discuss what could have happened to Lachie Jones.  Read more about Lachie's case here. 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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netsafe, the government-funded agency meant to protect New Zealanders from online harm is facing bullying allegations, a $100,000 fine for privacy breaches and departing CEO. So how is it that Netsafe became such a mess? And how do we go about fixing a system that’s meant to keep Kiwis safe?    Today, NZ Herald technology editor Chris Keall joins Damien to discuss what’s going on with Netsafe and what will come next. Read more on the saga here  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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Easter is upon New Zealand again - one of two religious events that are recognised as national public holidays. That’s despite census data showing a growing number of New Zealanders do not identify with any organised religion.   So should the whole country still be celebrating holidays associated with one religious group?   Today, Reverend Frank Ritchie, host of Newstalk ZB’s Sunday at Six and the lead chaplain at Media Chaplaincy, joins Damien to discuss religion's place in 2022 and if the whole country should still celebrate Easter. 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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight Labour MP Louisa Wall delivers her valedictory speech, bringing an end to a career in Parliament that lasted 14 years. However, she has not gone out quietly. Instead, she gave a series of interviews in which she claimed that Jacinda Ardern did not want her in cabinet or in her caucus. So why did she do this, what truth is there to her claims, and how does this reflect on Wall and the Prime Minister?  Today, NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett joins Damien to discuss Wall's parting comments and if they will have a lasting impact. Read more on the saga here 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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 20 years, author Ana Samways has been a collector of New Zealand cultural curiosities. She’s been trawling through the online world for photos, stories and other trinkets that capture the weirdness of life in New Zealand - producing over 5000 editions of the beloved New Zealand Herald column, Sideswipe.  Today, in honour of the anniversary celebrations, Samways joins Damien to share how it all started, how it’s endured and what might come next.   You can find Sideswipe online here 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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was announced this weekend that Australians will head to the polls on May 21st, where they will decide whether to continue with the Coalition and Scott Morrison or replace him with Labor and Anthony Albanese. So what are the key talking points as our closest neighbour prepares to head to the polls?   Today, New Zealand correspondent for the Australian Associated Press Ben McKay joins Damien to dig into the details, the drama and the scandal of Australian politics. 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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has just released a harrowing report that says our time is fast running out to avoid catastrophe. While the report focuses on what can be done to avoid catastrophe, a recent spotlight on some disappearing carparks shows some in New Zealand are unwilling to make those changes. Today, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joins Damien to look at what New Zealand can do to make a difference.  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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a surprising move this week, New Zealand’s Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield has resigned from his post, nearly 18 months before his term ended. The dust had barely settled when the Herald revealed that two other top public health officials following him out the door.  Today, NZ Herald senior writer Derek Cheng, who broke the news of the public health departues, joins Damien to discuss the shock shake-up at the Ministry of Health, and what light history will cast on Bloomfield’s tenure. 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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, a new movie in the Harry Potter franchise hit local cinemas. It’s not too long ago that the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore would have excited fans young and old alike – but the controversies of franchise creator J K Rowling have dampened the mood for a return to Hogwarts.  It comes as Disney finds itself upsetting both sides of the political aisle after becoming a key figure in the debate over Florida's so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.  Today, New Zealand Herald Culture Editor Karl Puschmann joins Damien to discuss how Hollywood is navigating its part in America's culture wars.  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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man charged with threatening to kill Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appeared in court this week. It’s the latest example of online threats stepping dangerously close to crossing over into real-world violence. So how seriously should we take these online threats? And what can we do to help those being drawn in by dangerous ideology? Today, NZ Herald senior writer David Fisher joins Damien to discuss the challenges facing authorities in tackling this problem.  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 / Producer: Damien VenutoProducer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.