The Front Page

You might look on Facebook marketplace for a new couch, a lamp, a rug. But, what about class A drugs? Or how about a ghost gun? A Herald investigation has revealed at least 56 listings were circulating on the site offering magic mushrooms, cannabis, and in one case LSD across the North Island and top of the south. And that could just be the tip of the iceberg of illicit sales on social media. So how do we get on top of this? NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah has been looking into this, and joins us today on The Front Page. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all been caught out when using PayWave or contactless payment in stores, where we think we know how much we’re paying and then a surcharge adds a tiny bit more on that final price. Well, that’s about to change. The Government is planning to ban retailers from being able to add surcharges to most in-store card payments. It follows a decision by the Commerce Commission last week to reduce interchange fees paid by businesses for accepting credit card payments. So what does this all mean for consumers and business owners… are there more savings that could be made on these fees, or are they a consequence of trying to attract more competition to the market? Today on The Front Page, Massey University Associate Professor from the School of Accountancy, Economics and Finance, Claire Matthews, is with us to break down what this all means for you. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s energy sector is broken. That’s according to an open letter calling for the Government to do more to keep our power prices down. Soaring power costs is always a concern – but, we now live in a country where for some it’s a privilege to have power. We've heard too many stories about businesses closing due to the rising cost of just keeping the lights on, and everyday Kiwis are struggling as well... tens of thousands of households are cut off from basic, essential services, just because they can’t afford to pay their bills. So, what can we actually do to keep prices down over winter - and can we ever get them to stay down permanently? Today on The Front Page, as part of the Herald’s Power to the People campaign, we speak to the manager of Consumer NZ’s Powerswitch, Paul Fuge. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From entering Parliament in 2008 – to leading the country in 2023 – Chris Hipkins is no stranger to the spotlight. During Covid’s beginnings, he was known as a safe set of hands, tackling Education, Health, and becoming the Minister in charge of the Covid Response for a time. Now, he’s firmly setting his sights on election 2026 – but, is he confident he’ll still be in Labour’s driving seat when it rolls around? Today on The Front Page, Hipkins joins us to discuss the cost of living, vibes in parliament, and whether he’ll ever be able to shake Covid. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement – or NCEA – has been New Zealand’s main secondary school qualification for more than 20 years now. But, its future could be on the line, as more top schools plan to offer alternatives – and a Government briefing raised concerns about its credibility. So is NCEA really as bad as it’s been out made out to be, and what would be the benefit of switching your kid over to one of the other options out there? Today on The Front Page, Dr Nina Hood from the Education Hub is with us to discuss the future of high schooling in NZ. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another 1-dollar deal, another big shakeup for the New Zealand media industry. Sky TV has snapped up broadcast network Three and its associated platforms, and will have control of them by August 1st. It sees the exit of another international player in the local media landscape, with Warner Bros Discovery retreating a year after it closed down Three’s news outfit, Newshub. So what does this new media merger mean for the industry – and could this change how you watch the All Blacks? Today on The Front Page, host of The Fold podcast for The Spinoff, Duncan Grieve, is with us to discuss how this shakes things up. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have we lost the right to anonymity? By now we’ve all heard about the couple who went viral after being caught looking embarrassed on a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert in the US. An offhand, cheeky comment by frontman Chris Martin and a whole lot of internet sleuthing later and it turns out; they were colleagues having an affair. Details of their personal and professional lives spread across social media like wildfire, and the man involved resigned as CEO of a major tech company. But, it’s not the first-time people have gone from complete unknowns to internet sensations... which makes you wonder – in an age when just about everyone has a camera in their pocket, is having our worst moments captured and put on the internet outside of our control? Is there anything that can be done -- or are we all at risk of being publicly shamed? Today on The Front Page, privacy lawyer Kathryn Dalziel is with us to discuss what the law says about privacy in our internet age. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scams have always been a hot topic. As technology gets more sophisticated, Kiwis of all ages are becoming more vulnerable to falling for them. Estimates of how much money we’ve lost varies, though one NetSafe and Global Antiscam Alliance report estimated over 2 billion dollars lost last year alone. So what is being done to try and solve this crisis, and do banks and the government need to take more responsibility? NZ Herald senior reporter Lane Nichols joins us today on The Front Page to discuss the latest scammers and what solutions there could be in future. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From humble beginnings to a rising star in the National Party, James Meager’s journey to the Beehive has been rapid to say the least. In just two years he’s gone from delivering his maiden speech, to becoming a Minister of the Crown, tackling the portfolios of Youth, Hunting and Fishing, and the newly established South Island portfolio.  So, how do we make sure every young person in New Zealand gets the best possible start in life? And what does it actually mean to be the Minister for the South Island? Today on The Front Page, James Meager joins us to discuss what the trajectory from party staffer to Minister has been like, and what the future holds for the kid from Timaru. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could the Government be taking a step back from helping homeowners after the elements make their homes unliveable? Recent extreme weather events have prompted a rethink of government housing protections. Billions of dollars have been spent over the years on buying out homes after natural disasters. But, in a changing world, and climate, where these events are happening harder and faster, is the idea of the Crown stepping in with unlimited cash unsustainable? Today on The Front Page, Insurance Council chief executive Kris Faafoi joins us to explain what the future looks like for homeowners. 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: Chelsea DanielsEditor: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.