The Front Page

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.

Nearly six years after disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died in prison, he has once again become the centre of political controversy in the US. It’s after the Justice Department decided not to release more detailed records from the investigation into him and his death – with Attorney General Pam Bondi concluding he did not leave behind a so-called “client list”. But, that hasn’t stopped the avalanche of speculation –  and major MAGA infighting -- over the apparent “lack of transparency”. So, has there been a major cover-up? Or have we succumbed to another Kennedy-esque conspiracy, and there’s ACTUALLY “nothing to see here”? Today on The Front Page, Associated Press Washington correspondent Eric Tucker takes us through the latest in the Epstein saga. 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 DanielsSound Engineer: Corey Fleming and Kane Dickie Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of central Auckland sits on the remains of 53 volcanic cones and craters. While there’s no way of knowing when an eruption will happen, it’s been said time and time again that it’s not a case of ‘if’, but ‘when. New research now suggests that deathly clouds of hot, fast-moving gas and debris could travel much further than previously thought if an eruption happened in Auckland. But, how likely is it that a volcanic eruption could happen in Auckland in our lifetime? And what can we gain from this research? Today on The Front Page, we’re talking to University of Auckland professor Jan Lindsay, who is spearheading the research into our volcanic threats. 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 DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump tariffs are inching closer and closer towards becoming a reality. While they were meant to kick into gear last week, they've been delayed again – this time to August 1. Despite being accused of “chickening out”, Donald Trump has reignited the tariff talk through a series of letters and social media posts – announcing new duties on dozens of countries, if they don’t sign trade deals. In the months since ‘Liberation Day’, only two countries have signed agreements with the US – so is it likely that dozens more will be signed in the next month? Or are we firmly in an era of tit for tat tariff wars, and economic uncertainty? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann joins us to discuss the latest in the economic story that is dominating 2025. 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 DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should the ultra-wealthy pay more tax? It’s a debate that’s continued for decades, even centuries. From Ancient Athens to present day, the idea has been a constant when it comes to addressing inequality. Yet, no government has been brave enough to impose one. It’s a staple of the Green Party’s proposed Budget, which promises bold moves to make sure everyone has a warm home, decent kai, and the care and support for a good life. But who pays? And is leaning even more left than centre doing wonders for the party’s polling? Today on The Front Page, Green Party co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick is with us to discuss whether it’s time for the wealthy few to fund. 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 DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The long tail of Covid is still being felt for some parts of our society. The second stage of the Royal Commission into the Covid-19 response kicked off this week, with public testimony from business owners and those impacted by vaccine mandates and the lengthy lockdowns in Auckland and Northland. It’s part of the coalition deal between National and both ACT and NZ First, and has prompted criticism over being overtly political and spotlighting conspiracy theorists. But with so many in the community still focused on the events of 2020 and 2021, are we ever going to move past it? We’ll discuss that later with independent political and social commentator Grant Duncan, but first on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB reporter Emily Ansell is with us to explain what’s happening with the royal commission. 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 DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not In My Back Yard. For decades, that has been a battle cry for suburbanites and homeowners unimpressed by changes happening in their neighbourhood. But, how often are those complaints valid, or are they just people unhappy with change? With both a 16.5 metre tall Buddha statue in Waiwera Valley, and a helipad in Westmere getting people talking, today on The Front Page we’re looking into the resource management process and why some things get approved, and others don’t. Later, we’ll talk with Associate Professor Caroline Miller from Massey University’s Resource and Environmental Planning Programme. But first, for details on that giant Buddha statue, we’re talking to NZ Herald senior reporter David Fisher. 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 DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antisemitic sentiment has risen globally since the war in Gaza began, including in our part of the world. A man has been charged after a Melbourne synagogue was set alight last Friday. The alleged antisemitic attack has seen the country’s Home Affairs Minister describe it as an “attack on Australia”. The attack’s prompted the country’s Labor party to push for reforming the school curriculum to tech children about antisemitism. But, these kind of anti-Jewish attitudes aren’t reserved for our trans-Tasman neighbours. An NZ Jewish Council report last year found in the 12 months from October 7 2023, there were 227 recorded antisemitic incidents, a jump from 166 in the eight and a half years prior. So, how has the Gaza conflict exacerbated these tensions? And how can the Jewish faith be separated from the actions of the state of Israel? Today on The Front Page, Holocaust Centre of New Zealand chair Deborah Hart joins us to discuss the rise of antisemitism here, and how we might be able to combat it. 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 DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has seen plenty of severe weather in recent years. Stories about towns flooding when hit with heavy rainfall have become commonplace. Just in the last month, towns like Nelson, Marlborough and Motueka have been devastated, while other areas like Taranaki have been badly affected as this type of rainfall becomes the norm. We keep facing these issues and talking about how to fix them, but what are the long term solutions? Today on The Front Page, Dr Tom Logan, Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury and chief technical officer at Urban Intelligence, is with us to explore how we can better protect our towns from severe weather – and if moving them should be on the cards. 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 DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cost of living, crime and supermarkets remain a source of concern for the Government. The coalition has released its latest quarterly action plan – and it has come with a reiteration from the Prime Minister that they’re going to get on top of the cost of living. It comes as surveys show that National’s lost voters’ confidence in managing the issue – with many voters now seeing Labour as the better party to tackle the number of issues facing the country. Crime is another major concern, with a string of policy announcements in recent weeks. But the Opposition’s attempts to weigh in on the subject have only furthered the controversy. Today on The Front Page, we speak to Newstalk ZB’s political editor Jason Walls about what’s behind the Beehive’s top headlines lately, and whether the tide is turning when it comes to who Kiwis truly trust. 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 DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.