The Front Page

On January 29, 2019, 3-year-old Gore toddler Lachie Jones was found dead in an oxidation pond, a little over a kilometre away from his mother’s home. Two police investigations concluded Lachie drowned, but his father, Paul Jones, does not accept these findings, and believes he was murdered. Ahead of the second phase of a coronial inquest into Lachie’s death, his mother, Michelle Officer, has spoken for the first time to the Herald’s Ben Tomsett about her side of the story. Today on The Front Page, Ben Tomsett joins us to digest that interview, and how this case has evolved. 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: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the trial begins its second week, Day 6 began with a cross-examination of ESR forensic scientist, Fiona Matheson, and later the court heard from ESR forensic scientist Nicholas Curno, to discuss DNA evidence.  Last week, the jury heard how police and forensic scientists spent 11 days at the scene.   We already know the Crown isn’t relying too much on forensics done at the scene – but, it’s important for ESR to walk the jury through what they didn’t find, just as much as what they may have.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does it seem like people are a bit sicker than usual this winter? It’s been the talk of offices around the country, as people seem to be falling sick and staying sick for longer than usual. And it’s not just Covid that is continuing to claim lives, with the Herald reporting on two cases in the last month of people dying suddenly after developing flu symptoms. So how bad are the bugs and diseases going around Aotearoa this winter, and what do we need to know to be vigilant about our health? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Dr Lucy Telfar-Barnard, an epidemiologist with the University of Otago’s Department of Public Health, and Dr Bryan Betty, chair of General Practice New Zealand. 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first week of the trial of Philip Polkinghorne has come to an end.  While we’re in the early stages of evidence, the topics that will be covered in the case have been made clear.   Infidelity, threesomes, sex workers, a meth habit, financial concerns, depression, stress, and a Covid vaccine rollout: All this will be traversed over the next six weeks to answer the ultimate question of murder or suicide?  Day 4 focused on the rope found at the scene and analysis of it from a Canadian expert, before the state of the guest room and laundry in the couple's home was explored. Day 5 had a focus on some of the last photos seen of Hanna from the day before her death.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party will be gathering for its Annual General Meeting this weekend. It comes as the party recently marked eight months in power, and as key campaign promises of tax cuts and youth boot camps take effect, giving them plenty to celebrate. But it’s not been an easy ride for the biggest party in Parliament, caught in the middle of a coalition it would rather not be in, and facing continued pushback over its handling of Māori relations and the environment. Today on The Front Page, we discuss how National is handling these highs and lows with NZ Herald political editor, Claire Trevett. 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have found remains in the search for missing Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao. It comes just a few weeks after the one year anniversary of her disappearance. A process has been underway to formally identify the remains, but Police believe they’ve finally solved this part of a case that’s shocked the country. For more details and how police got here, we’re joined on The Front Page by Newstalk ZB Christchurch reporter, Emily Ansell. 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day three of the trial of Philip Polkinghorne centred around a bright orange rope hanging from a balustrade, and a detailed walk-through of the scene examination of the couple’s Remuera home.   The former Auckland eye surgeon maintains his wife took her own life on the morning of April 5, 2021 - an Easter Monday.   But, the Crown claims he staged the scene to look like suicide.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s long-awaited tax cuts are finally coming into effect from today.   National campaigned strongly on the cuts, and on Budget Day announced a $14 billion  tax package for the next four years. The average Kiwi should soon receive an extra $40 a fortnight to spend how they wish, with more benefits coming for parents, but the lowest income earners are only set to gain $9. So, is this tax package fair for all – and will it provide the cost of living relief the Government promised? Today on The Front Page, we’ll get the political rundown from New Zealand Herald deputy political editor, and On the Tiles podcast co-host, Thomas Coughlan, and then get insight on how to best use your tax cut from Auckland Central Budgeting’s Teresa White. 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warning: This podcast contains disturbing content.The second day of the trial focused on those who first attended the scene where Pauline Hanna's body was found.Was Philip Polkinghorne reasonably calm on the morning of his wife’s death or just composed and trying to help?Was the injury on his forehead a scratch, graze, scrape, or cut?How was Pauline Hanna’s body found - and what injuries did she have?And why, by late morning, before a statement was even given, did Police deem the scene suspicious?You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of KiwiRail is at risk of going off the rails. There has been an exodus of directors from the Board following the early retirement of chairman David McLean, and the company has been under intense scrutiny of how it’s handled the Cook Strait ferry business. So, what does the future hold for a state owned enterprise responsible for a significant part of our transport network? And is there a way to get its fortunes back on track? Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by BusinessDesk Infrastructure Editor Oliver Lewis to dive into KiwiRail’s problems. 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.