The Front Page

While Kiwis can celebrate an extra day of summer thanks to 2024 being a leap year, the good weather times may not last much longer.  With autumn nipping at our heels, it’s nearly time to swap out the togs and towels out for scarves and sweaters. But just what do the cooler months have in store for us?   Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald science reporter Jamie Morton joins to dig into our strange end of summer weather, and whether the rest of the years’ systems are heading the same way.   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: Katie HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While hundreds of people go missing in New Zealand every year, most of the time it only takes a few days or weeks before they return or Police track them down.  However, sadly for some families, their loved ones never return home.  And dozens of these missing persons cases from 1957 to 2023 remain open and active across Aotearoa.  Senior crime and justice reporter Anna Leask has covered many of these files in her podcasts, A Moment in Crime and Chasing Ghosts, and has gone through the records to detail many of the country’s current active inquiries.   She joins us today on The Front Page to explain what constitutes a missing person, and what happens when a body is never found.   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: Katie HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine, but there is still no end in sight for the conflict.  As Ukraine desperately seeks funding and support from its global allies, the war continues in an effective stalemate, with both sides struggling to make ground.   However, could the suspicious death of incarcerated Russian opposition leader, Alexei, Navalny spur Western forces to take more of a stand against Vladimir Putin?  For much of the last two years, Kiwi journalist Tom Mutch has been following the conflict on the ground in Ukraine. He joins The Front Page today from Kyiv for the latest on this war.  Host: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced earlier this week he is leaving politics. He is the latest member of the Labour Party who has chosen greener pastures over three years of being back in Opposition. So with Grant Robertson out the door, where does that leave Labour as it looks to rebuild, and are the remaining MPs strong enough to hold the Government to account? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett joins to dig into Robertson’s legacy and Labour’s 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: Georgina CampbellSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yet another fire has burnt through hundreds of hectares of vegetation on Christchurch’s Port Hills. It would’ve been deja vu for residents – for those who experienced the 2017 fire – as the blaze forced hundreds to evacuate their homes and required round the clock action by firefighters to try and contain it. The fire has largely been contained – but as the planet gets hotter, how common could these types of wildfires become in years to come? And as we reconsider building on floodplains and cliffsides, do we also need to look at the fire risk when building homes? Today on The Front Page, we're joined by director of climate change consultancy Climate Prescience, Dr Nathaneal Melia, to discuss the fire risk of our changing climate, and University of Auckland lecturer in Urban Planning, Dr Iresh Jayawardena, joins to explore if that risk should make us reconsider where we build.  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.

New stats out last week drove home the message that New Zealand is in a population boom. While a record number of us departed our shores, New Zealand still added an additional 145,000 people - the largest population growth we’ve seen this century. So what’s driving this influx of people, and is it sustainable for a country that seems to be running out of money to grow further? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann joins to answer the question – is New Zealand growing too fast? 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.

Custody battles are always complex and require courts to balance the needs of the child with both parents’ wishes.   When different legal jurisdictions are in play, that process becomes far more complicated.   The Hague Convention is a powerful international treaty signed by over 100 countries, which assumes the courts in the country where the child usually lives are best placed to make decisions about their welfare.   This treaty is supposed to make things easier, but as some recent cases have shown, it’s not the golden solution it should be.  Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland law professor Mark Henaghan joins to explain how the Convention works and if after 40 years it's still fit for purpose.   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: Katie HarrisSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A horror half-year result has exposed major issues for Fletcher Building. One of/The largest construction companies in New Zealand reported a 120-million-dollar loss earlier this week, causing their share prices to plummet and forcing multiple key resignations. Fletcher Building is not the only organisation in the industry reeling from losses, as a grim outlook of declining consents and rising building costs suggests a tough time ahead. So, what is driving these woes, and how widespread is the issue around the country? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald’s Property Insider Anne Gibson weighs in on Fletcher’s losses and who might be next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country’s infrastructure woes became very clear for commuters in our biggest city earlier this week.   Aucklanders were stunned after dozens of trains were delayed or cancelled right at rush hour, due to speed restrictions enforced by KiwiRail to combat overheated rail lines.  It’s yet another example of our aging infrastructure, and the dire need for us to invest in replacing and upgrading failing parts of the national network.  So how much would it cost to get the trains running on time – and is there the political will to meet the price tag?   Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett to discuss the costly issues facing the Government.    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.

2023 was a year of dashed hopes for sports fans, with New Zealand missing the mark at four separate world cups.   Now, with a new All Blacks coach, stadium proposals for downtown Auckland, and the Olympics on the horizon, our athletes will be dusting themselves off and looking towards the future.  So will Scott Robertson be able to make his mark on the All Blacks? Can the Up the Wahs phenomenon take the Warriors further than last year? And who is going to bring home the Olympic gold?  To preview the year ahead for Kiwi sports, we’re joined on The Front Page by Newstalk ZB sports journalist and co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast, Elliott Smith.   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.