The Front Page

2023 was a year dominated by extreme weather.   In late January, some heavy rain in Auckland quickly turned into a city-wide disaster that caught everyone by surprise.  It was pegged as a once in a century event – but barely a fortnight later, Cyclone Gabrielle swept down the upper North Island. While much of Auckland withstood the onslaught, the East Coast was devastated.   Nearly a year has passed since the incidents though, and while pockets of Auckland and the Hawke’s Bay are still dealing with the effects of these storms, much of the country is looking to move on.   So for today’s episode, we’re casting our eyes back over these extreme events as a reminder of what our country has endured, and what we need to learn to avoid things happening again.  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: Damien VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the year’s biggest shocks came only a few weeks into the new year. Back in January, Jacinda Ardern stunned the world when she used her first press conference of 2023 to announce her resignation as Prime Minister.   It brought to an end the five year tenure of the reluctant premier, a politician who never sought the country’s highest office, yet found herself at the coal face for one of the most tumultuous periods in New Zealand’s history.   There throughout her time on the ninth floor were Newstalk ZB political correspondent, Barry Soper, and NZ Herald senior political correspondent, Audrey Young. The two press gallery veterans joined us during 2023 to share their thoughts on Jacinda Ardern’s time in office and what her legacy holds. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a year. In 2023  there seemed to be no end to turmoil and conflict around the world. Wars, coups and disasters – natural or otherwise sprang up seemly without a break.  On The Front Page we’ve done our best to make sense of what’s been happening around the globe, and our place in all this turmoil.   Today we revisit some of the interviews that have helped expand our understanding of a planet that sometimes seemingly defied explanation - including the Gaza conflict, the Wagner Coup attempt in Russia, Africa's coup belt, Morocco's earthquake, and the disputed territory Artsakh / Nagorno Karabakh. Host: Damien VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The early weeks of 2023 were dominated by an ugly family feud on a global scale.   Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, gave an unprecedented glimpse at the inner-workings of the Royal Family and laid bare the tensions between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the family.   This set the tone for a year that was meant to be a celebration that King Charles had waited his whole life to enjoy.   By the time his Coronation arrived in May, serious questions still lingered over how badly these divisions would hurt the Royal family as they entered a new era.  In this look back of the year in royal news, we revisit first our recap of Spare's big revelations with UK correspondent Gavin Grey, and then return to May with NZ Herald Lifestyle Editor Jenni Mortimer live from London in the aftermath of Charles' coronation. Host: Damien VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where to begin with 2023?   The year started in a big way, with the resignation of Jacinda Ardern and two once-in-a-century weather events in a row. And it didn’t slow down from there.  Ministerial car crashes.  An exploding submarine. World Cup highs and lows. The threat of AI. An active shooter at rush hour. A radio station that got effed live on air. Crime, the economy, trans rights, global conflict. And the coronation of both a new King, as well as the swearing in of a new government.   There’s so much to digest, but how do we learn from this year’s crises, and what do we need to prepare ourselves for the year ahead?  For our final episode of The Front Page for the year, we’re joined by NZ Herald editors at large, Shayne Currie and Liam Dann, and political editor Claire Trevett, for a look back and a glimpse into the future.   Tune in next week for highlights from the year. New episodes return January 15th.  Host: Damien VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 has been quite a year, and many of us are ready and waiting for our summer break to begin.   With music festivals and other entertainment on offer, a lot of us need a break.  But after a year of violent weather, what state are our key roads and highways in before the busy traffic period?  And are we going to get the summer weather we missed out on last year, or could we be in for more of the same?  In this episode, Damien is joined first by NIWA meteorologist Ben Noll for a preview of the weather in the weeks ahead. Then, the AA’s Martin Glynn runs through the roads to avoid when heading on holiday, and finally, NZ Herald entertainment reporter Lillie Rohan details some of the summer cultural highlights.  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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the biggest talking points of 2023 has been migration – not just who is coming to New Zealand, but how many of us are leaving the country.  This year has seen record numbers of New Zealanders flock across the ditch and set up shop in Australia. There’s nothing new about a move across the Tasman, but the sheer volume of Kiwis leaving has sparked concerns over a potential brain drain.   In among the stories of higher wages and more job opportunities, there have been some stories about some who found the grass wasn’t greener on the other side.   NZ Herald journalist and Australian expat Ben Leahy has spoken to some of those about their experiences. He joins us today on The Front Page to discuss migration movements over the last 12 months.   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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the last two months, the world has been watching as the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip continues with no end in sight.  Over 18,000 Palestinians have died as Israel continues their bombing campaign, and global efforts for a ceasefire are going ignored, even failing at the highest echelons of international politics.  Yet while this conflict may be dominating headlines, war continues to rage in Ukraine, and the future of the country’s fight against Russia seems up in the air as US politicians battle over how much aid to supply the country.  Today on The Front Page, we are joined by Otago University Professor of International Relations, Robert Patman, to discuss the current state of both conflicts, what the future holds for them, and if that hinges on the outcome of the US Presidential election. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Government is only a week in but there have already been some fiery exchanges.   National’s Christopher Luxon and Labour’s Chris Hipkins crossed swords in parliament and we’ve already seen Kiwis take to the streets in protest.   Te Pati Māori, holding its largest-ever caucus, has promised that this only the start and that there will be further protests to come.   Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has made a number of controversial comments that have left the Luxon red-faced.   So where does this leave National-led coalition? How divisive are the Government’s policies? And how stable is the partnership between National, Act and NZ first.     Today, NZ Herald political report Michael Neilson gives us a breakdown of what has been an eventful and somewhat chaotic first week for the new 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has a new Government – and this means a new Minister for Foreign Affairs. Winston Peters will take over from Nanaia Mahuta in a role that’s getting more complicated with every passing day.  Trade wars, environmental devastation, and open military conflicts have returned to the globe on a level not seen in decades, to name just a few of the diplomatic tightropes that Peters will have to walk as he navigates this role.  So is he still the right man for the job after all these years? And what does a change in Government mean for our role and reputation on the global stage?  Today, NZ Herald editorial director and long-time columnist Fran O’Sullivan connects the dots between Aotearoa and the rest of the world. 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.