The Front Page

October 3: The political discourse today was dictated by the ongoing argument about The Press debate, and who has said what from both parties. And NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joins to discuss the races for Auckland Central and Mt Albert - two electorates the Greens hope will be theirs come Election Day. Host: Hamish FletcherProducer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crime in Aotearoa has dominated our political debate in the lead-up to the election. Every party has a view on what should be done about law and order, but these views don’t always align with what experts say. NZ Herald senior politics writer Derek Cheng has taken a close look at the crime policies of all the major parties and spoken to leading experts who argue that what we need to see transformational change in the justice system. 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 Fox and Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 2nd: There are less than two weeks to go until Election Day, and one of our leaders is down with Covid. NZ Herald deputy editor Thomas Coughlan joins Georgina to discuss what it means for Labour now that Chris Hipkins is out with Covid, and how this has led to an argument about debate schedules. Plus, manifestos and priorities are released, and Winston Peters sparks headlines for the wrong reasons. Host: Georgina CampbellProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two of our biggest cities are facing tough budget decisions. Both Auckland and Wellington need to save money and raise more funds to pay for everything. It means both cities are facing the prospect of cutting services or large-scale plans – or, for Auckland at least, major rate rises in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.   So how did Wellington and Auckland get into such a financial mess? And what needs to change about the way they’re run? Super City reporter Bernard Orsman discussed the massive headache on Auckland mayor Wayne Brown’s agenda. and Wellington reporter Georgina Campbell shares the details behind the capital’s financial woes. 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 VentutoProducer: Paddy Fox and Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 29th: National finally released its fiscal policy today, and it has already sparked strong words from Labour. And claims of race-baiting take up oxygen on the campaign trail. Deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan joins us again to dissect the fiscal policies, and also recaps the 21st edition of Mood of the Boardroom. Host: Hamish FletcherProducer: Ethan SillsEditor: Paddy FoxSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prominent business leaders have had their say on what they think of the current Government and those vying to take over.  The Herald’s Mood of the Boardroom is back for its 21st year, and this time the survey has recorded the pulse of the executive suite on the eve of Aotearoa’s general election.  There are strong suggestions that business leaders want change, and that’s bad news for Labour and their leader Chris Hipkins. But why are business leaders so eager for something different? What are they most concerned about?   And is former CEO Christopher Luxon faring any better than Hipkins on his home turf?   Today on The Front Page, Mood of the Boardroom executive editor Fran O’Sullivan gives Damien a rundown of her survey results and shares what she’s learned from delving into our top business minds. Host: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 28: In a bumper episode of On the Campaign, Georgina is joined first by NZ Herald editor at large Shayne Currie to discuss the Newshub leaders' debate and which leader came out on top - and which answer sparked the worst response from the crowd. And then she talks with Wellington reporter Melissa Nightingale about the latest Parliament protest. Plus, new policies from Act, a commitment from National, and strong words from Labour. Host: Georgina CampbellProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a year since retail giant Costco first opened its doors in west Auckland.   From day one, shoppers quickly streamed in to buy plus-size versions of everything, and that hype has not died down 12 months later.  The arrival of Costco came with the promise of greater competition and more diverse shopping options. But has the firm actually delivered on those? And will the success of Costco serve as an invitation for more major international retailers to come here?       Today on The Front Page, marketing expert Ben Goodale gives his verdict on the impact of Costco in Aotearoa.   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 VentutoProducer: Paddy Fox and Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 27: Labour has released their fiscal policy detailing how they will pay for things - and took aim at National in the process. And as the second televised debate goes to air, the focus turns to advanced and early voting - NZ Herald head of data Chris Knox joins to discuss the stats and what influence those early decisions have.  Host: Hamish FletcherProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Hollywood writer’s strike prepares to come to an end, another key part of the entertainment industry is weighing up industrial action.  Reality TV has become the default option for plugging programming gaps caused by strike action. Now cast and crew members are starting to shine a light on how they are treated behind the scenes, and the level of compensation offered for turning their personal lives into entertainment fodder.  Several recent examples – both locally and overseas – have also raised questions about what protections are in place to keep contestants safe.   Today on The Front Page, Damien is joined by Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the UK’s University of Aston, Helen Wood. She has written extensively about reality TV, and served as a parliamentary advisor for an inquiry into the industry. 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 VentutoProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.