The Front Page

One of the country’s biggest developments is currently underway in south Auckland. Over 50 hectares of fields are being transformed into a new city the size of Napier – it's called Drury East. The new project is set to house tens of thousands of people when it’s completed.   What can we expect from the country’s newest city, and how will it help ease Auckland’s burgeoning population growing pains?  NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson shares the backstory behind Drury East.  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. Guest host: Georgina CampbellProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former US President Donald Trump has been indicted once again.   After facing charges related to hush money payments and mishandling classified documents, Trump has now been criminally indicted over attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.  It's the third time the former US leader has been served this year.  So what do these latest charges mean for Trump, and will they impact his desires to be re-elected President of one of the world’s superpowers?  Newshub US correspondent Mitch McCann joins The Front Page from Washington, DC to discuss the latest historic Trump legal controversy.   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. Guest host: Chelsea DanielsProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transport links are seen as a key election issues.  National has announced a $24 billion policy, with much of the attention going toward new four-lane highways linking Whangarei to Tauranga.   National Party leader Christopher Luxon has used the policy announcement to lambast the state of our roads. His party has also promised to remove lower speed limit rules imposed under the current government.  Who has got the right approach to improving our road infrastructure and keeping our streets safe – and can major transport projects keep up with our growing population?   On The Front Page, AA’s Martin Glyn gives Damien his take on the state of our roads. 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.

We all like to think that, as democratic voters, we have an equal say in influencing politicians and policy – but some of our wealthiest New Zealanders potentially have a bigger say than most. A new series by BusinessDesk, Cash for Candidates, has revealed that since 1996, $52m has been donated to our political parties by major donors above the threshold for public declaration. Those major donations come from just 538 individuals, businesses and non-profit organisations   Who is donating to our political parties, which parties benefit the most, and do those donations have any political benefit for those splashing the cash?   For a hard look at the world of political donations, Damien is joined by BusinessDesk contributor and investigative reporter, Donna Chisholm. 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 WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you believe the headlines at the moment, New Zealand is facing a mass exodus to Australia.   Not only does the data show a huge migration movement across the ditch, but we’re also seeing stories of rich listers and fashion moguls selling up and making the move.   But going past these anecdotes, what does the data show about the types of people moving to Australia – and why – and what does this mean for New Zealand’s prospects?   Today on The Front Page, population expert and Massey University distinguished professor emeritus Paul Spoonley joins Damien to discuss what the data shows on who’s staying, and who’s going. 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.

You’re being watched online every day. Almost every click you make, every item you purchase and every clip you watch is being recorded by businesses. The collection and selling of this information has become a multi-billion-dollar industry that shows no signs of slowing down. It’s a reminder that getting incredible online services for free online, most often means we’re paying for them in other ways. So what do businesses know about us? And what can we do to stop them from mining our online habits for commercial gain? Damien speaks to Gehan Gunasekara, an associate law professor at the University of Auckland, and BusinessDesk investigations editor Victoria Young shares what she found out when she asked The Warehouse to share the information they had on her.    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 WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last few years of news have been dominated by crime. From fears of attacks on diaries and jewellery stores and ram raids, to shocking acts of violence and murder, crime and death is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid.   Stories like this often drive eyeballs to news companies, and these narratives are feeding into our fears.   It’s a fear that has been capitalised on by political parties looking to get the edge over each other in a tight election race.  So why do we feel unsafe, and is that fear justified? Today on The Front Page, psychotherapist and co-host of The Nutters Club on Newstalk ZB Kyle MacDonald joins Damien to discuss what drives this fixation with crime. 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 WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netball World Cup kicks off this week in South Africa, with the reigning champs the Silver Ferns looking to repeat their success from 2019.   But as they head to their biggest competition since the Commonwealth Games, our netball greats will need to perform better than their bronze performance in that tournament if they hope to secure another world title.  What are the challenges facing them this time around, and how likely is victory going to be?   NZ Herald/Newstalk ZB sports reporter Nathan Limm is covering the event for NZME from South Africa. He joins Damien on The Front Page to discuss what to expect from Netball’s biggest moment.   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.

The two victims of the Auckland construction site shooting have been named.   Solomona To’oto’o  and Tupuga Sipiliano were killed when Matu Reid showed up to 1 Queen Street armed with a shotgun and took aim.   As the police continue their investigation and other victims recover, questions are being asked about how Reid, who also died from a self-inflicted wound, was able to own a gun and able to leave the house despite being on home detention.  Today on The Front Page, Open Justice reporter and former prohibition officer Ric Stevens joins Damien to discuss if anyone did anything wrong in ruling Reid was low risk. Later, NZ Herald senior crime reporter Jared Savage explains New Zealand’s ongoing gun control efforts. 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.

Justice Minister Kiri Allan has resigned from Cabinet after being charged with careless use of a motor vehicle and failure to accompany a police officer.   This comes off the back of a tough period for Allan, who until a week ago had been on mental health leave. She was also embroiled in a scandal about the treatment of staff. This is a major blow for the Labour Party only three months out of the election, with Allan one of a number of other Labour Ministers who have also lost their posts.  What does this mean for a Labour Party desperate to show the voting public it’s fit to govern? NZ Herald deputy political editor and host of the On the Tiles podcast Thomas Coughlan explains to Damien what this resignation means for Allan and Labour.  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 WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.