The Front Page

After a few weeks off for their summer break, our politicians will soon be returning to Wellington to gear up for what is expected to be a close election year. The polls have National and Act ahead of Labour and the Greens, but with a late election likely on the cards, this is still anybody’s race. And before we can all head to the polls, the Government has some key legislation to pass that could have a big impact on the talking points this election. So what policies and priorities are set to dominate the political landscape this year, and what do Jacinda Ardern and Chris Luxon need to do to cross that 61-seat threshold?  Today, Damien is joined by NZ Herald deputy political editor, and host of the On the Tiles podcast, Thomas Coughlan, to discuss the year ahead for politics.   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.

The news cycle this year has so far been dominated by one man and his long-running family feud.   Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has finally released his memoir, Spare, after weeks of leaks and promotional interviews.  The book takes aim at everyone, from his own brother, father and stepmother, to the British media who have long been the bane of the Duke’s existence.   Spare is a global publishing sensation, but will Harry’s revelations have a lasting impact on the British Royal Family, and what does he hope to get from baring it all? Today, Damien is joined by UK correspondent Gavin Grey to dissect the revelations and the fallout from the publishing event of the year.   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.

After a rough 2022, we all could have used a nice summer break to help us recharge for the year ahead. But the weather had other ideas.   A constant stream of rain, not helped by an ex-cyclone, well and truly dampened the country’s hopes for a good summer – and left a trail of destruction in its path.   It once again has raised the question about the impact of climate change and whether New Zealand is built to withstand Mother Nature’s worst.   To discuss New Zealand’s summer of rain, Damien is joined by NIWA meteorologist Ben Noll, who shares details on what goes into predicting weather and whether these wet summers are set to become the norm.   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.

This week, The Front Page is showcasing several high-profile New Zealanders who stood out in their field in 2022. The business community has been rocked by tough times over the last few years, leading many to batten down the hatches and wait for the storm to pass. But Andrew Barnes, a pioneer of the four-day working week, remains committed to revolutionising the way we work – and the amount of time we spend in the office. So why is he still so committed to challenging the status quo? Is the movement gaining traction? And what will it take to change the minds of those who remain unconvinced? Today, Business Standout Andrew Barnes tells Damien all about his ambitions for taking the four-day week even further.   Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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.

This week, The Front Page is showcasing several high-profile New Zealanders who stood out in their field in 2022. Aotearoa’s voting age could be lowered for the first time in nearly 50 years.  In November, the Supreme Court declared the current voting age of 18 was inconsistent with the Bill of Rights, opening the door for a law change. It is now up to our politicians to decide what happens next, but the legal win is a major victory for the young campaigners behind this move.   It follows a trend of young New Zealanders fighting to make the world a better place – and force older generations to pay attention. Today, Damien talks to Caeden Tipler and Sanat Singh from Make It 16; The Front Page's Standout Campaign, about their fight to get change across the line. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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. New episodes return on January 9th. Host: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, The Front Page is showcasing several high-profile New Zealanders who stood out in their field in 2022. Aotearoa saw multiple sporting highlights in 2022, from success at the Commonwealth Games to the Black Ferns' World Cup victory. But back in February, history was made when our country won its first-ever gold medals at the Winter Olympics.   Zoi Sadowski-Synnott claimed gold first in the women’s slopestyle, followed later by Nico Porteous in the halfpipe. The pair were both only 16 when they won their first medals in 2018, and their 2022 victories further cemented their historic status as our youngest-ever gold medallists. Today, Damien talks to The Front Page's Sports Standouts about their path to gold and glory. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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.

In politics, the end of 2022 was dominated by a swing to the right, with Labour stumbling down the polls, and the local elections saw many councils and mayoralties flip across the aisle.  But in our capital city, their new mayor bucked that trend, taking on Wellington’s mayoralty despite having no experience in public office, and initially being the seeing as the bronze medalist in a two-horse race.    Today, Damien talks to The Front Page's political standout for 2022, Tory Whanau, about how she turned Wellington green – and what others can learn from her victory. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, The Front Page is showcasing several high-profile New Zealanders who stood out in their field in 2022. For years, journalists and newsreaders have been at the centre of our entertainment industry, attracting a celebrity status that at times rivals our biggest actors and musicians. One of the country's most popular reporters, Newshub’s Patrick Gower, has over the last year used his popularity to turn the focus on some of the more uncomfortable realities of living in Aotearoa. Whether it was investigative reporting on drugs or a personal account of his own struggles with alcohol, Gower offered fresh insights that challenged the audience to look at things differently.  Today, Damien talks to Patrick Gower, The Front Page's Entertainment Standout for 2022 about what motivated him to get personal, and what it means for the next stages of his prolific career. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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 Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Front Page is revisiting some of the major stories we covered in 2022.  August marked 25 years since Diana, Princess of Wales died in a car crash in Paris. The shadow of her shock death still hangs over the British monarchy, which today finds itself embroiled in its most contentious period since the bitterness of the nineties as her children now find themselves fighting the same battles she did.   Documentarian Ed Perkins' film The Princess offered a fresh perspective on the story familiar to so many around the world. He joined Damien in August to discuss Princess Diana’s legacy and how her public fight is mirrored in the Royal battles unfolding today.   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. New episodes return on January 9th. Host: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Front Page is revisiting some of the major stories covered in 2022. At the start of this century, New Zealand was considered one of the most literate countries in the world. However, multiple reports in recent years have shown that is no longer the case.  Our literacy rates are falling, and it’s a problem that doesn’t stop at the classroom – its effects are being felt across all of society. So before we send our kids back to school, we’re revisiting a NZ Herald series that explored why are our kids struggling to read, and why there’s a battle to rectify this issue. In August, Damien is joined by NZ Herald education reporter Dubby Henry to and what’s being done to fix a systemic education crisis. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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. New episodes return on January 9th. Host: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.