The Front Page

Almost every week another story emerges about an employer behaving badly and having to make a significant payout to an employee.   Most of the stories come from the dispute decisions released by the Employment Relations Authority and they provide a glimpse at what happens when things go wrong in the workplace.   So are New Zealand employers particularly badly behaved? Is the employment relations authority doing enough to hold employers accountable for their actions? And do employees have access to the justice being offered? 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: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been four decades since the Equal Pay Act was first released, but women still do not earn as much as men. The average gap is so significant that women are ostensibly working for free from today when compared to their male counterparts.   This divide is even more pronounced when you look at the pay of Aotearoa’s Māori and Pasifika.  So why does this problem persist? How much progress has actually been made in recent years? And what can be done to speed up the progress toward pay equity?  Today, I’m joined by the chair of Global Women, former CEO of Telecom, and longtime campaigner for pay parity Theresa Gattung,  to talk about the cost of being a woman.  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 endless discussion about a second Auckland Harbour Crossing is back.   The Government is consulting Aucklanders on if they want a bridge or tunnel across the Waitemata Harbour to go alongside the existing bridge.  It comes after years of back and forth on ideas for crossings, while those using the existing Harbour Bridge contend with an aging infrastructure prone to closures.  So why does it take so long to get these major projects off the ground in Aotearoa? What goes on behind the scenes to take these key pieces of infrastructure from the drawing board to reality?   Today, Damien is joined by North Shore Auckland Councillor and former Planning Committee Chair Chris Darby to break down what goes in to building our cities.   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 SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ram raids, gang wars, random attacks, school lockdowns, domestic violence – the news cycle has been endless, and it has rarely painted Government crime policies in good light.  The National Party has put it top of the agenda ahead of the 2023 election, promising to punish youth offenders and hitting out at Labour’s crime policies as ‘kumbaya’.  The man in charge of that for the Government is Police Minister Chris Hipkins, who was appointed to the portfolio back in June when ram raids were at their peak.  Today, Damien is joined by the minister to discuss what he’s witnessed over the last five months, Labour’s policies versus National’s, and what government statistics show about the extent of crime in New Zealand.   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 weeks have not been good to the superstars of the tech industry.  Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has dominated headlines for weeks after finally completing his purchase of social media giant Twitter, and subsequently overseeing a mass departure of staff and the breakdown of the platform he bought. Speaking of collapse, the dramatic fall of FTX and founder Sam Bankman-Fried has again raised questions about the sustainability of crypto.  So where have things gone wrong for these tech giants, and what does this tell us about the self-mythology of founders? Today, Vaughn Davis, the founder of ad agency The Goat Farm, joins Damien for a chat about the strange tech overlords managing billions of dollars.   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.

Covid is on the rise in New Zealand once again. Reports around the country point to an uptick of cases, sparking concern that we could be facing yet another wave of infections.  It arrives at a time when we have no Government-mandated rules left to protect us and many New Zealanders have moved on with their lives.   So is there anything we can do to stem the tide? Should private companies still impose Covid rules? And will small tourist towns bear the brunt of the outbreak over the summer months?     Today, Otago University epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker, joins Damien to discuss why the pandemic is not yet done with us.  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.

It’s been nearly one year since Christopher Luxon took over the reins at the National Party. Since Luxon took over, the party has become more stable and steadily risen in the polls. But his tenure hasn’t been without its mishaps. He has dealt with MP controversies, made his own public gaffes, and there are still serious questions about National’s policies in the lead-up to next year's election.  Today, Damien is joined Newstalk ZB chief political reporter Aaron Dahmen for his analysis of the big political battle shaping up for 2023.     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.

As Europe heads into the cold winter months, there still no indication of the war between Russia and Ukraine coming to an end. The Ukrainian army has made major advances and taken back much of their country. Meanwhile, Russian casualties are piling up and the Putin’s forces are now responding with a barrage of missile attacks, a strategy that inadvertently led to the deaths of two people in Poland.  So what does this mean for the European economies, particularly Ukraine and Russia? With its back to the wall, could Russia pull the trigger on a nuclear weapon? And is there a risk of the rest of the world stops caring about the struggle of the Ukrainian people? Today, Damien is by joined Newshub Europe correspondent Lisette Reymer, who has visited Ukraine five times this year, for an update on the ongoing war.   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.

Drownings are making headlines, again. It’s an ominous warning for our summer months, the time when New Zealanders head to the waves to seek relief from the scorching sun.  Water safety remains a massive problem in Aotearoa. Dozens lose their lives to drowning every year.  So why is this problem so difficult to address? Who is most at risk of drowning? And what can we do to stay safe while enjoying a summer swim?    Today, Water Safety NZ chief executive Daniel Gerrard joins Damien for a discussion on the dangers of one of our favourite pastimes.  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 Black Ferns have solidified their place as Aotearoa’s most successful national sports team, claiming a record sixth World Cup title. Despite the persistent narrative that audiences aren’t interested in Women’s sport, stadiums were filled during the tournament and viewers tuned in in record numbers to watch the final live.  So is the women’s game finally getting the respect it deserves? Or is there more work to be done to ensure parity between men’s and women’s sport in this country? 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 VenutoEditor: Paddy FoxProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.