The Front Page

The 2022 Men's Football World Cup in Qatar has been drenched in scandal from the moment it was announced.  That controversy has only grown as the small nation has prepared to host the 31 other countries that will be participating in the tournament. Human rights abuses have been widely reported in the building of stadiums. With estimates suggesting thousands of migrant workers have died in build-up to the tournament. Now there are also concerns for fans, given Qatar is a nation where alcohol is illegal and homosexuality is punishable by death.  So how does all this fit into FIFA’s desired image of being a progressive organisation helping the game? Have we learnt anything from this fiasco? And where does this leave fans who love the game but question what FIFA stands for?  Today, NZ Herald sports reporter Michael Burgess joins Damien for a discussion about the most controversial world cup of all time.  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 way we talk about mental health in Aotearoa is changing for the better. But we often don’t realise that those we deal with every day, even some of the people close to us, are facing intense personal struggles.  NZ Herald health reporter Emma Russell has quietly fought to manage her bipolar disorder over the last few years. An exceptional reporter, few of her colleagues knew of Emma’s struggles.  Today, Emma Russell, joins Damien to explain that what you see on the surface isn’t always what’s going on behind the scenes. 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.

Americans have headed to the polls to make their voices heard in their mid-term elections. Most anticipated a red wave to sweep over the nation, with the Republicans expected to take both the house and the senate after waging a campaign centred on spreading the false narrative that the 2020 election was rigged.  But things haven’t played out like that. The race instead has been far closer, with President Joe Biden calling it a good day for democracy.  So why the did red wave not materialise? And what does this mean for the prospects of former President Donald Trump running again in 2024?     Today, Damien is joined by TVNZ US Correspondent Anna Burns-Francis, who’ll help us get a grip on this changing political landscape.  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 residents of Hamilton West will soon be heading to the polls.  A by-election was sparked last month after Dr Gaurav Sharma resigned from Parliament, after weeks of allegations against his former party, Labour.  Labour is now looking to hold the seat, while National is eyeing up another gain – yet neither party seems to be talking up their chances of success.  So who are the main candidates running, and is it going to be closer than we think?   Today, I’m joined by NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse to discuss the race to become the country’s newest MP. 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.

New Zealand’s major banks have posted billions of dollars in profits. This has led to criticism from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who said it was wrong for banks to be making massive profits at a time when New Zealanders are struggling to make ends meet. Stable banks have long been seen as integral to the economy, but do the current profits go too far?  And if so, what can we do to address this issue, in a way that doesn’t harm economic stability in Aotearoa?   Today, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann joins Damien for discussion about the money machines in the New Zealand economy. 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.

Frustrations are growing in Rotorua about the state of emergency housing.   On the city’s famous motel strip, Fenton Street, the tourists have been replaced by emergency housing residents, with so many motels filled up that the street has now been nicknamed ‘MSD MIle’.  Residents and local politicians are demanding change, with even those stuck in these motels keen to move on.   So is anything being done to alleviate a problem that seems to be causing concerns for all parties involved?  Today, Damien is joined by Rotorua Daily Post reporter Kelly Makiha. Her series Fighting for Rotorua is spotlighting the crisis consuming the city.  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: Paddy Fox and Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix’s royal family drama The Crown returns this week, and is facing more controversy than ever. The series has been attacked by the British press and actors such as Dame Judi Dench over how it blurs the line between fact and fiction.   It’s just the latest Netflix product “based on true events” to face this type of criticism – with Dahmer, The Watcher and The Stranger all facing similar backlash in recent months.   So how important is the truth when it comes to entertainment, and how do revisit past events in a way that’s sensitive to those who were involved? On today's episode, Damien is joined by NZ Herald lifestyle and entertainment editor Jenni Mortimer (One Day You'll Thank Me) and NZ Herald crime writer Anna Leask (A Moment in Crime) for a discussion on the sensitivity around adapting true stories.  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.

There has been no political issue in New Zealand more divisive in recent months than Three Waters. The Government’s plan to centralise water management has been met with sharp opposition around the country.  Critics say the plan will take power away from the local councils closest to the people affected, but the Government remains adamant that this move is necessary to keep rates low and improve water management around the country. So what is the thinking behind Three Waters? Why are people so angry about it? And does it have any chance of actually coming to fruition? On today's episode, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joins Damien to explain why this policy has divided the nation.  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.

New Zealand has seen a lot of upheaval in recent years, from Covid-19 to economic and social turmoil. The silver lining to the struggles is we now have a chance to recover in a way that sets Aotearoa up for the future. But that requires some brave thinking.  The NZ Herald is exploring our potential pathways in a series called The New New Zealand – Rebuilding Better.  To help kick things off, Damien is joined by Steve Armitage from events and tourism consultancy Daylight and Georgina Stylianou from Government relations PR firm BRG, to tackle the challenges and opportunities in Aotearoa’s future.   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.

New Zealand LinkedIn has blown up with accusations of smear campaigns, bullying and corporate villains. This string of accusations has its genesis in the fraught relationship between the Government’s Callaghan Innovation and Kiwi startup Manaaki. This has led to a director quitting her role and posting a not-so-subtle rebuke of what she saw while working at Callaghan Innovation. There have also been revelations about the involvement of a private investigator, who was commissioned to look into the dealings of Manaaki.   Today, BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie joins Damien to dig into the troubled relationship between these two organisations.  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.