The Front Page

On October 19th 2017, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters threw support behind the New Zealand Labour Party, making Jacinda Ardern our 40th Prime Minister and ending nine years of National rule.   Labour has gone through plenty of highs and lows over the last five years, but half a decade on, the party seems to be facing its most perilous period in power yet.   A rogue backbench MP, a brewing economic nightmare, and growing attacks against some key policies are seeing the party dip in the polls.   Five years into power, is Labour able to revive its fortunes before the next general election Today, Newstalk ZB deputy political editor Jason Walls joins Damien to see if there’s any twinkle left in Labour’s stardust. 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/Producer: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has cancelled William Shakespeare.  At least, that’s what you’d believe if you read some of the headlines this week.   The latest round of Creative New Zealand funding decisions sparked global outrage after the Shakespeare Globe Centre of New Zealand missed out on funding.   But after initial backlash against Creative New Zealand, it appears the outrage was blown out of proportion – and covered up some more serious issues with the latest round of funding.  So how did media and commentators get this so wrong, and what can be done to fix arts funding in Aotearoa?  Today, Damien is joined by award-winning playwright and culture editor for The Spinoff, Sam Brooks, to discuss the state of arts funding 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/Producer: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economic mood around the world is turning gloomier.   Economists and bankers have conceded that the fight against inflation is going to take longer than expected – and this also applies to New Zealand.   There are also growing concerns that we are headed for a recession.  So what will trigger this? How bad will it be? And will the New Zealand economy hold up amid this growing pressure?   Today, Damien is joined by NZ Herald personal finance editor and co-host of Continuous Disclosure Tamsyn Parker for a discussion about the economic clouds that are gathering across the world.  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 VenutoEditor: Paddy FoxProducer: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former cabinet Minister Kris Faafoi has confirmed that he will be launching a lobbying firm. In doing so, he joins an influential group of spin doctors who promise influence over and access to some of the biggest decision makers in the country. Faafoi’s quick transition from Government to lobbying has led to questions about whether we should be allowing this at all.    So how much sway do lobbyists actually have? Should former politicians be allowed to go straight into lobbying roles? And is our approach to lobbying harming our democracy?     Today,  author and researcher Max Rashbrooke joins Damien to delve into the complex web of political spin doctors operating behind the scenes.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the nation’s most anticipated elections is back for another year.  The two-week voting period for Bird of the Year kicks off today, one year after the race made global headlines when the top prize went (confusingly) to a bat.   The annual competition run by Forest and Bird is used to making headlines, but there’s a serious message behind all the competition.  So how are our native birds faring, and is the country doing enough to help them survive?   Today, Forest and Bird’s Ellen Rykers joins Damien to discuss the hot favourites to take out the feathery crown this year. 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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tax cuts are always a hot topic before a general election, and 2023 is shaping up to be no different. However, a new report from Oxfam has ranked New Zealand one hundred and thirty-sixth in the world on our distribution of wealth. So while some want to see tax cuts across the board, including for the very rich, the other end of the spectrum wants to a new tax to break that concentration of wealth. So which tax approach would actually work? And what can we learn from the international community about getting the balance right? Today, Damien is joined by Oxfam Aotearoa advocacy and communications director Jo Spratt and University of Auckland tax expert Professor Craig Elliffe to discuss what the country should do on taxes.  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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Joe Biden has announced federal pardons for those convicted of cannabis possession, wiping clean a criminal record that may have made it difficult to get a job or accommodation after serving out their sentence.  Like the United States, Aotearoa’s drug convictions are tilted heavily against one ethnic group. In their case African-Americans, in our case Māori are much more likely to be prosecuted for drug-related offenses. This has been called a clear example of the systemic racism in our legal system.  Should New Zealand also be considering pardons and wider drug reform? Would this send the right message regarding drug use? And do our politicians have an appetite for change after the failure of 2020’s marijuana legalisation referendum?  Today, New Zealand Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm joins Damien to hash out the pros and cons of our approach to drugs.  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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A world-first scheme will see farmers in New Zealand pay for methane emissions from their livestock by 2025.   The Government has admitted that getting the scheme in place within three years will "require a significant amount of work".  So what is the plan? Will it significantly curtail climate change? And will farmers be able to manage the financial pressure added to their load? Today, Andrew Hoggard, the President of Federated Farmers, joins Damien for a discussion about how this plan will work in practice and what impact it’s likely to have on the farming community.  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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland has spoken, and the country’s largest city has a new mayor in Wayne Brown. The former mayor of the Far North says his win gives him a mandate for change, with key policies focused on shaking up council-controlled organisations and cutting costs.  But how exactly will he deliver on those promises? And with less than a third of Aucklanders bothering to vote, how secure is that mandate? Today, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joins Damien to discuss the changes ahead under Tāmaki Makaurau’s new mayor. 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 VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of systemic repression of women, the people of Iran are calling for change, a call their government can no longer ignore.  So what’s sparked this movement now, after decades under this oppressive regime? Will it be enough to bring change? And could New Zealand be doing more to support the cause?  Today, Damien is joined by Iranian-born Green MP Golriz Ghahraman and Dr Forough Amin, the founder of the Iranian Women in New Zealand charitable trust, for a discussion about why this is the moment that Iranian women are standing up for their rights. 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 VenutoProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy FoxSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.