The Front Page

The ninth edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup is kicking off. The excitement is tangible for the growing legion of fans who enjoy following their sporting idols. However, the promotion around this world-class sporting event pales in comparison to when the Men’s Rugby World Cup was previously held in New Zealand. So are we doing enough to back the Black Ferns? Who are the main teams to watch this year? And can the Black Ferns take the trophy for a record sixth time? Today, Damien is joined by NZ Herald columnist, huge rugby fan, and passionate player of the game, Alice Soper. 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: Paddy Fox and Shaun D WilsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roaming and feral dogs are causing chaos in Northland. Dozens of livestock have fallen, and August saw a man tragically lose his life to pack of dogs. This terrifying problem has been caused by a combination of feral and roaming dogs. So why is this happening? How much harm is being caused? And what is animal control doing to stop this from continuing?    Today, Damien speaks to Northern Advocate reporter Peter DeGraaf about the dangerous canines wreaking havoc across Northland. 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 FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new reality show has been rocked by revelations regarding the previous behaviour of one of the contestants. The NZ Herald revealed that Wayde Moore took advantage of a teenager’s drunkenness to get her into bed.   He was still cast on the show and included in promotional material.  So how does a show like Fboy Island get commissioned in the first place? Are screening processes secure enough to protect participants? And should a public broadcaster even be running shows like this at all?  Today, Damien is joined by NZ Herald senior writer David Fisher for a discussion on how TVNZ could get it so wrong.      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: Paddy Fox and Shaun D WilsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aotearoa is incredibly diverse, with more than 200 different ethnicities within our community. But you wouldn’t think that if you looked at our media. We’re still nowhere close to having people in front of the cameras and behind the scenes that fully represent the diversity of 21st-century New Zealand.  So how much progress have we made? What still needs to change? And are we moving fast enough? Today, Damien is joined by the hosts of the NZ Herald’s Straight Up podcast: business leader and former Olympian Beatrice Faumuina and Newstalk ZB newsreader Niva Retimanu. 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 WilsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s young people are facing a crisis of mental health.   A recent harrowing story showed how powerless a family was amid the downward spiral of their daughter’s battle with mental health.  These trends have been growing over the last decade, but they have been amplified by the impact of the coronavirus.   So why are things becoming so bad? Is enough being done to protect young people? And what gaps urgently need to be filled?    Today, Damien is joined by NZ Herald investigations editor Alex Spence for a frank discussion about why Kiwi kids aren’t alright. You can also find out more about children's mental health in the latest episode of One Day You'll Thank Me with guest host Damien Venuto. 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: Paddy Fox and Shaun D WilsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode, Auckland mayoral hopefuls Efeso Collins and Wayne Brown face off for a debate in moderated by Herald journalists Simon Wilson, Fran O'Sullivan, and Liam Dann. The two candidates were asked for their views on a range of issues, including housing, rates, crime, infrastructure, and what to do with Auckland city centre. With a high percentage of Aucklanders reportedly still undecided, and only one week left until voting closes, the race for who will be Auckland's next mayor is far from decided. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Vodafone brand is set to disappear from Aotearoa's marketing landscape.  In its place, we will see the emergence of one.nz, with the colour green replacing the red of Vodafone.  The company’s CEO has done a major telco rebrand before when he was at Spark, but it’s always risky to change something familiar. There have been some chaotic and unsuccessful rebrands.  So what are some of the pitfalls, concerns and issues that can derail a rebrand? And how long does it take for a brand change to hit home?   Today, Damien is joined by Auckland University marketing professor Bodo Lang to hear how a rebrand can go spectacularly right... or terribly wrong. 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 WilsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode, Christchurch mayoral hopefuls David Meates and Phil Mauger made their cases in front of an audience for why they should get the top job in the South Island's biggest city. The debate is introduced by Leeann Watson - CEO of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce and hosted by journalist Ryan Boswell. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Currency markets have been absolutely rocked over the last week.   The British pound has collapsed, and the New Zealand dollar has also been on a sharp slide. So what’s going on with international currency markets? Is this the beginning of the threatened recession? And can this downward trajectory be reversed?  Today, Damien is joined by Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen to sort through this global financial upset, as we try to gauge whether this is a bump in the road or a cavernous pothole. 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.

Could Russia’s war spread further? Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no sign of giving up on the embattled nation of Ukraine and has made veiled threats to escalate his fight to a nuclear war. Leaders around the world have denounced Putin’s actions, but is this nuclear talk just posturing from a famous bender of reality, or a real possibility?   Today, Damien is joined by global security and international relations expert, Professor Robert Patman from the University of Otago. 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.