The Front Page

Barbara Demick has spent her career telling the stories of people living under some of the world’s most repressive and dangerous regimes.

From North Korea to Tibet and Bosnia, her reporting and books have helped readers understand what life looks like far beyond the headlines.

Her latest book, Daughters of the Bamboo Grove, chronicles the true story of Chinese twin girls, born in rural Hunan, separated by China’s one-ch...

A new Youthline ASB report is shining a light on the mounting pressures facing young Kiwis. The 2026 State of the Generation report includes Gen Alpha for the first time and is based on a nationwide survey of more than 1000 people aged 12 to 24.

The report reveals a lot is worrying our younger generations, and the consequences of these pressures are dire. In the past three months, Youthline recorded an all-time high, connecting an ...

A new Salvation Army report is putting a spotlight on why an alarming number of ex-prisoners go on to reoffend.

In New Zealand, more than 43% of people released from prison end up back there within two years. Almost two-thirds reoffend.

The Salvos reckon more focus is needed on ‘reintegration’ services, to make sure people return to the community with stability, support, and resources.

Today on The Front Page, The Salva...

New Zealand businesses are running on fumes, with cash reserves dwindling amid surging fuel prices and KiwiSaver costs... all while the full shockwave hasn't fully hit yet.

Economist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey, joins us to explain why the fuel crisis reality is only dawning, the supply chain pain ahead, and what it means for New Zealand's economy. 

He also answers the question we've all been asking ... what does...

New Zealand’s unemployment rate is expected to hold steady - at least on paper - when new data is released this week. 

But beneath that headline number, economists are warning the labour market may already be weakening, just as global tensions and an oil shock begin to bite. 

There are also growing concerns about something called ‘stagflation’... where higher unemployment and rising i...

Barry Soper is a name and certainly a voice that’s recognisable across New Zealand.

After decades in the Beehive, Soper put pen to paper outlining his time covering 12 Prime Ministers, from Muldoon to Luxon.

He blends personal stories, policy critiques, and behind-the-scenes tales ... like Muldoon’s drunken Schnapps election call, Lange’s antics in Africa, and Bolger’s mimicry habits.

As former PM John Key w...

A man has been charged with attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump after trying to storm the White House correspondents’ dinner.

The 31-year-old was carrying a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shot gun, and three knives as he charged past security. A White House security review’s been launched to understand how this person managed to get so close to the President.

So how should we understand this momen...

El Niño is set to hit New Zealand this winter. 

Global climate models show there’s a greater than 60% probability that this ‘event’ will be ‘strong’ by spring, with the potential to intensify later this year. 

But, what does this all actually mean? What happens when the ocean surface warms? And what does it mean for our weather? 

Today on The Front Pa...

A new report suggests that New Zealand’s rapidly changing demographic make-up has reached a critical point.  

Within decades, a quarter of all New Zealanders could be 65 or older – a situation unheard of in our history.  

At the same time, migration patterns are shifting, cities like Auckland are absorbing most growth, and regional decline is accelerating. 

The Koi Tū Centre for I...

The Finance Minister is adamant that New Zealand’s economic recovery has been delayed, but not derailed, by the war in Iran. 

Nicola Willis has shone a light on the country’s economic outlook in the lead up to next month’s budget. 

At the same time, Stats NZ data on the country’s productivity performance for the year to March 2025 shows our productivity conti...

Sales volumes have continued to decline across New Zealand’s housing market.

It marks a third consecutive monthly fall and extends the subdued start to 2026 – even as property values remain broadly stable.

But beneath the surface, the picture is uneven.

Auckland remains soft, first home buyers are propping up demand, and the rental market is showing signs of strain.

At the same time, global uncertainty and inflation ris...

It’s safe to say our last episode on EVs amid the current fuel crisis sparked some lively debate.

Our last guest’s take on unreliable EVs and the possibility of brand collapses drew strong pushback.

So, today, we're flipping the script with a fresh take to tackle your top concerns head-on. EV registrations are still surging alongside hybrids and PHEVs.
As of April 19, there were 5346 EVs registered this year, compar...

The Prime Minister has initiated and survived a motion of confidence as National Party leader. 

After about a three-hour caucus meeting, Christopher Luxon read a short statement out to media before leaving without taking questions. 

This all comes after weeks of speculation about whether his performance during the Iran fuel crisis mixed with poor p...

The Government has quietly agreed to repeal several references to Treaty principles within laws. 

The move – which wasn’t publicly announced – follows a coalition agreement to review Treaty provisions across 23 pieces of legislation.

Ministers argue the changes will bring greater clarity and consistency.

Critics warn it could strain Māori-Crown relationships even further, and could trigger legal challenges.

S...

It seems the ongoing uncertainty of whether pumps will dry out has got people thinking greener.

As at April 12, there were 5,137 EVs registered this year – up 116% from the same time last year. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or PHEVs, are at an all-time high up 75% and Hybrids up 5%.

These kinds of numbers haven’t been seen since the Clean Car Discount/post-lockdown boom seen in 2023.

Sellers and auction sites are rep...

The Iranian military has threatened shipping in the Gulf, Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman if the US naval blockade continues.

The threats made by general Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi were apparently aired on Iranian state television.

Meanwhile, talks could resume as early as this week with NBC news reporting Trump has said the war was “very close to over” while Tehran has said messages were still being exchanged via Pakistan.&n...

Illicit tobacco is quietly taking hold across New Zealand.

A Retail NZ report warns the country could soon face the same violent black-market spiral seen in Australia.

It has found more than a quarter of smokers are using illicit tobacco - most sourced from China and the Middle East.

Some cartons are being sold for as little as 15 dollars - with supply controlled by organised crime groups.

So what’s driving this trade, and ho...

The US blockade of Iranian ports has begun.

President Donald Trump is warning any ships that try to disrupt US efforts will be eliminated. Earlier, Iran's parliament speaker said the country would not "surrender under threats".
Weekend peace talks between the US and Iran ended without resolution, with Trump blaming Iran 's unwillingness to end its nuclear ambitions.

Vice President JD Vance has said that it’s up to Iran and...

It’s 208 days until Kiwis hit the polls and vote for the next Government.

And despite campaigning not officially starting, the Prime Minister’s performance has been called into question, time and time again.

Accusations range from Luxon leaning too much into corporate speak and acting like a CEO to dodging questions, and even dodging entire press conferenc...