The Front Page

As Auckland’s population continues to grow, so too are the city’s schools – and many of them are running out of space.

Analysis by the Herald has found that while the school-aged population has only risen by 18 percent since the year 2000, at least one school has had its roll jump by 149 percent.

With space running out, it’s also prompting tough questions for schools and what they do with out of zone enrolments.

Today on The Front ...

A search for answers is underway after HM-NZS Manawanui ran aground and sank near Samoa. 

The $100 million ship left Auckland’s Devonport just over a week ago and was conducting a reef survey off the coast of Samoa but ran aground at 6.46pm on Saturday. 

The ship started to take on water shortly after, and fire broke out as well, prompting an evacuation of all personnel on board.  

In the end, seventy-five crew and passengers were ...

It’s been a year since terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel – sparking the deadliest conflict in the Gaza region for decades. 

Since then, at least 40,000 people have died, many more injured, 1.9 million displaced, and countless buildings and homes destroyed. 

Aid organisations have consistently warned of the humanitarian crisis on the ground – and are pleading with the world for help. 

Today on The Front Page...

Infrastructure is top of the agenda for the Government for the last months of 2024.

The Prime Minister this week released his Q4 action plan, with plenty of targets focussing on getting things built.

Among the 43 objectives is the highly controversial fast-track approvals bill, which it’s hoped will speed up the delivery of regional and national projects of significance.

The focus on infrastructure comes a week after the Government...

The Mood of the Boardroom is back today for its 22nd year.

The annual survey of the country’s top CEOs and business leaders has seen a broad tick of approval for the coalition Government, with strong support for Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis and their economic plan.

But they want to see the Government be bolder and set out their vision for New Zealand’s future, and that could include tackling some of the most contentious econ...

Tensions in the Middle East are ramping up at an alarming rate.

Israel’s Defence Forces have said it has begun a "targeted" ground operation into southern Lebanon against “terrorist targets”.

It comes after days of airstrikes within Beirut’s city limits, which started after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The escalation in the war has killed civilians, destroyed homes and displaced 1 million people in Lebanon...

Violence towards children is one of the most concerning issues in New Zealand.  

It’s an issue that debates decades, back when Child, Youth and Family was responsible for our most vulnerable, before it was replaced by Oranga Tamariki. 

And that government agency bears the brunt of trying to look after our children, and keep them safe from harm – but recent reports have shown that not only has little changed in terms of family harm,...

Provincial New Zealand is hurting.  

Alliance Group last week confirmed plans to close its Timaru meat processing plant in Smithfield, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. 

It comes after earlier this month that Winstone Pulp International said will close two mills near Ohakune, which will see 230 people lose their jobs.  

To discuss the impact facing small towns in New Zealand, and if there’s a way out from them, today on The Front ...

Public servants – or what’s left of them – have been ordered back to the office in Wellington. 

The Government’s call has been welcomed by central city businesses, who said that the absence of workers has impacted on their business.  

The decline of the city centre is one of a number of issues the capital is facing, including soaring costs from rates and struggling council finances. 

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has not helped thin...

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announced this week - he is ending his term early, to take up a new role as the head of the Social Investment Agency at the end of the year.

Coster was the face of the previous government’s push to ‘police by consent’ and copped a huge amount of criticism from National when they were in Opposition.

The race is on to replace Coster – so who will National pick, and what will that decision say about t...

Last week, a brand-new outlet mall opened in Auckland... right next to the International Airport.

Mānawa Bay is a new 200-million-dollar mall on the airport precinct, boasting 100 stores and eateries, including some never seen before in New Zealand.

The opening weekend though was marred by large traffic delays around the airport, which caused some flights to be delayed as crews were caught up in the congestion.

So why has the airpo...

New Zealand is a country of immigrants, with tens of thousands of people moving here each year.

We’re also a country of travellers, and those new arrivals help make up for the population shortfall as Kiwis migrate overseas.

Due to the stream of migrants in recent years, our population has been steadily growing, but new forecasts from one economist predicts net migration may slow to zero by 2025.

So if the number of new arrivals is ...

After eight weeks at the High Court in Auckland, on the first day of the ninth week, the jury has found Philip Polkinghorne not guilty of the murder of his wife, Pauline Hanna. 

For more on how the last day of the trial, NZ Herald crime reporter Craig Kapitan details the decision. 

You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your po...

For the last few years, our headlines have been dominated by talk of ram raids, robberies, and gang members misbehaving. 

Those stories have fed through to politics, with governments making a big deal about tackling gangs and cracking down on crime. 

But while these crimes may make for a great photo and deliver political soundbites, little is ever said about the extent of white collar crimes like fraud.  

NZ Herald investigative jo...

The pressure of the cost-of-living crunch has been felt by most of us for a few years now.

Many of us hope that the more we earn, the less we have to worry about bills, unexpected costs and living week to week.

This week though, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau revealed she’s had to sell her car - in order to help pay her bills.

So if a mayor on a salary of just under $190,000 a year is finding it tough – can you really earn enough to ...

Feral or roaming dogs have been causing concern in remote parts of New Zealand for years. 

But now things are getting so bad, trampers are being told they risk being attacked if they walk alone.

It’s prompted calls for drastic action to be taken to curb the issue – but what tools do we have at our disposal to manage the problem, and how has it gotten so bad?

Today on The Front Page, we are joined by NZ Herald premium content develo...

New Zealand’s once world-leading education system is in a sorry state.

Huge numbers of Kiwi kids are failing in key areas – with 4 out of 5 Year 8 students behind in maths.

It’s prompted the government to fast-track plans for a new maths curriculum for intermediate students, and it’s tackling the teacher shortage by allowing those who were previously registered to be relievers.

But can these solutions turn around a sector that is u...