The Front Page

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...

A replacement bridge, or a second one – or how about a tunnel instead? 

The ongoing debate about a new harbour crossing in Auckland has reignited, with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown laying out his vision for a second bridge, instead of the tunnel proposed by Labour. 

The proposal has already proved controversial as it would require building through Meola Reef to Kauri Point.  

How does this plan stack up with other proposals, and why ...

After seven weeks and over 80 witnesses, we have finished hearing evidence in the trial of Philip Polkinghorne.  

The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021. 

He maintains she took her own life. 

In the final days of testimony, the debate over activity on Hanna’s phone continued, before the last two witnesses to take the stand offered their views on the state...

It’s Māori Language Week – where Kiwis are encouraged to have a go at te reo. 

Whereas the language was once on a pathway to extinction, now it’s flourishing as people flock to learn it.  

But a change in government last year saw restrictions placed on how the public service uses te reo – one of many policies that has been seen as an attack on Māori rights.  

Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by AUT professor Dr Ella Henry to d...

It’s estimated we spend a third of our life at work – with the average worker clocking a staggering 90,000 hours in employment over a lifetime.

Covid lockdowns saw companies adapt to remote and flexible working practices, while schemes like four day weeks have gained traction globally.

Some international companies though are pulling back or restricting employees from working at home, while one CEO has gone as far as to try and stop...

Originally due to run for six weeks, the trial of Philip Polkinghorne is now in its seventh week.  

The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021. 

He maintains she took her own life. 

More witnesses from the defence took the stand to discuss their thoughts on how Hanna died, and the risk factors that could have pushed her to take her own life.

New emails from H...

We may be two years away from our next general election, but the possibility of more tax is already being debated. 

Labour is starting to warm the public up to the idea of a wealth or capital gains tax being part of their 2026 manifesto - with leader Chris Hipkins saying its necessary to deal with our ageing population.  

The possibility of introducing either tax has been debated by the left, and rejected by the right, for years – ...

The construction industry in New Zealand is struggling – with building companies going to the wall as the housing market falls away.

It also has one of the highest rates of workplace injuries of any industry.

But there’s another workplace hazard that we’re not talking about.

Construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than from an accident at work, and last year that number climbed to 80 suspected suicides, a...

Scott Robertson is the most successful coach in Super Rugby history - leading the Crusaders to seven-back-to-back titles. 

He is also a firm favourite with the public – and is perhaps the most popular rugby coach we've ever had. 

But his transition from the red and blacks to leading the All Blacks hasn't been smooth sailing. The national side has posted three losses from seven matches – their latest being against the Springboks at ...

The struggles facing social media platform X are back in the spotlight. 

In amongst an advertising exodus and concerns over owner Elon Musk’s takes on the US election, Brazil's Supreme Court has upheld a ban on the app formerly known as Twitter. 

These are just the latest controversies to hit the platform in the two years since Musk took it over – yet the app still has millions of users, and alternatives to the platform have not ta...

The Government has announced a record 32.9-billion-dollar investment in New Zealand’s transport network over the next three years, through the National Land Transport Programme.  

The big winner is new roads, and the big loser is walking and cycling improvements.  

So, what does this mean for congestion and emissions in our biggest cities?  

And will a new National Infrastructure Pipeline prevent these roads being scuppered by futu...

Week six of the trial of Philip Polkinghorne continued with the defence’s case.  

The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021. 

He maintains she took her own life. 

Witnesses for the defence revealed a different side of Polkinghorne then what we’ve previously heard, with former colleagues and neighbours describing him as funny, generous and caring.  

While the...

Last week, Kīngi Tūheitia the seventh Maori monarch, passed away aged 69, a little over a week after marking 18 years of his reign.  

His shock death has seen a week of mourning at Turangawaewae Marae, the official residence for the head of the Kingitanga movement, with politicians sharing memories while thousands gather to pay their respects.

The next Māori monarch will officially be revealed this morning, just hours before the of...

Several weeks ago, the Government dramatically moved to take control of Health New Zealand by appointing Professor Lester Levy as a commissioner.

He has the unenviable task of finding 1.4 billion dollars in savings, while also improving services and meeting the Government’s national health targets.

In the weeks that have followed, the dire state of our healthcare has become clearer, with patient wait times dragging mid-winter, back...

The year’s biggest land deal has Wellington aflutter with rumours Sir Peter Jackson could be building his long-awaited movie museum.

Interests associated with The Lord of the Rings director have spent $105 million buying a large piece of land near the city’s airport in Lyall Bay.

So, why the secrecy? And could Jackson’s vision be finally brought to life?

Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by BusinessDesk markets reporter Gregor ...

Winter has come to an end, and it's been a wet last few weeks.

A burst of rain in August culminated in flooding in Wellington and saturated days for the rest of us.

With us heading now into spring, the hope is that with longer days fast approaching, we might start to see some warmer weather again soon.

For an outlook on weather in the months ahead, today on The Front Page we’re joined by NZ Herald science writer, Jamie Morton.

Foll...

After nearly five weeks of witnesses, The Crown has closed its case in the trial of Philip Polkinghorne. 

The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021. 

He maintains she took her own life. 

The Crown closed its case with more on Polkinghorne’s arrest, Police searches, and a last minute witness on cell phones. 

The rest of the trial is now in the hands of the De...

Norman Kirk was elected Prime Minister in 1972, bringing the Labour Party back to power after 12 years of National Party rule.

His two years in office were seen as radical at the time in how he sought to reshape New Zealand’s place in the world, and his legacy has endured as one of the country’s most popular Prime Ministers.

However, on August 31st 1974, Kirk died after a lengthy but private illness with obesity and heart problems.