The Front Page

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Episodes

November 13, 2025 16 mins

For weeks now headlines have been peppered with Te Pāti Māori’s infighting.

The crescendo came when the party’s National Council opted to expel MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris from Parliament.

Both have called the move ‘unconstitutional’ - they’ll sit as independents in the Beehive for now.

But, what’s lead to this very public spat and what’s next for the party ahead Election 202...

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It’s been revealed that Police ignored sex allegations against a former top cop, and instead prosecuted a woman for ‘revenge emails’.

The woman had emailed police, politicians, and newsrooms accusing former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming of being a sexual predator.

The police watchdog has released a scathing 135-page report into how the allegations were treated, and how the “ambitions of a senio...

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There have been no official talks yet about compensation for the complainant against Jevon McSkimming.

The former Deputy Police Commissioner is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to having child sexual exploitation and bestiality material on his work devices.

A scathing watchdog report has found some of the nation's highest-ranking officers ignored a young woman's anonymous complaints against McSkimming.

Instead, she was pro...

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Remember when we were meant to be smoke free by 2025?

New Zealand’s goal to have fewer than 5% of people smoking by the end of the year looks unlikely to be met.

The target was introduced in 2010 – and while smoking has dropped significantly since then (from 16.4% in 2011 to 6.9% in 2023-24) there are still hundreds of thousands of people smoking daily.

In December 2022, New Zealand enacted world-leading tobacco control...

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Mark Mitchell has heralded the government’s promise to be tough on crime.

He’s been incredibly clear from the get-go that his primary goal is to make New Zealand an uncomfortable place for gangs to operate.

He holds five portfolios: Police, Corrections, Emergency Management and Recovery, Ethnic Communities, and Sports and Recreation.

So, how does an MP with so many hats feel about how his government has tackled the big ...

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The 30th UN climate conference will begin this week.

Nations will gather in Belem, Brazil for COP30 – and while the Trump administration isn’t intending to send anyone, the US could still become the thorn in any deals side.

 So, as the world’s brightest climate minds converge on the city that sits on the outskirts of the Amazon rainforest – experts are asking whether anything substantial will come from ...

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Bees are tiny but mighty players in New Zealand’s environment and economy.

They pollinate our gardens, native plants, and crucial crops, supporting biodiversity and food production across the country.

But, an invasive threat is looming – the queen yellow-legged hornet.

Since June, Biosecurity New Zealand has confirmed several detections of these pests across Auckland.

Today on The Front Page, Mahurangi Honey’s Pet...

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Just over seventy years after Sir Edmund Hillary first ascended Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak is grappling with new ethical dilemmas.

From crowded summit attempts and ecological strain, to debates about climber preparedness and the treatment of Sherpas, Everest’s story today is as complex as ever.

The Himalayan Trust, founded by Sir Ed, continues to support local communities at the heart of these challenges.

H...

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A chance for New Zealand to lead change the world in ‘ethical investing’.

As of last year, more than half a billion dollars of New Zealanders’ KiwiSaver and other retail investments were lent to countries on ‘high alert’ for human rights violations.

The new paper from Motu Research urges fund managers and industry bodies to lift standards.

But what does ‘ethical investing’ mean? And how can...

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It’s that time of year again, where we debate whether New Zealanders should be allowed to let off fireworks.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is among those opposed, saying they know first-hand how dangerous fireworks can be.

Last year was the worst year for fireworks-related fires since 2017, with 166 unwanted fires. 

Firework sales are restricted to a four-day period from November 2 to 5 each year – but there are g...

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New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner has issued new rules around the automated use of biometrics.

Biometric processing is the use of tech, like facial recognition, to collect and process people’s biometric information.

The Code comes into force on 3 November 2025, but agencies already using biometrics have until 3 August 2026, to align themselves with the new rules.

Today on The Front Page, Privacy Commissioner Michael We...

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Our Prime Minister has met and dined with one of the most powerful people in the world - Donald Trump.

Christopher Luxon and Trump spoke at an APEC dinner last night.

It's expected to be one of the most significant meetings Luxon will have at the economic conference, despite the two not having a formal bilateral.

The summit is straight off the back of one with the Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN.

Newstalk ZB polit...

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New Zealand may be on the cusp of another measles outbreak.

There are ten known cases: One of those cases came from overseas, and the other nine were contracted locally.

Health NZ has said the risk of further measles cases, contacts, and exposures across the country remains ‘very high’.

The confirmation of new cases unconnected to international travel though has experts worried.

Today on The Front Page, University of Ca...

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Labour has announced what some are describing a “watered down” version of a Capital Gains Tax.

This targeted CGT would affect profit made after July 2027 from selling a commercial or residential property, excluding the family home.

Leader Chris Hipkins promises nine out of 10 Kiwis won’t pay tax on what they own, and it’ll allow everyone to get three free doctors visits a year.

On the flip side, National&rsq...

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New research suggests our drug laws are stuck in the 70s – and that Kiwis want to see a more health-based approach to tackling the country’s drug issues.

This month marks 50 years since government passed the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The Helen Clark Foundation and University of Otago researchers estimate that drug harm costs close to $2 billion annually – at least half a billion alone on responding to drug use.

Today o...

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New Zealand’s been experiencing some wild weather this week.

Red wind warnings were issued for much of Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington and southern Wairarapa as at yesterday afternoon.

Flights and ferries were cancelled and tens of thousands of households have been without power.

Meanwhile, strong winds had been hampering firefighting efforts in several parts of the country.

So, is this usual for this time of year? And ho...

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Up to 100-thousand union members across health and education are on strike today.

The action prompted Public Service Minister Judith Collins, to pen a letter to New Zealanders - saying the strikes are more about politics than outcomes.

The ‘mega strike’ is being tipped to be the largest in our history.

So, as nurses, doctors, and teachers take to the picket line, we’ll take a look back at industrial action in Aote...

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In seven minutes, thieves entered the Louvre in Paris and made off with eight “priceless” jewels.

The necklaces, earrings, brooches, and crowns has belonged to an array of 19th century royals, including Napoleon’s wife Marie-Amelie, and empress Eugenie, married to Napoleon III.

The gang were organised, professionals, and had clearly scoped the world’s most visited gallery and knew exactly what they were afte...

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Inflation has risen even further.

Latest Stats NZ figures show inflation reached 3% in the year to September.

Economists had tipped to hit the top end of the Reserve Bank’s target band of between 1 and 3%.

But, some say the period of circa 3% could be short-lived.

 At the same time, Labour has broken its silence on what it thinks will help the economy.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann...

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This week will see mass walk outs across the country as 100,000 teachers and medical staff go on strike.

This Thursday, October 23, 11,500 Allied Health workers will walk off the job, as well as:

  • 35-hundred mental health and public health nurses and mental health assistants,
  • more than 36,000 nurses, midwives, health care assistants, and  
  • 400 nurses and health care assistants working for Corrections. 

On top of...

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