The Front Page

A self-described “Prince of the Provinces” - there are few politicians like Shane Jones.

He’s Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Regional Development, and Resources -- and has been in the spotlight recently for spearheading a restart and expansion of oil and gas in New Zealand.

Over the years he’s face criticism for his close relationships with industry leaders OVER the environment. Comments like “Goodb...

Cost of living and the economy remains top of the agenda for National.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s already touting his leadership as one that’s a “clear choice” for New Zealanders at next year’s election, saying the government “inherited a mess and sorting it out”.

However, commentators have been quick to out the issues facing National ahead of the campaign – writing that Luxon...

From tomorrow, there’ll be a 15% tariff on New Zealand imports for US businesses.

The announcement of the arbitrary amount saw us frantically send our chief trade negotiator over to Washington in a last-ditch effort to plead our case. Trade Minister Todd McClay was also dispatched.

But, will that actually do any good – when larger economies have already signed on the dotted line and accepted their fates?

And how should ...

The days of simply ticking a box to confirm your age online are over.  

The UK has become one of the first countries to make it harder for internet users to consume pornography by requiring age verification measures, in an effort to prevent under-18s from viewing explicit content.

The move has sparked concern about users giving even more data and personal information to tech companies... and has raised questions about whether ...

Is New Zealand’s largest city dying?

Auckland is home to roughly a third of the entire country’s population and is predicted to grow even bigger in the coming years.

The City of Sails is, by far, the largest contributor to New Zealand’s economic output, generating about 40% of GDP.

But, walk down many of the inner-city streets, and you’ll see vacant lots – with a lot of potential.

Today on The Front Pa...

The Government is likely to pass a law banning farm-to-forest conversions to protect productive farmland for food production. 

It’ll mean a restriction on planting forests on high-quality land – and it’s a response to the previous government’s Emissions Reduction Plan.  

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has emphasised the need to protect productive farmland, maintain food security, and ensure that ...

There are more than 9,000 gang members in New Zealand, and thousands more associates.

The coalition government from the get-go promised a crackdown on gangs – they've banned gang insignia in public, handed police greater powers, and created laws to disrupt get-togethers. But, is that all enough?

Jared Savage has been a journalist at the NZ Herald for about 20 years, with a focus on organised crime.

His latest book, Underworld...

You might look on Facebook marketplace for a new couch, a lamp, a rug.

But, what about class A drugs? Or how about a ghost gun?

A Herald investigation has revealed at least 56 listings were circulating on the site offering magic mushrooms, cannabis, and in one case LSD across the North Island and top of the south.

And that could just be the tip of the iceberg of illicit sales on social media.

So how do we get on top of this?

NZ Her...

We’ve all been caught out when using PayWave or contactless payment in stores, where we think we know how much we’re paying and then a surcharge adds a tiny bit more on that final price.

Well, that’s about to change.

The Government is planning to ban retailers from being able to add surcharges to most in-store card payments.

It follows a decision by the Commerce Commission last week to reduce interchange fees paid...

New Zealand’s energy sector is broken.

That’s according to an open letter calling for the Government to do more to keep our power prices down.

Soaring power costs is always a concern – but, we now live in a country where for some it’s a privilege to have power.

We've heard too many stories about businesses closing due to the rising cost of just keeping the lights on, and everyday Kiwis are struggling as well...

From entering Parliament in 2008 – to leading the country in 2023 – Chris Hipkins is no stranger to the spotlight.

During Covid’s beginnings, he was known as a safe set of hands, tackling Education, Health, and becoming the Minister in charge of the Covid Response for a time.

Now, he’s firmly setting his sights on election 2026 – but, is he confident he’ll still be in Labour’s driving seat ...

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement – or NCEA – has been New Zealand’s main secondary school qualification for more than 20 years now.

But, its future could be on the line, as more top schools plan to offer alternatives – and a Government briefing raised concerns about its credibility.

So is NCEA really as bad as it’s been out made out to be, and what would be the benefit of switching y...

Another 1-dollar deal, another big shakeup for the New Zealand media industry.

Sky TV has snapped up broadcast network Three and its associated platforms, and will have control of them by August 1st.

It sees the exit of another international player in the local media landscape, with Warner Bros Discovery retreating a year after it closed down Three’s news outfit, Newshub.

So what does this new media merger mean for the indust...

Have we lost the right to anonymity?

By now we’ve all heard about the couple who went viral after being caught looking embarrassed on a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert in the US.

An offhand, cheeky comment by frontman Chris Martin and a whole lot of internet sleuthing later and it turns out; they were colleagues having an affair.

Details of their personal and professional lives spread across social media like wildfire, and the...

Scams have always been a hot topic.

As technology gets more sophisticated, Kiwis of all ages are becoming more vulnerable to falling for them.

Estimates of how much money we’ve lost varies, though one NetSafe and Global Antiscam Alliance report estimated over 2 billion dollars lost last year alone.

So what is being done to try and solve this crisis, and do banks and the government need to take more responsibility?

NZ Herald s...

From humble beginnings to a rising star in the National Party, James Meager’s journey to the Beehive has been rapid to say the least.

In just two years he’s gone from delivering his maiden speech, to becoming a Minister of the Crown, tackling the portfolios of Youth, Hunting and Fishing, and the newly established South Island portfolio. 

So, how do we make sure every young person in New Zealand gets the best possib...

Could the Government be taking a step back from helping homeowners after the elements make their homes unliveable?

Recent extreme weather events have prompted a rethink of government housing protections.

Billions of dollars have been spent over the years on buying out homes after natural disasters.

But, in a changing world, and climate, where these events are happening harder and faster, is the idea of the Crown stepping in with un...

Nearly six years after disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died in prison, he has once again become the centre of political controversy in the US.

It’s after the Justice Department decided not to release more detailed records from the investigation into him and his death – with Attorney General Pam Bondi concluding he did not leave behind a so-called “client list”.

But, that hasn’t sto...

Most of central Auckland sits on the remains of 53 volcanic cones and craters.

While there’s no way of knowing when an eruption will happen, it’s been said time and time again that it’s not a case of ‘if’, but ‘when.

New research now suggests that deathly clouds of hot, fast-moving gas and debris could travel much further than previously thought if an eruption happened in Auckland.

But, how likel...