From geopolitical friction and climate chaos to a cost-of-living crisis and a haka heard around the world, 2025 has been a huge year for news.

Trump’s return sparked trade wars, artificial intelligence is getting, well, more intelligent, and we’re rounding out the year with no end in sight for wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

At home, Treaty principles were again put under the microscope, a huge blow for the New Zealand Police, and an end to a devastating saga in Marokopa.

All of that mixed with a TikTok blackout, an American genes ad, TV shows that sparked worldwide conversation about the manosphere, and a little monster named Labubu.

Today on The Front Page, our producers Richard Martin and Jane Yee are here to wrap up the year that was.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

From geopolitical friction and climate chaos to a cost-of-living crisis and a haka heard around the world, 2025 has been a huge year for news.
Trump&rsquo;s return sparked trade wars, artificial intelligence is getting, well, more intelligent, and we&rsquo;re rounding out the year with no end in sight for wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
At home, Treaty principles were again put under the microscope, a huge blow for the New Zealand Police, and an end to a devastating saga in Marokopa.
All of that mixed with a TikTok blackout, an American genes ad, TV shows that sparked worldwide conversation about the manosphere, and a little monster named Labubu.
Today on The Front Page, our producers Richard Martin and Jane Yee are here to wrap up the year that was.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

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.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;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.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis 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.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;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.

Broken trust, political divides and the world getting weirder — 2025 debriefed

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1b261a52-ee47-48ad-8444-b3b0015bc065/transcript

The National Party has promised to gradually extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected. 

That would see the entitlement lift to 27 weeks in next year’s Budget, before rising again in the following two Budgets. 

The announcement came days after NZ First candidate Stuart Nash resigned his candidacy after calling National MP Katie Nimon lazy for taking leave after having a baby. 

But, some commentators have said the plan doesn’t go far enough. 

Today on The Front Page, military veteran, leadership expert and founder of #workschoolhours movement, Dr Ellen Joan Ford joins us to unpack what the policy could mean for families, employers, and the wider debate about who should pay for it. 

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

The National Party has promised to gradually extend paid parental leave from 26 to&nbsp;30 weeks&nbsp;by 2029 if re-elected.&nbsp;
That would see the entitlement lift to&nbsp;27 weeks&nbsp;in next year&rsquo;s Budget, before rising again in the following two Budgets.&nbsp;
The announcement came days after NZ First candidate Stuart Nash resigned his candidacy after calling National MP Katie Nimon lazy for taking leave after having a baby.&nbsp;
But,&nbsp;some commentators have said the plan&nbsp;doesn&rsquo;t&nbsp;go far enough.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;military veteran, leadership expert and founder of #workschoolhours movement,&nbsp;Dr Ellen Joan Ford joins us to&nbsp;unpack what the policy could mean for families, employers, and the wider debate about who should pay for it.&nbsp;
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

Critics say National's promise of 30 weeks parental leave isn't enough

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6df0be0b-a54f-4683-8200-b4940043ac72/transcript

The conflict in the Middle East is widening fast. 

Yemen's Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea - threatening to cut off a crucial route for the kingdom's oil exports. 

The price of oil has surpassed 100 US-dollars a barrel for the first time since May.  

Meanwhile the US has carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.   

So, what’s really going on here? Is this the start of a broader regional crisis, or are we seeing a dangerous standoff that could yet be contained? 

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us to unpack the stakes for global shipping, energy markets, and the risk of further escalation in the Middle East. 

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

The conflict in the Middle East is widening fast.&nbsp;
Yemen's Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea - threatening to cut off a crucial route for the kingdom's oil exports.&nbsp;
The price of oil has surpassed 100 US-dollars a barrel for the first time since May.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Meanwhile the US has carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
So,&nbsp;what&rsquo;s&nbsp;really going on here? Is this the start of a broader regional crisis, or are we seeing a dangerous standoff that could yet be&nbsp;contained?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us to unpack the stakes for global shipping, energy markets, and the risk of further escalation in the Middle East.&nbsp;
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

Why a narrow strait could tip the Middle East crisis further

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2e573f73-3b0c-46bc-a67c-b4910042dece/transcript

New Zealand’s housing market remains firmly in buyers’ favour. 

Sales activity is continuing to weaken and property values are showing little sign of a broad-based recovery. 

But, while first-home buyers remain active, investors are pulling back, with some wary of what a shifting political and tax environment could mean for returns. 

So, what’s really going on here? Is this just a subdued patch, or a market that’s lost its heat for longer? 

Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to unpack where housing stands right now, and what it all means for buyers, sellers and investors. 

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

New Zealand&rsquo;s housing market&nbsp;remains&nbsp;firmly in buyers&rsquo;&nbsp;favour.&nbsp;
Sales activity is continuing to&nbsp;weaken&nbsp;and property values are showing little sign of a broad-based recovery.&nbsp;
But,&nbsp;while first-home buyers&nbsp;remain&nbsp;active, investors are pulling back, with some wary of what a shifting political and tax environment could mean for returns.&nbsp;
So, what&rsquo;s really going on here? Is this just a subdued patch, or a market that&rsquo;s lost its heat for longer?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;Cotality&nbsp;NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to&nbsp;unpack where housing stands right now, and what it all means for buyers,&nbsp;sellers&nbsp;and investors.&nbsp;
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

Is now the best time for first-home buyers to act?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c17fea77-ce8c-4fb4-8fbb-b490002557bb/transcript

Broken trust, political divides and the world getting weirder — 2025 debriefed

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