While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in 2024.   

The disappearances of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope on New Year’s Day 1998 remain one of New Zealand’s infamous cases.  

Scott Watson has spent the last 25 years behind bars after being convicted of murdering them, despite no bodies ever being found.  

In June, Watson headed back to the courtroom four years after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal – it's his last shot at clearing his name.  

There’s still no word yet on the result of his latest appeal.  

We spoke with NZ Herald senior journalist Carolyne Meng Yee and editorial leader Oskar Alley – who took us back to 1999 when they both covered Watson’s infamous first trial, and ran through the evidence making up this appeal with senior reporter David Fisher.  

New episodes return January 13th. 

Host: Chelsea Daniels 
Audio Engineers: Paddy Fox, Richard Martin 
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

While The Front Page is on summer break, we&rsquo;re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in 2024.&nbsp; &nbsp;
The disappearances of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope on New Year&rsquo;s Day 1998 remain one of New Zealand&rsquo;s infamous cases. &nbsp;
Scott Watson has spent the last 25 years behind bars after being convicted of murdering them, despite no bodies ever being found. &nbsp;
In June, Watson headed back to the courtroom four years after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal &ndash; it's his last shot at clearing his name. &nbsp;
There&rsquo;s still no word yet on the result of his latest appeal. &nbsp;
We spoke with NZ Herald senior journalist Carolyne Meng Yee and editorial leader Oskar Alley &ndash; who took us back to 1999 when they both covered Watson&rsquo;s infamous first trial, and ran through the evidence making up this appeal with senior reporter David Fisher. &nbsp;
New episodes return January 13th.&nbsp;
Host: Chelsea Daniels Audio Engineers: Paddy Fox, Richard Martin Executive Producer: Ethan Sills&nbsp;

Keeping up to date with the news just became a little easier. Available every weekday at 5am, tune in as Chelsea Daniels chats with the journalists and newsmakers, going behind the headlines to break down what you need to know on the biggest stories of the day. 

<ol>
<li>Keeping up to date with the news just became a little easier. Available every weekday at 5am, tune in as Chelsea Daniels chats with the journalists and newsmakers, going behind the headlines to break down what you need to know on the biggest stories of the day. </li>
</ol>

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

Keeping up to date with the news just became a little easier. Available every weekday at 5am, tune in as Chelsea Daniels chats with the journalists and newsmakers, going behind the headlines to break down what you need to know on the biggest stories of the day.

Revisiting the Hope-Smart murders as Scott Watson awaits appeal decision

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/533893c4-aff8-4395-80f8-b24b01797095/transcript

Advertisement