Tauranga is on the hunt for a new member of Parliament. Nominations closed last week in the contest to replace the retired Simon Bridges. 

This election comes at a tense time for New Zealand’s fifth-largest city. There are growing concerns around violence and racism, while a Crown Commission has taken over all governance responsibilities from the city’s council. 

So what does all this dysfunction mean for a new member of parliament? And what will it take to fix the problems?  

Today, Bay of Plenty Times journalist Kiri Gillespie joins Damien to look at the tough road ahead for local leadership in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing cities.  

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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: Damien Venuto
Producer/Editor: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

Tauranga is on the hunt for a new member of Parliament. Nominations closed last week in the contest to replace the retired Simon Bridges.&nbsp;
This election comes at a tense time for New Zealand&rsquo;s fifth-largest city. There are growing concerns around violence and racism, while a Crown Commission has taken over all governance responsibilities from the city&rsquo;s council.&nbsp;
So what does all this dysfunction mean for a new member of parliament? And what will it take to fix the problems?&nbsp;&nbsp;
Today, Bay of Plenty Times journalist Kiri Gillespie joins Damien to look at the tough road ahead for local leadership in one of New Zealand&rsquo;s fastest-growing cities.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio 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: Damien Venuto Producer/Editor: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox Executive Producer: Ethan Sills&nbsp;

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.

Can Tauranga's next MP help tackle growing concerns in the city?

As children across New Zealand head back to school, many will be arriving without the basics.

58 schools are starting 2026 on the waitlist for KidsCan.

The charity provides the essentials for Kiwi kids living in poverty.

A survey of waitlisted schools shows more than half provide breakfast for their students, often diverting funds from their operational budget.

So why, in 2026, are kids going to school hungry?

Today on The Front Page, KidsCan CEO Dame Julie Chapman is with us to offer a glimpse into the lives of far too many children in this country who are going without.

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

As children across New Zealand head back to school, many will be arriving without the basics.
58 schools are starting 2026 on the waitlist for KidsCan.
The charity provides the essentials for Kiwi kids living in poverty.
A survey of waitlisted schools shows more than half provide breakfast for their students, often diverting funds from their operational budget.
So why, in 2026, are kids going to school hungry?
Today on The Front Page, KidsCan CEO Dame Julie Chapman is with us to offer a glimpse into the lives of far too many children in this country who are going without.
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 are kids are still going to school hungry in 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/537d5b76-7a3f-41f8-8688-b3e100366833/transcript

After 24 years, former National Party leader Judith Collins has called time on her career in politics for a new role as head of the law commission.

Collins is the longest-continuously serving female MP in New Zealand, winning her electorate seats in Clevedon and then Papakura at every general election she has contested since 2002.

The prime minister’s office has confirmed Collins will remain the MP for Papakura, retaining her portfolios until she moves to the law commission mid-year.

So, what does her departure mean for New Zealand politics, who is National lining up for her seat, and when the history books are written – what will Judith Collins’ be remembered for?

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper is with us to unpack a career defined by survival, scandal, comebacks, and crushing presence in New Zealand politics.

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

After 24 years, former National Party leader Judith Collins has called time on her career in politics for a new role as head of the law commission.
Collins is the longest-continuously serving female MP in New Zealand, winning her electorate seats in Clevedon and then Papakura at every general election she has contested since 2002.
The prime minister&rsquo;s office has confirmed Collins will remain the MP for Papakura, retaining her portfolios until she moves to the law commission mid-year.
So, what does her departure mean for New Zealand politics, who is National lining up for her seat, and when the history books are written &ndash; what will Judith Collins&rsquo; be remembered for?
Today on&nbsp;The Front Page, Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper is with us to unpack a career defined by survival, scandal, comebacks, and crushing presence in New Zealand politics.
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 scandal to survival: The political life and legacy of Judith Collins

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c2d121a6-57f7-4e67-aa84-b3e0003c1ca2/transcript

The recovery operation at the Mt Maunganui landslide continues with police warning it could take days or even weeks.

Tauranga City Council has launched an investigation into what happened in the run-up to the deadly landslide.

Already questions are being asked about who knew what, and when. We'll talk to University of Canterbury senior lecturer in disaster risk and resilience, Dr Tom Robinson about the danger of landslides after severe weather events. 
Also, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah has been in Mount Maunganui for several days, and joins us on The Front Page.

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 recovery operation at the Mt Maunganui landslide continues with police warning it could take days or even weeks.
Tauranga City Council has launched an investigation into what happened in the run-up to the deadly landslide.
Already questions are being asked about who knew what, and when. We'll talk to University of Canterbury senior lecturer in disaster risk and resilience, Dr Tom Robinson about the danger of landslides after severe weather events. Also, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah has been in Mount Maunganui for several days, and joins us on The Front Page.
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

Mount Maunganui landslide: Current risks, future inquiries and the ongoing heartache

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7c55b212-aba5-4fa1-b9ff-b3df0026eb4c/transcript

Can Tauranga's next MP help tackle growing concerns in the city?

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