The Cook Islands’ flag has flown from more than a hundred oil tankers implicated in illicitly trading Russian and Iranian oil.

A special Herald investigation has revealed that it’s sparked alarm from foreign governments – with New Zealand diplomats fielding concerns from Helsinki and London.

Our Foreign Minister Winston Peters has labelled the issue “alarming and infuriating”.

So, what is the link between the Baltic Sea and the Pacific? And how has this been allowed to happen?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business investigations reporter Matt Nippert is with us to explain what it all means – and why we should care.

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 Cook Islands&rsquo; flag has flown from more than a hundred oil tankers implicated in illicitly trading Russian and Iranian oil.
A special Herald investigation has revealed that it&rsquo;s sparked alarm from foreign governments &ndash; with New Zealand diplomats fielding concerns from Helsinki and London.
Our Foreign Minister Winston Peters has labelled the issue &ldquo;alarming and infuriating&rdquo;.
So, what is the link between the Baltic Sea and the Pacific? And how has this been allowed to happen?
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business investigations reporter Matt Nippert is with us to explain what it all means &ndash; and why we should care.
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 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. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

How Cook Islands‑flagged ships became tied to Russian and Iranian oil trade

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8d2cbb3b-3410-41be-8c0e-b3a000320cda/transcript

Auckland’s CBD should be at its brightest right now, but this Christmas season has exposed just how far the city has slipped.

The former Smith and Caughey’s building - once the centre of Auckland’s festive traditions with its iconic window displays and enchanted forest - now sits dark.

Across the CBD, retail spending is down, site vacancy rates are up, and the district has been plagued by stalled developments and empty lots.

But could a new life for Auckland be on the horizon? The long-awaited City Rail Link is set open next year and Seascape, the country’s tallest residential tower, is resuming construction after a series of delays.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson joins us to unpack what’s really happening in the heart of Auckland and whether we might see a Christmas miracle for the City of Sails.

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

Auckland&rsquo;s CBD should be at its brightest right now, but this Christmas season has exposed just how far the city has slipped.
The former Smith and Caughey&rsquo;s building - once the centre of Auckland&rsquo;s festive traditions with its iconic window displays and enchanted forest - now sits dark.
Across the CBD, retail spending is down, site vacancy rates are up, and the district has been plagued by stalled developments and empty lots.
But could a new life for Auckland be on the horizon? The long-awaited City Rail Link is set open next year and Seascape, the country&rsquo;s tallest residential tower, is resuming construction after a series of delays.
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson joins us to unpack what&rsquo;s really happening in the heart of Auckland and whether we might see a Christmas miracle for the City of Sails.
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

Can Auckland CBD bounce back? Retail vacancies, rail link and recovery

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cac6e950-7209-4eab-b261-b3aa002ef9c1/transcript

Russia is apparently ready to go to war with Europe, according to its President.

Vladimir Putin met with the US negotiators this week for about five hours to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

He has accused European leaders of trying to scupper his peace talks with the US, saying that their tweaks to a plan to end the war were “unacceptable”.

The Kremlin has apparently accepted some proposals to end the war, although latest talks haven’t “yielded a breakthrough”.

Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Al Gillespie is with us to run through what could happen next.

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

Russia is apparently ready to go to war with Europe, according to its President.
Vladimir Putin met with the US negotiators this week for about five hours to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
He has accused European leaders of trying to scupper his peace talks with the US, saying that their tweaks to a plan to end the war were &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo;.
The Kremlin has apparently accepted some proposals to end the war, although latest talks haven&rsquo;t &ldquo;yielded a breakthrough&rdquo;.
Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Al Gillespie is with us to run through what could happen next.
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

What Russia wants for peace and why some countries are pushing back

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e4c66a3b-9c90-474e-8739-b3a9002d21b2/transcript

Regional, territorial, unitary, wards and boards.

Local government in New Zealand is made up of 78 different councils that make decisions we encounter daily.

The roads, air, rubbish, waters, environment – it's all local government.

So, why has central government announced a need for change? And why has the Prime Minister himself implored councils to “stop doing dumb stuff”?

Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington associate professor in politics, Lara Greaves, is with us to take us through what it all means, and what the future could hold for our local councils.

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

Regional, territorial, unitary, wards and boards.
Local government in New Zealand is made up of 78 different councils that make decisions we encounter daily.
The roads, air, rubbish, waters, environment &ndash; it's all local government.
So, why has central government announced a need for change? And why has the Prime Minister himself implored councils to &ldquo;stop doing dumb stuff&rdquo;?
Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington associate professor in politics, Lara Greaves, is with us to take us through what it all means, and what the future could hold for our local councils.
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

Local government shake-up explained: Rate caps, mayors board and services

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e7ab46de-26c8-4bbc-b298-b3a80035f3b9/transcript

How Cook Islands‑flagged ships became tied to Russian and Iranian oil trade

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