The illegal tobacco trade has become a very lucrative business worldwide.

In Australia for example, illegal, excise-evading cigarettes now comprise of half of the products sold to the country’s 2.7 million smokers, according to the ABC. It’s thought the $10 billion a year in revenue there is going straight into the pockets of organised crime.

But, has this trend made it to New Zealand shores? And how much of a headache is it causing those protecting our borders?

Today on The Front Page, head of Fraud and Prohibition, Chief Customs Officer Nigel Barnes, is with us to discuss how they’re cracking down on illegal tobacco.

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 illegal tobacco trade has become a very lucrative business worldwide.
In Australia for example, illegal, excise-evading cigarettes now comprise of half of the products sold to the country&rsquo;s 2.7 million smokers, according to the ABC. It&rsquo;s thought the $10 billion a year in revenue there is going straight into the pockets of organised crime.
But, has this trend made it to New Zealand shores? And how much of a headache is it causing those protecting our borders?
Today on The Front Page, head of Fraud and Prohibition, Chief Customs Officer Nigel Barnes, is with us to discuss how they&rsquo;re cracking down on illegal tobacco.
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.

NZ Customs battles growing illicit tobacco smuggling trend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e4df2081-932b-4e21-a6ca-b34100346521/transcript

All Blacks head coach Scott 'Razor' Robertson is out of the role just two years into his four-year contract.

After reports of widespread frustration from players and staff and a damning internal review, questions remain – what went so wrong for Razor, what does this mean for our world cup campaign and who will have the job of cleaning up the mess?

The All Blacks drama spells the beginning of a huge year for sport.

2026 sees hopes of a record medal haul for New Zealand at the Winter Olympics, and a chance to cheer on the All Whites on the world stage.

And of course, we’re all curious to see how Netball NZ will rebuild public trust?

All this and more today on The Front Page, with Herald sports reporter Alex Powell.

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

All Blacks head coach Scott 'Razor' Robertson is out of the role just two years into his four-year contract.
After reports of widespread frustration from players and staff and a damning internal review, questions remain &ndash; what went so wrong for Razor, what does this mean for our world cup campaign and who will have the job of cleaning up the mess?
The All Blacks drama spells the beginning of a huge year for sport.
2026 sees hopes of a record medal haul for New Zealand at the Winter Olympics, and a chance to cheer on the All Whites on the world stage.
And of course, we&rsquo;re all curious to see how Netball NZ will rebuild public trust?
All this and more today on The Front Page, with Herald sports reporter Alex Powell.
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 next for the All Blacks after Scott Robertson cut?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/288f04d6-bf1f-4423-8515-b3d300132896/transcript

From takeovers and sales to mergers and disputes, 2026 is lining up to be quite the year for the media world.

We might just start seeing some of the biggest changes in New Zealand media ownership in decades – well, that’s according to the Herald’s Media Insider Shayne Currie.

Last year, Currie predicted that at least one major media platform would close, a very high-profile TV broadcaster would leave their position, and that an “interesting new shareholder” would emerge at NZME – all became true.

But, what has he foreseen as he peers into his crystal ball ahead of this year?

Currie joins us now on The Front Page to talk everything ratings, advertising, broadcasting, and who will come out on top come election time.

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 takeovers and sales to mergers and disputes, 2026 is lining up to be quite the year for the media world.
We might just start seeing some of the biggest changes in New Zealand media ownership in decades &ndash; well, that&rsquo;s according to the Herald&rsquo;s Media Insider Shayne Currie.
Last year, Currie predicted that at least one major media platform would close, a very high-profile TV broadcaster would leave their position, and that an &ldquo;interesting new shareholder&rdquo; would emerge at NZME &ndash; all became true.
But, what has he foreseen as he peers into his crystal ball ahead of this year?
Currie joins us now on The Front Page to talk everything ratings, advertising, broadcasting, and who will come out on top come election time.
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

Talent and takeovers: Media giants face year of sales, mergers and battles

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8b0025bb-2491-4b79-a9a5-b3d200305160/transcript

New Zealand politics kicks off this year under the shadow of a looming general election.

From a continued cost of living crisis and economic recovery to Treaty debates and tensions between coalition partners, this year will see a mixed bag from the Beehive.

It comes off the back of a major push for economic growth in 2025, with RMA reform and fast-track approvals dominated headlines.

But, will all that pay off?

Today on The Front Page, we dive into where each party stands, what they’ve announced thus far, and what the election campaign could bring us with Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths.

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 politics kicks off this year under the shadow of a looming general election.
From a continued cost of living crisis and economic recovery to Treaty debates and tensions between coalition partners, this year will see a mixed bag from the Beehive.
It comes off the back of a major push for economic growth in 2025, with RMA reform and fast-track approvals dominated headlines.
But, will all that pay off?
Today on The Front Page, we dive into where each party stands, what they&rsquo;ve announced thus far, and what the election campaign could bring us with Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths.
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 one word shaping this year's political battle for the Beehive

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1ffc3298-faa7-4932-8b51-b3d1002b9414/transcript

NZ Customs battles growing illicit tobacco smuggling trend

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