International campaigns, a Russian vote-tampering scandal, and an imposter taking the win, there’s one election that New Zealanders have taken very seriously.

No, it doesn’t involve politicians— or even human beings.

For two decades the public has pored over more than 80 native birds — and one controversial bat — to crown one Bird of the Year.  

The fun is meant to highlight our native fauna, and the fact that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of threatened species in the world 

Today on The Front Page, Forest & Bird chief executive Nicola Toki is here to take us through the history and future of the competition, 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

International campaigns, a Russian vote-tampering scandal, and an imposter taking the win, there&rsquo;s one election that New Zealanders have taken very seriously.
No, it doesn&rsquo;t involve politicians&mdash; or even human beings.
For two decades the public has pored over more than 80 native birds &mdash; and one controversial bat &mdash; to crown one Bird of the Year. &nbsp;
The fun is meant to highlight our native fauna, and the fact that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of threatened species in the world&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, Forest &amp; Bird chief executive Nicola Toki is here to take us through the history and future of the competition, 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 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.

Pecking order politics: Why Kiwis care so deeply about Bird of the Year

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ef1bb996-3dbf-4a14-9d17-b356004f62db/transcript

The Iranian military has threatened shipping in the Gulf, Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman if the US naval blockade continues.

The threats made by general Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi were apparently aired on Iranian state television.

Meanwhile, talks could resume as early as this week with NBC news reporting Trump has said the war was “very close to over” while Tehran has said messages were still being exchanged via Pakistan. 

Trump has also claimed that China is “very happy” about the situation – that was after Beijing labelled the US blockade “dangerous.” 

He also said that President Xi Jinping had agreed not to send weapons to Iran.

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us.

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 Iranian military has threatened shipping in the Gulf, Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman if the US naval blockade continues.
The threats made by general Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi were apparently aired on Iranian state television.
Meanwhile, talks could resume as early as this week with NBC news reporting Trump has said the war was &ldquo;very close to over&rdquo; while Tehran has said messages were still being exchanged via Pakistan.&nbsp;
Trump has also claimed that China is &ldquo;very happy&rdquo; about the situation &ndash; that was after Beijing labelled the US blockade &ldquo;dangerous.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He also said that President Xi Jinping had agreed not to send weapons to Iran.
Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us.
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 the Red Sea the world's next major trade chokepoint?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4397f92f-30a6-47ef-a675-b42e0048f6a1/transcript

Illicit tobacco is quietly taking hold across New Zealand.

A Retail NZ report warns the country could soon face the same violent black-market spiral seen in Australia.

It has found more than a quarter of smokers are using illicit tobacco - most sourced from China and the Middle East.

Some cartons are being sold for as little as 15 dollars - with supply controlled by organised crime groups.

So what’s driving this trade, and how serious is the threat?

Today on The Front Page, CEO Carolyn Young is with us to talk about the report’s findings and what action we need to take now.

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

Illicit tobacco is quietly taking hold across New Zealand.
A Retail NZ report warns the country could soon face the same violent black-market spiral seen in Australia.
It has found more than a quarter of smokers are using illicit tobacco - most sourced from China and the Middle East.
Some cartons are being sold for as little as 15 dollars - with supply controlled by organised crime groups.
So what&rsquo;s driving this trade, and how serious is the threat?
Today on The Front Page, CEO Carolyn Young is with us to talk about the report&rsquo;s findings and what action we need to take now.
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

How illicit tobacco quietly grew to a quarter of all cigarettes sold here

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a356fd4b-73d4-4a5b-b6b3-b42d0043fcd2/transcript

The US blockade of Iranian ports has begun.

President Donald Trump is warning any ships that try to disrupt US efforts will be eliminated. Earlier, Iran's parliament speaker said the country would not "surrender under threats".
Weekend peace talks between the US and Iran ended without resolution, with Trump blaming Iran 's unwillingness to end its nuclear ambitions.

Vice President JD Vance has said that it’s up to Iran and the “ball is in their court” about furthering peace talks.

So, what exactly is a blockade? Is it legal? And, what could it mean for the wider conflict?

Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Al Gillespie is with us to unpack the implications and explore what this move might really achieve.

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 US blockade of Iranian ports has begun.
President Donald Trump is warning any ships that try to disrupt US efforts will be eliminated. Earlier, Iran's parliament speaker said the country would not "surrender under threats". Weekend peace talks between the US and Iran ended without resolution, with Trump blaming Iran 's unwillingness to end its nuclear ambitions.
Vice President JD Vance has said that it&rsquo;s up to Iran and the &ldquo;ball is in their court&rdquo; about furthering peace talks.
So, what exactly is a blockade? Is it legal? And, what could it mean for the wider conflict?
Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Al Gillespie is with us to unpack the implications and explore what this move might really achieve.
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 Trump’s Iran blockade could backfire at sea

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/38b6790c-7a03-4967-b691-b42c00391f78/transcript

Pecking order politics: Why Kiwis care so deeply about Bird of the Year

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