Spain have beaten Argentina to win the Fifa World Cup for the second time in history.  

It caps off a tournament that delivered drama on the pitch – and a long list of controversies off it. 

From sky‑high ticket prices and visa headaches, to political grandstanding and fresh questions over Fifa’s priorities, many fans are wondering whether this World Cup was still about the football – or about power and money. 

So what does the tournament tell us about where the global game is heading – and where to from here for the world’s biggest sporting event? 

Today on The Front Page, we speak to NZ Herald sports journalists, Michael Burgess and Nathan Limm to unpack Spain’s triumph, the controversies that overshadowed 2026, and the future of the World Cup.  

Spain&nbsp;have beaten Argentina to win the Fifa World Cup for the second time in history.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It caps off a tournament that delivered drama on the pitch &ndash; and&nbsp;a long list&nbsp;of controversies off it.&nbsp;
From&nbsp;sky‑high&nbsp;ticket prices and visa headaches, to political grandstanding and fresh questions over Fifa&rsquo;s priorities, many fans are wondering whether this World Cup was still about the football &ndash; or about power and money.&nbsp;
So&nbsp;what does&nbsp;the tournament tell us about where the global game is heading &ndash; and where to from here for the world&rsquo;s biggest sporting event?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;we speak to NZ Herald&nbsp;sports journalists, Michael&nbsp;Burgess&nbsp;and Nathan Limm&nbsp;to&nbsp;unpack Spain&rsquo;s triumph, the controversies that overshadowed 2026, and the future of the World Cup.&nbsp;&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.

Spain lifted the Fifa World Cup trophy - but did controversy steal the show?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ac5953f2-d692-47e9-a4c7-b48d004b2181/transcript

The idea of a celebrity running for office is nothing new.  

All over the world, ex TV stars, movie icons, and comedians try their hand at a new role: politician.  

This week, Election 2026 has been rocked by the announcement that ex-broadcaster Paul Henry will be entering the fray – running for the Act Party.  

There have been countless headlines, interviews, and analysis since the surprise move.  

But, is it that surprising? Why do we get so swept up in name recognition and does it ever really work out well?  

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths is with us to explain how much star power really matters at the ballot box, whether high‑profile names actually change votes, and what history can tell us about how this latest twist might play out.

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 idea of a celebrity running for&nbsp;office&nbsp;is nothing new.&nbsp;&nbsp;
All over the world, ex TV stars, movie icons, and comedians try their hand&nbsp;at&nbsp;a new role:&nbsp;politician.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This week, Election 2026 has been rocked by the announcement that ex-broadcaster Paul Henry will be entering the fray &ndash; running for the Act Party.&nbsp;&nbsp;
There have been countless headlines, interviews, and analysis&nbsp;since the surprise move.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But,&nbsp;is it that surprising? Why do we&nbsp;get so swept up&nbsp;in name&nbsp;recognition&nbsp;and&nbsp;does it ever really work out well?&nbsp;&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths is with us to explain how much star power really matters at the ballot box, whether high‑profile names actually change votes, and what history can tell us about how this latest twist might play out.
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

Are voters looking for politicians or celebrity in 2026?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/aaed06aa-0050-4ede-b587-b48a0019f177/transcript

H5N1 bird flu has landed in New Zealand. 

The positive result from a brown skua found at Wellington’s Petone Beach is the country’s first case of the strain.  

For months, officials, farmers, and DOC workers have been bracing for this moment, trying to protect our wildlife from a virus that’s already devastated birds around the world. 

We’ve been one of the last places on Earth untouched by H5N1. That’s no longer true. 

So, how likely is it to spread, which animals are at risk, and should anyone be worried about their own safety? 

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan is with us to unpack what this means for our wildlife, our poultry sector, and the risk to people. 

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

H5N1 bird flu has landed in New Zealand.&nbsp;
The positive result from a brown skua found at Wellington&rsquo;s Petone Beach is the country&rsquo;s first case of the strain.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For months, officials, farmers, and DOC workers have been bracing for this moment, trying to protect our wildlife from a virus that&rsquo;s already devastated birds around the world.&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ve&nbsp;been one of the last places on Earth untouched by H5N1.&nbsp;That&rsquo;s&nbsp;no longer true.&nbsp;
So,&nbsp;how&nbsp;likely is it to spread, which animals are at risk, and should anyone be worried about their own safety?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, University of Otago virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan is with us to unpack what this means for our wildlife, our poultry sector, and the risk to people.&nbsp;
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 H5N1 reached NZ and what it means for our birds

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/107bb20a-b4ba-4c1a-9189-b489002f63e9/transcript

Ex broadcaster Paul Henry is running for Act in the upcoming election. 

He stood for National in 1999 but is best known for hosting TVNZ's Breakfast in the mid-2000s. 

Henry’s long media career has been marked by a string of public controversies, many of which have led to him being criticised for his offensive and inflammatory remarks. 

So, with Act stagnant in polls - will this colourful personality be the party’s secret weapon or agent of chaos – or both? 

Today on The Front Page, Paul Henry joins us to discuss why politics, why now, and what happens 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

Ex broadcaster Paul Henry is running for Act in the upcoming election.&nbsp;
He stood for National in&nbsp;1999 but&nbsp;is best known for hosting TVNZ's Breakfast in the mid-2000s.&nbsp;
Henry&rsquo;s long media career has been marked by a string of public controversies, many of which have led to him being&nbsp;criticised&nbsp;for his offensive and inflammatory remarks.&nbsp;
So, with Act stagnant in polls - will this&nbsp;colourful&nbsp;personality be the party&rsquo;s&nbsp;secret weapon or agent of chaos &ndash; or both?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;Paul Henry joins us to discuss why politics, why now, and what happens next.&nbsp;
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 part of politics Paul Henry admits he’s not ready for

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7f7dbb9c-b041-40f8-b906-b4880027cca7/transcript

Spain lifted the Fifa World Cup trophy - but did controversy steal the show?

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