A recent episode of the ever-popular Country Calendar has divided audiences in the rural community.

The unconventional methods of businesspeople Geoff and Justine Ross were not appreciated by some online, who lashed out calling it “woke and PC BS”.

The backlash was saved for social media for now, but as more urbanites emigrate to the regions, does this case highlight the growing tensions between rural and urban New Zealand?

Today NZX Head of Insight and rural commentator expert Julia Jones joins Damien to look at how a TV show sparked such a strong emotional response.  

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
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

A recent episode of the ever-popular Country Calendar has divided audiences in the rural community.
The unconventional methods of businesspeople Geoff and Justine Ross were not appreciated by some online, who lashed out calling it “woke and PC BS”.
The backlash was saved for social media for now, but as more urbanites emigrate to the regions, does this case highlight the growing tensions between rural and urban New Zealand?
Today NZX Head of Insight and rural commentator expert Julia Jones joins Damien to look at how a TV show sparked such a strong emotional response.  
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 Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

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.

Has the Country Calendar backlash highlighted wider rural tensions?

Kiwis are flying the coop, most of them heading for better opportunities across the Tasman.

Latest Stats NZ figures show just over 124,000 migrant departures in the year to October, up nearly 7% - 71,000 of them New Zealanders.

What is pushing our best and brightest out the door? And is the grass really greener on the other side?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to dissect what draws Kiwis abroad, and what it all means for the ones sticking around.

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

Kiwis are flying the coop, most of them heading for better opportunities across the Tasman.
Latest Stats NZ figures show just over 124,000 migrant departures in the year to October, up nearly 7% - 71,000 of them New Zealanders.
What is pushing our best and brightest out the door? And is the grass really greener on the other side?
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Business editor at large Liam Dann is with us to dissect what draws Kiwis abroad, and what it all means for the ones sticking around.
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

Leaving for Oz: Why so many Kiwis are giving up on the local job market

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1041e4eb-f083-4b0a-9eee-b3af00345d5f/transcript

Australia’s social media ban comes into effect this week, when all under 16s there will be restricted from major platforms.

We’re talking TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Kick, Twitch, Threads and X.

The EU passed a similar resolution this month, and the UK has introduced age restrictions on certain content.

But, can you really outlaw part of the world wide web for a generation that has grown up online?

And, more importantly, should we?

Today on The Front Page, University of Canterbury senior law professor, Dr Cassandra Mudgway is with us to take us through what this means, and whether New Zealand should follow suit.

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

Australia&rsquo;s social media ban comes into effect this week, when all under 16s there will be restricted from major platforms.
We&rsquo;re talking TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Kick, Twitch, Threads and X.
The EU passed a similar resolution this month, and the UK has introduced age restrictions on certain content.
But, can you really outlaw part of the world wide web for a generation that has grown up online?
And, more importantly, should we?
Today on The Front Page, University of Canterbury senior law professor, Dr Cassandra Mudgway is with us to take us through what this means, and whether New Zealand should follow suit.
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 Australia’s social media ban works – and could it happen in NZ?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e597b3a7-bc9d-4dbb-8d05-b3ae0039dfeb/transcript

From sideline squabbles to damning defeats, 2026 will need to be a year of refresh when it comes to Kiwi sports.  

The All Blacks’ season has been shaky to say the least, and headlines have been dominated with Netball New Zealand’s off-court chaos. 

But, there have been some major wins on the world stage for some of our best athletes.  

Liam Lawson has become a household name – and Ryan Fox has seen some career bests this year.  

So, to wrap it all up, today on The Front Page we have the NZ Herald’s Christopher Reive and Nathan Limm to take us through some of 2025’s highs and lows.

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 sideline squabbles to damning defeats, 2026 will need to be a year of refresh when it comes to Kiwi sports. &nbsp;
The All Blacks&rsquo; season has been shaky to say the least, and headlines have been dominated with Netball New Zealand&rsquo;s off-court chaos.&nbsp;
But, there have been some major wins on the world stage for some of our best athletes. &nbsp;
Liam Lawson has become a household name &ndash; and Ryan Fox has seen some career bests this year. &nbsp;
So, to wrap it all up, today on The Front Page we have the NZ Herald&rsquo;s Christopher Reive and Nathan Limm to take us through some of 2025&rsquo;s highs and lows.
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 defeats, Netball NZ turmoil, Liam Lawson: The year in sport

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8b5c99b5-b090-4408-be2b-b3ad003284d9/transcript

Has the Country Calendar backlash highlighted wider rural tensions?

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