The world of pop culture fandom was once on the fringes of society – comic books, anime and sci-fi movies have historically been seen as the realm of nerds living in their parents basement.

But in recent years, the power dynamics have shifted, and what was once considered niche is now very much in the mainstream.

Blockbuster movies are increasingly being dominated by superhero and fantasy genre, and that’s seeping into the world of prestige television.

And everything from Labubus to the latest Nintendo Switch console are flying off the shelves in ways that are taking their makers by surprise.

To unpack why this side of pop culture is proving so popular, we’re joined today on The Front Page by the Academic Dean at SAE Creative Media Institute, Dr Lorna Piatti-Farnell.

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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

The world of pop culture fandom was once on the fringes of society &ndash; comic books, anime and sci-fi movies have historically been seen as the realm of nerds living in their parents basement.
But in recent years, the power dynamics have shifted, and what was once considered niche is now very much in the mainstream.
Blockbuster movies are increasingly being dominated by superhero and fantasy genre, and that&rsquo;s seeping into the world of prestige television.
And everything from Labubus to the latest Nintendo Switch console are flying off the shelves in ways that are taking their makers by surprise.
To unpack why this side of pop culture is proving so popular, we&rsquo;re joined today on The Front Page by the Academic Dean at SAE Creative Media Institute, Dr Lorna Piatti-Farnell.
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 Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin 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 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.

From Labubu dolls to box office records: What the latest pop culture trends say about us

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c2400e41-06e5-4b56-ab69-b2ed0010c529/transcript

If you’re old enough, then you’ll remember there was a time when every Kiwi household had to pick a weekday where they wouldn’t drive.

Carless Days were introduced in 1979 as an attempt to reduce petrol consumption amid a global oil shock thanks to the Iranian Revolution.

The scheme was short lived – it was scrapped in 1980, after it achieved only a minimal reduction in petrol use. 
So, why are we hearing about it again now if it failed so miserably? And, are there alternatives we should be looking at closer?

Today on The Front Page, transport commentator and Greater Auckland director Matt Lowrie is with us to break down the idea, and maybe what others there are as petrol prices continue to rise.

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

If you&rsquo;re old enough, then you&rsquo;ll remember there was a time when every Kiwi household had to pick a weekday where they wouldn&rsquo;t drive.
Carless Days were introduced in 1979 as an attempt to reduce petrol consumption amid a global oil shock thanks to the Iranian Revolution.
The scheme was short lived &ndash; it was scrapped in 1980, after it achieved only a minimal reduction in petrol use. So, why are we hearing about it again now if it failed so miserably? And, are there alternatives we should be looking at closer?
Today on The Front Page, transport commentator and Greater Auckland director Matt Lowrie is with us to break down the idea, and maybe what others there are as petrol prices continue to rise.
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 carless days to EV push: The fuel crunch options on the table

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2231415a-2151-44d7-8d62-b40c002c7720/transcript

Air New Zealand is set to cut 1100 flights – affecting about 44,000 customers. 

CEO Nikhil Ravishankar has cited “unprecedented” jet fuel prices as the cause – which he said could not be passed on to customers, who were already facing cost-of-living challenges. 

A normal price for jet fuel is about US$85 a barrel -- but the product is now at about US$170 a barrel as a result of the war in Iran. 

It’s all prompted the Government to round up a bunch of senior ministers to oversee the country’s fuel security. 

Today on The Front Page, aviation journalist Grant Bradley is with us to take a look at the current situation, and crises past – and whether air travel will ever be the same.

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

Air New Zealand is&nbsp;set to cut 1100&nbsp;flights &ndash; affecting about&nbsp;44,000 customers.&nbsp;
CEO Nikhil Ravishankar has cited &ldquo;unprecedented&rdquo; jet fuel prices&nbsp;as the cause &ndash; which he said could not be passed on to customers, who were already facing cost-of-living challenges.&nbsp;
A normal price for jet fuel is about US$85 a barrel -- but the product&nbsp;is now at about US$170 a barrel&nbsp;as a result of&nbsp;the war in Iran.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s&nbsp;all prompted the Government to round up a bunch of senior ministers to oversee the country&rsquo;s&nbsp;fuel security.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, aviation journalist Grant Bradley is with us to take a look at the current situation, and crises past &ndash; and whether air travel will ever be the same.
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

Air NZ is cutting flights. When should we start to worry?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/eafe102a-06bd-4f29-a47d-b40b003378fb/transcript

A global oil giant is warning of a looming catastrophe unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon.

The US and Israel war on Iran is wreaking havoc on global oil and gas markets, spiking prices and sending shockwaves across global economies.

It’s being called by some commentators the “biggest oil disruption in history.” 
Saudi Arabia’s state oil company, Aramco, has said there would be “drastic” consequences for the world economy if the disruption continued.

It’s believed oil could hit $150 US-dollars per barrel by the end of the month.

But what does the wholesale price of oil mean for you at the pump? And will things get a lot worse, before they get better?

Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with us to talk about the crisis – and what New Zealand should do 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

A global oil giant is warning of a looming catastrophe unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon.
The US and Israel war on Iran is wreaking havoc on global oil and gas markets, spiking prices and sending shockwaves across global economies.
It&rsquo;s being called by some commentators the &ldquo;biggest oil disruption in history.&rdquo; Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s state oil company, Aramco, has said there would be &ldquo;drastic&rdquo; consequences for the world economy if the disruption continued.
It&rsquo;s believed oil could hit $150 US-dollars per barrel by the end of the month.
But what does the wholesale price of oil mean for you at the pump? And will things get a lot worse, before they get better?
Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with us to talk about the crisis &ndash; and what New Zealand should do 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

How vulnerable is New Zealand to a global oil shock?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c025a913-69a9-4089-9b89-b40a0031500c/transcript

From Labubu dolls to box office records: What the latest pop culture trends say about us

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