The Auckland mayoralty - sometimes considered the second most important job in New Zealand politics - is up for grabs this year. And while you'd think that ambitious politicians would be clambering over each other for a shot at the role, the actual race is attracting a few lesser-known faces.

Today, New Zealand Herald reporter Tom Dillane joins Damien to discuss who the major candidates are, and why they have some in local government concerned.

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. Content from the New York Times can be read at nzherald.co.nz/Premium

Host / Producer: Damien Venuto
Producer / Editor: Shaun D. Wilson 
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

The Auckland mayoralty - sometimes considered the second most important job in New Zealand politics - is up for grabs this year. And while you'd think that ambitious politicians would be clambering over each other for a shot at the role, the actual race is attracting a few lesser-known faces.
Today,&nbsp;New Zealand Herald reporter Tom Dillane joins Damien to discuss who the major candidates are, and why they have some in local government concerned.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp; 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. Content from the New York Times can be read at nzherald.co.nz/Premium
Host / Producer: 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 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.

Why the frontrunners for Auckland mayor are causing concern

The coalition Government has unveiled its second Budget.

Over 20 billion dollars in savings has been found over the next four years, more than half from controversial changes to our pay equity scheme.

There are changes to KiwiSaver contributions, means testing for support for parents, and a major new tax incentive for businesses.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis said that it is a “responsible budget”, while Labour has called it an ‘austerity budget’ that leaves women out and is stealing from our kids.

To break down what this all means for you, today on The Front Page, we’re joined by NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann.

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 coalition Government has unveiled its second Budget.
Over 20 billion dollars in savings has been found over the next four years, more than half from controversial changes to our pay equity scheme.
There are changes to KiwiSaver contributions, means testing for support for parents, and a major new tax incentive for businesses.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said that it is a &ldquo;responsible budget&rdquo;, while Labour has called it an &lsquo;austerity budget&rsquo; that leaves women out and is stealing from our kids.
To break down what this all means for you, today on The Front Page, we&rsquo;re joined by NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann.
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

Reissue: Growth or austerity? Unpacking Budget 2025 and what it means for you

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fe6a7452-aa6f-43c5-a4d4-b3b40177f7c9/transcript

You might look on Facebook marketplace for a new couch, a lamp, a rug.

But, what about class A drugs? Or how about a ghost gun?

A Herald investigation has revealed at least 56 listings were circulating on the site offering magic mushrooms, cannabis, and in one case LSD across the North Island and top of the south.

And that could just be the tip of the iceberg of illicit sales on social media.

So how do we get on top of this?

NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah has been looking into this, and joins us today on The Front Page.

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: Ethan Sills

You might look on Facebook marketplace for a new couch, a lamp, a rug.
But, what about class A drugs? Or how about a ghost gun?
A Herald investigation has revealed at least 56 listings were circulating on the site offering magic mushrooms, cannabis, and in one case LSD across the North Island and top of the south.
And that could just be the tip of the iceberg of illicit sales on social media.
So how do we get on top of this?
NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah has been looking into this, and joins us today on The Front Page.
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: Ethan Sills

Reissue: From drugs to weapons, illicit items are for sale on social media

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/42fa1542-4743-4068-9c2f-b3b401669057/transcript

It’s been revealed that Police ignored sex allegations against a former top cop, and instead prosecuted a woman for ‘revenge emails’.

The woman had emailed police, politicians, and newsrooms accusing former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming of being a sexual predator.

The police watchdog has released a scathing 135-page report into how the allegations were treated, and how the “ambitions of a senior police officer were put above the interests of a vulnerable woman”.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said she was “ignored and badly let down”.

He has said it makes for “appalling reading” and the conduct of the former top brass is “inexcusable”.

He was briefed about the situation just two days before he stepped into the top role.  

During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered McSkimming had used his work devices to search for pornography, including bestiality and child sex exploitation material, for at least five years.

The 52-year-old resigned in disgrace and was later charged with possession of objectionable material. He’s pleaded guilty last week and will be sentenced next month.

This whole ordeal has been indisputably damaging to one of the most important institutions in our country.

Later we’ll speak to HELP Auckland’s executive director Kathryn McPhillips about how to support anyone who has experienced sexual abuse.

But first, someone who knows all too well what it’s like to step up to those in power is Louise Nicholas.

She alleged police officers raped her as a teen in the 80s, this resulted in criminal trials, a Commission of Inquiry, and an officer being jailed for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

She is a campaigner for victims of sexual assault, and joins us now on The Front Page.

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

It&rsquo;s been revealed that Police ignored sex allegations against a former top cop, and instead prosecuted a woman for &lsquo;revenge emails&rsquo;.
The woman had emailed police, politicians, and newsrooms accusing former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming of being a sexual predator.
The police watchdog has released a scathing 135-page report into how the allegations were treated, and how the &ldquo;ambitions of a senior police officer were put above the interests of a vulnerable woman&rdquo;.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said she was &ldquo;ignored and badly let down&rdquo;.
He has said it makes for &ldquo;appalling reading&rdquo; and the conduct of the former top brass is &ldquo;inexcusable&rdquo;.
He was briefed about the situation just two days before he stepped into the top role.&nbsp;&nbsp;
During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered McSkimming had used his work devices to search for pornography, including bestiality and child sex exploitation material, for at least five years.
The 52-year-old resigned in disgrace and was later charged with possession of objectionable material. He&rsquo;s pleaded guilty last week and will be sentenced next month.
This whole ordeal has been indisputably damaging to one of the most important institutions in our country.
Later we&rsquo;ll speak to HELP Auckland&rsquo;s executive director Kathryn McPhillips about how to support anyone who has experienced sexual abuse.
But first, someone who knows all too well what it&rsquo;s like to step up to those in power is Louise Nicholas.
She alleged police officers raped her as a teen in the 80s, this resulted in criminal trials, a Commission of Inquiry, and an officer being jailed for attempting to pervert the course of justice.
She is a campaigner for victims of sexual assault, and joins us now on The Front Page.
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

Reissue: McSkimming scandal: How there is hope for survivors in those who spoke up

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/31f4ccb6-e5ce-466c-abdb-b3b401667e6c/transcript

Why the frontrunners for Auckland mayor are causing concern

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