As children across New Zealand head back to school, many will be arriving without the basics.

58 schools are starting 2026 on the waitlist for KidsCan.

The charity provides the essentials for Kiwi kids living in poverty.

A survey of waitlisted schools shows more than half provide breakfast for their students, often diverting funds from their operational budget.

So why, in 2026, are kids going to school hungry?

Today on The Front Page, KidsCan CEO Dame Julie Chapman is with us to offer a glimpse into the lives of far too many children in this country who are going without.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 24 years, former National Party leader Judith Collins has called time on her career in politics for a new role as head of the law commission.

Collins is the longest-continuously serving female MP in New Zealand, winning her electorate seats in Clevedon and then Papakura at every general election she has contested since 2002.

The prime minister’s office has confirmed Collins will remain the MP for Papakura, retaining her portfolios until she moves to the law commission mid-year.

So, what does her departure mean for New Zealand politics, who is National lining up for her seat, and when the history books are written – what will Judith Collins’ be remembered for?

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper is with us to unpack a career defined by survival, scandal, comebacks, and crushing presence in New Zealand politics.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recovery operation at the Mt Maunganui landslide continues with police warning it could take days or even weeks.

Tauranga City Council has launched an investigation into what happened in the run-up to the deadly landslide.

Already questions are being asked about who knew what, and when. We'll talk to University of Canterbury senior lecturer in disaster risk and resilience, Dr Tom Robinson about the danger of landslides after severe weather events.
Also, NZ Herald senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah has been in Mount Maunganui for several days, and joins us on The Front Page.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From celery-juice cleanses to infomercial ab-busting gadgets, society has always been on a diet.

It’s a global, multi-billion-dollar powerhouse industry.

The latest trend that you would have heard about are GLP1s, or weight-loss injections.

Pharmac is seeking advice on whether they should be funded for certain people.

Australia’s committed to it for certain patients, taking the cost down to about $29 per script.

A drug like Wegovy for instance, costs about $460 per script in New Zealand. 

But, are they really beneficial? Or, is it just the next get skinny quick ploy?

Today on The Front Page, obesity specialist, Dr Gerard McQuinlan is with us to explore whether these drugs should be funded, or is diet and exercise really the only answer?

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank has revealed that the annual inflation rate for 2025 was 3.1%.

It puts the inflation rate outside the bank’s target band of 1 to 3%.

While it’s slowed sinificantly since the most recent peak of 7.3% in the June 2022 quarter, it has risen every quarter since December 2024.

And while economist expect it to sit around 3 or 3.1% -- the Reserve Bank’s November prediction had it at 2.7%.

But, what does it all mean? And are dreams of a quick fix in 2026 in the rear view mirror? 

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Business editor at large, Liam Dann is with us to break it down.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Christchurch woman told friends she was dying of cancer.

They grieved and gave thousands to help her. But then, the unthinkable happened.

It was all a farce.

Nicola Flint is accused of forging medical letters and defrauding a rugby club of more than $100,000.

Today on The Front Page, senior crime reporter and host of A Moment in Crime, Anna Leask, has been diving into this case with a special two part series on Flint’s diagnosis deception.

She joins us now.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s Parliament has been called back two weeks early to push through new gun and hate speech legislation in the wake of the Bondi Attack.

The recommendations are reminiscent of those made by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the March 15 terror attack in Christchurch.

Since 2021, successive governments have begun, paused, then stopped all policy and legislative work on hate speech.

So, where do our hate speech laws sit today? Are they good enough? Or should we follow Australia’s lead and finally tackle this issue once and for all?

Today on The Front Page,  Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Derby is with us to talk about how to tackle this growing issue.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s all rain and no shine this week across the country.

Warm, tropical air sitting north of New Zealand has brought with it thunderstorms and rain warnings for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula.

Crews have already been working on clearing slips along State Highway 2, between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne.

So, what is the outlook for this week? And when will Mother Nature give us all a break?

Today on The Front Page, Niwa principal scientist, Chris Brandolino is with us to take us through what to expect, and when we might be able to put the sheets on the line.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European leaders are baffled, as Trump digs his heels in over Greenland.

The US President has threatened to impose tariffs on eight allies who remain opposed to his potential takeover of the Danish territory.

A10% levy will kick in on February 1, possibly rising to 25% on June 1 – affecting Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and the UK.

Trump has said the import taxes will remain in place until "such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" by the US.

But, what does the United States want with Greenland? And how soon will it be until New Zealand is swept up in this chaos?

Today on The Front Page, Waikato University international law professor, Al Gillespie is with us to take us through what could happen next.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year ended with a promise of the largest economic reform in a generation.

It's when the Government unveiled its radical overhaul of resource management laws, which aims to cut the number of consents currently required by 40 to 50%.

Led by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, the move will see the decades-old RMA replaced with two laws – one focused on planning, and the other on environment protection.

They’re due to be passed by the end of this year, and operational by 2029.

But what does it all mean? And why has it taken so long to detangle this convoluted law if so many people agreed it needed to be done?

Today on The Front Page, Herald political editor, Thomas Coughlan, is with us to break it down.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks head coach Scott 'Razor' Robertson is out of the role just two years into his four-year contract.

After reports of widespread frustration from players and staff and a damning internal review, questions remain – what went so wrong for Razor, what does this mean for our world cup campaign and who will have the job of cleaning up the mess?

The All Blacks drama spells the beginning of a huge year for sport.

2026 sees hopes of a record medal haul for New Zealand at the Winter Olympics, and a chance to cheer on the All Whites on the world stage.

And of course, we’re all curious to see how Netball NZ will rebuild public trust?

All this and more today on The Front Page, with Herald sports reporter Alex Powell.

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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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.