New research shows a third of New Zealand adults are obese – and policies focused on individual responsibility are failing.

A Helen Clark Foundation report suggests tackling obesity will require cracking down on junk food advertising, the proliferation of takeaways, and bringing in new levies on unhealthy products.

So, is the era of placing the blame on the individual going to be a thing of the past? And can the government to anything to curb obesity in this country?

Today on The Front Page, Helen Clark Foundation executive director Murray Bruges is with us to discuss.

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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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

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Regional development has been a major focus of the coalition government.

The Fast Track Bill, the return of oil and gas exploration and the Regional Infrastructure Fund is all promised to get work back to the regions and help them thrive. 

And the man running the show is the so-called Matua of Mining and Prince of the Provinces, Shane Jones.

He’s the Minister for oceans and fisheries, regional development, and resources – and there’s not an endangered frog or a surfing hippie that’s going to get in his way.

Today on The Front Page, Jones joins us to discuss his reckons on what’s best for the regions, and whether you can fight climate change at the same time as backing provincial New Zealand.

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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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s promised the “free ride” for gangs, is officially over.

From today, gang patches will no longer be allowed to be worn in public, courts will be able to issue non-consorting orders, and Police will be able to stop members from communicating with each other.

Greater weight will also be given to gang membership at sentencing – and repeat offenders continually convicted of displaying their patches in public will be subject to a new court order, prohibiting them from possessing any gang insignia in public, or private, for five years.

But any of this be any kind of deterrent to the more than 9000 gang members in New Zealand?

Today on The Front Page, lifetime Black Power member and community advocate Denis O'Reilly is with us to discuss his perspective on these new laws.

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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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in Ukraine has hit the one-thousand-day mark.

On February 24, 2022 – Russia invaded Ukraine – since then, hundreds of thousands of people have died, many more have been injured, and millions are displaced.

It's been called the largest and deadliest in Europe since World War II.

This week, US President Joe Biden gave the green light for Ukraine to strike Russia with US-made, long-range missiles.

It comes just nine weeks before Donald Trump takes office, who on the election trail pledged to put an end to the war.

So, after a thousand days how will these missiles change the war, and what will a Trump peace deal look like?

Today on The Front Page, Waikato University international law professor, Alexander Gillespie, is with us to discuss if there’s an end in sight for the conflict.

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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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hikoi that started in Cape Reinga and has made its way down the country arrives in Wellington today.

While many have taken part in various stages of the hikoi, tens of thousands of people are expected outside the Beehive today, as a protest against the Government’s policies impacting Maori, including the Treaty Principles Bill.

Te Pati Maori have been leading the push back against the Government, notably with a viral haka stunt in Parliament during the Bill’s first reading that has garnered global attention.

The party’s co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, joins us today on The Front Page to discuss the hikoi, that viral haka, and why they are fighting back so strongly against this Government.

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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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On August 9 2021, the day after the Tokyo Olympics ended, cyclist Olivia Podmore died in a suspected suicide.

Podmore had represented New Zealand in the 2016 Olympics, but was not selected five years later.

Her death sparked shock throughout the close knit cycling community and wider sporting network, and the culture at Cycling NZ was eventually investigated.

Now, over three years later, a coronial inquiry into Podmore’s death is due to begin today.

NZ Herald reporter Tom Dillane has been covering the story for the last three years, and joins us today on The Front Page to discuss Olivia Podmore’s life, career, and her tragic death. 

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

Suicide and depression help services:

If it is an emergency and you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

For counselling and support:

• Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline, or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

Youth services:

• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
• What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)
• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737
• Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053

For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service.

The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts - click here for information

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People respond to election losses in various ways, from protesting to legal action to considering moving country.

But, what about adopting a vow of celibacy through something called the “4B movement”?

That’s what some young women in the US have promised on social media in protest of Donald Trump winning back the White House.

No dating. No sex, No childbirth. And no marriage.

In a world where: the next US President was found liable for sexual abuse, online vitriol against women is skyrocketing,  and the term “your body, my choice” is trending online... how effective could this 4B movement be?

 University of Otago PhD candidate Rachel Billington has researched how young people interact with each other online, and joins us now on The Front Page to discuss this growing movement.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to Parliament last week – with its first reading debate scheduled for today.

The bill has sparked fierce criticism since it was included as part of National and Act’s coalition agreement last year. 

Protests are expected outside Parliament today, while thousands of marchers protesting Government policies affecting Maori crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge yesterday as part of a hikoi to Parliament.

So, now that we’ve actually seen the Bill, what’s in it, and what are the chances of it actually getting across the line?

Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joins us to discuss one of the most contentious Government bills in recent memory.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As votes continue to be counted in the US, President-elect Donald Trump has swept all seven battleground states, confirming his dominant performance in the country’s election.

While many were shocked that the US would return to Trump after four years, many voters have made it clear their feelings about high inflation and the cost of living under the Biden administration swayed them towards the Republicans.

It’s a similar sentiment that helped National, Act and NZ First ascend to power in our election last year.

But, in a global economic environment, how much sway does one political leader have over how much you're paying for groceries and petrol?

Today on The Front Page, we discuss this with 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: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gen Z can be credited with a few things – an uptick in climate awareness, the ability to work any kind of technology, and the revival of straight leg jeans, just to name a few.

However, recruiters across the ditch in Australia have spoken out about Gen Z graduates’ demands on employers –saying their arrogant expectations are leaving a bad taste in their bosses’ mouths.

The oldest of the generation, born between 1997 and 2012, are 27 years old, so they are set to stick around in the workplace for quite some time.

So are they in their wrong with their approach to work, or are they actually onto something?

Today on The Front Page, recruitment agency Robert Walters, CEO of Australia & NZ Shay Peters, joins us to discuss the impact of our youngest generation of workers.

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: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever feel like you’re getting less bang for your buck at the supermarket? Well you might be right.

As production costs rise, many companies have been resorting to what’s called ‘Shrinkflation’. Rather than raising the cost to the consumer, they make the product smaller while charging the same price.  

According to a Global Inflation Monitor survey in 2023, 46% of consumers said that they have noticed shrinkflation, with 55% of kiwi consumers noticing the tactic and the same amount stating the practice was an unacceptable response to rising costs. 

Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Massey University marketing professor, Bodo Lang to discuss the ethics behind shrinkflation.

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