If the Mount Maunganui landslide risk was known, why was nothing done?

Children falling behind. Teacher shortages. Classroom disruption. Questions over what our kids are learning, and whether the system is giving every child the chance to succeed. Education is one of the few issues where the consequences of political decisions can last a lifetime. Are our children learning enough? Are schools getting the support they need? Is the curriculum working? And are we doing enough for the children who are falling behind? This week on The Front Page, we're asking the parties what they would change and how they plan to improve outcomes for New Zealand children. 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A concerning situation in Australia has sparked warnings of a 'new reality' in politics. Australian Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical but stable condition after an attack outside her electorate office in Victoria. Her husband has confirmed she has had both legs amputated. A 43-year-old man is accused of ramming his Toyota LandCruiser into Haines while she was unloading her car, pinning her between the two vehicles. While the motivations remain unclear – it's sparked a wave of politicians revealing their experiences of harassment and intimidation. Back home, and a 2024 Otago University study found that 98% of 54 MPs surveyed had experience harassment, and nearly one in five reported an actual or attempted physical attack. Today on The Front Page, Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley is with us to discuss. 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three debates. Two major party leaders. And a whole lot of political point-scoring. National’s Christopher Luxon and Labour’s Chris Hipkins have gone head-to-head, trading blows over the economy, the cost of living and who deserves the keys to the Beehive’s ninth floor offices over three debates. Last night’s Stuff leaders debate marks the end of their final face-to-face battle of the election campaign. Their last match-up came after the latest 1News Verian poll showing National hitting 32%, up from 28% last week, and Labour slipping to 27%. But they’re not the only ones fighting for a say, with the minor parties stepping up and reminding us how much influence they could, and probably will, have after November 7. So, beyond the zingers and the soundbites, what have we actually learned? Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths is with us to break down the biggest moments from the campaign debates, and what they tell us about the race for power. 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's the day New Zealand's landmark free trade agreement with India enters into force. The deal creates new opportunities for our exporters with one of world's fastest growing markets - by giving us preferential access. Almost 57% of our existing trade can now enter India duty-free and over time, tariffs will be reduced or removed for 95% of our exports. Tariffs are being eliminated right away on sheep meat, wool, coal and more than 95 percent of forestry and wood products. Today on The Front Page, Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy is with us to go through what this means for New Zealand’s red meat sector. 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governments around the globe are grappling with how to gain back control over social media giants. Labour is the latest to campaign on it – promising to progress the social media ban and giving people more of a say on what they see online. The party says it will get current legislation restricting social media for under 16s through to select committee within its first 100 days. They also want an online regulator that can fine platforms and, like Australia, would introduce a digital duty of care law. But how would these changes work in practice? And could New Zealand really force some of the world’s biggest tech companies to change the way they operate? Today on The Front Page, Victoria University of Wellington Senior Lecturer in Information Management Dr. Alex Beattie joins us to discuss. 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.