Six months have passed since the coalition government was sworn into office – and the honeymoon period has well and truly ended.

After being met almost immediately with protests by Māori leaders, backlash grew over the repeal of anti-smoking laws, the extent of job cuts in the public service, and cuts to disability services.

As polling suggests an uphill battle for the coalition to reach a second term, moves to tackle law and order and cut back government spending has appealed to their supporters.

So how has the Government fared amongst all this turmoil, and is Prime Minister Christopher Luxon managing to control his three-headed coalition?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett and Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper join to discuss the political highs and lows of the government so far.

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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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re not officially into winter yet, but as the days get darker and the nights get colder, many of us are starting to come down with bugs and viruses.

From flus and sore throats to the common cold, there's a lot going around already – and that’s without adding in the threat of yet another Covid-19 wave.

But with no government restrictions in place anymore, how prepared are we for the months ahead?

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker joins to give his advice for making it through this cold and flu season.

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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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coalition government’s first Budget is out on May 30.

After a rush to find savings, cancelling multiple major projects and cutting back the public service, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been tempering expectations for a splashy budget.

So, how low key will it be, what areas should we be keeping an eye on – and what about that tax cut promise?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large and host of the Money Talks podcast, Liam Dann, is with us to explain all you need to know about Budget 2024.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the Government’s most contentious bills is now before select committee.

The Fast-Track Approvals Bill is designed to speed up the process on consenting major projects, from transport initiatives like roads, to major housing developments.

It also allows three ministers the power to make the final decisions on these projects, even if it goes against the advice of expert panels – or existing laws.

Victoria University of Wellington Political Analyst Dr Bryce Edwards has been following this controversial bill, and joins The Front Page today to discuss why it’s causing such a fuss.

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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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid continuing unrest in New Caledonia, our Defence Force is preparing rescue flights for about 250 stranded Kiwis.

Protests in Noumea have been escalating after violence broke out over proposed changes to voter lists – with six dead and hundreds arrested.

French authorities have declared a state of emergency – as pro-independence supporters and security forces clash.

Today, Chelsea talks with Mike Lightfoot, a Kiwi tourist currently stuck in Noumea, who updates us on the situation as he awaits evacuation, and then geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller to explain how the unrest began – and what steps can be taken to promote calm.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The years-long saga of Julian Assange could finally be at an end – in a decision crucial not only to what happens next for the infamous whistleblower – but for press freedom as we know it.

14 years after his site, Wikileaks, published hundreds of thousands of classified US military and security documents online, and 12 years after the first warrant was issued for his arrest.... judges at London’s High Court could finally decide his fate -- and whether he will be extradited to the United States.

Following the long legal battle is Alan Rusbridger, former editor in chief for The Guardian newspaper in the UK, who worked alongside Assange to publish those documents in 2010.

Now editor of The Prospect magazine, Rusbridger joins The Front Page to discuss Assange’s case and what it means for journalism and press freedom.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major earthquakes may not be a regular occurrence in New Zealand, but the threat of them is often in the back of our minds.

With a major faultline running through the middle of the country, you only have to look to the events in Christchurch and Kaikoura to know the risk they pose.

Now, new modelling has highlighted the impact a catastrophic quake could have on this country, and if we’re prepared for what that means.

Today on The Front Page, Dr Bill Fry and Dr Matt Gerstenberger from GNS Science discuss the latest research on our seismic threat.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a new movement on social media in response to celebrities’ views – or lack thereof – on the war in Palestine.

“Blockout 2024” started with an inconspicuous video of a TikTok influencer posed outside the glamorous Met Gala with the sound bite “let them eat cake”.

Now, an online movement to unfollow and block celebrities is gaining momentum – with the likes of Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner losing hundreds of thousands of followers.

It's raised questions like: Will this effort have any effect? Why do we look at celebrities as our moral compass? And what about the celebrities who are escaping being ‘cancelled’ all together?

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago researcher, Dr Sabrina Moro is with us to dive into the latest social media firestorm.

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: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.