The US blockade of Iranian ports has begun.

President Donald Trump is warning any ships that try to disrupt US efforts will be eliminated. Earlier, Iran's parliament speaker said the country would not "surrender under threats".
Weekend peace talks between the US and Iran ended without resolution, with Trump blaming Iran 's unwillingness to end its nuclear ambitions.

Vice President JD Vance has said that it’s up to Iran and the “ball is in their court” about furthering peace talks.

So, what exactly is a blockade? Is it legal? And, what could it mean for the wider conflict?

Today on The Front Page, University of Waikato international law professor Al Gillespie is with us to unpack the implications and explore what this move might really achieve.

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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

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It’s 208 days until Kiwis hit the polls and vote for the next Government.

And despite campaigning not officially starting, the Prime Minister’s performance has been called into question, time and time again.

Accusations range from Luxon leaning too much into corporate speak and acting like a CEO to dodging questions, and even dodging entire press conferences during a global fuel crisis to open a stadium.

With flubbed media interviews going viral, Christopher Luxon’s behaviour is being put under a microscope. So much so that there are whisperings of a coup.

Can one man’s public image impact an entire party? And who’s been sent in to help National months ahead of election day?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Editor-at-Large, and Media Insider, Shayne Currie is with us to break down Luxon’s trials and tribulations, and how he might turn them around.

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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

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There are more than 70 Kiwis banged up abroad, according to new data.

But, the true figure is likely higher, with many detainees choosing not to tell the New Zealand government they’ve been arrested.

They’re detained across dozens of countries, from the US and Australia to parts of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

NZ Herald senior journalist Anna Leask has been looking into New Zealanders locked up overseas, she joins us today 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.

Cyclone Vaianu is currently tracking toward the top of the North Island with forecasters warning it could make landfall between Auckland and the Coromandel this weekend.

Heavy rain, high winds and coastal surges are all in play, with officials stating it could be a potentially life-threatening weather event.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has recommended people stock up and get their supplies in order.

Today on The Front Page, meteorologist for Earth Sciences NZ, Chester Lampkin is with us to give us an idea on just how bad things could get and how prepared we should be.

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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/Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

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Donald Trump has backed down again on threats towards Iran.

In a social media post, the President said he has agreed “to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks” and that this “will be a double-sided ceasefire”.

It’s after Iranians formed human chains along bridges and around power plants after Trump vowed that “a whole civilisation will die tonight”.

On the other hand, Iran has claimed victory, saying it forced the US to accept its 10-point plan.

All the while, our Foreign Minister Winston Peters has met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, coming out of it saying he is “very hopeful for the future”.

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago Peace Studies professor Richard Jackson is with us to take us through the latest, and 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.

Iran has rejected a proposed ceasefire with the US and Israel.

It’s after an expletive-ridden post from President Donald Trump – where he demanded the Strait of Hormuz be opened or else Iran would be “living in Hell”.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister has accused Trump of threatening war crimes, saying strikes on power plants and bridges would target civilian infrastructure and violate international law.

Meanwhile, our Foreign Minister Winston Peters is travelling to Washington D.C. - where he’ll meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials.

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations expert Robert Patman is with us to discuss the latest on the war in Iran, and 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

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It’s been revealed that Ardie Savea’s future with the All Blacks hung in the balance.

His push to quit was amid whispers of player discontent and coaching fractures exposing deep cracks in the team’s foundations.

Players apparently openly questions coaching, discipline, and its overall direction.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald rugby analyst, Gregor Paul, joins us to break down the inside story, and the deeper turmoil inside the All Blacks.

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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 financial year is coming to an end.

It means we’ll see a whole bunch of policies and adjustments from April 1.

Everything from crayfish catch limits and Pharmac funding to changes to the Living and Minimum wages.

Super annuitants, working families, students and beneficiaries are among those who will receive additional support.

On the law-and-order front, the government’s crackdown on drug drivers is set to ramp up.

And power bills are expected to increase, after the Commerce Commission agreed to let local lines companies, and Transport, charge households and businesses more a couple years ago.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann, is with us to break down what changes are in the works, and what it might mean for you – and our economy.

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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.