Christopher Luxon, Donald Trump, Treaty tensions and a struggling NZ economy: Unpacking biggest stories of 2024 - The Front Page

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (left) and US President-Elect Donald Trump (right) have dominated headlines during the year. Photo / NZME

While 2024 may not have brought the shocks of cyclones, Prime Ministerial resignations, or election campaigns, there’s a lot to digest from the last year.

The Government delivered tax relief, gang crackdowns, and a Fast Track Bill while dealing with controversy over Māori relations, smoking laws, and apartment entitlements.

Te Pāti Māori led the fight against the Treaty Principles Bill while Labour rebuilt from its election loss, and the Greens contended with rogue MPs and personal tragedy.

Inflation started to fall, but a tough economy saw thousands lose their jobs, including the end of iconic news brands.

Māoridom farewelled a King and welcomed a new Queen, while the British monarchy was dealt a double cancer blow.

Globally, conflict continued across Ukraine and Gaza, while the “year of elections” delivered a new PM for the UK, and an old President for the US.

And fans worldwide found time to hold space for Brat Summer, Wicked, the Menendez Brothers, and the Eras tour.

For the final episode of The Front Page for 2024, host Chelsea Daniels spoke to Coast daytime host Lorna Riley and Herald business editor at large Liam Dann about the highs and lows of the year.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about:

• the economy and business sentiment
• Government policies like the school cellphone ban
• the debate over the Act Party’s Treaty Principles Bill
• whether anyone’s benefited from this year’s tax cuts
• Te Pāti Māori’s success in opposition
• what Trump’s second term could look like
• the online phenomena surrounding the alleged healthcare CEO assassin
• Christopher Luxon’s performance so far as Prime Minister

The Front Page is a daily news podcast from the New Zealand Herald, available to listen to every weekday from 5am. The podcast is presented by Chelsea Daniels, an Auckland-based journalist with a background in world news and crime/justice reporting who joined NZME in 2016.

You can follow the podcast at iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.