Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Yesterday in Parliament, something very interesting happened and it’s the sort of conversation we’ve been screaming out for here in the capital. During Question Time, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was pressed on whether the coalition government is working on a new law to prevent people from sleeping in our downtown city centres. Luxon batted it away in the House —wouldn’t touch it. But later, m...

Labour Leader and MP for Rimutaka, Chris Hipkins joins Nick Mills in the studio to discuss the new unemployment rates - the highest in eight years.  In their monthly catchup they also discussed the new proposal of a bill to give police more power to remove people from the streets, the turmoil and worries within Te Pati Māori and how it effects Labour and their new polcies, and rumours of any...

Wellington GP and Senior Lecturer at Otago University, Dr Samantha Murton talks to Nick Mills about the impact of paracetamol.  After a new study shows that a third of Kiwis are taking more than the recommended dose, Dr Murton explains the effects and dangers this causes, as well as the causes of these statistics.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On music time this week, Nick and James have some fun with some AI generated jingles for the show, take on the challenge of finding great songs that start bass guitar heavy and look at a couple of must-see gigs coming to the capital this month. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little joins Nick Mills for the first of his monthly in studio chats, to talk about how his first few weeks have been in the new job.  Live in studio, Little talks his pick for deputy mayor, his choices for the committees and their chairs, his priorities before Christmas and the removal of the waterfront fencing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

The Chase UK star Shaun Wallace aka The Dark Destroyer, joins Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings. They talk about the upcoming New Zealand edition of the Chase, and what makes kiwis go crazy for the show. Also, he speaks about his upcoming quiz nights in Wellington and Masterton next week to support Cure Kids, and what the charity means to him. Link for tickets to his quiz nights in Masterton, Mond...

Nick Mills wraps the week with Wellington City Councilor Nicola Young and Infrastructure CEO, and former Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett. After the wild weather this week, Nick and Nicola share their thoughts on the red warnings and its pros and cons for the city. They also discuss the new Wellington transport announcements including the Mt Vic tunnel and Petone to Grenada, and the need for bipartisan...

For this week's Friday Sport Kickoff, Nick Mills was joined by Adam Cooper, with a cameo appearance from the Alternative Commentary Collective's Mike Lane to talk about their upcoming Wellington event. They talked about the rain-affected Black Caps summer so far, the Wellington Phoenix's first home game of the season and Saturday's NPC final. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad talked to Nick Mills on the increase in harm for children in state care. This comes after Karen Chhour, Minister for Children and for the prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, celebrated a 14% decrease in harm within youth justice and care and protection residences. Dr Achmad said although this reduction is a good step, in other areas of state car...

This Politics Thursday Nick Mills was joined by Labour MP Ayesha Verrall and National's MP Tama Potaka.  They discussed the issues in the beehive this week, starting with the mega strike of 100,000 including teachers, nurses and senior doctors. They also chatted with Nick about Labours health policy mix-up, whether politicians should get involved in the Dame Noeline Taurua coaching debacle, t...

Widespread disruption as winds wreak havoc on Wellington. State Highway Two Remutaka Hill was shut soon after 11 o'clock on Thursday morning, with gusts reaching 160 kilometres per hour in exposed places. Wellington Region Emergency Management spokesperson Dan Neely gave an update to Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings, and says the winds are expected to ease from 2pm. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co...

To celebrate it's 50th anniversary Nick Mills chats to Victoria University's Robyn Phipps, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation. They discuss the rich history of the programme, the success stories that have come from it, and how the next fifty years look for the faculty. They also talk about the celebrations and the exhibition - which is open till November 4th.  LISTEN AB...

In this week's Business Panel Nick Mills chats with Tokomanawa Queens co-owner Rachel Taulelei and Wellington Cricket CEO Todd Bryant. They discussed the business of sports, and the excitement within Wellington basketball and cricket sphere right now. They also give their thoughts on doing business in the city, bringing the crowds to Wellington, the future of Wellington sport, the basin and sky st...

Nick Mills wraps the week with radio legend Polly Gillespie and playwright and columnist Dave Armstrong.  Polly tells Nick she's considering a bid for a seat in parliament in next year's election and hints which party she'll run for.  Dave and Polly shared their memories of Jim Bolger and thoughts on the issues of the week.  They discuss Te Pati Māori, Gerry Brownlee cracking down i...

Outgoing Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy joins Nick Mills in studio on Wellington Mornings. They discuss his 24-year mayoralty, the progress of Upper Hutt, whether they are ready for amalgamation, and what's next after one of the longest mayoral runs in the country.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Politics Thursday Nick Mills was joined by Labour MP Ayesha Verrall and National's Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick.  Both gave their tributes to former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, sharing their memories of his leadership. Verrall and Butterick then discussed the political issues of the week. They gave their thoughts on the behaviour of Te Pati Māori, Gerry Brownlee cracking down as speaker, t...

Nick Mills took a tour around the new Woodward Street Distillery, and interviewed James Pask, Director and General Manager, and Mikey Ball, Head Distiller.  He finds out what's behind the scenes at Wellington's newest hospitality innovation. The distillery and soon to be bar, bringing Melbourne vibes into the city centre.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley chats with Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings, before his show at Hutt Sounds next March.  The True and   Gold, singer talks about the old days with Spandau Ballet, their impact on the music industry and how his family keeps him strong.  Hadley will headline Hutt Sounds at Brewtown, Upper Hutt Sunday 8 March 2026 and which will include a full set of Spand...

We head to the greater Wellington regional local election results on Wellington Mornings. Nick Mills talks with the new mayor-elects of the greater Wellington region. He talks with Ken Laben - Hutt City, Anita Baker - Porirua City, Peri Zee - Upper Hutt and Janet Holborow - Kapiti. They touch on the race has been, their hopes for their cities, how they will handle the councils, their thoughts on v...

Wellington's new mayor-elect Andrew Little joins Nick Mills in studio this morning. They discuss his successful election campaign and his hopes and priorities for his term. Little says he is already reviewing the Golden Mile project and has talked to all the councillors, as he prepares to step into the top job in the capital's council.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

On this week's Friday Sport kickoff, Jason Pine and Adam Cooper were talking with Nick Mills about Wellington's NPC rugby campaign when two local wrestlers burst into the studio to talk about All Star Wrestling: Porirua, which takes place at Te Rauparaha Arena this weekend. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with outgoing Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry and former Wellington mayor Justin Lester. They discuss their picks for all the Wellington regions mayoral elections, their thoughts on amalgamation, give their hot or nots of the week and how we can improve voting turnout.   Plus Campbell Barry gives some departing words on his last day as mayor. LISTEN ABOVE See omn...

Well, one more day as Mayor for Tory Whanau – the “accidental mayor,” as many have called her – and just like that, her chapter in Wellington politics closes.  What a ride, and what a mess. And, let’s be honest, what a disappointment. From the very beginning, Tory framed her leadership through a lens of identity – “poor me, give me a break, I’m a woman, and I’m new.”  That became her shi...

On Politics Thursday, Nick Mills was joined by National's Otaki MP Tim Costley and Labour's Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen.  They faced off on the issues from the week. Andersen and Costley debated on HealthNZ funding vapes for smokers wanting to quit, the job seeker benefit cuts and the introduction of the new protest law. Andersen says Labour will not support the law that would ban protest at...

This week on Music Time Nick and James revisit the guitar gods list and controversially add a worst list to the equation. Plus, buckle yourself in for an eclectic journey of the best gigs to head to at The Wellington Jazz Festival. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.