Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

The ANZ premiership has finally inked a new broadcast deal with TVNZ - but it will see Netball NZ paying them for the privilege of having the games broadcast. What impact will this have on the professional game? Also, the NPC has officially kicked off, and the Wellington Lions take on Canterbury at Jerry Collins Park tomorrow. How's the team looking for the season?  To answer those questions,...

The number of gang members in New Zealand has surpassed 10,000 for the first time - now sitting at 10,009 according to the National Gang List. That compares to 9270 just before the 2023 election, and 5343 gang members in 2017.  So what's needed to stop the gangs growing, and has banning gang patches made any material difference to recruitment? Police Minister Mark Mitchell joined Nick Mills t...

Around 36,000 nurses are taking to the street today in an effort for better pay and conditions, but with the average nurse earning over $100,000 a year - are some being a bit greedy? Also, while interest rates have lowered, many Wellingtonians are still feeling the pinch of a sluggish economy. When can we expect to see the economy bounce back? Deputy Prime Minister and Act leader David Seymour joi...

This week on Music Time, Nick and James preview a New Zealand band out of retirement with an imminent tour and vinyl release, ponder pirate metal and German reggae musical genres and check out all the gigs around the capital. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a Hutt Valley special of the Wellington Morning's business panel this week, with a successful engineer and the man in charge of advocating for business in the area joining Nick on the show. On the agenda; the state of the Wellington economy in the outer cities, rising rates and insurance costs, public sector cuts and the rise of artificial intelligence.  Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce C...

The government has announced changes to election rules, ending the ability to enrol on election day - something 110,000 people did last election. Is this a reasonable move, or could it risk disenfranchising some would-be voters?  Also, the government has instructed Sport NZ to scrap its guidelines on transgender participation in sport, which directed sporting bodies to allow trans people to p...

New Zealand's premier netball competition is staring down financial struggles, with Netball NZ yet to confirm a broadcast deal for the competition moving forward.  Players are reportedly growing concerned about their futures, with broadcasting rights making up a large chunk of the funding required to hold the ANZ Premiership each year.  So, what does the future hold for netball in New Ze...

The government has directed Sport NZ to scrap their guidelines around transgender participation in sports - with individual sporting bodies able to make their own decisions on how to include transgender players.  But is this really a serious issue, or a manufactured culture-war type debate? Also, the price of butter has risen 60% in the last twelve months. Should Kiwis be paying export prices...

The Mills Albert Wellington Saints have made history - taking out their thirteenth NBL championship title over the weekend.  The Saints beat the Southland Sharks 88-83 on Sunday night at TSB Arena in Wellington. Captain Hyrum Harris, coach Aaron Young and CEO Jordan Mills joined Nick Mills in studio with the NBL trophy to talk about the team's season and Sunday night's thriller.  LISTEN...

Inflation is back on the rise, with an annual inflation rate of 2.7% in the year to June, up from 2.5% in the year to March. What will be going through the minds of the economics wonks at the Reserve Bank - and are we still in line for another rate cut next month with this news?  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio...

On Friday Faceoff this week, Nick was joined by ex-Wellington Mayor and Dot Loves Data director Justin Lester, and Raygun co-founder John-Daniel (JD) Trask. They discussed the fallout over the past week from mayoral candidate Ray Chung's infamous email, the Prime Minister's latest criticisms of Wellington and how the city's thriving with a handful of top sporting events. Listen live to Faceoff eac...

On Politics Thursday, National's Otaki MP and Labour Wellington Issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall debate the revelation the Retail Crime Advisory Group cost 500-thousand dollars in just 102 days. They also discussed the continuing controversy around the Wellington Mayoral race, and whether Christopher Luxon's comments this week about Wellington were fair. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

Wellington football fans are in for an exciting weekend, with the famous Wrexham AFC journeying to Wellington to face our very own Phoenix.  The Welsh team rose in popularity after it was bought by  Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, and later featuring in the documentary Welcome to Wrexham. The football-mad Wilce family were born and raised in Wrexham, Wales, but have bee...

This week is 40 years since the greatest concert of all time - Live Aid.  Wellington Mornings music man James Irwin joined Nick to talk the very best and worst of of the event, as well as revisiting Aussie rockers The Superjesus and pondering why Lorde isn't coming to Wellington. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington has had a smashing weekend with the All Blacks, 10cc and the NBL semi-final in town - but is the city really on the up? And how much does the city's economy rely on big events? Also, we learnt last week 30,000 Kiwis moved to Australia last year alone. How do we keep our young talent in New Zealand - and can we compete with the attraction of Australia? To answer those questions, Wellingt...

The number of people aged 15-24 without a job has jumped to 16% - nearly one in five. It comes as businesses continue to face tough economic times - with many businesses not wanting to take a risk on a young person. To talk about the figures, economist and Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen joined Nick Mills to discuss the news.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Both Labour and Te Pati Māori have selected their candidates to run in the Tamaki Makaurau by-election - a race necessitated by the death of incumbent MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. So how tight is the race expected to be? Also, Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick has admitted her loyalties lay with the Act party while at university. How many other examples are there of MPs having vastly different polit...

Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung sent a sordid email to some council colleagues in 2023, claiming mayor Tory Whanau had drug-fuelled “tempestuous sex” in an orgy, and making reference to her having “pendulous soft breasts”.  The email has only surfaced today - but does it rule Ray Chung out as a serious mayoral contender?  Also, the All Blacks take on France in the second test at S...

The All Blacks take on France in the second test in Wellington tomorrow night - and the city is buzzing ahead of the game.  The The 28th Cello Champions Charity Luncheon was held on Friday ahead of the event, with a stellar line up of former All Blacks including Frank Bunce and Josh Kronfeld.  Frank Bunce p layed 69 All Black games - including 55 tests - between 1992 and 1997, while Josh...

The Cello Champions Charity Luncheon is being held in Wellington for it's 28th year - and Nick Mills was at the Takina Convention Centre broadcasting live ahead of the event.  The luncheon is in aid of Life Flight - and former Blackcap and Life Flight ambassador Grant Elliot and luncheon organiser Ian Klinac joined Nick to discuss the event.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

It’s been just over two years since Wellington’s brand new $180 million conference centre Takina opened - and it's attracted plenty of events.  But there have been some reports that its struggling to attract as many events as first anticipated.  Wellington City Council’s Chief Economic and Engagement Officer Anna Calver joined Nick Mills, live from Takina, to discuss the first two years...

The All Blacks take on France in the second test in Wellington tomorrow night - and the city is buzzing ahead of the game.  Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine today hosted the Champions Luncheon at Takina - and will be broadcasting live from Shed 22 tomorrow ahead of the test.  He joined Nick Mills to share his predictions for the game.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listen...

The second phase of the Royal Commision into the government's response to Covid-19 is underway - but Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the investigation was intentionally designed to give conspiracy theorists a platform. Is this a fair comment - and should Hipkins and former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern front up at the inquiry?  Also, Resources Minister Shane Jones is not happy with DOC. They...

There is a new ferry in Wellington Harbour - and it looks remarkably similar to an existing one. Bluebridge's new ferry Livia has arrived in the capital - the sister ship to the existing Connemara vessel already operated by Bluebridge.  The ship, built in 2008, was previously operated by a ferry line in Europe, but has since had a fresh lick of paint and is currently undergoing internal renov...

The organisation tasked with helping to grow the Wellington region's economy has a new boss - and he says Wellington needs to focus more on its successes, rather than it's struggles.  Mark Oldershaw took over the reins at WellingtonNZ a month ago and joined Nick Mills to discuss the role of the organisation, the state of the region, and some exciting major events at Sky Stadium that hopefully...