Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

We're nearly halfway through New Zealand music month, and Wellington Mornings' look back on the greatest Kiwi songs ever released continues.  This week; what was the first New Zealand number one single entirely in te reo Māori? And what was the first number one from a female artist? Also, our music man James Irwin takes a look back at the TV shows of old that celebrated Kiwi music.  LIST...

They are two Wellington organisations who have just spent millions of dollars on new projects - so how did they get them off the ground?  In the Wellington City Mission's case, last year they opened Whakamaru - with a new cafe and safe transitional housing for the city's most vulnerable - and today they also launched a brand new catering business with profits going straight back to the missio...

The college of Caridinals has elected a new Pope - and he's the first to hail from the United States. Will he continue Francis' liberal legacy?  Also, outgoing Labour MP David Parker says New Zealand's MMP system has led to more polarisation in our politics and is in favour of a preferential voting system. Is MMP working? To answer those questions, former Minister Peter Dunne and BusinessDesk...

NZ Rugby have posted yet another multi-million dollar loss - despite record turnover.  The group lost $19.5 million last year - the third loss in a row.  Is the issue that the game simply can't compete with the likes of football and basketball - or are they simply spending too much money?  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for t...

The government has completely revamped the law surrounding pay equity - a move the opposition says was designed to save money. Was it? Also, is it okay for Ministers to conduct official business via their personal email accounts? Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he is "relaxed" about it.  To answer those questions, Labour's health and Wellington issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall and Nat...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the government is letting down women across New Zealand by revamping the country's pay equity laws.  Parliament is sitting under urgency today to change the law - expected to save the government billions of dollars.  Hipkins joined Nick Mills to discuss the move, as well as a National MP's proposal to ban under-16s from social media, and former Labour lea...

It's fifty years since the official New Zealand music charts were launched - and there have been plenty of number ones from Kiwi artists in the five decades since.  Many records have been broken in that time too - including some artists who managed the feat of knocking one of their own songs from the number one position. To discuss the history of the charts, Wellington Mornings' music man Jam...

US President Donald Trump has pledged to introduce a 100 per cent tariff on all films produced outside of the United States - and while details are light, it could have a large impact on New Zealand's growing film production sector. To discuss what it could mean, film and television producer and former South Pacific Pictures boss John Barnett joined Nick Mills.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co...

Act party leader David Seymour says the size of New Zealand's government is too big - and there are too many ministerial positions, including some ministers with multiple portfolios.  So what does Prime Minister Christopher Luxon make of the suggestion some ministerial positions should be cut? Also, we're just weeks away from Finance Minister Nicola Willis unveiling this year's budget. What c...

It was a big weekend in Australia, with Anthony Albanese's Labor Party returned to power over Peter Dutton's Liberal/National coalition. The result flew in the face of multiple polls, which as recent as two months ago were predicting a resounding win for Dutton. The 'Trump effect' has been widely attributed to Labor's rise in the polls during the campaign. Could we see something similar in New Zea...

Wellington property magnate, one-time politician and Wellington icon Sir Bob Jones died last week at the age of 85.  Jones, raised in a state house in Naenae, built one of New Zealand's largest commercial property companies - as well as founding the New Zealand Party in 1984 and writing a series of bestselling books.  His friend, Wellington property developer Ian Cassels, said Jones was...

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has announced she isn't seeking another term as Mayor and instead will run for the city's Maori ward council seat. What's her legacy as mayor, and has she made the right call? Also, Act leader David Seymour says there are too many ministerial portfolios and government departments in New Zealand. Is he right, and what should we slash?  To answer those questions, fo...

The Indian Panthers have been suspended from the NBL effective immediately - after allegations players weren't paid and were left to ask for food from a foodbank.  The Panthers – owned by India’s INBL Pro league and CEO Parveen Batish – have had a turbulent tenure off the court since announcing they would join the New Zealand competition late last year, which in turn has led to a winless star...

It was 50 years ago today that the New Zealand Official Music Charts were launched - which also coincides with New Zealand's first official number one hit.  Produced by Recorded Music NZ, the charts reflect the most popular singles and albums in Aotearoa each week. They are the only charts endorsed by the music industry and are compiled according to globally recognised guidelines. The first K...

News that Kiwirail is retiring the Aratere this year has sparked questions about just how soon we will have contracts for the new Interisland ferries.  To answer those questions, the man in charge of negotiating the new contracts, Ferry Holdings Ltd chair Chris Mackenzie, joined Nick Mills to discuss the progress.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwirail has announced the Interislander Aratere will be retired – leaving us with just two ferries until new ones arrive in 2029. Can the country cope with a reduced ferry fleet? Also, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has given herself barely any new money this budget,  and most of the money she has got has already been spent. Are we likely to see substantial cuts? To answer those questions, L...

There’s a very exciting gig coming up in Wellington next week.  Atomic 2.0 will see an all-women group of Kiwi music stars performing the hits of some of history’s greatest female artists, including Blondie, Eurythmics, Pretenders, Patti Smith, Garbage, Alanis Morissette, Hole, Joan Jett and more. Atomic 2.0 is made up of Vera Allen, Julia Deans, Diane Swann and Boh Runga - all acclaimed Kiwi...

Wellington is in for a month full of laughs as the New Zealand International Comedy Festival returns for another year.  There are more than 150 shows across the month, including renowned New Zealand comedian Josh Thomson and his show Old Mate .  Thomson, as seen on 7 Days , Taskmaster NZ , The Project and the Australian adaption of The Office , told Nick Mills the show is about how he is...

OPINION Tory Whanau has said no. She's said no to standing for Wellington mayor for the three terms she always said she’d run for. She's out; she's thrown in the towel. We won't get the exciting election campaign of Tory Whanau v Andrew Little, which I must say I was looking forward to. And I’ll be honest; I wanted her to run. I wanted to know if Wellington as a city really believes in the green i...

"Mainly proud": Tory Whanau reflects on term after dropping mayoral bid  Tory Whanau is bowing out of Wellington's mayoral race.  The incumbent's confirmed she'll instead stand for the council's Māori ward seat to give former Labour Leader Andrew Little a clear run.  She says Little will do a good job, and she hopes people see her withdrawal as a gracious move.  Whanau told Nic...

The Government has admitted the number of families it said would be eligible for the full $75 a week benefit of its flagship childcare tax policy was wrong.  The government said 21,000 families would be eligible - but just 249 families had received the full entitlement since the policy came into force last year. So who is responsible for the blunder?  Also, police have launched a wide-ra...

Businesses in the capital city are still feeling glum - Westpac's latest survey has found Wellington has the lowest business confidence of any region in the country. With interest rates dropping and spending increasing, when will confidence return?  Also, Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has officially turned the sod at the first tranche of Golden Mile works this morning. How will the plan affect...

New Zealand First has introduced a member's bill to Parliament which would define in law what a woman is - but is this really necessary?  Also, Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. What's his legacy, and what do you hope to see in the next Pope? To answer those questions, PSA national secretary and former Wellington City Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons and Franks Ogilvie director and political...

Tomorrow marks 110 years since Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli, Turkey. A total of 2709 New Zealand soldiers lost their lives - and countless more were injured.  Memorial services will be held across the Wellington region to remember those who served in the New Zealand armed forces.  To discuss the plans, Wellington RSA president and retired army Colon...

It's an unusual topic to base a musical on; the change of a road rule.  But that's exactly what Give Way The Musical does, putting a satirical spin on the 2012 change to the 'give way' law.  The story follows idealistic Sophie who, wanting to make the world a better place, joins the Ministry of Transport. She seizes on fixing New Zealand’s 'give way' rule, but not everyone’s keenon...