Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

There's been a string of concerts cancelled across the country this year, with some concert-goers unable to access refunds after the promoters entered liquidation.  So how do you keep your money safe, and how can you tell a reputable promoter from a potentially dodgy one?  Wellington Mornings' music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills for Music Time. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listene...

Former Labour leader and Cabinet minister Andrew Little finally announced this week he is running to be the city's mayor. Is he automatically the hot favourite?  Also, w e learnt this week that Wellington Water received a report in 2021 outlining many of the concerns around spending identified in the most recent report. But this report was seemingly lost - or ignored. How on earth does this h...

Former Labour leader Andrew Little has today confirmed he will stand for the Wellington mayoralty in the upcoming local body elections. Little said he is standing for mayor because Wellington needs “urgent change” and “serious leadership”. “I’m confident I can win,” he said today. He had previously ruled out throwing his hat in the ring but has revealed this morning that he wants to “end the chaos...

A successful Wellington business owner says if he were starting again today, he wouldn't start his business in Wellington.  "Whether you should do it in Wellington though, I would say no. I think Wellington is actually talent repellent system at the moment," Raygun founder John-Daniel Trask told Nick Mills.  "We’ve had people in our own organisation who have left and said I’m going to pl...

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has been in Hawaii this week, where he gave a speech discussing the United States tariffs on the rest of the world.  But in that speech he criticised use of the term "trade war" - despite Prime Minister Christopher Luxon using the term himself.  It also comes after Luxon had a number of conversations with world leaders. Peters said the pair hadn’t discusse...

David Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill is dead and buried - but was it worth having the conversation as a country?  Also, former Labour leader Andrew Little says he is considering running to be Wellington's next mayor. Would he be right for the job?  And TVNZ has confirmed production of a four-episode New Zealand version of The Chase. Who should host it? To answer those questions, Integr...

The Hurricanes take on the Crusaders at Sky Stadium tonight - a spectacle that will include fireworks for the first time at Sky Stadium in a decade. What can we expect from the game - and might we see a big crowd? Also, the Wellington Saints are at the top of the table after beating Southland last night. Who are the stars?  Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast hos...

The government has announced $12 billion of funding for the Defence Force as part of it's new capability plan - but where will the money come from?  Also, a new report from a the Ministerial advisory group says NZ is losing the fight against organised crime, with Customs "swimming against the tide" as meth use doubles. How do we better fight organised crime? To answer those questions, Labour'...

Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry has announced he’s not seeking reelection after two terms as mayor of Hutt City.  Barry was first elected as Mayor in 2019 at 28, making him New Zealand’s youngest-ever elected mayor of a city.  He joined Nick Mills to discuss his decision, and his legacy as mayor.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was on April 10th 1968, as Cyclone Giselle was bearing down on Wellington, that the Interisland ferry Wahine ran aground on Barrett Reef.  A total of 52 passengers died, while rescuers - both professional and amateur - saved the lives of just under 700 others found in the harbour or along it's shores.  Wellington Mornings dug into the archives and found reporting from the day.  L...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has thrown his support behind Andrew Little as the former party leader mulls a run for the Wellington mayoralty. Speaking to Nick Mills today, Hipkins said Little is a “top bloke” and would be a “very, very good option for Wellingtonians”. “He’s both a leader and a capable manager and I think Wellington city needs both at the moment,” Hipkins said. “No one can doubt And...

The list of finalists for this year's Aotearoa Music Awards is out - and while there's fewer household names than in previous years, there's plenty of finalists who are making waves overseas. Who are they?  Also, an international pop star of the 1980s has announced he is on his way to Wellington this year - who is it?  Wellington Mornings' music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills for Musi...

A new report from the Ministerial advisory group on organised crime says New Zealand is losing the fight, with Customs "swimming against the tide" and some stakeholders raising concerns about people in influential positions being corrupted.  How bad really is organised crime in New Zealand - and what can be down to crack down on it? NZ Herald investigative reporter and bestselling author Jare...

The Treaty Principles Bill could return to Parliament's order paper for its doomed second reading this week, after the select committee considering the bill recommended it be voted down. Are we likely to see the Prime Minister in the house to speak against the bill? Also, the government has released its secondly quarterly action plan. What are the surprises on the list? Newstalk ZB political edito...

Wellington has seen five suspicious deaths in around two weeks; a daylight shooting in Featherston, a man found dead on a footpath in Miramar, a suspected murder-suicide of a couple in Roseneath, and a person found dead in Northland. But do these sorts of crimes shock us like they used to?  Also, al l New Zealand exports to the United States will be stung with a 10% tariff, announced by Presi...

The Hurricanes take on the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland this weekend - and while its not a do-or-die game, the Hurricanes are in desperate need of a win. What can we expect? Also, the Wellington Saints went from a 26-point lead over the Franklin Bulls in the third quarter to winning by just six points at the end of the match. How did they perform?  Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine...

It’s what US President Donald Trump is calling Liberation Day in the US today; dishing out tariffs on almost every nation on earth. New Zealand exporters will now face 10% tariffs on everything imported into the United States. How should the government respond?  Also, Rail Minister Winston Peters has announced his plans for the Interisland ferry replacements. He’s decided they’ll be 200m long...

OPINION After Sunday's very underwhelming announcement on supermarkets from Finance Minister Nicola Willis, I was a bit worried that yesterday’s announcement on the future of the interisland ferries would be much the same. Lately the coalition government has made a bit of a habit of making announcements that mean very little. And to some extent, that's exactly what we got from Rail Minister Winsto...

It was a huge weekend in Wellington with Cuba Dupa, three nights of Graham Norton, Sir Bob Geldof, the Hurricanes, the Phoenix and one of the world's largest cruise ships in. So what does a weekend like that do for the city's economy?  Also, w ork on the controversial Golden Mile project begins this month, starting at the Cambridge/Kent terrace end of Courtenay Place. But we've also learnt wo...

Minister for Rail Winston Peters is expected to finally reveal his long-awaited plan for Interisland ferry replacements today - but will we see the full details of the new ferries?  Also, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is seeking advice on whether the supermarket duopoly needs to be broken up. Is it likely we'll see decisions on the grocery sector soon?  To answer those questions, Newsta...

Business owner Karl Tiefenbacher has officially joined the Wellington mayoral race. Speaking exclusively to Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills, Tiefenbacher announced he plans to stand as an independent candidate for the mayoralty. He has yet to announce any policies but said his core priorities include changing the culture of Wellington City Council, keeping rates down, and stopping...

Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul is under fire for her comments at a 'radical alternative to policing event'.   She claimed "Wellington people do not want to see police officers everywhere" and all beat police do is "wait for homeless people to leave their spot, pack up their stuff and throw it in the bin". Are these comments out of touch, or reflecting a mood in the city?  Also, the C...

Liam Lawson has unceremoniously been dropped from Red Bull's F1 team after just two races. How would this affect a 23-year-old like Lawson, and is the decision unfair? Also, with Eden Park to be redeveloped and a roof installed, is it time we seriously looked at a roof for Sky Stadium? Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kic...

Wellington Central MP and Green Party police spokesperson Tamatha Paul is under fire for saying Wellingtonians don't want to see police on the beat - and all these police patrols do is target homeless people and their belongings. Are these comments out of line?  Also, Wellington will likely lose an electorate seat in Parliament after the Electoral Commission proposed changes to electoral boun...

Wellington Central MP and Green Party police spokesperson Tamatha Paul is under fire for comments she made about beat cops at a 'radical alternative to policing event' in Christchurch.  She claimed "Wellington people do not want to see police officers everywhere" and all beat police do is "wait for homeless people to leave their spot, pack up their stuff and throw it in the bin".  The MP...