Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spent the last week in Vietnam - what has come from the trip? Also, former Prime Minister Helen Clark appeared on Q+A yesterday - what did she say about the Five Eyes intelligence sharing agreement? Newstalk ZB chief political reporter Sophie Trigger joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has announced changes to laws surrounding citizens arrests, but the policy is light on detail and opposed by Retail NZ and the Police Association - and how will it work in practice.  Also, with both names being floated around the Wellington rumour mill, will Mark Sainsbury or Ben McNulty run for mayor?  Sainsbury, a broadcaster, and McNulty, a Wellington City Councillor, j...

The Hurricanes take on the Blues in the first Super Rugby game of the season at Sky Stadium. Will the Canes bounce back from a somewhat mediocre performance last weekend?  Also, its the party of the year as the Warriors open their NRL season against the Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday - what can we expect?  Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper...

The government has announced changes to the laws surrounding citizens arrests - but how would this law work in practice, and could retailers be put even further in harms way?  Also, the government is introducing legislation to allow for a four year term - but only if the public supports it at referendum. Will they? Labour's police spokesperson and National's Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick joined...

It's a fact that has dumbfounded some of Wellington's city councillors. Why does the heart of New Zealand's government, the Parliamentary precinct, have the same heritage status as a giant rusting oil tank on the other side of the city? Derelict buildings with heritage status are something Wellingtonians have discussed for years, and now the Wellington City Council is supportive of the government...

Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst are a power couple – both having worked extensively in film, theatre and television and both being recognised with Royal Honours. The pair are in Wellington this week for the start of a nationwide tour of their new show In Other Words , which follows the story of a lifelong love affected by the onset of dementia.  The pair joined Nick Mills to talk abou...

A new group is calling on the government to investigate a new road between Upper Hutt and the Wairarapa - aiming to do away with the current accident-prone Remutaka Hill Road in favour of a safer toll road.  The group has investigated four options and estimates a new route could halve the 33-minute journey between Featherston and Upper Hutt.  The most expensive option would cost $1.4 bil...

Defence Minister Judith Collins says it's time the government properly funded the New Zealand Defence Force, after what she says is 35 years of inadequate funding. It comes as the Chinese stage live-firing operations in the Tasman Sea, without having alerted the government first.  To discuss the issue, Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.  LIST...

Wellington bar owner Greig Wilson is in a dispute with the Wellington City Council after being told he couldn't distribute pamphlets advertising his bars during O-week at Victoria University.  Wilson says he's distributed the flyers for years - but the Victoria University of Wellington Students Association complained to the council's licensing team that the flyers promoted a drinking environm...

The Crusaders beat the Hurricanes in Christchurch last weekend in the opening match of this year's Super Rugby season - how did they perform, and what are the expectations for the Cane's clash with the Fijian Drua this weekend?  Also, the Wellington Phoenix take on top-of-the-table Auckland FC this weekend. Could the Phoenix come out on top, and is there any chance they can make the playoff?...

Vision for Wellington - the advocacy group led by some of the capital's high-flyers, has held its first event in Wellington. Acclaimed director James Cameron told the crowd of 1000 that the film industry could be the answer to Wellington's growth. Is it?   Also, three powerful Chinese warships are currently sailing through the Tasman Sea - but the Chinese haven't told the New Zealand governme...

An investigation into Census data provided to third-party organisations has found there weren't enough safeguards around the data - and now there are fears it will impact Kiwis trust in the Census. Will it? Also, there are calls for a review of Destiny Church's charitable status after a protest against a Rainbow story time event in Auckland over the weekend. Is it time for a wide-ranging review of...

Controversial Wellington lobby group Vision for Wellington is hosting an event tonight with one of the world's most successful filmmakers - James Cameron.  The group aims to advocate for Wellington's future - but what actually is the group's vision?  Also, why are Wellington motorcyclists upset over a council decision? NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mi...

The nominees are out for this year's inductions to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - who are they, and which famous artists have never been inducted? Wellington Mornings music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills for Music Time, where they also discussed upcoming gigs in the Wellington region.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They're two Wellington business behemoths; one delivering food, the other offering sexual wellness products.  But now unlikely partners Delivereasy and Adult Toy Megastore have joined forces to deliver sex toys to Wellington customers in under an hour - a campaign to promote both businesses.  Delivereasy co-founder Tim Robinson and Adult Toy Megastore owner-operator Nicola Relph, both pr...

Act leader and associate Education minister David Seymour says he didn't overstep when he announced there would be a crackdown on teacher only days - despite comments from Education minister Erica Stanford suggesting otherwise.  “I think he knew at the time he was overstepping the mark somewhat because it is my decision – I am the Minister of Education, and when we are rolling out a new curri...

David Seymour has been under fire this week after it was revealed he wrote a letter supporting Philip Polkinghorne before he was charged with murder, and before Seymour was a Minister.  The controversy continued on Monday as Seymour attempted to drive a Land Rover up Parliament's steps, before being yelled at by a Parliamentary security guard. Was Seymour out of line, or was this a stunt for...

The Hurricanes take on the Crusaders in the first Super Rugby Pacific match of 2025 in Christchurch tonight - what can we expect from both teams, and who will come out on top? Also, Saturday night sees the Blues take on the Chiefs in a rematch of last year's final - how are those teams looking? To answer those question, All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Newstalk ZB Christchurch sports repor...

South Wairarapa mayor Martin Connelly says the speed limit along a stretch of Martinborough road is fine for now - despite large numbers of cyclists hopping between wineries.  "People have never experienced in 20 years, an accident like this," Connelly said, saying he's comfortable with the road's 100km/h speed limit until he sees expert evidence suggesting otherwise.  Yesterday a person...

OPINION The Golden Mile. Three words that terrify business owners on Lambton Quay, Willis Street and Courtenay Place. You know the plan. Removing cars from those three streets, pedestrianising the roads and installing bus lanes only. Parking will be gone too. It started off with Let's Get Wellington Moving. Then that was scrapped. But Wellington mayor Tory Whanau promised to make sure it still wen...

David Seymour has been under fire this week after it was revealed he wrote a letter supporting Philip Polkinghorne before he was charged with murder, and before Seymour was a Minister.  The controversy continued on Monday as Seymour attempted to drive a Land Rover up Parliament's steps, before being yelled at by a Parliamentary security guard.  How have both of these stories reflected on...

One of the highlights on Wellington’s events calendar returns this week.  NZ Fringe is the largest arts festival in the country, encompassing more than 170 events with artists from across New Zealand and the globe. The festival has called Wellington home since it began in 1990 - and this year marks the 35th annual event.  To talk about what audiences can expect, festival director Vanessa...

Michèle A'Court is a best-selling author, an actor, a writer and a former What Now host - but she's best known as a comedian, having entertained crowds across New Zealand for decades.  She got her start in Wellington and is returning to the city this month to perform as part of NZ Fringe.  She joined Nick Mills to discuss her career, her time in Wellington and how comedy has changed.&nbs...

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has jetted off to China to sign a new partnership deal - but New Zealand has no idea what the deal entails.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the country, which is in free association with New Zealand, has failed to consult the government on the deal - a requirement of a constitutional agreement signed in 2001.  So what could be in the deal, and...

There was huge news for Wellington's film industry late last month; our very own Weta FX has been nominated for three Academy Awards.  This year , Alien: Romulus ,   Better Man , and   Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes  have been recognised with Best Visual Effects Oscar nominations. Weta FX worked on all three films.  The company, which has 2000 staff in Wellington, will...