Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

It's been a huge year for Wellington. Local government has hogged the headlines, and repeated issues with ferries have caused the crossing between the North and South islands to become a hot political issue. With her finger on the pulse of the city's news, NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter has joined Nick Mills weekly since the start of the year.  This week in her final slot of the year, s...

The Government's half-year fiscal update paints a bleak economic picture for the years ahead. It won't be until 2029 that the government will finally be out of deficit - longer than previously forecasted. Despite that, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is pushing back on calls to make more cuts to government spending, saying the government has to manage an increasing population and demand for public...

Christmas is upon us, with festive tunes ringing in stores and even around the home. Wellington Mornings music man James Irwin has compiled a list of some lesser-known New Zealand Christmas tunes, and even uncovered a long lost Beatles Christmas song - released long before Paul McCartney and John Lennon released their own festive hits.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

New Zealand's longest serving current mayor has revealed he is running for another term.  2025 will be Wayne Guppy's ninth run for the top job, which he has held since 2001.  This week Wellington Mornings is catching up with the mayors across the Wellington region. Guppy joined Nick Mills to discuss how Upper Hutt has fared over 2024 and what's in store for next year.  LISTEN ABOVE...

Over the next few days, Wellington Mornings is talking to local Mayors around our region for their thoughts on the year that was 2024.  Today, Hutt City mayor Campbell Barry joined Nick Mills shortly before his last council meeting of the year, where councillors will discuss next year's budget and potential rates rises.  He told Nick Mills it's been a tough year across the Wellington reg...

Two people tragically died in water-related events in Wellington over the weekend.  It comes as the country heads into the summer break, where drowning incidents typically spike.  Water Safety NZ CEO Daniel Gerrard says the country's provisional drowning figures are still below average for this time of year, and it is important people heed warnings over the next few weeks to keep it that...

The government's plan for new Interislander ferries doesn't seem to be much of a plan at all - with no new ships or details on what they'll cost. Has the government dropped the ball? Also, fuel company Waitomo and other independent service station owners say BNZ has told them there'll be no more loans and all outstanding debt must be paid by 2030 - a policy of the BNZ to meet their net zero target...

The Blackcaps take on England in Hamilton in the third test - a dead-rubber after a dismal performance by the home team over the first two tests. What went wrong for the Blackcaps? Also, the Breakers have suffered five losses in a row, including in Wellington last Saturday night. What's going wrong for the team?  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Ni...

The government's plan for the Interislander ferry was light on detail - we don't know what new ferries we're getting, nor how much it will cost. Did the government drop the ball?  Also, the Fair Digitial News Bargaining Bill that forces social media giants to pay for their use of NZ news still hasn't been introduced to Parliament - when will we see it, or is it on ice completely?  To ans...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has spent a year in opposition now - holding the top job longer than many commentators expected he would.  Looking forward to 2025, Nick Mills asked Hipkins how Labour plans to grow its vote and what policy it plans on looking at. Also, what is likely to be in the government's new plan for the Interisland ferries, and why has Labour called for the government's boot...

The Vulnerable Support Charitable Trust (VSCT) is calling on the help of Wellingtonians ahead of the festive season. The trust is behind an initiative to provide Christmas hampers for families across the Wellington region, now in its second year.  But demand for the hampers is up almost 80 per cent on last year, and spokesperson Clint Schoultz says they need donations from Wellingtonians to s...

It's been one of the toughest years in memory for many businesses around Wellington with a sluggish economy, public-sector job cuts, high inflation, and roading changes around the CBD.  But there is still loads of positivity around the capital according to our two guests on the final Business Panel of 2024, who are both hoping for a much stronger 2025.  Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn...

The Government is expected to announce its plan for the future of the Interislander ferries this week. What are we expecting?  Also, the government's boot camps have been in the headlines over the weekend after two young people absconded from the programme, and another was killed in a car accident. How politically harmful is this for the government?  To answer those questions, Newstalk Z...

It was revealed this week that members of Vision for Wellington, a group set up by prominent Wellingtonians to advocate for the city had been communicating with the Prime Minister and local government Minister about their launch - despite claiming to be apolitical. Do you believe the group when they say they don't have a political agenda? Also, some government departments have scrapped their Chris...

Wellington's biggest roundabout will see plenty of action over the next few days as the Blackcaps take on England in the second test at the Basin Reserve.  The crowd is a sell-out for the first three days and the excitement is palpable around town. What are our chances of finding a win?  Also, the Wellington Phoenix face Auckland FC in Auckland this weekend - can the Phoenix come back fr...

The Australian NBL returns to Wellington for the first time in five years this weekend where the Breakers will take on the Sydney Kings at TSB Arena.  On the court will be Shaun Bruce, a former Wellington Saints player now playing for the Kings. He joined Nick Mills to discuss what to expect on Saturday. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Gower is a cricketing great who played 117 test matches for England - many of them as captain of the side.  He's in Wellington to commentate the second test between England and the Blackcaps at the Basin Reserve. He joined Nick Mills to discuss what to expect, the side's best performers, and the controversial decision to fine players for the slow over rate in the first test.  LISTE...

Its scruity week in Parliament - and Labour's health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall is under fire for telling Health NZ commissioner Lester Levy that he has "a reputation for cooking the books". Was she out of line? Also, some government departments aren't holding Christmas parties this year, citing the "current fiscal environment." Is this just a bit miserable? To answer those questions, Labour's po...

The Government  will soon determine the fate of  76ha of prime Wellington real estate, which local resident Sir Peter Jackson is advocating to be turned into a public reserve - what are the chances Jackson will get his wish? Also, the Ombudsman has launched an investigation after Kiwirail refused to reveal how much it has spent on consultants - a figure Finance Minister Nicola Willis sai...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sat down with Jack Tame on TVNZ's Q&A programme over the weekend - and by Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls' count, Luxon uttered the phrase "what I'd say to you is" 21 times - and often struggled to answer Tame's direct questions.  "I'm not surprised he said it so many times, it was one of the worst interviews I've ever seen with a Prime Minister."...

The first phase of the inquiry into the government's response to Covid-19 is out - and it's critical of vaccine mandates, saying they caused social harm to a significant minority of New Zealanders. Were vaccine mandates the biggest mistake of the Covid-19 response?  Also, the Labour Party is holding its annual conference this weekend. How have they performed in opposition, and how do they bec...

The Blackcaps are taking on England in the first test at Hagley Oval this week, finishing on Thursday at  The team returns to New Zealand after a historic 3-0 series win against India. So what are their chances against England? Newstalk ZB cricket correspondent Andrew Alderson joined Nick Mills.  Also, the All Blacks have wrapped up their northern tour after a lacklustre win against Ital...

The Wellington City Council has cut roughly $400m worth of projects from its long-term plan - a decision necessitated by the vote to keep its stake in Wellington Airport.  Begonia House looks set to be demolished and the Golden Mile redevelopment is set to continue as planned. How did councillors come to their decision?  Also, Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has seemingly softened her langu...

This week on Music Time, our music man James Irwin tells Nick that a certain Christchurch based record label might be New Zealand's most important ever. Also, we check out a reissue of one of New Zealand's most rare and sought after records and the lads gets the gloves off over Bob Geldof and that Christmas song. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A very special exhibition is opening in Wellington this week. The Art of Bansky sees more than 160 works from the elusive UK artist on display at Wellington's Takina Convention Centre.  The exhibition is coming direct from London and curator Michel Boersma has made the trip to Wellington for the opening.  He joined Nick Mills in the studio and brought with him a piece from the famous art...