Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Auckland has a beautiful big tree in their CBD, and thousands upon thousands lined the city's streets yesterday for their annual Santa parade.  But here in Wellington, we have a few cheap lighting trusses as a tree and the days of the big city Christmas parade are long gone.  It led Nick to ask - is the Christmas spirit in Wellington dying?  For his thoughts, renowned Wellington Chr...

This week marks a year since the coalition government of National, Act and New Zealand First was sworn in - and it's been an incredibly busy twelve months.  How has the government performed, and are all three parties happy with how the year has played out? Also, a Police officer has been found to have left a copy of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's tightly-held schedule on the dashboard of...

Wellington Airport is in store for a $500m upgrade to allow for larger aircraft - but will we see new airlines arriving in the capital?  Also, behaviour in Parliament has been a hot topic this week with Te Pati Maori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clarke named for leading a haka, and Education Minister Erica Stanford referring to Labour MP Jan Tinetti a "stupid bitch". Are standards of behaviour in th...

The All Blacks take on Italy in the final game of the northern tour on Sunday morning - and it will be Wellington All Black TJ Perenara's last game in black.  What's his legacy in the team, and how big a winning margin will we see?  Also, its a rematch of last season's semi-final with the Wellington Phoenix taking on Melbourne Victory. What are we expecting?  To answer those questio...

More long-haul widebody planes will be able to operate at   Wellington Airport following upgraded safety zones on its runway. It could mean Wellington could see direct flights to the United States and Asia for the first time ever. The energy-absorbing blocks at each end of the runway are part of a $500 million upgrade plan announced by the airport today, which includes terminal upgrades and c...

Today is the first day of the ban on wearing gang patches in public - but will the new law actually be effective? Also, 40,000 people marched on Parliament this week to protest Act's Treaty Principles Bill. Did the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon know what he was getting into when he agreed to support the bill's first reading? To answer those questions, Labour MP and housing spokesperson Kieran M...

Lifetime Black Power member Denis O'Reilly says the government's gang patch ban won't work, saying the police should concentrate on behavior instead.  "It's not what you wear, its what you do."  He says he is working with gang members to "stay calm" as the ban is introduced - but expects most gang members will adhere to the rules.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

It was a beautiful albeit slightly windy day in Wellington on Tuesday - perfect for an afternoon of sailing.  Nick, Ethan, and Adam were invited by the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club to spend a few hours getting an idea of sailing and what the club offers beginners wanting to get involved in the sport.  Nick spoke to club operations manager Chris Scott and skipper James Dunlop-Storey in...

Its estimated 42,000 people took to the streets in Wellington yesterday, protesting Act's Treaty Principles Bill.  NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell was in the crowd, and told Nick Mills protestors were upbeat and well-behaved. Also, advice received by local government minister Simeon Brown on the decision to appoint a Crown observer to Wellington City Council has been re...

Interest rates are down, inflation is down and the weather is getting warmer - so is Wellington finally through the worst of its economic slump? There are differing opinions.  Also, a Crown observer has been installed at Wellington City Council. What difference will this make and will it improve council engagement with businesses? To answer those questions and more, Commercial property invest...

The Prime Minister has returned from a fleeting trip to Peru for this year's APEC summit where he met with world leaders including a bilateral with Chinese President Xi Jinping. But many attendees were focused on another piece of New Zealand news - what was it? Also, a large hikoi protesting the Treaty Principles Bill is descending on Parliament tomorrow. How many people are expected on Parliament...

Parliament erupted with a haka during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill yesterday. Was the performance appropriate? Also, former Tasman District Council chief executive Lindsay McKenzie has been named as the Crown observer appointed to Wellington City Council. Is he up to the job? To discuss those topics and more, Nick was joined by former Wellington mayor Justin Lester and Franks Og...

The All Blacks take on France in the country’s capital this weekend with a few big changes. How are our chances looking? Also, is Chris Wood New Zealand’s greatest ever footballer? All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill will have its first reading in Parliament today, where National will support it. But with National refusing to support it further, is the entire exercise a waste of time?  Also, the government has apologised to victims of abuse suffered while in state care - but what is the plan for redress? Labour's Health and Wellington issues spokesperson Ayesha Verra...

Former 2ZB Wellington host Lindsay Yeo has died at the age of 78.  His family say he died peacefully at his home in Richmond on Tuesday afternoon. Yeo hosted the top-rating breakfast show from 1972 to 1995, consistently taking the number one spot until the late 1980s.  Working with him at 2ZB were broadcasters John McBeth and Raylene Ramsay - the latter still a newsreader at Newstalk ZB....

Renowned radio personality and entertainer Lindsay Yeo has died at the age of 78.  Yeo hosted the 2ZB Breakfast Show in Wellington for 23 years until 1995, which was frequently the city's highest rated programme.  He created the children's character "Buzz O'Bumble," which would appear on the show, alongside other whimsical characters.  Yeo also appeared on Classic Hits FM and TVNZ's...

In this week's Capital Letter, NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell discusses further details around the appointment of Lindsay McKenzie as council Crown Observer. She also chats with Nick Mills about concern from a Ministry over Te Papa charging foreign visitors, and the latest on the Government's plan for a second Mt. Victoria tunnel. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

In his regular catch up with Newstalk ZB's Nick Mills, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said he would link up with protesters against the Treaty Principles Bill when the hīkoi arrives in Wellington. Hipkins also discussed the apology to survivors of Abuse in Care, Wellington City Council's new Crown Observer, and the result of the US Election. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Lindsay McKenzie has been appointed as Wellington City Council’s Crown observer.  Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said McKenzie has significant governance and senior leadership experience.  McKenzie’s term will last until July next year.  Wellington City Council’s Crown observer will be on the job tomorrow after the Government revealed the man tasked with sorting out “the sha...

More than 150 pieces from Banksy will soon be arriving in Wellington for a mammoth exhibition. The art from the world's most prolific street artist will be on display at Wellington's Takina convention centre from November 28th. Stewart MacPherson has brought the exhibition to the capital direct from London, and joined Nick Mills to discuss the magic of the elusive artist, and reveal the exorbitant...

Protestors will arrive in Wellington later next week to protest the introduction of David Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill. The hikoi, following the same route as the march led by Dame Whina Cooper in 1975, began in Northland this morning. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls expects it will be one of the biggest protests at Parliament in recent memory. He joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buz...

Donald Trump has won the US election - and not just the electoral college, but the popular vote too. How did he manage it? Also, with unemployment biting, students are struggling to find summer jobs. How important is working over the summer break? To answer those questions, and to give their views on Wellington's new tunnel plan, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett and Newstalk ZB political editor...

The All Blacks take on Ireland tomorrow morning in a rematch of last year's World Cup semi-final. Who is likely to come out on top? Also, Auckland FC trumped the Wellington Phoenix last weekend. How did both teams perform? To answer those questions, Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com...

Donald Trump has won the United States presidential election by a surprising margin — but what will a second Trump presidency mean for New Zealand? Also, David Seymour's Treaty principles bill has been introduced to Parliament today, earlier than originally scheduled. Is this just a waste of time, and will we see "hikois from hell"?  National MP and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Labour'...

Former US Ambassador to New Zealand Scott Brown says he would happily return to New Zealand if President-elect Donald Trump asks him to serve again. Brown served as Ambassador during Trump's first term after a career as lawyer, then a Republican senator. He told Nick Mills that Trump's win is great news for America, and the nation's relationship with New Zealand will remain strong. LISTEN ABOVE Se...