Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has called an urgent behind-doors council meeting for this afternoon, as the government seeks advice on whether intervention is needed for Wellington City Council.  It comes after the council voted to ditch its plan to sell its 34% stake in Wellington Airport, meaning up to $600m in cuts will now be needed.  NZ Herald's Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Cam...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has labelled the Wellington City Council a shambles, while Simeon Brown is seeking advice on whether government intervention is needed - so how likely is it that the government will step in? And the latest 1News Verian poll exactly a year on from the election has shown a slight dip for both major parties - how is the government faring?  Newstalk ZB political edi...

Wellington City Council has  stopped the sale of its 34% share in the airport. The Long Term Plan will have to be amended which could involve significant cuts to capital spending. It’s the second significant loss Mayor Tory Whanau has suffered this year  after the Reading Cinemas deal was also killed. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau is faced with cutting up to $600 million from her 10-year...

The Wellington City Council has voted to ditch its planned sale of it's 34% stake in Wellington Airport. So what happens now, and how much will the council have to cut?  Also, Bordeaux Bakery has closed, and is blaming the council for works in Thorndon Quay and the loss of carparks. Is it fair to blame the council? To answer those questions, former Wellington Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast and...

The Wellington Lions take on Counties Manakau in an NPC quarter final tonight - will it be a repeat of September's thumping defeat?  Also, Rafael Nadal is retiring. What's his legacy? Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for Friday Sport Kickoff.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was good news for mortgage holders yesterday as the Reserve Bank lowered the official cash right by 50 basis points. Are our politicians hoping for another 50 basis point drop later this year?  Also, the Auditor General is highly critical of a $24m contract awarded to Mike King's Gumboot Friday charity without a competitive process. Was the government out of line?  To answer those...

The Wellington City Council will vote on a motion to ditch the planned sale of its 34% stake in Wellington Airport on Thursday - which marks the end of a long-running saga that has split councillors almost down the middle.   NZ Herald's Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell says there have been so many flip-flops from various councillors that it's not known if opponents to the sal...

The latest mood of the boardroom survey is out and the country's CEOs have rated the best performing ministers - so who are our panel's top three?  Also, some Wellington City Councillors tried to prevent the council painting over pro-Palestine graffiti - is it a councillors job to determine what should and shouldn't remain?  ChildFund CEO and Iron Duke Partners senior political and publi...

The Wellington Lions take on Hawkes Bay at Sky Stadium tomorrow, with Peter Lakai stepping up as captain - what are we expecting?  And Blackcaps captain Tim Southee has stepped down after the side's dismal performance in Sri Lanka - was this the right call? Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff.  LISTEN ABOVE...

Thirty-five public schools could be converted into charter schools under the government's new plan to revive the independent but state-funded schools - but the Labour Party and teachers unions loathe the plan. So will charter schools actually work, and are they a good use of education resources? Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and Act leader and associate education Minister David Seymo...

A walking and cycling upgrade between Johnsonville and Tawa in   Wellington has been put on pause - but when will the council reassess the project?  Also, there are still further public service cuts to come for police staff - when will we know how many jobs will go?  Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell joined Nick Mills for the Capital Letter. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

The number of credit card applications has reached its highest level since 2021, leading to fears people are seeking credit as the high cost of living bites.  David Cameron, manager of the Wellington Budget Service says credit cards can be dangerous for consumers who are lured in with the promise of an interest-free period, but then use them for daily purchases. He joined Nick Mills to discus...

Wellington had a mammoth weekend, with an All Blacks test and the World of Wearable Arts attracting visitors to the city. How do we attract more events to the city, and what do they mean for our economy? Also, cruise ship numbers will be down this summer, and expensive airfares continue to bite. What is the outlook for Wellington's tourism market?  Wellington Rugby Football Union chief execut...

Thousands have taken to the streets to protest the government's move to downscale the Dunedin Hospital project, while the government starts the week with a conversation about increasing speed limits.  Also, legislation reintroducing charter schools passed through Parliament last week, so how many schools will be up and running by the beginning of the next school year?  Newstalk ZB politi...

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The parents of students out of school for more than 15 days each year are in line to be prosecuted under new government guidelines, which also includes the removal of teacher-only days. Is this the right move, and what impact will it have on truancy numbers?  To answer that, National's MP for Wairarapa Mike Butterick and Labour's health and Wellington issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall joined Nick...

Two musicians have gigs coming up in Wellington in the next fortnight - hometown favourite Louis Baker and 14-time Grammy winner Herbie Hancock. Also - who are the big artists who have never won a Grammy?  Wellington Morning's music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris White is a saxophonist who's shared the stage with countless stars; Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Tom Jones just to name a few.  But it was in 1985 that he joined one of the biggest bands on the planet at the peak of their fame; Dire Straits.  He was part of the band's memorable Live Aid performance and continued to tour with the band afterwards.  Now he's coming to Wellington's St James...

OPINION What a week Tory Whanau has had. It all started with our regular monthly catch-up on Tuesday. I asked the mayor if she was struggling with the cost of high rates and if she felt the pinch so many of us in Wellington are feeling.  Her answer was pretty clear.  "I've just sold my car recently, to kind of help pay the bills. I walk to work again, my mortgage rates have doubled in the last few...

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says she has sold her car to help pay the bills, and does "nothing in terms of socialising" as money is so tight. But on $190,000 a year - is this just a poor attempt to relate to voters?  Also, a developer has pulled out of plans to develop Oriental Bay's band rotunda - what should happen to the site? Former Wellington mayor Justin Lester and Curia pollster David Farr...

The Wellington Lions take on Bay of Plenty at Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon - what can we expect?  And the All Blacks face Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney tomorrow too - how is the team looking?  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Wellington City Council performing as it should be? The answer is a flat "no" according to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who told Nick Mills that the council needs to focus on spending on the right areas.  But Luxon wouldn't say how close the government is to appointing a Crown observer, but insisted the government is keeping a close eye on the council.  "I think you can read between the li...

Redevelopment plans for the Oriental Bay band rotunda have been scrapped - so what does the future hold for the site?  And there have been issues with vandals targeting Wellington's new parking meters - what is the council doing to prevent damage?  Newstalk ZB and NZ Herald reporter joined Nick Mills to answer those questions and more.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

- Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says she’s not spending at the moment because of the cost of living crisis   - She says her mortgage rates have doubled in the past few years and she recently sold her car to help pay the bills   - The mayor recently received a 3.7% pay rise, taking her annual salary to $189,799   - She’s acknowledged things are “really tough” in Wellington at the moment   Wellington...

Wellington City Council is investigating offering $1500 'micro-grants' to businesses affected by roading changes - but is this figure meaningful?  And how is the mood of Wellington? We know it's bad, but is there an element of the city feeling sorry for itself? Those were some of the questions for the Business Panel this week, with Lowe & Co managing director Craig Lowe and Small Acorns owner...