Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Wellington takes on Tasman in the NPC this weekend, hoping to make Tasman's time with the Ranfurly Shield a one-week wonder - so what's the team looking like?  And Wellington Olympic have taken the Chatham Cup - how big a deal is this?  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/listener fo...

It was a resounding win for Kamala Harris at Wednesday afternoon's US Presidential debate - but how much can change over the campaign? And there have been a bunch of job losses in regional New Zealand this week - is there more to come?  Those were the questions for the Friday Faceoff panel this week, with Iron Duke Partners director Phil O'Reilly and NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughl...

Health Minister Shane Reti has announced how he plans to meet health targets set by the government - but how much money will have to be spent to meet them, and are they achievable?  And are the regions in store for more pain as Winstone Pulp closes operations, and Methanex reduces production?  Both Wairarapa MPs, Labour's Kieran McAnulty and National's Mike Butterick joined Nick Mills for Politics...

The government asked for advice on potentially introducing 120km/h speed limits - so what does NZTA make of the idea?  And what did we learn during the sentencing hearing for Kiwirail over the Kaitaki losing power and issuing a mayday call?  NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter joined Nick Mills for the Capital Letter.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Cave has returned with a new album with a more spiritual feel; Wild God. Fresh from his 12-week hiatus to donate an organ to a family member, Wellington Mornings music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills to review the album, and share some interesting discoveries he made while recovering. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An acclaimed Wellington writer has a new show.  Elspeth Sandys's The Body Politic is now showing at Circa Theatre.  She told Nick Mills the show is a classic drama set in an apartment complex in Thorndon in 2021, where the small dramas between the owners mirror the larger political issues of our world. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is publicly discussing potential taxes that could form Labour policy for the next election - is this a smart political strategy?  And its understood David Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill is before Cabinet today - how long is it until the bill is introduced to Parliament?  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.  LISTEN ABOVE See...

The Wellington City Council has dropped $550,000 to install a bike rack on a lane off The Terrace - is this responsible spending?  That was the big question for the Friday Faceoff panel this week, with Rongotai MP and Green transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter, and Wellington City Councillor John Apanowicz.  Also on the agenda was the tourist levy, more business closures in Wellington, and the...

The All Blacks take on South Africa in the second test in Cape Town this weekend, so how will the changed side fare against the world champions? Newstalk ZB's voice of rugby Elliot Smith joined Nick Mills live.  Back home, Wellington Olympic take on Auckland FC in the Chatham Cup this weekend - what can we expect? All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills in studio.  LISTEN ABOVE See...

Will the increased $100 visitor levy reduce our tourism numbers, and was the removal of toast for new mums at Wellington Hospital a cost-cutting exercise?  Those were the questions for the politics panel this week, with Labour's housing and local government spokesman based in the Wairarapa Kieran McAnulty, and newcomer Katie Nimon, National MP for Napier. The pair also discussed their reactions to...

Entities associated with Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh have bought more than $100 million worth of property in Wellington's Lyall Bay - so what could be in the pipeline?  And days after it was revealed Wellington Hospital had stopped serving toast to new mums immediately post-birth, what's happening now? NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter joined Nick for her regular Capital Letter slot. ...

OPINION Yesterday on her show, Heather Du Plessis Allan revealed that transport and local government minister Simeon brown has a new name. He’s now being called 'Golden Balls' by his caucus. It's a reference to David Beckham, a name he got for always delivering and because everything he touched turned to gold. There’s clearly a lot of faith in Simeon Brown. Well, yesterday he was definitely spread...

Business confidence has hit a ten-year high according to ANZ's latest survey - but are businesses in Wellington feeling as confident as those in other parts of the country?  And what impact are electricity prices having on businesses, and is the market working?  Those were some of the questions for the Wellington Mornings Business Panel this week, with Kaffee Eis owner Karl Tiefenbacher and Mills...

Outgoing Treasury boss Caralee McLeish has recommended New Zealand adopt a capital gains tax - and has also said we need to look at changing our superannuation settings as our population ages.  So could it return to the political agenda?  And Darleen Tana has taken her battle to remain an MP to the courts - how does this legal challenge work?  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick M...

On Friday Faceoff, political commentators Bryce Edwards and Brigitte Morten discuss how councils should act after the Prime Minister's warning around spending. They also look at the prospect of Winston Peters vying for another term in Parliament, and can males and females be platonic friends? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Friday Sport, Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper explain to Nick Mills why they believe the All Blacks sudden coaching change has been dealt with well. They also discuss why the Wellington Pride and Lions are wearing special pink jerseys for Sunday's home Farah Palmer Cup and NPC matches in Porirua. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

In this week's politics segment, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Labour's Health and Wellington Issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall debate Chris Luxon's sharp warning to councils over spending. They also discuss the Commerce Commission's recommendations to make the baking industry more competitive, and how the Darleen Tana situation is playing out in Parliament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/l...

In this week's Capital Letter, NZ Herald's Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell discusses the possible $1.1 million spend by NZTA to protect snail and lizard species from the Otaki to north of Levin motorway. Georgina also updates Nick on the story of Wellington school student Julia Choquette, who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, who's been fundraising to get to Germany for surgery. And, it's o...

The Prime Minister has returned from a quick trip to Australia - how did it go for him, and what big event is he attending this week?  And former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern is set to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week - what can we expect? Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

The number of tourists visiting the country is still roughly 17% below pre-Covid levels, so how long until it bounces back? And how important are both corporate and public events for the Wellington economy - and is Wellington in store for any big international music acts over summer? Those were the questions for the business panel this week, with Sky Stadium CEO Warrick Dent and Te Papa's marketin...

On Friday Faceoff this week, Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young and Public Service Association Assistant Secretary Fleur Fitzimons debated whether Te Papa should be charging tourists - or even New Zealanders - to enter the national museum. They also looked at confusion around job cut proposals at Health New Zealand, the likelihood of congestion charging in Wellington, and whether 'divorce par...

Will increased benefit sanctions work, and what on earth is going in within Health NZ? Those were the questions for the Politics Thursday panel this week, with Labour's MP for Ohariu Greg O'Connor and National's MP for Wairarapa Mike Butterick joining Nick Mills.  Also discussed was the situation at Wellington Girls College and whether congestion charging would work in Wellington. LISTEN ABOVE See...

The government is introducing a new traffic light system for beneficiaries, laying out potential sanctions if they don't meet their obligations. So what does Labour make of it? Labour leader and MP for Remutaki Chris Hipkins joined Nick Mills to discuss whether it will result in more people entering the workforce.  Also on the agenda was the country's energy shortage, and the ongoing situation ove...

The details of Kiwirail's immediate reaction to the grounding of the Aratere have been revealed in correspondence released by Transport Minister Simeon Brown's office.  NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter is across the details, and joined Nick Mills to reveal just how it went down. She also shared the story of Te Papa's gigantic specimen collection that needs to find a new home, and her thoughts...

The government is removing the nearly 30-year-long ban on genetic modification outside of labs, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced this morning.  Alongside it, a new regulator will be created to manage risks.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills with the latest, and also discussed the government's introduction of new benefit sanctions and Luxon's upcoming trip to Aus...