Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

OPINION Now if you’re anything like me, you hate filling out the census. There's something about filling it out that makes you think you're giving away too much information. Soon you've got p eople knocking on your door making sure you fill it out. It's a giant pain in the backside. But I understand that the census is an important piece of data for the government to use to determine where the mone...

New Zealand Rugby’s provincial unions have convincingly voted through their polarising governance proposal to spark a civil war showdown with the game’s professional players. Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine has been at NZR HQ all morning, and joined Nick Mills to talk through the result of the two important votes.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ferry operator Bluebridge has been warned by the Commerce Commission after over compensation for cancelled ferry sailings.  NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell is across the issue and joined Nick Mills for her weekly slot. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand music community woke up to tragic news on Tuesday morning. Legendary Wellington trombonist Rodger Fox has died, aged 71.  Music guru James Irwin, who knew Fox well, joined Nick Mills to talk through his legacy, including his time in Quincy Conserve and forming the Rodger Fox Big Band.  In March last year, the legendary artist joined Nick for an extended interview, which you can fin...

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says a council vote to sell the council's entire 34% stake in Wellington Airport is unlikely to pass.  "It doesn't look like we'd have the support for that," she told Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills on Monday.  The other option being considered by the council is a partial sale of the council's stake. "It's something I'm looking at proactively." "Of course I am [con...

The government is set to unveil its first budget on Thursday, and all eyes are on Finance Minister Nicola Willis and her promised tax cuts.  What else could be in the budget, and will there be any other surprises? Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills about what we can expect.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our dreams for the Phoenix didn't quite come true... but we got close. What next for the team? And will Rob Penney stay on as coach of the Crusaders?  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills to talk all things sport.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Its Friday again, and time for two Wellingtonians to debate the issues of the week.  On Friday Faceoff this week, Nick was joined by Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert and political commentator Dr Bryce Edwards.  On the agenda was Te Pati Maori's comments about Karen Chhour, private parking companies, and whether or not we should charge tourists visiting our national parks. LISTEN ABOVE See...

It was a faceoff between Act leader David Seymour and Labour's health and Wellington issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall on Politics Thursday this week.  On the agenda was comments from Te Pati Maori about Childrens Minister Karen Chhour, the government ditching first home grants, and whether or not Adrian Orr should remain in his job.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

Khandallah Pool is still facing the chop, and New Zealand has a midwife shortage... and Wellington has it particularly bad.  NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills for her regular slot. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How is the exodus of a record number of Kiwi citizens affecting businesses, and is 24/7 parking for Wellington CBD a good idea?  Those were the questions for the Business Panel this week, made up of Capital's Aimie Hines and Brezelmania bakery director Tony Parun.  The pair joined Nick Mills to talk all things business in Wellington.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

Julie Anne Genter is set to return to Parliament this week, as the house meets after a recess week.  Her return comes after yesterday's State of the Planet speech from Green co-leaders Chloe Swarbrick and Julie Anne Genter. Also on the horizon is the government's first budget at the end of the month. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills to talk through what we can expect this...

Wellington is buzzing ahead of the biggest game ever for the Wellington Phoenix tomorrow night, so who better than former All White David Chote to run us through what it means for the team.  Joining him for Friday Faceoff this week was Capital director Neale Jones, not a football fan, but excited nonetheless.  Also on the agenda was charter schools, gangs, Tory Whanau's meeting attendence and migr...

It's the biggest game for the Wellington Phoenix in its 17-year history tomorrow night, as they take on Melbourne Victory in the first A-League semi-final. Sky Stadium has completely sold out for the event, making it the biggest home crowd for a Phoenix game ever.  Manager Giancarlo Italiano sat down with Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk about the team's successful season, and the semi-...

Today marks a year since Wellingtonians woke up to the news that a hostel in Newtown had caught fire.  Five people were killed and another twenty injured. The people who didn't perish in the fire lost their home, their belongings and in some cases, their friends.  Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge joined Nick Mills to remember the tragedy, and Nick played clips from the show of the morning...

Will the new gang taskforce work, and what's the benefit of charter schools?  That was the debate on Politics Thursday this week, as Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen joined Nick Mills.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Aotearoa Music Awards will be announced at the end of the month of May, which doubles as New Zealand Music Month.  Wellington Mornings music guru James Irwin, fresh from a trip to buy a bunch of new CDs, joined Nick Mills to talk about some interesting AMA finalists, and his favourite Kiwi songs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OPINION Anyone who knows me knows how important I think Victoria and Massey Universities are for our city.   Wellington lights up when the students arrive at the beginning of the year, and the city dies down when they leave.   Well today through to Thursday is graduation week for a lot of students from Victoria University.   This is the highlight for not only the students graduating, but a highlig...

Winston is off overseas yet again, this week on a trip to multiple Melanesian states. And a new poll was released last week, what do the numbers show? Newstalk ZB political editor joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills for an update from the Beehive.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a chilly morning this morning... made worse by Transpower's request that Kiwis turned down their heaters to reduce their power use. Former Wellington mayor Justin Lester and Iron Duke Partners director Phil O'Reilly joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to dissect the news of the week, including the signed-off district plan, school lunches and the funding boost for Corrections. LISTEN...

It's a top of the table faceoff tomorrow afternoon, with the Hurricanes taking on the Blues at Eden Park.  All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk that match, as well as the Phoenix first semi-final on Sunday, and the Saint's home game, also on Sunday. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis had a big morning delivering her set piece pre-budget speech in Lower Hutt... so what can she tell us about the budget? She joined Labour's health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall and Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk the political issues of the week, including a muddied press conference, lunches in schools and Wellington's new district plan.  LISTEN ABOVE See o...

Actress Rula Lenska is known around the world as Claudia Colby from Coronation Street, but did you know she's also Polish royalty?  The actress, also a Countess, joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk about her stage show, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which is playing at the St James Theatre in Wellington this week. She was joined by Stewart MacPherson - a legendary Wellington promo...

Kiwirail boss Peter Reidy flew to South Korea to meet with the company contracted to build the now cancelled Interislander - but its not clear exactly why. NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills to talk the Wellington stories of the week, including Julie Anne Genter and the closure of a Wellington birthing unit.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

A Wellington budgeting service has had its government funding pulled, despite its manager saying they are "busier than ever" as people struggle with high interest rates and the cost of living. It comes as the Ministry of Social Development reviews its contracts with budgeting services. It’s understood other providers across the country have had their funding cut. The Wellington Budget Service, run...