Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

It's Politics Thursday and this week Nick is joined in the studio by National Minister Paul Goldsmith and Labour MP Ayesha Verrall. They debate the top political issues of the week, including concerns around Wellington project priorities. After the second Auckland harbour crossing is looking likely to go through, there is still no word on our second Mt Vic Tunnel - is Wellington being slighted? Th...

Its Music Time with James Irwin! It's another week of NZ music month, James and Nick chat a new record label based in Wellington - check it out at  strawberryjampromotions.com. Then they talk Tom Scott of Homebrew fame who blew Wellington away last Friday and the opening of musical & Juliet on Saturday. Plus, what are the most recognisable Kiwi songs? James shares his office survey result...

Wellington Phoenix Women's team is on their way to the airport for their A-League final against Melbourne City. Coach Bev Priestman joins Nick Mills in the studio on the way, to chat about what this means for the team. Since joining the club last year Priestman has revamped the team to get to first A-League final for any Phoenix team in their history.  The club play Melbourne City on Saturday...

This morning Billy T nominee, mother and comedian Samantha Hannah joins Nick in studio. Her new show   Peekaboo!  starts tonight at Bats for the NZ International Comedy Festival.   Currently 7 months pregnant with an 18-month-old, Samantha has bought her experience with motherhood into her stand up.  Samantha and Nick talk identity, preshow rituals and anxiety, and ba...

Wellington City Mayor Andrew Little joins Nick Mills in the studio for May's monthly chat and takes your calls.  After multiple news stories about unrest between council executives and the council, Nick asks Mayor Little for his insight into the debates at the moment. Mayor Little says a change of culture is needed and he is concerned officials don't realise that they aren't spending their ow...

The Wellington Amalgamation could grow into eight councils instead of the previously expected "tight" four. Nick speaks to Porirua Mayor Anita Baker, who is very strongly for the amalgamation. Mayor Baker shares her preferences for amalgmation and addresses concerns that Porirua rates are among the highest in the country.  She says people are hesitant as jobs may go, but she "doesn't care" if...

The Wellington Amalgamation could grow into eight councils instead of the previously expected "tight" four. Nick speaks to Porirua Mayor Anita Baker, who is very strongly for the amalgamation. Mayor Baker shares her preferences for amalgmation and addresses concerns that Porirua rates are among the highest in the country.  She says people are hesitant as jobs may go, but she "doesn't care" if...

A Wellington amalgamation could potentially go wider than expected to the Kāpiti Coast, Wairarapa and Horowhenua after a mayoral meeting last Friday disclosed by the Wellington City Mayor on the show today. Nick chats to Kāpiti Mayor Janet Holborow, who is on her way back from a meeting with Horowhenua Mayor Wanden. Mayor Holborow shares how talks have been going with the other councils and if thi...

Wellington's Home and Living show starts today at Hnry Stadium and goes till Sunday showcasing fresh ideas to upgrade your home & lifestyle all under the one roof. Plus, delicious food great coffee show specials and expert advice. One of those experts is our very own resident builder Peter Wolfkamp. Peter joins the show to share what we can expect from this weekend. Head on down to Hnry Stadiu...

For Friday Sports Kick-off Nick is joined by sports gurus and ZB Sports hosts Adam Cooper and Jason Pine.  This week they chat about the New NZ Rugby CEO - Steve Lancaster. The crew look into growing Super Rugby and the struggles of bringing it up to levels on par with sports of the time like F1 or league. Does super rugby stand a chance? Can the Phoenix Women make it to the grand final? Firs...

Its Friday Faceoff, this week Nick is joined in the studio by Director of NZ Infrastructure Commission and former Wellington City Councillor Tim Brown and Raygun co-founder and CEO JD Trask to discuss the hot topics of the week.  Starting with Super. The OECD has released a report that yet again tells NZ we need to make changes to the pension. Brown and Trask talk the age of super annuat...

& Juliet is the newest Broadway hit coming to Wellington this Saturday. The musical flips the script on the classic Romeo and Juliet, asking what would happen if Juliet if she took hold of her own destiny? Nick is joined by the two stars Awhimai Fraser and Matu Ngaropo, both musical theatre legends and proud Kiwis. The show opens at St James Theatre and will run from 9-24 May. Fraser and Ngaro...

For Politics Thursday Nick is joined by Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Tim Costley to talk about the top issues in the beehive this week. Starting with the new test for citizenship in New Zealand. Our panel give their question ideas and their thoughts on the introduction of the test, which follows the lead of Australia. And amalgamation is coming. The Government has given a three-month ult...

Nick speaks to oncologist, presidential health advisor and author Dr Ezekiel Emanuel as he travels New Zealand. The world-famous Dr Emanuel shares his global expertise with Nick on how to improve our health system. He suggests we need more stable planning at a government level, with the three-year election cycle harming progress. Also, better understanding between the private and public sectors. H...

Its Music Time, Nick and James champion NZ music month with a nod to the kiwi musos who broke through globally in the last 55 years. The gang also throw in a little comedy festival must see show banter as well. NZ Comedy Fest and NZ Music Month combine with 'Pōneke House Party' on Sunday 17 May at The Opera House. Profits from the event will be donated to the Mayoral Flood Relief Fund.  Get t...

The Government has given an ultimatum for local councils - amalgamate in three months or we will do it for you. The Wellington region has been in talks of amalgamation - Wellington City, Porirua, Hutt City and Upper Hutt. Upper Hutt Mayor Peri Zee has concerns and says more options should be on the table. Mayor Zee speaks to Nick sharing her thoughts on the call from Minister Chris Bishop and Simo...

EDITORIAL: Let’s start this one with a show of hands. Who’s been to the tip lately?  I want you to be honest. I’ll start.   I reckon I’m a regular at the tip, I think I’ve been a dozen times this year.   House clean-ups, business clear-outs, all the stuff that’s just easier to throw away than deal with properly.   Out of sight, out of mind. Job done.  Except—it’s not.&nbsp...

Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught joins the show today to discuss his new Lego Star Wars exhibition with Nick. His last hit Lego Jurassic Park exhibition opened Takina, now Ryan shares what we can expect from his return. His latest endeavour uses over 8 million LEGO bricks and took 26,000 hours to complete.  The exhibition opens just in time for school holidays on June 27th. You can buy tickets here&n...

Nick speaks to Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty around concerns over the sustainability of Wellington's waste systems. There is talk of expanding the Wellington tip to the back of Zealandia, McNulty shares the likelihood of this and stresses the importance and urgency of this issue. Porirua's Spicer Landfill is due to close in 2030 and is due to chop years off the lifespan of Wellington's landfill. LISTEN...

EDITORIAL: There's moments in this city where you stop, you look at the numbers, and you think — this cannot be real. And it happens too often.  This cannot be happening to us. And yet it is, here we go again.  A bill of half a billion dollars — possibly pushing $590 million — just to roll out water meters across the region.   Now think about that for a second, please.   This i...

Water meters from Tiaki Wai will cost rate payers $590 million to install – $178 million more than was estimated last year. Director of NZ Infrastructure Commission and former Wellington City Councillor Tim Brown shares his expertise on the cost of water metering. He is setting up a setting up a water users’ advocacy group and called the figures "nonsensical."  And should this project be done...

For the Business Panel this week Nick is joined in the studio by Harcourts CEO Marty Ritchie and Director of Trinity Group and Treasurer of Hospitality NZ Jeremy Smith. The panel talk business in the capital, they share their wins, struggles and hopes with working in the city. Ritchie shares how the real estate market is looking - with his expertise with the Kapiti Coast, Porirua and in the city....

It's Friday Faceoff, and Nick is joined in the studio by former Wellington Mayor and Director of Dot Loves Data Justin Lester and Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young. The hot issues of the week - like the release of emails between the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister through NZ First. Is this a political move or a genuine mistake? And who is in charge in this coalition? Then onto the cost o...

To kick off the sports weekend Nick is joined by Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. Starting with the Hurricanes. Ruben Love celebrates his 50th game. Jason says this is the best Hurricanes team since 2015, do our panel agree? Do we expect them to do well now instead of hope? We will see, when they play the Crusaders tonight at Hnry Stadium.  The first leg of the semis for the Phoenix Women is on to...

Nick is joined in the studio today by Finance Minister Nicola Willis for her monthly catch-up. This week news broke over a verbal dispute between journalists at Nicola Willis's pre-budget office drinks. Nick gets to the bottom of what happened, and why it took nearly a year to reveal to the public. Then with the public spats between the Prime Minister, Willis and Winston Peters - is the coalition...