Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

EDITORIAL: Overnight, we’ve learnt that behind closed doors, at the very start of this war in Iran, our own Government wasn’t quite on the same page.   And as a New Zealander watching all of this unfold, what I wanted—what I think most of us wanted—was a clear, confident line about where we as a country stand.  Instead, we’ve got emails, pushback—and a pretty uncomfortable question...

It's Politics Thursday and Nick is joined by Labour MP Ayesha Verrall and National MP and Cabinet Minister Mike Butterick. Emails between Winston Peters and the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon were released by NZ First through the OIA. They show that Peters talked down Luxon over his initial call to support the US strikes on Iran. There has since been some public beef between the two - Nick asks...

A member’s bill from Green MP Kahurangi Carter has passed its first reading in Parliament. The proposed law would protect people from minor drug charges if they call emergency services for someone experiencing an overdose or bad reaction. Nick speaks to NZ Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm to find out more about the bill and its impacts. Helm says 3 Kiwis die from preventable overdoses...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins joins Nick Mills in the studio for his monthly catch up. The Labour party is polling well, 7 points above National, but how long will this last without major policy announcements. Nick asks when we will see more, and what should we expect from the party this year? Nicola Willis suggests that Barbara Edmonds has told agency Fitch one thing and the public another in terms...

EDITORIAL:  Here’s the thing — I just don’t buy the outrage, and I actually think this needs to be called a bit more straight.  Christopher Luxon pulling out of his regular Monday slot on Breakfast isn’t some constitutional crisis.   It’s not democracy under threat. It’s a political decision — and honestly, just say it for what it is.  Don’t dress it up, don’t spin it.   I...

The Warriors sparked a huge night for Wellington with their game against the Dolphins at Hnry Stadium this ANZAC day. With talk of the $40million government fund for events, Nick speaks to WellingtonNZ CE Mark Oldershaw to find out how we can use this to bring more life to Wellington. They discuss the Warriors game, and what it bought to the city. As well as the other events and plans for Wellingt...

For Friday Faceoff today it's a political special with former Chief Press Secretary to the PM Hamish Rutherford and BusinessDesk senior reporter Thomas Manch. It's been a dramatic week in the beehive ending with the Prime Minister calling a vote against himself. Our panel bring both their political pasts from the beehive to give their insight onto the hot topics from the week.  Rutherford and...

The Warriors have sold out Hnry Stadium! They play the Dolphins tomorrow for their ANZAC day game. To celebrate, the sports crew of Nick, Adam Cooper and Jason Pine are joined by former Kiwis player and local league legend Mike Kuiti.  They discuss what we can expect from this game, then the history of league in this country and the height it's reached now.  Also, Hurricanes play th...

This Politics Thursday Nick is joined by National's Minister Paul Goldsmith and Labour's Willie Jackson. The discussion immediately gets heated with news just dropped that Labour has agreed to support the Fair Trade Agreement with India.  The panel then get into the alleged five MPs who went up against Prime Minister Luxon and the vote of confidence held within the National caucus this week.&...

EDITORIAL: Well, well, well… here we go again  The theatre, the pressure, the whispers, the leaks — and then bang — Christopher Luxon walks into caucus and says, “righto, let’s settle this.”  Yesterday, we asked for exactly that, didn’t we?   I said on this show, I wanted to see a bit of steel.   A bit of fight. Not the polished corporate lines, not the media training — I wante...

Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul is calling for the Wellington Civil Defense Emergency Management Group (WCDEMG) to request to unlock the emergency government fund.  The fund is available from Work and Income NZ to financially support those impacted but is activated after a request from the WCDEMG controller. Paul speaks to Nick over her concerns for Wellington, and the reasons the fund has...

For Music Time this week Nick is joined by our music guru James Irwin. After the weather yesterday record store Creeps Newtown was flooded significantly. James talks the importance of supporting small record shops - of which we have a greta selection of in Wellington. Especially with record store day, which was last weekend. Brett McKenzie celebrated by doing a free gig at Slowboat Records on Cuba...

EDITORIAL: Well, here we go again — this is when the doors are shut, the caucus is in the room, and this is the moment.  This is where you find out whether a Prime Minister is actually in charge… or just borrowing the label.  Because over the last 24 to 48 hours, this hasn’t just been a bit of background noise or media speculation — this has been a full-blown leak culture inside the Nati...

Nick is joined on this rainy morning by WeatherWatch's Phil Duncan to give us the latest on the wild Wellington weather.  Duncan discusses the struggles of forecasting in New Zealand, and how our weather technology systems differ globally.  He suggests NZ is behind the times, and our closed data means we can't learn from our mistakes.  Duncan also talked the potential of a weather a...

For a special charitable edition of the Business Panel, Nick is joined in the studio by two people making a difference in Wellington. Rev Murray Edridge, Wellington City Missioner and Major Christina Tyson, Head of Salvation Army frontline welfare services join the panel this morning.  In the wake of the severe weather events, Wellington City Mission and Salvation Army are providing support a...

Many Wellingtonians have woken to carnage in the capital. Cars are floating,  Early this morning parts of the region were hit with slow moving thunderstorms and intense rain causing cars to float streets to flood, slips, roads closures and evacuations.  Nick speaks to Mayor Andrew Little who has been out in the suburbs looking at damage. He shares an update on the response so far and off...

This morning for Friday Sport Kick-off Nick is joined by Weekend Sport host Jason Pine to chat all about sports coming up in Wellington this weekend. But first Moana Pasifika, who are set to disband after this season. Piney and Nick talk the likelihood of investors swooping in, and what other teams could be at risk of the same fate?  Then what some are calling the first All Black trial: Hurri...

EDITORIAL: We know there’s a growing gap in this country—and it’s not just between the rich and the poor.   It’s between what we say we want, and what we’re actually prepared to do to pay for.  Because right now, the numbers are starting to bite.  Treasury is warning—loudly—that we are heading into a future where fewer workers supporting more retirees. We know that - it’s fact.&nbsp...

Pharmacies will get more power to provide funded medication from June. Government is proposing to expand the role of community pharmacists, allowing them to assess patients and provide funded treatment for common conditions like infections, head lice, and minor illnesses. The move aims to make healthcare faster, cheaper, and more accessible while easing pressure on GPs. Nick speaks to co-founder/s...

This week on Politics Thursday Nick is joined by Labour MP Ginny Andersen and National MP for Otaki Tim Costley   Things get fiery over calls from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on increasing tax. Specifically IRD want to see an increase to the goods and services tax (GST) rate, offering a cash transfer to low-income earners and a Capital Gains Tax. The politicians face off ove...

Rising fuel prices are starting to push up costs across the entire economy, not just at the petrol pump. Businesses are feeling the ripple effect, especially in hospitality, where suppliers are adding surcharges to cover higher transport and production costs. Popular Wellington café, Smith the Grocer, is now considering introducing its own fuel surcharge as expenses like meat, milk, and deliveries...

EDITORIAL:  Fuel prices are starting to quietly creep into everything… and I mean everything we do.  We always talk about it when we fill up the car — that’s the obvious one.   But what we’re starting to see now is the next layer of it… the ripple effect.  And it’s hitting hospitality, right where you notice it most — in your wallet, when you go out for a coffee or a bite to ea...

EDITORIAL: Are we starting to overreact to the weather?  Now before anyone jumps on the phone — yes, I know what’s happened up north.   Yes, I know what happened with the cyclone and it caused real damage.   Flooding across parts of Northland, the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay. Yes I know that.   States of emergency declared. Power outages. Evacuations. Roads closed...

Ultra Music Festival was held in Wellington on Friday night and sold over 23,000 tickets, bringing people from all over the country into our CBD. Nick speaks to Wellington City Chamber of Commerce CEO Hayley Horan about the impact on the businesses from the influx of people. They also discuss the latest poll from RNZ which found nearly two‑thirds of business owners believe the current state of the...

Nick Mills wraps the week with Friday Faceoff with Chief Executive of Infrastructure NZ, and former Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett and National Secretary of the Public Service Association Fleur Fitzsimmons. Starting with the war - how long will the effects last for Kiwis? Fitzsimmons and Legget talk stability of the ceasefire,  They debate the fuel crisis, the government's response and how our co...