Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Nick is joined by Finance Minister Nicola Willis for her monthly chat in the studio.  The minister has been busy fronting the fuel crisis and with the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, Nick gets answers on how Kiwis will be affected. Is the tide turning? Is the Strait opening?  Also, Nick asks Willis about the delivery of fuel and diesel for farmers.  Willis speaks about her rea...

The Ultra Music Festival hits Wellington tonight! Bringing international DJs and Electronic Music legends to our waterfront.  23,000 are expected to the sold-out festival - with four stages showcasing local and international talent.  Ultra Festival started in Miami and is a worldwide hit - this Wellington show is the first NZ edition.  Yesterday Nick took a tour around the festival...

For Friday Sport Kick-off this week Nick is joined in the studio by ZB sport guru Jason Pine. Starting with Hurricanes alumni dinner tonight - the organization set up to help Hurricanes transition into the next phase of their lives celebrates tonight. It's been 10 years since they won their championship and 30 years since the team started. Onto the Hurricanes vs Blues - Hnry Stadium with a 7.05pm...

For this week's Politics Thursday Nick is joined by National MP for Wairarapa and newly appointed Minister for Land Information Mike Butterick, and Labour MP and Spokesperson for Education and Police Ginny Andersen. With the announcement of the two-week ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran, Nick asks our politicians how this will affect NZ and their thoughts on what has unfolded these last fe...

Nick is joined on the show today by British comedian and actor Stephen K Amos. Amos arrives in Wellington for his tour 'Now We’re Talking,' and will play Friday May 8th at Hannah Playhouse Nick and Amos talk his last experience in Wellington - including an earthquake and some classic turbulence. Also what to expect from his latest show and how comedy is adapting to the state of the world right now...

Nick is joined in the studio today by Wellington City Mayor Andrew Little for their monthly catchup. Mayor Little takes questions from both Nick and our audience, on the progress in our city and council in April. Starting with pressures in the city from the Iran War. Mayor Little discusses the potential for public transport cost deductions, and the other ways the CBD has been impacted from the fue...

EDITORIAL: I don't even know where to start with this. Because I’m sitting here this morning, and I’m not asking for a clever political solution, I’m not asking for spin, and I’m certainly not asking for another escalation.  I just want it to stop.  Not a temporary pause. Not a 45-day window. Not a “significant step” that isn’t good enough for someone to sign.  I want the war to sto...

James Irwin is back in the studio for this week's Music Time. James shares his travels to Hawaii and how much they know of NZ music overseas, what could he find in the record shops? Then The Pogues hit Wellington tomorrow at the St James - without Shane MacGowan. After MacGowan's passing 18 months ago James takes a look at the new band and what we can expect from their show.  For the latest o...

Nick Mills wraps the week for a Thursday edition of faceoff with Hutt City Mayor Ken Laban and journalist and broadcasting legend Mark Sainsbury.   Starting with the complaints from councillors' around their new office – Councillor Nicola Young says many boycotted the blessing as they are not pleased with the location of the Mayor’s office. Is this a show of entitlement or genuine concern abo...

Nick is joined by Labour MP Kieran McAnulty, who is fronting the new bill that will scrap the Easter alcohol rules.  Bars & restaurants (on-licence venues) will be able to sell alcohol normally on Good Friday & Easter Sunday. No more needing to buy a “substantial meal” just to get a drink. McAnulty shares why the rule change is necessary, saying it's silly and will make life easier fo...

Firefighters, currently on strike, are getting support to upgrade their fleet from a new inquiry into FENZ. Parliament’s Governance and Administration Select Committee, fronted by Deputy Chair and National MP Tim Costley, has launched an enquiry into FENZ specifically on the state of their fire truck fleet.  Nick speaks to Wellington Local President of the New Zealand Professional Firefighter...

EDITORIAL: I just want to talk about something this morning that, honestly, feels like a perfect snapshot of where Wellington City Council is at right now.  Office space.  Not rates. Not pipes bursting. Not businesses struggling. Not the Moa Point mess. No, no — they’re concerned about office space.   Who’s on what floor, who’s got the view, and who’s looking out at a car park.&nbsp...

Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young joins the show to discuss the complaints over the new council building. Young was not present at the blessing for the new office building on the waterfront. She says although she doesn't usually attend early morning ceremonies, she wouldn't of gone anyway as part of a boycott among some councillors. The boycott is over complaints the office space is not suff...

Nick is joined in the studio by Dwell Housing CEO Elizabeth Lester to chat about their new campaign 'It Starts With Home' and how the move on orders are effecting their community. Dwell Housing is a registered charity that provides housing through safe, affordable homes to individuals and families across the Wellington region. Their current campaign focuses on housing for local families.  Wit...

As NZ20 brings attention to the Basin Reserve talk is building about the potential for an upgrade.  Nick speaks to Wellington-born architect Frano Bazalo about the cost and likelihood surrounding a renovation building capacity, and bringing more sports into the reserve. The St Patricks old boy is currently working out of London designing some of the biggest stadiums in the world, including on...

Nick is joined by World of WearableArt CEO Meg Williams to talk this years WOW show GLO! The annual show goes from 17 September to 4 October 2026 at TSB Arena, and brings tourists and pride to Wellington. Williams shares the plans for this year, and what makes the show such a colourful success.  She discusses the team - including Creative Director Brian Burke, and how they are prepping for th...

OPINION: If there is ever a time where you think change might actually happen, I think that time is now.  You know when something really significant shifts.  Because every now and then, you get a crisis that doesn’t just hurt — it teaches and it questions.   And we may finally learn from this one.  We’ve got fuel prices climbing towards four dollars a litre.  We’ve got glo...

CubaDupa hit Wellington last weekend and Nick chats to director Bianca Bailey to see how it all went down. Tens of thousands of people - local and visitors alike, joined the annual street party with over 200 performers, food trucks, performers, parades - everything was at CubaDupa. Bailey shares how the weekend went, what could've gone better and what does the city need to do next to bring more li...

Nick is joined in the studio with CubaDupa headliner Paige for a performance and a chat. Hailing for Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, Paige is an award-winning pop/RnB singer who has gained international fame for her sound and honest songwriting.  Paige and Nick talk her career so far, being a NZ artist and how international fan attitudes differ from Kiwis.  Also, her upcoming performance at C...

Nick Mills wraps the week with Iron Duke founder and director of Aurecon Phil O’Reilly, and founder and CEO of Raygun JD Trask.   Starting with the reveal from NZ Herald that advice about the low risk of myocarditis in teenagers who receive the second covid vaccine was given to Chris Hipkins  O’Reilly share his fears over what this event will do to dispell more people from getting vaccin...

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB’s sports hosts Adam Cooper and Jason Pine.  Starting with the Hurricanes game against the Reds tomorrow.   After just coming back from Hnry stadium, Adam gives his updates on how the team is looking, and shares CEO Malcolm Gillies call for support.   The game kicks off at 4.35pm tomorrow – tickets are available her...

On Politics Thursday this week Nick is joined by National's Minister for Justice, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Media and Communications and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith, and Labour MP and spokesperson for Health and Wellington Issues Ayesha Verrall. Wellington ratepayers have been slapped with a new water bill - which is drawing concern from the government. Nick ask our politician...

Nick Mills is joined on the show today by musical legend Richard O'Brien. O'Brien is the creator of hit musical the Rocky Horror show, and played Riff Raff in the film - which has become a cult classic.  The show is currently touring in Wellington with a West End cast - O'Brien shares his thoughts on how the musical has lasted 50 years, and is still drawing in crowds all over the globe. He te...

The cost of Wellington's water bills has been announced - and starts with a standalone charge of roughly $2410 a year, expecting to reach $6831 within a decade. Minister for Local Government Simon Watts has expressed concern in the cost to Wellington ratepayers, saying he contacted Andrew Little for an explanation to a rise in the plans he initially saw.  Nick speaks to Chairperson of Tiaki W...

OPINION: This is the moments where the penny really drops.   Because for years, we’ve talked about infrastructure, we’ve talked about pipes, we’ve talked about underinvestment — but now it’s no longer theory.   It’s turning up in your email or letterbox.   In a matter of months — July 1 — Wellington households will start receiving a separate water bill.   Not buried in your rat...