Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Wellington's mayor has defended his decision to engage with Parliamentary protestors.  Andy Foster has met with "influencers" within the occupation, drawing criticism from fellow councillors.  Nicola Young has called the move an "embarrassment to the city".  But Foster told Nick Mills he's showing leadership by talking with the protestors.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is playing a series of shows to audiences of 100 in the Capital. The free shows in the 'Daily Catch' series see NZSO musicians perform small ensemble and solo works. They decided to put the concerts on in Wellington after their North Island tour was canned due to covid-19.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The iconic Cable Car has been running for 120 years today.  The red cars run every ten minutes carrying Wellingtonians, visitors and even dogs up and down the line between Lambton Quay and Kelburn from 7.30 in the morning to 7pm at night.  Nick Mills took a ride on the Cable Car with the chief executive Cesar Piotto to celebrate. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Mornings Monday Political Panel with Labour MP for Wairarapa Kieran McAnulty and National's deputy leader Nicola Willis: Residents have had enough of the protest, which is in day 14. Police laid down concrete blocks this morning to stop it from growing but is that enough? Plus, is it time we engage with those we disagree with and how accessible are Rapid Antigen Tests? LISTEN ABOVE See...

Friday Faceoff with lawyer Brigitte Morten and Wellington City Councillor Simon Woolf: Is it time MPs engage with the protestors at Parliament? Let's Get Wellington Moving has spent almost $250,000 on consultants for the Cobham Drive pedestrian crossing, and should you be fined if you don't show up to your reservation as the hospitality sector battles to survive?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/l...

The Beehive Buzz with Newstalk ZB's Chief Political Reporter Jason Walls on Act leader David Seymour's meeting with spokespeople for the Convoy 2022 protest and New Zealand's reaction to the growing tension between Russia and the United States over Ukraine.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hot Property with property expert Matt Ryan on the fast-changing housing market, tips for first home buyers and what to do amid a construction supply shortage.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After an Indian summer full of good tunes, James returns lamenting the crimes against music happening outside parliament and treats Nick to some of the greatest protest songs ever written. Discover which new book on High Priestess of Music Nina Simone had James frothing, and can local lads fat Freddy's Drop save everything with some  well needed "hope" in this weeks "cash in the attic"?  LISTEN AB...

Almost $250,000 has been spent on consultants for a new pedestrian crossing on State Highway 1 near Wellington Airport.  The crossing at Cobham Drive is part of the multi-billion-dollar Let's Get Wellington Moving project.  The proposal is to reduce the speed limit from 70 to 60 kilometres per hour and build a crossing controlled by traffic lights.  But many are of the opinion, most notably Wellin...

Wellington Mornings Business Panel: Wellington retailer owner Hamish Vance and Tommy's Sales Director Nicki Cruickshank on how the anti-mandate protest is hampering the city, house prices are softening but are houses selling? And should mayor Andy Foster stand again in this year's local body election?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Capital Letter with New Zealand Herald's Wellington Issues Reporter Georgina Campbell on anticipation around the $1.45 billion dollar Interislander upgrades, the protest and events in the capital.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With anti-mandate protesters camped out on Parliament's lawn National's deputy leader has heavily criticised Trevor Mallard's actions against Parliament's illegal occupiers.  Mallard turned sprinklers on and blasted some of the world's most hated songs in a largely unsuccessful attempt to move protesters on.  Here is what MPs Nicola Willis and Kieran McAnulty told Nick Mills on Newstalk ZB Welling...

Tuesday Business with New Zealand Herald Wellington Business Editor Hamish Rutherford: The anti-mandate protest is on its eighth day so how are businesses coping? Food price hikes and is the housing market in Wellington softening?   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran activist John Minto believes the protest at Parliament is suffering from a lack of direction.  The occupation is now in its eighth day - with no sign of a resolution or even dialogue.  Minto told Nick Mills it's not entirely clear what the protesters want.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The SPCA has renewed calls for more nationwide legislation to tackle cat management issues.  While it doesn't have a specific plan, the SPCA says cat laws would improve feline welfare and the environment. In Wellington, cat owners are encouraged to keep their pets in at night.  But businessman Gareth Morgan told Nick Mills that does not go far enough and believes domestic cats should be contained...

Friday Faceoff with Jo Coughlan, Managing Director of Silvereye, and Wellington City Councillor Sean Rush: Their thoughts on the protest, how it has been handled, vaccine mandates, Transmission Gully and the upcoming local body elections in Wellington.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In November the Council put forward a proposal to try and fix the controversial cycleway once and for all. On-street parking spaces would be reduced by about 80 to 100 in an effort to improve safety. Submissions on the proposed changes close on Sunday at 5pm. Local businesses are worried that the loss of parking spaces will only make tough times tougher. Empire cinema owner Pat Vinaccia is encoura...

The capital's business sector is calling for more clarity about when Transmission Gully will be open.  The Wellington, Kapiti and Porirua Chambers of Commerce are calling for an urgent independent inquiry into the 1.25 billion dollar motorway.  Another independent review is already underway into a road, but its complete findings won't be out until the project's finished.  Porirua Chamber of Commer...

New Zealand Herald Wellington Issues Reporter Georgina Campbell provides the latest on Transmission Gully and the council walks back late-night parking costs in the capital.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petrol soars to the $3 mark in the capital and NZ Herald Business Editor Hamish Rutherford shares his concerns about Wellington's CBD. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A noisy convoy of cars, trucks and motorbikes has arrived at Parliament, causing major backlogs on the main roads into Wellington.  They're protesting against the Government's ongoing Covid rules and restrictions.  Newstalk ZB reporter Jack Crossland told Nick Mills protestors had made it 'impossible to drive up Molesworth Street'  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pregnant kiwi journalist Charlotte Bellis' fight to come home from Afghanistan, Wellington faces a rates hike and how do we get the most out of our council ahead of the local body election.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses and employees are encouraged to have their say on a proposed income insurance scheme. Workers will be paid up to 80 percent of their salary if they're made redundant, or stop work for medical reasons. It'll be funded by a 1.39 percent levy on both employers and workers. But New Zealand Herald Political Reporter Thomas Coughlan told Nick Mills the timing is all wrong.  LISTEN ABOVE See o...

The Prime Minister has confirmed fully vaccinated Kiwis in Australia can travel home and self-isolate, rather than going into MIQ, from 11.59pm on February 27. Two weeks later, fully jabbed New Zealanders coming from other parts of the world will also be able to travel here without MIQ. Newstalk ZB Chief Political Reporter Jason Walls joined Nick Mills to break down the announcement.  LISTEN ABOVE...

Award winning singer Ali Harper has a show on at Circa at the moment called 'A Natural Woman'. She joined Nick Mills to talk about the show, what it's like to perform in the red traffic light system and even gave us a taste of what audiences can expect.  For tickets head to: https://www.circa.co.nz/package/a-natural-woman /  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.