Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Nick Mills wraps the year with former Wellington Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast and legendary broadcaster and journalist Mark Sainsbury. Are we in for a positive turn around with the new GDP growth? They face off live at Prefab, about the outlook going into the new year. Prendergast and Sainsbury then face off on the issues of the week, including the council's sludge levy mistake. What do they think of it? Should there be penalties? As well as the new merger MCERT and subsequent job losses, McSkimming's sentence, Avatar, James Cameron's worries for our film industry and the Phoenix –how are we looking, and what do our guests think of Nick's idea to move the team to Christchurch. Then it's Christmas time! What are Sainsbury and Prendergast doing for the holidays plus they give their highlights and lowlights for the year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Nick Mills live at Prefab for a look back on our economy this year. They reflect on the year that has been, and their hopes for the next year, election year. Why is the Willis v Richardson debate not happening? Is the GDP rise a sign of hope? Nick asks Nicola Willis the big questions. And they get in the Christmas spirit with some gift giving. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills is joined in studio by National Otaki MP Tim Costley and Labour MP and spokesperson for Health and Wellington Issues Ayesha Verrall. We get into the Christmas spirit with our guests, what's their plans for their Christmas break and highlight from the year. As well as getting into the political issues from the week like the latest GDP announcement, surplus announcement, Health NZ efficiency targets, M-CERT merger plus the Avatar premiere and James Cameron's concerns about the future of the series. Is Wellington at risk of losing Weta? What will the government do to help? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Promoter and broadcast legend Stewart Macpherson joins Nick Mills in the studio to discuss the Stetson group's new Michelangelo exhibition. The exhibition at Takina opens on Monday 22nd December and offers visitors an experience of the art in the Sistine Chapel, without forking out for flights to Rome. They talk about what people can see from the exhibition as well as the tours from Christopher Longhurst, a former guide at the Vatican. Get tickets here: Buy Tickets - MICHELANGELO - A Different View LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills asks CEO of Infrastructure NZ Nick Leggett, is M-CERT a good plan? The merger of the Ministries of transport, environment, housing and urban development and the local government's Internal Affairs, will make the new ministry M-CERT. Nick Leggett tells us how this will effect outcomes, productivity and how the future of NZ will look from it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas carols are back with Nick Tansley in the studio with Nick Mills. The Nicks discuss Carols by Candlelight, the vibe in Wellington this Christmas, then live in studio Nick Tansley sings a medley of his favourite Christmas songs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sent our newsreader Max Towle to interview acclaimed director James Cameron before the premiere of his new film Avatar: Fire and Ash. Max sat down with the legend to ask him about the film, the future of the franchise and what makes Wellington special to him. LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with Wellington City Councillor Andrea Compton and Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul. Wellington's big day approaches – what are Paul and Compton excited for this weekend? Avatar, Te Papa, Cricket, Football, plenty going on in the capital this weekend. They then face off with Nick over the issues of the week, including their thoughts on Andrew Little's mayoralty, Wellington's rates, the state of cancer report, the disability carers supreme court case, their hot or nots for the week. Plus, who will win in the potential Willis v Richardson finance debate. And is a social media ban in NZ a good idea? Find out what they think on Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Newstalk ZB's All Sports Breakfast Adam Cooper and Nick Mills are joined by ZB's cricket reporter Andrew Alderson to chat about the Black Caps test. What's the vibe at the basin this weekend, Alderson tells us all about the last few days, and how the coming ones are looking. Adam and Nick also discuss the Hurricanes. What will Gillies bring to the team, plus a new coaching addition. And, how will the Phoenix and Saints go this weekend? Find out on this week's Friday Sports Kickoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little, chair of the Wellington Mayoral forum, chats with Nick Mills to discuss talks of amalgamating. Talks between the councils in the greater Wellington region have begun, Nick asks when will it happen and what is the latest update on progress. Mayor Little also discusses the upcoming premiere of Avatar, and the big weekend Wellington has coming up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick and Labour MP and spokesperson for health Ayesha Verrall. They discussed the potential for NZ to follow Australia in banning social media for under 16s and other regulations. Verrall and Butterick then hit the other big political news of the week including Coster blaming Mark Mitchell and Chris Hipkins for getting McSkimming too late, as well as RMA changes and ACC going back on working from home orders. Also, they give their take on who will win the financial debate between Nicola Willis and Ruth Richardson. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singer Frankie Stevens joins Nick Mills in the studio for a chat before his event at Carols in the Park at Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt this Saturday. Then we are treated to his rendition of Blue Christmas - live in the studio. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Hurricanes Rugby Chair Malcolm Gillies joins Nick Mills on the show to discuss his plans for bringing the Hurricanes back from financial despair. Yesterday it was announced that Gillies will take over as Chair with a 50% stake in the team. Nick asks what his plans are for changing the team for the better. More visibility in the community? Changes to the cities stadiums? Gillies shares his plans. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on music time, Nick and James showcase a local songwriting talent with a connection to one of the biggest music superstars of a generation. They also go deep down the rabbit hole with some of the oddest and kooky Christmas tunes from around the world. As well as James' top Christmas song at the moment. LISTEN ABOVE Listen to Ali Whitton's music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2UWB732JnsuIC2YKluorqBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the Business Panel this week, Nick chats to two business owners who have moved from the CBD out to Khandallah to see how is business better out in the suburbs? Nick is joined by Julie Gubbs from Gubbs Shoes and Sheila Murray-Hamilton from Hamilton & Murray Boutique. They discuss their businesses, what they do, and how it's going at the moment out in Khandallah. What was the tipping point that made them move out? Would they move back to the CBD? Have things changed in the city since they've had their businesses? They also gave their advice on starting businesses in Wellington, how to keep up with the trends and the difference between local small businesses and chain operations. Sheila and Julie also give their take on the government and council from a small business perspective. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with former WCC Councillor and Infratil chairman Tim Brown and Regional Councillor, photographer and former WCC Councillor Simon Woolf. Is hey an okay introduction over email? What do they think of the RMA reform changes for local government? How's Matt Prosser doing as WCC CEO? Brown and Woolf face off with Nick over the issues of the week, including their thoughts on the Deloitte's report – and Brown's doubts. Plus, their hot and nots from the week. And amalgamation, is the RMA leading there? They discuss how this would work and what they think should be done? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Newstalk ZB's sport gurus Adam Cooper and Jason Pine join Nick to discuss the latest in sport this week. With excitement building for Phoenix and Auckland FC Derby game, they talk about their predictions for tomorrow, plus chat about the next T20 They also discuss the Tokomanawa Queens upcoming game in Porirua this weekend, and their gift giving initiative for the Kindness collective. Bring an unwrapped toy and get free entry to the game. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Labour MP Kieran McAnulty. They discussed Minister Watts' announcement that councils' rates rise will be limited to 2% - 4%. Watts and McAnulty then hit the other big political news of the week including RMA reforms for Regional Councils, water reform and amalgamation. As well as public service payouts and Andrew Coster's resignation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick is joined by Wellington City Council CEO Matt Prosser for the first time in the studio. After 7 months in the job we hear how it's going for Prosser, particularly after the Deloitte report. How will he change the city, and make it a better place to be? We find out, as Nick asks him about the latest reports, AI use in council, and regional councils – and the likely hood of amalgamation. Plus, how the council plans to deal with the rates cap – LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour Leader and MP for Rimutaka, Chris Hipkins joins Nick Mills in the studio for their final monthly catch up for 2025. Hipkins discusses the mood in Labour before the end of the year and after the Labour conference in Auckland. He explains the new GP clinic loan scheme and discusses his thoughts on the rates cap and regional council changes from the Government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor Andrew Little is in studio for his last of the monthly catch ups for 2025 with Nick Mills. He answers questions from Nick and listeners on the state of the city and the latest in council news. They discuss regional council changes, the Golden Mile review, the Deloitte report plus the $48 billion cost of local water reforms. And on December 13th James Cameron brings the Avatar Fire and Ash Australasia premiere to our city. How are the council preparing for this day – which also included a cruise ship arrival, black caps test and Te Papa exhibition opening. Will Wellington be ready? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local councils will have to foot the $48 billion bill for the Government's new water reform ‘Local Water Done Well'. Nick Mills talks with Chairman of Tiaki Wai Metro Water Will Peets on how the reforms will work. They discuss the effects on ratepayers, how the bills will work, the change from Wellington Water and the appointment of new CEO Michael Brewer. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with former Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy and lawyer and former MP Stephen Franks. They get into the hot topics of the week starting with the latest OCR cut then into the proposed reform of regional councils. Guppy and Franks also discuss the Tom Phillips inquiry, Luxon's leadership coup rumours, Nationals police target and give their hots and nots for the week. Plus, the Wellington City Council Deloitte's report. What should, and will Mayor Andrew Little and CEO Matt Prosser do? Stephen Franks and Wayne Guppy share their thoughts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, All Sports Breakfast host Adam Cooper joins Nick Mills to discuss the latest in sport – including the Phoenix. They dissect what is going wrong with the Phoenix and the crowd sand discuss their game this weekend. They also chat about The Tall Blacks upcoming games and Golf for Good out in Kapiti starting this weekend. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Labour MP Ginny Andersen and National's Ōtaki MP Tim Costley. They discussed the latest cut in the Official Cash Rate, how this will impact Kiwis and if we are beginning to see changes in the economy. Costley and Andersen also hit the big political news of the week including Nicola Willis's statement that National may repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill. As well as leadership coup rumours, how far the coalition agreements can span, regional councils and what is going on in the Wellington North electorate race. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEO of Infometrics and economist Brad Olsen joins Nick Mills to talk about the latest cut to the Official Cash Rate. He gives his thoughts on the state of the economy, and how it will effect Kiwis. He also discusses the bank reaction and liquidations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party could join coalition partner NZ First and campaign on repealing the Regulatory Standards Act at the next election, deputy leader Nicola Willis says. This is despite the law, which was pushed by the Act Party during coalition talks, being less than a month old, and having been passed into law with votes from both National and NZ First. Speaking to Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills on Newstalk ZB, Willis said National had not “come up with what our party position will be after the election”. “We haven't ruled out repealing it either. We haven't taken a position yet, but it's not impossible that we would go to the campaign trail saying, ‘yes, we met our coalition commitment, we supported that into law, but actually we agree with the concerns of some people, it hasn't operated as we'd hoped and we want to repeal it'. “We haven't come to a position yet, but we haven't ruled it out.” NZ First leader Winston Peters shocked the coalition last week when he said his party would campaign on repealing the law it had just helped to pass. His position is that the coalition obliged his party to pass the law, but his party is free to repeal it in the next Parliament. Willis said she was “comfortable” with this position. “They joined the Cabinet, they used their votes to ensure it is passed into law – they did their bit,” Willis said. Willis is not the only National MP to float repealing the law. Last week, when her colleague Chris Bishop was asked what the party was thinking, he replied, “you'll see our policy going into the election”. “I'm not going to give you a commitment on National policy,” he said. All three opposition parties say they will repeal the law if they have the numbers next term. Labour MP Duncan Webb has even submitted a member's bill to the ballot which, if drawn, would give NZ First the opportunity to repeal the law this term of parliament. Peters, however, described this as game-playing and said he would not be supporting the effort. Act leader David Seymour attacked Peters' about-turn on the law, saying it looked as though Peters was gearing up to join another Labour-led coalition, something Peters has said he would not do while Chris Hipkins was leader of the party. The Regulatory Standards Act is designed to improve the quality of government regulation by establishing a set of principles for what constitutes “good regulation”. Part of the controversy surrounding the law is the fact these principles are closely aligned to Act's political worldview and do not constitute more universally recognised principles of good regulation. The act is also controversial for the creation of a regulations board that acts as an assessor of compliance against these principles, although power to act on what the board says ultimately still rests with ministers and Parliament. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dwell Housing CEO Elizabeth Lester joins Nick Mills to discuss the new initiative to help homelessness in the Wellington CBD. Dwell is partnering with Downtown Community Ministry (DCM) to provide more support to our homeless population in Wellington. Lester discusses what the programme has accomplished so far and the future for the city if it were to be expanded. 40 homes are being supplied, Dwell and DCM say they now hope the Government will back an expansion of the programme. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stand-up comic and actor Alan Davies joins Nick Mills to discuss his new show touring Aotearoa next year. The pair chat about his career history - including Jonathan Creek, his inspirations, what keeps him going, his family and discuss the All Blacks, England rugby feud. Davies tells Nick about his memories of NZ and what he's looking forward to this time around when he comes on his tour in 2026. Alan Davies will be performing his tour 'Think Ahead', in Wellington, Saturday 8 August at the Michael Fowler Centre General public tickets go on sale on Thursday, November 27 at 1pm. For tickets and more information, please head to livenation.co.nz LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills is joined by Dane Ambler, executive director of Buy NZ Made to discuss the new finding from Xerox that if 10% of kiwi's spending was local - it would inject $11 billion into our economy. They talk about the campaigning days of the organisation, the impact of buying local for kiwis, and the future of NZ businesses. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEO of Masters Builders Ankit Sharma talks to Nick Mills about the new building consumer protections announced by the government yesterday. They talk about the impact on master builders, consumers, and the future of construction in NZ. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a Hutt special Business Panel this week, Nick is joined by Henry Hutcheon, owner of Plenty Foods, and Sarah Wilson, founder of her own recruitment firm and board member of Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. They discuss their businesses, what they do, and how it's going at the moment. Henry's new supermarket is three weeks old, and Sarah has been in the recruitment agency for twenty-three years and had her own business for eight years – they discuss the differences in starting independent businesses now compared to then. They also gave their thoughts on the new Hutt mayors, and how the councils impact business in the valley. Nick asks our panel what the mood in the Hutt is with business right now, the toughest times in businesses, and their advice on starting an independent business. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week withpolitical commentator and academic Dr Bryce Edwards and lawyer and political commentator Brigitte Morton. They get into the hot topics of the week starting with NZ police culture, the commissioner and the email's sent to the electorate office. Morton and Dr Edwards also discussed the rise in prisoner numbers and the building of new prisons, the new ferry announcement, the Golden Mile, the new state highway improvement plans, the uber court case and give their hots and nots for the week. Plus, Winston Peters and the regulatory standards bill. Could Winston Petersjoina coalition with Labour again? Morton and Dr Edwards give their thoughts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Jason Pine and Adam Cooper join Nick Mills to discuss the latest in sport. They look at the recent All Blacks performance at Twickenham and look forward to this weekend Wales match. They also give the All Blacks a score for the year, take a look at Razor's tenure, discuss Jamie Joseph's future as a coach and give their thoughts on the Phoenix game this weekend and the Ashes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Labour MP Ginny Andersen and National's Ōtaki MP Tim Costley. They discussed the new Cook Strait ferry designs, and price tag and got heated over the end to puberty blockers for young people experiencing gender dysphoria. Costley and Andersen talked about the other political issues of the week including the rising prison numbers and our police culture. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ferry Holdings Ltd Chairperson Chris Mackenzie joined Nick Mills to discuss the new ferry designs and cost, revealed yesterday by Winston Peters. They talked about the changes, the process to get to this decision and the future of the Cook Strait ferries and wharf. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head of Events & Experiences at WellingtonNZ, Heidi Morton chats with Nick Mills on the upcoming event calendar for Wellington. They talk about the importance of events for the city and how WellingtonNZ is working to attract events to the city. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on music time, Nick and James discuss two incredible shows playing live in Wellington - Rhian Sheenan (Friday 21st November at The Great Hall, Massey University) and Sharon Van Etten (Tuesday 25th November at the Opera House). They also celebrate a Kiwi band recently inaugurated in the music hall of fame and go off trail with tales of how to avoid magpie bombings. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aotearoa's legendary activist, artist and now author, Tāme Iti chats to Nick Mills about the release of his new book Mana. He talks to Nick about his legacy, and the fight for Māori rights in this country. They also chat about the state of Te Pati Māori and parliament at the moment. Tāme Iti's autobiography Mana is out now. LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political reporter Azaria Howell joins Nick Mills for Beehive Buzz this week discussing the latest poll results on capital gains tax and the rebrand of The Opportunities Party. Will their new name and leader be enough to hit 5%? For the latest insight into parliament, it's Beehive Buzz with Azaria Howell LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with legendary broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and former minister Peter Dunne. They give their thoughts on the McSkimming IPCA report, Andrew Coster's involvement and how police culture is looking in New Zealand at the moment. Dunne and Sainsbury also discussed the other hot topics from the week like the new drug driving testing, Police Commissioner Chamber's speeding ticket admission, the new $30 million in funding to help deal with the meth crisis, the Te Pati Māori MP expulsion. Also are state-owned asset sales a good idea? Plus, Dunne and Sainsbury give their hots and nots for the week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick Mills and Jason Pine are joined by Elliot Smith, ZB All Blacks commentator, calling in from England to give us his thoughts on the line up for the Twickenham game. They give their predictions for how the boys in black will go this weekend, and the vibe in England at the moment. Nick and Jason also chat about the upcoming All Whites vs Columbia game, Phoenix vs Auckland FC game and the upcoming Phoenix women's game in Porirua this Sunday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.