Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

On Friday Faceoff this week, Nick was joined by ex-Wellington Mayor and Dot Loves Data director Justin Lester, and Raygun co-founder John-Daniel (JD) Trask. They discussed the fallout over the past week from mayoral candidate Ray Chung's infamous email, the Prime Minister's latest criticisms of Wellington and how the city's thriving with a handful of top sporting events. Listen live to Faceoff each Friday at 11am on Newstalk ZB. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday, National's Otaki MP and Labour Wellington Issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall debate the revelation the Retail Crime Advisory Group cost 500-thousand dollars in just 102 days. They also discussed the continuing controversy around the Wellington Mayoral race, and whether Christopher Luxon's comments this week about Wellington were fair. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington football fans are in for an exciting weekend, with the famous Wrexham AFC journeying to Wellington to face our very own Phoenix. The Welsh team rose in popularity after it was bought by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, and later featuring in the documentary Welcome to Wrexham. The football-mad Wilce family were born and raised in Wrexham, Wales, but have been proud to call Wellington home since 2018. Mum Dawn Wilce joined Nick Mills to talk about her time in Wrexham and how excited her family is ahead of Saturday's match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is 40 years since the greatest concert of all time - Live Aid. Wellington Mornings music man James Irwin joined Nick to talk the very best and worst of of the event, as well as revisiting Aussie rockers The Superjesus and pondering why Lorde isn't coming to Wellington. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington has had a smashing weekend with the All Blacks, 10cc and the NBL semi-final in town - but is the city really on the up? And how much does the city's economy rely on big events? Also, we learnt last week 30,000 Kiwis moved to Australia last year alone. How do we keep our young talent in New Zealand - and can we compete with the attraction of Australia? To answer those questions, WellingtonNZ's head of business growth Jackson Hapeta and Trinity Group director Jeremy Smith (owner of Trinity Hotel, Lulu and others) joined Nick Mills for the Business Panel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of people aged 15-24 without a job has jumped to 16% - nearly one in five. It comes as businesses continue to face tough economic times - with many businesses not wanting to take a risk on a young person. To talk about the figures, economist and Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen joined Nick Mills to discuss the news. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both Labour and Te Pati Māori have selected their candidates to run in the Tamaki Makaurau by-election - a race necessitated by the death of incumbent MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. So how tight is the race expected to be? Also, Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick has admitted her loyalties lay with the Act party while at university. How many other examples are there of MPs having vastly different political views as a young person? Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung sent a sordid email to some council colleagues in 2023, claiming mayor Tory Whanau had drug-fuelled “tempestuous sex” in an orgy, and making reference to her having “pendulous soft breasts”. The email has only surfaced today - but does it rule Ray Chung out as a serious mayoral contender? Also, the All Blacks take on France in the second test at Sky Stadium tomorrow night. How important are these events for the city, and what can we expect from both teams? To answer those questions, former Wellington mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast and current Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy joined Nick Mills on Friday Faceoff, live from the Champions Lunch at Takina. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks take on France in the second test in Wellington tomorrow night - and the city is buzzing ahead of the game. The The 28th Cello Champions Charity Luncheon was held on Friday ahead of the event, with a stellar line up of former All Blacks including Frank Bunce and Josh Kronfeld. Frank Bunce played 69 All Black games - including 55 tests - between 1992 and 1997, while Josh Kronfeld played 56 All Blacks games - including 54 tests - between 1995 and 2000. The pair joined Nick Mills to share their memories of the infamous 1995 Rugby World Cup, as well as their predictions ahead of the All Blacks' second test against the French tomorrow night. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cello Champions Charity Luncheon is being held in Wellington for it's 28th year - and Nick Mills was at the Takina Convention Centre broadcasting live ahead of the event. The luncheon is in aid of Life Flight - and former Blackcap and Life Flight ambassador Grant Elliot and luncheon organiser Ian Klinac joined Nick to discuss the event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been just over two years since Wellington's brand new $180 million conference centre Takina opened - and it's attracted plenty of events. But there have been some reports that its struggling to attract as many events as first anticipated. Wellington City Council's Chief Economic and Engagement Officer Anna Calver joined Nick Mills, live from Takina, to discuss the first two years of the centre's operation and what's instore for the future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks take on France in the second test in Wellington tomorrow night - and the city is buzzing ahead of the game. Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine today hosted the Champions Luncheon at Takina - and will be broadcasting live from Shed 22 tomorrow ahead of the test. He joined Nick Mills to share his predictions for the game. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second phase of the Royal Commision into the government's response to Covid-19 is underway - but Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the investigation was intentionally designed to give conspiracy theorists a platform. Is this a fair comment - and should Hipkins and former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern front up at the inquiry? Also, Resources Minister Shane Jones is not happy with DOC. They have declined an application to extend an Otago gold mine because the mining company didn't have a proper lizard management plan, with 700 jobs at risk according to the mining company. What's more important - jobs or lizards? To answer those questions, Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and National's Otaki MP Tim Costley joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a new ferry in Wellington Harbour - and it looks remarkably similar to an existing one. Bluebridge's new ferry Livia has arrived in the capital - the sister ship to the existing Connemara vessel already operated by Bluebridge. The ship, built in 2008, was previously operated by a ferry line in Europe, but has since had a fresh lick of paint and is currently undergoing internal renovations ahead of its first voyage across the Cook Strait in about two weeks. Nick was invited on a tour of the new ship, as well as a chat with Bluebridge/Strait NZ chief executive Shane McMahon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The organisation tasked with helping to grow the Wellington region's economy has a new boss - and he says Wellington needs to focus more on its successes, rather than it's struggles. Mark Oldershaw took over the reins at WellingtonNZ a month ago and joined Nick Mills to discuss the role of the organisation, the state of the region, and some exciting major events at Sky Stadium that hopefully will be announced soon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's an exciting gig coming to Wellington this week – especially if your heydey was in the 70s. 10cc is returning to the capital on Friday night to play a gig at the Opera House, performing classic hits like The Things We Do For Love, Dreadlock Holiday and I'm Not In Love. 10cc was formed in 1972 - after frontman and songwriter Graham Gouldman had begun his career writing hits for The Hollies and Herman's Hermits. The band has had twelve songs reach the UK Top 40 - including three number-one hits. Gouldman joined Nick Mills to discuss the band's legacy and the inspiration behind their biggest hits. 10cc perform at the Wellington Opera House this Friday, July 11. Tickets from Ticketmaster. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the second week of the winter recess at Parliament - known around the building as one of the quietest weeks in politics of the year. But despite many politicians taking the week off or working back in their electorates, there's still work being done in the halls of power - including public submissions on the Regulatory Standards Bill today. What does the bill do, and why has it been so controversial? Also, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says it's possible the government could introduce mandatory sentences for some crimes. What could this look like? Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local elections are less than four months away now, and nominations officially opened today. But with four races in Wellington with hot favourites, are we less excited than we have been in previous years? Also, Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul wants some of the city's statues pulled down, including the William Wakefield monument on the bank of the Basin Reserve, claiming we shouldn't have statues of "thieving criminal colonisers". Is she right? To answer those questions, PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons and Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Robertson has named his first All Blacks 23 of the year, to face France at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night. France have won their past three tests against the All Black - but could that winning streak end this weekend as Robertson's men face a French side missing some of their stars? Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and Wellington's All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills to give their takes ahead of the game. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has announced three new law and order policies this week, including increased penalties for coward punches, assaulting first responders and shoplifting. But what impact will these changes have? Also, Act and New Zealand First have shot down Finance Minister Nicola Willis' plans for a policy costing unit. Is this something we should have? National's Otaki MP Tim Costley and Labour's revenue and associate finance spokeswoman Dr Deborah Russell joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader and Remutaka MP Chris Hipkins says he is sceptical of the idea the Interislander could be privatised. It comes after a cabinet paper obtained by the Herald floated the possibility of partially or fully privatising the ferry service. Hipkins joined Nick Mills for his monthly catch-up, where the pair also discussed the state of the economy, whether weight-loss 'wonder drugs' should be funded, and the government's recent law and order announcements. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well-known Wellington personality Ken Laban has thrown his hat in the ring to be Lower Hutt's next mayor. The 68-year-old has spent his career as a police officer, later becoming a commentator with TVNZ and Sky Sport. Since 2013 he has served as a Greater Wellington Regional Councillor. He grew up in Wainuiomata with sister Dame Winnie Laban, a former Labour cabinet minister. Laban joined Nick Mills to discuss why he's chosen to run for the city's top job. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says New Zealand has not “escaped the aftershocks of world events” as new data shows hardship rising and more Kiwis struggling to pay the bills. Speaking to Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills about the state of the economy, Willis acknowledged it had been “a tough time”. “Things were starting to come along and then come April there were some reasonably significant announcements by the US President that sent ramifications through the world”, Willis said. Donald Trump's April “Liberation Day” announcement saw sweeping tariffs introduced for more than 125 countries, including 10% on imports coming from New Zealand. Willis said business confidence has been impacted as a result and growth forecasts have been downgraded.“Little old New Zealand, just recovering, has been really impacted by that.” She said in spite of the global uncertainty growth is still forecast to improve, but “we haven't escaped the aftershocks of global events”. Credit reporting agency Centrix released its June Credit Indicator today. It showed household arrears were levelling out while hardship and company liquidations were on the rise. Nearly 50,000 individual billpayers were in financial hardship, an increase of 300 from May, and 14% more than a year ago, Centrix said. An uptick in hardship began in November 2022, and today's figures “continues a steady upward trend”, Centrix managing director Keith McLaughlin said. “I don't deny those numbers, as you say, they're facts and I meet enough New Zealanders each week to know there are still a lot of people doing it tough”, Willis said. She said it comes at a time when New Zealand is at its “peak unemployment”. “When unemployment is higher, of course that is when you see people unable to pay their bills”, Willis said. On the increase in business liquidations, which Centrix recorded as being up 27% on last year's figures, Willis said that there would be a variety of reasons for that and disputed the Government was responsible. Asked by Mills if her government could have done more to assist struggling businesses, she said there were “certainly things we could have done which would have made it harder for them”. Willis pointed to moves like tax cuts, cutting red tape, and the investment boost policy, which she said are benefiting small businesses. Wellington's ‘disappointing chapter' Willis, a lifelong Wellingtonian, was asked about the state of the capital. She responded by criticising Wellington City Council for having had “its eye completely off the ball”. “It feels to me like a place that needs a fresh start”, she said. Willis believes the city still has “cool things” going for it like smart tenacious people, the native bush, and the city's hospitality scene, but said “man oh man have we mucked up” with regard to council decision-making. She said the council must be focused on keeping rates low. It comes after the council approved a 12% rates increase for the 2025/2026 year. “It seems to me that the council has not been focused on that mission and at the same time has been quite distracted by what I would say are interesting political debates.” She said the city has been in a “disappointing chapter”. Asked whether she is excited by any of those running in the upcoming local election, Willis said she does not endorse candidates but is looking for two things. The first was getting rates rises under control. “That means actually being prepared to stop doing some things, we've had to do that as a government”, Willis said.The second thing she was looking for in candidates was policy that is “genuinely pro-business”, citing Wellington's disproportionately high commercial rates. She also spoke on the Golden Mile project saying while she understands the vision, now is not the time.“I'm looking for councillors who are pledging to be disciplined about the way they spend ratepayer money”, Willis said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a big weekend of music on Worth Farm in Somerset, England as the 2025 Glastonbury music festival was held. This week Nick and James dissect the highlights of the festival, argue about an audio-visual experience that is coming to Wellington this month, and listen to Liam Finn's latest album Hyperverse. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's exactly halfway through 2025 - six months ago the catch phrase of the Wellington business community was 'survive til 25'. Are our businesses still struggling halfway through the year? Also, have tourism numbers in Wellington bounced back to pre-Covid levels, and can Kiwi consumers and businesses cope with the increasing costs of flights? To answer those questions, Business Central/Wellington Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Arcus and Travel Agents Association CEO Julie White joined Nick Mills for the Business Panel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legislation will soon be introduced bolstering the maximum sentences for those who assault first responders and Corrections offices. Will it be supported across Parliament? Also, a New Zealand First MP has announced her resignation from Parliament after just 18 months. Why is she leaving? To answer those questions, Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OPINION Well, we've got a new idea from Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul and you better brace yourself for this one. She was in the paper over the weekend - not advocating for Wellingtonians, for our economy, our businesses or our vulnerable people. She's advocating for something else entirely. She wants to strip prominent statues around Wellington of their heritage status. She wants these statues bowled. She wants to strip Wellington of its history. Now I can tell you Tamtha's got her sights firmly on the William Wakefield monument at the Basin Reserve. You know the one; the white Greek dome on the bank. She also wants to get rid of the bronze bust of Edward Wakefield on Mount Victoria. She also doesn't like the Queen Victoria statue between Cambridge and Kent Terrace. These three people are, according to our local MP, “thieving criminal colonisers". This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard coming out of Tamatha Paul's mouth, and remember, she's the Green MP who wants to defund the police. Imagine what's going to come out of Tamatha Paul's mouth next. I can guarantee you it'll be nothing about Wellington's struggles. Remember she's not your average Green MP who is elected on the party list. She is Wellington Central's local MP, elected by the people of the city. Why is our local MP focused on something like this? Now looking at what she wants to do here, it'll be a difficult feat for Tamatha to pull off. She'd have to pass an amendment to the Resource Management Act the same way Chris Bishop removed the heritage status from the Gordon Wilson flats, paving the way for the building's demolition. She'd have to persuade a majority of her fellow MPs to vote for her amendment, something that is not likely to happen. But that aside, why is she even talking about this? I wonder how she would feel if we talked about pulling down the statues of some of the more controversial Maori leaders? Questionable history isn't limited to just colonial leaders. I think we can all appreciate that times were different in the 1800s. The conduct of some people we have statues of are far from acceptable. But it's our history. Should we just forget about it? Should we actively destroy it? At a time when we're trying to rebuild Wellington and our economy, should our local MP be looking at doing something so destructive as to pull down parts of our history? I personally love the statue of Queen Victoria on Cambridge and Kent Terraces, and I want the opportunity for us to have a piece of history that we can celebrate. And remember these memorials were created by previous generations of Wellingtonians. I can't even believe that we are talking about something so important to our history as the capital city. I think Tamatha Paul is way off the mark here, and it would be a slight on our history to get rid of things we should be celebrating. We need as a city more of our history to celebrate rather than denigrate. And I say to our local MP, sit down, maybe meet with some Wellington leaders, people in businesses or our charities. Get an idea from them about the real issues. I can guarantee you none of them care about a few statues. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A social housing block that has sat empty in central Wellington for more than a decade will soon lose its heritage status - and there's hopes it could be demolished this side of Christmas. The Gordon Wilson flats on The Terrace have sat empty since 2012, with Victoria University buying the land in 2014. But the buildings held heritage status, making permission to demolish the buildings difficult to acquire. But now the government will progress legislation to remove the flats' heritage status, allowing demolition. “The amendment will remove the flats' protected heritage status and will make its demolition a permitted activity under the RMA. This means the building can finally be demolished, without a resource consent,“ Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. He joined Nick Mills to discuss the decision. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Business Panel, Nick was joined by two second-generation Wellington business owners. On the agenda was the state of the city, potential changes to sick leave, and the mood amongst the business community about upcoming local elections. Listen to Dragonfly owner Tania Siladi and Nada Bakery owner Michael Gray above. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon departs early tomorrow morning for China, leading a business delegation to Shanghai, where he hopes to boost the country's profile as a tourism and education destination. He'll also meet with president Xi Jinping. So what is he hoping to achieve on the trip? Also, Luxon hinted this morning at possible changes to legislation surrounding sick leave entitlement. Could the government revert back to the five days sick leave that was in place prior to the last government changing the law? Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Curia poll has seen Labour overtake National, albeit by a very slim margin. Is it realistic to think Labour could form a government after next year's election? Also, despite soon having a new water entity, Wellington's water bills from the second half of this year will be the equivalent of $50 a week - and by 2033 the bills will reach $20 a day. Can Wellingtonians afford this? To answer those questions, former Porirua mayor and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett and political commentator Ben Thomas joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hurricanes are officially out of the Super Rugby Pacific competiton, losing to the Brumbies in Canberra over the weekend. How did they perform this season - and who is likely to take out the competition now? Also, golfer Ryan Fox has picked up his second major. What does the future hold for him? All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Fieldays this week - and it coincides with a poll finding just 3 per cent of farmers support Labour, while 54 per cent back National. Why is National seemingly the party of farmers? Also, should farmers be able to use their Kiwisaver to purchase their first farm or herd? To answer those questions, Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and National's Mike Butterick, live from Fieldays, joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Hospitals Foundation has launched its annual Jammies in June appeal to support children in hospitals around the region. Demand for pyjamas is even higher this year, with the foundation hoping to collect 3400 pairs of sleepwear. The pyjamas are provided to children arriving at the hospital, as well as to children living in cold damp housing in the community. To discuss the appeal, Wellington Hospitals Foundation CEO Guy Ryan joined Nick Mills. To make a donation, visit whf.org.nz, or drop a pair of new flannelette pyjamas at Wellington, Kenepuru or Hutt hospitals. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest report from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is out - and it doesn't make for good reading. Suicide rates remain high, with no significant decrease since 2018. Also, fatal drug overdoses rose by 88% between 2016 and 2023, and 16,000 fewer people accessed specialist mental health and addiction services in the 2023/23 financial year compared to 2020/21. So are we actually making progress on improving our mental health system, and what does the government plan to do? Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey joined Nick Mills to discuss the findings. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is Men's Health Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness of the health struggles men face. Every day, eight Kiwi families lose a much-loved partner, father, brother or grandfather to a preventable disease. Even worse - one in four Kiwi men won't live to retirement age. Men's Health Week ambassador and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined Nick Mills to talk about the week of awareness. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the Loemis winter festival begins in Wellington with multiple events incorporating music, dance, food and art across the region until June 21. One of those shows will see iconic Wellington musician and Oscar winner Bret McKenzie and his band the State Highway Wonders taking the stage. Bret McKenzie and Loemis festival director Andrew Laking joined Nick in the studio to discuss the festival. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the worlds greatest George Michael tribute acts is on his way to Wellington and while Wellington Mornings' music man James Irwin is a fan of tribute acts, Nick certainly isn't. Are tribute acts good or a gimmick? James also takes a look at the albums turning 25 this year, and upcoming gigs in the capital. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Blacks captain Stu Wilson has died, aged 70. Wilson, who could play centre or wing, made 85 appearances for the All Blacks between 1976-83, including 34 tests, two of which he captained. He made nine overseas tours, including that with the 1978 Grand Slam team which beat all four Home Unions. He was captain in all eight matches of the 1983 tour of England and Scotland. He also represented Wellington at provincial level, where he played 89 matches, scoring 54 tries between 1975-84. During his time, Wellington would win two National Provincial titles in 1978 and 1981, the latter year also saw them hold the Ranfurly Shield. Legendary rugby commentator Grant Nisbett, a friend of Wilson's, joined Nick Mills to reflect on his legacy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's deputy press secretary Michael Forbes has resigned after allegations he recorded audio of sessions with sex workers, and captured photos of women in compromising positions. But despite complaints being investigated by police in July last year, Luxon was never informed. Should he have been told? Also, there have been 63 Kainga Ora tenancies terminated in the last ten months after complaints of unruly behaviour. But those properties were the homes of 52 children - has enough consideration been given to the welfare of these kids? To answer those questions, Labour's health and Wellington issues spokeswoman Ayesha Verrall and National's Otaki MP Tim Costley joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday Nick was invited by Arts, Culture and Heritage minister Paul Goldsmith to tour the Wellington Town Hall project - the $329m project funded by the Wellington City Council to bring the city's hall back to its former glory. The town hall was also be home to the National Music Centre, housed in the basement of the hall underneath the stage. While the redevelopment of the hall is funded by the council, the National Music Centre has been jointly funded by the NZ Symphony Orchestra, Victoria University, Wellington City Council and the government. While there, Nick spoke to Goldsmith and new NZSO chief executive Marc Feldman. LISTEN AND WATCH ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two new polls have different results - one with the current government in power, the other showing the opposition in power. But is Labour actually ready for government - and does the party have decent relationships with potential coalition partners? To answer those questions, Labour leader and Remutaka MP Chris Hipkins joined Nick Mills in the studio. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.