Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

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Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis. You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few. Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.

Location:

United States

Description:

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis. You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few. Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.

Language:

English

Website:

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/

Episodes

Politics Thursday: Labour's Ayesha Verrall and National's Tim Costley

9/10/2025

On Politics Thursday, Nick was joined by Labour's Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall and National's Otaki MP Tim Costley. They discussed the new Government proposal for a new infringement offence for shoplifting, the annual net migration continuing to fall, and some harrowing statistics around care in Wellington Hospital's Emergency Department. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:21:11

Te Papa CEO Courtney Johnston in studio with Nick Mills

9/9/2025

New Zealand's national museum Te Papa was recently named in the top 1% "Best of the Best attractions worldwide" in the TripAdvisor 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards. The museum on Wellington's waterfront was also labelled the best attraction in New Zealand, and the fifth best attraction in the South Pacific. However, with a slower than expected tourism recovery, Te Papa is forecasting a $13m deficit for the 2025/26 financial year and lowering its visitor target. Te Papa CEO Courtney Johnston joins Nick Mills in studio to talk about the museum's importance to Wellington and what's coming over the next few months. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:20:38

Music Time Sep 9: Tami Neilson's new album; stacked Wellington gig list

9/8/2025

On Music Time this week, James tells Nick if there is one concert he should go to this year then it's this one by Tami Neilson. On this week's slot, they also looked at songs that were made into better hits than the original versions, and they look at more gigs happening around the city in the coming months. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:08:51

NZ First Leader Winston Peters with Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings

9/8/2025

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Wellington's incoming council needs to bring the vibrancy back to the city. He spoke with Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings about how the city can be brought back to life, and offered his views on the current city leaders. Peters also discussed his party's compulsory Kiwisaver policy, and whether former Labour Minister Stuart Nash is likely to stand for NZ First at the next Election. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:19:26

Business Panel: Jon Duffy and Renaye Huia

9/7/2025

This week's business panel takes a look at real estate and hot consumer issues, with Nick Mills joined in studio by Ray White Real Estate agent Renaye Huia, and Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:11

Friday Faceoff: Phil O'Reilly and Justin Lester with Nick Mills

9/4/2025

On Friday Faceoff, Nick was joined by Dot Loves Data director and former Wellington Mayor Justin Lester, along with Iron Duke Partners Managing Director Phil O'Reilly. They discussed whether Wellington's City to Sea Bridge should be saved, the poll results showing Andrew Little significantly ahead in the Wellington Mayoral race, and whether former Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Helen Clark should have attended recent commemorations in China. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:32:37

Politics Thursday September 4: Ginny Andersen and Mike Butterick

9/3/2025

On Politics Thursday, Nick Mills was joined by Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and National's Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick. They discussed former Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Helen Clark attending a military parade hosted by China to commemorate 80 years since the eight-year Japanese invasion of China in 1937. Also on the agenda was the latest report on the hold-ups in the justice system, New Zealand's involvement in the Paris Climate agreement and whether the new exemption on the foreign home buyer ban will trigger a rise in all house prices. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:20:48

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins on Foreign home buyer rules, Peeni Henare's by-election chances

9/2/2025

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says his party would 'take a closer look' at whether the exemption to the foreign home buyers' ban could be overturned by his party. Hipkins told Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings he's unsure whether legislation would allow it to be overturned. In his monthly catch up with Wellington Mornings, Hipkins also discussed the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, whether he's taking speculation of a Peeni Henare leadership challenge seriously and what Andrew Little would mean for Wellington if he became Mayor. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:19:46

Friday Faceoff: Wrapping the week with Mark Sainsbury & Brigitte Morten

8/28/2025

On Friday Faceoff, Nick Mills was joined by broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Director at Franks Ogilvie, Brigitte Morten. They discussed the government's announcements on supermarkets, why Transmission Gully needs major repairs so quickly, and what to do with the social problems in Newtown. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:31:42

Politics Thursday: Do latest supermarket announcements go far enough?

8/27/2025

On Politics Thursday this week, National's Tim Costley and Labour's Ginny Andersen debated whether the Government's latest supermarket announcements will genuinely open the door to a third player. They also discussed the new visa to attract business investors to New Zealand, the debate within the National Party about house values, and the repairs needed to the Transmission Gully motorway. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:20:42

Music Time: The 5 best artists of all time

8/25/2025

Who would you name as your top five music artists of all time? Nick and James gave theirs in this week's Music Time. James also took a look ahead to several gigs coming to Wellington, including the lineup announced for Hutt Sounds. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:13

Business Panel July 25: Brock Shute & Roy Callard

8/24/2025

On this week's business panel, Nick was joined by Director & Mortgage Advisor at the Mortgage Advice Company Brock Shute, and Owner & Manager of EmbroidMe Wellington CBD Roy Callard. They discussed how business is tracking for them so far in 2025, and on the back of a stunning weekend in the capital, how much positivity is around at the moment. Also on the agenda, how events in Wellington are having an impact on business, the reaction to last week's OCR cut, and politically how the Government and local body politicians are affecting businesses. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:32:24

Friday Faceoff Aug 22: Maddy Burgess-Smith and Iona Pannett

8/21/2025

On Friday Faceoff, panellists Maddy Burgess-Smith and Iona Pannett responded to comments by Finance Minister Nicola Willis that those criticising the economy are 'merchants of misery' and 'doomsayers'. They also discussed the OCR rate cut, teacher strikes, the $80-million cost blowout for Wellington's sludge plant and whether the age limit for Working Holiday Visas should be raised. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:32:22

Politics Thursday: Ginny Andersen and Mike Butterick on OCR rate cut and teacher strikes

8/20/2025

On Politics Thursday, Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Mike Butterick discuss the new Official Cash Rate, and whether comments by Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis were appropriate. They also looked at the teacher strike, and whether Foreign Minister Winston Peters was right to remove Trevor Mallard as Ambassador to Ireland. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:21:49

Chris Hipkins monthly catchup with Nick Mills

8/19/2025

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins denies that the Labour Party will lose support over his refusal to give evidence in a public session for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19. Dame Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins, Grant Robertson and Dr Ayesha Verrall had refused to front up publicly. But, Hipkins told Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings that he doubts it will affect his party's reputation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:20:22

Friday Faceoff: Nick Leggett and Fleur Fitzsimons talk Covid-19 inquiry, ferry settlement and Chloe Swarbrick

8/14/2025

Chris Hipkins, Ayesha Verrall, Dame Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson have refused to front at public hearings for the second phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response. Are they dodging accountability, or have they answered enough questions? Also, Kiwirail have paid nearly $150 million to Hyundai over the cancelled iRex ferry deal. Is this better than expected? To answer those questions, Infrastructure NZ chief executive and former Porirua mayor Nick Leggett and PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:32:27

Politics Thursday: Ayesha Verrall and Tim Costley debate Covid-19 inquiry, Chloe Swarbrick week-long ban

8/13/2025

Former ministers Chris Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern, Grant Roberston and Ayesha Verrall have refused to front up for public hearings at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19. Are they ducking for cover, or is there a good reason not to show up? Also, yesterday Green's co-leader Chloe Swarbrick was 'named' and booted from the house for a week for saying some government MPs needed to “grow a spine” and support her bill. Was this punishment justified? 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 ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:20:58

Music Time: Was your favourite song actually written by a lesser known group?

8/12/2025

This week on Music Time, James Irwin takes a look at some big hits that were originally written by a lesser known group - and many of them will surprise you! Also, Ed Sheeran is coming to New Zealand for five stadium shows - but can he sell out stadiums elsewhere in the world? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:11:43

Business Panel: Hospitality NZ CEO Steve Armitage and Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young

8/10/2025

They are some of the biggest industries affected by a slumping economy, so how are they holding up in 2025? Unemployment and inflation have both risen in the latest updates, foot traffic in the Wellington CBD is still down, and both sectors are about to be stung with increased costs as the government bans contactless payment surcharges. So, how are retail and hospitality operators feeling, and are they hopeful for something of an economic recovery by year's end? To answer those questions, Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage and Reatil NZ chief executive Carolyn Young joined Nick Mills for the Business Panel. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:32:22

Friday Faceoff: Hamish Rutherford and Jason Walls talk road user charges, waterfront fencing and Willow-Jean Prime

8/7/2025

Education Minister Erica Stanford repeatedly tried to brief and seek input from Labour’s education spokeswoman Willow-Jean Prime about impending NCEA changes - but Prime and Hipkins refused to meet. Is this what we expect from the opposition? Also, the Wellington City Council has voted against a proposal to install fencing along Wellington's waterfront after a recommendation from the coroner. Is this the right call? To answer those questions, BRG senior consultant and former chief press secretary to Christopher Luxon Hamish Rutherford and Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:32:38