Claim OwnershipWellington 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.
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.
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Starting tonight 6pm at Fringe Bar, Silver Tongues perform as part of the Wellington Fringe Festival. The group comprising of comedians all over the age of 50 take the stage over 4 nights with their stand up routines "showing that the silver haired are also silver tongued". Nick is joined in the studio by performers Neil Thorton, Ganesh Cherian and Darrell Phillips to talk all thing Fringe, performing, what to expect from the show, and why being old is a source of comedy, not just trauma. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Phoenix striker and Nepalese football star Sabitra Bhandari, also known as Samba, has raised over $57,000 NZD for a surgery. After tearing her ACL, Samba wants $135,000 NZD treatment in Qatar, where she went to previously. The Phoenix insurance policy has offered 25,000 surgery and rehab in NZ, and the Nepalese governing body is contributing $6,000 NZD. Nick speaks with co-founder of Give A Little JD Trask on the purpose of the app, and if this cause is over the line in what is expected from the app. Since this interview Samba has requested supporters stop donating as she has reached her the amount needed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick chats with political commentator Peter Dunne about Labour's State of the Nation speech. What is this year looking like for Labour? Are they playing it safe? Dunne analyses the address to Labour supporters and what this means for their policy announcements coming up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Health NZ has handed out 7000 vapes and over 6500 refills for free in two months. This is part of an intitaive to help smokers quit - and includes a $500k contract to NZ vape company Alt. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths tells Nick what the decision was behind this initiative, what opposers are saying and how this plan compares worldwide. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For our business panel this week Nick is joined in studio by Steve Walters and Mark Quinn Walters is the general manager of Kilbirnie, Lyall Bay and Rongotai Business association and helped establish the iconic Wellington Seven. Quinn is a respected commercial property figure with strong insight into retail, development and business trends across the region. They discuss how the Moa Point sludge disaster is affecting confidence, particularly for east coast businesses already struggling with high rates. How much is council policy helping — or hindering — growth? The panel will also weigh in on intensification, resistance to development, and whether Wellington needs a serious “shot in the arm” to revive confidence. And what would it take to bring back the energy and vibrancy of the Sevens-era glory days? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last weekend, the Phoenix were slammed against Auckland FC, losing 5-0 with an own goal. An hour later manager Giancarlo Italiano resigned. Nick is joined by former All White David Chote to give his insight into the failure of the Phoenix. They chat about heir predictions for a replacement, as well as theorise if Italiano was pushed to resign. Is there enough room for two clubs in NZ? Chote gives his analysis of the match, the goal, and the management. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The government has announced they will give more power to police to "move on" rough sleepers for 24 hours to people as young as 14. Nick speaks to Karl Tiefenbacher who is a Wellington City Councillor and business owner on his perspective from both these lenses. Tiefenbacher shares what the council have been doing to help this issue, and what needs to still be done. And does he agree with Police Association President Steve Watts, who said the police do not have the resources to be able to move people on. And where will they go? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick Mills wraps the week with former MP and Attorney General Chris Finlayson and director of NZ Infrastructure Commission and ex councillor Tim Brown. Moa point continues to be an issue. Is it a long time coming? Brown and Finlayson face off on funding, spending and leadership of the plant and Wellington Water. Then they get into the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. What does this unprecedented scene mean for the future of the royals? And things get fiery over Minister Bishop’s suggestion the government are reconsidering the state highway 1 improvements. We also get their hot or nots of the week plus former minister Finlayson’s thoughts on Seymour’s plan to decrease portfolios and merge ministries. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick is joined by ZB UK correspondent Gavin Grey to get the latest update on the arrest of former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The arrest was made on suspicion allegations the former Prince shared sensitive information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. Grey shares the mood in the UK right now, and how this will impact the future of the royals and their reputation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB’s sports gurus Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. It’s a big weekend for sport in the capital this weekend. The Hurricanes have their first game tonight at Sky Stadium against Moana Pasifika and then the Saturday night the Phoenix are playing Auckland FC at Sky Stadium. The crew discuss how our teams are looking, their predictions and is this a chance for both teams to make a mark? Plus the Firebirds are playing tonight, how's it looking? Find out on Friday Sport kickoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Politics Thursday is back with Labour list MP Ayesha Verrall and National MP for Otaki Tim Costley. They join Nick in the studio to tackle the political issues this week. First up — is the second Mt Victoria tunnel up in the air? Or will congestion charges mean we don't need it? We also confront some tough social issues. The new review from the Independent Children's Monitor shows more should be done when it comes to protecting our children? And with serious dog attacks happening right now, are current laws strong enough, or do they need tightening? Plus do we have too many ministers around the Cabinet table? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To celebrate the Fringe Festival currently taking over the capital, Nick was joined by show creator Arlo MacMillan and 'Geoffrey Beaver'. Beaver is the host of his own show, Geoffrey Beaver Podcast Live! at Fringe as a failed journalist/talkback host/legend trying to make his big comeback. Macmillan also discusses his show The Lizards Lie Within: A Lizardmen Movie Play Musical. They tell Nick about what to expect from their kooky theatre shows, what Fringe offers to Wellington and to them as creatives. LISTEN ABOVE Check out the satirical comedy presented by Geoffrey Beaver at the Gods Paramount on March 1st and 7th. Tickets: Fringe Festival Geoffrey Beaver And The Lizards Lie Within: A Lizardmen Movie Play Musical at Bats Theatre from 25-28th of February. Tickets: Fringe Festival LizardmenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on Music Time Nick and James listen to a stunning new album by a New Zealand musical legend , get excited with the return to our shores of 80s rockers Tranvision Vamp and reveal a not so secret gig by hometown heroes Fat Freddys Drop. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick was joined in the studio by Hurricanes CEO Tony Philp and co-owner Malcolm Gillies to discuss the season ahead. They share their plan ahead to bring back life to the game and initiatives to bring the community back to the team, and the team back into the community. Do we stand a chance at the Super Rugby championship? Plus, they take calls from you on improvements to the fan experience. The first game for the canes is this Friday 20th Feb at 7.05pm at Sky Stadium against Moana Pasifika. Link to tickets here LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick speaks to Sam Bishop, a spokesperson from the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office on the latest update for the storm battering the lower North Island. A link to the NZ Herald live blog is below. Weather live updates: Evacuations as storm hammers lower North Island, thousands without power amid localised flooding - NZ Herald LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Friday Faceoff this week, Nick was joined by former Hutt City Mayor and ex-committee chair of Wellington Water, Campbell Barry, along with broadcaster Mark Sainsbury. They discussed the latest issues and accountability around the Moa Point sewage crisis, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little's pledge to cut commercial rates, the Government's LNG proposals and whether having a degree these days is important. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A major golf event is underway at the Royal Wellington Golf Club. The Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship is being held in New Zealand for the first time. It features more than 80 players from around the world - including 10 New Zealanders - with the winner receiving entries into three women's majors this year. More than 300 people are volunteering for the event. Nick spoke to Royal Wellington general manager Dylan Lindstrom to find out how the course is looking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's Politics Thursday, and today Nick is joined by Tim Costley, National MP for Otaki and Ayesha Verrall, Labour MP and spokesperson for Health and Wellington Issues. Starting with breaking news - parts of Transmission Gully are moving to 110kmph speed limits. Then onto the news of the week including the RBNZ Covid Inquiry - is it a political move or for the good of the country. Our politicians face off about the timing of the results, due six weeks before the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick is joined by Fringe CEO Kim Bailey in the studio to talk about the Wellington Fringe festival - starting this weekend! The festival includes over 150 acts from Wellington and around the world and is on from February 13th to March 7 2026. In it's 36th year the festivals brings theatre and fun to Wellington at many venues all across the city. Kim tells us a bit about the festival, what it brings to Wellington and what acts are a must see this year. Link to tickets and the programme here: Fringe FestivalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on our Business Panel Nick is joined in the studio by mother-daughter Tommy’s real estate duo Alexia and Danielle Stoddart. The panel focuses on the realities of doing business in Wellington’s property market, and how hard is it working with your family? They unpack what it really takes to operate and stay resilient in the capital’s changing property landscape. From market conditions and buyer confidence to the pressures they share their insights— and discuss where the opportunities and risks are as Wellington’s property sector continues to shift. How is the election effecting the property market, and how are people affording homes in the cost of living crisis. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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