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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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.
Newstalk ZB senior political reporter Azaria Howell joins Nick to discuss the week in politics. Azaria breaks down what unfolded over Waitangi Weekend—from speeches and protests to the policy signals shaping the election. Also the announcement of Peeni Henare leaving politics. Are the Greens distancing themselves from Te Pati Māori? As both the greens and labour make a push for the Māori seats, will we see Te Pati Māori in parliament at all next year. And the Moa Point sewage leak – how are our local MP and Prime Minister reacting to this?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Steve Walters is the general manager of Kilbirnie, Rongotai and Lyall Bay business association. He joins Nick on the show to discuss the impact of the Moa Point sewage leak on local businesses, including disruption, financial pressures, and what support business owners are calling for as the situation continues to unfold. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick Leggett is the Chair of Wellington Water. He joins the show to talk through the latest updates on the Moa Point sewage leak, including how the response is progressing, how long we will have to wait till its safe again and what it means for Wellington’s coastline and local communities going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Faceoff was on a Thursday before the long weekend, and Nick was joined by Capital NZ Director, and Jacinda Ardern's former chief of staff Neale Jones, along with BRG senior consultant, and former chief press secretary to Chris Luxon, Hamish Rutherford. They discussed the major failure of Wellington's Moa Point treatment plant, what to expect politically from Waitangi Day, and possible coalition agreements after this year's election. Also on the agenda was this week's driver licensing changes, and has Petone's Jackson Street taken the "cool" away from Wellington's Cuba Street? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A grim prediction, as Wellington Water crews return to the city's wastewater treatment plant to determine what's caused Wednesday's catastrophic failure. Heavy rain's caused the Moa Point plant to shutdown, sending wastewater into the capital's South Coast. Crews are trying to ascertain the full impact of the flooding on the equipment and operations. Wellington Water CEO Pat Dougherty told Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills it'll be months before people can safely go in the water, as sewage floods out to sea. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on Music Time, James Irwin joins Nick in the studio and they chat Nick's own picks for his summer BBQ playlist, plus Piney. What are the vibes of their BBQs? James gets to the bottom of it. Plus, how does James find all this music? He shares his tips and tricks to discovering albums, both old and new. And some great gigs are lined up for our city. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For Friday Faceoff this week Nick Mills is joined by Nick Leggett and Nicola Young. The three Nic’s debate the issues of the week – starting with the rates mess up at the council again with levies. Should we have consequences or is it just a case of human error? They discuss if Wellington is ready for a natural disaster, after the tragedy at Mount Maunganui. Landslides kill more people than earthquakes in Wellington – are we prepared for them? And on the two enquiries for the landslide at the mount, is it necessary to have a central and local government look into the response? They dissect the response, including from local Marae. The Nicks also debate the post office closures around Wellington, the pressure on ambulances with record numbers of call outs, Judith Collins retirement and where her portfolios should go. As well as horse meat pies – would they eat one? Where are the best pies in the region? Plus, Leggett and Young give their hot or nots for the week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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