Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

It was a chilly morning this morning... made worse by Transpower's request that Kiwis turned down their heaters to reduce their power use. Former Wellington mayor Justin Lester and Iron Duke Partners director Phil O'Reilly joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to dissect the news of the week, including the signed-off district plan, school lunches and the funding boost for Corrections. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a top of the table faceoff tomorrow afternoon, with the Hurricanes taking on the Blues at Eden Park.  All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk that match, as well as the Phoenix first semi-final on Sunday, and the Saint's home game, also on Sunday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis had a big morning delivering her set piece pre-budget speech in Lower Hutt... so what can she tell us about the budget? She joined Labour's health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall and Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk the political issues of the week, including a muddied press conference, lunches in schools and Wellington's new district plan.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actress Rula Lenska is known around the world as Claudia Colby from Coronation Street, but did you know she's also Polish royalty?  The actress, also a Countess, joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk about her stage show, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which is playing at the St James Theatre in Wellington this week. She was joined by Stewart MacPherson - a legendary Wellington promoter who has brought the show to New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwirail boss Peter Reidy flew to South Korea to meet with the company contracted to build the now cancelled Interislander - but its not clear exactly why. NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills to talk the Wellington stories of the week, including Julie Anne Genter and the closure of a Wellington birthing unit.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington budgeting service has had its government funding pulled, despite its manager saying they are "busier than ever" as people struggle with high interest rates and the cost of living. It comes as the Ministry of Social Development reviews its contracts with budgeting services. It’s understood other providers across the country have had their funding cut. The Wellington Budget Service, run in conjunction with the Citizens Advice Bureau, is staffed predominantly by volunteers but requires funding to pay for a part-time manager and office and IT equipment. It has been funded by MSD since 2017. Last year it received $77,000. Manager David Cameron told Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills that without funding, it’s possible the service could close. “We’re very disappointed, there is a lot of need out there at the moment.” The service saw around 470 people last year, and demand has grown 60% since the beginning of 2024. Cameron says clients are often deep in debt, or struggling with their mortgage. The organisation helps clients create budgets and negotiates debt payments directly with creditors. All services are free. “There are other budgeting services in Wellington, but we’re all very busy. Other services refer some of their clients to us. “We expect we’ll start to see a few more people as the cuts to the public service start to kick in." In a statement, MSD’s general manager safe strong families and communities Mark Henderson said the Ministry had recently completed a procurement process for budgeting providers across the country. The total funding available was reduced as a result of a Covid-19-specific fund for budgeting services expiring. But the Wellington Budget Service was funded prior to Covid-19. After further questions, Henderson referred to a general procurement process. “Preferred providers have been identified following a robust procurement process and unfortunately Wellington Citizens Advice bureau were unsuccessful. “We recognise there is a continuing need for support in Wellington and will ensure that [budgeting] services continue to be provided in the region.” MSD confirmed the cuts were not part of the Government’s directive to reduce expenditure. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things are tough in Wellington at the moment, with unemployment biting and public service cuts and staff working from home affecting central city businesses.  Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young and Trinity Group director and Hospitality NZ board member Jeremy Smith joined Nick Mills to talk business in Wellington.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week was another difficult one for the Greens, with an outburst followed by further allegations against MP Julie Anne Genter.  Newstalk ZB's political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills to talk about the issue, as well as the long-awaited Darleen Tana report, political donations and Winston's spat with former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three waters us behind us and its time to look at how we can properly look after our water infrastructure, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says.  One answer is a Wellington Water mega entity, capturing Kapiti, Wairarapa and the central city. Baker joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to discuss the idea.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington Phoenix may have missed out on finishing at the top of the A League table, but we've still got a home semi-final to look forward to.  Newstalk ZB's Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills to talk all things sport.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was two council foes reuniting on Friday Faceoff this week... but it turns out they're actually good mates.  Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young and former councillor and now the PSA's assistant secretary Fleur Fitzsimons joined Nick Mills to dissect the news of the week.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The florist who's accused Julie Anne Genter of yelling at her says the confrontation could have been avoided.   Laura Newcombe says the MP also pulled out her phone during a heated exchange over cycleways.  The Green Party is not disputing the story.   Newcombe told Nick Mills on Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings that Genter didn't need to come into her shop.   She says Genter didn't need to keep the argument going and could have left at any time.    Genter is also in the spotlight for crossing the parliamentary chamber and waving a booklet in Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey's face.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both Nicola Willis and Ayesha Verrall say they've never seen anything like the outburst from Julie Anne Genter on the floor of Parliament last night. The Finance Minister and Labour's Health and Wellington Issues spokesperson joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk the political issues of the week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been another death on the rugby field, this time in Auckland. 33-year-old Cory Heather died at a game in Beachlands after a suspected knock to the head over the weekend.  Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills asked what more needs to be done to ensure players' safety, and heard from caller Johnny who is soon to quit working after some poor dementia test results. In tears, he spoke of years of concussions as a young rugby player and how it has affected his life.  Later in the show Earle Kirton, a former All Black turned dentist rang the show to talk about what needs to be done.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Shaw signs off from Parliament this week after a 10-year career, much of it as co-leader, and at one point even the sole leader of the Greens.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk about his legacy, as well as news the government will be signing off on the budget today and the details of a new Pharmac announcement.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just a day after a Curia poll showed Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any New Zealand mayor, she joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills for her monthly catch-up. Also on the agenda was the failed Reading Cinema deal, the Golden Mile project and the renewal of her Green membership. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says Wellington City Council's now-collapsed deal with Reading Cinemas was "shady" and could have found the council in hot water with the Auditor General.  She was joined by Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen to talk the political issues of the week with Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where to now for the derelict Reading Cinemas complex, and what has the failed deal cost the council? Those questions are yet to be answered, NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell says.  She joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills for her regular Capital Letter slot.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington institution Cranfields is set to shut down, while the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport is going from strength to strength as the training facility for the Hurricanes and the Phoenix.  The leaders of those respective businesses joined Nick Mills to talk through how things are... and the pair had quite different outlooks.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has returned from a week long tour of South East Asia, aimed at improving New Zealand's relationships with Singapore, Thailand and the Phillipines.  Newstalk ZB senior political reporter Sophie Trigger joined Nick Mills to talk about the trip, as well as the government's changes to lending regulations and the fast track consent bill.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.