Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Labour MP Ginny Andersen and National's Ōtaki MP Tim Costley.  They discussed the new Cook Strait ferry designs, and price tag and got heated over the end to puberty blockers for young people experiencing gender dysphoria. Costley and Andersen talked about the other political issues of the week including the rising prison numbers and our police culture. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ferry Holdings Ltd Chairperson Chris Mackenzie joined Nick Mills to discuss the new ferry designs and cost, revealed yesterday by Winston Peters.  They talked about the changes, the process to get to this decision and the future of the Cook Strait ferries and wharf. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head of Events & Experiences at WellingtonNZ, Heidi Morton chats with Nick Mills on the upcoming event calendar for Wellington. They talk about the importance of events for the city and how WellingtonNZ is working to attract events to the city. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on music time, Nick and James discuss two incredible shows playing live in Wellington - Rhian Sheenan (Friday 21st November at The Great Hall, Massey University) and Sharon Van Etten (Tuesday 25th November at the Opera House). They also celebrate a Kiwi band recently inaugurated in the music hall of fame and go off trail with tales of how to avoid magpie bombings. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aotearoa's legendary activist, artist and now author, Tāme Iti chats to Nick Mills about the release of his new book Mana. He talks to Nick about his legacy, and the fight for Māori rights in this country. They also chat about the state of Te Pati Māori and parliament at the moment.  Tāme Iti's autobiography Mana is out now. LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political reporter Azaria Howell joins Nick Mills for Beehive Buzz this week discussing the latest poll results on capital gains tax and the rebrand of The Opportunities Party. Will their new name and leader be enough to hit 5%? For the latest insight into parliament, it's Beehive Buzz with Azaria Howell LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with legendary broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and former minister Peter Dunne. They give their thoughts on the McSkimming IPCA report, Andrew Coster's involvement and how police culture is looking in New Zealand at the moment. Dunne and Sainsbury also discussed the other hot topics from the week like the new drug driving testing, Police Commissioner Chamber’s speeding ticket admission, the new $30 million in funding to help deal with the meth crisis, the Te Pati Māori MP expulsion. Also are state-owned asset sales a good idea? Plus, Dunne and Sainsbury give their hots and nots for the week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick Mills and Jason Pine are joined by Elliot Smith, ZB All Blacks commentator, calling in from England to give us his thoughts on the line up for the Twickenham game. They give their predictions for how the boys in black will go this weekend, and the vibe in England at the moment. Nick and Jason also chat about the upcoming All Whites vs Columbia game, Phoenix vs Auckland FC game and the upcoming Phoenix women’s game in Porirua this Sunday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Hospital Foundation CEO Guy Ryan joins Nick Mills in studio to celebrate the foundation's 20th birthday. They talk about the good they've bought to the community, the history, founder Bill Day and the impacts they continue to have in Wellington 20 years later.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Labour MP Ayesha Verrall and National's Ōtaki MP Tim Costley.  They spoke on the McSkimming case, and the IPCA report findings that show the police were covering up information.  Costley and Verrall then spoke on the other political issues of the week, including their thoughts on the future of Te Pati Māori and potential coalitions and the new drug driving testing starting in Wellington. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Murray Burns songwriter, and keyboardist of kiwi new wave band Mi-Sex joins Nick Millson Wellington Mornings.  They talk about the old days of the band, and what the future holds. Including Mi-Sex's upcoming performance in Upper Hutt next year.  Mi-sex joins Tony Hadley, When the Cats Away and other acts at Hutt Sounds Sunday March 8 at Brewton Upper Hutt.  Buy tickets here: Hutt Sounds 2026 Are they still a kiwi band? How was the hit computer games written? Are they ready for the energy of the Hutt crowd this summer? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's Business Panel Nick Mills chats with Barnardos CEO Matt Reid and Toyworld owner and operator Phillip Bramley. They discussed their businesses/charity, and the impacts current conditions in Wellington had on the family and children related business sector. This included the cost of living, material hardship, government choices. They also gave their thoughts on how business was going in the city with the new council and mayor and shared their wishes for the future. Also, how business was going heading into Christmas season from their different perspectives - retail and charity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths joins Nick Mills for Beehive Buzz this week discussing the annoucement from Te Pati Maori that two MPs - Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris have been expelled from the party. They talk what's next for these MPs and Te Pati Maori, possibilities of exercising the waka jumping legislation and reactions around parliament.  For the latest insight into parliament, it's Beehive Buzz with Ethan Griffiths. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Jason Pine and Adam Cooper join Nick Mills to discuss Saturday's big Wellington Phoenix double header at Sky Stadium, and why ticket sales have been lower than expected. They also rate Scotland's chances of facing the All Blacks and discuss Scott Robertson's selections for Sunday morning's test. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resident opera singer and aircraftsman for the Air Force band, Barbara Graham joins Nick Mills in studio for an interview and treats us to a performance. This is a taster for the upcoming Air Force in Concert with Hollie Smith performance at the Michael Fowler Centre on Sunday 9 November.  Get tickets here: Tickets: Air Force in Concert featuring Hollie Smith, Wellington | Sun, 9 Nov 2025, 2:30 pm | Ticketmaster NZ LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Labour MP Ayesha Verrall and National's Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick.  They discussed the new unemployment figures which are up to 5.3%, the highest since 2016, talking reactions, causes and ways to recover.  Verrall and Butterick then spoke on the political issues of the week, including the rumours of a bill to ban homelessness in CBDs, sick leave, water safety funding and if they would ban fireworks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday in Parliament, something very interesting happened and it’s the sort of conversation we’ve been screaming out for here in the capital. During Question Time, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was pressed on whether the coalition government is working on a new law to prevent people from sleeping in our downtown city centres. Luxon batted it away in the House —wouldn’t touch it. But later, minister for Auckland Simeon Brown went further, and his comments should make Wellington sit up and listen. Brown acknowledged the obvious: homelessness is just as serious in Auckland as it is here —maybe worse—but it’s not a competition. He confirmed the Government is looking at ways to prevent rough sleeping in CBDs and provide accommodation options for those who need it. That’s the combo we’ve been missing: expectation and support. Not just “move them on,” but “give them somewhere better to go.” Otherwise, they will just keep coming back. And let me be very clear— in my view, this is exactly what Wellington needs right now. Not next year. Not after a working group. Now. Because, friends… this is not just about tidying up the shop window of our city — though that matters —it’s about the people themselves. Nobody benefits from sleeping outside convenience stores 24/7. It’s unsafe. It’s unhealthy. And frankly, it is not the dignity any New Zealander deserves. I’ve said many times on this programme: I have never personally witnessed a homeless person assaulting anyone. But that doesn’t mean the current situation is working. It doesn’t feel good.  It doesn’t feel safe. It keeps people away from our CBD, and it drags down businesses already on their knees. And if we’re serious about making Wellington vibrant again — if we want people back in town, shopping, eating, working — then we’ve got to confront the reality in front of our eyes. National MP Ryan Hamilton is even floating a member’s bill that would give police powers to move people on from public places. Labour, of course, called it “banning homelessness.” Heated scenes in Parliament followed. Luxon insists nothing has been discussed at Cabinet — but the conversation alone tells you how serious this has become. Meanwhile, homelessness here in Wellington has surged —up 24 percent according to The Post. That should shock all of us. That’s the direction of travel under the current system — more people on the streets, fewer tools to intervene. Yes, there are legitimate questions about rights and freedoms. Community Law rightly points out that people have the right to move and live where they choose. But we already allow police to act on trespass, public nuisance, disorder… the law already intervenes when things get unsafe. The issue here is balance — helping, not punishing — and creating a better alternative so no one has to sleep rough in the first place. Simeon Brown says Auckland is talking to its council. Well — so should we. If Auckland can start planning, why can’t Wellington? We cannot keep waiting, hoping it fixes itself. This government stepping up to create real tools — and more importantly, real accommodation — is exactly what Wellington needs. Not later. Now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour Leader and MP for Rimutaka, Chris Hipkins joins Nick Mills in the studio to discuss the new unemployment rates - the highest in eight years.  In their monthly catchup they also discussed the new proposal of a bill to give police more power to remove people from the streets, the turmoil and worries within Te Pati Māori and how it effects Labour and their new polcies, and rumours of any future ones.  He shut down options of ministers from a coalition with the Greens and says minor parties have too much power in government.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington GP and Senior Lecturer at Otago University, Dr Samantha Murton talks to Nick Mills about the impact of paracetamol.  After a new study shows that a third of Kiwis are taking more than the recommended dose, Dr Murton explains the effects and dangers this causes, as well as the causes of these statistics.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On music time this week, Nick and James have some fun with some AI generated jingles for the show, take on the challenge of finding great songs that start bass guitar heavy and look at a couple of must-see gigs coming to the capital this month. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.