/on-air/wellington/rss ob体育接口 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 05:23:24 Z en /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/thursday-faceoff-fleur-fitzsimons-and-brigitte-morten-discuss-the-definition-of-a-woman-and-pope-francis/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/thursday-faceoff-fleur-fitzsimons-and-brigitte-morten-discuss-the-definition-of-a-woman-and-pope-francis/ New Zealand First has introduced a member's bill to Parliament which would define in law what a woman is - but is this really necessary?  Also, Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. What's his legacy, and what do you hope to see in the next Pope? To answer those questions, PSA national secretary and former Wellington City Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons and Franks Ogilvie director and political commentator Brigitte Morten joined Nick Mills for Thursday Faceoff - moved forward due to ANZAC Day.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 02:38:32 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/kevin-arlidge-wellington-rsa-president-on-the-significance-of-anzac-day/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/kevin-arlidge-wellington-rsa-president-on-the-significance-of-anzac-day/ Tomorrow marks 110 years since Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli, Turkey. A total of 2709 New Zealand soldiers lost their lives - and countless more were injured.  Memorial services will be held across the Wellington region to remember those who served in the New Zealand armed forces.  To discuss the plans, Wellington RSA president and retired army Colonel Kevin Arlidge joined Nick Mills.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 02:31:03 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/give-way-the-musical-dave-armstrong-and-bronwyn-turei-on-the-latest-play-to-hit-circa-theatre/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/give-way-the-musical-dave-armstrong-and-bronwyn-turei-on-the-latest-play-to-hit-circa-theatre/ It's an unusual topic to base a musical on; the change of a road rule.  But that's exactly what Give Way The Musical does, putting a satirical spin on the 2012 change to the 'give way' law.  The story follows idealistic Sophie who, wanting to make the world a better place, joins the Ministry of Transport. She seizes on fixing New Zealand’s 'give way' rule, but not everyone’s keenon a change. A protest movement gathers, the sides go to war, and dirty tactics begin. The musical is produced by renowned New Zealand playwright Dave Armstrong, and stars Bronwyn Turei, as seen in Go Girls and The Brokenwood Mysteries, who also took out Actor of the Year at last year's Wellington Theatre Awards.  Dave and Bronwyn joined Nick Mills to discuss the performance, opening at Circa Theatre this week and running until May 24.  LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:44:11 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/music-time-how-to-tell-a-dodgy-concert-promoter-from-a-reputable-one/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/music-time-how-to-tell-a-dodgy-concert-promoter-from-a-reputable-one/ There's been a string of concerts cancelled across the country this year, with some concert-goers unable to access refunds after the promoters entered liquidation.  So how do you keep your money safe, and how can you tell a reputable promoter from a potentially dodgy one?  Wellington Mornings' music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills for Music Time. LISTEN ABOVE Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:33:21 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/izayah-leafa-wellington-saints-point-guard-previews-their-nbl-clash-against-nelson/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/izayah-leafa-wellington-saints-point-guard-previews-their-nbl-clash-against-nelson/ The Wellington Saints headed into the Easter weekend round of the National Basketball League at the top of the table following road wins over Southland and Otago. They next meet Nelson at Wellington's TSB Arena on Easter Monday. Saints point guard Izayah Le'afa joined Adam Cooper to preview the game, and discuss his return to the Breakers in the Australian Basketball League. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 18 Apr 2025 23:23:26 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/vikki-lee-remuera-lawn-bowler-on-her-success-and-future-plans-for-the-game/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/vikki-lee-remuera-lawn-bowler-on-her-success-and-future-plans-for-the-game/ Wainuiomata bowler Vikki-Lee Remuera has ticked off a number of achievements as a junior lawn bowler - a category for those who've played the sport for five years or under. Now at that five year mark, Vikki-Lee joined Adam Cooper to look back on her success, and look at what's next for her bowls journey. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 18 Apr 2025 23:21:13 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/cam-roigard-hurricanes-halfback-on-the-teams-selection-changes-upcoming-matches/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/cam-roigard-hurricanes-halfback-on-the-teams-selection-changes-upcoming-matches/ The Hurricanes will look to salvage their Super Rugby playoff hopes across the Tasman over the next fortnight, with away matches against the Force and Brumbies.  The coaching staff have brought in Ruben Love to the injury-plagued number 10 jersey for Saturday's match against the Force.  All Black and Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard joined Adam Cooper to chat about the selection change and how the team is approaching the must-win matches.  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 18 Apr 2025 22:22:17 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/thursday-faceoff-nick-leggett-and-maddy-burgess-smith-talk-andrew-little-wellington-water-and-trust-in-media/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/thursday-faceoff-nick-leggett-and-maddy-burgess-smith-talk-andrew-little-wellington-water-and-trust-in-media/ Former Labour leader and Cabinet minister Andrew Little finally announced this week he is running to be the city's mayor. Is he automatically the hot favourite?  Also, we learnt this week that Wellington Water received a report in 2021 outlining many of the concerns around spending identified in the most recent report. But this report was seemingly lost - or ignored. How on earth does this happen? To answer those questions, Nick was joined by former Porirua mayor and Wellington Water chair Nick Leggett, and Iron Duke Partners senior consultant Maddy Burgess Smith for Thursday Faceoff, ahead of a long Easter weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:45:28 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/andrew-little-wellington-mayoral-candidate-says-city-needs-urgent-change/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/andrew-little-wellington-mayoral-candidate-says-city-needs-urgent-change/ Former Labour leader Andrew Little has today confirmed he will stand for the Wellington mayoralty in the upcoming local body elections. Little said he is standing for mayor because Wellington needs “urgent change” and “serious leadership”. “I’m confident I can win,” he said today. He had previously ruled out throwing his hat in the ring but has revealed this morning that he wants to “end the chaos at council” which he believed he had the experience to do. He wanted to return the council to “what it should be doing” and serving the people. Little says he’s been approached by “quite a cross-section” of Wellingtonians asking him to run. “Obviously Labour people but also National Party, Green Party people, community leaders, business people.” He said the city was in a fragile state and believed some major projects could be reconsidered. “We need to make sure what we are doing isn’t causing disruption at a particularly sensitive time.” The first phase of the Golden Mile project was scheduled to start this month, but Little suggested further work could be deferred. “For the remainder of the project, I’m not saying don’t do it, what I am saying is let’s have a think about when it might be best to do that.” The city needed to recover, he said. Little’s main priorities have been listed as investing in parks, swimming pools and libraries, prioritising cheaper transport and housing development, supporting small businesses, taking action on climate and honouring the Treaty. He said it was clear to him that Wellington “is in trouble”. He highlighted the city’s cost of living crisis, public service cuts and the council being “out of touch” as three of the major issues facing Wellington residents. He said he wants to do away with “regressive” policies like asset sales, closure of community facilities and “millions of dollars in corporate welfare for an international cinema owner”. “My focus as mayor will be getting the best for Wellington. That means being able to work constructively with the Government in the city’s interests and it means standing up to the Beehive when needed. It means being clear in my Labour values but always working across political lines to be a mayor for all of Wellington.” “This council [has] on the block a number of community facilities like the Khandallah pool, like Begonia House - those things should be our priorities, they’re certainly my priorities. Those are the things that strengthen communities and make a city.“ He said the recent rates rises were “not acceptable” and making the city unaffordable, and thought the council needed a “much tighter grip on council finances”. While he believed cycleways were a good thing some routes had been poorly executed. He said his track record showed he was able to work with people from across the political spectrum. “We all love this city. We’re creative, we’re full of talent, we’re diverse, and we’re a place where people from all walks of life can feel included and make a home. “Wellington is the place I chose with my wife Leigh to raise our family and there’s nowhere else we would rather be.” He has submitted his nomination seeking the Wellington Labour Party’s support for his mayoral campaign and a formal campaign launch will follow in the coming weeks. Little entered Parliament in 2011 and was leader of the Labour Party and leader of the Opposition from 2014 to 2017. Little was a senior minister under former prime ministers Dame Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins. Candidates who have confirmed plans to run for the mayoralty are Tory Whanau, councillor Ray Chung, businessman Karl Tiefenbacher, conservationist Kelvin Hastie, Wellington Live owner Graham Bloxham and former city councillor Rob Goulden. The election will be held on October 11. Little joined Nick Mills to discuss his candidacy.  LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:55:10 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/business-panel-wellington-is-a-talent-repellant-tech-ceo-says/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/business-panel-wellington-is-a-talent-repellant-tech-ceo-says/ A successful Wellington business owner says if he were starting again today, he wouldn't start his business in Wellington.  "Whether you should do it in Wellington though, I would say no. I think Wellington is actually talent repellent system at the moment," Raygun founder John-Daniel Trask told Nick Mills.  "We’ve had people in our own organisation who have left and said I’m going to places like Auckland because they are so tired – their own words – of the abject wokeness that is in this city."  Trask's business sells software that monitors other software for faults, with 93% of its customers based overseas. The company employs 25 staff in Wellington.  Also joining Trask was Jugnu's Little India founder Jugnu Gill.  Gill owns three of the Indian restaurants across Wellington, having opened his first restaurant in the city in 1997.  "Wellington is not in good shape. There are very few places that are doing really well in Wellington at the moment," Gill said.  LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 14 Apr 2025 00:50:28 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/beehive-buzz-is-there-a-spat-between-christopher-luxon-and-winston-peters/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/beehive-buzz-is-there-a-spat-between-christopher-luxon-and-winston-peters/ Foreign Minister Winston Peters has been in Hawaii this week, where he gave a speech discussing the United States tariffs on the rest of the world.  But in that speech he criticised use of the term "trade war" - despite Prime Minister Christopher Luxon using the term himself.  It also comes after Luxon had a number of conversations with world leaders. Peters said the pair hadn’t discussed Luxon’s speech or his calls with world leaders ahead of time: “So I hope that he’ll get my message and he’ll call me next time”. Is there a row brewing between the pair? Newstalk ob体育接口 chief political reporter Sophie Trigger joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.  LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 14 Apr 2025 00:43:01 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/shea-ili-wellington-saints-player-on-his-return-to-the-new-zealand-nbl/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/shea-ili-wellington-saints-player-on-his-return-to-the-new-zealand-nbl/ Tall Black Shea Ili is back playing in New Zealand's National Basketball League for the first time since 2019. Ili's linked back up with the Wellington Saints, on the back of being named the Australian NBL's defensive player of the year for two seasons in a row at Melbourne United. He spoke to Adam Cooper about his time across the Tasman, and why he's returned to Wellington for the 2025 NBL. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:03:07 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-mark-sainsbury-and-bryce-edwards-talk-treaty-principles-bill-andrew-little-and-the-chase-nz/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-mark-sainsbury-and-bryce-edwards-talk-treaty-principles-bill-andrew-little-and-the-chase-nz/ David Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill is dead and buried - but was it worth having the conversation as a country?  Also, former Labour leader Andrew Little says he is considering running to be Wellington's next mayor. Would he be right for the job?  And TVNZ has confirmed production of a four-episode New Zealand version of The Chase. Who should host it? To answer those questions, Integrity Institute director Dr Bryce Edwards and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 11 Apr 2025 01:16:42 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sport-kickoff-can-the-hurricanes-top-the-crusaders-at-sky-stadium-tonight/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sport-kickoff-can-the-hurricanes-top-the-crusaders-at-sky-stadium-tonight/ The Hurricanes take on the Crusaders at Sky Stadium tonight - a spectacle that will include fireworks for the first time at Sky Stadium in a decade. What can we expect from the game - and might we see a big crowd? Also, the Wellington Saints are at the top of the table after beating Southland last night. Who are the stars?  Newstalk ob体育接口 Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 11 Apr 2025 01:09:59 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/politics-thursday-ayesha-verrall-and-tim-costley-debate-defence-organised-crime-and-treaty-principles-bill/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/politics-thursday-ayesha-verrall-and-tim-costley-debate-defence-organised-crime-and-treaty-principles-bill/ The government has announced $12 billion of funding for the Defence Force as part of it's new capability plan - but where will the money come from?  Also, a new report from a the Ministerial advisory group says NZ is losing the fight against organised crime, with Customs "swimming against the tide" as meth use doubles. How do we better fight organised crime? 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  Thu, 10 Apr 2025 02:30:31 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/campbell-barry-lower-hutt-mayor-on-his-decision-not-to-stand-for-re-election/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/campbell-barry-lower-hutt-mayor-on-his-decision-not-to-stand-for-re-election/ Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry has announced he’s not seeking reelection after two terms as mayor of Hutt City.  Barry was first elected as Mayor in 2019 at 28, making him New Zealand’s youngest-ever elected mayor of a city.  He joined Nick Mills to discuss his decision, and his legacy as mayor.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 10 Apr 2025 02:26:28 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/wahine-disaster-57-years-on-from-wellingtons-darkest-day/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/wahine-disaster-57-years-on-from-wellingtons-darkest-day/ It was on April 10th 1968, as Cyclone Giselle was bearing down on Wellington, that the Interisland ferry Wahine ran aground on Barrett Reef.  A total of 52 passengers died, while rescuers - both professional and amateur - saved the lives of just under 700 others found in the harbour or along it's shores.  Wellington Mornings dug into the archives and found reporting from the day.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 10 Apr 2025 02:24:39 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-says-andrew-little-would-be-a-very-good-wellington-mayor/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-says-andrew-little-would-be-a-very-good-wellington-mayor/ Labour leader Chris Hipkins has thrown his support behind Andrew Little as the former party leader mulls a run for the Wellington mayoralty. Speaking to Nick Mills today, Hipkins said Little is a “top bloke” and would be a “very, very good option for Wellingtonians”. “He’s both a leader and a capable manager and I think Wellington city needs both at the moment,” Hipkins said. “No one can doubt Andrew’s left-wing credentials, he’s a true Labour Party stalwart.” He also discussed the government's new Defence Capability Plan, his party's standings in the polls and the fight against organised crime. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:35:54 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/jared-savage-investigative-journalist-and-author-on-nzs-fight-against-organised-crime/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/jared-savage-investigative-journalist-and-author-on-nzs-fight-against-organised-crime/ A new report from the Ministerial advisory group on organised crime says New Zealand is losing the fight, with Customs "swimming against the tide" and some stakeholders raising concerns about people in influential positions being corrupted.  How bad really is organised crime in New Zealand - and what can be down to crack down on it? NZ Herald investigative reporter and bestselling author Jared Savage joined Nick Mills to discuss the issue.  LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:18:16 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/music-time-who-are-this-years-aotearoa-music-award-finalists/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/music-time-who-are-this-years-aotearoa-music-award-finalists/ The list of finalists for this year's Aotearoa Music Awards is out - and while there's fewer household names than in previous years, there's plenty of finalists who are making waves overseas. Who are they?  Also, an international pop star of the 1980s has announced he is on his way to Wellington this year - who is it?  Wellington Mornings' music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills for Music Time.  LISTEN ABOVE Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:54:07 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/beehive-buzz-what-happens-next-with-the-treaty-principles-bill/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/beehive-buzz-what-happens-next-with-the-treaty-principles-bill/ The Treaty Principles Bill could return to Parliament's order paper for its doomed second reading this week, after the select committee considering the bill recommended it be voted down. Are we likely to see the Prime Minister in the house to speak against the bill? Also, the government has released its secondly quarterly action plan. What are the surprises on the list? Newstalk ob体育接口 political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.  LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:20:17 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/iain-mcpeake-wellington-firebirds-paceman-reflects-on-his-decade-long-career/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/iain-mcpeake-wellington-firebirds-paceman-reflects-on-his-decade-long-career/ The conclusion of the domestic cricket season brought an end to the 10-year career of Wellington Firebirds paceman Iain McPeake.  Over his 10 seasons McPeake took more than 200 wickets for the Firebirds, the last of which came as the match-winning wicket in Wellington's season-ending Plunket Shield win over Canterbury at the Basin Reserve.  Speaking ahead of the Pearce Cup final —which McPeake is representing Hutt District in— he spoke to Adam Cooper about his time as a domestic cricketer.  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 04 Apr 2025 21:08:12 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-justin-lester-and-jason-walls-talk-trumps-tariffs-benjamin-doyle-and-suspicious-deaths-in-the-capital/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-justin-lester-and-jason-walls-talk-trumps-tariffs-benjamin-doyle-and-suspicious-deaths-in-the-capital/ Wellington has seen five suspicious deaths in around two weeks; a daylight shooting in Featherston, a man found dead on a footpath in Miramar, a suspected murder-suicide of a couple in Roseneath, and a person found dead in Northland. But do these sorts of crimes shock us like they used to?  Also, all New Zealand exports to the United States will be stung with a 10% tariff, announced by President Donald Trump as part of his "liberation day" announcement. How will this impact NZ, and should we be grateful it's only 10 per cent?  To answer those questions, former Wellington mayor Justin Lester and Newstalk ob体育接口 political editor Jason Walls joined Nick for the Beehive Buzz. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 04 Apr 2025 01:41:51 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sport-kickoff-jason-pine-and-adam-cooper-talk-hurricanes-v-blues-wellington-saints-narrow-win/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sport-kickoff-jason-pine-and-adam-cooper-talk-hurricanes-v-blues-wellington-saints-narrow-win/ The Hurricanes take on the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland this weekend - and while its not a do-or-die game, the Hurricanes are in desperate need of a win. What can we expect? Also, the Wellington Saints went from a 26-point lead over the Franklin Bulls in the third quarter to winning by just six points at the end of the match. How did they perform?  Newstalk ob体育接口 Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff.  LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:21:17 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/politics-thursday-ayesha-verrall-and-tim-costley-talk-tariffs-ferries-and-benjamin-doyle/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/politics-thursday-ayesha-verrall-and-tim-costley-talk-tariffs-ferries-and-benjamin-doyle/ It’s what US President Donald Trump is calling Liberation Day in the US today; dishing out tariffs on almost every nation on earth. New Zealand exporters will now face 10% tariffs on everything imported into the United States. How should the government respond?  Also, Rail Minister Winston Peters has announced his plans for the Interisland ferry replacements. He’s decided they’ll be 200m long and rail enabled - but no contracts have yet been signed. Was this an underwhelming announcement?  To answer those questions, Labour's health and Wellington issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall and National's Otaki MP Tim Costley joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday.  LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:40:46 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/nick-mills-winston-peters-interisland-ferry-announcement-told-us-very-little/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/nick-mills-winston-peters-interisland-ferry-announcement-told-us-very-little/ OPINION After Sunday's very underwhelming announcement on supermarkets from Finance Minister Nicola Willis, I was a bit worried that yesterday’s announcement on the future of the interisland ferries would be much the same. Lately the coalition government has made a bit of a habit of making announcements that mean very little. And to some extent, that's exactly what we got from Rail Minister Winston Peters yesterday. Now first; a bit of background. Finance Minister Nicola Willis cancelled the brand new interisland mega ferries shortly after the election, pointing to the extreme cost blowout. She spent a year working on replacements and late last year we were told she was about to announce her bold new plan. It turned out Winston Peters was made Minister of Rail and given until the end of March to devise a plan. Yesterday was the end of March and up steps Winston Peters. And he seems to have done a good job. Yes, the new ferries will be rail-enabled which KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy said was great news for the public. I think most of us would agree that rail-enabled fairies is the right way to go. The two new ferries are also going to be 200 metres long - a bit longer and wider than the current fleet but smaller than the mega fairies that Nicola Willis cancelled. And all of this sounds great. But there’s one big glaring problem. We haven’t actually ordered these ferries. This was Winston Peters confirming what the government wants to buy. It was an announcement of a shopping list, not a contract. It's an announcement of an announcement. My biggest problem here is that our existing fleet of three ferries, which have broken down, run aground and lost propellers, have to last us until 2029. That's four years away at best. And according to the former chair of the Ferry ministerial advisory group Mark Thompson, that might not be possible. He says that is an ambitious timeframe. We still don't even know exactly what the ships are going to look like and who's going to build them. We also don't know how much these replacements are going to cost. And keep in mind we have to pay the contract break fee for the mega ferries. And there's one other concern I have. What happens if next year there's a change of government and a new government changes the plans again? Ultimately we need to rely on these ferries lasting until 2029. Yes, we've had a good summer with no breakdowns. But history tells us there's a lot of water between now and 2029 that these old ferries have to cross. And these old girls are getting older not younger, and they are certainly not without their issues. For me this is still a case of wait and see. I can tell you it's definitely not the plan I expected to come out yesterday. LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:18:35 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/business-panel-restaurant-association-president-mike-egan-and-method-recycling-co-founder-india-korner/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/business-panel-restaurant-association-president-mike-egan-and-method-recycling-co-founder-india-korner/ It was a huge weekend in Wellington with Cuba Dupa, three nights of Graham Norton, Sir Bob Geldof, the Hurricanes, the Phoenix and one of the world's largest cruise ships in. So what does a weekend like that do for the city's economy?  Also, work on the controversial Golden Mile project begins this month, starting at the Cambridge/Kent terrace end of Courtenay Place. But we've also learnt work on the rest of the project won't begin until next year. Is this about to become the key issue of this year's local body elections?  To answer those questions, Restaurant Association president and Monsoon Poon owner Mike Egan and Method Recycling co-founder India Korner joined Nick Mills for the Wellington Mornings Business Panel.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 30 Mar 2025 23:50:05 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/beehive-buzz-jason-walls-on-the-the-impending-announcement-on-the-interisland-ferry-replacements/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/beehive-buzz-jason-walls-on-the-the-impending-announcement-on-the-interisland-ferry-replacements/ Minister for Rail Winston Peters is expected to finally reveal his long-awaited plan for Interisland ferry replacements today - but will we see the full details of the new ferries?  Also, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is seeking advice on whether the supermarket duopoly needs to be broken up. Is it likely we'll see decisions on the grocery sector soon?  To answer those questions, Newstalk ob体育接口 political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 30 Mar 2025 23:43:38 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/karl-tiefenbacher-wellington-businessman-throws-his-hat-in-the-ring-to-be-wellingtons-mayor/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/karl-tiefenbacher-wellington-businessman-throws-his-hat-in-the-ring-to-be-wellingtons-mayor/ Business owner Karl Tiefenbacher has officially joined the Wellington mayoral race. Speaking exclusively to Newstalk ob体育接口 Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills, Tiefenbacher announced he plans to stand as an independent candidate for the mayoralty. He has yet to announce any policies but said his core priorities include changing the culture of Wellington City Council, keeping rates down, and stopping wasteful spending. Tiefenbacher, who calls himself “Wellington’s ice cream guy” as the founder of Kaffee Eis, has previously run for council twice and lost. Last year he fell short by only 45 votes to the Green Party’s Geordie Rogers in a byelection for the Pukehīnau Lambton Ward. His campaign website is now live, with the slogan “Wellington, It’s Time!”. “Wellington has expensive challenges ahead. As a business owner I understand it’s essential to invest wisely, with responsible and affordable decisions”, his campaign site states. This time around he also plans to run for a council seat in the Motukairangi Eastern Ward. His biography states Tiefenbacher was born and raised in Wellington and had “a successful career in the finance sector for 18 years” before starting cafe and gelato manufacturer Kaffee Eis. Tiefenbacher has previously been critical about the Golden Mile project and moves to pedestrianise Cuba St. He describes himself as a centrist. Earlier this month, the local branch for the Labour Party confirmed it had to extend nominations for a mayoral candidate, after no one put their hand up to run for the party. Confirmed candidates for the mayoralty include incumbent Tory Whanau, city councillor Ray Chung, predator-free champion Kelvin Hastie, Wellington Live owner Graham Bloxham, and former city councillor Rob Goulden. Of the confirmed candidates, all but Bloxham and Whanau have previously run for the mayoralty unsuccessfully. Diane Calvert, a third-term councillor and former mayoral candidate, is rumoured to be eyeing up running, telling the Herald this month she still hasn’t decided. “As an independent, I’m not on a deadline set by a political party,” Calvert said. John Apanowicz, another current councillor, said he’s still keen to run but is seeking the support of his family and will announce his plans at a later date. Luke Pierson, a businessman and founding member of lobby group Vision for Wellington, had been rumoured to be considering a run for the top job, but has confirmed he’s not going for it. “I can rule it out. My focus is on Vision for Wellington - which is inherently apolitical,” Pierson said. The local election will be held on October 11. Candidate nominations open on Friday, July 4 and close on August 1. Sun, 30 Mar 2025 22:23:21 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/lewis-clareburt-on-his-time-living-at-altitude-at-nzcis-in-upper-hutt/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/lewis-clareburt-on-his-time-living-at-altitude-at-nzcis-in-upper-hutt/ Olympic swimmer Lewis Clareburt has spent the past three weeks living at altitude alongside several fellow swimmers. For 21 days, they've stayed in specially-designed altitude apartments set at 3,000 metres above sea level at Upper Hutt's NZCIS facility. Clareburt joined Adam Cooper to disucuss the time in the altitude rooms, and where his swimming is at following last year's Olympics. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 28 Mar 2025 21:26:00 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-campbell-barry-and-tim-brown-talk-tamatha-pauls-police-comments-wellington-water/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-campbell-barry-and-tim-brown-talk-tamatha-pauls-police-comments-wellington-water/ Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul is under fire for her comments at a 'radical alternative to policing event'. She claimed "Wellington people do not want to see police officers everywhere" and all beat police do is "wait for homeless people to leave their spot, pack up their stuff and throw it in the bin". Are these comments out of touch, or reflecting a mood in the city?  Also, the Commerce Commission will be tasked with keeping an eye on Wellington Water until a new water entity comes into force. Is this the right move? To answer those questions, Wellington City Councillor Tim Brown and Hutt City mayor Campbell Barry joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff.  LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:06:22 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sport-kickoff-jason-pine-and-adam-cooper-on-liam-lawson-losing-his-f1-seat/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sport-kickoff-jason-pine-and-adam-cooper-on-liam-lawson-losing-his-f1-seat/ Liam Lawson has unceremoniously been dropped from Red Bull's F1 team after just two races. How would this affect a 23-year-old like Lawson, and is the decision unfair? Also, with Eden Park to be redeveloped and a roof installed, is it time we seriously looked at a roof for Sky Stadium? Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:48:37 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/politics-thursday-ginny-andersen-and-tim-costley-talk-beat-cops-and-changes-to-wellington-electorates/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/politics-thursday-ginny-andersen-and-tim-costley-talk-beat-cops-and-changes-to-wellington-electorates/ Wellington Central MP and Green Party police spokesperson Tamatha Paul is under fire for saying Wellingtonians don't want to see police on the beat - and all these police patrols do is target homeless people and their belongings. Are these comments out of line?  Also, Wellington will likely lose an electorate seat in Parliament after the Electoral Commission proposed changes to electoral boundaries. What does this mean for representation for the capital? To answer those questions, Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and National's Otaki MP Tim Costley joined Adam Cooper for Politics Thursday.  LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:53:20 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/bob-geldof-band-aid-and-live-aid-co-founder-on-his-legacy-show-in-wellington-this-week/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/bob-geldof-band-aid-and-live-aid-co-founder-on-his-legacy-show-in-wellington-this-week/ Bob Geldof is a musician, an activist, a charity man, and a Knight of the British Empire... despite being an Irishman. He rose to fame as a member of The Boomtown Rats, but in 1984 an item on the 6 o’clock news sparked him to create one of the world’s most memorable charity drives; Band Aid and then eventually Live Aid, raising money to end famine in Ethiopia. Geldof is in Wellington this week to share stories of his life and joined Nick Mills to discuss his legacy and what audiences can expect at Saturday's show at the St James Theatre. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:23:34 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/tamatha-paul-wellington-central-mp-says-beat-police-only-target-homeless-people/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/tamatha-paul-wellington-central-mp-says-beat-police-only-target-homeless-people/ Wellington Central MP and Green Party police spokesperson Tamatha Paul is under fire for comments she made about beat cops at a 'radical alternative to policing event' in Christchurch.  She claimed "Wellington people do not want to see police officers everywhere" and all beat police do is "wait for homeless people to leave their spot, pack up their stuff and throw it in the bin".  The MP joined Nick Mills to discuss her comments, as well as react to new proposed electorate boundaries which will see changes to her Wellington Central seat.  LISTEN ABOVE Tue, 25 Mar 2025 23:43:01 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/fun-and-funner-karen-olearys-childrens-band-perform-ahead-of-wellingtons-cuba-dupa-festival/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/fun-and-funner-karen-olearys-childrens-band-perform-ahead-of-wellingtons-cuba-dupa-festival/ It’s a huge weekend coming up in the capital. Wellington’s Cuba Dupa street festival returns to Cuba St with more 170 performances across Saturday and Sunday spanning music, dance, theatre and visual arts. One of the acts is called Fun and Funner - a children's band fronted by comedian Karen O’Leary and dad and teacher Tom Watson and sax player Eilish Wilson alongside Orchestra Wellington. The trio joined Nick Mills in studio to talk about the festival and perform a song. LISTEN ABOVE Tue, 25 Mar 2025 23:38:39 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/music-time-james-irwin-on-cuba-streets-biggest-weekend/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/music-time-james-irwin-on-cuba-streets-biggest-weekend/ Wellington's famous Cuba St will see more than 170 performances this weekend as the famous street festival Cuba Dupa returns for anotther year. So who are the headliners, and what other artists are taking to the various stages? Wellington Mornings music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills to preview the festival.  LISTEN ABOVE Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:39:43 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/beehive-buzz-jason-walls-on-winston-peters-big-speech-and-the-pm-returning-from-india/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/beehive-buzz-jason-walls-on-winston-peters-big-speech-and-the-pm-returning-from-india/ New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has delivered his state of the nation speech, decrying wokeism and DEI, and calling to "make New Zealand first again". How has his speech gone down? Also, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has returned from a trip to India. What will come out of the trip? Newstalk ob体育接口 political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 23 Mar 2025 23:29:32 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/david-chote-former-all-white-on-the-win-over-fiji-previews-the-fifa-qualifying-final-against-new-caledonia/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/david-chote-former-all-white-on-the-win-over-fiji-previews-the-fifa-qualifying-final-against-new-caledonia/ The All Whites will face New Caledonia at Eden Park on Monday for a spot in next year's FIFA World Cup.  A Chris Wood hat-trick has seen New Zealand smoke Fiji 7-nil in the Oceania qualifying semifinal in Wellington.  Former All White David Chote joined Adam Cooper to assess the performance and outline what the team's approach should be for Monday's final.  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 21 Mar 2025 20:58:24 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/shane-jurgensen-wellington-firebirds-coach-ahead-of-the-penultimate-plunket-shield-match-against-the-northern-districts/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/shane-jurgensen-wellington-firebirds-coach-ahead-of-the-penultimate-plunket-shield-match-against-the-northern-districts/ Competition leaders the Wellington Firebirds will resume on 154/7 on day two of their penultimate-round Plunket Shield match against Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve.  They lead by 35 runs after ND's innings of 119.  Firebirds coach Shane Jurgensen joined Adam Cooper to look at the title race and the team's approach for day two.  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 21 Mar 2025 20:54:11 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/wellington-club-cricket-can-north-city-women-achieve-a-seasons-double/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/wellington-club-cricket-can-north-city-women-achieve-a-seasons-double/ Cricket Wellington's Matt Wilson joins Adam Cooper for a preview of the weekend's premier club cricket. Of particular interest is the premier women's one-day final between North City and Petone-Riverside at Linden Park. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 21 Mar 2025 20:28:29 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/wellington-bowls-report-march-22-2025/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/wellington-bowls-report-march-22-2025/ Jason Puddick joined Adam Cooper to look at the local bowls scene, including celebrating more Wellington success at the National Intercentre competition. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 21 Mar 2025 20:21:10 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-polly-gillespie-and-karen-morgan-talk-benefit-numbers-gdp-and-bus-lane-fines/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-polly-gillespie-and-karen-morgan-talk-benefit-numbers-gdp-and-bus-lane-fines/ The equivalent of the entire population of Levin have become jobseeker beneficiaries in the last 12 months, with more than 200,000 people now receiving jobseeker. How do we get people into work - and will things get better as the economy improves? Also, The Wellington City Council pocketed $24,000 per week in fines from the new fixed bus lane cameras in Manners Street between June and December. The AA says it's abhorrent, and is punishing hard-working people from getting from A to B. Are these fines fair or should people know not to drive in bus lanes? To answer those questions, legendary broadcaster Polly Gillespie and Hutt City Councillor and mayoral candidate Karen Morgan joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff.  LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:29:52 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sport-kickoff-jason-pine-and-adam-cooper-talk-all-whites-and-breakers-sale/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sport-kickoff-jason-pine-and-adam-cooper-talk-all-whites-and-breakers-sale/ The All Whites are in town to face Fiji in a Fifa World Cup qualifier match. What can we expect - and can we make it to the World Cup for the first time since 2010? Also, the Breakers basketball team has been sold - who's bought the team, and what does it mean for it's future? Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff.  LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:25:02 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/ginny-andersen-and-mike-butterick-chat-the-latest-gdp-figures-on-politics-thursday/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/ginny-andersen-and-mike-butterick-chat-the-latest-gdp-figures-on-politics-thursday/ Nick was joined by National's MP for the Wairarapa Mike Butterick and Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen for Politics Thursday. They discussed the gross domestic product (GDP) rise of 0.7% in the December 2024 quarter, following a 1.1% decrease in the September 2024 quarter. They also looked at Health Minister Simeon Brown's spat with public health workers, the Prime Minister's trip to India, a 12% rise in Jobseeker benefit numbers and ACT's plans to enter candidates in local body elections this year. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 20 Mar 2025 02:05:49 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/georgina-campbell-reflects-on-nine-years-at-newstalk-zb-nz-herald/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/georgina-campbell-reflects-on-nine-years-at-newstalk-zb-nz-herald/ The New Zealand Herald's Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell is finishing up after nine years working at Newstalk ob体育接口 and the Herald in Wellington. In the final Capital Letter slot, she reflects on her most memorable stories, and how the journalism scene has changed since 2016. Nick also took a trip down memory lane to one of Georgina's first live radio crosses on Wellington Mornings - reporting to former host Tim Fookes from the opening of the David Jones department store. LISTEN ABOVE Tue, 18 Mar 2025 23:52:34 Z /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/malcolm-gillies-and-luke-pierson-on-wellington-mornings-business-panel/ /on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/malcolm-gillies-and-luke-pierson-on-wellington-mornings-business-panel/ Nick was joined for this week's business panel by Gillies Group owner Malcolm Gillies, and tech entrepreneur and founding member of Vision Wellington, Luke Pierson. They discussed how their particular industries are faring in the current economic climate, and how the government and councils can help things move forward. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 16 Mar 2025 23:41:51 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/aaron-young-wellington-saints-head-coach-previews-the-season-upcoming-clash-against-taranaki/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/aaron-young-wellington-saints-head-coach-previews-the-season-upcoming-clash-against-taranaki/ The Wellington Saints start their new National Basketball League campaign against Taranaki on Sunday.  New head coach Aaron Young joined Adam Cooper to look at the season ahead.  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:50:44 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/shane-binnie-miramar-mens-captain-ahead-of-the-interclub-tennis-final/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/shane-binnie-miramar-mens-captain-ahead-of-the-interclub-tennis-final/ It's finals day at the Renouf Centre for the Wellington men's and women's premier interclub tennis competitions.  Adam Cooper was joined by Miramar men's captain Shane Binnie to look ahead to their final against reigning champions Avalon.  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:47:29 Z /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/jamie-mackintosh-hurricanes-assistant-coach-on-the-teams-win-against-the-highlanders/ /on-air/wellington/all-sport-breakfast-wellington/audio/jamie-mackintosh-hurricanes-assistant-coach-on-the-teams-win-against-the-highlanders/ The Hurricanes have put their season back on track with a determined defensive effort to sneak past the Highlanders 20-18 in Dunedin.  It was a much-needed rearguard – the Hurricanes came into the contest last on the table with a bottom-four defence – and one led by a standout display from Du’Plessis Kirifi.  Adam Cooper was joined by Hurricanes assistant coach Jamie Mackintosh to look back on the win, who revealed an astonishing statistic about Kirifi's game.  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:33:54 Z