Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills (Newstalk ZB)

Wellington Water's chief executive Tonia Haskell has resigned after a scathing report into the entity's processes and accountability. 

So where to next for Wellington Water, and was Haskell forced out? 

A frequent critic of Wellington Water, Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy joined Nick Mills to discuss the organisation's issues.

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Compromise at the Beehive.

A split deputy prime ministership, with the role shared between New Zealand First's Winston Peters, and ACT's David Seymour.

Peters takes the job for the first one and a half years, Seymour the second.

Peters will also once again take on Foreign Affairs.

The 20-strong Cabinet's comprised of 14 ministers from National, three from ACT, and three from New Zealand First.

The Finance portfolio goes to National's Nicola Willis -- but the proposed foreign buyer tax will no longer go ahead.

Gerry Brownlee will be nominated as speaker.

Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says National's tax package will be funded via spending re-prioritisation.

Political commentators Peter Dunne and Brigitte Morten join Nick Mills as the coalition announcement unfolds, and provide analysis on Friday Faceoff.

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Hutt South is being tipped as one of the most gripping electorate races this year.

The high-profile seat sees senior National MP Chris Bishop take on Labour's Justice and Police Minister, Ginny Andersen.

Bishop flipped the historically safe red seat blue in 2017, but Andersen took it back three years later.

Azaria Howell headed to Hutt City and Petone to gauge the mood of voters.

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Specialist Police staff have been brought into Wellington to help investigate the Loafer's Lodge fire that claimed six lives.

Built in 1971, it didn't have sprinklers - and wasn't required to.

Now there's talk that the fire could bring change to the building code.

The lodge had a Building Warrant of Fitness issued this March - and no concerns were raised by the independent inspector.

Fire Engineer Michael Belsham says sprinklers are important for saving lives, particularly in places where people sleep.

But he says they can't be put in every building.

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Every fortnight Mortgage Ability Director Marcus Hull joins Nick Mills for Money Talks.

This week they discuss whether mortgage rates will come down in 2024, the biggest take away from this year financially, how to save around Christmas time, and how to ensure you stick to your New Year's resolution.

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On this week's Capital Letter, the Herald's Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell brings Nick up to speed with the latest on the region's water crisis, and how close Wellington is to having tightened water restrictions.

She also discusses the latest death at the waterfront crane, and the new parking meters being rolled out around Wellington's streets.

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Uncertainty around what lies ahead for the Wellington region with new water reforms coming into place.

The government is planning to axe its predecessor's Three Waters reforms, and make it easier for councils to establish council controlled organisations, for water delivery.

Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry chairs the Wellington Water Shareholders' group, and told Nick Mills what the proposed changes could mean for the region, in light of the current water crisis.

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New Zealand Herald Wellington Issues Reporter Georgina Campbell joins Nick Mills to discuss how Issac Levings' parents are coping after he accidentally drowned in Wellington's harbour, as well as those in the capital being fed-up with disruptive protests.

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Investigative journalist Nicky Hager and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury join Nick Mills on Friday Faceoff.

Together they discuss whether Michael Wood should be sacked from Cabinet, if buses are more important than cars, new recommendations for the electoral system and vaping laws.

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National doesn't have any plans to U-turn building a second Mount Victoria Tunnel, despite the Greens winning two central Wellington seats.

Over the weekend Julie Anne Genter won Rongotai and Tamatha Paul snatched Wellington Central, two previous Labour strongholds.

The Greens have campaigned against building a second Mount Victoria Tunnel, and instead wanted to prioritise light rail.

But National's Infrastructure Spokesperson Chris Bishop, who also won the Hutt Valley seat over the weekend, reaffirmed their priorities with Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings. 

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Newstalk ZB's deputy political editor Jason Walls joins Nick Mills to discuss the Groundswell protest, National's 'new' welfare plan and Gaurav Sharma's political resignation.

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Wellington's controversial Reading Cinema deal has moved ahead, despite backlash and an eleventh hour twist.

The Wellington City Council's officially buying the land the boarded-up quake-prone site sits on - for $32 million.

A motion to block the deal from going ahead failed.

Philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschik offered to buy the site yesterday, but his philanthropic offer didn't come to fruition after the council pushed their own deal through.

Prominent Wellington property developer Eyal Aharoni joined Nick Mills with his thoughts on the deal.

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Political commentator Peter Dunne and Newshub Political Reporter Lloyd Burr join Nick Mills on Friday Faceoff.

Together they discuss whether GST should be removed from fruit and vegetables, if Labour can recover from the Kiri Allan saga, more car parks set to be removed from Cuba Street and calls for permanent barriers along Wellington's waterfront.

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Every fortnight mega Wellington landlord joins Nick Mills for Hot Property.

This week he discusses the banks lifting deposit rates again, how foreign investors affect the market, whether wall colours can affect the value of a house, and how students can make a good impression on landlords.

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Host of Wellington's All Sports Breakfast show Adam Cooper joins Nick Mills to discuss the Wellington Blaze going up against Canterbury in the Women's Twenty20 final, a Basin sellout for the New Zealand v England test and Dane Coles announcing his retirement.

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Every week Labour MP for the Hutt South Ginny Andersen and National's deputy leader Nicola Willis join Nick Mills for Politics Monday.

This time on the panel they discuss the latest Newshub-Reid Research Poll, the Government's latest childcare support policy, Grant Robertson taking potshots at Chris Luxon and warnings from the Reserve Bank. 

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Labour MP for the Hutt South Ginny Andersen and National's deputy leader Nicola Willis join Nick Mills each week for Politics Monday.

This week they discuss Labour MP Gaurav Sharma alleging bullying is rampant throughout Parliament, Uffindell, the new 'build to rent' scheme, Stuart Nash's latest comments as the minister for tourism and the Government's plan to overhaul how reading and writing is taught. 

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Labour candidate for Rongotai Fleur Fitzsimons and Transporting New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett join Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff.

Together they debate investment in Wellington infrastructure, Tory Whanau continuing to defend rates increases, if cyclists should be fined for using the footpath and whether youth criminals should appear in court.

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Hutt Valley Chamber CEO Patrick McKibbin and Wellington hospitality operator Greig Wilson join Nick Mills on the Business Panel.

Together they debate whether Petone needs to be changed officially to Pito-one, coalition negotiations still dragging on, whether the New Building Standards need to be reviewed, proposed bus lanes for the Hutt Road, and liquor licenses being opposed on Courtenay Place.

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New Zealand Herald Wellington Issues Reporter Georgina Campbell joins Nick Mills every week for A Capital Letter.

This week she discusses Maritime NZ raising safety concerns before the Interislander ferry mayday call, and Wellington quickly running out of drinking water despite council's being warned.

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OPINION

Now if you’re anything like me, you hate filling out the census.

There's something about filling it out that makes you think you're giving away too much information.

Soon you've got people knocking on your door making sure you fill it out. It's a giant pain in the backside.

But I understand that the census is an important piece of data for the government to use to determine where the money goes.

Well the results of the 2023 census came out yesterday and there was one pretty shocking result for Wellington.

Try and think of something Wellington and the Chatham Islands have in common.

Very little, you would have thought.

Well, it was revealed yesterday that the only two places in the country where the population didn’t grow by a single person were Wellington City and the Chatham Islands.

Not a single extra person since the census in 2018. Can you believe that?

In actual fact, Wellington’s population dropped by 48 people. We’re smaller than we were in 2018.

And if you think of the hundreds of thousands of immigrants that have arrived in New Zealand since 2018, it seems crazy that this city hasn’t grown at all.

And we all know why. Wellington is nothing like it used to be.

Right now I actually think I’d prefer to live on the Chatham islands. 

I jest...

Regionally Wellington's growth is lagging behind the rest of the country. 

While Wellington City didn’t grow at all, the Wellington region had almost the slowest population growth rate in the country at 2.8% between 2018 and 2023.

It was second only to the Southland region which grew by 2.7%.

The population of Wellington region was almost exactly 521,000 as recorded on census night last year.

The number of dwellings counted in the 2023 census is up 6.4% to 216,000.

Why oh why does no one new want to live in Wellington?

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau said people still want to live in Wellington, but housing affordability is pushing people further out of the region… 

Really Tory?

I actually think that people have had enough of Wellington and think there are better options elsewhere in New Zealand. 

Wellington is in a hole right now.

Tory also said it's important to remember that people move in and out of cities all the time.

She said she knew anecdotally that people had opted to buy homes out of the city because it's more affordable.

Yes I agree  Tory, but the reason that people are moving is the high rates, high insurance and high cost of living in the capital city right now.

A few interesting other facts; Porirua is the fastest growing city in the region with 5.1 % population growth.

Kapiti Coast grew by 4.2%, Upper Hutt by 4% and Lower Hutt by 2.9%.

And here's the star of the show, only a small trip over the hill.

The Wairarapa is growing significantly faster than this side of the hill with an increase of 9.9 percent in South Wairarapa and Carterton, and 8.3% in Masterton.

I get the feeling Wairarapa is the new Kapiti.

And Wellington...

Well.

We have issues.

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It may be a bye for the Hurricanes this weekend, but there's a huge fixture for the Wellington Phoenix against the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday night to look forward to.  

All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Nick Mills. 

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the government is rushing into signing up to pillar two of the AUKUS pact

"[The new government] is effectively saying yeah, we want in. I wouldn't say we want in until we know what we're signing up for," he told Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills.

"I don't think that's something responsible governments do." 

Also on the agenda was the proposal for a new 'mega tunnel' under Wellington city, the government's rental law changes and how NZ responds to the Iran/Israel conflict that came to the fore on Sunday. 

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The Thrive Collective Director Livia Esterhazy and Fidel's and Havana Bar owner Roger Young join Nick Mills on the Business Panel. 

Together they discuss the mood of Wellington, the council's spending and priorities, Lets Get Wellington Moving, cycle ways and how they're impacting businesses, and whether after work schmoozing is becoming a thing of the past.

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Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young and Director at Franks Ogilvie Law Brigitte Morten joined Nick Mills on Friday Faceoff.

They talked about the UFS Pharmacy in Courtenay Place deciding to shut down due to Let's Get Wellington Moving.

Also on the agenda, the seemingly large increase in drink driving, alarming wait times at Wellington region hospitals, Mayor Tory Whanau's Friday night out and National Leader Chris Luxon being  confronted by a Tawa business owner during the week.

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Former MP and Attorney-General Chris Finlayson and Green MP and Rongotai candidate Julie Anne Genter join Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. 

Together they discuss Stuart Nash resigning from Minister of Police, but clash over the teachers going on strike and cycleways through Wellington.

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Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty and Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls join Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff.

Together they debate Tory Whanau publicly admitting to a drinking problem, the Government's 100 day plan, Winston Peters' lashing out at the media and banning gang patches.

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Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau joins Nick Mills live on Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings.

Together they discuss the Loafers Lodge fire, public consultation ending for the Golden Mile project, hundreds of jobs likely to be cut at Victoria University of Wellington, and her missing the Wellington Region Mayoral Forum in Carterton.

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The Aratere is on its way back to Wellington, but how was it that NZ First revealed the suspected cause of the grounding? 

Also, is Labour actually looking at introducing an inheritance tax policy, and should Darleen Tana resign from Parliament? 

Those were the questions for our politics panel, consisting of Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Labour's health and Wellington issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. 

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Wellington's Mayor can't yet paint a clear picture of the city council's debt.

The council’s gross debt was 1.25 billion dollars at the end of the 2023 financial year.

Over the past five years, they paid an average of 25 million dollars annually in interest for the money it has borrowed.

A group of Wellington ratepayers say their independent analysis shows the council's facing a billion dollar hole.

Tory Whanau hit back at the accusations during her October catch up with Nick Mills, and defended the Golden Mile plans. 

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In this week's Music Time, Nick and James rave about a global superstar who has just released his first new music in over 30 years

They also pay tribute to Clinton Brown, a New Zealand musician and all-around good guy who has played in some our country's biggest acts.

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Labour MP for Ōhāriu Greg O'Connor and National MP for Pakuranga Simeon Brown join Nick Mills for Politics Wednesday.

Over the hour they debate investment in road maintenance, National withdrawing its support from the  bipartisan agreement with Labour on housing density, and more money going into fog cannons and apprenticeship support.

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Newstalk ZB's music whizz James Irwin joins Nick Mills every fortnight to talk all things music.

This time he demonstrates how remixes and sampling is dominating over what we used to call 'normal'.

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New Zealand's Olympic medal count now sits at five after a wildly successful night for our rowers, including a standout performance from Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors in the women's double sculls. 

Also, the Central Pulse are off to the ANZ Premiership final - can they take the title?

Wellington's All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Newstalk ZB news and sports reader Max Towle joined Nick Mills.

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Mortgage Ability NZ Director Marcus Hull joins Nick Mills every fortnight to answer listeners' questions in regards to money, finance, budgeting, and just getting through tough times.

This week he discusses the KiwiSaver year ending, what bridging finance means, current mortgage rates, and the easiest way to spend money overseas. 

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Adam Cooper and Jason Pine join Nick Mills to preview the Black Ferns final against England, the Black Caps bowing out yet again in a world cup playoff match, the Wellington Phoenix back at home and the All Blacks facing up against Scotland.

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Dame Kerry Prendergast and Former chief of staff to the Labour Party Neale Jones join Nick Mills this week for Friday Faceoff. 

During the segment they discuss Labour MP Gaurav Sharma's claims of 'rampant' bullying in Parliament, Sam Uffindell, local body elections and the threat of slips facing the capital.

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The Prime Minister has returned from a quick trip to Australia - how did it go for him, and what big event is he attending this week? 

And former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern is set to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week - what can we expect?

Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.

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In Friday Sport, Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper explain to Nick Mills why they believe the All Blacks sudden coaching change has been dealt with well.

They also discuss why the Wellington Pride and Lions are wearing special pink jerseys for Sunday's home Farah Palmer Cup and NPC matches in Porirua.

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The Wellington City Council by-election is heating up, with local businessman Karl Tiefenbacher now in the running.

Tiefenbacher, who owns popular coffee shop, Kaffee Eis, announced this morning he will contest the vacant seat in the Pukehinau / Lambton ward.

He unsuccessfully ran for the same ward last year, on a platform of scrapping the golden mile project, and focusing on infrastructure over "pet projects".

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Our dreams for the Phoenix didn't quite come true... but we got close. What next for the team? And will Rob Penney stay on as coach of the Crusaders? 

Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills to talk all things sport. 

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Every week New Zealand Herald Wellington business editor Jenée Tibshraeny joins Nick Mills for Tuesday Business.

This week she discusses Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr's speech at a Council of Trade Unions event, and how IRD and Treasury opposed the Government's decision to give the owners of "build-to-rent" housing a tax break.

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Every week Nick Mills is joined by a member of the Newstalk ZB parliament team for Beehive Buzz.

This week Chief Political Reporter Aaron Dahmen discusses the house being adjourned for a week due to Cyclone Gabrielle, how Chris Hipkins has responded, and whether the focus on climate change has sharpened. 

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Act Party Leader David Seymour joins Nick Mills live in the Wellington Mornings studio to chat, and take listeners' calls.

Together they discuss co-governance, Cyclone Gabrielle, what he thinks of the Prime Minister and how he would help local councils.  

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Tim Beveridge is bringing his show 'The Music Is Bond' to Wellington next week.

It's set to take audiences on a thrilling journey through the legendary soundtracks that have become famous alongside the James Bond movies.

From Goldfinger, to Live and Let Die, the show will pay homage to the incredible composers and artists who have contributed to the Bond legacy.

Accompanying Orchestra Wellington will be three incredibly talented soloists including Lavina Williams, Caitlin Smith, Naomi Ferguson, and Tim Beveridge. 

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National MP Chris Bishop and Labour MP for the Hutt South Ginny Andersen join Nick Mills for Politics Tuesday.

To start off the year they discuss Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation, how Chris Hipkins will perform  as Prime Minister and what policy changes he needs to make.

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National Deputy Leader and Labour Ohariu MP Greg O'Connor joined Nick Mills for Politics Monday.

They discussed the Greens' push for major Wellington seats this election, funding for Let's Get Wellington Moving and ACT policies on crime and co-governance.

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A new poll has revealed New Zealander's thoughts on selling the Interislander, and a Wellington school is facing further allegations of bullying. 

To talk through the stories, NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills for her regular Capital Letter slot. 

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Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Labour List MP Ginny Andersen joined Nick Mills to debate the week's political happenings.

They discussed the annual political trip to Ratana, whose responsibility is addressing Wellington's water woes, the NZDF deployment to the Red Sea and the drop in inflation.

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Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry and Wellington playwright Dave Armstrong join Nick Mills on Friday Faceoff.

Together they discuss the protest in Wellington led by Brian Tamaki, the Newshub Leaders Debate, National's proposed benefit sanctions, and Summer water restrictions already coming into play. 

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Every fortnight Mortgage Ability Director Marcus Hull joins Nick Mills to talk all things money and answer listeners' questions.

This week they discuss saving for a holiday overseas, Christmas, and Marcus reveals some great spots to get a good deal at the petrol pump.

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Wellington's new $195 million dollar convention centre, Tākina, is officially open.

It's the capital's largest built infrastructure investment since Sky Stadium was opened two decades ago.

It's first exhibition, Jurassic World by Ryan 'The Brickman' McNaught, which features life sized Lego dinosaurs, begins on Saturday.

An event to celebrate Tākina being opened to the public was held in the new building.

Nick Mills got an exclusive tour and spoke to array of distinguished guests, including the The Brickman himself, Dame Winnie Laban, and Commercial Development Manager David Perks.

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A pay rise for MPs would be politically damaging, Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says.

He joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz, talking the possible increase for MPs salaries, Foreign Minister Winston Peters' overseas tour and public service cuts. 

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Legendary sports broadcaster Grant Nisbett and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine join Nick Mills to wrap up sport for 2023.

Together they discuss the Rugby World Cup, Cricket World Cup, another season for the Warriors, and the FIFA Women's World Cup.

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Wellington City Councillor Tim Brown and Former MP and lawyer Stephen Franks join Nick Mills on Friday Faceoff.

Together they discuss the IPCA's finding's from its parliament protest review, whether Kiwi prisoners deserve better conditions and who they think is best fit to take on the Wellington central seat. 

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KiwiRail bosses will front a select committee meeting next week where they are expected to face pressing questions about the future of Interislander’s Cook Strait ferries.

Plans to replace the existing fleet of three ferries with two new purpose-built mega ferries were thrown into disarray before Christmas.

NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell explained to Nick Mills what type of questioning the executives may face.

She also brought Nick up to speed on the likely new location for Wellington City Council staff, and why apartment owners in Wellington are battling with skyrocketing insurance premiums.

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Broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and former Wellington Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast join Nick Mills for the final Friday Faceoff of 2022.

To take out the year they debate what kind of Prime Minister Grant Robertson would make, whether private landlords should be regulated, Jacinda Ardern calling David Seymour 'such an arrogant prick’, how they'd confront a burglar and which kind of Christmas tree is best. 

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Newstalk ZB host Adam Cooper and Newshub Wellington Sports Reporter Luke Robinson join Nick Mills for sports. 

Together they discuss Lewis Clareburt stealing the show at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the All Blacks making some surprising changes for the South African series and Wellington starting its NPC campaign against Bay of Plenty.

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Every two weeks Mortgage Ability Director Marcus Hull joins Nick Mills for Money Talks.

This week he discusses how dangerous 'buy now, pay later' schemes can be during desperate times, mortgage rates exceeding what many were stress tested at, and even reveals an affordable way to buy vegetables.

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Every week Nick Mills is joined by National's Deputy Leader Nicola Willis and Labour MP for the Hutt South Ginny Andersen for Politics Monday.

This week they debate Winston Peters ruling out ever working with Labour again, Nicola now officially running for the Ōhāriu seat, National's plan to tackle youth crime, amendments to hate speech laws and Healthy Homes standards.

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National Party leader Christopher Luxon has been challenged to “get out more”, with a supporter telling him people want change but “don’t know you”.

The comment follows longstanding questions about Luxon’s ability to convince the country to make him Prime Minister come October, having only been an MP since 2020 and Leader of the Opposition since the end of 2021.

The comments were made by the owner of Tawa cafe Urban Eatery, Michelle Cam.

She joined Nick Mills to discuss her take on the National Party leadership.

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Sky Stadium CEO Shane Harmon and Porirua Mayor Anita Baker join Nick Mills for the final business panel in the Sky Stadium studios. 

Together they discuss Porirua Business Month, FIFA Women's World Cup ticket sales, oral submissions being made on the LGWM Golden Mile plan, potential incoming water restrictions, and how businesses are feeling cost of living pressures. 

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Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau needs a win after months of controversy, NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell says. 

After pushing for the council's sale of its stake in Wellington Airport and the failed Reading Cinema deal, Whanau desperately needs something positive to point to, Campbell told Nick Mills.

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An ex-Herald photographer whose photo of the Queen swept around the world nearly 70 years ago says the late monarch was idolised by the New Zealand press.

Graham Stewart was just 21 when he snapped the picture of the Queen smiling and waving to crowds in Pukekohe during her royal tour in 1954.

Stewart, who received a Queen's Honour for services to historical research and photography, told Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills how he and the other members of the media had to gather the day before the Queen's arrival to rehearse how they would capture their photographs.

It was early 1954 and cameras were far less mobile and user-friendly at the time, so even more work than usual was needed to catch a photo of the Queen as she walked by.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived on their royal yacht and disembarked at the wharf in Auckland, he said.

"At the time she stepped ashore, all the church bells right around Auckland, you could hear the bells pealing. It was such a magical time in our history."

Stewart said the Queen had been unwell during the trip so didn't smile much, but he was able to capture a shot of her holding a bouquet of flowers, smiling and waving to the gathered fans in Pukekohe.

The photograph was published around the world and adapted by the New Zealand Post for a stamp in the 1990s. It was also used as the title photograph for the BBC's four-part TV series Queen & Country, for Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee.

Stewart, who photographed the Queen on more than one royal tour, said he had "so many warm memories".

"We just all idolised her, she was so nice to us . . . we could tell she was looking sideways to us as if to say 'have you got your photograph'.

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Newstalk ZB music guru James Irwin joins Nick Mills to wrap up NZ Music Month, and gives listeners a sample of up and coming Whanganui artist Sophie Toyne.

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Winston is off overseas yet again, this week on a trip to multiple Melanesian states. And a new poll was released last week, what do the numbers show?

Newstalk ZB political editor joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills for an update from the Beehive. 

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Labour MP for the Hutt South and Police Minister Ginny Andersen and National Party Deputy Leader Nicola Willis join Nick Mills on Politics Monday.

This week they butt heads over whether juvenile detention facilities would help curb youth crime, if the Government's Winter health plan will alleviate pressure, and what Meka Whaitiri's defection from Labour says about the Government. 

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All Sports Breakfast Host Adam Cooper and former Newstalk ZB producer and now Warriors Commercial Sales Manager Thomas Harris join Nick Mills for Friday Sport.

Together they preview the Warriors first Wellington game in three years against Newcastle, the Track and Field nationals at Newtown Park, and wrap the Black Caps v England tests.

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The New Zealand music community woke up to tragic news on Tuesday morning.

Legendary Wellington trombonist Rodger Fox has died, aged 71. 

Music guru James Irwin, who knew Fox well, joined Nick Mills to talk through his legacy, including his time in Quincy Conserve and forming the Rodger Fox Big Band. 

In March last year, the legendary artist joined Nick for an extended interview, which you can find here. 

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Low confidence in the delivery of the capital's water repairs.

Wellington City Council have turned down a ten million dollar funding plea from Wellington Water.

They're instead willing to fork out 2.3 million dollars for the service, as council sees it as more achievable.

Long Term Plan Committee Chair Rebecca Matthews says funding is a priority, but they need to see better results first.

She says currently there's a crisis in our water system that we can all see.

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The Defence Force is getting a massive boost in pay to the tune of $419 million over four years.

Their earnings will increase between $4000 and $15,000 from July.

It comes as 10 percent of New Zealand's Defence Personnel hung up their boots in the past year.

The Defence Minister says that's about 800 people, and concedes Force pay rates have fallen behind comparable civilian roles.

Heather Roy was the Associate Minister of Defence under ACT between 2008 and 2010.

She's says higher salaries is not necessarily the answer. 

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Glen Denham sits down with Nick Mills to discuss his career and life leading up to taking the role as headmaster of Wellington College, and what he hopes to achieve during his tenure. 

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Former US President and current Republican nominee Donald Trump has been found guilty of 34 charges at the conclusion of his hush money trial in New York. 

Jurors convicted Trump on all 34 counts after deliberating for 9.5 hours.

Judge Juan Merchan has set the former president’s sentencing for July 11, just days before Republicans are set to select him as 2024 nominee.

Trump, talking to media after the decision, called the guilty verdicts “a disgrace”.

Newstalk ZB's US correspondent Dan Mitchinson joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills just minutes after the verdicts were read, to talk through what this means for Trump and the upcoming presidential election. 

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Nick Mills was joined for Friday Faceoff by former All White David Chote, and local writer and playwright Dave Armstrong.

They talked the FIFA World Cup, the decline of the Commonwealth Games, crime problems in the wake of the Auckland shooting, ending homelessness in Wellington and whether the Mayor should be allowed her dog in the office.

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The opposition are calling on the government to take hospital wait times seriously after the death of a 4 year-old child.

Sebby Chua died waiting for medical treatment in Wellington Regional Hospital.

He was previously sent home and told to sleep off his illness, believed to be tonsillitis, as his family claim doctors brushed off concerns and told them not to worry.

His family have since lodged a complaint with the Health and Disability Commissioner.

National Party Health Spokesperson Shane Reti says political action needs to be taken to prevent this from happening again.

He says the government need to take emergency department waiting room targets seriously.

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Yesterday 66-year-old Brian Lewis was sentenced at the Greymouth District Court to three years and two months in prison, after admitting drink driving causing death and two counts of drink driving causing injury.

On April 30 Lewis crossed the centre-line near Stillwater, about 20 kilometres east of Greymouth, and into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Kathy Sexton was killed and her two teenage passengers were seriously injured.

Lewis has 43 previous driving convictions, but has only lost his licence for four years.

Nick Mills asked Wellington Mornings' callers whether Lewis should be banned from driving ever again.

Steven shared his story.

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Every week Nick Mills is joined by New Zealand Herald Wellington Issues Reporter Georgina Campbell for A Capital Letter.

This week they discuss Mayor Tory Whanau opting not to renew her Green Party membership, slips likely becoming more common in Wellington and a change of the times for those that commute by train. 

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Do our MPs need to look at how they're behaving, and would we reduce alcohol harm if we raised the drinking age?

Those were the questions for the Friday Faceoff panel this week, with broadcaster Paddy Gower and lawyer and former MP Chris Finlayson.

Also on the agenda was our Olympic success, and the controversial Pablo Esco-burger - is it offensive? 

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NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenée Tibshraeny joins Nick Mills every week for Tuesday Business.

This week she discusses changes to New Zealand's immigration settings, what mortgage holders can expect from rising interest rates and the challenging year ahead for Finance Minister Grant Robertson.

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It's been revealed the ownership of Wellington's derelict Amora Hotel, sitting on prime CBD land, has changed hands. 

The owners of the building are now listed as Precinct Properties - the developers behind Auckland's Commercial Bay and Wellington's Willis Lane.

Wellington City Councillor John Apanowicz joined Nick Mills to talk through his hopes for the central city. 

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OPINION

Well, Louise Upston did warn us. 

The Social Development minister told us she was going to get tough on beneficiaries who were not complying with the requirements set out for them.

There were going to be sanctions; and a lot of them. And now we're seeing it happen.

It's a new approach from the government, an approach some might call heavy-handed.

I call it completely reasonable.

The first thing you need to know is the number of people on the benefit has risen. The latest data from the Ministry of Social Development shows at the end of June 380,000 people were receiving a main benefit of some kind.

That's up 8.3 per cent, or roughly 29,000 people compared to June 2023. 

Of those, 114,000 were receiving job seeker support and are work ready. That was up 14.8 per cent year on year.

But the sanctions are the biggest part of this story, and the numbers don’t lie.

There were roughly 10,400 sanctions issued in the June quarter, up 3600 or 53% compared to June last year.

And the main reason for the sanctions was that these beneficaries didn't attend appointments, including seminars.

There were also about 1800 of what are called graduated sanctions - that's a sanction that involves things like cutting a portion of a person's benefit. Those sanctions have increased a whopping 81.5% from a year earlier.

It really shows you how little the last government was sanctioning people on the benefit for not complying with the simple thing we ask of them; try and find work. 

Obviously the Green Party are up in arms about this, saying Louise Upston is more interested in punishing the poor than actually supporting people into meaningful work.

Rubbish. 

I understand that with the state of the economy, the number of people on a benefit will rise, and I firmly believe people in that position should be treated with dignity and respect, and have enough to live on. It's also important to note that it's a small minority of beneficiaries facing these sanctions. 

But there should also be responsibilities. Every person on the benefit should be trying as hard as possible to find work, and if they aren’t making an effort, then it's completely reasonable to crack down on them with sanctions. 

In some cases, this will instil discipline in people who haven't worked for a while or simply don't want to work.

I would have thought that was a great way to push people into work and get them to understand that in the real world if you've got an appointment you've got to be there.

If you've got a commitment, you've got to commit to it.

And if you are on a benefit, it’s a hand to help you to do the right things. To show and prove that you are better than picking up a benefit every week. That you have potential.

And if you don't want to commit to doing the right things to make something of yourself, then it's going to cost you.

This is life in the real world. 

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National Party Deputy Leader Nicola Willis and Labour MP for Ōhāriu Greg O'Connor joined Nick Mills for the Wellington Mornings' weekly politics segment.

They discussed the controversy around Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau, Minister Kiri Allan's conduct, the latest Crown accounts, Te Whatu Ora's ambitious health recruitment drive, campaigning in Ōhāriu and Let's Get Wellington Moving.

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This week the Wellington City Council will begin consulting with Cuba Street businesses on plans to remove 20 car parks between Ghuznee Street and Vivian Street.

The plan looks to pedestrianise the area on a trial basis, as part of the Let's Get Wellington Moving initiative.

Olivia Amoah owns the Lazulé jewellers with her mother, and is strongly opposed to the plans. 

She joins Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings.

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Every fortnight one of Wellington's biggest landlords, Matt Ryan, joins Nick Mills for Hot Property. 

This week he discussed how hard it is to insure seaside homes, nearly half of the country's young voters wanting rent controls put in place, the upside to apartment living, and what will happen to the market if interest rates are increased. 

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National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Ginny Andersen join Nick Mills for Politics Monday.

Together they discuss the ongoing coalition negotiations between National, ACT and NZ First, fresh bullying allegations made against Ginny, the state of the Government's books, and pharmacists calling for prescriptions to remain free.

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Gazley Motors managing director Myles Gazley joins Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings to explain his alternative option to the proposed Newtown cyleway plan. 

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The details of Kiwirail's immediate reaction to the grounding of the Aratere have been revealed in correspondence released by Transport Minister Simeon Brown's office. 

NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter is across the details, and joined Nick Mills to reveal just how it went down.

She also shared the story of Te Papa's gigantic specimen collection that needs to find a new home, and her thoughts on Wellington Water chief executive Tonia Haskell's resignation.

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The owner of Loafers Lodge in Wellington, where at least six people have died in a fire, says he’s in the dark about what might have caused the deadly blaze.

Gregory Mein told the NZ Herald his energy was focused on working with management, the bereaved and relocating displaced tenants.

Georgina Campbell joins Nick Mills to explain.

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Friday Faceoff this week saw former Cabinet Minister Peter Dunne and Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy join Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills. 

On the agenda was MPs pay, Upper Hutt's boy racing issue, the tragic Billy Guyton story and the relaxed rules of dogs in public. 

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Newstalk ZB's music guru James Irwin joins Nick Mills for Music Time.

This week they discuss The Rolling Stones releasing a new single overnight, a new five record box-set by one of New Zealand's best, and another scary glimpse at the world of AI music. 

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A Wellington bar owner is slamming Council, Police, and Te Whatu Ora for cracking down on fun.

The El Barrio and Vinyl Bar owner's attempt to open up a new spot on Courtenay Place, is being thwarted by the three agencies.

The new bar is nearly fully fitted-out, and almost ready to open.

Owner Greig Wilson, says some believe another bar would see more alcohol-related harm.

He joins Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings. 

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It's Scott Robertson's first test as All Blacks coach tomorrow night, and all eyes are on Dunedin to see how his new team performs. 

Live from Dunedin, Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Nick Mills to preview the match, alongside Wellington's All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper. 

Also discussed was the Tall Blacks' loss to Slovenia overnight, killing the team's hopes of an Olympic appearance. 

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Former MP and Minister Peter Dunne and former MP and Attorney General Chris Finlayson joins Nick Mills for an election special of Friday Faceoff.

Together they break down the last leaders debate, the latest polls, the reality of working with Winston Peters, and who they back to win electorates within the Wellington Region. 

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New Zealand Herald Wellington Issues Reporter Georgina Campbell joins Nick Mills to discuss six councillors losing confidence in Let’s Get Wellington Moving, developments to the Loafers Lodge fire investigation, and Kiri Allan expediting urgent advice on New Zealand’s ability to respond to a maritime disaster.

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Today the Wellington City Council is voting on whether to reduce speeds on 80 per cent of our local roads to 30kph an hour. 

Why? I hear you ask. 

Well, it's part of their contribution to New Zealand's Road to Zero campaign. 

If the vote goes through the plan will go out to Wellingtonians for public consultation. 

You see the council is required to introduce safe speed limits of 30kph near 40 per cent of our schools by June next year. 

They're then required to introduce safer speed limits all of our schools by the end of 2027. 

At first glance that makes sense, but wait, it gets worse. 

Because Wellington City has a high density of schools, this would mean reducing speed limits on 80 per cent of our streets in and around Wellington.

So 80 per cent of our streets, going down to 30kph. 

A few main routes would remain at 40kph an hour, and even fewer at 50. 

Overall, up to 93 per cent of our streets could face some kind of speed reductions. 

The move is the council's approach to the government's Road to Zero campaign which aims to reduce death by 40 per cent by 2030, and eliminate deaths on our roads by 2050. 

You all know how I feel about the Road to Zero campaign, it's simply not possible  

Whenever I read that our council is going to consult on something I shake my head. Has anything really ever changed because of public consultation? 

Counsellor Iona Pannett is behind lowering the speed limits in Wellington City. Remember though, she's never or owned or even driven a car. 

Iona was quoted as saying sometimes slow transport movement is a better way of enjoying life. 

Hang on a second, she's meant to be the chairperson of the Wellington City Council's Planning and Environment Committee.

Do we have any hope of fair and open discussion? 

Think about our traffic conditions now, then imagine what it's going to be like when we reduce the speed to 30kph. 

We all want it to be safe around schools, preschools and kindergartens. But 80% of roads in our city? 

Come on. 

My experience of Wellington City Council is they get everything they want. And it sounds to me like they want this. 

So, it's coming to a street by you. 

This is no different to the cycleways. One car at a time, gone. That’s what they want. 

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An organisation that provides a safe space and a friendly face for young people out on Friday and Saturday nights is extending its service from mid-February through to April.  

Take 10, with the support of Wellington City Council, has been parking up their mobile unit on the corner of Courtenay Place and Taranaki Street on Friday and Saturday nights since 2019.  

Run by the Vulnerable Support Charitable Trust (VSCT), volunteers engage with Wellingtonians to share water, lollies, play a game or two or just have a chat from 10pm to 3am on both weekend nights. 

From this weekend there will be additional support with a pop-up Take 10 going into the unoccupied site at 47 Courtenay Place.  

It's importance is showcased at this time of year, with an influx of students in the city along with a list of large events and festivals.

The pop-up will provide more kaitiaki presence during the busiest time of year – in late summer large events and festivals are coupled with an influx of students for the beginning of the academic year. 

Clint Schoultz from the VCST joined Nick Mills to talk about their service.

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It was an idea dreamed up by a Wellington primary school's parent-teacher association; what if we buy the best tickets at London's Wembley Stadium for Taylor Swift's upcoming tour and raffle them off?

Well the school has done exactly that - paying for the tickets from the proceeds of cake stalls - and now the raffle looks likely to net them $100,000 to go towards an upgraded school hall. 

Clyde Quay School PTA chair Phernne Tancock was on the team that dreamed up the idea for the $25-a-ticket raffle, and joined Nick Mills.

Tickets can be purchased here.

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Authorities are still working to determine the death toll from this morning's hostel fire in Newtown.

The blaze broke out in the Loafers Lodge on Adelaide Road just before 12.30am.

Newstalk ZB's Nick James was at the scene.

He told Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings there's an eerie feeling.

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Every fortnight Mortgage Ability Director Marcus Hull joins Nick Mills to talk all things money.

This week they discuss the fact that Kiwis on average owe around $150,000 worth of debt, and various apps that can help bring costs down this Winter. 

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All Sports Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Newstalk ZB All Blacks commentator and Deputy Sports News Editor Elliott Smith join Nick Mills for Friday Sport.

Together they preview the Wellington Phoenix facing their biggest game of the year, the Hurricanes in action against the Fijian Drua in Suva, reports that Shaun Johnson may leave the Warriors again, and whether the Saints will have another win against the Rams in Christchurch.

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