Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis. You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few. Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.

Episodes

March 16, 2026 4 mins

Good morning, New Zealand. 

Let's start the show this morning by asking you a simple question: how fragile is our economy right now, really?  

Because just when it feels like we might finally be seeing those green shoots growing, a bit of momentum, a bit of optimism creeping back into the country — along comes another debate that feels like it could shut things down yet again. 

Yes, petrol prices are climbing, pushed...

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All gift cards sold or given out with a purchase now have a minimum expiry date of three years as yesterday the government has amended the Fair Trading (gift card expiry) Act. 

Why is it not longer or unlimited? Nick speaks to Consumer NZ spokesperson Jessica Walker discusses the changes and how they will affect customers. 

Walker says they have been campaigning on the amendments for 10 years, as they estimate $10 mi...

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has arrived in Samoa, and on the agenda is a ceremony to receive the matai, chief title. 

This visit is the first for Luxon in Samoa, and his first time meeting Samoa PM La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt since he was elected in September.

Reports that he had requested the title have been debunked by the Prime Minister and his team. Other Prime Ministers have previously received...

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For Friday Faceoff this week Nick is joined in the studio by lawyer and former MP Stephen Franks and managing director of Gazley Motors Myles Gazley.

Starting with the government's warnings of carless days due to fuel shortages from the Iran conflict.

Gazley and Franks give their insight into the issue, the response from the government and the public. Should the government implement the idea, or are there better alternatives?

Then ...

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March 12, 2026 9 mins

This week for Friday Sport Kick-off Nick is joined by Jason Pine to wrap the weeks sport - and what's to come for the weekend.

Starting with the biggest question in rugby at the moment - who will be Dave Rennie's All Blacks assistant coach? Jason and Nick talk Tana Umaga and Cory Jane, their stats, their legacy and hopes for the job.

Tonight the Hurricanes play the Force in Napier, they go through what's expected and how the team i...

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This week for Politics Thursday Nick is joined by Labour MP and spokesperson for Health and Wellington Issues, Ayesha Verrall and National MP for Otaki, Tim Costley.

Yesterday the Covid-19 response findings were released, what have our politicians learned from these findings?

Verrall, who was associate health minister at the time, shares her thoughts on the inquiry findings surrounding spendings, teenage vaccination health concerns...

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Nick chats to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith after an open letter was signed by Wellington's regional mayors.

The letter states the mayors and other community leaders reject the government's plan to give police power to move on rough sleepers for 24 hours. 

Minister Goldsmith shares his thoughts on the rejection of the orders, and the reputation of Wellington.

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Wellington Regional mayors, iwi and community leaders have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister stating that new move on orders are not welcome in the area.

The move on orders have been proposed by the government to cope with growing numbers of homeless people in city centres - giving police powers to move people for 24 hours.

The letter from the mayors is concerned that this is not the best way to deal with the issue and wi...

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The new Central Library, Te Matapihi Ki te Ao Nui is opening this weekend, March 14th.  

To celebrate the council is throwing an opening ceremony – originally budgeted at a $405k cost to the rate payer.  

After receiving the budget, Mayor Andrew Little slashed the cost to $178k. 

The library is reopening after 7 years of earthquake strengthening and refurbishments. The opening event includes a 300 person choir and ja...

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For our business panel this week Nick is joined in the studio by Retail NZ CEO, Carolyn Young and employment law expert and partner at JB Morrison, Tess von Dadelszen.

Young and von Dadelszen discuss doing business in the city, in such hostile times in terms of international, national and local politics. 

Starting with the effect of the Iran conflict, what are the effects of instability and price rises having on their business...

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This week for Beehive Buzz, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB Political Reporter Azaria Howell. 

Rumours swirl around Prime Minister Luxon's position and a coup, after last week's Curia poll result had National at 28%. 

And tomorrow the findings from the report on the Governments Covid-19 response are released. What is the feeling in the beehive right now, and what is expected to come of this?

For the latest from the parliame...

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Wellington City Council's revenue and financial working group has released their report with 50 suggestions to cut council spending and rates rises.

Chair of the group and deputy mayor Ben McNulty joins Nick to discuss the findings of the report. The report will head to public consultation, after the council meeting on Thursday. 

The report aims to save about $8 -10 million, including cutting the council's climate budget by $1...

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OPINION: Luxon should not bow down to negative polls. 

What a weekend it’s been for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. 

And strangely enough, the whole situation really kicked off right here on this show on Friday morning with a little chat with Nicola Willis. 

The results of the poll were out, people were talking about miserable they were, the Nicola Willis interview kicked it off. 

It started the conversation a...

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Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Nick Mills in the studio for her monthly catch up.

The latest poll from the Taxpayer Union and Curia has National at 28.4% - the lowest for the party since it formed Government in 2023.

Nick questions Luxon's leadership and asks Willis - is there any hope for Luxon as Prime Minister.

These numbers mean the left block could form a government, and is Nationals lowest result while in government sin...

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Nick Mills wraps the week with former Minister and political commentator Peter Dunne and political commentator and barrister Brigitte Morten.

The latest taxpayer union poll shows National at the lowest point since 2020 - 28%. After a failed coup last year, is this the right time for Bishop to take over as National leader? Our guests face off over what caused this and what will happen with the role of Prime Minister this election.&n...

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For this we...

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Former Principal of Taita College Karen Morgan joins Nick on the show to discuss the benefits of public school. 

Karen has experience working in multiple public schools, she tells Nick about the benefits of sending your children to public school, and what makes the education work for the child.

Is it the fact it's private/public, the teachers or something else?

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The new Wellington Central Library named Te Matapihi is opening on Saturday March 14th after $217 million of refurbishments and strengthening. 

Nick Mills toured around the building and chatted to project lead Gisella Carr along with other staff in the brand new library.

Was it everything he expected? And is it what Wellington needs to reignite life in the city?

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Unrest in the Middle East continues. 

I watched that stand-up from the Prime Minister and I’ve got to be honest with you — I walked away feeling uneasy. 

Not because I expect a New Zealand Prime Minister to be a Middle East historian.  

We’re a small country. Our politics is usually about rates, roads, schools, the price of butter. I get that. 

But when the world tips into crisis —when the United States and Isra...

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For Music Time this week Nick and James talk up the capitals friendliest and best music festival - Hutt Sounds, ponder why some gigs don't come here and run through all the must see events coming this month.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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