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

September 29, 2025 11 mins

Country star Tami Neilson chats to Nick Mills on her upcoming Neon Cowgirl tour, touring with the greats like Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan and her love of Wellington.

The New Zealand leg of her international tour begins Friday 3rd October. You can get tickets at plus1.co.nz.

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Winston Peters announced New Zealand's stance on Palestinian Statehood this weekend at the UN. 

We hear the talk around the beehive after Cabinet's decision to not recognise the state. 

We also discuss the funding of prisons and the upcoming announcement from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on earthquake-prone building law rewrites, and how this will impact Wellingtonians and our businesses. 

Newstalk ZB political e...

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On Friday Faceoff this week Nick spoke to Franks Ogilvie director Stephen Franks and former cabinet minister Peter Dunne. 

They discussed the council desk saga, privacy within the council, gave their thoughts on Andrew Little and the Wellington mayoral race and their live reaction to the Loafers Lodge fire guilty verdict. 

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To coincide with the influx of visitors for World of WearableArt (WOW), WellingtonNZ has arranged a hop-on, hop-off minibus service exclusively for WOW ticketholders.

It connects them with the best of Wellington's CBD with a 30-minute loop route, accompanied by commentary of some of Wellington's history and stories.

Driver and tour guide Ron Irvine joined Nick Mills to talk about his role.

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On Politics Thursday, Nick Mills was joined by Labour's Palmerston North MP Tangi Utikere and National's Otaki MP Tim Costley.

They discussed Treasury's stark warnings about the country's fiscal direction, the new Reserve Bank Governor and the ratings of politicians from the Herald's Mood of the Boardroom.

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Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung joined Nick Mils to discuss his second run for mayor in this year's Local Body Elections.

He discussed his 0% rates rise policy, and the recent release of a controversial email he sent to fellow councillors in 2023.

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This week on Music Time, can Nick and James pinpoint who is the greatest guitar player of all time?

Is it an early innovator or a blues legend, A fret shredder or Rock guru?

With so many great players to choose from, who will be number 1?

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In this week's Business Panel, Nick was joined by sixth generation Ohariu Valley farmer Hamish Best - who also owns Conscious Valley meat - alongside NZCIS Performance Institute general manager Jamie Tout.

They discussed how their respective businesses have been performing this year, and talked over a number of issues such as the recent GDP result, how to get Wellington thriving for business and whether the Local Body Elections hav...

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Nick Mills wrapped up the week with BRG senior consultant and Chris Luxon's former chief press secretary Hamish Rutherford, and former NZ Herald senior reporter Georgina Campbell.

They discussed the fallout from the 0.9% GDP drop, the upcoming Wellington Local Body Elections, amalgamation and what should happen with the City to Sea Bridge.

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Nick is joined for the Friday Sport Kickoff by Jason Pine and Adam Cooper, who look ahead to the Black Ferns' Rugby World Cup semifinal against Canada on Saturday.

They also discussed the fallout from last week's All Blacks loss to South Africa, and whether the return of some top players will salvage the Wellington Lions' NPC season.

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September 17, 2025 12 mins

World of WearableArt (WOW) is back in Wellington for 2025, with the show Rise at TSB Arena.

The mastermind of the show again this year is the renowned Las Vegas-based creative genius Brian Burke, who returns as Executive Creative Director.

Ahead of WOW's opening night in Wellington, Nick Mills caught up with Burke about his vision for this year's festival, and his passion for producing world-leading events around the globe.

LI...

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New Zealand’s economy is back in contraction.

Latest data just out from Stats NZ shows GDP fell 0.9% in the three months to June.

That follows six months of growth, after six months of contraction.

Nick Mills gauged reaction to the announcement with Labour's Ayesha Verrall and National's Mike Butterick in Politics Thursday.

They also discussed the current teacher and nurse strikes, the rise in New Zealanders being sent to prison an...

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As the countdown continues to the start of World of World of WearableArt (WOW) in Wellington for 2025, Nick Mills spoke with show model and dancer Stela Albuquerque, whose face is on the WOW posters and advertising for this year's event.

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Three term Wellington City Council Diane Calvert joined Nick Mills in studio to discuss her second bid for the Wellington Mayoralty.

Calvert pledged to cut the Council's operational expenditure by 5% - or $40 million - in her first year as Mayor.

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Ahead of the 2025 edition of World of Wearable Art (WOW) at Wellington's TSB Arena, Newstalk ZB's Nick Mills is chatting to some of the key figures, both on stage and behind the scenes.

Nick sat down with Leonie Trathen, who first modelled for the show in 1990, and is now wardrobe and activations manager for the design competition.

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On Friday Faceoff this week, Nick was joined by former Labour MP and Pasifika leader Dame Winnie Laban, and outgoing Wellington City Councillor Tim Brown.

They discussed the fate of the City to Sea Bridge, the mood of the nation in the wake of the Tom Phillips saga, and comments by Winston Peters about the state of Wellington.

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Ahead of the second All Blacks-Springboks test at Wellington's Sky Stadium, Nick Mills spoke to the two television match day commentators - Sky TV's Grant Nisbett and Super Sport South Africa's Matt Pearce.

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On Politics Thursday, Nick was joined by Labour's Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall and National's Otaki MP Tim Costley.

They discussed the new Government proposal for a new infringement offence for shoplifting, the annual net migration continuing to fall, and some harrowing statistics around care in Wellington Hospital's Emergency Department.

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New Zealand's national museum Te Papa was recently named in the top 1% "Best of the Best attractions worldwide" in the TripAdvisor 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards.

The museum on Wellington's waterfront was also labelled the best attraction in New Zealand, and the fifth best attraction in the South Pacific.

However, with a slower than expected tourism recovery, Te Papa is forecasting a $13m deficit for the 2025/26 financial year and ...

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On Music Time this week, James tells Nick  if there is one concert he should go to this year then it's this one by Tami Neilson.

On this week's slot, they also looked at songs that were made into better hits than the original versions, and they look at more gigs happening around the city in the coming months.

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