Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins denies that the Labour Party will lose support over his refusal to give evidence in a public session for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19.

Dame Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins, Grant Robertson and Dr Ayesha Verrall had refused to front up publicly.

But, Hipkins told Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings that he doubts it will affect his party's reputation.

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Chris Hipkins, Ayesha Verrall, Dame Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson have refused to front at public hearings for the second phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response. Are they dodging accountability, or have they answered enough qu...

Former ministers Chris Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern, Grant Roberston and Ayesha Verrall have refused to front up for public hearings at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19. Are they ducking for cover, or is there a good reason not to show up?

Also, yesterday Green's co-leader Chloe Sw...

They are some of the biggest industries affected by a slumping economy, so how are they holding up in 2025? 

Unemployment and inflation have both risen in the latest updates, foot traffic in the Wellington CBD is still down, and both sectors are about to be stung with increased costs as the government bans contactless payment surcharges.

So, how are retail and hospitality operators feeling, and are they hopeful for something o...

Education Minister Erica Stanford repeatedly tried to brief and seek input from Labour’s education spokeswoman Willow-Jean Prime about impending NCEA changes  - but Prime and Hipkins refused to meet. Is this what we expect from the opposition? 

All Black star Richie Mo’unga will return to New Zealand in 2026, signing with New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders and the Canterbury Rugby Union. What does his return mean for the All Blacks? 

Also, it's a story of success very few could replicate; going from a roofer playing club rugby to an All Black in the space of 12 months. But that's exactly what Wellington's Kyle Preston has done. How did he do it?

Weekend Sport host Jaso...

A big party is coming to Wellington's St James Theatre this month.

The acclaimed Mamma Mia mus...

The government is hoping to have petrol tax fully scrapped by 2027, with all motorists moving towards paying road user charges per kilometre. But if the idea is that this is cost neutral, what's the point?

Also, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced a raft of changes to the Fisheries Act, but as a former chair of Sealord and someone who has received donations from the industry, is he the right person to be making these decis...

Wellington City Council’s Crown Observer believes Tory Whanau made the right move in deciding not to run for Mayor again. 

Lindsay McKenzie has ended his six month stint after being brought in by the Government last year to be its eyes and ears as the council failed to deliver a long-term plan.  

His final report suggests the capital is facing the same problems as the rest of the country but is steadily progressing. 

US President Donald Trump has inked an executive order raising tariffs on Kiwi goods from 10% to 15%. What impact will this have on our exporters - and how did Australia get away with staying at 10%?

Also, FBI director Kash Patel was in Wellington this week opening a brand new permanent office. Should Kiwis be concerned about having the FBI in town?

To answer those questions, former Minister and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne and political ...

The ANZ premiership has finally inked a new broadcast deal with TVNZ - but it will see Netball NZ paying them for the privilege of having the games broadcast. What impact will this have on the professional game?

Also, the NPC has officially kicked off, and the Wellington Lions take on Canterbury at Jerry Collins Park tomorrow. How's the team looking for the season? 

To answer those questions, All Sport Breakfast host Adam Coop...

The number of gang members in New Zealand has surpassed 10,000 for the first time - now sitting at 10,009 according to the National Gang List.

That compares to 9270 just before the 2023 election, and 5343 gang members in 2017. 

So what's needed to stop the gangs growing, and has banning gang patches made any material difference to recruitment?

Police Minister Mark Mitchell joined Nick Mills to discuss the numbers.

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Around 36,000 nurses are taking to the street today in an effort for better pay and conditions, but with the average nurse earning over $100,000 a year - are some being a bit greedy?

Also, while interest rates have lowered, many Wellingtonians are still feeling the pinch of a sluggish economy. When can we expect to see the economy bounce back?

Deputy Prime Minister and Act leader David Seymour joined Nick Mills in the studio. 

It's a Hutt Valley special of the Wellington Morning's business panel this week, with a successful engineer and the man in charge of advocating for business in the area joining Nick on the show.

On the agenda; the state of the Wellington economy in the outer cities, rising rates and insurance costs, public sector cuts and the rise of artificial intelligence. 

Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Patrick McKibbin and Metco Engin...

The government has announced changes to election rules, ending the ability to enrol on election day - something 110,000 people did last election. Is this a reasonable move, or could it risk disenfranchising some would-be voters? 

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