It's been a huge year for Wellington.
Local government has hogged the headlines, and repeated issues with ferries have caused the crossing between the North and South islands to become a hot political issue.
With her finger on the pulse of the city's news, NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter has joined Nick Mills weekly since the start of the year.
This week in her final slot of the year, she discussed two high-profile resignations from Wellington mayor Tory Whanau's business advisory group, and ongoing fallout from the government's announcement on ferries last week.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talks ed B taking the pulse of the
city The Capital Letter on news Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
It's that time of the week for her joining us
for her regular Capital Letter slaughters New Zealand Herald. Wellington's issues,
reported Georgina Campbell. Sorry, I got my timing a little
bit wrong there because George and I were having a
bit of a chat. Big party on Wellington tonight. George
is going and I'm not sure yet. Anyway, there's been
some resent nation.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Good morning, George, good morning. I'm all over the place.
I'm a DD I know.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
So there's been some recent nations from the Mayor's much
talked about Business Advisory Group.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Talk us through this and I'll give you my opinion.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Okay, Well, I'm looking forward to that. So two members
have resigned, Willis Bond chairman Mark McGinnis and bar owner
Justin McKenzie. Now, of course, this Business Advisory Group was
only announced in May. I think at that time it
played quite well for Tori Farno. She just had the
(01:10):
reading cinema deal fall over. It felt like she was
bringing businesses into the fold and you know, she said
at that time it's important to her that local businesses
have an active role in shaping and delivering the transformation
of the city. However, Justin McKenzie, Justin McKenzie told me
that the actual survivability of his business was more important
(01:32):
to him than sitting around the table having a cup
of tea and a cheese board. So, you know, he
feels at least that he wasn't really listened to as
part of that group, that it was a bit of
a waste of time. Of course, he has had to
close his Courtney Placed business, CGR Merchant and Co. And
(01:56):
so he sort of said, look like that's what his
priority was at that time, rather than this business advisory group.
Mark McGinnis not want to comment, but did you speak Yeah,
I spoke to him on the phone. He said, confirmed
that he resigned, but no comments.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Was there anything significant about them resigning together?
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Was there any joint thing?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Was it just one resign one day, one resigned day
or one day or do they do it together and
or was it announced by the Mayor's office that they
both resigned together.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
No, the Mayor's office certainly did not announce it. I
found out about it and contacted them for comment, And
when I talked to Justin McKenzie he had only recently
become aware that Mark McGinnis had also resigned, so it
doesn't appear that an next joint thing. As for Tory Farno,
(02:48):
she said that the peer resigned because of time pressure
and other priorities. You know. She said that these are
not paid roles, so she appreciates members with busy jobs
taking the time to be part of the group, and
she's grateful for the input. She said she's been chaading
to some very keen candidates to join the group. I
think the frustration for these business owners is that they're
(03:11):
business owners. They make decisions. They're really busy people, and
they crack on and get on with it. And they've
come to Wellington City Council and sort of thought, oh right,
local government is slow and can't and frustrating.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Basically, they don't want to sit around the table holding
hands and singing Harley Christner. No, they want to get
it done without problem here, pum, let's fix it now.
I don't know Justin mckinziey that well, but I do
know him. I do know him, and I totally respect him.
As a Wellington businessman and as a Wellington bar person,
and as a person in hospitality. And when I saw
his name on that list when it was first announced,
I said, there couldn't be a more perfect person to
(03:49):
be on their representative of hospitality in Wellington. Good operator,
good person, yeah, just the right thing. So when I
saw him residing, I also thought that was a bit
of a blow. Mark McGinnis, I don't know it all,
don't know him. I've done business with the Fan family,
tough family to do business with. They are about themselves.
(04:11):
They're not about anyone else apart from themselves. So I'm
not surprised that he didn't make any comment.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You know.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
That's you know, I'm not surprised by that at all,
and I'm not surprised he would have resigned because they
do fabulous work. I'm not going to say that they
don't do fabulous work. They do amazing work and they've
been great for the city. But they're about their brand,
their their organization. As far as my humble.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Opinion, I think with a business advisory group, you know,
the mayor has to be prepared for some of those
members to have different opinions to her isn't that the
whole point of a business advisory group. She wants their talents, Yeah,
and that you can hear their perspectives and importantly here
perspectives that she may not have heard in her circles
(04:55):
or you know, in her day to day So.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
The experience of it, I mean, mart McGinnis take whatever
you know, say whatever I want.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
I mean is a very very well respected.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Talented businessman country wide, not just in Wellington.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
I mean he's big time Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
And Beg and Auckland too, like they've rarely expanded in Auckland.
I just think it's disappointing to hear that Justin McKenzie
felt that he wasn't being listened to, because presumably that's
the whole point of the group.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Absolutely, And you know that's disappointing.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Okay, quickly because we've only got a couple of minutes left.
But the fallout from the fairy announcement, come on, do
we can we have we ever done a segment on
the show where we haven't mentioned fairies.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
You're getting obsessed by it?
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Probably not. And given the announcement or announcement of an
announcement or non announcement that the government made last week.
I suspect that we will be talking about the fairies
every capital, let a slot for a good time to
come Nick.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Or d all of the above.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Yeah, I honestly, basically, I'm disappointed. I was expecting a
comprehensive plan for the future of Cookstrait that is not
what the government announced. It now sort of appears to
be Nikola Willis versus Winston Peters and yeah, it just
drags on. We still don't have an answer.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
I mean, if I told you what my my and
I'm going to present him Nicholas coming on the show
on Friday, and I'm going to present it to her.
This is my scenario. And I really feeling strongly that
this is what happened. Nicola went to cabinet and said,
I've got the deal. This is what we're going to do.
They're not rail enabled the fairies. Winston jumped up and
down and said that bs we need to have because
(06:36):
he's a rail man, we need to have them rail enabled.
So why don't you give it to me. I'll sort
it out. And that's why.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
She's got up and said job's over. I've done my job.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
I think your career. And just to add to that,
you know, Clear Trevet, the political editor of The Herald,
wrote a really great piece this morning, just kind of
expanding on that point and that Winston Peters apparently, you know,
was sort of like, well, no, I can't. I'm not
going to support that. I'm not going to support that,
and it just dragged on and on, and Nicola was
sort of like, okay, fine, you you try and.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Do I'll give it.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Yeah, And her language was very interesting in that she said,
you know, I have delivered. I've discharged my duty to
New Zealanders. Well, I'm sorry, the fairies are not audited,
so she has not delivered. But it was very clear
that she was like the bulls in Winston's court.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Now one hundred percent, I think we've nailed it. And
we nailed it first. I mean I could see that
in her body language that's exactly what happened. But I'll
ask her to morrow.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Too interesting thing to her and.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
I'll tell by her body language even if she, you
know what I mean, changes the tune. But anyway, thanks
georgeoys a pleasure, and marry Mary. Christmas is our last
one together. Is almost like we need to have an
artificial hug at Christmas time.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Thanks, thanks for everything you're doing.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
You're amazing writer, and I love having you on the team,
and I love having you on the show, and I
love being able to use your brain when I need to.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Oh like white snack.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Okay, Georgina Campbell.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
There for more from Welling in Mornings with Nick Mills.
Listen live to news talks It'd be Wellington from nine
am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talks ed B taking the pulse of the
city The Capital Letter on news Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
It's that time of the week for her joining us
for her regular Capital Letter slaughters New Zealand Herald. Wellington's issues,
reported Georgina Campbell. Sorry, I got my timing a little
bit wrong there because George and I were having a
bit of a chat. Big party on Wellington tonight. George
is going and I'm not sure yet. Anyway, there's been
some resent nation.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Good morning, George, good morning. I'm all over the place.
I'm a DD I know.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
So there's been some recent nations from the Mayor's much
talked about Business Advisory Group.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Talk us through this and I'll give you my opinion.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Okay, Well, I'm looking forward to that. So two members
have resigned, Willis Bond chairman Mark McGinnis and bar owner
Justin McKenzie. Now, of course, this Business Advisory Group was
only announced in May. I think at that time it
played quite well for Tori Farno. She just had the
(01:10):
reading cinema deal fall over. It felt like she was
bringing businesses into the fold and you know, she said
at that time it's important to her that local businesses
have an active role in shaping and delivering the transformation
of the city. However, Justin McKenzie, Justin McKenzie told me
that the actual survivability of his business was more important
(01:32):
to him than sitting around the table having a cup
of tea and a cheese board. So, you know, he
feels at least that he wasn't really listened to as
part of that group, that it was a bit of
a waste of time. Of course, he has had to
close his Courtney Placed business, CGR Merchant and Co. And
(01:56):
so he sort of said, look like that's what his
priority was at that time, rather than this business advisory group.
Mark McGinnis not want to comment, but did you speak Yeah,
I spoke to him on the phone. He said, confirmed
that he resigned, but no comments.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Was there anything significant about them resigning together?
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Was there any joint thing?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Was it just one resign one day, one resigned day
or one day or do they do it together and
or was it announced by the Mayor's office that they
both resigned together.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
No, the Mayor's office certainly did not announce it. I
found out about it and contacted them for comment, And
when I talked to Justin McKenzie he had only recently
become aware that Mark McGinnis had also resigned, so it
doesn't appear that an next joint thing. As for Tory Farno,
(02:48):
she said that the peer resigned because of time pressure
and other priorities. You know. She said that these are
not paid roles, so she appreciates members with busy jobs
taking the time to be part of the group, and
she's grateful for the input. She said she's been chaading
to some very keen candidates to join the group. I
think the frustration for these business owners is that they're
(03:11):
business owners. They make decisions. They're really busy people, and
they crack on and get on with it. And they've
come to Wellington City Council and sort of thought, oh right,
local government is slow and can't and frustrating.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Basically, they don't want to sit around the table holding
hands and singing Harley Christner. No, they want to get
it done without problem here, pum, let's fix it now.
I don't know Justin mckinziey that well, but I do
know him. I do know him, and I totally respect him.
As a Wellington businessman and as a Wellington bar person,
and as a person in hospitality. And when I saw
his name on that list when it was first announced,
I said, there couldn't be a more perfect person to
(03:49):
be on their representative of hospitality in Wellington. Good operator,
good person, yeah, just the right thing. So when I
saw him residing, I also thought that was a bit
of a blow. Mark McGinnis, I don't know it all,
don't know him. I've done business with the Fan family,
tough family to do business with. They are about themselves.
(04:11):
They're not about anyone else apart from themselves. So I'm
not surprised that he didn't make any comment.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You know.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
That's you know, I'm not surprised by that at all,
and I'm not surprised he would have resigned because they
do fabulous work. I'm not going to say that they
don't do fabulous work. They do amazing work and they've
been great for the city. But they're about their brand,
their their organization. As far as my humble.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Opinion, I think with a business advisory group, you know,
the mayor has to be prepared for some of those
members to have different opinions to her isn't that the
whole point of a business advisory group. She wants their talents, Yeah,
and that you can hear their perspectives and importantly here
perspectives that she may not have heard in her circles
(04:55):
or you know, in her day to day So.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
The experience of it, I mean, mart McGinnis take whatever
you know, say whatever I want.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
I mean is a very very well respected.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Talented businessman country wide, not just in Wellington.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
I mean he's big time Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
And Beg and Auckland too, like they've rarely expanded in Auckland.
I just think it's disappointing to hear that Justin McKenzie
felt that he wasn't being listened to, because presumably that's
the whole point of the group.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Absolutely, And you know that's disappointing.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Okay, quickly because we've only got a couple of minutes left.
But the fallout from the fairy announcement, come on, do
we can we have we ever done a segment on
the show where we haven't mentioned fairies.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
You're getting obsessed by it?
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Probably not. And given the announcement or announcement of an
announcement or non announcement that the government made last week.
I suspect that we will be talking about the fairies
every capital, let a slot for a good time to
come Nick.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Or d all of the above.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Yeah, I honestly, basically, I'm disappointed. I was expecting a
comprehensive plan for the future of Cookstrait that is not
what the government announced. It now sort of appears to
be Nikola Willis versus Winston Peters and yeah, it just
drags on. We still don't have an answer.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
I mean, if I told you what my my and
I'm going to present him Nicholas coming on the show
on Friday, and I'm going to present it to her.
This is my scenario. And I really feeling strongly that
this is what happened. Nicola went to cabinet and said,
I've got the deal. This is what we're going to do.
They're not rail enabled the fairies. Winston jumped up and
down and said that bs we need to have because
(06:36):
he's a rail man, we need to have them rail enabled.
So why don't you give it to me. I'll sort
it out. And that's why.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
She's got up and said job's over. I've done my job.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
I think your career. And just to add to that,
you know, Clear Trevet, the political editor of The Herald,
wrote a really great piece this morning, just kind of
expanding on that point and that Winston Peters apparently, you know,
was sort of like, well, no, I can't. I'm not
going to support that. I'm not going to support that,
and it just dragged on and on, and Nicola was
sort of like, okay, fine, you you try and.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Do I'll give it.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Yeah, And her language was very interesting in that she said,
you know, I have delivered. I've discharged my duty to
New Zealanders. Well, I'm sorry, the fairies are not audited,
so she has not delivered. But it was very clear
that she was like the bulls in Winston's court.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Now one hundred percent, I think we've nailed it. And
we nailed it first. I mean I could see that
in her body language that's exactly what happened. But I'll
ask her to morrow.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Too interesting thing to her and.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
I'll tell by her body language even if she, you
know what I mean, changes the tune. But anyway, thanks
georgeoys a pleasure, and marry Mary. Christmas is our last
one together. Is almost like we need to have an
artificial hug at Christmas time.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Thanks, thanks for everything you're doing.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
You're amazing writer, and I love having you on the team,
and I love having you on the show, and I
love being able to use your brain when I need to.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Oh like white snack.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Okay, Georgina Campbell.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
There for more from Welling in Mornings with Nick Mills.
Listen live to news talks It'd be Wellington from nine
am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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