Friday Faceoff: Josie Pagani and Dr Bryce Edwards

Nick Mills wraps the week with CEO of NZ Child Fund Josie Pagani and Director of the Democracy Project Dr Bryce Edwards. They tackle the issues of the week, including the election date announcement of November 7th. The latest they could push it – what does this show?  Josie and Bryce give their predictions on how the year will pan out political. They analyze the polls, discussing what the next government will look like, what will happen with the minor parties, how coalition talks will play out  and Winston Peters, what will his position be as kingmaker? They take an in-depth look at the state of our health system. What needs to be changed? Between the$26 billion ACC deficit and the 575 code reds in our emergency department last year, its clear our health system needs change.  Bryce and Josie then hit other issues from the week including neighbour complaints about dog barking, when is it too whiny? Bryce tells us about having chickens in the CBD. Plus they tell us their new years resolutions and if they've stuck. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB’s sports gurus Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. Starting with the biggest sporting news at the moment – Razors replacement. They give their takes and predictions on the coaching saga of the All Blacks. Who will take over the mantle?  They also discuss the USA All Blacks vs Springboks game set to be in Baltimore. And will the Phoenix make the playoffs? Find out on Friday Sport kick-off.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politics Thursday is back with National MP for Wairarapa Mike Butterick and Labour MP Ginny Andersen. They join Nick Mills to talk about the political issues of the week. Starting with the election date announcement - 7th November 2026. What are their plans leading up to it, what are their priorities? Plus, they discuss the state of the health system, what will they do to lower the volume of code reds in Wellington Hospital. There were 575 code reds in 2025, how will the health system cope? We find out what each party will do on Politics Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington is buzzing with the arrival of Ed Sheeran tonight at Sky Stadium, but what happens to the city's event scene after he leaves? Nick is joined in the studio by WellingtonNZ Chief Executive Mark Oldershaw to talk the year ahead and our upcoming events calendar. How are we going to continue to bring life and money into the CBD? Mark tells us WellingtonNZ's plans and hopes for the year, and the success of the announced events like the sold-out Ultra Music festival.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Music Time, Nick and James give their takes on what makes a summer BBQ playlist. They also play (and judge) the crew's own playlists. What would each of their BBQs look like? - James has the answers on Music Time.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the year with former Wellington Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast and legendary broadcaster and journalist Mark Sainsbury. Are we in for a positive turn around with the new GDP growth? They face off live at Prefab, about the outlook going into the new year. Prendergast and Sainsbury then face off on the issues of the week, including the council’s sludge levy mistake. What do they think of it? Should there be penalties? As well as the new merger MCERT and subsequent job losses, McSkimming’s sentence, Avatar, James Cameron’s worries for our film industry and the Phoenix –how are we looking, and what do our guests think of Nick’s idea to move the team to Christchurch. Then it’s Christmas time! What are Sainsbury and Prendergast doing for the holidays plus they give their highlights and lowlights for the year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Newstalk ZB’s Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and Nick Mills are joined by legendary commentator Grant Nisbett, live at Prefab. Pine and Nisbett wrap the year, discussing everything from the CEOs of Cricket and Netball NZ stepping down, to Jason Holland and the All Blacks coaching team. Plus, the state of the Phoenix, what will be in store for next year? Then they give their highlights and lowlights for the year in NZ sport for the final Sport Kickoff of the year! LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Nick Mills live at Prefab for a look back on our economy this year. They reflect on the year that has been, and their hopes for the next year, election year. Why is the Willis v Richardson debate not happening? Is the GDP rise a sign of hope? Nick asks Nicola Willis the big questions. And they get in the Christmas spirit with some gift giving. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills is joined in studio by National Otaki MP Tim Costley and Labour MP and spokesperson for Health and Wellington Issues Ayesha Verrall. We get into the Christmas spirit with our guests, what’s their plans for their Christmas break and highlight from the year. As well as getting into the political issues from the week like the latest GDP announcement, surplus announcement, Health NZ efficiency targets, M-CERT merger plus the Avatar premiere and James Cameron's concerns about the future of the series. Is Wellington at risk of losing Weta? What will the government do to help? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Promoter and broadcast legend Stewart Macpherson joins Nick Mills in the studio to discuss the Stetson group's new Michelangelo exhibition. The exhibition at Takina opens on Monday 22nd December and offers visitors an experience of the art in the Sistine Chapel, without forking out for flights to Rome. They talk about what people can see from the exhibition as well as the tours from Christopher Longhurst, a former guide at the Vatican.   Get tickets here: Buy Tickets - MICHELANGELO - A Different View LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.