Politics Thursday: Labour's Ayesha Verrall and National's Tim Costley

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. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 lowering its visitor target. Te Papa CEO Courtney Johnston joins Nick Mills in studio to talk about the museum's importance to Wellington and what's coming over the next few months. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Wellington's incoming council needs to bring the vibrancy back to the city. He spoke with Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings about how the city can be brought back to life, and offered his views on the current city leaders. Peters also discussed his party's compulsory Kiwisaver policy, and whether former Labour Minister Stuart Nash is likely to stand for NZ First at the next Election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's business panel takes a look at real estate and hot consumer issues, with Nick Mills joined in studio by Ray White Real Estate agent Renaye Huia, and Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday Faceoff, Nick was joined by Dot Loves Data director and former Wellington Mayor Justin Lester, along with Iron Duke Partners Managing Director Phil O'Reilly. They discussed whether Wellington's City to Sea Bridge should be saved, the poll results showing Andrew Little significantly ahead in the Wellington Mayoral race, and whether former Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Helen Clark should have attended recent commemorations in China. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday, Nick Mills was joined by Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and National's Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick. They discussed former Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Helen Clark attending a military parade hosted by China to commemorate 80 years since the eight-year Japanese invasion of China in 1937. Also on the agenda was the latest report on the hold-ups in the justice system, New Zealand's involvement in the Paris Climate agreement and whether the new exemption on the foreign home buyer ban will trigger a rise in all house prices. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.