Politics Thursday: Tim Costley and Ayesha Verrall get in the Christmas spirit

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.

Nick Mills asks CEO of Infrastructure NZ Nick Leggett, is M-CERT a good plan? The merger of the Ministries of transport, environment, housing and urban development and the local government's Internal Affairs, will make the new ministry M-CERT. Nick Leggett tells us how this will effect outcomes, productivity and how the future of NZ will look from it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas carols are back with Nick Tansley in the studio with Nick Mills. The Nicks discuss Carols by Candlelight, the vibe in Wellington this Christmas, then live in studio Nick Tansley sings a medley of his favourite Christmas songs.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sent our newsreader Max Towle to interview acclaimed director James Cameron before the premiere of his new film Avatar: Fire and Ash. Max sat down with the legend to ask him about the film, the future of the franchise and what makes Wellington special to him.  LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with Wellington City Councillor Andrea Compton and Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul.  Wellington’s big day approaches – what are Paul and Compton excited for this weekend? Avatar, Te Papa, Cricket, Football, plenty going on in the capital this weekend. They then face off with Nick over the issues of the week, including their thoughts on Andrew Little’s mayoralty, Wellington’s rates, the state of cancer report, the disability carers supreme court case, their hot or nots for the week. Plus, who will win in the potential Willis v Richardson finance debate. And is a social media ban in NZ a good idea? Find out what they think on Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Newstalk ZB’s All Sports Breakfast Adam Cooper and Nick Mills are joined by ZB’s cricket reporter Andrew Alderson to chat about the Black Caps test. What's the vibe at the basin this weekend, Alderson tells us all about the last few days, and how the coming ones are looking. Adam and Nick also discuss the Hurricanes. What will Gillies bring to the team, plus a new coaching addition. And, how will the Phoenix and Saints go this weekend? Find out on this week's Friday Sports Kickoff.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little, chair of the Wellington Mayoral forum, chats with Nick Mills to discuss talks of amalgamating. Talks between the councils in the greater Wellington region have begun, Nick asks when will it happen and what is the latest update on progress. Mayor Little also discusses the upcoming premiere of Avatar, and the big weekend Wellington has coming up.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick and Labour MP and spokesperson for health Ayesha Verrall. They discussed the potential for NZ to follow Australia in banning social media for under 16s and other regulations.  Verrall and Butterick then hit the other big political news of the week including Coster blaming Mark Mitchell and Chris Hipkins for getting McSkimming too late, as well as RMA changes and ACC going back on working from home orders. Also, they give their take on who will win the financial debate between Nicola Willis and Ruth Richardson. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singer Frankie Stevens joins Nick Mills in the studio for a chat before his event at Carols in the Park at Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt this Saturday. Then we are treated to his rendition of Blue Christmas - live in the studio. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.