Politics Thursday with David Seymour and Ayesha Verrall

For Friday Faceoff this week Nick Mills is joined by Nick Leggett and Nicola Young. The three Nic’s debate the issues of the week – starting with the rates mess up at the council again with levies. Should we have consequences or is it just a case of human error? They discuss if Wellington is ready for a natural disaster, after the tragedy at Mount Maunganui. Landslides kill more people than earthquakes in Wellington – are we prepared for them? And on the two enquiries for the landslide at the mount, is it necessary to have a central and local government look into the response? They dissect the response, including from local Marae.  The Nicks also debate the post office closures around Wellington, the pressure on ambulances with record numbers of call outs, Judith Collins retirement and where her portfolios should go. As well as horse meat pies – would they eat one? Where are the best pies in the region?  Plus, Leggett and Young give their hot or nots for the week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Nick Mills in the studio today to discuss the latest Infometrics report that suggests the economy will not recover convincingly this year. Willis shares what she thinks the economy will look like this year, and Nick asks about interest rates, OCR hikes and manage the banks power. They also talk about the tragedy of Mount Maunganui, and how politics should play out during disasters and why the government and council’s have to do separate enquiries. Willis shares the feelings in the National Party after Judith Collins departure from politics and what is next for her many portfolios. And finally – the budget was announced for 28th May. What are the priorities? What can we expect? 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 Wellington Blaze, our women's cricket team has a 50% win rate of winning the championship, so will they have a threepeat on their hands this weekend? The Phoenix have their 500th game this weekend. Pine reminisces on their legacy and thinks back to their first game back in 2007. They discuss their memories, highlights and some lowlights of the Wellington Phoenix. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Politics Thursday, Nick is joined in studio by Deputy Prime Minister and ACT leader David Seymour and Labour MP and spokesperson for Health and Wellington Issues Ayesha Verrall. They debate the political issues of the week, including the latest data that shows fees free university incentives did not increase the number of disadvantaged students studying.  Seymour and Verrall discuss the tragedy of Mount Maunganui, coalition talks including Te Pati Maori's policy to abolish prisons, and the prep for the election year ahead.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington City Council's made another embarrassing blunder on ratepayer bills. Mayor Andrew Little's told Newstalk ZB ratepayers have been overcharged by about 10 dollars each - for the Greater Wellington Regional Council levy. He says it'll be rectified in the next bill. Last month, it was revealed the council had undercharged ratepayers by almost 3.5 million dollars for its sludge levy. Construction costs soared in building the city’s first sludge minimisation plant, meaning households needed to fork out between 3 dollars and 100 dollars each, with an average undercharge of 40 dollars per levy-payer. Speaking to Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, Little this morning defended the council's Chief Financial Officer Andrea Reeves, insisting she's still doing a great job. He says she recognises the problem and has independent people coming in and telling her what has led to the mistakes. Little says he's revealed this second blunder out of full transparency. "Part of [being mayor] it is about changing the culture of council, and getting those things ironed out," he says. "But also when things do go wrong, let's just step up and say it, and fix it, and trying to do that." Reeves previously apologised for the sludge levy error, saying to prevent this happening again, stronger internal controls and review steps had been put in place. The Greater Wellington levy funds regional services like biosecurity, flood protection and regional transport. The Wellington City Council is apologising for the second accounting error, but says it means ratepayers will pay less than previously thought. It says it's confident all rates assessments are now correct. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hnry, the Wellington founded accountacy firm has taken over the name of Wellington Regional Stadium (formerly Sky and Westpac respectively). CEO James Fuller joins Nick Mills on the show to talk about the news, and the excitement of taking the stadium over.  They talk about the reason behind it, and all the details of the new name - Hnry Stadium.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills was joined by Stewart Macpherson for a tour of Michelangelo's art at Takina. The exhibition Michelangelo 'A Different View' has been extended for two weeks till Sunday 22nd February.  Nick had the opportunity to walk around the full gallery, taking in the prints of the paintings during his interview with Stewart. Buy tickets here: Buy Tickets - MICHELANGELO - A Different View LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the Business Panel this week Nick is joined by the new Business Central and Chamber of Commerce CEO, Hayley Horan and Raygun co-founder and CEO, JD Trask. Horan and Trask start off with the use of AI in business. They discuss the ways they implement it into their lives and businesses and discuss the future of it in different sectors. They then go in depth about how politics are affecting their respective businesses. Should we have a four-year term? Do we need more bipartisanship? Trask and Horan also discuss how they are focusing on business fundamentals, what's happening in the job market, and what they are doing to stabilize their businesses in this political and financial climate. How is business confidence going with the new council? And what can the council do to continue the positive trajectory? Trask and Horan share their expertise on the panel this week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.