Politics Thursday with Minister Paul Goldsmith and Ayesha Verrall

You may have noticed bee sculptures pop around the city. To get to the bottom of the mystery Nick Mills speaks to Head of Fundraising at Life Flight, Sebastian Grodd this morning. The Bee in The City Art Trail for Life Flight is a free, family friendly activity where you can spot fifty decorated bees all through the city.  The initiative is hoping to bring more people into the city, while celebrating Life Flights birthday. As many Wellingtonians will know, Life Flight has delivered vital support to our community for fifty years. They will be auctioned for the charity on the 26th November on the bees in the city site. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EDITORIAL: We haven't had a proper discussion about the Warriors' capitulation at the end of the season, have we?  And yes, I'm disappointed. Another season, another opportunity gone.  But let's be fair. Newcastle beat us 12–10. They were the better team on the day, in my opinion. End of story.  Except it isn't really the end of the story, is it?  Because now we've got referee Ashley Klein reportedly dropped from this weekend's preliminary finals after missing a crucial penalty that could have given the Warriors a chance to level the game.  The NRL has reportedly acknowledged the mistake.  But here's my question. What on earth are we doing publicly hanging a referee out to dry?  Why are we doing this in this way?  We've already seen the disgraceful scenes at Eden Park. Bottles, cups and rubbish thrown at Klein as he left the field.  Absolutely disgusting.  And now the NRL effectively puts him in the town square, ties him to a post, gives everyone a tomato and invites everyone to have another crack.  Why couldn't this have been dealt with internally?  Yes, referees make mistakes. Yes, they need to be accountable. Yes, they need to be tough enough to handle the criticism.  And accountability is key, but put it out there so publicly to appease the Warriors, I don't agree with.  But there's a massive difference between accountability and humiliation.  And this goes well beyond rugby league.  I've been watching the opening round of Australia's NBL basketball. Coaches constantly challenging referees. Players getting in their faces. Arguing, complaining, carrying on.  It's becoming a hobby across sport.  And what's happening at the grassroots?  We've had situations in Wellington club rugby where games have been affected because there simply weren't enough referees available.  We're crying out for officials, yet we seem determined to make their lives miserable.  Who in their right mind would volunteer to referee an under-nines game if they're going to be screamed at by parents on the sideline?  Who wants to referee a senior game if they're going to be abused, threatened or have rubbish thrown at them?  We've got to stamp this out.  By all means, review refereeing decisions. Hold officials accountable. Improve standards.  But do it professionally.  The Warriors lost. A refereeing mistake may have changed the result. We'll never know.  What we do know is that without referees, we don't have sport.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pikpok has become one of the great success stories of Wellington. The game developers have hundreds of staff in the city, have expanded to Colombia and craft games played by hundreds of millions all over the world. CEO and co-founder Mario Wynands tells Nick Mills how the company started from "three mates in a flat" working overtime on their passions to an international sensation. Wynands says NZ's gaming industry exports are worth $1 billion NZD. The company started from Wynands and his fellow founders flat, who worked their day jobs from 9am to 6pm then continued past 1am creating their business. "At the end of the day I'm just kind of the shy, nerdy kid who grew up in the Hutt." Wynands shares the hard work to make Pikpok into what it is today, what is ahead for the future and why he chooses to continue the business in Wellington.  He describes the changes to the perception of working and living in New Zealand, "we don't have the same magical allure as a country anymore". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Friday Faceoff this week Nick Mills is joined in the studio by Porirua Mayor Anita Baker and Editor of The Local Jane O'Loughlin.  Starting with the question of the week: Has there been enough accountability for the Wellington City Council's mistakes? This comes after the latest review showcasing the blunder of the costly library website. Mayor Baker criticised WCC giving the $600k job to an Auckland company, "keep local jobs local". Then onto the controversial passing of the Harbour Quays bus lanes. Neither O'Loughlin or Baker were fans. Is it necessary? Both panellists then called National's announcement to pursue splitting food stuffs "desperation".  Then onto the decision to scrap routine cognitive tests for older drivers, was it the right one?  Plus, our panellists share their thoughts on the Tom Phillips case findings and could they ever split with Wellington later in life?  And as always, hear our panellists' hots and nots from the week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Friday Sports Kick-off Nick Mills is joined by ZB sports experts Jason Pine and Adam Cooper to wrap the week in sports. The pressure is on the Warriors for their home semifinal against Newcastle, will they be able to pull through at Eden Park this weekend? Is this finally the week for the Wellington Lions after a rough season? The team plays Northland at Hnry Stadium tomorrow. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World of WearableArt model/performer and VIP host Shikhia "Shak" Ngatai joins Nick in the studio the morning after WOW's opening night.  After 18 WOW seasons, Shak is well versed in the creative world in the heart of Wellington every year. Nick finds out how it has changed over time - and what keeps her coming back. The 400+ crew have been working hard, and after weeks of rehearsals, Shak says finally walking out to the full audience is "electric". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Politics Thursday and Nick Mills is joined on the show by Minister Paul Goldsmith and Labour MP Ayesha Verrall to debate the biggest political topics of the week. Including the pursuit to split Foodstuffs. Is this the way to lower grocery prices for Kiwis or weakening a successful New Zealand business? The move on orders, with new alterations, will go through the House under urgency before the end of the week. Nick asks if the bill is still powerful enough, and will Labour vote it through? Then the Tom Phillips case review findings, both major parties polling under thirty percent, ACT's idea to freeze minimum wage and should you have to live in New Zealand to be a candidate in the election? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City Council Chief Executive Matt Prosser joins Nick Mills in the studio to discuss accountability of different council issues from the last few months. With multiple reviews, reports and problems appearing in the council, Prosser offers an explanation to Nick and ratepayers. And in some cases, an apology. Beginning with the Moa Point report, Prosser addresses concerns over lack of accountability from individuals and the council as a whole. Prosser debated Minister Nicola Willis' claim CIO Jenny Chetwynd's comments were written by lawyers, saying while lawyers were involved, Chetwynd "contributed to the report". He did not want to discuss whether Chetwynd, head of infrastructure at the council, lives in the city. After calls from the Council and the Mayor wanting a refund or discount on the Deloitte Report, Prosser confirmed the report is "doing what I needed it to do", and they have not asked for a refund.  Then they discuss the website review, showing the council spent more than needed on the $600,000 Te Matapihi Central Library promotional site.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An admission Wellington Central Library's costly new website could have been done in-house A new report has found a lack of oversight and a rushed procurement process were to blame for the Wellington City Council spending up to half a million dollars more than it needed to on a website for the Central Library. Chief Operating Officer James Roberts says the council has up to 90 people in its IT team, and the website could have been developed internally. He told Newstalk ZB's Nick Mills officials got it wrong, and he takes the blame. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's Hnry Stadium will be converted into a motorsport track in January, playing host to some world-leading drivers. The international Race of Champions showcase event will make its New Zealand debut in the capital on January 9 and 10. Formula One's Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas, Supercars' Chaz Mostert and rally driver Hayden Paddon are confirmed on the starting grid. Organisers say more competitors are set to join the cast, and Race of Champions president Fredrik Johnsson confirmed to Newstalk ZB an invitation has been sent to Formula One's Liam Lawson. They'll link up in identical cars to go head-to-head on a purpose-built tarmac race track inside the venue. Nick crossed live to sports host Adam Cooper who was at the announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.