Friday Faceoff with Mark Sainsbury and Esther Robinson

The government has announced amalgamation talks have paused until after the election. Mayor Laban says the quality of the Wellington headstart proposal submitted by Hutt City, Wellington City, Porirua and South Waiarapa is "outstanding, it's comprehensive". Laban says the region will continue preparing for amalgamation. He believes regardless of a change in government the councils will still amalgamate by 2028, with a potential extension to 2029. Mills asked why other Mayors are complaining about wasted money from the delay, Laban said "you'll have to ask him about that". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Chairperson of Wellington Water Nick Leggett answers Nick Mills and listener's questions about the Moa Point catastrophe after the AECOM review release. Leggett discusses his resignation, which came just over a week after the Moa Point event. He talks about the breakdowns in the system and reflects on his tenure. Amongst the systematic errors were communication difficulties, according to Leggett.  Leggett said he felt Wellington Water was "othered" by Wellington City Council. When asked what he wishes he had done different Leggett told Mills he wishes he would have "shaken the cage a bit harder" to be taken more seriously by the council.  He shared his experience with the Crown review saying "wild horses would not have kept me away from talking to them". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Friday Faceoff this week Nick Mills is joined in the studio by legendary broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and political commentator Esther Robinson to debate the hottest issues of the week. From amalgamation to health, it's all on Friday Faceoff. Was the rark up of amalgamation now pointless RMA Minister Bishop has put the proposals on ice?  Robinson and Sainsbury debate if this was the smart move and theorise the cause of the halt. Then the revelation sufficient staffing in our surgical wards could save 182 lives a year.  Would you pay more tax if you knew it was going straight to health? Is Bustasrophe 2 on the way? Our panel debate decisions made by the regional council, which could potentially cut routes and times, while simultaneously funding $11 million new bus lanes to future-proof the network. Plus is there anything worthwhile in Nicky Hager's new book 'Dirty Work', a quick round up of the end to New Zealand's 54th Parliament and as always, the panel give their hots and nots of the week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Pine and Adam Cooper join Nick Mills on Friday Sport's Kick-Off to analyse the week in sport. NZ's Rugby Summit in Wellington this week set out to try establish a solution to the haemorrhage of money in the national competition. Nick shares his idea to make NZ rugby more profitable - get rid of the Super 15 competition and boost the number of All Blacks games. The panel aren't too keen, so share their remedies. Plus the Tokomanawa Queens - huge signings of Charlisse Leger-Walker and Hayley van Lith from the W-NBA, and dog day at Hnry Stadium when the Lions play Waikato! LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's Politics Thursday panel was live when news came through that the Government's  local amalgamation plans are now on hold until after the election. National's Otaki MP Tim Costley and Labour's Mana MP Barbara Edmonds reacted to the news. They also discussed the ongoing issues with FENZ, and Labour's latest interest deductibility proposals. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Porirua's Mayor says she's fuming at the Government temporarily shelving its council reform plans. Councils across the country last month submitted amalgamation proposals, meeting a strict and speedy deadline. Cabinet's now saying it won't decide on Head Start proposals until next year, after more analysis and development. Anita Baker says the Government told councils to be brave - then lost its nerve when they did just that. She joined Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.