Politics Thursday: Labour's Ayesha Verrall and National's Chris Bishop

Kiwi WNBA star Charlisse Leger-Walker is counting down to her first appearance in New Zealand’s Tauihi basketball competition. The Connecticut Sun guard has joined the Porirua-based Tokomanawa Queens during the WNBA off-season. In April, Leger-Walker became the first New Zealander to be selected into the prestigious American competition when she was drafted as the 18th pick. She joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to discuss her impressive basketball journey so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday Faceoff this week, Nick was joined by Political commentator Brigitte Morten and former Wellington Mayor, now Dot Loves Data director Justin Lester. They discussed the legal proceedings filed over the Moa Point fiasco, how the campaigning is going little over a month out from the Election, and why they believe the Hutt South electorate is one of the more interesting in the country. They also looked at Greg O'Connor's unopposed election to the Wellington City Council, and the impact that World of Wearable has had on the capital in 2026. LISTEN LIVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s one of the most distinctive voices to emerge from the great Australian rock scene of the 1980s, and his songs have become part of the soundtrack for generations of music fans.  James Reyne, the unmistakable lead singer of Australian Crawl, joined Nick Mills ahead of his Wellington concert in March.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Politics Thursday panel this week featured Labour's Wellington North candidate and Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall, and National's Hutt South MP, and Cabinet Minister Chris Bishop. They discussed the news that The Greater Wellington Regional Council has filed charges against water entity Tiaki Wai and the City Council over the Moa Point saga. They also discussed campaigning in their respective electorates, their parties' financial election pledges, and changes to some of Wellington's heritage protections. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.