Politics Thursday: Tim Costley and Ayesha Verrall debate advisory group's $500k in three months

On Friday Faceoff this week, Nick was joined by ex-Wellington Mayor and Dot Loves Data director Justin Lester, and Raygun co-founder John-Daniel (JD) Trask. They discussed the fallout over the past week from mayoral candidate Ray Chung's infamous email, the Prime Minister's latest criticisms of Wellington and how the city's thriving with a handful of top sporting events. Listen live to Faceoff each Friday at 11am on Newstalk ZB. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday, National's Otaki MP and Labour Wellington Issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall debate the revelation the Retail Crime Advisory Group cost 500-thousand dollars in just 102 days. They also discussed the continuing controversy around the Wellington Mayoral race, and whether Christopher Luxon's comments this week about Wellington were fair. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington football fans are in for an exciting weekend, with the famous Wrexham AFC journeying to Wellington to face our very own Phoenix.  The Welsh team rose in popularity after it was bought by  Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, and later featuring in the documentary Welcome to Wrexham. The football-mad Wilce family were born and raised in Wrexham, Wales, but have been proud to call Wellington home since 2018. Mum Dawn Wilce joined Nick Mills to talk about her time in Wrexham and how excited her family is ahead of Saturday's match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is 40 years since the greatest concert of all time - Live Aid.  Wellington Mornings music man James Irwin joined Nick to talk the very best and worst of of the event, as well as revisiting Aussie rockers The Superjesus and pondering why Lorde isn't coming to Wellington. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington has had a smashing weekend with the All Blacks, 10cc and the NBL semi-final in town - but is the city really on the up? And how much does the city's economy rely on big events? Also, we learnt last week 30,000 Kiwis moved to Australia last year alone. How do we keep our young talent in New Zealand - and can we compete with the attraction of Australia? To answer those questions, WellingtonNZ's head of business growth Jackson Hapeta and Trinity Group director Jeremy Smith (owner of Trinity Hotel, Lulu and others) joined Nick Mills for the Business Panel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of people aged 15-24 without a job has jumped to 16% - nearly one in five. It comes as businesses continue to face tough economic times - with many businesses not wanting to take a risk on a young person. To talk about the figures, economist and Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen joined Nick Mills to discuss the news.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both Labour and Te Pati Māori have selected their candidates to run in the Tamaki Makaurau by-election - a race necessitated by the death of incumbent MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. So how tight is the race expected to be? Also, Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick has admitted her loyalties lay with the Act party while at university. How many other examples are there of MPs having vastly different political views as a young person?  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung sent a sordid email to some council colleagues in 2023, claiming mayor Tory Whanau had drug-fuelled “tempestuous sex” in an orgy, and making reference to her having “pendulous soft breasts”.  The email has only surfaced today - but does it rule Ray Chung out as a serious mayoral contender?  Also, the All Blacks take on France in the second test at Sky Stadium tomorrow night. How important are these events for the city, and what can we expect from both teams? To answer those questions, former Wellington mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast and current Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy joined Nick Mills on Friday Faceoff, live from the Champions Lunch at Takina.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks take on France in the second test in Wellington tomorrow night - and the city is buzzing ahead of the game.  The The 28th Cello Champions Charity Luncheon was held on Friday ahead of the event, with a stellar line up of former All Blacks including Frank Bunce and Josh Kronfeld.  Frank Bunce played 69 All Black games - including 55 tests - between 1992 and 1997, while Josh Kronfeld played 56 All Blacks games - including 54 tests - between 1995 and 2000.  The pair joined Nick Mills to share their memories of the infamous 1995 Rugby World Cup, as well as their predictions ahead of the All Blacks' second test against the French tomorrow night.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cello Champions Charity Luncheon is being held in Wellington for it's 28th year - and Nick Mills was at the Takina Convention Centre broadcasting live ahead of the event.  The luncheon is in aid of Life Flight - and former Blackcap and Life Flight ambassador Grant Elliot and luncheon organiser Ian Klinac joined Nick to discuss the event.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.