Wellington Mayor Andrew Little on council amalgamation

We sent our newsreader Max Towle to interview acclaimed director James Cameron before the premiere of his new film Avatar: Fire and Ash. Max sat down with the legend to ask him about the film, the future of the franchise and what makes Wellington special to him.  LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with Wellington City Councillor Andrea Compton and Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul.  Wellington’s big day approaches – what are Paul and Compton excited for this weekend? Avatar, Te Papa, Cricket, Football, plenty going on in the capital this weekend. They then face off with Nick over the issues of the week, including their thoughts on Andrew Little’s mayoralty, Wellington’s rates, the state of cancer report, the disability carers supreme court case, their hot or nots for the week. Plus, who will win in the potential Willis v Richardson finance debate. And is a social media ban in NZ a good idea? Find out what they think on Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Newstalk ZB’s All Sports Breakfast Adam Cooper and Nick Mills are joined by ZB’s cricket reporter Andrew Alderson to chat about the Black Caps test. What's the vibe at the basin this weekend, Alderson tells us all about the last few days, and how the coming ones are looking. Adam and Nick also discuss the Hurricanes. What will Gillies bring to the team, plus a new coaching addition. And, how will the Phoenix and Saints go this weekend? Find out on this week's Friday Sports Kickoff.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little, chair of the Wellington Mayoral forum, chats with Nick Mills to discuss talks of amalgamating. Talks between the councils in the greater Wellington region have begun, Nick asks when will it happen and what is the latest update on progress. Mayor Little also discusses the upcoming premiere of Avatar, and the big weekend Wellington has coming up.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick and Labour MP and spokesperson for health Ayesha Verrall. They discussed the potential for NZ to follow Australia in banning social media for under 16s and other regulations.  Verrall and Butterick then hit the other big political news of the week including Coster blaming Mark Mitchell and Chris Hipkins for getting McSkimming too late, as well as RMA changes and ACC going back on working from home orders. Also, they give their take on who will win the financial debate between Nicola Willis and Ruth Richardson. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singer Frankie Stevens joins Nick Mills in the studio for a chat before his event at Carols in the Park at Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt this Saturday. Then we are treated to his rendition of Blue Christmas - live in the studio. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Hurricanes Rugby Chair Malcolm Gillies joins Nick Mills on the show to discuss his plans for bringing the Hurricanes back from financial despair.  Yesterday it was announced that Gillies will take over as Chair with a 50% stake in the team. Nick asks what his plans are for changing the team for the better. More visibility in the community? Changes to the cities stadiums? Gillies shares his plans. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on music time, Nick and James showcase a local songwriting talent with a connection to one of the biggest music superstars of a generation. They also go deep down the rabbit hole with some of the oddest and kooky Christmas tunes from around the world. As well as James' top Christmas song at the moment. LISTEN ABOVE Listen to Ali Whitton's music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2UWB732JnsuIC2YKluorqBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the Business Panel this week, Nick chats to two business owners who have moved from the CBD out to Khandallah to see how is business better out in the suburbs? Nick is joined by Julie Gubbs from Gubbs Shoes and Sheila Murray-Hamilton from Hamilton & Murray Boutique. They discuss their businesses, what they do, and how it’s going at the moment out in Khandallah. What was the tipping point that made them move out? Would they move back to the CBD? Have things changed in the city since they’ve had their businesses?  They also gave their advice on starting businesses in Wellington, how to keep up with the trends and the difference between local small businesses and chain operations. Sheila and Julie also give their take on the government and council from a small business perspective.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with former WCC Councillor and Infratil chairman Tim Brown and Regional Councillor, photographer and former WCC Councillor Simon Woolf.  Is hey an okay introduction over email? What do they think of the RMA reform changes for local government? How’s Matt Prosser doing as WCC CEO?  Brown and Woolf face off with Nick over the issues of the week, including their thoughts on the Deloitte's report – and Brown’s doubts. Plus, their hot and nots from the week. And amalgamation, is the RMA leading there? They discuss how this would work and what they think should be done? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.