Architect Frano Bazalo on the potential of a Basin Reserve upgrade

Nick is joined in the studio by Dwell Housing CEO Elizabeth Lester to chat about their new campaign 'It Starts With Home' and how the move on orders are effecting their community. Dwell Housing is a registered charity that provides housing through safe, affordable homes to individuals and families across the Wellington region. Their current campaign focuses on housing for local families.  With the new move on orders coming into effect - and forcing rough sleepers out of certain areas - Lester shares how this is effecting the homeless community Lester shares how the public can help the charity, what Dwell have done so far, and what they want to accomplish this year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As NZ20 brings attention to the Basin Reserve talk is building about the potential for an upgrade.  Nick speaks to Wellington-born architect Frano Bazalo about the cost and likelihood surrounding a renovation building capacity, and bringing more sports into the reserve. The St Patricks old boy is currently working out of London designing some of the biggest stadiums in the world, including one costing over a billion dollars in Saudi Arabia. Nick finds out Bazalo's thoughts on the current structure, and the lack of other stadiums in Wellington - pointing to issues with Hnry stadium. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick is joined by World of WearableArt CEO Meg Williams to talk this years WOW show GLO! The annual show goes from 17 September to 4 October 2026 at TSB Arena, and brings tourists and pride to Wellington. Williams shares the plans for this year, and what makes the show such a colourful success.  She discusses the team - including Creative Director Brian Burke, and how they are prepping for their boldest year yet.  Williams and Nick get into the theme of GLO!, the comeback of the beloved Bizarre Bra and the new sections coming to the show this year.  Get tickets here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OPINION: If there is ever a time where you think change might actually happen, I think that time is now.  You know when something really significant shifts.  Because every now and then, you get a crisis that doesn’t just hurt — it teaches and it questions.   And we may finally learn from this one.  We’ve got fuel prices climbing towards four dollars a litre.  We’ve got global instability, supply lines under pressure, and once again New Zealand is sitting here — exposed.  But what’s different this time…it’s the reaction.  Because when you start hearing voices — strong voices, credible voices — saying this is the turning point… we have to pay attention.  Take Mike Casey — Kiwibank Sustainable Business Leader of the Year 2026 — not some fringe thinker, not some dreamer — a guy running a fully electric cherry orchard in Central Otago, and a big one.  And here are the facts he’s putting on the table:  New Zealand has around 10 million machines currently reliant on imported fossil fuels.  But about 8.5 million of those could be electrified today — right now — with the technology we already have.  That only leaves about 800,000 that still need diesel long-term.  So the idea that we can’t do this is just not true.  And then look at behaviour — because behaviour tells you everything.  Last week was the biggest week for EV sales since the Clean Car Discount ended in 2023.  That’s not ideology — that’s people reacting to price and reality.  And here’s the big thing.  The average Kiwi drives about 230 kilometres a week.  Charging an EV off solar? Roughly works to be the equivalent of $1.15 per litre — even factoring in road user charges.  Compare that to nearly $4 a litre at the pump.  That’s not a small saving — that’s transformational.  And yet some of us are still hesitating.  We’re still treating solar and EVs like lifestyle choices instead of what they actually are — infrastructure.  Because here’s the part that really got me.   Casey’s running a system where about 80% of his entire operation is powered by his own solar — cars, machinery, production.  His neighbour is trying to borrow an electric tractor because diesel’s too expensive.  That’s not theory — that’s real, working change.  So I come back to this…  Is this the moment where the penny drops?  When even traditionally sceptical voices start saying, “hang on… maybe this is the way forward”?  Because if it is — then we need to act like it.  Every house in New Zealand should be looking at solar.  Not as a luxury — as a baseline.  And here’s where government comes in —I don’t want handouts, not subsidies — but smart financing.  Low-interest, long-term loans to get solar onto rooftops.  Because according to Casey, the savings alone could cover the repayments and still leave households $1,000 to $2,000 better off each year.  That’s not a cost — that’s an investment.  So if we’ve learned anything from every crisis we’ve faced — it’s this:  We don’t get many chances to pivot.  We don’t get many moments where the problem and the solution are sitting right in front of us at the same time.  This might be one of them.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CubaDupa hit Wellington last weekend and Nick chats to director Bianca Bailey to see how it all went down. Tens of thousands of people - local and visitors alike, joined the annual street party with over 200 performers, food trucks, performers, parades - everything was at CubaDupa. Bailey shares how the weekend went, what could've gone better and what does the city need to do next to bring more life to Wellington. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick is joined in the studio with CubaDupa headliner Paige for a performance and a chat. Hailing for Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, Paige is an award-winning pop/RnB singer who has gained international fame for her sound and honest songwriting.  Paige and Nick talk her career so far, being a NZ artist and how international fan attitudes differ from Kiwis.  Also, her upcoming performance at Cuba Dupa and her experience of Wellington.  Then we are treated to a live performance of her single 'why do we wanna be in love.' Hear the single and other hits off her new EP paigesspace at Cuba Dupa's Ngā Toi o Te Aro Stage on Saturday, March 28th, 05:45pm - 06:30pm. Cuba Dupa runs all weekend and is a free event.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills wraps the week with Iron Duke founder and director of Aurecon Phil O’Reilly, and founder and CEO of Raygun JD Trask.   Starting with the reveal from NZ Herald that advice about the low risk of myocarditis in teenagers who receive the second covid vaccine was given to Chris Hipkins  O’Reilly share his fears over what this event will do to dispell more people from getting vaccinated – and the harm in that for New Zealand.  Is Hipkins’ brand intact? Can people trust him? Should he step down, or just stand up and front?  Then health insurance - are the high costs worth it? At what age does it become necessary?  What do our panel think of the governments fuel relief plan? Does it strike the right balance between support and overspending? Was the time right?  And we hear what they think of the oppositions response.   Plus diesel prices skyrocket past 91 at some stations. Is this being driven by supply or panic stashing?  Onto Tiaki Wai, the cost of the separate water bill has been announced and Wellingtonians are in for a shock. The standalone charge starts at roughly $2410 and will cost up to nearly $7000 for one household in a decade.  Are these outrageous prices the end of our city?  O’Reilly says the council expectation for population growth over the next decade has decreased from 50,000-80,000 down to 800. JD says he is only looking to hire in Auckland.  What can we do – our panel calls for our council to do something about the mess the city is in.   AI is forcing Massey University to go back to in person exams – is this inevitable? JD says university may be defunct in 5 years. Do the universities have the power to defeat AI cheating?  Then Trask and O’Reilly address the calls from the ambulance association for Dame Kerry Prendergast to step down as Chair of Wellington Free Ambulance.   Plus, our panel share their hots and nots from the week.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB’s sports hosts Adam Cooper and Jason Pine.  Starting with the Hurricanes game against the Reds tomorrow.   After just coming back from Hnry stadium, Adam gives his updates on how the team is looking, and shares CEO Malcolm Gillies call for support.   The game kicks off at 4.35pm tomorrow – tickets are available here. Brad Shields resigns with the Hurricanes for another season – this crew talk about this great news, and how it impacts the team on and off the field   All Whites play in Auckland tonight – what would it mean if they win tonight? And how likely are they to win against Finland?  They take a look at the line up for our team, and the world cup campaign.   Then the team play Chile on Monday – also at Eden Park.  And at Porirua Park on Sunday is the last of regular season game for the Phoenix Women, against the Western Sydney Wanderers.   Then they talk T20 – will they bring in an import player strategy? Where will it be held?  Nick wants a local t20 and team in the big bash, what do Jason and Adam think of it?  Find out on Friday Sport kick-off.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick is joined by National's Minister for Justice, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Media and Communications and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith, and Labour MP and spokesperson for Health and Wellington Issues Ayesha Verrall. Wellington ratepayers have been slapped with a new water bill - which is drawing concern from the government. Nick ask our politicians what they think of this, and what needs to be done to help ratepayers already struggling with high rates.  Do we need a watchdog group to monitor Tiaki Wai? And Wellington ranked lowest on the ASB regional economic scoreboard. What is the answer to get Wellington back? Is it in investments, entrepreneurship or the public sector?  The fuel crisis continues and National has announced their relief package for low to middle income families. Should there be more support for others? Then onto the $10k table price for a dinner with the Prime Minister. The fundraiser for the National party is causing a stir - is it legitimate, fair fundraising or pay for access? Goldsmith and Verrall give their perspectives.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Mills is joined on the show today by musical legend Richard O'Brien. O'Brien is the creator of hit musical the Rocky Horror show, and played Riff Raff in the film - which has become a cult classic.  The show is currently touring in Wellington with a West End cast - O'Brien shares his thoughts on how the musical has lasted 50 years, and is still drawing in crowds all over the globe. He tells Nick about what New Zealand means to him and what bought him home after many years around the world. Nick asks where his inspiration is from, what he is up to now and what he wants his legacy to be. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.