Mayor Andrew Little on slashing the $405k budget for Central Library opening

For Friday Faceoff this week Nick is joined in the studio by lawyer and former MP Stephen Franks and managing director of Gazley Motors Myles Gazley. Starting with the government's warnings of carless days due to fuel shortages from the Iran conflict. Gazley and Franks give their insight into the issue, the response from the government and the public. Should the government implement the idea, or are there better alternatives? Then how's our council doing? As the spending budget for Mayor Little's triennium plan goes through - with amendments to climate funds. Our panel faceoff on the solution - is it amalgamation? We hear what the panel think of the Wellington mayors' letter to the Prime Minister opposing move on orders.  And Te Matapihi Wellington Central Library opens tomorrow. What do Gazley and Franks think of the 178k opening celebration budget? And is this the library of the future, or an overspend? Plus they give their hots or nots for the week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week for Friday Sport Kick-off Nick is joined by Jason Pine to wrap the weeks sport - and what's to come for the weekend. Starting with the biggest question in rugby at the moment - who will be Dave Rennie's All Blacks assistant coach? Jason and Nick talk Tana Umaga and Cory Jane, their stats, their legacy and hopes for the job. Tonight the Hurricanes play the Force in Napier, they go through what's expected and how the team is progressing to the championship. Plus, the Phoenix double header at Hnry stadium on Saturday - Match for Good. They dissect the success of Bev Priestman as the head coach of the women's team.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week for Politics Thursday Nick is joined by Labour MP and spokesperson for Health and Wellington Issues, Ayesha Verrall and National MP for Otaki, Tim Costley. Yesterday the Covid-19 response findings were released, what have our politicians learned from these findings? Verrall, who was associate health minister at the time, shares her thoughts on the inquiry findings surrounding spendings, teenage vaccination health concerns and lockdowns.  Was the 30-million-dollar inquiry worth it? They also cover the union outcry over primary teacher individual pay deals, and the letter from Wellington regional mayors and community leaders opposing move on orders. Plus, Shane Reti exits the beehive - are some people too good to last in parliament? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick chats to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith after an open letter was signed by Wellington's regional mayors. The letter states the mayors and other community leaders reject the government's plan to give police power to move on rough sleepers for 24 hours.  Minister Goldsmith shares his thoughts on the rejection of the orders, and the reputation of Wellington. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Regional mayors, iwi and community leaders have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister stating that new move on orders are not welcome in the area. The move on orders have been proposed by the government to cope with growing numbers of homeless people in city centres - giving police powers to move people for 24 hours. The letter from the mayors is concerned that this is not the best way to deal with the issue and will cause harm in the community. Nick speaks with Hutt City Mayor Ken Laban about signing the letter, and the alternatives that the mayors are requesting.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Central Library, Te Matapihi Ki te Ao Nui is opening this weekend, March 14th.   To celebrate the council is throwing an opening ceremony – originally budgeted at a $405k cost to the rate payer.   After receiving the budget, Mayor Andrew Little slashed the cost to $178k.  The library is reopening after 7 years of earthquake strengthening and refurbishments. The opening event includes a 300 person choir and jazz musicians.  Nick speaks to Mayor Little about the process of halting the spending, and the concern from the public about rate rises.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our business panel this week Nick is joined in the studio by Retail NZ CEO, Carolyn Young and employment law expert and partner at JB Morrison, Tess von Dadelszen. Young and von Dadelszen discuss doing business in the city, in such hostile times in terms of international, national and local politics.  Starting with the effect of the Iran conflict, what are the effects of instability and price rises having on their businesses and their clients?  The council financial saving plan is out. Will this actually change anything for businesses? How do our guests think this council is going? Then onto how their businesses are effected by our own government's instability. As talk continues about Luxon as leader, our panel discuss how their businesses are impacted from both a retail and legal point of view.  And how are business leaders coping with the cost of living crises, how selling and buying businesses is going and as a city what we need to do better.  Plus as the Moa Point saga continues, Mayor Andrew Little says that businesses will not receive financial compensation, although spending in Lyall Bay hospitality is down 40% - our guests look into the legality of this and how businesses can deal with the disaster. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week for Beehive Buzz, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB Political Reporter Azaria Howell.  Rumours swirl around Prime Minister Luxon's position and a coup, after last week's Curia poll result had National at 28%.  And tomorrow the findings from the report on the Governments Covid-19 response are released. What is the feeling in the beehive right now, and what is expected to come of this? For the latest from the parliament, Beehive Buzz. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City Council's revenue and financial working group has released their report with 50 suggestions to cut council spending and rates rises. Chair of the group and deputy mayor Ben McNulty joins Nick to discuss the findings of the report. The report will head to public consultation, after the council meeting on Thursday.  The report aims to save about $8 -10 million, including cutting the council's climate budget by $1.65 million. McNulty shares how the decisions were made, the limits and the future of the report.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OPINION: Luxon should not bow down to negative polls.  What a weekend it’s been for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.  And strangely enough, the whole situation really kicked off right here on this show on Friday morning with a little chat with Nicola Willis.  The results of the poll were out, people were talking about miserable they were, the Nicola Willis interview kicked it off.  It started the conversation again — a question about pressure and about how bad a poll has to be before a change in leadership is talked about — and then suddenly it grew legs.   By the afternoon it was on national television, it was on Heather du Plessis-Allan’s show, and the Prime Minister himself was fronting it.  And he said it clearly - he is absolutely not stepping down.  Now I’ve got to tell you something honestly — all Friday afternoon I kept thinking to myself, good. I hope he doesn’t quit.  Because look around the world right now. Everywhere you go, people are unhappy with the leader they’ve got.   Why? Governments are being hammered by economic pressure, global instability, wars, the aftershocks of the pandemic, and recession. It’s not exactly an easy time to be in charge of a country.  The latest polling hasn’t been kind to Luxon.   A Freshwater Strategy poll reported by The Post shows 51% of voters say he should be replaced as National Party leader, while only 36% believe he should stay.   Now, another survey from Curia Market Research put the New Zealand National Party at 28.4% support, its lowest level under Luxon. So yes, there’s pressure.  But here’s the thing that really struck me over the weekend — most of that push for change isn’t coming from National voters.  The polling shows 67% of National supporters still back Luxon, and 60% of ACT voters support him too.   The loudest calls for him to go are coming from Labour, Green, and Te Pāti Māori supporters.  Which raises a pretty obvious question.  Why on earth would a governing party sack its leader because the opposition wants them gone? Of course they want them gone, they'' want anyone gone.  And then we get into the horse-race stuff. If Luxon were pushed out, the poll says Chris Bishop would be the most preferred replacement on 18%, followed by Nicola Willis on 11%, Erica Stanford on 10%, and Mark Mitchell on 9%.  But here’s my view.  Changing Prime Minister in the middle of a tough economic recovery is exactly the kind of instability New Zealand does not need right now.  We’ve come through COVID. We’ve been through inflation. We’ve had interest rates crushing households.  We've had a recession. We've had tariffs.  Globally we’re watching wars in the Middle East and instability all over the world.  This is not the moment for political musical chairs.  So, my message to Christopher Luxon is pretty simple this morning.  Don’t quit. Don’t wobble. Don’t let the noise get to you.  I want you to - front up. Stand up. Be stronger.  New Zealand doesn’t need another leadership drama right now.  What it needs is steady leadership — even if it’s not perfect — while the country gets itself back on track.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.