Politics Thursday: Labour's Ayesha Verrall and National's Mike Butterick

World of WearableArt (WOW) is back in Wellington for 2025, with the show Rise at TSB Arena. The mastermind of the show again this year is the renowned Las Vegas-based creative genius Brian Burke, who returns as Executive Creative Director. Ahead of WOW's opening night in Wellington, Nick Mills caught up with Burke about his vision for this year's festival, and his passion for producing world-leading events around the globe. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s economy is back in contraction. Latest data just out from Stats NZ shows GDP fell 0.9% in the three months to June. That follows six months of growth, after six months of contraction. Nick Mills gauged reaction to the announcement with Labour's Ayesha Verrall and National's Mike Butterick in Politics Thursday. They also discussed the current teacher and nurse strikes, the rise in New Zealanders being sent to prison and Labour's relationship with Te Pāti Māori. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the countdown continues to the start of World of World of WearableArt (WOW) in Wellington for 2025, Nick Mills spoke with show model and dancer Stela Albuquerque, whose face is on the WOW posters and advertising for this year's event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three term Wellington City Council Diane Calvert joined Nick Mills in studio to discuss her second bid for the Wellington Mayoralty. Calvert pledged to cut the Council's operational expenditure by 5% - or $40 million - in her first year as Mayor. LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the 2025 edition of World of Wearable Art (WOW) at Wellington's TSB Arena, Newstalk ZB's Nick Mills is chatting to some of the key figures, both on stage and behind the scenes. Nick sat down with Leonie Trathen, who first modelled for the show in 1990, and is now wardrobe and activations manager for the design competition. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday Faceoff this week, Nick was joined by former Labour MP and Pasifika leader Dame Winnie Laban, and outgoing Wellington City Councillor Tim Brown. They discussed the fate of the City to Sea Bridge, the mood of the nation in the wake of the Tom Phillips saga, and comments by Winston Peters about the state of Wellington. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the second All Blacks-Springboks test at Wellington's Sky Stadium, Nick Mills spoke to the two television match day commentators - Sky TV's Grant Nisbett and Super Sport South Africa's Matt Pearce.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday, Nick was joined by Labour's Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall and National's Otaki MP Tim Costley. They discussed the new Government proposal for a new infringement offence for shoplifting, the annual net migration continuing to fall, and some harrowing statistics around care in Wellington Hospital's Emergency Department. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's national museum Te Papa was recently named in the top 1% "Best of the Best attractions worldwide" in the TripAdvisor 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards. The museum on Wellington's waterfront was also labelled the best attraction in New Zealand, and the fifth best attraction in the South Pacific. However, with a slower than expected tourism recovery, Te Papa is forecasting a $13m deficit for the 2025/26 financial year and lowering its visitor target. Te Papa CEO Courtney Johnston joins Nick Mills in studio to talk about the museum's importance to Wellington and what's coming over the next few months. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Music Time this week, James tells Nick  if there is one concert he should go to this year then it's this one by Tami Neilson. On this week's slot, they also looked at songs that were made into better hits than the original versions, and they look at more gigs happening around the city in the coming months. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.