Beehive Buzz: Jason Walls in Papua New Guinea on the saga of the PM's broken plane

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says she has sold her car to help pay the bills, and does "nothing in terms of socialising" as money is so tight. But on $190,000 a year - is this just a poor attempt to relate to voters?  Also, a developer has pulled out of plans to develop Oriental Bay's band rotunda - what should happen to the site? Former Wellington mayor Justin Lester and Curia pollster David Farrar joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington Lions take on Bay of Plenty at Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon - what can we expect?  And the All Blacks face Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney tomorrow too - how is the team looking?  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Wellington City Council performing as it should be? The answer is a flat "no" according to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who told Nick Mills that the council needs to focus on spending on the right areas.  But Luxon wouldn't say how close the government is to appointing a Crown observer, but insisted the government is keeping a close eye on the council.  "I think you can read between the lines that I want better performance out of Wellington City Council."  He also revealed a plan on replacing the Interislander ferries hasn't yet gone before cabinet.  "We will have a solution, and we are very committed. You shouldn't be anxious about it."  Also discussed was the mood of Wellington, public service cuts, and the idea of a Wellington mega tunnel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Redevelopment plans for the Oriental Bay band rotunda have been scrapped - so what does the future hold for the site?  And there have been issues with vandals targeting Wellington's new parking meters - what is the council doing to prevent damage?  Newstalk ZB and NZ Herald reporter joined Nick Mills to answer those questions and more.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

- Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says she’s not spending at the moment because of the cost of living crisis  - She says her mortgage rates have doubled in the past few years and she recently sold her car to help pay the bills  - The mayor recently received a 3.7% pay rise, taking her annual salary to $189,799  - She’s acknowledged things are “really tough” in Wellington at the moment  Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has acknowledged the economic challenges facing residents in the capital, saying she’s “feeling the crunch” too and recently sold her car to help pay the bills.  The mayor’s annual salary has increased to $189,799 following a 3.7% pay rise in July. She also won $1.4 million through Lotto in 2002.  Job cuts in the public sector and a string of retail and hospitality closures have once again sparked conversation about whether Wellington is “dying”.  Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills, Whanau acknowledged things were “really tough” currently.  “We are feeling a bit low at the moment, we’ve been hit by a number of things. Obviously, the economic downturn, public service cuts, the cost of living, people aren’t spending money and that is showing up in closures and whatnot.  “But what I want to say right now is yip, let’s acknowledge that it’s tough. I don’t want us to talk us further into doom and gloom.”  When pressed by Mills about whether she “actually feels it” - the financial pressure - Whanau said she did.  “I don’t want to downplay the privilege that I have. I am the mayor of the city, I have a house and I’m very thankful for that.  “However I’ve just sold my car recently to kind of help pay the bills, I walk to work again, my mortgage rates have doubled in the past few years. So I’m feeling the crunch as well, but I also recognise the privilege that I have.”  When questioned further by the Herald Whanau declined to say what type of car it was beyond a “hatchback”. She said the sale had taken place “a few months ago”. She also pointed out she had recently moved into a townhouse in the city.  Whanau said as well as her mortgage rates doubling, she had also had to make some “adjustments to her lifestyle”.  “I.e. do nothing in terms of socialising and stuff. I can’t spend at the moment because of the cost of living crisis like many others.”  Mills questioned how that was going to help struggling businesses and Whanau agreed it wouldn’t, but said it was an issue facing people across the country due to job losses and high interest rates.  She said every time she sees a business close she thinks, “Oh man, what could we have done?”  Whanau said the biggest issue for businesses in Wellington seemed to be less foot traffic and less spend, which she felt had been accelerated by public sector cuts.  She was confident the council’s long-term plan would revitalise the city over the next few years.  In the short term, Whanau said she was working with businesses to have more parklets in the city, host a New Year’s Eve festival, and was speaking with local designers to hold a fashion event to raise awareness of their brands following the cancellation of this year’s New Zealand Fashion Week.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City Council is investigating offering $1500 'micro-grants' to businesses affected by roading changes - but is this figure meaningful?  And how is the mood of Wellington? We know it's bad, but is there an element of the city feeling sorry for itself? Those were some of the questions for the Business Panel this week, with Lowe & Co managing director Craig Lowe and Small Acorns owner Amanda Holland.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington takes on Tasman in the NPC this weekend, hoping to make Tasman's time with the Ranfurly Shield a one-week wonder - so what's the team looking like?  And Wellington Olympic have taken the Chatham Cup - how big a deal is this?  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a resounding win for Kamala Harris at Wednesday afternoon's US Presidential debate - but how much can change over the campaign? And there have been a bunch of job losses in regional New Zealand this week - is there more to come?  Those were the questions for the Friday Faceoff panel this week, with Iron Duke Partners director Phil O'Reilly and NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Shane Reti has announced how he plans to meet health targets set by the government - but how much money will have to be spent to meet them, and are they achievable?  And are the regions in store for more pain as Winstone Pulp closes operations, and Methanex reduces production?  Both Wairarapa MPs, Labour's Kieran McAnulty and National's Mike Butterick joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government asked for advice on potentially introducing 120km/h speed limits - so what does NZTA make of the idea?  And what did we learn during the sentencing hearing for Kiwirail over the Kaitaki losing power and issuing a mayday call?  NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter joined Nick Mills for the Capital Letter.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.