Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

It's Politics Thursday and Nick Mills is joined by Labour MP Ginny Andersen and National MP for Otaki Tim Costley to discuss the political news of the week.
Starting with Nationals plea for Labour to commit to their rates cap proposal.
Is the risk of flip flopping between governments worth it? Do we need a different solution to the frivolous spends of councils? Andersen shares Labour's thoughts and why they still have not taken a stance on the issue.
Then the panel discuss the introduction of bird flu on Wellington's shore, TOP in the election debate and where are we at with the Wellington Roads of Significance? Is there any chance we could drive through the second Mt Victoria tunnel in the next decade?
And Paul Henry - what do our political panel make of the broadcaster's entrance into parliament through the ACT Party?
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Labour leader Chris Hipkins joins Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings to chat the latest in politics, including Paul Henry's entrance into politics with the ACT Party.
Hipkins shares his thoughts on famous faces entering politics, and how he thinks broadcaster Paul Henry will fit into the beehive. "Shane Jones is going to have a bit of competition for parliament's biggest blowhard."
Then how is Labour reacting to the shifts in National's plan for the Roads of National Significance. Would they follow through with all projects put on the back burner?
When asked if Labour would prioritise the second Mt Victoria tunnel project, Hipkins says he doesn't think anyone will be driving through it in the next decade.
Plus, his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the talks to join an Ocean of Peace Alliance and remembering Sir Sam Neill.
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EDITORIAL:
I start the programme this morning with incredibly sad news that last night, New Zealand lost one of its true greats.
Sir Sam Neill has died.
Now, I'm not going to spend the next hour listing every film he made or every award he won, because, quite frankly, we already know what Sir Sam Neill achieved.
We know the remarkable career he built. We know the incredible body of work he leaves behind.
From Sleeping Dogs to The Piano, from Jurassic Park to Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and so many memorable performances in between, he became one of the most recognisable Kiwi faces worldwide.
He didn't just represent New Zealand. He represented us with dignity, humour, intelligence and class. I’m so proud to think he was the person representing us on the world stage.
Only a few months ago he was talking about beating cancer again.
His family said he died suddenly, surrounded by those he loved, peacefully and with the dignity that defined his life. There's some comfort in that, even though the loss feels enormous.
I've never actually met Sir Sam.
The closest I ever came was years ago.
There were always rumours he owned a house at the end of the street where I lived.
One day I happened to see him standing quietly at the top of his driveway, waiting for a taxi. That was it.
No conversation. No introduction. Just one of those little moments you remember.
I'll remember exactly where I was when I heard he'd died.
I was sitting in the car at the traffic lights outside Rutherford & Bond. Funny how news like this freezes a moment in time forever.
Some people leave an impression on your life even if you never met them.
Sir Sam Neill was one of those people.
He was an extraordinary actor, a proud New Zealander, a storyteller, an internationally acclaimed winemaker, an advocate for the places and people he loved, and by all accounts, a genuinely decent human
This morning isn't just about remembering a brilliant actor.
It's about remembering one of us, one of our own, who became a true, true international icon.
Sir Sam Neill.
Rest in peace.
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New Zealand icon Sir Sam Neill has died and tributes are flying in from all over the world.
The Jurassic Park actor passed away unexpectedly on Monday 13th July in Sydney surrounded by his family.
Nick Mills spoke to NZ film producer and founder of Gibson Group Dave Gibson who shared his memories of Neill.
While Neill was well-known for his international roles, Gibson says what really cemented him as a NZ icon was his "very, very kiwi parts", like Uncle Hec in Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Gibson said was "the top of the mountain" of Kiwi film and a great guy.
"We don't have a lot of people like Sam."
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Nick Mills is joined for the business panel this week by two owners of successful businesses, Helen Turnbull, head chef and owner at Michelin recognised 50/50 and Deanne Milldove, co-founder and owner of Orizen Tyres, which has 8 branches across the lower North Island.
Both owners are Paraparaumu based, they share how doing business out on the Kāpiti Coast differs from the CBD. What makes the Kāpiti community better to do business in?
With more expansion on the way for Milldove and global recognition and award success for Turnbull, Nick finds out their secret to success and what it takes to build a growing business in this economy.
Milldove and Turnbull also discuss the biggest challenges in business right now including the cost of living - prompting Turnbull to make her own butter.
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