Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

This week's Politics Thursday panel was live when news came through that the Government's local amalgamation plans are now on hold until after the election.
National's Otaki MP Tim Costley and Labour's Mana MP Barbara Edmonds reacted to the news.
They also discussed the ongoing issues with FENZ, and Labour's latest interest deductibility proposals.
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Porirua's Mayor says she's fuming at the Government temporarily shelving its council reform plans.
Councils across the country last month submitted amalgamation proposals, meeting a strict and speedy deadline.
Cabinet's now saying it won't decide on Head Start proposals until next year, after more analysis and development.
Anita Baker says the Government told councils to be brave - then lost its nerve when they did just that.
She joined Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings.
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You may have noticed bee sculptures pop around the city.
To get to the bottom of the mystery Nick Mills speaks to Head of Fundraising at Life Flight, Sebastian Grodd this morning.
The Bee in The City Art Trail for Life Flight is a free, family friendly activity where you can spot fifty decorated bees all through the city.
The initiative is hoping to bring more people into the city, while celebrating Life Flights birthday.
As many Wellingtonians will know, Life Flight has delivered vital support to our community for fifty years.
They will be auctioned for the charity on the 26th November on the bees in the city site.
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EDITORIAL: We haven't had a proper discussion about the Warriors' capitulation at the end of the season, have we?
And yes, I'm disappointed. Another season, another opportunity gone.
But let's be fair. Newcastle beat us 12–10. They were the better team on the day, in my opinion. End of story.
Except it isn't really the end of the story, is it?
Because now we've got referee Ashley Klein reportedly dropped from this weekend's preliminary finals after missing a crucial penalty that could have given the Warriors a chance to level the game.
The NRL has reportedly acknowledged the mistake.
But here's my question. What on earth are we doing publicly hanging a referee out to dry?
Why are we doing this in this way?
We've already seen the disgraceful scenes at Eden Park. Bottles, cups and rubbish thrown at Klein as he left the field.
Absolutely disgusting.
And now the NRL effectively puts him in the town square, ties him to a post, gives everyone a tomato and invites everyone to have another crack.
Why couldn't this have been dealt with internally?
Yes, referees make mistakes. Yes, they need to be accountable. Yes, they need to be tough enough to handle the criticism.
And accountability is key, but put it out there so publicly to appease the Warriors, I don't agree with.
But there's a massive difference between accountability and humiliation.
And this goes well beyond rugby league.
I've been watching the opening round of Australia's NBL basketball. Coaches constantly challenging referees. Players getting in their faces. Arguing, complaining, carrying on.
It's becoming a hobby across sport.
And what's happening at the grassroots?
We've had situations in Wellington club rugby where games have been affected because there simply weren't enough referees available.
We're crying out for officials, yet we seem determined to make their lives miserable.
Who in their right mind would volunteer to referee an under-nines game if they're going to be screamed at by parents on the sideline?
Who wants to referee a senior game if they're going to be abused, threatened or have rubbish thrown at them?
We've got to stamp this out.
By all means, review refereeing decisions. Hold officials accountable. Improve standards.
But do it professionally.
The Warriors lost. A refereeing mistake may have changed the result. We'll never know.
What we do know is that without referees, we don't have sport.
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Pikpok has become one of the great success stories of Wellington.
The game developers have hundreds of staff in the city, have expanded to Colombia and craft games played by hundreds of millions all over the world.
CEO and co-founder Mario Wynands tells Nick Mills how the company started from "three mates in a flat" working overtime on their passions to an international sensation.
Wynands says NZ's gaming industry exports are worth $1 billion NZD.
The company started from Wynands and his fellow founders flat, who worked their day jobs from 9am to 6pm then continued past 1am creating their business.
"At the end of the day I'm just kind of the shy, nerdy kid who grew up in the Hutt."
Wynands shares the hard work to make Pikpok into what it is today, what is ahead for the future and why he chooses to continue the business in Wellington.
He describes the changes to the perception of working and living in New Zealand, "we don't have the same magical allure as a country anymore".
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