Business Panel: Hospitality NZ CEO Steve Armitage and Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young
They are some of the biggest industries affected by a slumping economy, so how are they holding up in 2025? Unemployment and inflation have both risen in the latest updates, foot traffic in the Wellington CBD is still down, and both sectors are about to be stung with increased costs as the government bans contactless payment surcharges. So, how are retail and hospitality operators feeling, and are they hopeful for something of an economic recovery by year's end? To answer those questions, Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage and Reatil NZ chief executive Carolyn Young joined Nick Mills for the Business Panel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Friday Faceoff: Hamish Rutherford and Jason Walls talk road user charges, waterfront fencing and Willow-Jean Prime
Education Minister Erica Stanford repeatedly tried to brief and seek input from Labour’s education spokeswoman Willow-Jean Prime about impending NCEA changes - but Prime and Hipkins refused to meet. Is this what we expect from the opposition? Also, the Wellington City Council has voted against a proposal to install fencing along Wellington's waterfront after a recommendation from the coroner. Is this the right call? To answer those questions, BRG senior consultant and former chief press secretary to Christopher Luxon Hamish Rutherford and Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Friday Sport Kickoff: Jason Pine and Adam Cooper on how Kyle Preston went from a roofer to an All Black
All Black star Richie Mo’unga will return to New Zealand in 2026, signing with New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders and the Canterbury Rugby Union. What does his return mean for the All Blacks? Also, it's a story of success very few could replicate; going from a roofer playing club rugby to an All Black in the space of 12 months. But that's exactly what Wellington's Kyle Preston has done. How did he do it? 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.
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Mammia Mia: Donna and the Dynamos perform in studio
A big party is coming to Wellington's St James Theatre this month. The acclaimed Mamma Mia musical is taking the stage over August, with the Wellington-based cast performing all of Abba's greatest hits over a two-week season. Nick was lucky enough to be joined by a very sparkly Donna and the Dynamos in studio to discuss the show and perform a classic Abba tune. Mamma Mia is on at the St James Theatre from August 13th to 31st. Tickets from Ticketmaster. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Politics Thursday: Greg O'Connor and Tom Rutherford talk unemployment, road user charges
The government is hoping to have petrol tax fully scrapped by 2027, with all motorists moving towards paying road user charges per kilometre. But if the idea is that this is cost neutral, what's the point? Also, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced a raft of changes to the Fisheries Act, but as a former chair of Sealord and someone who has received donations from the industry, is he the right person to be making these decisions? To answer those questions, Labour's Ohariu MP Greg O'Connor and National's Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis.You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few.Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.
New Zealand