A push for the Wellington City Council to rethink its city centre as costs for the Golden Mile project spiral. 

It's now forecast to cost $220 million, up from $139 million, with an independent review warning further blowouts are possible. 

The project would deliver major pedestrian, cycling, and public transport upgrades. 

Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty told Heather du Plessis-Allan the council needs to look at doing something different. 

He says it can't sustain these costs, particularly in a rates-capping environment. 

McNulty says councillors will consider the latest review before making a final decision next week. 

He says they can choose to end the project but still rejuvenate nightlife hub Courtney Place in other ways. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A push for the Wellington City Council to rethink its city centre as costs for the Golden Mile project spiral.&nbsp;
It's now forecast to cost $220 million, up from $139 million, with an independent review warning further blowouts are possible.&nbsp;
The project would deliver major pedestrian, cycling, and public transport upgrades.&nbsp;
Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty told Heather du Plessis-Allan the council needs to look at doing something different.&nbsp;
He says it can't sustain these costs, particularly in a rates-capping environment.&nbsp;
McNulty says councillors will consider the latest review before making a final decision next week.&nbsp;
He says they can choose to end the project but still rejuvenate nightlife hub Courtney Place in other ways.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Ben McNulty: Wellington Deputy Mayor on the review into the Golden Mile project and its budget blowout

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/45da9682-a8f2-4014-aa65-b46601552207/transcript

You know what I’ve learned never to do? 

Predict that this year’s Football World Cup is going to be a flop. Because it never is. 

This year, there are problems anywhere you care to look. A single ticket is so pricey it’ll take you three months to pay off. Security is ridiculous. Parking costs 300 American dollars. Water costs 10 NZ dollars. Everything is a rip-off. 

Then there’s the politics. The US won’t let the African referee in. Iran doesn’t want to be there – and they’re in our first-up match. 

And structurally? It’s messy. It’s too hot. There are too many teams. Three host nations is a logistical nightmare. 

So maybe this is it. Maybe this is the year it all implodes for FIFA. 

But I suspect it isn’t. I suspect this World Cup will go off – just like they always do. Just like the one without beer in Qatar. 

Just like the one clouded by corruption in Russia. Just like the one where everyone feared pickpockets would steal everything in Brazil. 

In the end, despite all the noise, despite everyone hating FIFA and their decisions, the World Cup always works. 

And the reason is simple. 

Fans want to see the stars, and this is where they see the stars. More importantly, this is where they see those stars playing for their country, not a club in Europe. 

Hate FIFA as much as you want, but that part still matters. 

Because we don’t have many global moments left where the world comes together. 

And a tournament built around the world’s most popular game, featuring the world’s biggest stars, is still a massive attraction. 

So yes, there are problems. 

But I suspect this will be a success, despite the predictions. 

You know what I’ve learned never to do?&nbsp;
Predict that this year’s Football World Cup is going to be a flop. Because it never is.&nbsp;
This year, there are problems anywhere you care to look. A single ticket is so pricey it’ll take you three months to pay off. Security is ridiculous. Parking costs 300 American dollars. Water costs 10 NZ dollars. Everything is a rip-off.&nbsp;
Then there’s the politics. The US won’t let the African referee in. Iran doesn’t want to be there – and they’re in our first-up match.&nbsp;
And structurally? It’s messy. It’s too hot. There are too many teams. Three host nations is a logistical nightmare.&nbsp;
So maybe this is it. Maybe this is the year it all implodes for FIFA.&nbsp;
But I suspect it isn’t. I suspect this World Cup will go off – just like they always do. Just like the one without beer in Qatar.&nbsp;
Just like the one clouded by corruption in Russia. Just like the one where everyone feared pickpockets would steal everything in Brazil.&nbsp;
In the end, despite all the noise, despite everyone hating FIFA and their decisions, the World Cup always works.&nbsp;
And the reason is simple.&nbsp;
Fans want to see the stars, and this is where they see the stars. More importantly, this is where they see those stars playing for their country, not a club in Europe.&nbsp;
Hate FIFA as much as you want, but that part still matters.&nbsp;
Because we don’t have many global moments left where the world comes together.&nbsp;
And a tournament built around the world’s most popular game, featuring the world’s biggest stars, is still a massive attraction.&nbsp;
So yes, there are problems.&nbsp;
But I suspect this will be a success, despite the predictions.&nbsp;

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Despite the issues, the World Cup will be a global success

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/91bf582d-b5aa-4c58-b397-b4660172f366/transcript

Uncertainty about whether Donald Trump's claims of progress in Iran talks have any credibility.  

The US President has called off today's planned strikes, despite earlier vowing to drop even bigger bombs.  

He now claims both sides have agreed to the final points of a deal – something Iran's not confirming. 

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan Trump is calling it a “transaction” as opposed to a deal, and no details, nor the time or place of signing, have been announced.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Uncertainty about whether Donald Trump's claims of progress in Iran talks have any credibility. &nbsp;
The US President has called off today's planned strikes, despite earlier vowing to drop even bigger bombs. &nbsp;
He now claims both sides have agreed to the final points of a deal – something Iran's not confirming.&nbsp;
US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan Trump is calling it a “transaction” as opposed to a deal, and no details, nor the time or place of signing, have been announced. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the US calling off strikes on Iran, Trump's claim of a deal

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/34615f04-dbdf-4508-a5d1-b46601703f67/transcript

Friday has arrived, which means Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Week that Was. 

They discussed Uber Eats, the situation with Ben Stokes, and the FIFA World Cup which has just kicked off. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Friday has arrived, which means Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Week that Was.&nbsp;
They discussed Uber Eats, the situation with Ben Stokes, and the FIFA World Cup which has just kicked off.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Wrapping the Week with Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson: Uber Eats, Ben Stokes, FIFA World Cup

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4a8da470-c202-46d8-a69b-b466016cb882/transcript

Ben McNulty: Wellington Deputy Mayor on the review into the Golden Mile project and its budget blowout

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