The Wellington City Council has cut roughly $400m worth of projects from its long-term plan - a decision necessitated by the vote to keep its stake in Wellington Airport. 

Begonia House looks set to be demolished and the Golden Mile redevelopment is set to continue as planned. How did councillors come to their decision? 

Also, Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has seemingly softened her language when asked by Nick whether she plans to run for a second term as Mayor - will she run again? 

NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills for the Capital Letter.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Wellington City Council has cut roughly $400m worth of projects from its long-term plan - a decision necessitated by the vote to keep its stake in Wellington Airport.&nbsp;
Begonia House looks set to be demolished and the Golden Mile redevelopment is set to continue as planned. How did councillors come to their decision?&nbsp;
Also, Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has seemingly softened her language when asked by Nick whether she plans to run for a second term as Mayor - will she run again?&nbsp;
NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills for the Capital Letter.
LISTEN ABOVE

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.

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.

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.

Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Capital Letter: Georgina Campbell on Wellington City Council cuts and whether Tory Whanau will seek another term

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cee41a6b-f094-4225-ac30-b2340188a416/transcript

EDITORIAL:

Let’s just call this out for what it is, because I think a lot of people are thinking the same as me here. 

When I saw Nicola Willis standing there at Marsden Point—hard hat on, big fuel tanker behind her—telling us we’ve got seven weeks of fuel supply, 

I thought, right… we get it. Message received. 

But then it quickly turned from reassurance into something else entirely.  

It started to feel like a staged photo opportunity at a time when the country should be in serious, disciplined mode. 

Mixed messages, anyone? 

Because here’s the reality—this isn’t business as usual.  

We’ve got a very volatile situation in the Middle East, real disruption risks through the Strait of Hormuz, and global oil prices already climbing. 

This can turn quickly. Especially tomorrow afternoon when Trumps deadline runs out. 

And if/when it does, countries like New Zealand—at the end of the supply chain and fully reliant on imported refined fuel—are exposed. That’s not opinion. That’s fact. 

And then I started thinking… could she have delivered that exact same message from Wellington? From her office? With the right backdrop? 

Because think about it. Car to the airport. Flight to Auckland. Car to Marsden Point. Car back to the airport. Flight home. Car back home 

Is that really the signal we want to send to New Zealanders right now? Be careful with fuel… while we burn it for optics? 

Mixed messages. 

So when the Government tells us we’ve got seven weeks’ supply, but in the same breath says that depends on ships continuing to arrive—that’s not comforting.  

That’s conditional. That’s “we’re okay… as long as nothing else goes wrong.” 

And in a situation like this, plenty can go wrong. 

Which brings me back to the optics.  

If fuel security genuinely matters—if we may need to prioritise who gets fuel and when—then every decision should reflect that seriousness.  

Every litre should matter. 

So why in the world are we flying ministers around the country for what looks like a PR exercise?  

Why are we burning aviation fuel to stand in front of a ship and tell us what we already know? 

Mixed messages. 

It sends the wrong signal.  

It tells people this is still about presentation, not preparation.  

About being seen to be in control, rather than actually tightening the screws and planning for worst scenarios. 

And look—I understand the need for people to be reassured.  

Markets are jittery. Households are hurting. No one wants panic. 

But reassurance has to come with backed by behaviour. 

You can’t tell people to brace for higher costs, hint at fuel prioritisation, and then carry on with business-as-usual optics. 

So here’s the real question—what happens in five or six weeks if nothing improves?  

Are we still rolling out the same message? Still relying on ships turning up on time? 

Or are we finally forced into the harder decisions we should be preparing for right now? 

Because from where I sit, this moment demands absolute seriousness. 

LISTEN ABOVE

EDITORIAL:
Let’s just call this out for what it is, because I think a lot of people are thinking the same as me here.&nbsp;
When I saw Nicola Willis standing there at Marsden Point—hard hat on, big fuel tanker behind her—telling us we’ve got seven weeks of fuel supply,&nbsp;
I thought, right… we get it. Message received.&nbsp;
But then it quickly turned from reassurance into something else entirely. &nbsp;
It started to feel like a staged photo opportunity at a time when the country should be in serious, disciplined mode.&nbsp;
Mixed messages, anyone?&nbsp;
Because here’s the reality—this isn’t business as usual. &nbsp;
We’ve got a very volatile situation in the Middle East, real disruption risks through the Strait of Hormuz, and global oil prices already climbing.&nbsp;
This can turn quickly. Especially tomorrow afternoon when Trumps deadline runs out.&nbsp;
And if/when it does, countries like New Zealand—at the end of the supply chain and fully reliant on imported refined fuel—are exposed. That’s not opinion. That’s fact.&nbsp;
And then I started thinking… could she have delivered that exact same message from Wellington? From her office? With the right backdrop?&nbsp;
Because think about it. Car to the airport. Flight to Auckland. Car to Marsden Point. Car back to the airport. Flight home. Car back home&nbsp;
Is that really the signal we want to send to New Zealanders right now? Be careful with fuel… while we burn it for optics?&nbsp;
Mixed messages.&nbsp;
So when the Government tells us we’ve got seven weeks’ supply, but in the same breath says that depends on ships continuing to arrive—that’s not comforting. &nbsp;
That’s conditional. That’s “we’re okay… as long as nothing else goes wrong.”&nbsp;
And in a situation like this, plenty can go wrong.&nbsp;
Which brings me back to the optics. &nbsp;
If fuel security genuinely matters—if we may need to prioritise who gets fuel and when—then every decision should reflect that seriousness. &nbsp;
Every litre should matter.&nbsp;
So why in the world are we flying ministers around the country for what looks like a PR exercise? &nbsp;
Why are we burning aviation fuel to stand in front of a ship and tell us what we already know?&nbsp;
Mixed messages.&nbsp;
It sends the wrong signal. &nbsp;
It tells people this is still about presentation, not preparation. &nbsp;
About being seen to be in control, rather than actually tightening the screws and planning for worst scenarios.&nbsp;
And look—I understand the need for people to be reassured. &nbsp;
Markets are jittery. Households are hurting. No one wants panic.&nbsp;
But reassurance has to come with backed by behaviour.&nbsp;
You can’t tell people to brace for higher costs, hint at fuel prioritisation, and then carry on with business-as-usual optics.&nbsp;
So here’s the real question—what happens in five or six weeks if nothing improves? &nbsp;
Are we still rolling out the same message? Still relying on ships turning up on time?&nbsp;
Or are we finally forced into the harder decisions we should be preparing for right now?&nbsp;
Because from where I sit, this moment demands absolute seriousness.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Mills: Is the Government giving mixed messages over fuel supply?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/edbb0817-8a41-41d2-8aab-b41600041f63/transcript

Nick is joined on the Business Panel this week by General Manager of Wellington on a Plate (WOAP) and Beervana, Penny de Borst and Gollins Commercial property broker, Chris Gollins. 

Our guests discuss doing business in Wellington City and how it's changing this year.

In time of turmoil for the city - we hear about the success of de Borst and Gollins' businesses, the hardships and the plans ahead.

How has WOAP shaped our city's hospo space and how are Gollins finding their buyers are responding to the economic environment in Wellington?

How are the industries coping with price increases - fuel, food, compliance, living costs - what's the year ahead looking like with these rises? 

Then how can we support local businesses? The panel talks the council, the mayor and the library opening. What does it mean to be a part of Wellington?

And the city is predicting an increase of fewer than 800 people over the next five year - how do we bring back and keep people in the city?

LISTEN ABOVE

Nick is joined on the Business Panel this week by General Manager of Wellington on a Plate (WOAP) and Beervana, Penny de Borst and Gollins Commercial property broker, Chris Gollins.&nbsp;
Our guests discuss doing business in Wellington City and how it's changing this year.
In time of turmoil for the city - we hear about the success of de Borst and Gollins' businesses, the hardships and the plans ahead.
How has WOAP shaped our city's hospo space and how are Gollins finding their buyers are responding to the economic environment in Wellington?
How are the industries coping with price increases - fuel, food, compliance, living costs - what's the year ahead looking like with these rises?&nbsp;
Then how can we support local businesses? The panel talks the council, the mayor and the library opening. What does it mean to be a part of Wellington?
And the city is predicting an increase of fewer than 800 people over the next five year - how do we bring back and keep people in the city?
LISTEN ABOVE

Business Panel with Penny de Borst and Chris Gollins

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/80fc43d2-c12f-4424-9ab1-b4160000b004/transcript

Nick Mills wraps the week with former Wellington City Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast and former Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy.  

Are we panicking too much over the fuel supply from the Strait of Hormuz? Or is this justified? 

How badly is our country going to be impacted by the US/Israel Iran conflict? Fuel, food, economy – our guest faceoff on the important issues of the week. 

They discuss line of privacy as a public figure. Both have had to endure the political spotlight on their family lives and give their take on the situation around Minister Hipkins this week. Where does public interest end? 

Last year there was a speeding fine issued every minute, now the AA is calling for fines to double. Do our panel think this will help deter speeders?

Then Prendergast and Guppy faceoff about the affordability of mince. Are there any cheap family meals anymore? 

Moa Point inquiry – costing over 5 thousand a day. The inquiry is being headed by a former head of Wellington Water, what do our panel think of this appointment and the progress from this? 

And are parents justified for criticising teachers for giving out lollies? Is it an issue for their health and behaviour, or uproar over nothing? Plus the panels hot or nots. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Nick Mills wraps the week with former Wellington City Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast and former Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy. &nbsp;
Are we panicking too much over the fuel supply from the Strait of Hormuz? Or is this justified?&nbsp;
How badly is our country going to be impacted by the US/Israel Iran conflict? Fuel, food, economy – our guest faceoff on the important issues of the week.&nbsp;
They discuss line of privacy as a public figure. Both have had to endure the political spotlight on their family lives and give their take on the situation around Minister Hipkins this week. Where does public interest end?&nbsp;
Last year there was a speeding fine issued every minute, now the AA is calling for fines to double. Do our panel think this will help deter speeders?
Then Prendergast and Guppy faceoff about the affordability of mince. Are there any cheap family meals anymore?&nbsp;
Moa Point inquiry – costing over 5 thousand a day. The inquiry is being headed by a former head of Wellington Water, what do our panel think of this appointment and the progress from this?&nbsp;
And are parents justified for criticising teachers for giving out lollies? Is it an issue for their health and behaviour, or uproar over nothing? Plus the panels hot or nots.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Friday Faceoff: Dame Kerry Prendergast and Wayne Guppy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/dc187400-d7fe-4b73-8b0e-b412018177ed/transcript

Capital Letter: Georgina Campbell on Wellington City Council cuts and whether Tory Whanau will seek another term

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