Nick is joined by Fringe CEO Kim Bailey in the studio to talk about the Wellington Fringe festival - starting this weekend! The festival includes over 150 acts from Wellington and around the world and is on from February 13th to March 7 2026. In it's 36th year the festivals brings theatre and fun to Wellington at many venues all across the city.

Kim tells us a bit about the festival, what it brings to Wellington and what acts are a must see this year. 

Link to tickets and the programme here: Fringe Festival

Nick is joined by Fringe CEO Kim Bailey in the studio to talk about the Wellington Fringe festival - starting this weekend! The festival includes over 150 acts from Wellington and around the world and is on from February 13th to March 7 2026. In it's 36th year the festivals brings theatre and fun to Wellington at many venues all across the city.
Kim tells us a bit about the festival, what it brings to Wellington and what acts are a must see this year.&nbsp;
<a href="https://tickets.fringe.co.nz/">Link to tickets and the programme here: Fringe Festival</a>

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

Fringe CEO Kim Bailey on the start of the festival this weekend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/59264820-671d-4a40-bf77-b3ed018032b7/transcript

Nick Mills wraps the week for a Thursday edition of faceoff with Hutt City Mayor Ken Laban and journalist and broadcasting legend Mark Sainsbury.  

Starting with the complaints from councillors' around their new office – Councillor Nicola Young says many boycotted the blessing as they are not pleased with the location of the Mayor’s office. Is this a show of entitlement or genuine concern about the perception of our leader? 

Our panel share their thoughts on the inquiry into the FENZ fire truck fleet by Tim Costley. The board's answers to Costley are apparently “confusing and contradictory".   

What do Mayor Laban and Sainsbury think of the 79% pay increase of some board members during the pay dispute for frontline workers – and what questions need to be answered by FENZ? 

Can we expect our fire fighters to do their job with such limited pay and equipment?  

Then Minister Winston Peters flies over to Rarotonga to seal a deal which clarifies our two countries relationship. But he flew over in an Airforce jet. Is this a bad look during the fuel crisis? Or are the optics of Peters in Rarotonga and putting in effort important enough? 

And what do our panel think of the deal? 

Then onto the David Tamihere case being quashed due to a miscarriage of justice. Our panel talk the likelihood of retrial and whether Tamihere should receive compensation. 

The Green Party declined a candidate – a sex worker advocacy group says it’s due to the woman’s prior experience in that industry. Should someone be denied due to their career, or should we bring more diversity into the beehive? 

Then the basin – our panel get heated on what should be done with the basin reserve, as the NZ20 cricket is set to play there. 

Plus, our panel share their hots and nots from the week.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Nick Mills wraps the week for a Thursday edition of faceoff with Hutt City Mayor Ken Laban and journalist and broadcasting legend Mark Sainsbury. &nbsp;
Starting with the complaints from councillors' around their new office – Councillor Nicola Young says many boycotted the blessing as they are not pleased with the location of the Mayor’s office. Is this a show of entitlement or genuine concern about the perception of our leader?&nbsp;
Our panel share their thoughts on the inquiry into the FENZ fire truck fleet by Tim Costley. The board's answers to Costley are apparently “confusing and contradictory". &nbsp;&nbsp;
What do Mayor Laban and Sainsbury think of the 79% pay increase of some board members during the pay dispute for frontline workers – and what questions need to be answered by FENZ?&nbsp;
Can we expect our fire fighters to do their job with such limited pay and equipment? &nbsp;
Then Minister Winston Peters flies over to Rarotonga to seal a deal which clarifies our two countries relationship. But he flew over in an Airforce jet. Is this a bad look during the fuel crisis? Or are the optics of Peters in Rarotonga and putting in effort important enough?&nbsp;
And what do our panel think of the deal?&nbsp;
Then onto the David Tamihere case being quashed due to a miscarriage of justice. Our panel talk the likelihood of retrial and whether Tamihere should receive compensation.&nbsp;
The Green Party declined a candidate – a sex worker advocacy group says it’s due to the woman’s prior experience in that industry. Should someone be denied due to their career, or should we bring more diversity into the beehive?&nbsp;
Then the basin – our panel get heated on what should be done with the basin reserve, as the NZ20 cricket is set to play there.&nbsp;
Plus, our panel share their hots and nots from the week. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Thursday Faceoff with Mayor Ken Laban and Mark Sainsbury

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f2a9c999-4fe1-43f4-9039-b420000b8d69/transcript

Nick is joined by Labour MP Kieran McAnulty, who is fronting the new bill that will scrap the Easter alcohol rules. 

Bars & restaurants (on-licence venues) will be able to sell alcohol normally on Good Friday & Easter Sunday.

No more needing to buy a “substantial meal” just to get a drink.

McAnulty shares why the rule change is necessary, saying it's silly and will make life easier for hospo visitors and workers. 

Note: Since the interview this morning the bill has been signed off by the Governor General and will be active for Easter Weekend

LISTEN ABOVE

Nick is joined by Labour MP Kieran McAnulty, who is fronting the new bill that will scrap the Easter alcohol rules.&nbsp;
Bars &amp; restaurants (on-licence venues) will be able to sell alcohol normally on Good Friday &amp; Easter Sunday.
No more needing to buy a “substantial meal” just to get a drink.
McAnulty shares why the rule change is necessary, saying it's silly and will make life easier for hospo visitors and workers.&nbsp;
Note: Since the interview this morning the bill has been signed off by the Governor General and will be active for Easter Weekend
LISTEN ABOVE

Kieran McAnulty: Alcohol restrictions to ease over Easter Weekend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d6f2a691-dd69-4cf6-b6ae-b4200007043e/transcript

Firefighters, currently on strike, are getting support to upgrade their fleet from a new inquiry into FENZ.

Parliament’s Governance and Administration Select Committee, fronted by Deputy Chair and National MP Tim Costley, has launched an enquiry into FENZ specifically on the state of their fire truck fleet. 

Nick speaks to Wellington Local President of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) and Senior Station Officer Clark Townsley to find out what the union think of the inquiry. 

Townsley says they would like a general inquiry into FENZ, and Costley says their answer have been "confusing and contradictory".

The board of FENZ received a pay increase yesterday - some members getting a 79% rise, while pay disputes for frontline firefighters have gone on for 16 months. 

Townsley called this a "bombshell".

LISTEN ABOVE

Firefighters, currently on strike, are getting support to upgrade their fleet from a new inquiry into FENZ.
Parliament’s Governance and Administration Select Committee, fronted by Deputy Chair and National MP Tim Costley, has launched an enquiry into FENZ specifically on the state of their fire truck fleet.&nbsp;
Nick speaks to Wellington Local President of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) and Senior Station Officer Clark Townsley to find out what the union think of the inquiry.&nbsp;
Townsley says they would like a general inquiry into FENZ, and Costley says their answer have been "confusing and contradictory".
The board of FENZ received a pay increase yesterday - some members getting a 79% rise, while pay disputes for frontline firefighters have gone on for 16 months.&nbsp;
Townsley called this a "bombshell".
LISTEN ABOVE

Wellington President NZP Firefighters Union Clark Townsley on FENZ enquiry

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fa440751-8eff-4a75-be0a-b42000009942/transcript

Fringe CEO Kim Bailey on the start of the festival this weekend

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