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

Former Principal of Taita College Karen Morgan joins Nick on the show to discuss the benefits of public school. 

Karen has experience working in multiple public schools, she tells Nick about the benefits of sending your children to public school, and what makes the education work for the child.

Is it the fact it's private/public, the teachers or something else?

LISTEN ABOVE

Former Principal of Taita College Karen Morgan joins Nick on the show to discuss the benefits of public school.&nbsp;
Karen has experience working in multiple public schools, she tells Nick about the benefits of sending your children to public school, and what makes the education work for the child.
Is it the fact it's private/public, the teachers or something else?
LISTEN ABOVE

Former Principal Karen Morgan on the public vs private school debate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/84c163f3-79f1-4f8b-9e70-b40201845896/transcript

The new Wellington Central Library named Te Matapihi is opening on Saturday March 14th after $217 million of refurbishments and strengthening. 

Nick Mills toured around the building and chatted to project lead Gisella Carr along with other staff in the brand new library.

Was it everything he expected? And is it what Wellington needs to reignite life in the city?

LISTEN ABOVE

The new Wellington Central Library named Te Matapihi is opening on Saturday March 14th after $217 million of refurbishments and strengthening.&nbsp;
Nick Mills toured around the building and chatted to project lead Gisella Carr along with other staff in the brand new library.
Was it everything he expected? And is it what Wellington needs to reignite life in the city?
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick tours Wellington's new library Te Matapihi

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b8d7c45e-99fb-4353-9cb5-b40201823c7a/transcript

Unrest in the Middle East continues. 

I watched that stand-up from the Prime Minister and I’ve got to be honest with you — I walked away feeling uneasy. 

Not because I expect a New Zealand Prime Minister to be a Middle East historian.  

We’re a small country. Our politics is usually about rates, roads, schools, the price of butter. I get that. 

But when the world tips into crisis —when the United States and Israel launch strikes on Iran— that’s not a domestic moment. That's what I call an international flashpoint.  

That’s oil prices, security alliances, global instability, the rules-based order we rely on as a small trading nation. 

And I’m sorry, that performance didn’t fill me with confidence. 

On Sunday, Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters said the Government “acknowledged” the US and Israeli action, but wouldn’t say whether New Zealand supported it.  

On Monday morning, pressed to explain what “acknowledge” actually meant, the Prime Minister struggled to articulate it.  

He repeated that the Iranian regime is “evil” —and many would agree, given its repression at home and behaviour abroad— but that wasn’t really the question. 

The question is: where does New Zealand stand? 

Under international law, military intervention has a high bar.  

Pre-emptive self-defence is defined narrowly under the century-old Caroline doctrine – the threat must be “instant, overwhelming, leaving no choice of means and no moment for deliberation.”  

Luxon said he hadn’t seen intelligence, hadn’t asked for any beyond regular briefings, and those matters were “to be determined”.

That’s the moment I thought: hang on. 

You don’t have to reveal classified material, but you do have to look like you’re in command.  

Former Foreign and Defence Minister Phil Goff spoke to Ryan Bridge this morning, questioning why the Government hadn’t already ruled the Iranian Regime a terrorist organization.  

You do have to project calm authority. You do have to explain the principles guiding the country. 

Instead, it felt uncomfortable. Out of his depth. Out of his comfort zone. 

And maybe that’s the brutal truth of politics – you don’t get to choose when the world tests you. You don’t get to say, “this isn’t my portfolio".  

If you’re Prime Minister, every crisis is your crisis. 

So here’s the question I want to put to you tonight: 

Did you feel confident watching Christopher Luxon handle that moment? 

Did you feel like he was in control? Like he understood the stakes? Like he knew exactly where New Zealand sits in a conflict like this? 

Or did you, like me, feel it was one of the weakest stand-ups you’ve seen from a Prime Minister in a long time? 

Because in times of international tension, tone matters. Clarity matters. Leadership under pressure matters. 

Unrest in the Middle East continues.&nbsp;
I watched that stand-up from the Prime Minister and I’ve got to be honest with you — I walked away feeling uneasy.&nbsp;
Not because I expect a New Zealand Prime Minister to be a Middle East historian. &nbsp;
We’re a small country. Our politics is usually about rates, roads, schools, the price of butter. I get that.&nbsp;
But when the world tips into crisis —when the United States and Israel launch strikes on Iran— that’s not a domestic moment. That's what I call an international flashpoint. &nbsp;
That’s oil prices, security alliances, global instability, the rules-based order we rely on as a small trading nation.&nbsp;
And I’m sorry, that performance didn’t fill me with confidence.&nbsp;
On Sunday, Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters said the Government “acknowledged” the US and Israeli action, but wouldn’t say whether New Zealand supported it. &nbsp;
On Monday morning, pressed to explain what “acknowledge” actually meant, the Prime Minister struggled to articulate it. &nbsp;
He repeated that the Iranian regime is “evil” —and many would agree, given its repression at home and behaviour abroad— but that wasn’t really the question.&nbsp;
The question is: where does New Zealand stand?&nbsp;
Under international law, military intervention has a high bar. &nbsp;
Pre-emptive self-defence is defined narrowly under the century-old Caroline doctrine – the threat must be “instant, overwhelming, leaving no choice of means and no moment for deliberation.” &nbsp;
Luxon said he hadn’t seen intelligence, hadn’t asked for any beyond regular briefings, and those matters were “to be determined”.
That’s the moment I thought: hang on.&nbsp;
You don’t have to reveal classified material, but you do have to look like you’re in command. &nbsp;
Former Foreign and Defence Minister Phil Goff spoke to Ryan Bridge this morning, questioning why the Government hadn’t already ruled the Iranian Regime a terrorist organization. &nbsp;
You do have to project calm authority. You do have to explain the principles guiding the country.&nbsp;
Instead, it felt uncomfortable. Out of his depth. Out of his comfort zone.&nbsp;
And maybe that’s the brutal truth of politics – you don’t get to choose when the world tests you. You don’t get to say, “this isn’t my portfolio".&nbsp;&nbsp;
If you’re Prime Minister, every crisis is your crisis.&nbsp;
So here’s the question I want to put to you tonight:&nbsp;
Did you feel confident watching Christopher Luxon handle that moment?&nbsp;
Did you feel like he was in control? Like he understood the stakes? Like he knew exactly where New Zealand sits in a conflict like this?&nbsp;
Or did you, like me, feel it was one of the weakest stand-ups you’ve seen from a Prime Minister in a long time?&nbsp;
Because in times of international tension, tone matters. Clarity matters. Leadership under pressure matters.&nbsp;

Nick Mills: Does Prime Minister Luxon show leadership in times of crisis?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6a585c51-ac8e-464f-93b2-b4010180ec37/transcript

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

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