Many Wellingtonians have woken to carnage in the capital.

Cars are floating, 

Early this morning parts of the region were hit with slow moving thunderstorms and intense rain causing cars to float streets to flood, slips, roads closures and evacuations. 

Nick speaks to Mayor Andrew Little who has been out in the suburbs looking at damage. He shares an update on the response so far and official advice for those effected.

MetService is expecting even more rain to fall across Wellington today, with a heavy rain warning in place for parts of the region from 3pm Monday until midnight Tuesday.

LISTEN ABOVE

Many Wellingtonians have woken to carnage in the capital.
Cars are floating,&nbsp;
Early this morning parts of the region were hit with slow moving thunderstorms and intense rain causing cars to float streets to flood, slips, roads closures and evacuations.&nbsp;
Nick speaks to Mayor Andrew Little who has been out in the suburbs looking at damage. He shares an update on the response so far and official advice for those effected.
MetService is expecting even more rain to fall across Wellington today, with a heavy rain warning in place for parts of the region from 3pm Monday until midnight Tuesday.
<p style="--black: #000; --white: #fff; --nz-dark: #313c3d; --nz-blue: #38a3d7; --off-white: #edebe8; --gray-text: #727579; --gray-bg: #f8f9fa; --gray-stroke: #dde2e3; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400 !important; font-size: 16px !important;">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

Mayor Andrew Little on flooding in the capital

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c0398ec4-4dbb-470e-8820-b4320000eec9/transcript

For a special charitable edition of the Business Panel, Nick is joined in the studio by two people making a difference in Wellington. Rev Murray Edridge, Wellington City Missioner and Major Christina Tyson, Head of Salvation Army frontline welfare services join the panel this morning. 

In the wake of the severe weather events, Wellington City Mission and Salvation Army are providing support and shelter for those in need. Nick speaks to Tyson and Edridge speaking about what they are offering, and how the organizations are coping with the influx of support needed. 

Then onto the last 12 months, are our panel noticing a difference? Edridge says it is the worst time in memory for those who need help. 

Nick finds out how world events like fuel are impacting the people they support and the businesses themselves. How are their volunteers coping?

Then their thoughts on policy from the government and whether they are receiving enough support from both the government and the council. 

And how can our communities support them? Find out on this week's business panel. 

LISTEN ABOVE

For a special charitable edition of the Business Panel, Nick is joined in the studio by two people making a difference in Wellington. Rev Murray Edridge, Wellington City Missioner and Major Christina Tyson, Head of Salvation Army frontline welfare services join the panel this morning.&nbsp;
In the wake of the severe weather events, Wellington City Mission and Salvation Army are providing support and shelter for those in need. Nick speaks to Tyson and Edridge speaking about what they are offering, and how the organizations are coping with the influx of support needed.&nbsp;
Then onto the last 12 months, are our panel noticing a difference? Edridge says it is the worst time in memory for those who need help.&nbsp;
Nick finds out how world events like fuel are impacting the people they support and the businesses themselves. How are their volunteers coping?
Then their thoughts on policy from the government and whether they are receiving enough support from both the government and the council.&nbsp;
And how can our communities support them? Find out on this week's business panel.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Business Panel with Rev Murray Edridge and Major Christina Tyson

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7c784db6-8fd5-457b-ad33-b4320009e8b0/transcript

This morning for Friday Sport Kick-off Nick is joined by Weekend Sport host Jason Pine to chat all about sports coming up in Wellington this weekend.

But first Moana Pasifika, who are set to disband after this season. Piney and Nick talk the likelihood of investors swooping in, and what other teams could be at risk of the same fate? 

Then what some are calling the first All Black trial: Hurricanes play the Chief on Saturday.

Players are set to prove their positions in the top of the table clash, who will come out on top in Hamilton tomorrow.

A-League Phoenix play Western Sydney in Christchurch tomorrow - could they still make the top six?

And other Wellington teams take on Christchurch this week across multiple codes including the Pulse who play the Tactix on Sunday. Plus, the Saints play the Rams. How do our crew think it'll go?

LISTEN ABOVE

This morning for Friday Sport Kick-off Nick is joined by Weekend Sport host Jason Pine to chat all about sports coming up in Wellington this weekend.
But first Moana Pasifika, who are set to disband after this season. Piney and Nick talk the likelihood of investors swooping in, and what other teams could be at risk of the same fate?&nbsp;
Then what some are calling the first All Black trial: Hurricanes play the Chief on Saturday.
Players are set to prove their positions in the top of the table clash, who will come out on top in Hamilton tomorrow.
A-League Phoenix play Western Sydney in Christchurch tomorrow - could they still make the top six?
And other Wellington teams take on Christchurch this week across multiple codes including the Pulse who play the Tactix on Sunday. Plus, the Saints play the Rams. How do our crew think it'll go?
LISTEN ABOVE

Friday Sport Kick-off with Jason Pine: The End of Moana Pasifika

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f97be974-dd91-409f-8ea3-b42e017eeef0/transcript

EDITORIAL: We know there’s a growing gap in this country—and it’s not just between the rich and the poor.  

It’s between what we say we want, and what we’re actually prepared to do to pay for. 

Because right now, the numbers are starting to bite. 

Treasury is warning—loudly—that we are heading into a future where fewer workers supporting more retirees. We know that - it’s fact. 

And now, Inland Revenue is backing that up, saying quite clearly: if we don’t change course, the books don’t stack up. Debt will grow. Pressure will build. Something will have to give. 

And here’s the uncomfortable truth—there are only two levers you can pull. 

You either spend less… or you tax more.  

Now look around.  

We’ve got around 165,000 people on an unemployment benefit. 

We’ve come through COVID with a massive debt hangover.  

Infrastructure costs are blowing out. Health, pensions, everything—up, up, up. 

So I’ll ask the obvious question: are we really going to save our way out of this? 

I don’t think so. 

And that’s why this conversation that politicians keep avoiding—we need to have it properly. 

Because Inland Revenue has already laid it out.  

They say GST should go up. Now think about that for a minute and don’t let it shock you too much. 

They say capital gains should be looked at. They say the system needs to be more flexible so governments can pull in more revenue when they need it – like now. 

And whether we like it or not… they’re probably right. 

Let’s take GST.  

We are at 15% in New Zealand.  

Now compare that to Europe—where consumption taxes are often higher.  

The United Kingdom runs a VAT of 20%. Germany? 19%. France? 20%.  

The Nordic countries—Denmark, Sweden—around 25%. 

So, the idea of moving GST from 15% to 17% or 17.5% here—it’s not radical internationally.  

It’s actually pretty modest. 

Yes, it hurts and it hurts everyone. But it’s simple. It’s efficient.  

And if you pair it with targeted support—cash transfers or tax relief—for low-income earners, you can soften the blow where it matters most. 

Then there’s the old capital gains tax. 

Nobody wants to talk about the horrible old capital gains tax. 

And I know—people hate hearing it. But Inland Revenue is blunt: not taxing capital gains creates distortions. It lets people shift income into areas that aren’t taxed, and that weakens the system. 

So why not be surgical about it? 

You don’t touch the family home. We don’t want to hit ordinary Kiwis.  

But if you’re dealing in assets—property, investments—worth over $2 million, $2.5 million… then yes, maybe you should be paying capital gains tax. 

Because here’s the reality—we’re in a hole. 

And when you’re in a hole, you don’t get out by pretending everything’s fine. 

Some people have done extremely well, even through COVID, even through recession. Meanwhile, others are barely hanging on. 

So yes—maybe company tax edge up. Maybe high-end capital gains are taxed.  

Maybe GST nudges higher. 

None of it is popular. 

But this is the point—there is no pain-free option anymore. 

The real question is: are we prepared to take a bit of pain now, and alot of us have had that pain… to avoid a much bigger one later? 

It’s coming, we can’t afford it, and we can’t get our spending down. 

LISTEN ABOVE

EDITORIAL: We know there’s a growing gap in this country—and it’s not just between the rich and the poor. &nbsp;
It’s between what we say we want, and what we’re actually prepared to do to pay for.&nbsp;
Because right now, the numbers are starting to bite.&nbsp;
Treasury is warning—loudly—that we are heading into a future where fewer workers supporting more retirees. We know that - it’s fact.&nbsp;
And now, Inland Revenue is backing that up, saying quite clearly: if we don’t change course, the books don’t stack up. Debt will grow. Pressure will build. Something will have to give.&nbsp;
And here’s the uncomfortable truth—there are only two levers you can pull.&nbsp;
You either spend less… or you tax more. &nbsp;
Now look around. &nbsp;
We’ve got around 165,000 people on an unemployment benefit.&nbsp;
We’ve come through COVID with a massive debt hangover. &nbsp;
Infrastructure costs are blowing out. Health, pensions, everything—up, up, up.&nbsp;
So I’ll ask the obvious question: are we really going to save our way out of this?&nbsp;
I don’t think so.&nbsp;
And that’s why this conversation that politicians keep avoiding—we need to have it properly.&nbsp;
Because Inland Revenue has already laid it out. &nbsp;
They say GST should go up. Now think about that for a minute and don’t let it shock you too much.&nbsp;
They say capital gains should be looked at. They say the system needs to be more flexible so governments can pull in more revenue when they need it – like now.&nbsp;
And whether we like it or not… they’re probably right.&nbsp;
Let’s take GST. &nbsp;
We are at 15% in New Zealand. &nbsp;
Now compare that to Europe—where consumption taxes are often higher. &nbsp;
The United Kingdom runs a VAT of 20%. Germany? 19%. France? 20%. &nbsp;
The Nordic countries—Denmark, Sweden—around 25%.&nbsp;
So, the idea of moving GST from 15% to 17% or 17.5% here—it’s not radical internationally. &nbsp;
It’s actually pretty modest.&nbsp;
Yes, it hurts and it hurts everyone. But it’s simple. It’s efficient. &nbsp;
And if you pair it with targeted support—cash transfers or tax relief—for low-income earners, you can soften the blow where it matters most.&nbsp;
Then there’s the old capital gains tax.&nbsp;
Nobody wants to talk about the horrible old capital gains tax.&nbsp;
And I know—people hate hearing it. But Inland Revenue is blunt: not taxing capital gains creates distortions. It lets people shift income into areas that aren’t taxed, and that weakens the system.&nbsp;
So why not be surgical about it?&nbsp;
You don’t touch the family home. We don’t want to hit ordinary Kiwis. &nbsp;
But if you’re dealing in assets—property, investments—worth over $2 million, $2.5 million… then yes, maybe you should be paying capital gains tax.&nbsp;
Because here’s the reality—we’re in a hole.&nbsp;
And when you’re in a hole, you don’t get out by pretending everything’s fine.&nbsp;
Some people have done extremely well, even through COVID, even through recession. Meanwhile, others are barely hanging on.&nbsp;
So yes—maybe company tax edge up. Maybe high-end capital gains are taxed. &nbsp;
Maybe GST nudges higher.&nbsp;
None of it is popular.&nbsp;
But this is the point—there is no pain-free option anymore.&nbsp;
The real question is: are we prepared to take a bit of pain now, and alot of us have had that pain… to avoid a much bigger one later?&nbsp;
It’s coming, we can’t afford it, and we can’t get our spending down.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Mills: IRD says we need to change our tax system - and I agree

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7777af28-e1b7-4e2e-916b-b42e0013dc83/transcript

Mayor Andrew Little on flooding in the capital

In 1 playlist(s)

Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips