Just three hours before the coalition government's first budget was unveiled, two politicians came in to debate what might be in it, and the other political issues of the week.

Nick was joined by a Wellington Mornings newbie, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, and Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Just three hours before the coalition government's first budget was unveiled, two politicians came in to debate what might be in it, and the other political issues of the week.
Nick was joined by a Wellington Mornings newbie, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, and Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen. 
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

Politics Thursday: Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Chris Penk on the budget, protests and Kainga Ora

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

For Music Time this week Nick and James talk up the capitals friendliest and best music festival - Hutt Sounds, ponder why some gigs don't come here and run through all the must see events coming this month.

For Music Time this week Nick and James talk up the capitals friendliest and best music festival - Hutt Sounds, ponder why some gigs don't come here and run through all the must see events coming this month.

Music Time with James Irwin: Hutt Sounds

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/aed636bb-3cee-4795-91f7-b401017cb53f/transcript

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says the City Council is not looking at compensation for businesses on the wastewater plagued-southern coast.

Popular beaches like Lyall Bay and Island Bay closed after the Moa Point treatment plant catastrophically failed last month.

Local shops in the area have been pleading for help, reporting large scale losses in revenue and trade as people stay away from the area, partly due to the bad smell.

Little discussed this and a range of other topics on his monthly slot with Nick Mills.

LISTEN ABOVE

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says the City Council is not looking at compensation for businesses on the wastewater plagued-southern coast.
Popular beaches like Lyall Bay and Island Bay closed after the Moa Point treatment plant catastrophically failed last month.
Local shops in the area have been pleading for help, reporting large scale losses in revenue and trade as people stay away from the area, partly due to the bad smell.
Little discussed this and a range of other topics on his monthly slot with Nick Mills.
LISTEN ABOVE

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little with Nick Mills: March 2nd

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/76843333-e6ec-4c48-a30f-b4000188b7dc/transcript

Politics Thursday: Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Chris Penk on the budget, protests and Kainga Ora

In 1 playlist(s)

Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips