For Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills is joined by National Minister Tama Potaka and Labour MP Ayesha Verrall.

The panel starts with the biggest news of the week - 8700 public service jobs will be gone by 2029.

They discuss what this means for our city? Has anywhere been hit as hard as Wellington?

Nicola Willis says her office is experimenting with artificial intelligence, Nick asks our panel if they too are using AI and how can it reduce government work. 

Potaka and Verrall also dissect security and cost concerns of government workers using AI.

14 corrections staff were arrested yesterday smuggling items - including methamphetamine - to prisoners. Our politicians share their thoughts on the state of corrections, and how to assist this issue in corruption.

And Winston Peters buying BNZ, is it a pipe dream? Is there validity when we talk about bringing more competition to NZ?

LISTEN ABOVE

For Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills is joined by National Minister Tama Potaka and Labour MP Ayesha Verrall.
The panel starts with the biggest news of the week - 8700 public service jobs will be gone by 2029.
They discuss what this means for our city? Has anywhere been hit as hard as Wellington?
Nicola Willis says her office is experimenting with artificial intelligence, Nick asks our panel if they too are using AI and how can it reduce government work.&nbsp;
Potaka and Verrall also dissect security and cost concerns of government workers using AI.
14 corrections staff were arrested yesterday smuggling items - including methamphetamine - to prisoners. Our politicians share their thoughts on the state of corrections, and how to assist this issue in corruption.
And Winston Peters buying BNZ, is it a pipe dream? Is there validity when we talk about bringing more competition to NZ?
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 with Tama Potaka and Ayesha Verrall

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b223540c-fcfe-4c13-86f9-b451000ce0ff/transcript

EDITORIAL:

If you listened yesterday, you heard it coming.  

We knew the Government was preparing to swing the axe again through the public service.  

What we didn’t know was just how deep the cuts were going to be. 

Now we know. 

Nearly 9,000 public sector jobs gone by 2029.  

A 14 percent reduction.  

Public service numbers down from just over 63,000 to around 55,000.  

Government departments merged.  

AI and digital tools replacing roles.  

Nicola Willis says it’ll save $2.4 billion.  

David Seymour says it’s “just what the doctor ordered.”  

The Greens are calling it New Zealand’s version of DOGE. 

And Wellington? Wellington wakes up this morning feeling like it’s gone another round in the ring with Muhammad Ali. 

Bang. Bang. Bang. 

In quick succession. 

No time to recover. No time to breathe. No chance to get back on your feet before the next hit comes. 

But here’s what really struck me out of all this news: 

If anyone thinks it’s strange the Government is doing this before next week’s Budget — think about it for a second. 

This is the soft blow before the big blow comes. 

This is the mowing of the lawn before they land the plane. 

Governments don’t soften people up before good news.  

They soften people up before harder news.  

And maybe the reality is the Budget next week is going to be tougher than many Wellingtonians are ready for. 

Now look — I’m not going to sit here this morning and pretend the public service was never going to change.  

It grew massively after COVID.  

Technology and AI are changing every industry in the world.  

Every sector is having to adapt. Everyone has to. 

But what worries me is this city’s confidence. 

Because every time one of these announcements lands, spending stops instantly.  

People stop buying coffees. Stop going out for dinner. Stop booking weekends away. Stop replacing clothes. Stop taking risks. 

And Wellington businesses feel it immediately. 

But at some point, we’ve got to stop sitting around asking what Wellington used to be — and start asking what Wellington is going to become. 

Because if the old model of Wellington being powered almost entirely by government jobs is changing, what’s the new model? 

How do we fix Wellington? 

Seriously. 

Do we double down on hospitality, events and culture? Do we become the creative capital again?  

The tech capital? The startup capital? 

Do we back tourism harder?  

Do we make this city easier to invest in, easier to build in, easier to open businesses in?  

Do we stop fighting growth and actually encourage it? 

Do we make it easier to do business in Wellington? 

Because sitting around waiting for another ministry to lease another office floor on The Terrace probably isn’t the future anymore. 

And I know this is a shock for a lot of people this morning. I genuinely do. There’ll be families scared about mortgages, jobs, rents and what comes next. 

But Wellington cannot afford to become a city that only talks about decline. 

At some point we’ve got to shrug our shoulders, get on with it, and work out how we and this city succeed again. 

What the hell do we do to make Wellington great again?  

LISTEN ABOVE

EDITORIAL:
If you listened yesterday, you heard it coming. &nbsp;
We knew the Government was preparing to swing the axe again through the public service. &nbsp;
What we didn’t know was just how deep the cuts were going to be.&nbsp;
Now we know.&nbsp;
Nearly 9,000 public sector jobs gone by 2029. &nbsp;
A 14 percent reduction. &nbsp;
Public service numbers down from just over 63,000 to around 55,000. &nbsp;
Government departments merged. &nbsp;
AI and digital tools replacing roles. &nbsp;
Nicola Willis says it’ll save $2.4 billion. &nbsp;
David Seymour says it’s “just what the doctor ordered.” &nbsp;
The Greens are calling it New Zealand’s version of DOGE.&nbsp;
And Wellington? Wellington wakes up this morning feeling like it’s gone another round in the ring with Muhammad Ali.&nbsp;
Bang. Bang. Bang.&nbsp;
In quick succession.&nbsp;
No time to recover. No time to breathe. No chance to get back on your feet before the next hit comes.&nbsp;
But here’s what really struck me out of all this news:&nbsp;
If anyone thinks it’s strange the Government is doing this before next week’s Budget — think about it for a second.&nbsp;
This is the soft blow before the big blow comes.&nbsp;
This is the mowing of the lawn before they land the plane.&nbsp;
Governments don’t soften people up before good news. &nbsp;
They soften people up before harder news. &nbsp;
And maybe the reality is the Budget next week is going to be tougher than many Wellingtonians are ready for.&nbsp;
Now look — I’m not going to sit here this morning and pretend the public service was never going to change. &nbsp;
It grew massively after COVID. &nbsp;
Technology and AI are changing every industry in the world. &nbsp;
Every sector is having to adapt. Everyone has to.&nbsp;
But what worries me is this city’s confidence.&nbsp;
Because every time one of these announcements lands, spending stops instantly. &nbsp;
People stop buying coffees. Stop going out for dinner. Stop booking weekends away. Stop replacing clothes. Stop taking risks.&nbsp;
And Wellington businesses feel it immediately.&nbsp;
But at some point, we’ve got to stop sitting around asking what Wellington used to be — and start asking what Wellington is going to become.&nbsp;
Because if the old model of Wellington being powered almost entirely by government jobs is changing, what’s the new model?&nbsp;
How do we fix Wellington?&nbsp;
Seriously.&nbsp;
Do we double down on hospitality, events and culture? Do we become the creative capital again? &nbsp;
The tech capital? The startup capital?&nbsp;
Do we back tourism harder? &nbsp;
Do we make this city easier to invest in, easier to build in, easier to open businesses in? &nbsp;
Do we stop fighting growth and actually encourage it?&nbsp;
Do we make it easier to do business in Wellington?&nbsp;
Because sitting around waiting for another ministry to lease another office floor on The Terrace probably isn’t the future anymore.&nbsp;
And I know this is a shock for a lot of people this morning. I genuinely do. There’ll be families scared about mortgages, jobs, rents and what comes next.&nbsp;
But Wellington cannot afford to become a city that only talks about decline.&nbsp;
At some point we’ve got to shrug our shoulders, get on with it, and work out how we and this city succeed again.&nbsp;
What the hell do we do to make Wellington great again? &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Mills: How do we get Wellington back on it's feet?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a584439f-cfb6-464d-8f14-b45000124bd6/transcript

Its NZ Music Month, and to celebrate Nick is joined on the show by the Chairperson of the NZ Music Commission Greg Bonnett. 

NZ Music Month is in it's 26th years and aims to promote our talented local artists - of which our country has many.

Comparing NZ music to the international market, Bonnett says we punch above our weight. 

We were the lead country partner in Bristol's Great Escape Music Festival - a worldwide leader in supporting emerging artist. Bonnett says they were able to bring 11 artists over to UK. 

Bonnett speaks about the success overseas, and how we are reaching these new markets. 

Then find out who to look out for from our homegrown talent.

LISTEN ABOVE

Its NZ Music Month, and to celebrate Nick is joined on the show by the Chairperson of the NZ Music Commission Greg Bonnett.&nbsp;
NZ Music Month is in it's 26th years and aims to promote our talented local artists - of which our country has many.
Comparing NZ music to the international market, Bonnett says we punch above our weight.&nbsp;
We were the lead country partner in Bristol's Great Escape Music Festival - a worldwide leader in supporting emerging artist. Bonnett says they were able to bring 11 artists over to UK.&nbsp;
Bonnett speaks about the success overseas, and how we are reaching these new markets.&nbsp;
Then find out who to look out for from our homegrown talent.
LISTEN ABOVE

NZ Music Month: Chair of NZ Music Commission Greg Bonnett joins the show

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/74fb65ad-d375-471f-8711-b4500005d696/transcript

To celebrate NZ Music Month - James Irwin is in the studio every week of May for Music Time.

This week Nick and James listen and debate the top hits pf the 60s and 70s. And talk the beginnings of NZ's rich music history and record labels.

And what gigs are on this week? Get more info on NZ Music Month on their site linked here.

LISTEN ABOVE

To celebrate NZ Music Month - James Irwin is in the studio every week of May for Music Time.
This week Nick and James listen and debate the top hits pf the 60s and 70s. And talk the beginnings of NZ's rich music history and record labels.
And what gigs are on this week? Get more info on NZ Music Month on their site<a href="https://www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz/news/te-marama-puoro-o-aotearoa-nz-music-month-2026-our-sounds-our-spaces"> linked here.</a>
LISTEN ABOVE

NZ Music Month with James Irwin - Gold NZ Hits

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/72abbb4b-7e1f-4154-810f-b44f0008f759/transcript

Politics Thursday with Tama Potaka and Ayesha Verrall

In 1 playlist(s)

Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips