It's Labour's to lose - in the traditionally red stronghold of Rongotai this election.

The electorate has been held by the Labour Party since its creation in 1996 -- first by Annette King, who held the seat till 2017 -- which saw Paul Eagle take over the seat.

But with Eagle bowing out of politics this year, the seat's set to get a new representative.

Labour's putting up Fleur Fitzsimons this election -- up against the Greens' well-known MP Julie Anne Genter, and National newcomer Karuna Muthu.

Newstalk ZB's Nick James asked voters, and non-voters in Rongotai what their biggest issues are.

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It's Labour's to lose - in the traditionally red stronghold of Rongotai this election.
The electorate has been held by the Labour Party since its creation in 1996 -- first by Annette King, who held the seat till 2017 -- which saw Paul Eagle take over the seat.
But with Eagle bowing out of politics this year, the seat's set to get a new representative.
Labour's putting up Fleur Fitzsimons this election -- up against the Greens' well-known MP Julie Anne Genter, and National newcomer Karuna Muthu.
Newstalk ZB's Nick James asked voters, and non-voters in Rongotai what their biggest issues are.
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

Rongotai voters voice concern over transport and the cost of living

Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty and Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls join Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff.

Together they debate Tory Whanau publicly admitting to a drinking problem, the Government's 100 day plan, Winston Peters' lashing out at the media and banning gang patches.

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Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty and Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls join Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff.
Together they debate Tory Whanau publicly admitting to a drinking problem, the Government's 100 day plan, Winston Peters' lashing out at the media and banning gang patches.
LISTEN ABOVE

Friday Faceoff: Ben McNulty backs Tory Whanau to stay on as Mayor despite drinking problem

Wellington, we have a problem.

On Wednesday night I attended a Christmas function, and there was only one topic of conversation.

Apparently there's a video floating around of Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau at a bar which doesn't make for good viewing.

And now, she finds herself forced to defend drunken behaviour yet again.

She's come out and said she is flawed, but deeply cares about the city.

She's even admitted she has a problem with alcohol.

Remember four months ago Tory was on this show and said she'd no longer be mixing alcohol with her socialising in public.

I can remember like it was yesterday.

She looked me straight in the eye and I thought, good on you Tory.

Well last night in a statement Whanau said it was to her great embarrassment and shame, that her drunkenness seemed to have been recorded.

She also said she wasn't a career politician, and leadership positions in public office are not built for regular people who may have struggles with addictions, mental health issues or any other illness that has a stigma attached.

I'm sorry Tory, but on many occasions you have told me and this show that you are a career politician.

You had leadership positions within the Green Party, and you've have controlled the egos of many people in leadership positions.

You've said you were built for this.

Don't tell us now that's changed.

The most important thing right now is getting Tory the help she needs. That should be our first priority.

But if we thought we had problems with our city council before last night, it's just been exacerbated.

As a brand, this is embarrassing.

And for former Mayor Justin Lester to describe Whanau as a wonderful ambassador for Wellington, is ridiculous.

What rock are you living under Justin?

Anyone talking about Wellington, anywhere in the world today, will be talking about our mayor and her behaviour.

This is not great for our city in anyway, and for a former mayor to condone behaviour or the abuse of alcohol, is disappointing.

As a city we have a number of serious issues, and the latest supposed indiscretion by our mayor has set us back further.

So the the big question that faces us now, is whether Tory needs to resign and step down.

Personally I think she does need to resign.

I think she needs to resign both for her own health, and the good of our city.

It's a sad sad day, but I think the job is just too much for her right now.

LISTEN ABOVE

Wellington, we have a problem.
On Wednesday night I attended a Christmas function, and there was only one topic of conversation.
Apparently there's a video floating around of Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau at a bar which doesn't make for good viewing.
And now, she finds herself forced to defend drunken behaviour yet again.
She's come out and said she is flawed, but deeply cares about the city.
She's even admitted she has a problem with alcohol.
Remember four months ago Tory was on this show and said she'd no longer be mixing alcohol with her socialising in public.
I can remember like it was yesterday.
She looked me straight in the eye and I thought, good on you Tory.
Well last night in a statement Whanau said it was to her great embarrassment and shame, that her drunkenness seemed to have been recorded.
She also said she wasn't a career politician, and leadership positions in public office are not built for regular people who may have struggles with addictions, mental health issues or any other illness that has a stigma attached.
I'm sorry Tory, but on many occasions you have told me and this show that you are a career politician.
You had leadership positions within the Green Party, and you've have controlled the egos of many people in leadership positions.
You've said you were built for this.
Don't tell us now that's changed.
The most important thing right now is getting Tory the help she needs. That should be our first priority.
But if we thought we had problems with our city council before last night, it's just been exacerbated.
As a brand, this is embarrassing.
And for former Mayor Justin Lester to describe Whanau as a wonderful ambassador for Wellington, is ridiculous.
What rock are you living under Justin?
Anyone talking about Wellington, anywhere in the world today, will be talking about our mayor and her behaviour.
This is not great for our city in anyway, and for a former mayor to condone behaviour or the abuse of alcohol, is disappointing.
As a city we have a number of serious issues, and the latest supposed indiscretion by our mayor has set us back further.
So the the big question that faces us now, is whether Tory needs to resign and step down.
Personally I think she does need to resign.
I think she needs to resign both for her own health, and the good of our city.
It's a sad sad day, but I think the job is just too much for her right now.
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Mills: Tory Whanau needs to resign both for her own health and the good of our city

A Wellington Charity Hospital has been in pipeline for years and was set to be developed at 23 Adelaide Road. 

The building consent had been granted and $150,000 worth of donations had been spent to get things rolling. 

However it was revealed the land had suddenly been sold by the owners to Waka Kotahi, for potential Let's Get Wellington Moving work.

In just seven months since the developers originally bought the land, they'd made a $2 million profit.

It means the those behind the project have to go back to the drawing board. 

Nick Mills met up with the chairman DR Graham Sharpe to find out what's next and if there's hope the dream will become a reality. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A Wellington Charity Hospital has been in pipeline for years and was set to be developed at 23 Adelaide Road. 
The building consent had been granted and $150,000 worth of donations had been spent to get things rolling. 
However it was revealed the land had suddenly been sold by the owners to Waka Kotahi, for potential Let's Get Wellington Moving work.
In just seven months since the developers originally bought the land, they'd made a $2 million profit.
It means the those behind the project have to go back to the drawing board. 
Nick Mills met up with the chairman DR Graham Sharpe to find out what's next and if there's hope the dream will become a reality. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Rongotai voters voice concern over transport and the cost of living

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