"Mainly proud": Tory Whanau reflects on term after dropping mayoral bid 

Tory Whanau is bowing out of Wellington's mayoral race. 

The incumbent's confirmed she'll instead stand for the council's Māori ward seat to give former Labour Leader Andrew Little a clear run. 

She says Little will do a good job, and she hopes people see her withdrawal as a gracious move. 

Whanau told Nick Mills she had to consider what was going to deliver the best outcomes for Wellington, and that meant shifting to running for council. 

She says she’ll still very much be there fighting for Wellington. 

Whanau says that while she does have a few regrets from her term as Mayor, she’s mostly proud of what she’s done.

When asked to rate her performance, she gave herself a high score.  

“If I look back on what I campaigned on, what I said I would deliver to the city, you know, I’d give myself a 9/10.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

<h2>"Mainly proud": Tory Whanau reflects on term after dropping mayoral bid&nbsp;</h2>
Tory Whanau is bowing out of Wellington's mayoral race.&nbsp;
The incumbent's confirmed she'll instead stand for the council's Māori ward seat to give former Labour Leader Andrew Little a clear run.&nbsp;
She says Little will do a good job, and she hopes people see her withdrawal as a gracious move.&nbsp;
Whanau told Nick Mills she had to consider what was going to deliver the best outcomes for Wellington, and that meant shifting to running for council.&nbsp;
She says she’ll still very much be there fighting for Wellington.&nbsp;
Whanau says that while she does have a few regrets from her term as Mayor, she’s mostly proud of what she’s done.
When asked to rate her performance, she gave herself a high score. &nbsp;
“If I look back on what I campaigned on, what I said I would deliver to the city, you know, I’d give myself a 9/10. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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

Best of 2025: Tory Whanau reflects on term after dropping mayoral bid

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/897d231c-ba1a-4d74-b0fb-b2cd017337fa/transcript

Good morning, New Zealand. 

Let's start the show this morning by asking you a simple question: how fragile is our economy right now, really?  

Because just when it feels like we might finally be seeing those green shoots growing, a bit of momentum, a bit of optimism creeping back into the country — along comes another debate that feels like it could shut things down yet again. 

Yes, petrol prices are climbing, pushed higher by the conflict involving Iran, and there are already calls for people — particularly public servants — to start working from home again to save fuel.  

The Public Service Association says the Government should actively encourage working from home if people can, urging it would reduce fuel use and save workers money. 

But the Government, so far, is pushing back. 

Public Service Minister Judith Collins says working from home is not an entitlement, and that agencies should manage arrangements in a way that supports a high-performing public service. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she’s not about to start telling New Zealanders how to live their lives — whether that means working from home or driving slower to save fuel.  

And Acting Prime Minister David Seymour says the Government wants to see how the private sector reacts first, because businesses out there are managing their own money. 

And honestly — I think that’s the right instinct. 

Because here’s the bigger issue for me. 

We are only just starting to feel like the country might be turning a corner.  

Businesses are cautiously optimistic.  

Hospitality is starting to breathe again.  

Retailers are seeing people come back through the door.  

The economy finally feels like it might be finding its feet. And the last thing we need right now is another policy that slows productivity down. 

We cannot control a war on the other side of the world. We can’t control global oil prices. But we can control how we respond here in New Zealand. 

And if the first response is telling everyone to stay home again, to drive less, to shut down the normal rhythm of work and business — what does that do to the economy?  Can everyone remember covid lockdowns again?

What does that do to spending? What does that do to the next twelve months of growth in this country? 

Working from home as a national response should be an absolute last resort, not the first suggestion that gets thrown around. 

Because when people stay home, fewer coffees get bought. Fewer lunches get eaten in town. Fewer people go into the shops. Fewer businesses see customers walking through their doors. 

The better approach — surely — is to focus on fuel security. Get alternative supply lines. Strengthen our reserves. Make sure the country keeps moving rather than slowing down or stopping. 

Because right now, New Zealand doesn’t need another disruption. 

What we need is confidence, productivity, and momentum, which we have got. 

And whatever decisions are made in Wellington over the coming weeks, they should have one simple goal in mind: keep the country moving forward, not backwards. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Good morning, New Zealand.&nbsp;
Let's start the show this morning by asking you a simple question: how fragile is our economy right now, really? &nbsp;
Because just when it feels like we might finally be seeing those green shoots growing, a bit of momentum, a bit of optimism creeping back into the country — along comes another debate that feels like it could shut things down yet again.&nbsp;
Yes, petrol prices are climbing, pushed higher by the conflict involving Iran, and there are already calls for people — particularly public servants — to start working from home again to save fuel. &nbsp;
The Public Service Association says the Government should actively encourage working from home if people can, urging it would reduce fuel use and save workers money.&nbsp;
But the Government, so far, is pushing back.&nbsp;
Public Service Minister Judith Collins says working from home is not an entitlement, and that agencies should manage arrangements in a way that supports a high-performing public service.&nbsp;
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she’s not about to start telling New Zealanders how to live their lives — whether that means working from home or driving slower to save fuel. &nbsp;
And Acting Prime Minister David Seymour says the Government wants to see how the private sector reacts first, because businesses out there are managing their own money.&nbsp;
And honestly — I think that’s the right instinct.&nbsp;
Because here’s the bigger issue for me.&nbsp;
We are only just starting to feel like the country might be turning a corner. &nbsp;
Businesses are cautiously optimistic. &nbsp;
Hospitality is starting to breathe again. &nbsp;
Retailers are seeing people come back through the door. &nbsp;
The economy finally feels like it might be finding its feet. And the last thing we need right now is another policy that slows productivity down.&nbsp;
We cannot control a war on the other side of the world. We can’t control global oil prices. But we can control how we respond here in New Zealand.&nbsp;
And if the first response is telling everyone to stay home again, to drive less, to shut down the normal rhythm of work and business — what does that do to the economy?&nbsp; Can everyone remember covid lockdowns again?
What does that do to spending? What does that do to the next twelve months of growth in this country?&nbsp;
Working from home as a national response should be an absolute last resort, not the first suggestion that gets thrown around.&nbsp;
Because when people stay home, fewer coffees get bought. Fewer lunches get eaten in town. Fewer people go into the shops. Fewer businesses see customers walking through their doors.&nbsp;
The better approach — surely — is to focus on fuel security. Get alternative supply lines. Strengthen our reserves. Make sure the country keeps moving rather than slowing down or stopping.&nbsp;
Because right now, New Zealand doesn’t need another disruption.&nbsp;
What we need is confidence, productivity, and momentum, which we have got.&nbsp;
And whatever decisions are made in Wellington over the coming weeks, they should have one simple goal in mind: keep the country moving forward, not backwards.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Mills: Working from home is not the answer to our fuel crisis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6a0a5df7-4a4f-446a-b722-b40f017fd330/transcript

All gift cards sold or given out with a purchase now have a minimum expiry date of three years as yesterday the government has amended the Fair Trading (gift card expiry) Act. 

Why is it not longer or unlimited? Nick speaks to Consumer NZ spokesperson Jessica Walker discusses the changes and how they will affect customers. 

Walker says they have been campaigning on the amendments for 10 years, as they estimate $10 million in wasted gift cards goes unspent every year in NZ. 

LISTEN ABOVE

All gift cards sold or given out with a purchase now have a minimum expiry date of three years as yesterday the government has amended the Fair Trading (gift card expiry) Act.&nbsp;
Why is it not longer or unlimited? Nick speaks to&nbsp;Consumer NZ spokesperson Jessica Walker discusses the changes and how they will affect customers.&nbsp;
Walker says they have been campaigning on the amendments for 10 years, as they estimate $10 million in wasted gift cards goes unspent every year in NZ.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Consumer NZ's Jessica Walker on expiry dates extensions for gift cards

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6ec5c37d-882d-4874-9d76-b40f017bd6e4/transcript

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has arrived in Samoa, and on the agenda is a ceremony to receive the matai, chief title. 

This visit is the first for Luxon in Samoa, and his first time meeting Samoa PM La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt since he was elected in September.

Reports that he had requested the title have been debunked by the Prime Minister and his team. Other Prime Ministers have previously received the honour. 

NZ Herald political reporter Julia Gabel is with him in Samoa and chats with Nick about the media fuss surrounding the matai title and what else is on the PM's agenda. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has arrived in Samoa, and on the agenda is a ceremony to receive the matai, chief title.&nbsp;
This visit is the first for Luxon in Samoa, and his first time meeting Samoa PM La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt since he was elected in September.
Reports that he had requested the title have been debunked by the Prime Minister and his team. Other Prime Ministers have previously received the honour.&nbsp;
NZ Herald political reporter Julia Gabel is with him in Samoa and chats with Nick about the media fuss surrounding the matai title and what else is on the PM's agenda.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Prime Minister Luxon receives matai title in Samoa

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a2af5995-5896-41c2-ab98-b40e017c0b13/transcript

Best of 2025: Tory Whanau reflects on term after dropping mayoral bid

"Mainly proud": Tory Whanau reflects on term after dropping mayoral bid

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