Nick Mills: Why have 31,000 Wellingtonians not paid their water bills?
Wellington Mornings with Nick MillsShow Notes
OPINION: I've got a confession. I'm one of the 31,000 Wellingtonians who haven't paid their first Tiaki Wai water bill. There you go. I've admitted it. And I'll tell you why. I've got a $1,200 water bill for a business that hasn't even been open for four months. $1,200, For what? I'm still trying to get to the bottom of it. I've also got a tenant who's arguing about paying his water bill. So I've got reasons. I'm not refusing to pay. I'm trying to sort things out. And I'll tell you something else. I feel guilty. Genuinely guilty. And I'm going to get these bills sorted today. But here's what really worries me. 31,000 unpaid bills. $21-million outstanding. That's an entire stadium full of people. Imagine filling Hnry Stadium with Wellingtonians who haven't paid their water bills. And you know what? I actually thought the number would be higher. I genuinely did. Because I know how tough things are out there. I know what businesses are going through. I know what households are going through. And suddenly, on top of everything else, along comes another enormous bill. Now, some people will be like me, disputing charges. Some will have forgotten. Some will be protesting. But how many simply cannot afford to pay? That's the question I want answered. And here's another extraordinary figure: Of the 163,000 bills issued, nearly one in five remains unpaid. And Tiaki Wai tells us that's pretty much what they expected! Well, I'm sorry, but I don't find that particularly reassuring. We've got a water company that needs hundreds of millions of dollars to fix our pipes, and already it's chasing $21 million in unpaid bills. And apparently only about 50 people have entered hardship arrangements. Are we seriously suggesting that only 50 Wellingtonians need help? Look, I understand we have to pay for water. I understand our infrastructure is falling apart. But there's a difference between needing money and sending people bills they simply cannot understand or afford. And I want to know whether this is the beginning of something much bigger. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills
It's Friday Faceoff and with two weeks till the general election Nick Mills is joined by political experts Brigitte Morten and Dr Bryce Edwards Starting with the news Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni resigned after she attended an event with Mongrel Mob members wearing her Labour-branded jacket. Was it necessary, and how bad will Labour be rocked following this? The Opportunity party is looking likely to pass the five percent threshold - but founder Gareth Morgan has hit out against their land tax, what do our panel think? Is there anything in rumours that David Seymour could be considering stepping down and Paul Henry take his place? Plus, the morals of politicising health, a recap of debates, MP safety, mood of the boardroom and hots and nots. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our Election 2026 coverage continued with a spotlight on the Kapiti electorate, and the close race between National's incumbent Otaki MP Tim Costley, and Labour candidate Sophie Handford. Tim Costley joined Nick Mills in the Newstalk ZB studio to discuss his campaign. LISTEN ABOVE NOTE: Labour's Sophie Handford was scheduled to appear on this panel discussion, but had to withdraw due to a family bereavement. Handford will be offered an appearance on Wellington Mornings before the Election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ahead of his Wellington concert at Meow Nui on Friday, Live Aid co-founder and former Ultravox frontman Midge Ure joined Nick Mills to share his memories and inspiration in the music industry. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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On this week's business panel, Nick was joined by two Wellington retailers who are hoping to spread the word on the capital's unique independent retail sector. That Was Then, This is Now's Nat Woodhall, and Iris Store + Studio's Hannah Wiles, have launched indieProper, aiming to showcase independent retailers in the capital. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.