Show Notes
For Friday Faceoff this week Nick Mills is joined in the studio by legendary broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and political commentator Esther Robinson to debate the hottest issues of the week. From amalgamation to health, it's all on Friday Faceoff. Was the rark up of amalgamation now pointless RMA Minister Bishop has put the proposals on ice? Robinson and Sainsbury debate if this was the smart move and theorise the cause of the halt. Then the revelation sufficient staffing in our surgical wards could save 182 lives a year. Would you pay more tax if you knew it was going straight to health? Is Bustasrophe 2 on the way? Our panel debate decisions made by the regional council, which could potentially cut routes and times, while simultaneously funding $11 million new bus lanes to future-proof the network. Plus is there anything worthwhile in Nicky Hager's new book 'Dirty Work', a quick round up of the end to New Zealand's 54th Parliament and as always, the panel give their hots and nots of the week. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills
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.
The Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong joined Nick Mills on Wellington Mornings, to discuss how the Election campaign has gone so far, and how much they will fight for particular policies in coalition negotiations. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
With three weeks until the 2026 Election, Friday Faceoff had a strong political focus. Former Cabinet Minister, and long-time Ohariu MP Peter Dunne, and NZ Herald's Political Editor Thomas Coughlan joined Nick Mills in studio. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.