Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

The Wellington City Council has cut roughly $400m worth of projects from its long-term plan - a decision necessitated by the vote to keep its stake in Wellington Airport. 

Begonia House looks set to be demolished and the Golden Mile redevelopment is set to continue as planned. How did councillors come to their decision? 

Also, Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has seemingly softened her language when asked by Nick whether she plans to run for a second term as Mayor - will she run again? 

NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills for the Capital Letter.

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This week on Music Time, our music man James Irwin tells Nick that a certain Christchurch based record label might be New Zealand's most important ever. Also, we check out a reissue of one of New Zealand's most rare and sought after records and the lads gets the gloves off over Bob Geldof and that Christmas song. LISTEN ABOVE

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A very special exhibition is opening in Wellington this week. The Art of Bansky sees more than 160 works from the elusive UK artist on display at Wellington's Takina Convention Centre. 

The exhibition is coming direct from London and curator Michel Boersma has made the trip to Wellington for the opening. 

He joined Nick Mills in the studio and brought with him a piece from the famous artist. 

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Auckland has a beautiful big tree in their CBD, and thousands upon thousands lined the city's streets yesterday for their annual Santa parade. 

But here in Wellington, we have a few cheap lighting trusses as a tree and the days of the big city Christmas parade are long gone. 

It led Nick to ask - is the Christmas spirit in Wellington dying? 

For his thoughts, renowned Wellington Christmas entertainer and former broadcaster Nick Tansley joined the show to give his thoughts. 

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This week marks a year since the coalition government of National, Act and New Zealand First was sworn in - and it's been an incredibly busy twelve months. 

How has the government performed, and are all three parties happy with how the year has played out?

Also, a Police officer has been found to have left a copy of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's tightly-held schedule on the dashboard of a police car - what happened here? 

Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.

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Wellington Airport is in store for a $500m upgrade to allow for larger aircraft - but will we see new airlines arriving in the capital? 

Also, behaviour in Parliament has been a hot topic this week with Te Pati Maori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clarke named for leading a haka, and Education Minister Erica Stanford referring to Labour MP Jan Tinetti a "stupid bitch". Are standards of behaviour in the house dropping? 

To answer those questions, Nick was joined by former Wellington mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast and former Minister and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne on Friday Faceoff.

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The All Blacks take on Italy in the final game of the northern tour on Sunday morning - and it will be Wellington All Black TJ Perenara's last game in black. 

What's his legacy in the team, and how big a winning margin will we see? 

Also, its a rematch of last season's semi-final with the Wellington Phoenix taking on Melbourne Victory. What are we expecting? 

To answer those questions, All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff. 

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More long-haul widebody planes will be able to operate at Wellington Airport following upgraded safety zones on its runway.

It could mean Wellington could see direct flights to the United States and Asia for the first time ever.

The energy-absorbing blocks at each end of the runway are part of a $500 million upgrade plan announced by the airport today, which includes terminal upgrades and community areas on airport-owned land near Lyall Bay. 

Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke joined Nick Mills to discuss the plans. 

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Today is the first day of the ban on wearing gang patches in public - but will the new law actually be effective?

Also, 40,000 people marched on Parliament this week to protest Act's Treaty Principles Bill. Did the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon know what he was getting into when he agreed to support the bill's first reading?

To answer those questions, Labour MP and housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty and National's Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. 

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Lifetime Black Power member Denis O'Reilly says the government's gang patch ban won't work, saying the police should concentrate on behavior instead. 

"It's not what you wear, its what you do." 

He says he is working with gang members to "stay calm" as the ban is introduced - but expects most gang members will adhere to the rules. 

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