Act leader David Seymour used his state of the nation speech last week to call for a discussion on privatisation - including of the health system.

Seymour told his supporters New Zealanders need to get past the "squeamishness of privatisation", and suggested the health system could be privatised, with the government funding medical insurance for individuals.

Responding to the suggestions, Public Service Association acting national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said private healthcare systems haven't worked overseas.

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Justin Lester is not ruling out running for Wellington mayor this year - and Nick Leggett and Josie Pagani are convinced he will run. But what are his chances?

Also, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US President this week. What will be the impact of the major decisions of the first few days, and what can we expect over the next four years? 

To answer those questions, ChildFund CEO Josie Pagani and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. 

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The Australian Open has been entertaining us now for over a week - and tonight the men's semi-finals take place. What can we expect?

Also, Richie Mo'unga has confirmed he will be remaining in Japan, despite efforts by All Blacks coach Scott Robertson to lure him back to the national team. How does this reflect on Robertson? 

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

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Wellington mayor Justin Lester isn't ruling out another run for Wellington's top job. 

The former mayor, who failed to win reelection after one term in 2019, says it's not his intention to run but he may stand depending on the other candidates. 

"If Wellington got to a state where things got so bad and there were no good candidates and my family came to me and said we want you to do something, I might do it. I might consider it," Lester told Nick Mills yesterday. 

"If things got so bad I think I could help, who knows." 

To discuss the development and Lester's previous legacy as mayor, NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills.

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The year in politics has begun with a bang, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announcing a cabinet reshuffle that sees two big portfolios, health and transport, handed to new Ministers. 

But how will the new Ministers perform in their new jobs, and what did Shane Reti and Melissa Lee do wrong to lose their biggest responsibilities?

Also, Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. What impact will his policies have on New Zealand and the world? 

To answer those questions, Rongotai MP and Green transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter and National's Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. 

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Former Tourism minister Stuart Nash says New Zealand should be focused on attracting high-value tourists to New Zealand, rather than greater numbers of tourists that don't spend as much. 

Yesterday newly minted Economic Growth minister Nicola Willis said the government would be moving away from the previous government's plan of mainly attracting tourists that spend significant sums while in the country. 

"I want all tourists, because ultimately it's not the government that decides how much a tourist spends when they come to New Zealand. That tourist will make that decision," she told RNZ. 

Former Tourism minister Stuart Nash, who advocated for changes to attract high-value tourists, joined Nick Mills to share his views on the comments, including the impact it could have on New Zealand's infrastructure. 

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Wellington mayor Justin Lester isn't ruling out another run for Wellington's top job. 

The former mayor, who failed to win reelection after one term in 2019, says it's not his intention to run but he may stand depending on the other candidates. 

Asked by Nick Mills if he was running, Lester said he has "zero intention" of running for the mayoralty, saying the job would take him away from his family. 

But when asked if he was ruling it out, Lester replied "never say never". 

"If Wellington got to a state where things got so bad and there were no good candidates and my family came to me and said we want you to do something, I might do it. I might consider it." 

"If things got so bad I think I could help, who knows." 

He confirmed he had been approached by the Labour Party to consider a run. 

"I've told them exactly what I'm telling you". 

Lester joined Mills to discuss his new Wellington Alive project, a Facebook page to celebrate Wellington and share community news. 

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Construction work on the first phase of Wellington's controversial Golden Mile project was supposed to have begun this month - but diggers and bulldozers are nowhere to be seen. 

The council previously said contracts for the project, which would remove cars from Lambton Quay, Willis St and Courtenay Place, would be signed in December. Works on Courtenay Place were to begin this month. 

When asked for an update on the process, a Wellington City Council spokesperson told Newstalk ZB "we have no fixed contracts or dates at this stage."

Contract negotiations are responsible for the delay, the spokesperson said. 

Wellington City Councillor Tony Randle, opposed to the project, joined Nick Mills to share what councillors have been told about the delay. 

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Wellington's iconic Jim Beam Homegrown festival is leaving the city after eighteen years, with this year's festival the last in the capital.

Festival director Andrew Tuck told Nick Mills the decision was a hard one, with his team having explored every other option to keep the festival in the city. 

He said New Zealand music remains enormously popular and the festival wants the ability to introduce more stages such as one focused on country music. 

Tuck said they hope to have the new venue confirmed by April.

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Some sad news for Wellington was announced on Monday: after eighteen years, the Jim Beam Homegrown festival will be leaving Wellington and is searching for a new home. 

How big a loss is this for Wellington, and what other big music events does Wellington play host to? 

Wellington Mornings music man James Irwin, sporting a controversial new haircut, joined Nick Mills for the first Music Time of 2025. 

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