New Zealand's longest serving current mayor has revealed he is running for another term. 

2025 will be Wayne Guppy's ninth run for the top job, which he has held since 2001. 

This week Wellington Mornings is catching up with the mayors across the Wellington region. Guppy joined Nick Mills to discuss how Upper Hutt has fared over 2024 and what's in store for next year. 

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Over the next few days, Wellington Mornings is talking to local Mayors around our region for their thoughts on the year that was 2024. 

Today, Hutt City mayor Campbell Barry joined Nick Mills shortly before his last council meeting of the year, where councillors will discuss next year's budget and potential rates rises. 

He told Nick Mills it's been a tough year across the Wellington region, but believes Lower Hutt is doing well.

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Two people tragically died in water-related events in Wellington over the weekend. 

It comes as the country heads into the summer break, where drowning incidents typically spike. 

Water Safety NZ CEO Daniel Gerrard says the country's provisional drowning figures are still below average for this time of year, and it is important people heed warnings over the next few weeks to keep it that way. 

He joined Nick Mills.

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The government's plan for new Interislander ferries doesn't seem to be much of a plan at all - with no new ships or details on what they'll cost. Has the government dropped the ball?

Also, fuel company Waitomo and other independent service station owners say BNZ has told them there'll be no more loans and all outstanding debt must be paid by 2030 - a policy of the BNZ to meet their net zero targets. But BNZ says the decision is simply one of risk. Is it fair for BNZ to de-bank these customers? 

To answer those questions, Green MP and transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter and Iron Duke Partners managing director Phil O'Reilly joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. 

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The Blackcaps take on England in Hamilton in the third test - a dead-rubber after a dismal performance by the home team over the first two tests. What went wrong for the Blackcaps?

Also, the Breakers have suffered five losses in a row, including in Wellington last Saturday night. What's going wrong for the team? 

Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills.

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The government's plan for the Interislander ferry was light on detail - we don't know what new ferries we're getting, nor how much it will cost. Did the government drop the ball? 

Also, the Fair Digitial News Bargaining Bill that forces social media giants to pay for their use of NZ news still hasn't been introduced to Parliament - when will we see it, or is it on ice completely? 

To answer those questions, Justice and Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith and Labour's media and Maori Development spokesman Willie Jackson joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. 

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins has spent a year in opposition now - holding the top job longer than many commentators expected he would. 

Looking forward to 2025, Nick Mills asked Hipkins how Labour plans to grow its vote and what policy it plans on looking at.

Also, what is likely to be in the government's new plan for the Interisland ferries, and why has Labour called for the government's boot camp trial to be shut down? 

Hipkins joined Nick Mills for his final slot of 2025. 

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The Vulnerable Support Charitable Trust (VSCT) is calling on the help of Wellingtonians ahead of the festive season.

The trust is behind an initiative to provide Christmas hampers for families across the Wellington region, now in its second year. 

But demand for the hampers is up almost 80 per cent on last year, and spokesperson Clint Schoultz says they need donations from Wellingtonians to sponsor hampers for families who don’t have the spare income for a traditional Christmas spread.

Schoultz joined Nick Mills to talk about the initiative. 

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It's been one of the toughest years in memory for many businesses around Wellington with a sluggish economy, public-sector job cuts, high inflation, and roading changes around the CBD. 

But there is still loads of positivity around the capital according to our two guests on the final Business Panel of 2024, who are both hoping for a much stronger 2025. 

Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young and Backhouse Interiors owner Michelle Backhouse joined Nick to reflect on the year and their hopes for the new one. 

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The Government is expected to announce its plan for the future of the Interislander ferries this week. What are we expecting? 

Also, the government's boot camps have been in the headlines over the weekend after two young people absconded from the programme, and another was killed in a car accident. How politically harmful is this for the government? 

To answer those questions, Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.

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