The Wellington Lions take on Hawkes Bay at Sky Stadium tomorrow, with Peter Lakai stepping up as captain - what are we expecting? 

And Blackcaps captain Tim Southee has stepped down after the side's dismal performance in Sri Lanka - was this the right call?

Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff. 

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Thirty-five public schools could be converted into charter schools under the government's new plan to revive the independent but state-funded schools - but the Labour Party and teachers unions loathe the plan.

So will charter schools actually work, and are they a good use of education resources? Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and Act leader and associate education Minister David Seymour joined Nick Mills to debate the issue. 

Also, Casey Costello is under fire for lowering taxes on heated tobacco products - products that only tobacco giant Philip Morris sells. Has Costello gone too far? 

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A walking and cycling upgrade between Johnsonville and Tawa in Wellington has been put on pause - but when will the council reassess the project? 

Also, there are still further public service cuts to come for police staff - when will we know how many jobs will go? 

Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell joined Nick Mills for the Capital Letter.

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The number of credit card applications has reached its highest level since 2021, leading to fears people are seeking credit as the high cost of living bites. 

David Cameron, manager of the Wellington Budget Service says credit cards can be dangerous for consumers who are lured in with the promise of an interest-free period, but then use them for daily purchases.

He joined Nick Mills to discuss the issue. 

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Wellington had a mammoth weekend, with an All Blacks test and the World of Wearable Arts attracting visitors to the city. How do we attract more events to the city, and what do they mean for our economy?

Also, cruise ship numbers will be down this summer, and expensive airfares continue to bite. What is the outlook for Wellington's tourism market? 

Wellington Rugby Football Union chief executive Tony Giles and Ka Rawe Tours managing director Nathan Greenham joined Nick Mills for the Wellington Mornings Business Panel.

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Thousands have taken to the streets to protest the government's move to downscale the Dunedin Hospital project, while the government starts the week with a conversation about increasing speed limits. 

Also, legislation reintroducing charter schools passed through Parliament last week, so how many schools will be up and running by the beginning of the next school year? 

Newstalk ZB political reporter Demelza Jackson joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz. 

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The All Blacks take on Australia at Sky Stadium this weekend - can they end their losing streak of five games without a win? 

It's also TJ Perenara's last match in Wellington - what will the game mean to him? 

All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Newstalk ZB's lead rugby commentator Elliot Smith joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff.

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The parents of students out of school for more than 15 days each year are in line to be prosecuted under new government guidelines, which also includes the removal of teacher-only days.

Is this the right move, and what impact will it have on truancy numbers? 

To answer that, National's MP for Wairarapa Mike Butterick and Labour's health and Wellington issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall joined Nick Mills. 

Also on the agenda was the government's working from home guidance for public sector staff, and the resignation of Andrew Coster as police commissioner. 

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Two musicians have gigs coming up in Wellington in the next fortnight - hometown favourite Louis Baker and 14-time Grammy winner Herbie Hancock.

Also - who are the big artists who have never won a Grammy? 

Wellington Morning's music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills.

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Chris White is a saxophonist who's shared the stage with countless stars; Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Tom Jones just to name a few. 

But it was in 1985 that he joined one of the biggest bands on the planet at the peak of their fame; Dire Straits. 

He was part of the band's memorable Live Aid performance and continued to tour with the band afterwards. 

Now he's coming to Wellington's St James Theatre as part of the Dire Straits Experience, and joined Nick Mills to talk about his memories of the band, as well as what audiences can expect. 

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