Wellington's famous Cuba St will see more than 170 performances this weekend as the famous street festival Cuba Dupa returns for anotther year.

So who are the headliners, and what other artists are taking to the various stages?

Wellington Mornings music man James Irwin joined Nick Mills to preview the festival. 

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Bob Geldof is a musician, an activist, a charity man, and a Knight of the British Empire... despite being an Irishman.

He rose to fame as a member of The Boomtown Rats, but in 1984 an item on the 6 o’clock news sparked him to create one of the world’s most memorable charity drives; Band Aid and then eventually Live Aid, raising money to end famine in Ethiopia.

Geldof is in Wellington this week to share stories of his life and joined Nick Mills to discuss his legacy and what audiences can expect at Saturday's show at the St James Theatre.

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New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has delivered his state of the nation speech, decrying wokeism and DEI, and calling to "make New Zealand first again". How has his speech gone down?

Also, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has returned from a trip to India. What will come out of the trip?

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

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The equivalent of the entire population of Levin have become jobseeker beneficiaries in the last 12 months, with more than 200,000 people now receiving jobseeker. How do we get people into work - and will things get better as the economy improves?

Also, The Wellington City Council pocketed $24,000 per week in fines from the new fixed bus lane cameras in Manners Street between June and December. The AA says it's abhorrent, and is punishing hard-working people from getting from A to B. Are these fines fair or should people know not to drive in bus lanes?

To answer those questions, legendary broadcaster Polly Gillespie and Hutt City Councillor and mayoral candidate Karen Morgan joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. 

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The All Whites are in town to face Fiji in a Fifa World Cup qualifier match. What can we expect - and can we make it to the World Cup for the first time since 2010?

Also, the Breakers basketball team has been sold - who's bought the team, and what does it mean for it's future?

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

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Nick was joined by National's MP for the Wairarapa Mike Butterick and Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen for Politics Thursday.

They discussed the gross domestic product (GDP) rise of 0.7% in the December 2024 quarter, following a 1.1% decrease in the September 2024 quarter.

They also looked at Health Minister Simeon Brown's spat with public health workers, the Prime Minister's trip to India, a 12% rise in Jobseeker benefit numbers and ACT's plans to enter candidates in local body elections this year.

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The New Zealand Herald's Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell is finishing up after nine years working at Newstalk ZB and the Herald in Wellington.

In the final Capital Letter slot, she reflects on her most memorable stories, and how the journalism scene has changed since 2016.

Nick also took a trip down memory lane to one of Georgina's first live radio crosses on Wellington Mornings - reporting to former host Tim Fookes from the opening of the David Jones department store.

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Nick was joined for this week's business panel by Gillies Group owner Malcolm Gillies, and tech entrepreneur and founding member of Vision Wellington, Luke Pierson.

They discussed how their particular industries are faring in the current economic climate, and how the government and councils can help things move forward.

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Wellington mayor Tory Whanau claims her council is the "government's punching bag" and has labelled the Prime Minister "not a nice person". Is there some truth to the government constantly beating up Wellington City Council, and was it right for the Mayor to go personal? 

Also, the Coroner has released her report into the death of Sandy Calkin, who died after falling into Wellington Harbour after a night drinking in July 2021. The report found the council had consistently ignored the risks of people falling into the harbour, despite 7 deaths and 17 others falling but surviving. Is this proof we need to fence our waterfront?

Green MP for Rongotai Julie Anne Genter and Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff. 

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It's a big weekend for New Zealand Formula 1 fans as our very own Liam Lawson begins his first full season. How special is his story, and how will he perform?

Also, the Hurricanes need a win tonight as they face the Highlanders in Dunedin. Can they do it?

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

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