Best Friday Faceoff Podcasts (2024)

1
Friday Faceoff: Paddy Gower and Chris Finlayson on behaviour in Parliament, alcohol, and a controversial burger 33:12

1h ago33:12

33:12

Do our MPs need to look at how they're behaving, and would we reduce alcohol harm if we raised the drinking age? Those were the questions for the Friday Faceoff panel this week, with broadcaster Paddy Gower and lawyer and former MP Chris Finlayson. Also on the agenda was our Olympic success, and the controversial Pablo Esco-burger - is it offensive…

1
We Will Rock You: Cast of upcoming Wellington musical perform in studio 10:12

9h ago10:12

10:12

It's a hit show that is adored overseas, and now it's on its way to Wellington. We Will Rock You is the story of a world without musical instruments, where the cast fights for the rebirth of rock. It features 24 Queen classics and is endorsed by Brian May and Roger Taylor. Nick was joined by two homegrown members of the cast, Caleb Jago-Ward and El…

1
Beth Brash: Wellington on a Plate organiser joins Nick in a burger taste test 14:11

9h ago14:11

14:11

It's August... which means Wellington on a Plate is once again hitting the capital's bars and restaurants. The Burger Wellington competition is also back for another year, with more than 180 Wellington venues taking part. Event organiser Beth Brash joined Nick Mills and Max Towle in the studio with three entries; a calamari burger, a sirloin burger…

1
Beehive Buzz: Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls on the National conference and race relations 11:39

22m ago11:39

11:39

The National Party held its first party conference since entering government over the weekend, where John Key also made an appearance and called to lower the temperature on discussions over race relations. So how did the conference go, and how heated is the discussion over race relations at the moment? Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joine…

1
Friday Sport: Adam Cooper and Max Towle on our Olympic success 12:05

2h ago12:05

12:05

New Zealand's Olympic medal count now sits at five after a wildly successful night for our rowers, including a standout performance from Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors in the women's double sculls. Also, the Central Pulse are off to the ANZ Premiership final - can they take the title? Wellington's All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Newstalk Z…

1
Steve Drummond: Ernesto's restaurant owner on complaints over it's 'Pablo Escoburger' 4:56

3d ago4:56

4:56

Wellington restaurant Ernesto's has been booted out of Wellington on a Plate's burger competition after entering a burger that took inspiration from the infamous cocaine trafficker Pablo Escobar. The 'Pablo Escoburger' was banned from the competition, which Ernesto's won last year, after complaints from the Colombian Embassy of Australia which said…

1
Mark Mitchell: Police minister on officers attending fewer family harm and mental health callouts 5:52

2h ago5:52

5:52

Emergency department and hospital staff are concerned as police prepare to make sweeping changes to how they respond to mental health calls. Many of those changes have already been made in Wellington, with police attending mental distress events and assisting clinical staff less frequently, to keep up with demand. It comes as Police Minister Mark M…

1
Business Panel: Tomboy's Kate Bresolin and florist Yvette Edwards 31:40

1h ago31:40

31:40

How is Wellington's economy holding up in the face of job cuts and a recession, and what will the Golden Mile redevelopment mean for both CBD and suburban businesses? Those were some of the questions for this week's business panel, consisting of Tomboy Bakery owner Kate Bresolin and florist Yvette Edwards. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f…

1
Beehive Buzz: Jason Walls on disagreements within the Greens over Darleen Tana's treatment 8:56

2h ago8:56

8:56

The Greens have seen resignations from party members after accusations of mistreating Darleen Tana. Still, the now-independent MP's days might be numbered as the party considers invoking the waka-jumping law. Meanwhile, the cost of the Defence Force 757 breaking down on the Prime Minister's trip to Japan last month has been revealed. Newstalk ZB po…

1
Friday Sport: Jason Pine and Adam Cooper talk Olympics, club rugby and the Central Pulse 12:47

3h ago12:47

12:47

The Olympics are underway, with 195 athletes representing New Zealand in Paris - but how many medals are we likely to bring home? And the Central Pulse have qualified for the ANZ Premiership final - what are their chances? Newstalk ZB and GOLD Sport's Olympic commentators Jason Pine and Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com…

1
Friday Faceoff: Polly Gillespie and Grant Kereama reunite 32:37

3h ago32:37

32:37

They were the King and Queen of the airwaves and the longest-running duo in New Zealand radio history. Now Polly Gillespie and Grant Kereama have reunited on Wellington Mornings, sharing laughs and even shedding a few tears on this week's Friday Faceoff. The pair joined Nick Mills to talk the state of Wellington, Ardie Savea's move to Moana Pasifik…

1
Nick Mills: The report into abuse in care is a volume of horror 6:57

13h ago6:57

6:57

OPINION Yesterday was a black day in New Zealand history. If you were anything like me, you sat there and watched and read the most horrific stories of abuse in state and faith-based care, struggling to believe this abuse happened in New Zealand. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is a volume of horror. The report describes the abus…

1
Politics Thursday: Labour's Ayesha Verrall and National's Mike Butterick talk abuse in care, Health NZ 23:47

2h ago23:47

23:47

The Royal Commission into abuse in care has revealed horrifying stories of abuse, but what's the next move from the government, and what will redress look like? And how much blame can be laid at the feet of the last government for Health NZ's money troubles? Those were the questions for our politics panel this week, with Labour's health and Welling…

1
Chris Hipkins: Labour leader on abuse in care, Health NZ and whether Darleen Tana should remain in Parliament 21:48

6h ago21:48

21:48

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care was one of the hardest things he grappled with as a minister in the last government, and says the report will make for sobering reading. Hipkins joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to talk about what the report will reveal, as well as other political issues of the week …

1
Capital Letter: NZ Herald's Georgina Campbell on social housing and an unfortunate find for trespassers 7:45

6h ago7:45

7:45

The Wellington City Council is spending close to $600 million upgrading its social housing stock, but what historic deal sparked the move? And experts have said the Interislander ferries can last another five years - but can they? NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills to talk through her stories of the week. LIS…

1
Beehive Buzz: Jason Walls on Joe Biden, launch of govt's youth offender 'boot camps' and Parliament's return 8:34

5d ago8:34

8:34

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has returned from a week off in Hawaii as Parliament resumes after a three-week recess - the same day US President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the US presidential race. Joining Nick to preview the week in Parliament, and with his reaction to the Biden news was Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls.…

1
Dan Mitchinson: US Correspondent on Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 election 7:33

2d ago7:33

7:33

Joe Biden has officially dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, after a disastrous 25 days which has seen him facing intense pressure after a poor debate showing against Republican nominee Donald Trump. Biden officially announced he was dropping out of the race via a tweet shortly before 6am this morning. He followed the announcement with anoth…

1
Friday Faceoff: Phil O'Reilly and Mike Egan talk US politics, Air NZ prices and Wellington CBD 31:26

4d ago31:26

31:26

Will Joe Biden step down, and when will it happen, and are Air NZ charging us too much for airfares? Those were some of the questions for the Friday Faceoff panel this week, with Iron Duke Partners director Phil O'Reilly and Wellington hospitality identity Mike Egan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Friday Sport Kickoff: Jason Pine and Adam Cooper on All Blacks v Fiji, and Saints play-in final 12:17

3h ago12:17

12:17

There are a number of debutants in the All Blacks squad to play Fiji in San Diego on Saturday, and the Wellington Saints take on the Franklin Bulls in Wellington tonight. To talk through the weekend's sport, Nick was joined by Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privac…

1
Nick Mills: The rise in benefit sanctions shows the government is getting serious 4:25

3h ago4:25

4:25

OPINION Well, Louise Upston did warn us. The Social Development minister told us she was going to get tough on beneficiaries who were not complying with the requirements set out for them. There were going to be sanctions; and a lot of them. And now we're seeing it happen. It's a new approach from the government, an approach some might call heavy-ha…

1
Politics Thursday: Ginny Andersen and Mike Butterick talk inflation, Pharmac and Donald Trump 21:23

15h ago21:23

21:23

Inflation has hit 3.3%, inching ever so closer to the Reserve Bank's one to three per cent target range, so how soon will we see interest rate cuts? And what will the impact be of David Seymour's direction to Pharmac that they stop considering the treaty in decision making? Those were the questions for the Wellington Mornings politics panel this we…

1
Capital Letter: NZ Herald's Georgina Campbell on Interislander poll, further bullying allegations 5:56

3h ago5:56

5:56

A new poll has revealed New Zealander's thoughts on selling the Interislander, and a Wellington school is facing further allegations of bullying. To talk through the stories, NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills for her regular Capital Letter slot. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio…

1
John Apanowicz: Wellington City Councillor on ownership of the Amora Hotel changing hands 8:23

3h ago8:23

8:23

It's been revealed the ownership of Wellington's derelict Amora Hotel, sitting on prime CBD land, has changed hands. The owners of the building are now listed as Precinct Properties - the developers behind Auckland's Commercial Bay and Wellington's Willis Lane. Wellington City Councillor John Apanowicz joined Nick Mills to talk through his hopes fo…

1
Business Panel: Swimsuits' Tait Burge and Shoe Clinic's Hamish French talk the health of the CBD, new beat police 31:43

4h ago31:43

31:43

How lively is Wellington's CBD right now, and what impact have new dedicated beat police officers had on crime and safety in the city? Those were the questions for this week's business panel with Swimsuit Cafe owner Tait Burge and Shoe Clinic Wellington owner Hamish French. The pair joined Nick Mills, where they also discussed parking and roadworks…

1
Beehive Buzz: Jason Walls reports back on the PMs US trip and the reaction to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump 7:48

21d ago7:48

7:48

Fresh from following Christopher Luxon around the United States, Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says the trip went well for the Prime Minister. Also, how have New Zealand's leaders reacted to the news of an assassination attempt against former US President Donald Trump, and has there been any success with Kainga Ora's crackdown on unruly …

1
Friday Faceoff: Josie Pagani and Nick Leggett on Joe Biden, Darleen Tana and our ferry woes 33:15

1d ago33:15

33:15

US President Joe Biden will be gone as Democratic nominee by the end of next week, Childfund CEO Josie Pagani and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett are picking. The pair joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff this week, where they talked about Biden's future after another day of gaffes, what the Greens should do about Darleen Tana, and the future of…

1
Friday Sport Kickoff: Jason Pine and Max Towle on All Blacks v England and the Euros 9:19

1d ago9:19

9:19

It's round two of the All Blacks v England this weekend at Eden Park - a ground the All Blacks haven't lost on in more than 30 years. How will the team go, and what should we expect during the Euro's final between England and Spain on Monday morning? Those were the questions for our Friday Sport panel with Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and Newstalk…

1
Politics Thursday: Chris Bishop and Ayesha Verrall talk Aratere, Darleen Tana and inheritance tax 23:45

3d ago23:45

23:45

The Aratere is on its way back to Wellington, but how was it that NZ First revealed the suspected cause of the grounding? Also, is Labour actually looking at introducing an inheritance tax policy, and should Darleen Tana resign from Parliament? Those were the questions for our politics panel, consisting of Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Labour's…

1
Grant Nisbett: Rugby broadcaster on the 'shot clock' to be displayed at all home tests 6:34

4d ago6:34

6:34

There will be no excuses for timed-out kicks at goal at Eden Park on Saturday, after rugby bosses decided a 'shot-clock' counting down how long a player has for a shot at goal will be displayed on the big screen. It comes after All Blacks first-five Damian McKenzie was deemed by referee to have taken longer than the time limit when lining up a pena…

1
Capital Letter: NZ Herald's Georgina Campbell says Tory Whanau needs a win 7:28

28d ago7:28

7:28

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau needs a win after months of controversy, NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell says. After pushing for the council's sale of its stake in Wellington Airport and the failed Reading Cinema deal, Whanau desperately needs something positive to point to, Campbell told Nick Mills. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi…

1
Phernne Tancock: Clyde Quay School PTA chair on the Taylor Swift raffle that will raise $100,000 7:22

5d ago7:22

7:22

It was an idea dreamed up by a Wellington primary school's parent-teacher association; what if we buy the best tickets at London's Wembley Stadium for Taylor Swift's upcoming tour and raffle them off? Well the school has done exactly that - paying for the tickets from the proceeds of cake stalls - and now the raffle looks likely to net them $100,00…

1
Beehive Buzz: NZ Herald's Thomas Coughlan on whether Darleen Tana will stay or go 6:59

5d ago6:59

6:59

Darleen Tana has officially resigned from the Green Party, but will she stay on as an MP? That's the question across the halls of power today, and there's some discussion the Greens may utilise the waka jumping legislation so Tana is removed from Parliament. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan joined Nick Mills to talk through what ha…

1
Nick Mills: Sir Peter Jackson gets preferential treatment from our council, and its not fair on the rest of us 5:33

5d ago5:33

5:33

OPINION How many car parks have we lost in Wellington in the last year? Too many to count. There's a story out today about Wellington City Council giving the use of 50 car parks exclusively to one company in Wellington. The deal has been in place since 2010, but it was only made public today. There are signs on these 50 carparks in Miramar. The sig…

1
Tory Whanau: Wellington mayor says collapse of her majority is 'political theatre' 31:29

30d ago31:29

31:29

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says the so-called collapse of her council majority is just "political theatre". Whanau is fresh from passing the council's long-term-plan, controversial with many councillors due to her support for selling the council's 34 per cent stake in Wellington Airport. Councillors Ben McNulty, Nureddin Abdurahman and Green coun…

1
Belinda Cordwell: Former New Zealand Grand Slam semi-finalist on Lulu Sun's Wimbledon success 6:31

30d ago6:31

6:31

Belinda Cordwell was the last New Zealand woman to reach the quarter-finals at a tennis Grand Slam, but this morning her feat was matched by New Zealander Lulu Sun. Sun beat hometown-favourite Emily Radacanu at Wimbledon. Cordwell, who lives in the Wairarapa, joined Nick Mills to discuss what was going through her head immediately after the win, an…

1
Friday Faceoff: Political commentators Bryce Edwards and Brigitte Morten on UK election, super city proposal and David Seymour's Snapchat 32:23

1M ago32:23

32:23

As UK election results slowly began rolling in, who better than political commentators Dr Bryce Edwards and Brigitte Morten to discuss what it means. The pair joined Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff, and also discussed the proposal for a Wellington super-city, criticism of David Seymour responding to teenagers on social media eight years ago, and the …

1
Friday Sport Kickoff: Jason Pine and Adam Cooper on the All Blacks' first test against England 11:33

1M ago11:33

11:33

It's Scott Robertson's first test as All Blacks coach tomorrow night, and all eyes are on Dunedin to see how his new team performs. Live from Dunedin, Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Nick Mills to preview the match, alongside Wellington's All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper. Also discussed was the Tall Blacks' loss to Slovenia overnight, kill…

1
Politics Thursday: Ayesha Verrall and Tim Costley on housing, support for media and phonics testing 23:20

1M ago23:20

23:20

What are the aims of the government's latest moves to loosen restrictions on building more houses, and what impact will more testing have on our students? Those were the questions posed to the political panel this week, consisting of Labour's Health and Wellington issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall and National MP for Otaki Tim Costley. Also on the…

1
Jason Pine: Weekend Sport host on the surprises in the All Blacks team naming 6:08

1M ago6:08

6:08

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his first side of the season with one big surprise. Blues fullback Stephen Perofeta has the nod over veteran Beauden Barrett at fullback in Robertson's first match as coach against England in Dunedin on Saturday. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Nick Mills with his immediate reaction just minutes after…

1
Capital Letter: NZ Herald's Georgina Campbell on Aratere's status and Kiwirail board resignations 7:58

1M ago7:58

7:58

Kiwirail says the grounded Interislander ferry Aratere should be back up and running soon, and the organisation has also confirmed multiple board members have left the organisation. To run through the latest news, NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati…

1
Business Panel: Village Goldsmiths' Ian Douglas and Wellington business icon Chris Parkin talk the state of capital 32:35

1M ago32:35

32:35

How well is the Wellington City Council engaging with businesses, and has Wellington lost its way from where it was fifteen years ago? Those were the questions for the business panel today, consisting of Village Goldsmith owner Ian Douglas. Joining him was perhaps one of Wellington's best known businesspeople; art collector and former Wellingtonian…

1
Beehive Buzz: Jason Walls on whether we should replace the 757s, a new quarterly plan and Joe Biden's future 8:21

1M ago8:21

8:21

A new poll has revealed New Zealander's thoughts on whether the government should replace the Defence Force's struggling 757s, and July 1 marks the start of a raft of new changes brought in by the government. Joining Nick to talk through that, as well as what we can expect in the government's new quarterly action plan to be released this week, was …

1
Campbell Barry: Hutt City mayor on discussions around forming a Wellington super city 8:45

1M ago8:45

8:45

It has been revealed the Mayors of Porirua, Wellington, Upper Hutt and Hutt City met in May to talk through the idea of a Wellington super city, which would see the four councils merged into one. Three mayors seem to be on board with the discussion, but Wellington mayor Tory Whanau says while an eventual amalgamation "probably makes sense", residen…

1
Politics Thursday: David Seymour and Ayesha Verrall talk ferries, law and order and airport shares 34:02

1M ago34:02

34:02

Its been a tough week for Kiwirail. The Aratere ran aground on Friday night, and it was also revealed the same ship lost power last year due to faulty tape that was holding wiring in place. To top it off, Kiwirail’s chair resigned last week, alongside revelations that the Finance Minister hauled Kiwirail bosses over the coals after discovering exor…

1
Beehive Buzz: Political editor Jason Walls on law and order announcement, Parliament sitting this week 7:59

1M ago7:59

7:59

Fresh from his trip to Japan, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon yesterday announced a new 'young serious offender' category, as well as more beat police in cities across New Zealand. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Adam Cooper to talk through the announcements, as well as what we can expect in Parliament this week. LISTEN ABOVE See o…

1
Friday Faceoff: Justin Lester and Dave Armstrong talk tunnels, airport shares and their best concerts 32:34

2M ago32:34

32:34

Would you pay a toll to use the Mt Victoria tunnel, are Wellington City Council staff exercising too much power, and should we urgently replace the Defence Force VIP planes? Those were the questions for the Friday Faceoff panel this week, with former Wellington mayor Justin Lester and playwright and columnist Dave Armstrong. Also on the agenda was …

1
Friday Sport Kickoff: Jason Pine and Adam Cooper on the Blues v Chiefs final and the Breakers coming to Wellington 8:34

2M ago8:34

8:34

It was a disappointing loss for the Hurricanes last weekend, killing the team's hope for an appearance in the Super Rugby final, but all eyes are now on the successful finalist Blues and Chiefs sides, squaring off at Eden Park this weekend. Joining Nick to preview the match was All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine.…

1
Capital Letter: NZ Herald's Georgina Campbell on Tory Whanau's crumbling majority 10:03

2M ago10:03

10:03

Three left-wing councillors typically viewed as part of Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau's council majority have said she can no longer rely on their unconditional support; an apparently crumbling of her support. But NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell thinks this could be the making of Whanau as a mayor, now that she has to reach ac…

1
Business Panel: Porirua mayor Anita Baker and The Woolstore boss Paul Robinson on Thorndon Quay works and local councils 31:43

2M ago31:43

31:43

How is the economy holding up, what on earth is happening on Thorndon Quay, and how do councils properly engage with local businesses? Those were the questions for the Business Panel this week, consisting of Porirua mayor Anita Baker and The Woolstore executive director Paul Robinson. The pair joined Nick Mills to discuss all things business in Wel…

1
Beehive Buzz: Jason Walls in Papua New Guinea on the saga of the PM's broken plane 7:31

2M ago7:31

7:31

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had to urgently change his travel plans while bound for Japan after the Defence Force's Boeing 757 ran into yet more mechanical troubles. It left the business delegation and media travelling with the Prime Minister stranded in Papua New Guinea, including Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls. He joined Nick Mills…

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