Best Friday Faceoff Podcasts (2024)

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
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

4h 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 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

4d 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

6d 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

6d 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

9d 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

9d 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

10d 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

10d 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

11d 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

13d 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

13d 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

13d 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

17d 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

20d 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

23d 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

23d 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

25d 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

29d 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

29d 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…

1
Friday Faceoff: Nicola Young and Wayne Guppy talk Hurricanes, squatting and Wellington's council split 31:19

1M ago31:19

31:19

Are MPs entitlements fit for purpose, and at what point in a council term is it too early to announce you're running for the next one? Those were the questions for our Friday Faceoff panel this week, consisting of Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy and Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young. Also on the agenda was an apparent split in Wellington Mayor T…

1
Friday Sport Kickoff: Jason Pine and Adam Cooper on the Hurricanes v Chiefs semi-final 10:55

1M ago10:55

10:55

Eighty minutes on Saturday afternoon will seal the Hurricanes' fate this Super Rugby season, as they take on the Chiefs at Sky Stadium in their semi-final match. The team is looking for its second title, after first taking out the championship in 2016. Wellington All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Nick Mil…

1
Politics Thursday: David Seymour and Ginny Andersen debate MPs accomodation and oil and gas exploration 29:08

1M ago29:08

29:08

Are the accommodation entitlements for MP fit for purpose, and what will more oil and gas exploration mean for New Zealand? Those were the questions for our politics panel this week, with Act party leader David Seymour and Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Jon Stevens: Noiseworks and INXS singer on his just-announced Upper Hutt gig 10:23

1M ago10:23

10:23

It's been years since Jon Stevens performed in Wellington, but he's returning early next year to perform at Hutt Sounds, part of the Sounds Series concerts. Born and bred in Upper Hutt, Jon had a career in Noiseworks and later as part of INXS, as well as a storied solo career. He joined Nick Mills to talk about what he's up to, and his excitement f…

1
Cory Jane: Hurricanes legend and current assistant coach on Saturday's semi-final 8:15

1M ago8:15

8:15

The Hurricanes are hoping for 25,000 fans to attend the team's Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Chiefs this weekend at Sky Stadium, as the team continues its march to win the Super Rugby title for only the second time in the club's history. Cory Jane, who made 123 appearances for the Hurricanes and currently serves as assistant coach, say…

1
Beehive Buzz: Senior political reporter Sophie Trigger on Act's rally, Luxon's Pacific trip 7:41

1M ago7:41

7:41

David Seymour has held a rally of party faithful, and Christopher Luxon has returned from his trip around the Pacific. Newstalk ZB senior political reporter Sophie Trigger joined Nick Mills to talk about the last week in politics, and what we can expect this week. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Tim Costley: National MP living 40 minutes from Parliament defends decision to take taxpayer funded apartment 6:24

1M ago6:24

6:24

National MP Tim Costley says his CBD apartment makes him a more effective MP. The first-term MP for Otaki is facing criticism for taking a $36,400 Parliamentary allowance to live in the Wellington apartment, which he owns himself. Costley lives just 58km from the Beehive in Waikanae, a roughly 40-minute drive from Parliament. He is also under fire …

1
Nick Mills: National MP Tim Costley is taking taxpayers for a ride 5:01

1M ago5:01

5:01

OPINION Here's a story you're not going to enjoy if you're one of the government employees who has just been made redundant. It surrounds Otaki MP Tim Costley. He’s a known name in Kapiti, and owns a $1.4 million riverside home in Waikanae, two rental properties in Palmerston North and a flat in Wellington. It's the latter of those properties that'…

1
Friday Faceoff: Mark Sainsbury and Ben McNulty talk Tory Whanau, Golden Mile and Lotto 33:45

1M ago33:45

33:45

It's been a big week in Wellington; Mayor Tory Whanau revealed she has been diagnosed with ADHD and a big petition against the Golden Mile project was presented to the council. Joining Nick on Friday Faceoff this week was former broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty. Also on the agenda was the mammoth $50 million up …

1
Friday Sport Kickoff: Adam Cooper and Nick Bewley on Hurricanes quarter-final and Alex Paulsen leaving the Phoenix 7:39

1M ago7:39

7:39

The Hurricanes take on the Melbourne Rebels in Wellington tomorrow night, and a star of the Wellington Phoenix is leaving. Wellington All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Newstalk ZB Christchurch sports editor Nick Bewley joined Nick Mills to talk through the sports stories of the week. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor…

1
Nick Mills: Tory Whanau should be judged on her performance, but not because of her ADHD diagnosis 4:59

1M ago4:59

4:59

OPINION On Wednesday afternoon Newstalk ZB reporter Ethan Manera sat down with Wellington mayor Tory Whanau. She revealed to him that she's been diagnosed with ADHD and significant traits of autism. Ethan got the story after finding the Mayor had changed her bio on her Tiktok account, calling herself the “neurospicy Mayor of Wellington”. Neurospicy…

1
Politics Thursday: David Seymour and Ginny Andersen talk Te Pāti Māori allegations, budget and booze 30:25

1M ago30:25

30:25

As the budget dust settles and the public's attention is drawn to serious allegations against Te Pāti Māori, Acting Prime Minister David Seymour and Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Anderson joined Nick to talk through the political issues of the week. On the agenda were the allegations against Te Pāti Māori, reaction to the budget, and whether o…

1
Chris Hipkins: Labour leader on 'very serious' allegations against Te Pāti Māori 21:07

1M ago21:07

21:07

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has called the allegations surrounding Te Pāti Māori “very serious” and says any improper conduct needs to be investigated. The party has “unequivocally refuted” claims it misused data from Census records to help its election campaign, or deceptively obtained personal information from the Covid-19 Immunisation Programme …

1
Business Panel: Mexted Motors' Mark Munkittrick and Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce boss Patrick McKibbin 32:50

1M ago32:50

32:50

How's business going in the Hutt, and how is the second-hand car market holding up in the face of a recession? Those were some of the questions for the business panel this week, consisting of Mexted Motors' dealer principal Mark Munkittrick and Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce chief executive Patrick McKibbin. The pair joined Adam Cooper to talk thr…

1
Tim Costley: Local MP on 'burnout meet' in Levin that left officers injured and cars impounded 5:56

1M ago5:56

5:56

It was an eventful Sunday night in Levin over the weekend, with hundreds of young people taking to the streets to watch illegal burnouts on the main drag. Police responded, arresting two people and impounding six cars - but two officers were injured in the process. Otaki MP Tim Costley, whose electorate also covers Levin, joined Adam Cooper to talk…

1
Friday Faceoff: Budget Special with former revenue minister Peter Dunne and Infometrics economist Brad Olsen 31:26

2M ago31:26

31:26

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has broadly delivered what she promised on the election campaign trail, with millions of New Zealanders in line for a tax cut - some small, some a bit bigger. To talk through this week's budget, as well as other Wellington issues, Nick was joined by former United Future leader and former revenue minister Peter Dunne a…

1
Friday Sport Kickoff: Jason Pine and Adam Cooper on NZR's new structure and Super Rugby's top-of-the-table clashes 9:09

2M ago9:09

9:09

New Zealand Rugby had its long-awaited governance vote this week, and this weekend sees two top-of-the-table Super Rugby clashes. Newstalk ZB's Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and Wellington's All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills to talk all things sport. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent on Donald Trump being found guilty in hush money trial 7:27

2M ago7:27

7:27

Former US President and current Republican nominee Donald Trump has been found guilty of 34 charges at the conclusion of his hush money trial in New York. Jurors convicted Trump on all 34 counts after deliberating for 9.5 hours. Judge Juan Merchan has set the former president’s sentencing for July 11, just days before Republicans are set to select …

1
Politics Thursday: Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Chris Penk on the budget, protests and Kainga Ora 29:06

2M ago29:06

29:06

Just three hours before the coalition government's first budget was unveiled, two politicians came in to debate what might be in it, and the other political issues of the week. Nick was joined by a Wellington Mornings newbie, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, and Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.…

1
Nick Mills: Wellington has completely lost its way, that's why no one wants to move here 4:59

2M ago4:59

4:59

OPINION Now if you’re anything like me, you hate filling out the census. There's something about filling it out that makes you think you're giving away too much information. Soon you've got people knocking on your door making sure you fill it out. It's a giant pain in the backside. But I understand that the census is an important piece of data for …

1
NZ Rugby's governance war: Jason Pine on what the vote means for the future of rugby 4:09

2M ago4:09

4:09

New Zealand Rugby’s provincial unions have convincingly voted through their polarising governance proposal to spark a civil war showdown with the game’s professional players. Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine has been at NZR HQ all morning, and joined Nick Mills to talk through the result of the two important votes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu…

1
Capital Letter: NZ Herald's Georgina Campbell on the Wellington mega tunnel and the ComCom's warning for Bluebridge 9:22

2M ago9:22

9:22

Ferry operator Bluebridge has been warned by the Commerce Commission after over compensation for cancelled ferry sailings. NZ Herald Wellington Issues reporter Georgina Campbell is across the issue and joined Nick Mills for her weekly slot. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Music Time: Remembering legendary Wellington musician Rodger Fox 10:42

2M ago10:42

10:42

The New Zealand music community woke up to tragic news on Tuesday morning. Legendary Wellington trombonist Rodger Fox has died, aged 71. Music guru James Irwin, who knew Fox well, joined Nick Mills to talk through his legacy, including his time in Quincy Conserve and forming the Rodger Fox Big Band. In March last year, the legendary artist joined N…

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