'Get the affidavit': Listen as Andrew Little clashes with ZB host in heated interview

Author: Ethan Manera,
Publish Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2026, 2:29pm

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little has clashed with Newstalk ZB host Nick Mills in a fiery interview this morning that at times descended into a shouting match over the capital’s troubled new water entity.

Little joined Newstalk ZB’s Wellington Mornings show for his monthly interview with host Mills to discuss recent Wellington issues.

Little was asked about the establishment of new water provider Tiaki Wai, which officially came into force in July as part of the Government-ordered water reforms.

The new entity has come under fire as shocked residents reported steep new charges landing in their letterboxes – something its chief executive has accepted could have been better managed.

Mills asked Little about a claim, which he said he had been told by an anonymous councillor, that the establishment of Tiaki Wai could have been put off by a year in an effort to delay increased water bills.

Little called the claim “completely and utterly wrong,” and accused Mills of “perpetuating a misleading statement” to his audience.

As the pair spoke over each other, Little said Mills had repeatedly spread the claim on his radio show, which he insisted was false.

Wellington mayor Andrew Little clashed with Newstalk ZB’s Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills, accusing Mills of “perpetuating a misleading statement". File photo / Mark Mitchell

Mills suggested he could get an affidavit from the councillor to confirm that council officials advised councillors as such.

“Get the affidavit, Nick, get the affidavit,” Little said.

“Let’s see the affidavit, because an affidavit is swearing on oath, and if you say something untrue in an affidavit, then you’ve committed a crime, so let’s hear it.”

Little said Mills was not listening to him, while Mills said Little was “throwing allegations” at him.

“If somebody said that in front of council, and I don’t recall them saying, if they said that, then what they were saying was something that was unlawful, it was against the law,” Little said.

The Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 states councils across the country have until no later than June 30, 2027, to adopt a new water services strategy.

Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills said he was told the claim by a councillor, and said he would seek an affidavit to confirm it. File photo / Mark Mitchell

Tiaki Wai confirmed its water services strategy in June this year, and was officially established on July 1.

However, Little said Wellington was compelled to establish Tiaki Wai earlier because the Local Government Minister had already approved the region’s proposal, which was submitted in 2025 by the previous council.

Mills asked if Little would resign as mayor if he could produce an affidavit from a councillor. Little said he did not need to resign.

Little did say Tiaki Wai had experienced “teething problems”, scoring its performance thus far a modest six out of 10.

“They are well meaning, they’re well intended. It’s going to take a while to get it right.”

The monthly ZB slot with the mayor is a long-running fixture of the Wellington Mornings show, dating back decades.

Last term, former Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau pulled out of the arrangement after a series of tense interviews, citing a desire to “diversify media engagements and explore other communication avenues”.

When elected mayor in October 2025, Little committed to front up monthly for the interview, and told Mills today he would return next month.

Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz.