IRD ‘discontinues’ liquidation proceedings against Nick Mills

Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Nick Mills said he and his family had been through hell.

Several Wellington hospitality businesses belonging to talkback host Nick Mills avoided liquidation at the 11th hour as the Inland Revenue backed off from proceedings it had lodged in the High Court.

The Post previously reported that the high-profile publican owed IR close to a million dollars.

The tax bill related to Spruce Goose, Bettys, Boston on Blair and Siglo, with the latter two currently showing as “permanently closed” on online listings.

Mills’ lawyer Mike Lennard said today that he was “relieved” for his client after Inland Revenue had chosen in court this morning to “discontinue” proceedings.

Lennard confirmed that Mills and Inland Revenue had come to a payment arrangement, but refused to share further detail.

“I can’t say, I’m sorry … [but] the proceedings are over,” he said.

Mills refused to comment on what Inland Revenue’s decision meant for the future.

A spokesperson for Inland Revenue said the Tax Administration Act prevented it from commenting.

Meanwhile, from Mills it was simply “no comment”.

“Have said the same to the [NZ] Herald,” he said. Mills is a radio host for Newstalk ZB, which is owned by NZME along with the NZ Herald.

He added that he and his family had been put “through hell”.

Earlier this year, Mills had put out a statement to media saying he had been “devastated” by Inland Revenue’s “unreasonable” approach to negotiations after eight months of back and forth.

“We managed to raise more than 40% of the outstanding debt as part of our negotiations, but the IRD declined to accept that.

“It has been incredibly frustrating and stressful, and we know we’re not the only ones going through this distressing process.

“We continue to meet our current tax obligations while supporting many households through our family-owned business.”

In 2023 the Government’s tax collector served papers on Mills, saying it believed five of his companies owed $979,855.56 in GST, income tax and “employer activities”.

Mills also owns the Wellington Saints basketball team and a decade ago was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the sport.

Mills said his hospitality venues had been “slammed” during Covid-19 restrictions.

This was followed by soaring interest rates and a general economic downturn in the city centre.

Mills had also blamed “unfavourable decisions to operating hours in our late-night venues which had a severe impact on trade”.

He added: “We have been in business for more than 40 years, but the last four years has been particularly challenging. We have fought hard to stay afloat and meet our financial obligations and will continue to fight.”