• Mark the Week: NZR is overthinking the All Blacks coach
    Jan 29 2026

    At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.

    Trump's week: 2/10

    Outside the usual madness came the NATO soldier Afghanistan insult and a dead man in Minneapolis, followed by the usual flannel about domestic terrorists. This time the backlash was real, forceful, and might well stick.

    The rugby union: 4/10

    Too many rules around the coach. It's a classic case of overthinking it – just go get the best.

    NZ Post: 6/10

    Yes, we would all like a post shop in the lounge, but it's not real so at least good on them for telling it like it is and defending a tough, but realistic, decision.

    Fees Free: 2/10

    Data that shows why the polls are where they are. Very few are keen on a repeat of that level of fiscal carnage.

    Judith Collins: 8/10

    Not just time (24 years) but a workload and a legacy. You don’t get 18 portfolios without leaving an imprint.

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    3 mins
  • Mike's Minute: A reality check for the Government on climate hit areas
    Jan 29 2026

    We end the week with a reality check.

    I was a bit underwhelmed by the Government's response to the last couple of week's weather events.

    $2 million is not a lot of money, which in a way is good because it indicates the damage isn't that bad.

    The damage is that bad. It's just the big stuff, the roads and bridges and infrastructure, is being paid for out of contingency budgets in various Government's departments.

    Fine. But as I asked, and got no real answer to, is that the plan, is it?

    Build it, watch it get destroyed, patch it up, watch it get destroyed and patch it up? It's not my favoured plan.

    I asked Penk, Mitchell, and Luxon what the big picture is. There is one, they reassure us. Not sure of a timeframe, which is political speak for "it's on the never-never".

    Yet in the Post from AA Insurance to the Buller District Mayor is the news they will be suspending cover for the region. No new business in the postcode of 7825, Westport, Carters Beach, and Cape Foulwind.

    This is where this goes. Just how many letters from how many insurance companies do you want before the big calls need to be made?

    Matata should have been the red flag and that started 20 years ago. Already Wellington, for other reasons, has insurance issues.

    The Upper Hunter Valley in New South Wales has been dealing with it for years. Even if you can get cover, it's at least $50,000 a year.

    There are, rightly or wrongly, sadly or not, chunks of the country that look problematic. Ignoring them or relying on an ever-increasing contingency budget is not going to make them any less so.

    The Government.is always the last port of call in crisis. The taxpayer will always be the one asked to provide the accommodation and bridge and food when the climate tips life upside down.

    Federated Farmers said it's not acceptable to have State Highway 2 to Waioweka cut off. Correct, it isn't.

    But the Government's answers are more band aids. AA Insurance's answer is no more cover.

    One of them is missing the point. One of them is showing you how this unfolds.

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    2 mins
  • Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on Tom Homan's first comments around Minneapolis, plan to wind-down ICE's presence in the city
    Jan 29 2026

    Donald Trump's border chief is working on an eventual draw-down plan of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

    The US President sent Tom Homan to the city after two protestors, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were shot dead by federal officials in Minneapolis.

    He's told a news conference he wants to see common sense co-operation, which allows the number of ICE officers in the city to reduce.

    US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking details for the wind-down plan are scarce, but it would involve having ICE agents seek more access in jails.

    This would mean they’re rounding up criminals, instead of people on the streets or in front of home supply stores, he says.

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    5 mins
  • Full Show Podcast: 30 January 2026
    Jan 29 2026

    On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 30th of January, Trade Minister Todd McClay responds to Winston Peters’ comments on the Free Trade Agreement with India.

    Liam Sceats joins the show to talk his wildcard entry into the 70th NZ Grand Prix this weekend.

    Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson Wrap the Week and talk Judith Collins and smashing rackets.

    Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Wrapping the Week with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson: Bruce Springsteen, Judith Collins, smashing rackets
    Jan 29 2026

    The week has come to an end, so Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.

    They discussed music and Bruce Springsteen's new song, Judith Collins, and smashing rackets.

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    12 mins
  • Liam Sceats: Kiwi Grand Prix Champion on his wildcard entry into the 70th NZ Grand Prix
    Jan 29 2026

    The most coveted crown in New Zealand motorsport is on the line this weekend.

    Highlands is hosting the 70th edition of the NZ Grand Prix, which is running under the new NextGen NZ Championship banner

    And the 2024 winner, 20-year-old Liam Sceats, has been handed a last-minute wildcard into the field.

    The championship has been running for the last three weekends, but he told Mike Hosking he’s only jumping in for this one.

    Sceats says it’s not going to be easy jumping in at this stage, but he’s spent two years in these cars and won in 2024 on this exact track, so he’s feeling confident.

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    7 mins
  • Andy Horne: MinterEllisonRuddWatts Litigation and Insurance Partner on AA pausing new insurance policies for properties in Westport
    Jan 29 2026

    There’s a belief there may come a point when insurers’ goodwill runs out in areas most exposed to climate risk.

    AA Insurance has told Buller District Council it’s temporarily stopped offering new home and landlord cover in Westport due to flood risk, though existing policies can still be renewed.

    MinterEllisonRuddWatts insurance partner Andy Horne told Mike Hosking it’s unusual for an insurer to be this open.

    He says the reality is insurers are increasingly making risk-based decisions about where they’ll offer cover.

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    3 mins
  • Greg Fleming: National MP on the cross party support for the Modern Slavery Bill
    Jan 29 2026

    National and Labour are joining forces in support of legislation to tackle modern slavery.

    Their bipartisan backing means the Bill can be introduced in Parliament, bypassing the ballot system.

    The proposed law would require large companies to report their measures to avoid slavery conditions in supply chains, and fine those not complying or acting to mislead.

    National's Greg Fleming told Mike Hosking they’ve taken learnings from overseas, particularly Australia, and will be going with template forms and the like to ensure this does add value, rather than just cost.

    He says a lot of responsible businesses are already looking into the working conditions in their supply lines, so this is just aimed at the recalcitrants.

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    3 mins