Donald Trump celebrated the first anniversary of his second term with a near two-hour press conference, boasting about economic achievements and holding up photos of detained immigrants. 

The US President said he was confident God was on his side - and that he thinks God would be proud of the work he's done so far.

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump is looking forward to arriving in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, where he's expected to defend his ambition to seize Greenland. 

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Donald Trump celebrated the first anniversary of his second term with a near two-hour press conference, boasting about economic achievements and holding up photos of detained immigrants.&nbsp;
The US President said he was confident God was on his side - and that he thinks God would be proud of the work he's done so far.
US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump is looking forward to arriving in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, where he's expected to defend his ambition to seize Greenland.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent on Donald Trump celebrating the first anniversary of his second term

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d8112f50-f88e-4d9c-9d74-b3d9004c8b9c/transcript

So we've got an election date, and it's the date pundits have been picking since late last year - November 7th.

This election is National's to lose. The only question really is how much influence ACT and or New Zealand First will have in any future Government.

Don't get me wrong - it'll be a close race.

Here's some easy picks - National will get more votes than Labour, New Zealand First will outperform ACT, New Zealand First will steal from Labour and nip at their heels, Te Pati Māori's reputation is already in the bin so the Māori seats are anyone's guess at this point.

And Winston Peters, as always, will decide who actually wins the election. He's ruled out working with Chippy but not Labour.

Here's the crucial point. Winston Peters cannot, politically, enter a deal propped up by or supported by the Greens or Te Pati Māori. In pretty much every poll this term, Labour has needed both of them to get close to the magic 61 seats.

Now, you could argue that National might stumble and Labour could surge. But the chances of this happening - I would put at around 20-30 percent. So very unlikely.

The economic recovery's underway. Summer will be round the corner come November. But most importantly, people won't switch horses mid-stream when that recovery has been so hard fought.

The memory, particularly in Auckland, is too short for voters to forget about Labour's Covid mess and unbridled spending on outrageous and expensive things.

Chris Hipkins today also announced a date - his wedding. He says it'll be held in 2027. That means Toni is likely going to marry an unemployed bloke from the Hutt.

LISTEN ABOVE

So we've got an election date, and it's the date pundits have been picking since late last year - November 7th.
This election is National's to lose. The only question really is how much influence ACT and or New Zealand First will have in any future Government.
Don't get me wrong - it'll be a close race.
Here's some easy picks - National will get more votes than Labour, New Zealand First will outperform ACT, New Zealand First will steal from Labour and nip at their heels, Te Pati Māori's reputation is already in the bin so the Māori seats are anyone's guess at this point.
And Winston Peters, as always, will decide who actually wins the election.&nbsp;He's ruled out working with Chippy but not Labour.
Here's the crucial point. Winston Peters cannot, politically, enter a deal propped up by or supported by the Greens or Te Pati Māori.&nbsp;In pretty much every poll this term, Labour has needed both of them to get close to the magic 61 seats.
Now, you could argue that National might stumble and Labour could surge. But the chances of this happening - I would put at around 20-30 percent. So very unlikely.
The economic recovery's underway. Summer will be round the corner come November.&nbsp;But most importantly, people won't switch horses mid-stream when that recovery has been so hard fought.
The memory, particularly in Auckland, is too short for voters to forget about Labour's Covid mess and unbridled spending on outrageous and expensive things.
Chris Hipkins today also announced a date - his wedding. He says it'll be held in 2027.&nbsp;That means Toni is likely going to marry an unemployed bloke from the Hutt.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Ryan Bridge: Is this National's election to lose?

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21 January.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21 January. 
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 21 January 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0ac0a1b6-fb8a-4a0b-8a88-b3d9006634d8/transcript

Three of New Zealand's biggest sporting bodies have seen their leaders depart, and it's prompted concerns about what this could mean for the sector.

NZ Rugby head Mark Robinson is set to depart the role, Netball NZ CEO Jennie Wyllie resigned at the end of last year and NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink recently resigned following a scandal.

Former NZ Cricket CEO Martin Snedden says the leadership role's always come with challenges, but social media backlash makes scandals more noticeable.

"These are very difficult jobs. Sport is volatile, stakeholders' expectations, sometimes broad expectations, are disproportionate to what the resources are of an organisation - and burnout is a huge issue."

LISTEN ABOVE

Three of New Zealand's biggest sporting bodies have seen their leaders depart, and it's prompted concerns about what this could mean for the sector.
NZ Rugby head Mark Robinson is set to depart the role, Netball NZ CEO Jennie Wyllie resigned at the end of last year and NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink recently resigned following a scandal.
Former NZ Cricket CEO Martin Snedden says the leadership role's always come with challenges, but social media backlash makes scandals more noticeable.
"These are very difficult jobs. Sport is volatile, stakeholders' expectations, sometimes broad expectations, are disproportionate to what the resources are of an organisation - and burnout is a huge issue."
LISTEN ABOVE

Martin Snedden: former NZ Cricket CEO on the risks that come with leading a sporting body

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c7a0b084-96d4-441f-802f-b3d900692fab/transcript

Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent on Donald Trump celebrating the first anniversary of his second term

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