A new era of British politics has arrived at Downing Street with Andy Burnham vowing to put people before politics. 

The former Manchester Mayor and Labour cabinet minister has become Britain's fifth leader in four years, replacing Sir Keir Starmer. 

He wants to make politics more about problem-solving than point-scoring – taking power out of government and putting it into the hands of the people. 

UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking the Labour Party will have to present a united front now, as they have a short window in which to convince the public they can continue to govern. 

He says Burnham needs to find some quick wins to make the public believe what he’s telling them.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

A new era of British politics has arrived at Downing Street with Andy Burnham vowing to put people before politics.&nbsp;
The former Manchester Mayor and Labour cabinet minister has become Britain's fifth leader in four years, replacing Sir Keir Starmer.&nbsp;
He wants to make politics more about problem-solving than point-scoring – taking power out of government and putting it into the hands of the people.&nbsp;
UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking the Labour Party will have to present a united front now, as they have a short window in which to convince the public they can continue to govern.&nbsp;
He says Burnham needs to find some quick wins to make the public believe what he’s telling them. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Enda Brady: UK Correspondent on Andy Burnham becoming the new UK Prime Minister

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2283f9bc-c280-4b3c-9756-b48d016b654d/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 17th of August, Act proposes to only hire people in the public sector on merit instead of race or gender and we celebrate updated tourism numbers and NZ Fashion Week.

The Prime Minister joins the show for the first time since the attempted coup - and talks about whether there is more reform coming for the public sector.

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk all being together at the ZB 100th birthday party on Friday night - and they talk a bit of sport too!

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

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 17th of August, Act proposes to only hire people in the public sector on merit instead of race or gender and we celebrate updated tourism numbers and NZ Fashion Week.
The Prime Minister joins the show for the first time since the attempted coup - and talks about whether there is more reform coming for the public sector.
Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk all being together at the ZB 100th birthday party on Friday night - and they talk a bit of sport too!
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 17 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6cfdc7a8-e830-4505-a416-b4a8015d64cd/transcript

This should be it for coup gate questioning of the Prime Minister.
 
Bruce Cotterill's piece over the weekend in the NZ Herald I hope, and more importantly actually I think, represents a growing feeling in this country among middle New Zealand that the superficiality of what the media obsess in is not really what counts. And what counts is the record and, as Bruce very clearly lays out, the record is not a bad one - from crime, to education, to exports there is a very good story to be told.

Perhaps, and the Government might want to work a bit harder on this, the only story this election outside the record of achievement is tax.

One side want to tax us more.

The side in Government doesn’t.

It's that simple. In a country that has been through what we have for the past seven or so years, we are fed up with tax and the constant raiding of our pockets by people who have no other ideas than having you and I pay for everything.

Anyway Luxon was at our Newstalk ZB 100th party on Friday night and everyone commented on his speech, which was kind, self deprecating and funny. "Why couldn’t we see more of that," they asked.

My answer is the country is not a party and when you see the Prime Minister he isn't giving birthday speeches. It’s the old issue they have argued all along; meet the bloke and you like him but watch him in a 20 second news clip and he can look troubled.

My guess from the mood in the room on Friday is it was the opposite of what you probably read over the weekend, which was "Luxon is done for", "National are mortally wounded".

I think last Wednesday enhanced Luxon. It showed balls, it showed self-belief and it showed courage. Most of us like that stuff.

In a caucus of 48 does he have some self-absorbed dickheads? Yes, but that’s not his fault.

It's not a reason to be derailed. The big picture should never be interrupted .by the trials and tribulations of the small-thinker.

By the time we vote this will be yet another non-event in a campaign full of things we thought were a big deal, until they weren't.

If you're bullish, and I am, last Wednesday could be the making of him.

LISTEN ABOVE

This should be it for coup gate questioning of the Prime Minister. &nbsp; Bruce Cotterill's piece over the weekend in the NZ Herald I hope, and more importantly actually I think, represents a growing feeling in this country among middle New Zealand that the superficiality of what the media obsess in is not really what counts. And what counts is the record and, as Bruce very clearly lays out, the record is not a bad one - from crime, to education, to exports there is a very good story to be told.
Perhaps, and the Government might want to work a bit harder on this, the only story this election outside the record of achievement is tax.
One side want to tax us more.
The side in Government doesn’t.
It's that simple. In a country that has been through what we have for the past seven or so years, we are fed up with tax and the constant raiding of our pockets by people who have no other ideas than having you and I pay for everything.
Anyway Luxon was at our Newstalk ZB 100th party on Friday night and everyone commented on his speech, which was kind, self deprecating and funny. "Why couldn’t we see more of that," they asked.
My answer is the country is not a party and when you see the Prime Minister he isn't giving birthday speeches. It’s the old issue they have argued all along; meet the bloke and you like him but watch him in a 20 second news clip and he can look troubled.
My guess from the mood in the room on Friday is it was the opposite of what you probably read over the weekend, which was "Luxon is done for", "National are mortally wounded".
I think last Wednesday enhanced Luxon. It showed balls, it showed self-belief and it showed courage. Most of us like that stuff.
In a caucus of 48 does he have some self-absorbed dickheads? Yes, but that’s not his fault.
It's not a reason to be derailed. The big picture should never be interrupted .by the trials and tribulations of the small-thinker.
By the time we vote this will be yet another non-event in a campaign full of things we thought were a big deal, until they weren't.
If you're bullish, and I am, last Wednesday could be the making of him.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike's Minute: Time to go back to the bigger picture for the election

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/659b6728-135c-49d5-9765-b4a8015c10b4/transcript

New Zealand Fashion Week is about to get underway in Auckland. 

The event, which starts today, is a week of catwalks, displays and style hosted on Auckland's waterfront. 

The owner of the event Feroz Ali told Mike Hosking that he hopes people will still be spending at the event despite the Cost of Living crisis. 

'The ability for people to go and consume and buy stuff, becomes a little harder during tough economic times...but the industry is resilient.'

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand Fashion Week is about to get underway in Auckland.&nbsp;
The event, which starts today, is a week of catwalks, displays and style hosted on Auckland's waterfront.&nbsp;
The owner of the event Feroz Ali told Mike Hosking that he hopes people will still be spending at the event despite the Cost of Living crisis.&nbsp;
'The ability for people to go and consume and buy stuff, becomes a little harder during tough economic times...but the industry is resilient.'
LISTEN ABOVE

Feroz Ali: New Zealand Fashion Week owner celebrates start of Fashion Week 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/46960bc4-af5b-4fba-b64d-b4a801584394/transcript

Enda Brady: UK Correspondent on Andy Burnham becoming the new UK Prime Minister

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