Today Heather du Plessis-Allan was joined by Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell to recap the highs and lows of 2025 on the final Politics Wednesday for the year. 

They also discussed the retail crime numbers, the state of the Government’s books, the need for a social media ban, and the situation with Nicola Willis and Ruth Richardson. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Today Heather du Plessis-Allan was joined by Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell to recap the highs and lows of 2025 on the final Politics Wednesday for the year.&nbsp;
They also discussed the retail crime numbers, the state of the Government’s books, the need for a social media ban, and the situation with Nicola Willis and Ruth Richardson.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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, 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

Pollies: Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen on retail crime, highs and lows of 2025, Government's books

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0fa059dd-1bd7-4c1d-bb08-b3b5014fd744/transcript

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. 

 

The campaign: 7/10 

It feels real at last. The first debate, the volley of policy, the rolling coverage; a country engaged in democracy is a very fine thing. 

 

The first leader's debate: 5/10 

These things no longer work. They produce little, if anything. The world has changed, our consumption of news has changed. These need to change too. 

 

Jaguar: 8/10 

In a world of design blandness, they will not die wondering. The Type 01 is either exceptional, or the end. 

 

Cocaine: 3/10 

Most sobering, if not depressing, news of the week. Our use is third world. We are embarrassing. 

 

Zombie Towns: 7/10 

It’s a NZ On Air mini-series made by economist Shamubeel Eaqub. Places like Balclutha and Tokoroa, it's an educational watch and reminded me not everything NZ On Air funds is wasted. 

 

LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW 

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.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The campaign: 7/10&nbsp;
It feels real at last. The first debate, the volley of policy, the rolling coverage; a country engaged in democracy is a very fine thing.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The first leader's debate: 5/10&nbsp;
These things no longer work. They produce little, if anything. The world has changed, our consumption of news has changed. These need to change too.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Jaguar: 8/10&nbsp;
In a world of design blandness, they will not die wondering. The Type 01 is either exceptional, or the end.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Cocaine: 3/10&nbsp;
Most sobering, if not depressing, news of the week. Our use is third world. We are embarrassing.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Zombie Towns: 7/10&nbsp;
It’s a NZ On Air mini-series made by economist Shamubeel Eaqub. Places like Balclutha and Tokoroa, it's an educational watch and reminded me not everything NZ On Air funds is wasted.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW&nbsp;

Mark the Week: The leaders debates no longer work

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/38a2d37a-a693-4699-8d39-b4dd016cf5eb/transcript

Trademark law is in the spotlight with a couple of key cases making the news.  

British Car Manufacturer McLaren has applied to trademark the Auckland suburbs of Remuera and Muriwai – potentially for their first SUV.  

And NZ Rugby has taken legal action to stop Papua New Guinea's new NRL franchise from using the 'Chiefs' name. 

Intellectual Property Lawyer Rick Shera told Mike Hosking that while it's unlikely there'd be confusion between New Zealand's Chiefs and Papua New Guinea's, trademark law isn't based on confusion, it's based on distinction. 

He says that even if NZR was sympathetic to the PNG club, they have to defend their trademark or they risk losing it later down the line.  

With the McLaren case, securing those trademarks within New Zealand would likely be a challenge, Shera told Hosking, but not overseas. 

He says trademarks are jurisdictional, so as long as there's no Remuera SUV mark, car mark, or vehicle mark in the UK, they'll probably be fine. 

Shera says their bigger issue would be the fact that they're Māori names, which could cause controversy.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Trademark law is in the spotlight with a couple of key cases making the news. &nbsp;
British Car Manufacturer McLaren has applied to trademark the Auckland suburbs of Remuera and Muriwai – potentially for their first SUV. &nbsp;
And NZ Rugby has taken legal action to stop Papua New Guinea's new NRL franchise from using the 'Chiefs' name.&nbsp;
Intellectual Property Lawyer Rick Shera told Mike Hosking that while it's unlikely there'd be confusion between New Zealand's Chiefs and Papua New Guinea's, trademark law isn't based on confusion, it's based on distinction.&nbsp;
He says that even if NZR was sympathetic to the PNG club, they have to defend their trademark or they risk losing it later down the line. &nbsp;
With the McLaren case, securing those trademarks within New Zealand would likely be a challenge, Shera told Hosking, but not overseas.&nbsp;
He says trademarks are jurisdictional, so as long as there's no Remuera SUV mark, car mark, or vehicle mark in the UK, they'll probably be fine.&nbsp;
Shera says their bigger issue would be the fact that they're Māori names, which could cause controversy. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Rick Shera: Lowndes & Jordan Intellectual Property Lawyer on McLaren applying to trademark Remuera and Muriwai, NZR's Chiefs dispute

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/82dc984e-e89f-4e7c-8547-b4dd016667c8/transcript

The former Venezuelan President and his wife are facing new charges from the US for conspiracy to commit torture.  

Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores, originally facing weapon and drug charges, now face allegations of human rights abuses. 

The pair have been in a New York prison since January after US forces seized them from their Caracas home.  

US Correspondent Nick Harper told Mike Hosking the US claims the torture was to suppress political opposition and maintain control.  

He understands the torture included electrical shocks, prolonged isolation, and starvation, used on both opponents and about a dozen US citizens. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The former Venezuelan President and his wife are facing new charges from the US for conspiracy to commit torture. &nbsp;
Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores, originally facing weapon and drug charges, now face allegations of human rights abuses.&nbsp;
The pair have been in a New York prison since January after US forces seized them from their Caracas home. &nbsp;
US Correspondent Nick Harper told Mike Hosking the US claims the torture was to suppress political opposition and maintain control. &nbsp;
He understands the torture included electrical shocks, prolonged isolation, and starvation, used on both opponents and about a dozen US citizens.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Nick Harper: US Correspondent on the new charges former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are facing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/05e0744f-ce44-4a0b-b1e5-b4dd0165c56e/transcript

Pollies: Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen on retail crime, highs and lows of 2025, Government's books

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