Today on Politics Wednesday, Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell delve into the biggest political stories of the week so far. 

They discussed the proceedings at Waitangi, the joint press conference between Labour and the Green Party, and the resignation of Labour MP Peeni Henare.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Today on Politics Wednesday, Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell delve into the biggest political stories of the week so far.&nbsp;
They discussed the proceedings at Waitangi, the joint press conference between Labour and the Green Party, and the resignation of Labour MP Peeni Henare. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

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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

Pollies: National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen on Peeni Henare's resignation, Labour and Green press conference, Waitangi

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1b657c1f-67a3-438c-9cc5-b3e6015020bd/transcript

Is it a bombshell? 

A moment too weird to properly comprehend and, because of that, is that why it isn't real? And if it's not real then it's not worth speculating on. 

And yet here I am speculating. 

The NZ Rugby Union has approached Steve Hansen and Ian Foster and asked them to apply for the coach's job. 

Is that the most absurd, bizarre, nutty, unbelievable, possibly stupid thing you have ever heard around rugby, or perhaps even sport? 

And yet it's suggested it's true. 

In a way I hope it isn't, unless it is. But first I'll deal with the 'isn't'. 

I hope it isn't because the union already have enough reputational issues without adding to them, like the panel, the rules and the criteria. For goodness sake, just go get a rockstar. Surely the All Blacks coaching job still has enough prestige that getting great talent isn't an issue? 

That's if you haven't already targeted someone, which they should have! 

But then I hope it is true because I love Hansen and I love Foster and I'm an old romantic who fizzes over the edge of the glass in excitement at what would be/could be one of the great redemption stories in all of sport. 

Both have issues with rugby and rules and unions. Foster especially got treated abysmally. How good could it feel to march back into the dressing room and say "Hello lads. Now where were we before I was so rudely interrupted?" 

But for the union, this is why it can't be true. You don’t go to a Hansen or a Foster and say have an application form and see what you think. 

You beg for such talent to frequent your business! And if you're asking them to apply, what are you saying to Jamie Joseph and Co. who might be asking why they're looking for reheats when they're there. Not a bad point. 

See? It would be way better if none of this were true. 

Mind you it would be way better if they hadn't sacked Scott Robertson mid-term with a mass pay out and a restraint of trade with no clear plan going forward. 

This is almost so good it can't be real, while also being so bad it shouldn’t be real. 

The key of course is to win the world cup and if we do that no one will care who the coach is. 

But that bit seems a long way off when we currently have no coach and in front of us what could be a stroke of genius, or sheer insanity. 

Is it a bombshell?&nbsp;
A moment too weird to properly comprehend and, because of that, is that why it isn't real? And if it's not real then it's not worth speculating on.&nbsp;
And yet here I am speculating.&nbsp;
The NZ Rugby Union has approached Steve Hansen and Ian Foster and asked them to apply for the coach's job.&nbsp;
Is that the most absurd, bizarre, nutty, unbelievable, possibly stupid thing you have ever heard around rugby, or perhaps even sport?&nbsp;
And yet it's suggested it's true.&nbsp;
In a way I hope it isn't, unless it is. But first I'll deal with the 'isn't'.&nbsp;
I hope it isn't because the union already have enough reputational issues without adding to them, like the panel, the rules and the criteria. For goodness sake, just go get a rockstar. Surely the All Blacks coaching job still has enough prestige that getting great talent isn't an issue?&nbsp;
That's if you haven't already targeted someone, which they should have!&nbsp;
But then I hope it is true because I love Hansen and I love Foster and I'm an old romantic who fizzes over the edge of the glass in excitement at what would be/could be one of the great redemption stories in all of sport.&nbsp;
Both have issues with rugby and rules and unions. Foster especially got treated abysmally. How good could it feel to march back into the dressing room and say "Hello lads. Now where were we before I was so rudely interrupted?"&nbsp;
But for the union, this is why it can't be true. You don’t go to a Hansen or a Foster and say have an application form and see what you think.&nbsp;
You beg for such talent to frequent your business! And if you're asking them to apply, what are you saying to Jamie Joseph and Co. who might be asking why they're looking for reheats when they're there. Not a bad point.&nbsp;
See? It would be way better if none of this were true.&nbsp;
Mind you it would be way better if they hadn't sacked Scott Robertson mid-term with a mass pay out and a restraint of trade with no clear plan going forward.&nbsp;
This is almost so good it can't be real, while also being so bad it shouldn’t be real.&nbsp;
The key of course is to win the world cup and if we do that no one will care who the coach is.&nbsp;
But that bit seems a long way off when we currently have no coach and in front of us what could be a stroke of genius, or sheer insanity.&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: There's no way the NZRU rumour is real, right?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f142dec2-4f60-4b3f-b54a-b3e6015ed4fc/transcript

Donald Trump has called for the Republican Party to nationalise elections.  

He made the statement during his appearance on the podcast of former deputy FBI director Dan Bongino, saying the Party should seek to take over voting in at least 15 places. 

Elections are primarily run by state law, with voting administrated by local officials across the United States.  

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that nationalising the election would go against the Constitution, which says elections are governed by state law, not by any party in power. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Donald Trump has called for the Republican Party to nationalise elections. &nbsp;
He made the statement during his appearance on the podcast of former deputy FBI director Dan Bongino, saying the Party should seek to take over voting in at least 15 places.&nbsp;
Elections are primarily run by state law, with voting administrated by local officials across the United States. &nbsp;
US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that nationalising the election would go against the Constitution, which says elections are governed by state law, not by any party in power.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on Trump's call to nationalise elections

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1838a5bd-e346-4b87-bab5-b3e6015b4e0e/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 4th of February, Transport Minister Chris Bishop delves into the overhaul of the drivers licensing system. 

Mike runs through what words he can, can't, and shouldn't say after the BSA's latest swearing report. 

And Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss Peeni Henare’s resignation, the messy press conference with Labour and the Greens, and Waitangi on Politics Wednesday.

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 Wednesday 4th of February, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/chris-bishop-transport-minister-on-the-overhaul-of-the-drivers-licensing-system/">Transport Minister Chris Bishop</a> delves into the overhaul of the drivers licensing system.&nbsp;
Mike runs through what words he can, can't, and shouldn't say after the BSA's latest swearing report.&nbsp;
And <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/pollies-nationals-mark-mitchell-and-labours-ginny-andersen-on-peeni-henaris-resignation-labour-and-green-press-conference-waitangi/">Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell</a> discuss Peeni Henare’s resignation, the messy press conference with Labour and the Greens, and Waitangi on Politics Wednesday.
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 04 February 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a96f1d78-bfd6-467a-a87c-b3e6014c8e12/transcript

Pollies: National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen on Peeni Henare's resignation, Labour and Green press conference, Waitangi

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