Thousands have gathered in Arizona for the memorial service of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.

Among those in attendance is a number of Republican politicians and high-profile names including The President, Vice President and Elon Musk.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold says that the rise of political discourse around free speech has grown alongside the grieving.

'Seen by most as completely abhorrent alongside the grieving, we've also seen a growing political debate over freedom of speech.'

LISTEN ABOVE

Thousands have gathered in Arizona for the memorial service of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
Among those in attendance is a number of Republican politicians and high-profile names including The President, Vice President and Elon Musk.
US Correspondent Richard Arnold says that the rise of political discourse around free speech has grown alongside the grieving.
'Seen by most as completely abhorrent alongside the grieving, we've also seen a growing political debate over freedom of speech.'
LISTEN ABOVE

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

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent shares the latest updates from Charlie Kirk memorial service

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ae0064d2-a31f-4b3a-ba65-b35f014a468e/transcript

Christchurch-based singer-songwriter Lee Martin is yet another example of the incredible talent produced in New Zealand. 

She’s a highly acclaimed musician, both here and around the world, with multiple awards, millions of streams, and sold-out performances under her belt. 

And soon Martin will be releasing her fourth album, Marlene, coming out mid-July.  

“I think this is probably my best work yet,” she told Mike Hosking. 

“I was listening to some of my old songs last night, and I’m like, there’s a massive change and a massive shift – so yeah, I am very proud of it.” 

The shift is not only sonic, but stems from a change in Martin’s own mindset when it comes to the creation of her art.  

“I think I’m being a little bit more true to my own sound,” she explained. 

“I’m less shaped by producers or external factors – I'm kind of just doing what I really want to do.”  

In the past, Martin admits to chasing approval when it comes to her sound. 

“I was so, you know, desperate for, I don’t know, some kind of success.” 

But as she’s grown both as a person and an artist, she’s stopped caring quite so much about if others think she’s going down the right path. 

“I just want to put out my music, and I just want it to be what it is,” she told Hosking. 

“I don’t want to just shape and form towards, you know, to what other people are expecting.”  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Christchurch-based singer-songwriter Lee Martin is yet another example of the incredible talent produced in New Zealand.&nbsp;
She’s a highly acclaimed musician, both here and around the world, with multiple awards, millions of streams, and sold-out performances under her belt.&nbsp;
And soon Martin will be releasing her fourth album, Marlene, coming out mid-July. &nbsp;
“I think this is probably my best work yet,” she told Mike Hosking.&nbsp;
“I was listening to some of my old songs last night, and I’m like, there’s a massive change and a massive shift – so yeah, I am very proud of it.”&nbsp;
The shift is not only sonic, but stems from a change in Martin’s own mindset when it comes to the creation of her art. &nbsp;
“I think I’m being a little bit more true to my own sound,” she explained.&nbsp;
“I’m less shaped by producers or external factors – I'm kind of just doing what I really want to do.” &nbsp;
In the past, Martin admits to chasing approval when it comes to her sound.&nbsp;
“I was so, you know, desperate for, I don’t know, some kind of success.”&nbsp;
But as she’s grown both as a person and an artist, she’s stopped caring quite so much about if others think she’s going down the right path.&nbsp;
“I just want to put out my music, and I just want it to be what it is,” she told Hosking.&nbsp;
“I don’t want to just shape and form towards, you know, to what other people are expecting.” &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Lee Martin: Kiwi singer-songwriter talks musical development, upcoming album 'Marlene'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/81bc1649-05d3-4046-8a0a-b4570164aba9/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 28th of May, it's Budget Day, so we did a quickfire round with four of the biggest and most expectant sectors. 

Reserve Bank Governor Dr Anna Breman talks about being the defining vote in holding our Official Cash Rate. 

Kiwi singer Lee Martin tells us about her music journey and gives a performance of the latest single from her upcoming album.   

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 Thursday 28th of May, it's Budget Day, so we did a quickfire round with <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/luke-bradford-nick-leggett-steve-mccracken-and-katherine-rich-industry-leaders-key-hopes-for-budget-2026/">four of the biggest and most expectant sectors</a>.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/anna-breman-reserve-bank-governor-unpacks-the-decision-to-hold-the-official-cash-rate-at-225/">Reserve Bank Governor Dr Anna Breman</a> talks about being the defining vote in holding our Official Cash Rate.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/lee-martin-kiwi-singer-songwriter-talks-musical-development-upcoming-album-marlene/">Kiwi singer Lee Martin</a> tells us about her music journey and gives a performance of the latest single from her upcoming album. &nbsp;&nbsp;
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: 28 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6b638423-a9d6-4000-bc04-b457015d6efc/transcript

Is there a lifeline for Moana Pasifika? 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has hinted at “good news” for the embattled club, and is reportedly instructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to look into proposals. 

Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol told Mike Hosking that from a player’s perspective, the team hasn’t been set up for success, but they remain optimistic it can happen. 

He says there’s two to three key areas that need to be nailed for Moana Pasifika to be successful – it needs to be true to purpose, there needs to be a sense that it is owned by Pacific people, for Pacific people, and it has unique opportunities for commercialisation that need to be utilised well.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Is there a lifeline for Moana Pasifika?&nbsp;
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has hinted at “good news” for the embattled club, and is reportedly instructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to look into proposals.&nbsp;
Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol told Mike Hosking that from a player’s perspective, the team hasn’t been set up for success, but they remain optimistic it can happen.&nbsp;
He says there’s two to three key areas that need to be nailed for Moana Pasifika to be successful – it needs to be true to purpose, there needs to be a sense that it is owned by Pacific people, for Pacific people, and it has unique opportunities for commercialisation that need to be utilised well. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Rob Nichol: Rugby Players Association CEO on the potential lifeline for Moana Pasifika

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fa173001-5177-4c60-ab76-b4570157d86a/transcript

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent shares the latest updates from Charlie Kirk memorial service

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