Sir Rod Drury believes it's New Zealand's time to step up and make a big difference in the world. 

The Xero founder has been crowned the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. 

The judges noted in the ceremony last night his driving innovation, empowerment of Kiwi tech leaders, and his venture philanthropy. 

He's involved in multiple projects including pushing for expansion of renewable power and electrified transport. 

Drury told Mike Hosking the world is scary, and Kiwis need to stick together and use our values to contribute to the world. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Sir Rod Drury believes it's New Zealand's time to step up and make a big difference in the world.&nbsp;
The Xero founder has been crowned the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.&nbsp;
The judges noted in the ceremony last night his driving innovation, empowerment of Kiwi tech leaders, and his venture philanthropy.&nbsp;
He's involved in multiple projects including pushing for expansion of renewable power and electrified transport.&nbsp;
Drury told Mike Hosking the world is scary, and Kiwis need to stick together and use our values to contribute to the world.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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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

Sir Rod Drury: Xero Founder on being named the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/834165ed-ec42-446d-b113-b4120144bd23/transcript

Obviously Chris Hipkins would disagree, but Donald Trump surely wins the "crap week of the week" award, given his week has material outcomes for all of us and Hipkins’ is just a personal mess gone ugly and public. 

The war itself doesn’t appear to be any different at the end of week three than it was at the end of week two, or indeed week one. 

Every indication is Iran is being obliterated. They have three major kills and the fact we have yet to actually see and hear the new Supreme Leader indicates the suggestion he is dead, or disfigured, rings more true by the day. 

The attacks on Gulf facilities shows Iranian desperation. But the number of attacks continues to drop. 

The marines are on the way and the B2's are dropping the massive 5000kg bombs around the Strait of Hormuz to presumably clear the way for them. 

So, war wise there's nothing new to report. Trump could call it off any moment and claim victory, remembering claiming something is not always the reality. 

But, and it's a massive "but", he asked for help on the Strait and short of the French possibly helping, once it's all settled and the sun is out, he got nothing. He got worse than nothing – he got the middle finger. 

A world weary of his arrogance, threats and bullying told him to get stuffed. "It's not our problem.” 

At which point he went straight to his baby act of whining and bleating and moaning. 

The Strait is a problem and he made it so. Whether they never planned for it or thought about it doesn’t matter because they created it and his voters are paying. 

They're paying a fortune for gas, the market is sinking, the two things he cares most about (the Dow and the bloke at the bowser) aren't working for him and that’s why this thing will still end sooner rather than later. 

Small side note - when he says America doesn’t need the Strait, half of America's generics medicine comes from India. India gets their material through the Gulf. There isn't an American not on a pill or potion. 

So he's hurt them at the pump, and he's hurt them at Walgreens. It's a disaster, so he has to fix it. 

They said it'll be over in 4-6 weeks. They still say 4-6 but it'll be more six, than four. 

But the stakes are too high, not in Iran, but in Ohio and Minnesota and Georgia. That’s where the real war is. 

Obviously Chris Hipkins would disagree, but Donald Trump surely wins the "crap week of the week" award, given his week has material outcomes for all of us and Hipkins’ is just a personal mess gone ugly and public.&nbsp;
The war itself doesn’t appear to be any different at the end of week three than it was at the end of week two, or indeed week one.&nbsp;
Every indication is Iran is being obliterated. They have three major kills and the fact we have yet to actually see and hear the new Supreme Leader indicates the suggestion he is dead, or disfigured, rings more true by the day.&nbsp;
The attacks on Gulf facilities shows Iranian desperation. But the number of attacks continues to drop.&nbsp;
The marines are on the way and the B2's are dropping the massive 5000kg bombs around the Strait of Hormuz to presumably clear the way for them.&nbsp;
So, war wise there's nothing new to report. Trump could call it off any moment and claim victory, remembering claiming something is not always the reality.&nbsp;
But, and it's a massive "but", he asked for help on the Strait and short of the French possibly helping, once it's all settled and the sun is out, he got nothing. He got worse than nothing – he got the middle finger.&nbsp;
A world weary of his arrogance, threats and bullying told him to get stuffed. "It's not our problem.”&nbsp;
At which point he went straight to his baby act of whining and bleating and moaning.&nbsp;
The Strait is a problem and he made it so. Whether they never planned for it or thought about it doesn’t matter because they created it and his voters are paying.&nbsp;
They're paying a fortune for gas, the market is sinking, the two things he cares most about (the Dow and the bloke at the bowser) aren't working for him and that’s why this thing will still end sooner rather than later.&nbsp;
Small side note - when he says America doesn’t need the Strait, half of America's generics medicine comes from India. India gets their material through the Gulf. There isn't an American not on a pill or potion.&nbsp;
So he's hurt them at the pump, and he's hurt them at Walgreens. It's a disaster, so he has to fix it.&nbsp;
They said it'll be over in 4-6 weeks. They still say 4-6 but it'll be more six, than four.&nbsp;
But the stakes are too high, not in Iran, but in Ohio and Minnesota and Georgia. That’s where the real war is.&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: The worst week for Trump's war

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c6fb3334-8d80-40f0-9c56-b412015bc835/transcript

After two victories at home to start the season, the Warriors are heading across the ditch. 

They’re facing off against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday – their first away game of the 2026 season.  

Both teams are dealing with injuries, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kurt Capewell missing from the Warriors side, and Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown from the Australian side.  

Former Warriors Captain Monty Betham told Mike Hosking that the Knights are also entering the clash two for two, Ponga’s absence could be quite the blow, as they haven’t managed a win in the last ten matches he was missing.  

He says that while it may be the Warriors’ first away game and there’s a few injury issues, but with the confidence from the last two weeks, they have a good chance of going three for three. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

After two victories at home to start the season, the Warriors are heading across the ditch.&nbsp;
They’re facing off against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday – their first away game of the 2026 season. &nbsp;
Both teams are dealing with injuries, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kurt Capewell missing from the Warriors side, and Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown from the Australian side. &nbsp;
Former Warriors Captain Monty Betham told Mike Hosking that the Knights are also entering the clash two for two, Ponga’s absence could be quite the blow, as they haven’t managed a win in the last ten matches he was missing. &nbsp;
He says that while it may be the Warriors’ first away game and there’s a few injury issues, but with the confidence from the last two weeks, they have a good chance of going three for three.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Monty Betham: Former Warriors Captain previews the clash against the Newcastle Knights

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d56d9a66-ed76-447b-b6a5-b412015a166d/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 20th of March, Finance Minister Nicola Willis explains what the Government is looking to do as fuel prices continue to rise.  

New Zealander of the Year Sir Rod Drury joins us in studio after winning the 2026 award. 

And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss some of this week’s guests on the show and the state of the world at the moment as they Wrap the Week.

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 Friday 20th of March, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nicola-willis-finance-minister-on-the-state-of-fuel-prices-and-reserves-and-the-gdp-rising-by-02-in-the-december-quarter/">Finance Minister Nicola Willis</a> explains what the Government is looking to do as fuel prices continue to rise. &nbsp;
New Zealander of the Year <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/sir-rod-drury-xero-founder-on-being-named-the-2026-kiwibank-new-zealander-of-the-year/">Sir Rod Drury</a> joins us in studio after winning the 2026 award.&nbsp;
And <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/wrapping-the-week-with-kate-hawkesby-and-tim-wilson-breakfast-guests-and-geopolitics/">Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson</a> discuss some of this week’s guests on the show and the state of the world at the moment as they Wrap the Week.
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: 20 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e6722da7-e570-48b2-8047-b412014c9240/transcript

Sir Rod Drury: Xero Founder on being named the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year

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