The army is ramping up combat training amid growing Indo-Pacific security risks. 

Senior commanders say the pressure on our defence forces is greater than at any point in recent memory, citing a dangerous strategic backdrop of Chinese expansion in the Pacific and an increasingly unstable world order. 

Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp told Mike Hosking we actually had a much bigger deployment in the first part of the century, but pressures have shifted. 

He says uncertainty has replaced predictability, which has created a level of anxiety everyone's experiencing.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The army is ramping up combat training amid growing Indo-Pacific security risks.&nbsp;
Senior commanders say the pressure on our defence forces is greater than at any point in recent memory, citing a dangerous strategic backdrop of Chinese expansion in the Pacific and an increasingly unstable world order.&nbsp;
Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp told Mike Hosking we actually had a much bigger deployment in the first part of the century, but pressures have shifted.&nbsp;
He says uncertainty has replaced predictability, which has created a level of anxiety everyone's experiencing. &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

Wayne Mapp: Former Defence Minister on the Defence Force ramping up combat training amid growing pressure from regional security threats

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3ce38c35-94eb-4def-b47c-b4240149be34/transcript

So what is the alternative to what Trump has done in Iran? 

The answer was discussed at a meeting over the weekend. 

The British appeared to host it. 40 countries took part, including ours, and they were talking about what you might remember is the “global rules-based approach”. 

That broadly was the way things were done pre-Trump. 

We would have a meeting, agree roughly on a course of action and then head off to the global body that deals with such weighty matters – the United Nations. 

The resolution post the meeting was a vote would be held to all chip in and get the Strait of Hormuz open. 

The vote was due Saturday. It didn’t happen. It got delayed. 

Why? Because people started objecting to it, and that is the rules-based order for you. 

The United Nations, at moments like this, is bordering on pointless. 

The Security Council has permanent members, and the permanent members have veto votes. If one person doesn’t like the idea, it's off. 

So the model, such as it is, requires everyone to agree on an idea and when on one side of the table you have the US and on the other you have Russia or China, what do you reckon the chances of that happening are? 

So, nothing gets done. Which is why Iran has been able to get away with what they have for 50 years. 

Every time it gets to the edge, or a point where people start to panic a bit, off to the UN we go, have a debate, maybe a vote, wag a finger or two, maybe agree to a nuclear inspection or two – but then ultimately nothing happens. 

And so it carries on around, and around, and around. 

Which doesn’t make Trump right or unilateral moves on war particularly acceptable. But it does highlight the futility of a system that has failed on the Iran issue for five decades and puts it up against a unilateral decision that, at the very least, has set back Iran for years. 

Most of the world argues for rules-based decision making. 

Most of the world argues what Trump has done is illegal. 

One of the questions though: which one is more effective and actually gets things done? 

So what is the alternative to what Trump has done in Iran?&nbsp;
The answer was discussed at a meeting over the weekend.&nbsp;
The British appeared to host it. 40 countries took part, including ours, and they were talking about what you might remember is the “global rules-based approach”.&nbsp;
That broadly was the way things were done pre-Trump.&nbsp;
We would have a meeting, agree roughly on a course of action and then head off to the global body that deals with such weighty matters – the United Nations.&nbsp;
The resolution post the meeting was a vote would be held to all chip in and get the Strait of Hormuz open.&nbsp;
The vote was due Saturday. It didn’t happen. It got delayed.&nbsp;
Why? Because people started objecting to it, and that is the rules-based order for you.&nbsp;
The United Nations, at moments like this, is bordering on pointless.&nbsp;
The Security Council has permanent members, and the permanent members have veto votes. If one person doesn’t like the idea, it's off.&nbsp;
So the model, such as it is, requires everyone to agree on an idea and when on one side of the table you have the US and on the other you have Russia or China, what do you reckon the chances of that happening are?&nbsp;
So, nothing gets done. Which is why Iran has been able to get away with what they have for 50 years.&nbsp;
Every time it gets to the edge, or a point where people start to panic a bit, off to the UN we go, have a debate, maybe a vote, wag a finger or two, maybe agree to a nuclear inspection or two – but then ultimately nothing happens.&nbsp;
And so it carries on around, and around, and around.&nbsp;
Which doesn’t make Trump right or unilateral moves on war particularly acceptable. But it does highlight the futility of a system that has failed on the Iran issue for five decades and puts it up against a unilateral decision that, at the very least, has set back Iran for years.&nbsp;
Most of the world argues for rules-based decision making.&nbsp;
Most of the world argues what Trump has done is illegal.&nbsp;
One of the questions though: which one is more effective and actually gets things done?&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: Trump's way or the UN way

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/716b11ed-113b-4055-8fd9-b42401671827/transcript

The European Union’s longest serving leader is at risk of losing his seat. 

Viktor Orbán has been Hungary’s Prime Minister for 16 years, but opinion polls suggest his opponent, Péter Magyar, will defeat him at the April 12 election. 

While he’s clashed with the rest of the EU, Orbán is considered Vladimir Putin’s strongest ally in the union, and he was endorsed by US President Donald Trump. 

Europe Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking Orbán’s been on the back foot, but one thing that may impact the election is what’s now been labelled as a ‘false flag operation.’ 

She says the claims explosives were found near a pipeline was intended to arouse sympathy for the Prime Minister, and make it look as though he’s the man who keeps Hungary safe from outside influences. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The European Union’s longest serving leader is at risk of losing his seat.&nbsp;
Viktor Orbán has been Hungary’s Prime Minister for 16 years, but opinion polls suggest his opponent, Péter Magyar, will defeat him at the April 12 election.&nbsp;
While he’s clashed with the rest of the EU, Orbán is considered Vladimir Putin’s strongest ally in the union, and he was endorsed by US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;
Europe Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking Orbán’s been on the back foot, but one thing that may impact the election is what’s now been labelled as a ‘false flag operation.’&nbsp;
She says the claims explosives were found near a pipeline was intended to arouse sympathy for the Prime Minister, and make it look as though he’s the man who keeps Hungary safe from outside influences.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Catherine Field: Europe Correspondent on Hungary's national election, Viktor Orbán risking losing his seat as Prime Minister

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f99fa054-a246-4e3c-8179-b4240165720a/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 7th of April, Iran has rejected a proposed ceasefire with the US and Iran, while Trump says a 45-day ceasefire was a ‘significant step’ but ‘not good enough’ for him to sign. 

The Prime Minister discusses the fuel situation, the United Nations vote, or lack of, and whether we should be following Australia with their extra 50 tankers.   

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk the woeful Warriors, whether Super Rugby missed a trick by giving most teams the weekend off, and the unique ways our guests get around the high price of butter! 

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 Tuesday 7th of April, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/gil-barndollar-former-us-marine-on-the-ongoing-conflict-between-the-us-and-iran/">Iran has rejected a proposed ceasefire with the US and Iran</a>, while Trump says a 45-day ceasefire was a ‘significant step’ but ‘not good enough’ for him to sign.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-on-new-zealands-fuel-supply-amid-continuing-conflict-in-the-middle-east/">The Prime Minister</a> discusses the fuel situation, the United Nations vote, or lack of, and whether we should be following Australia with their extra 50 tankers. &nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/commentary-box-andrew-saville-and-jason-pine-discuss-super-rugby-pacific-warriors-v-sharks-supercars-anz-premiership/">Jason Pine and Andrew Saville</a> talk the woeful Warriors, whether Super Rugby missed a trick by giving most teams the weekend off, and the unique ways our guests get around the high price of butter!&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: 07 April 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5592f720-46df-4be0-aede-b424015d03fe/transcript

Wayne Mapp: Former Defence Minister on the Defence Force ramping up combat training amid growing pressure from regional security threats

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