January 22, 2026 • 10 mins
Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day -and more!
Families of young children with cystic fibrosis are celebrating a Pharmac proposal to widen access to the drug Trikafta, which is out for consultation. How good is this?
Donald Trump has laid the groundwork or a future deal involving Greenland and dropped proposed tariffs on NATO countries. What do we make of this? Do we see Trump getting his way here?
A new Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll dropped - and it indicates the current coalition Government could get re-elected. NZ First took a leap to 11.9 percent, what can we take from this?
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The huddle with New Zealand Southeby's International Realty, a name
you can trust locally and globally.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
On the hedd tonight Clear to Lord, journalist is with
us at the desk. Clear, good evening, good evening, run
good to see you as always. And Saint Zo's with us,
Mark Sainsbury, broadcaster in Wellington. Saint Zo come in, good evening,
how are you.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Yeah, good Bud, fantastic news about Luca.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Ah, so cool, so.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Good, such a good story.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yep, you know, and you know because we've obviously been
as journalists. Well actually the three of us probably over
the years have have covered stories like this and what
can we fund and what can't we fund? But to
actually hear that your child will you know, will have
a wedding, will be all of these things life events
that will be able to happen, Mark.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Yeah, and giving them the best chance.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
And they can actually date somebody, go out with someone
who they don't have to say ahead of time, don't
get too serious about me, or keep it to themselves
that they have a very limited life expectancy or risk
that they are going to be dumped. I interviewed somebody
with cystic vibrosis a few years ago, and it was
(01:08):
a very sad story of never being able to have
an ongoing serious relationship because of the limited life expectancy
and the heartbreak that would be involved on two sides.
So you know, I mean, that's fantastically life changing.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Very cool, very cool. Now let's go to Trump in Greenland.
Not so cool, although he's Pikelandiland sorry forgive me, give me, Mark.
It's interesting because the you know, this time last year
when he did all the threats and the markets went tanked,
you know, twenty percent whatever, it went crazy. This time,
(01:43):
we're a little more wise to it now, aren't we.
And we know there's going to be some sort of
back down Saino.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Yeah, the old Tago effect, isn't it. I mean, I
just I've just saying it clear. In fact, I was
talking earlier on today. We're just saying, well, we look
back and you know, sort of fifteen years time, if
we still walking the planet and go, look, you won't
believe this maniac there. It's every day. It's just incomprehensible.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
I think it'll be quite well. I mean, I hope
we're around in fifteen years. Mark, for that really poignant conversation.
But I do think that make Carney hit the nail
on the head when he said, you know, nostalgia is
not a strategy, and in fact, you know so much
as being reset with Trump. He's the most consequential politician
for a century in that sense, because for example, every
(02:31):
year people gather at the United Nations in September, occasionally
the Security Council meets. What does that mean anymore when
one of the members leading members of this, well, he's
a permanent member of the of the Security Council. And also,
you know, one of the founding members of the United
Nations and the leading partner in NATO, founding part of it.
(02:53):
When when the President of the United States declares that
it's only his own morality that he answers to act
mean for international order?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
But what did the UN mean anyway when you got
Russia and China and you got the veto. I mean,
the whole thing's a joke.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
I wouldn't call it. Oh well, I mean certainly the
need to reform it. But over the years, in the
years gone by, the ones that Mike Canty quite right,
this is we can't just recreate the effectiveness of it.
Has been effective in some situations. I mean when you
look at peacekeeping forces around the world that have kept
the peace and still are keeping the peace. But I
(03:30):
get your point. You know, we are having to look forward,
not back.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
And in some ways Mark is you know, because a
lot of people say, look, everything he's doing is bad.
But the outcomes in some ways have been good. Europe,
for example, stepping up and finally paying its own way
on defense, which they're starting to do. I mean that
is a good thing.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
They do have a bit to answer for on that
because they have been happy to step back and let
let the US sort of do those sort of the
heavy spin. But they're not out of the woods yet.
I mean, he's saying they've got this this, this, this
deal after you know, he was desperate to negotiate with
Mark Ruter. Of course, creakleously calls him daddy.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Yeah, that's a weird bit.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Weird, huh, weird, but weird, and Trump loves it. Trump
loves but they're already.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
That makes that makes But but you know, senior people
in the Danish Parliament are saying, helo.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Minute, you know this deal. You know, there's no mandate
to negotiate anything without us.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
But don't you think, don't you think it's probably going
to come down to Mark Rutter and others repackaging what
effectively exists now and presenting it to Trump as if
it's a new thing that acknowledges his concerns, that capitulates
to him in ways that flatter him. So, for example,
embassy's are sovereign territory. So you know, the American embassy
(04:55):
and Wellington, it's their sovereign territory. We can't send people
in there, we can't send the police. And example, so
the bases that they have there already and that they
can expand whenever they want, apparently under the existing agreement,
or they'll call them sovereign US territory presumably not just
bass and they'll say that that's your you know, your
inviolable territory.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
And you're getting on paper. Win.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
Yeah, give them on paper win. Repackage it carefully.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Hey, we'll be back in just a second. Clear hold
that thought, Mark, Mark Sainsbury, and clear the law on
the huddle.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
The huddle with New Zealand Southeby's International Realty the only
truly global brand twelve.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
To six news talks will be clear to law in
Mark Sainsbury on the huddle tonight, Sainso Winston's surging in
this taxpayer's union carrier pole twelve percent for close to
twelve percent for New Zealand for massive do we do
you think we just give them the PM? Just let
him b PM once, you know, before his time in
politics is just give it to him this year?
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Well, what was that Danish series that they had there
where they the minority leader held out be prime Minister.
I think it might be Norwegian. It was, it was,
it was, it was really they just had them over
a barrel. And look, it's just looking fascinating, isn't it.
Because you've got you know, the late election. Obviously you
want the extor's latest possible because I've got to bang
(06:14):
everything on an economic recovery. They've got to st of
see that happens. So you can understand giving them the
longest time. But you're also just getting back into this
these periods of people are just getting sick of the
major parties that you know, people aren't necessary happy with
the National Coalition. Luxon just hasn't worked for a lot
of people. That doesn't mean he's going to go, but
he just he's not a popular leader, and then people
(06:36):
are stored but over labor, and then you've got the
Hickens problem. It's just going to be a fascinating year. Yeah,
I think you're right, right. Let him just be Prime
Minister for.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
The next year. He's earned it, is it? Occupied? I think?
Is that the one you were thinking of? The Norwegian
political TV show?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Oh know? Yeah? No, that was the one in the
Russians invaded. This was a borgan I think it was called.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
The Woman Woman in the Party.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Here's the key vote and they said, right, you want
to support on Prime Minister.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
That's right. They're all quite good. And they're all on
Netflix too anyway.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
You know, sort of almost like a reality TV show.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Yes, almost.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Have you watched brock Buyer?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
No, Oh my gosh, I love it?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Oh really?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Which where's that on Netflix?
Speaker 3 (07:20):
On Netflix? Children do not watch You don't watch it
with any kids?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Okay, sounds good? All right?
Speaker 4 (07:28):
Winston Peter's clear, Well, I think the poles will bounce
around a bit, so I wouldn't really just hang you
hat entirely just on this one. As everyone says, it's
the trend that matters, which will be the most boring
oft repeated statement you're hear from anyone commenting on the poles,
which is a very very foolish thing to be doing
most of the time, and you know people at the moment.
(07:50):
I think Mark's right in the sense that people, you know,
neither of neither christ nor Christopher set people on fire,
despite their efforts. In the women's weeklies, for example, you'll
notice that Winston doesn't do that. You don't get at
home with Winston Peters.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
No, he doesn't do that person.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
No, despite not doing that sort of mushy thing, he
manages pretty well to maintain where.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
He is his respect.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Did not like to necessarily.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
A yeah, probably, although you know when people meet him,
they seem to like him. So I do think that
this could be his year for you know, it might
be his final election. Who knows that. You can never
say never with Winston. But I think people who are
sort of a bit fed up early in the piece,
they're probably going to say, well, I might give Winston
(08:36):
Peters go, I might give New Zealand first go. Doesn't
mean they'll vote that way because they're not committed to
doing that, but it's a feeling. It's a moment in
time now that's how people feel. So the challenges obviously
on the right for Chris Luxon and Coe to persuade
us that make us feel and make real this economic recovery.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Absolutely, he very quickly they said on the castle, it's
all about the vibe.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
That is about the vibe. Very quickly before we go
way mo in America is self driving taxis. They are
taking off and are now becoming apparently quite more aggressive
on the road. They were quite slow and courteous to
start with, but are now sort of behaving more like us.
Would you guys get in one, Mark.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yep, Yeah, I mean once you've got I don't know,
I'm not going to be the first one, but it's
a and I know why, for instance, can't wait six
it's a fantastic I've got friends like a dear friends
Mary and Ahune doesn't drive. These things would change people's lives. Yeah,
but we're going to come you know that, sooner or later.
(09:39):
But we've got to make sure that it actually it's
a bit like you know, we're talking about old diamond
before you know that. They've got to manage the technology
and make sure it's it's it's well, it's safety is
the first thing, of course, but I love the idea.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
I'd barely get in the car with you, Mark, with
the way you drive, so I don't know if I'm
going to go away mo.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
I like.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
The only thing I worry about is not the cars,
it's actually our roads, you know. That's one thing, to
head them on the freeway in the you with good
to see you both, Mark Sainsbury and Clear Delor on
the Huddle tonight.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live to
news talks it'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
The huddle with New Zealand Southeby's International Realty, a name
you can trust locally and globally.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
On the hedd tonight Clear to Lord, journalist is with
us at the desk. Clear, good evening, good evening, run
good to see you as always. And Saint Zo's with us,
Mark Sainsbury, broadcaster in Wellington. Saint Zo come in, good evening,
how are you.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Yeah, good Bud, fantastic news about Luca.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Ah, so cool, so.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Good, such a good story.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yep, you know, and you know because we've obviously been
as journalists. Well actually the three of us probably over
the years have have covered stories like this and what
can we fund and what can't we fund? But to
actually hear that your child will you know, will have
a wedding, will be all of these things life events
that will be able to happen, Mark.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Yeah, and giving them the best chance.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
And they can actually date somebody, go out with someone
who they don't have to say ahead of time, don't
get too serious about me, or keep it to themselves
that they have a very limited life expectancy or risk
that they are going to be dumped. I interviewed somebody
with cystic vibrosis a few years ago, and it was
(01:08):
a very sad story of never being able to have
an ongoing serious relationship because of the limited life expectancy
and the heartbreak that would be involved on two sides.
So you know, I mean, that's fantastically life changing.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Very cool, very cool. Now let's go to Trump in Greenland.
Not so cool, although he's Pikelandiland sorry forgive me, give me, Mark.
It's interesting because the you know, this time last year
when he did all the threats and the markets went tanked,
you know, twenty percent whatever, it went crazy. This time,
(01:43):
we're a little more wise to it now, aren't we.
And we know there's going to be some sort of
back down Saino.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Yeah, the old Tago effect, isn't it. I mean, I
just I've just saying it clear. In fact, I was
talking earlier on today. We're just saying, well, we look
back and you know, sort of fifteen years time, if
we still walking the planet and go, look, you won't
believe this maniac there. It's every day. It's just incomprehensible.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
I think it'll be quite well. I mean, I hope
we're around in fifteen years. Mark, for that really poignant conversation.
But I do think that make Carney hit the nail
on the head when he said, you know, nostalgia is
not a strategy, and in fact, you know so much
as being reset with Trump. He's the most consequential politician
for a century in that sense, because for example, every
(02:31):
year people gather at the United Nations in September, occasionally
the Security Council meets. What does that mean anymore when
one of the members leading members of this, well, he's
a permanent member of the of the Security Council. And also,
you know, one of the founding members of the United
Nations and the leading partner in NATO, founding part of it.
(02:53):
When when the President of the United States declares that
it's only his own morality that he answers to act
mean for international order?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
But what did the UN mean anyway when you got
Russia and China and you got the veto. I mean,
the whole thing's a joke.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
I wouldn't call it. Oh well, I mean certainly the
need to reform it. But over the years, in the
years gone by, the ones that Mike Canty quite right,
this is we can't just recreate the effectiveness of it.
Has been effective in some situations. I mean when you
look at peacekeeping forces around the world that have kept
the peace and still are keeping the peace. But I
(03:30):
get your point. You know, we are having to look forward,
not back.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
And in some ways Mark is you know, because a
lot of people say, look, everything he's doing is bad.
But the outcomes in some ways have been good. Europe,
for example, stepping up and finally paying its own way
on defense, which they're starting to do. I mean that
is a good thing.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
They do have a bit to answer for on that
because they have been happy to step back and let
let the US sort of do those sort of the
heavy spin. But they're not out of the woods yet.
I mean, he's saying they've got this this, this, this
deal after you know, he was desperate to negotiate with
Mark Ruter. Of course, creakleously calls him daddy.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Yeah, that's a weird bit.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Weird, huh, weird, but weird, and Trump loves it. Trump
loves but they're already.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
That makes that makes But but you know, senior people
in the Danish Parliament are saying, helo.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Minute, you know this deal. You know, there's no mandate
to negotiate anything without us.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
But don't you think, don't you think it's probably going
to come down to Mark Rutter and others repackaging what
effectively exists now and presenting it to Trump as if
it's a new thing that acknowledges his concerns, that capitulates
to him in ways that flatter him. So, for example,
embassy's are sovereign territory. So you know, the American embassy
(04:55):
and Wellington, it's their sovereign territory. We can't send people
in there, we can't send the police. And example, so
the bases that they have there already and that they
can expand whenever they want, apparently under the existing agreement,
or they'll call them sovereign US territory presumably not just
bass and they'll say that that's your you know, your
inviolable territory.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
And you're getting on paper. Win.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
Yeah, give them on paper win. Repackage it carefully.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Hey, we'll be back in just a second. Clear hold
that thought, Mark, Mark Sainsbury, and clear the law on
the huddle.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
The huddle with New Zealand Southeby's International Realty the only
truly global brand twelve.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
To six news talks will be clear to law in
Mark Sainsbury on the huddle tonight, Sainso Winston's surging in
this taxpayer's union carrier pole twelve percent for close to
twelve percent for New Zealand for massive do we do
you think we just give them the PM? Just let
him b PM once, you know, before his time in
politics is just give it to him this year?
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Well, what was that Danish series that they had there
where they the minority leader held out be prime Minister.
I think it might be Norwegian. It was, it was,
it was, it was really they just had them over
a barrel. And look, it's just looking fascinating, isn't it.
Because you've got you know, the late election. Obviously you
want the extor's latest possible because I've got to bang
(06:14):
everything on an economic recovery. They've got to st of
see that happens. So you can understand giving them the
longest time. But you're also just getting back into this
these periods of people are just getting sick of the
major parties that you know, people aren't necessary happy with
the National Coalition. Luxon just hasn't worked for a lot
of people. That doesn't mean he's going to go, but
he just he's not a popular leader, and then people
(06:36):
are stored but over labor, and then you've got the
Hickens problem. It's just going to be a fascinating year. Yeah,
I think you're right, right. Let him just be Prime
Minister for.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
The next year. He's earned it, is it? Occupied? I think?
Is that the one you were thinking of? The Norwegian
political TV show?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Oh know? Yeah? No, that was the one in the
Russians invaded. This was a borgan I think it was called.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
The Woman Woman in the Party.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Here's the key vote and they said, right, you want
to support on Prime Minister.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
That's right. They're all quite good. And they're all on
Netflix too anyway.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
You know, sort of almost like a reality TV show.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Yes, almost.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Have you watched brock Buyer?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
No, Oh my gosh, I love it?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Oh really?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Which where's that on Netflix?
Speaker 3 (07:20):
On Netflix? Children do not watch You don't watch it
with any kids?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Okay, sounds good? All right?
Speaker 4 (07:28):
Winston Peter's clear, Well, I think the poles will bounce
around a bit, so I wouldn't really just hang you
hat entirely just on this one. As everyone says, it's
the trend that matters, which will be the most boring
oft repeated statement you're hear from anyone commenting on the poles,
which is a very very foolish thing to be doing
most of the time, and you know people at the moment.
(07:50):
I think Mark's right in the sense that people, you know,
neither of neither christ nor Christopher set people on fire,
despite their efforts. In the women's weeklies, for example, you'll
notice that Winston doesn't do that. You don't get at
home with Winston Peters.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
No, he doesn't do that person.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
No, despite not doing that sort of mushy thing, he
manages pretty well to maintain where.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
He is his respect.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Did not like to necessarily.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
A yeah, probably, although you know when people meet him,
they seem to like him. So I do think that
this could be his year for you know, it might
be his final election. Who knows that. You can never
say never with Winston. But I think people who are
sort of a bit fed up early in the piece,
they're probably going to say, well, I might give Winston
(08:36):
Peters go, I might give New Zealand first go. Doesn't
mean they'll vote that way because they're not committed to
doing that, but it's a feeling. It's a moment in
time now that's how people feel. So the challenges obviously
on the right for Chris Luxon and Coe to persuade
us that make us feel and make real this economic recovery.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Absolutely, he very quickly they said on the castle, it's
all about the vibe.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
That is about the vibe. Very quickly before we go
way mo in America is self driving taxis. They are
taking off and are now becoming apparently quite more aggressive
on the road. They were quite slow and courteous to
start with, but are now sort of behaving more like us.
Would you guys get in one, Mark.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yep, Yeah, I mean once you've got I don't know,
I'm not going to be the first one, but it's
a and I know why, for instance, can't wait six
it's a fantastic I've got friends like a dear friends
Mary and Ahune doesn't drive. These things would change people's lives. Yeah,
but we're going to come you know that, sooner or later.
(09:39):
But we've got to make sure that it actually it's
a bit like you know, we're talking about old diamond
before you know that. They've got to manage the technology
and make sure it's it's it's well, it's safety is
the first thing, of course, but I love the idea.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
I'd barely get in the car with you, Mark, with
the way you drive, so I don't know if I'm
going to go away mo.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
I like.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
The only thing I worry about is not the cars,
it's actually our roads, you know. That's one thing, to
head them on the freeway in the you with good
to see you both, Mark Sainsbury and Clear Delor on
the Huddle tonight.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live to
news talks it'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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