In this week's roundup, hosts Dieuwe De Boer and William McGimpsey dive headfirst into a whirlwind of global and local politics. From Trump's bombshell foreign policy moves—verbally annexing Gaza and dismantling DEI initiatives across the U.S.—to New Zealand's own political inertia, the duo unpack a volatile mix of international drama and domestic frustration. While Trump aggressively reshapes America's global role, New Zealand's government stalls on promises to curb divisive diversity mandates, highlighted by the high-profile banning of Janet Dickson for rejecting cultural training.

Waitangi Day also takes centre stage, with tensions flaring as the Māori Party pushes for a Treaty Commissioner with sweeping veto powers over legislation, stirring fears about the erosion of democracy. The hosts lament the politicisation of a day that should foster unity, reflecting on how entrenched bureaucracy and ideological battles are stalling progress in both hemispheres. Whether it's Trump’s high-stakes geopolitical gambits or New Zealand's internal cultural tug-of-war, it’s clear that 2025 is off to a turbulent start.