This year's international politics have been unstable to say the least.Trump's Tariffs, Gaza, Ukraine and the Epstein Files have been gifts that keep giving...or not.

But closer to home we've managed to dodge declarations of war. However, there's still lots to reflect on and discuss.

Former Speaker of the House Sir Lockwood Smith and Auckland Councilman Richard Hills join Tim Beveridge to wrap the year's politics, and give an insight into what to expect next year.

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Nato chief Mark Rutte warns Western allies to prepare for war with Russia.

He said that within the next five years, Nato countries will need to be prepared for a scale of war that hasn't been seen since our grandparents or great-grandparents.

Donald Trump is due to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly regarding a peace deal.

And the U.S. is keeping very busy as they've also seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela this week.

The tanker went off course two days after its departure, listed to head for a Cuban port but rather off-loading part of its load to another ship before heading toward Asia.

It was seized shortly after this.

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It's been a week of back and forth for the Taxpayers' Union and the Finance Minister.

Nicola Willis has challenged Union chair and former finance minister Ruth Richardson to a debate, which was met with a sweet treat sent to Nicola and media.

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