The end is nigh in the UK election.

Polling booths open at 5pm New Zealand time today.

It comes after a seven week campaign sparked by Prime Minister Theresa May's call for a snap election. But recent polling hasn't been in her favour.

UK correspondent Rod Liddle said Mrs May has been "mortally wounded" in the campaign.

"This has been a disastrous campaign, there's no getting away from it. Full of complacency and arrogance."

And he said her competition looks safe whatever happens.

"As a consequence of tomorrow, it would seem to be that Jeremy Corbyn is safe as the leader of the Labour Party, because he performed much better than many people expected him to."

LISTEN ABOVE AS ROD LIDDLE SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

Waikato's soaring up the ranks of the world's best universities... through some smart admin.

The World University Rankings for the last three years have seen Waikato University climb 100 places, up to 292nd.

This puts the university into the top 1.1 percent.

Vice-chancellor Neil Quigley told Mike Hosking it's a combination of having good research, and taking rankings seriously.

"It's also important that you understand what the ranking agencies are looking for, and you put some effort into the data returns that we're required to provide them.

"I think the ranking change reflects the recognition of underlying strength that's been here for a while, and just us doing a better job of telling our story," Professor Quigley said.

LISTEN ABOVE AS WAIKATO UNIVERSITY VICE CHANCELLOR NEIL QUIGLEY SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

Grant Dalton, the man who must have had his heart in his mouth yesterday, is full of confidence today.

Racing has been postponed in Bermuda because of high winds, giving Team New Zealand another day to pull itself together after the dramatic pitchpole yesterday.

Boss Grant Dalton said Aotearoa is currently a 7.5 out of 10, but will be 9.8 out of 10 by tomorrow.

He told Mike Hosking most of the damage was superficial and looked worse than it was.

"But you don't really know that until you get back and assess completely what the damage is, but no structural damage, daggerboards are fine, rudderboards are fine, we're ready to go."

Dalton said there's no doubt the fact today's high winds have seen racing postponed, is a bonus.

He said it means they can get the boat back to tip top condition.

LISTEN TO TEAM NZ BOSS GRANT DALTON SPEAK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE

Finance Minister Steven Joyce and Labour MP Stuart Nash join Mike Hosking for politics Wednesday.

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The Canterbury Rugby Union's feeling let down by the response of a Christchurch club to alleged racial abuse.

Last week the Shirley Rugby Club received a formal complaint about a racial slur from an Under 10s coach.

The club told the complainant that because the event happened in a car park, it's not their issue to investigate.

Canterbury Union CEO Nathan Godfrey said that's not good enough.

"I'm really disappointed personally that they choose to draw a line between a public carpark and the sideline of a rugby ground. It certainly indicates they've acted in isolation. We only found out about this last Friday via social media."

 

Mr Godfrey said amateur clubs need better training to respond to allegations like this.

"Clearly, as a governing body the Canterbury Rugby Union is responsible but we rely on some open lines of communication, so we'll certainly follow up at the end of the judicial process and talk about that."

LISTEN ABOVE AS CANTERBURY UNION CEO NATHAN GODFREY SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

There is concern about the number of young children being prescribed Prozac-style antidepressants.

There are now 15,000 children on such medication. That number has nearly doubled in the last decade.

A mother, whose seven-year-old son was prescribed antidepressants, told Mike Hosking his anxiety was so severe he couldn't go to school.

But she's not entirely confident he should be on the medication.

"There is research to say that children are twice as likely to feel suicidal on antidepressants," she said.

She's calling for a greater focus on therapy for young people suffering from mental illness, rather than drugs.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

All Black legend Christian Cullen spoke to Mike Hosking about the Blues' game against the British and Irish Lions tonight.

Cullen is commentating the match and says the Blues are a good side, but if the Lions lose the game then the series may be disappointing.

Former Lions lock Ben Kay has slammed New Zealand sports fans as "among the most arrogant in the world" and says it is almost impossible for a touring rugby side to win respect here.

RTE's rugby correspondent, Michael Corcoran, is touring with the Lions and joined Mike Hosking for a chat.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

The Prime Minister plans to tell the US Secretary of State how disappointed he is with their withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement last week, claiming he had to do so to protect America and its citizens.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in the country today for his first official visit.

Prime Minister Bill English told Mike Hosking the US had signalled it would pull out of the deal.

"We'll make it clear we don't agree with their decision, but we remain committed to the Paris Agreement and the pretty challenging targets that we've set under that," he said.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

Meanwhile, the Government is looking into sending additional troops to Afghanistan at the request of the United States.

Mr English said in making the decision, the Government will consider the recent terror attacks in the United Kingdom, where Kiwis "could have been at risk".

"We want to play our small but significant role in protecting our citizens around the world," he said.

Mr English said although they've yet to make a decision, everyone would expect New Zealand to play a role.

"Iraq and Afghanistan are places which could be havens for the growth of terrorism. We're working with others to help stabilise those countries, in our case through training troops, which we're internationally recognised as very good, and we would expect to continue that."

A visit from the US Secretary of State's a signal of New Zealand's solid relationship with the country.

Rex Tillerson is arriving in the capital today, likely talking trade with our Prime Minister, and probably avoiding the Paris Climate Agreement discussion.

United States New Zealand Council executive director Fiona Cooper told Mike Hosking the visit means we're on the radar.

"Secretary Tillerson has only been in the job for about four months and I think it is very exciting he's chosen to come to New Zealand so early in his tenure."

Mr Tillerson advised President Trump to stay in the global climate deal.

Ms Cooper told Mike Hosking it's a good time to raise issues like this.

"The fact that he's taken a day out of his very busy schedule to pop over for a chat, shows that he values the friendship between our two countries and I think that's always a valuable opportunity to exchange views."

LISTEN ABOVE AS UNITED STATES NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FIONA COOPER SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING