Every Wednesday, National MP Mark Mitchell and Labour Minister Stuart Nash join the Mike Hosking Breakfast to discuss all the biggest political news of the week.

This week, a reminder that politicians are also people.

Health Minister David Clark copped flak from a couple of columnists for being away on holiday with his family the week before the nurses' strike.

He was back in the country for the day of the strike. 

Stuart Nash told Mike Hosking politics takes a dreadful toll on relationships and friendships.

"Never forget that after politics you're still a father, you're still a husband, you're still a wife, a partner and you can't forget those relationships."

However, While Mark Mitchell agrees, he believes this was an exceptional circumstance.

"Because it was signalled so far out and because it was pretty unprecedented, 30 years since we have had strike action like this, very, very serious matter, it probably would have been prudent that he was in the country."

LISTEN ABOVE AS STUART NASH AND MARK MITCHELL SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING