The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Government plans to crack down on run it straight-type events and other combat sports following lobbying from sports and health organisations. Sports Minister Mark Mitchell confirmed that work on a potential law change was progressing. Mitchell sought advice from sports officials and health experts after Palmerston North teen Ryan Satterthwaite died from a serious head injury suffered during a...

Federated Farmers has launched a five-point plan setting out what it says should be the major focuses for the next Government.  The plan focuses on reducing farming cost, enabling technology and infrastructure, empowering community conservation, supporting young farmers, and fixing local government.  Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford told Heather du Plessis-Allan that a thriving...

Unusually for me, I feel like I should come to the defence of Gen Z.  These are the kids aged 14-29. We complain a lot about them, about how soft they are, how they lack resilience, and what a bunch of complainers they are.  The latest to join in this week was Michelle Obama, who said they aren’t developing the resilience they need because of a culture of instant gratification. And then...

Mike Hosking and Kate Hawkesby are off on holiday, so Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed last night's Radio and Podcast Awards (and the afterparty), Gen Z, and whether Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee is "too grouchy".  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Super Rugby Pacific playoffs have arrived.   Christchurch is a sellout, with tickets going in twenty minutes for the Crusaders v Blues clash at One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha.   Four Kiwi sides make up the top six —the Hurricanes, the Blues, Crusaders, and Chiefs— with officials deciding to stick with the controversial “lucky loser” format.   Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley told...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Friday 5th of June, Former US Army Major General Randy Manner dives into the supposed ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.   Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley joined for a chat ahead of playoffs kicking off tonight.  And Tim Wilson and Kerre Woodham discuss the NZ Radio and Podcast Awards, kids ruining c...

More people are interested in living with family – even at the top end of the property market. Housing Survey data shows about one in 10 people want, or plan to, live with multiple generations in their next home.  Sotheby’s International Realty says wealthy buyers, like Active Investor Plus visa holders, often look for properties to accommodate this.  Managing Director Mark Harris told H...

There are hopes a new solar-powered housing model could save homeowners thousands of dollars a year in power bills.   Fletcher Living is launching a solar-home pilot at its Greenstead development in Lincoln.  Octopus Energy will manage the household's energy use, offsetting the cost of any electricity, with no bills promised for the first five years.  Chief Executive Steve Evans tol...

New data shows how unstable the construction sector is right now, with building activity dropping to a 10-year low.  Infometrics says building activity fell 3.5% in the March quarter.   The value of non-residential work in the South Island rose more than 8% as Wellington and Auckland recorded significant drops.   Combined Building Supplies Co-Op CEO Carl Taylor told Heather du Pless...

A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is already on the rocks.  Hezbollah is rejecting terms, calling them "futile" and "humiliating".  The armed militant group says the proposal is tantamount to surrender as Israeli strikes continue in southern Lebanon.  The comments come after Israel and Lebanon announced a renewal of their fragile deal.  Former US Army Major Gen...

The number of foreign teachers hired to fill gaps is at a record high.  Ministry of Education data shows of a workforce of about 78 thousand, almost 10 thousand come from abroad.  That means 12.5% of the workforce is trained overseas, rising to 13.3% among full-time teachers.  Education Minister Erica Standard told Heather du Plessis-Allan schools often recruit international teacher...

I'm not one to get excited at election time about the outside chance that small parties like Opportunity make it into Parliament.  But I reckon this year is different. If Opportunity plays this right, they might just do it.  Yesterday’s Roy Morgan poll had them at 6%.  Now, I don’t know how much stock I put in that poll because it was very volatile. National went up 5% and Labour we...

The self-proclaimed People’s Princess of Aotearoa, Chris Parker is bringing his latest tour back home.  Though he came into many people’s lives during lockdown, when his videos started going viral, he’s been a part of the Kiwi comedy scene for a lot longer, winning multiple awards at the NZ International Comedy Festival.   He’s appeared on TV shows, podcasts, and performed a lot of comed...

The All Blacks are back on TV3 – if you’re willing to wait.  The July tests against France, Italy, and Ireland will be shown delayed on both the linear TV3 and on-demand Three Now.   It’s the first major play since Sky bought the channel last year, and is aimed at converting casual viewers into paying subscribers.  Sky TV’s Head of Sport Content Gary Burchett told Heather du Plessis...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Thursday the 4th of June, Trade Minister Todd McClay shares his thoughts on Trump’s newest tariff.   Sky TV are delivering All Blacks games this year for free on delay, but in the days of streaming and social media, are we still into sport on delay?  And comedian Chris Parker explains why he’s worried about...

Te Huia train fares are rising 25% as passenger numbers surge.  Waikato Regional Council's voted to lift the $24.06 one-way fare for the trip between Hamilton and Auckland to $32.50.  Patronage in recent months rose 52% on last year, with fewer track disruptions and more reliability.  But Waikato Regional Council Chair Warren Maher told Heather du Plessis-Allan that’s not why they’r...

The wool sector is continuing its rebound.  The latest auction prices are sitting around $6.80 a kilo – the best returns in 15 years.  Strong demand and low global supply are driving the recovery.   Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the rising cost of synthetics means they’re no longer the cheap and reliable option.  He say...

A youth programme leader is delighted to see the Government prioritise early intervention through sport.   Sport and Police Minister Mark Mitchell has confirmed an $8 million cash injection for established initiatives supporting troubled young people.   Blue Light Ventures Chief Executive Brendon Crompton told Heather du Plessis Allan every dollar put into their programmes returns more t...

An MP facing Chinese sanctions is refusing to apologise for visiting Taiwan.   ACT's Laura McClure has been banned from China for a year, along with NZ First’s David Wilson, Labour’s Duncan Webb, and National’s Maureen Pugh.   The four visited the self-governing island territory last month.  McClure told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's an intimidation tactic – likely to put people off...

The Trade Minister believes the US is simply looking for a new reason to reintroduce tariffs.  The Trump administration announced a new 12.5% tariff on dozens of countries, including New Zealand, Australia, and many of our major trading partners.  It's accusing us of not doing enough to prevent the importation of goods produced by forced labour.  Todd McClay told Heather du Plessis-...

Credit to Simon Watts.  Some time ago he told me he was going to do something to stop councils like the Far North District Council.  They put ten iwi representatives, not elected by ratepayers, on a committee with six councillors who were elected, with full voting rights, thereby outnumbering the elected folk.  I sent him a text two weeks ago asking him when I should check back in w...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Wednesday 3rd of June,  Local Government Minister Simon Watts unpacks the decision for council voting to be restricted to elected members.  New tourism stats show we are becoming a luxury travel haven.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk the Budget, the ban on non-elected council representatives vot...

A Kiwi foundation is helping combat infertility around New Zealand.  Gingernut’s Angels, founded by Jaimee Lupton, was created with the goal of removing the financial barrier to starting a family. It has raised more than $3.5 million and funded 197 grants to help families access IVF and fertility treatments since it was founded in 2024.   Lupton told Heather du Plessis-Allan that a...

Labour is labelling the Government’s overhaul of council voting rights a distraction.  A Bill amendment will strip voting rights from unelected members —including iwi and youth representatives— on council committees.  It comes after the Far North District Council moved to expand its Māori liaison committee.  Labour's Ginny Andersen told Heather du Plessis-Allan the issue is not a pr...

New Zealand's cementing itself as a premium tourism destination.  Market data from Grand View Research estimates our luxury travel market brought in more than $8 million last year and could double by 2033.  Luxury Travel specialist Southern Crossings says overseas couples on their honeymoon for instance, consistently spend about the equivalent of a Central Auckland house deposit.  T...