The Mike Hosking Breakfast

I wish I had the Minister's positivity around teaching.  As you will have heard, we are short of teachers. We aren’t training as many teachers as we used to, so increasingly, we’ll need to bring more of them into the country.  The Minister suggested—optimistically, I think—that it's about more than just pay. It's about resources and support, which I’m sure is true. But the question remai...

This week on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest topics of the short week so far. They discussed New Zealand First's new Member's Bill calling to legally define gender, conscience votes, and Kieran McAnulty's Easter bill. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 23rd of April, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with Sir Keir Starmer, signing a new weapons deal.   NZ First are occupying themselves with gender issues, trying to follow the UK Supreme Courts decision - we talk to Suzanne Levy from Speak up for Women about the bill.   Mark Mitchell and Ginny Anderson discuss conscien...

Key services are lagging behind in Canterbury's Selwyn district as it tries to cope with exponential population growth.  Stats NZ data shows it remains the fastest growing district in the country, with 3200 new arrivals in the year to June.  Rolleston and Lincoln experienced the biggest jumps, at 9.6% and 8.1% respectively.  Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosk...

The Catholic Church is at a crossroads as it prepares to vote for a new leader.  Pope Francis died aged 88 on Easter Monday following a stroke and heart failure.   His funeral will take place outside St Peter's Basilica on Saturday evening, and then Cardinals will be summoned to Rome to elect his successor.   NPR Vatican correspondent Christopher White told Mike Hosking it's anyone'...

The International Monetary Fund is slashing its global growth forecasts due to impact of Donald Trump's tariffs, and expects the US to be hit particularly hard.  US markets have been rallying, with the White House confirming it has 18 trade deal proposals on paper, is talking with 34 countries this week, and has a China deal in the works.  But China's warning it will hit back at countrie...

A former Foreign Minister says New Zealand's new weapons deal with the UK reflects a strong relationship.  Christopher Luxon and Sir Keir Starmer have met in the UK overnight.  They've announced a deal worth more than $60 million for New Zealand-made drones and discussed the war in Ukraine.  Sir Don McKinnon told Mike Hosking it's another step in joint support for the war-torn count...

Differing opinions on New Zealand First's Members' bill regarding the definition of 'woman'.  MP Jenny Marcroft is proposing legally defining a woman as being an adult human biological female.  Rainbow Auckland co-chair Sibyl Mandow says it's a political move to be divisive, stir up hate, and generate a narrative to distract from more pressing issues.  Mandow says the bill is trying...

The Transport Minister says there's a chance the new Northland Expressway project will have a budget blowout.  The road will go from Warkworth, east of State Highway one, and over the Brynderwyn Hills to the east of the current route, then through Whangarei.   It's expected to take around 15 years to complete and is one of New Zealand's most expensive infrastructure projects.   Tran...

Some questions for you around the Reserve Bank and their funding.  Firstly, the Finance Minister is to be congratulated on her handling of the fiscal matters in reducing the expenditure by 25% – this is a DOGE like achievement.  In fact, if you have been following DOGE, what they said they would do and what they have done is like a lot of the Trump output so far, mainly hot air. So in fa...

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine joined Mike Hosking to reflect on all the sport that took place over the long Easter weekend.  They discussed the Warriors’ golden point win over the Broncos, a kick from Luke Metcalf allowing them to claim the win. Also on the agenda was the latest in Formula 1, Super Rugby, and Reiko Ioane’s sabatical location.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listen...

Organised crime syndicates could be seeking to infiltrate our sporting landscape.  The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has raised concerns about a global migration of crime into sport.  New Zealand's Sport Integrity Commission's working with its overseas counterparts and policing experts like Interpol to protect against corruption attempts.  Chief Executive Rebecca Rolls told Mike Hosk...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 22nd of April, we're still struggling to get our extra 500 cops , is fitness really holding new recruits back?  The Pope passed overnight – we get the latest out of the Vatican from our Correspondent with Edward Pentin .   Andrew Saville and Jason Pine jump in the ComBox and reflect on Luke Metcalf's kicking woes.  Get the...

Ferry and cruise passengers could be facing a new levy.  The Government is weighing up how to fund a permanent rescue tugboat for the Cook Strait, and a user pays system is on the table.   They’ve contracted MMA Vision to provide emergency cover in the meantime, but a long-term solution is still up in the air.  Maritime Union Spokesperson Victor Billot told Mike Hosking they’re happ...

Crowds are gathering to mourn following the death of the Pope.  The head of the Catholic Church died overnight at the age of 88, following a stroke, coma, and subsequent heart failure following a battle with double pneumonia.  Nine days of mourning is now underway before his funeral and his burial at Saint Mary Major.  Newstalk ZB's Catherine Field is in Paris – one of many parts of...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London, just hours after the death of Pope Francis. Luxon confirmed he spoke to the King about the death of the Pope during his meeting, but would not divulge further details. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said Luxon “enjoyed discussing New Zealand issues with the King”. Luxon said discussions with Briti...

The Associate Police Minister remains confident the Government's 500-cop recruitment target can still be reached by November.  Police bosses say they've been facing challenges.  They say more trainees are failing training, and more people have been leaving the Police force.  But Casey Costello told Mike Hosking there is still six months to go.  She says taking a monthly snapsho...

Prayer services are taking place around the world in memory of Pope Francis.  The head of the Catholic Church died overnight at the age of 88, following a stroke, coma, and subsequent heart failure after a battle with double pneumonia.  Vatican correspondent Edward Pentin says two weeks of rituals and ceremonies are now underway.  He told Mike Hosking that will begin with nine days...

At the halfway mark, can we suggest things are starting to turn for the Government?  This week we have seen the Prime Minister at Ruakura with a multi-billion dollar investment that sells the Māori economy and showcases large amounts of foreign money, as well as the potential for huge productivity gains and economic growth.  On Monday there was more money for tourism. Tourism is coming b...

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.    The Golden Visas: 7/10  Part of what's turning out to be a pretty solid run for the Government. There seems genuine interest from the wealthy to come and park up here and grow the place.    Business sales: 6/10  Demand is up, supply is down. Peopl...

My fun fact of the week, not that it's that fun or even new, given it's been around if you could be bothered looking.  In Hawke’s Bay there are 56 mayors, chairs and councillors spread across five councils. Just for Hawke’s Bay.  Not Mexico City, or London, or New York. Hawke’s Bay, in little old regional New Zealand.  This is contained in an excellent piece well worth reading over...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 17th of April, the Government has announced a $20b plan to upgrade our health infrastructure , so now we need some action.  The Commerce Commission has pushed KiwiRail to compensate the victims of cancelled Interislander ferries.   Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson wrap the short week , and we deal with Kate's first boomer moment. &...

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking a day earlier than usual, to wrap the short week before Easter.  They discussed Morgan Wallen and country music, the school holidays, and Kate has her first boomer moment.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission says it'll take KiwiRail to court if it doesn't compensate ferry customers.   The rail provider's agreed to pay those disrupted in three Interislander cancellations in early 2023.  KiwiRail had previously treated delays and cancellations from mechanical faults as out of their control, which the Commerce Commission argued misled customers.   The Commission's V...

A new electricity gentailer is entering the market with a primary focus on large-scale solar.   Lodestone Energy says it will initially focus on commercial and industrial sectors, but may expand if the market allows.   It says it’s creating it fifth solar farm with plans for up to 20 more in the next few years.   Lodestone Managing Director Gary Holden told Mike Hosking it scatters...