The Mike Hosking Breakfast

There's confidence roadside drug testing won't pick up prescription drugs.  Legislation giving police powers to do random saliva tests has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.  Police should be ready to use tests late this year.  Transport Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking there will be two tests at the roadside.  He says it will be testing for cocaine, ecsta...

The Law Association is calling the recent passing of sentencing law changes a great example of democracy in action. The new law caps the sentence discounts judges can apply at 40% and adds new aggravating factors. Law Association Vice President Julie-Anne Kincade told Mike Hosking issues raised —such as the wish to see the sentencing reduction proposals softened— were taken on board. She says many...

A careful balancing act on how far banks should have to go to prepare for a rainy day.  Parliament's Finance Select Committee is currently seeking feedback on whether the Reserve Bank's capital requirements for banks should be changed.  The current rules are stringent and costly.  Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Mike Hosking we also can't go too far the other w...

Lindsay McKenzie is still busy at work.  You will have forgotten the name because like so much news these days, it's hot stuff until it isn't.  Lindsay is the bloke that was appointed to watch over Wellington Council because of their dysfunction.  He has just written his second report. His first report seemed sort of sympathetic. Yes, they were a mess, but they were decent people so...

Labour's admitted the gang patch ban hasn't turned out as badly as they feared.  The Deputy Police Commissioner has confirmed staff are pleasantly surprised at the ban's effectiveness, saying it's brought more control to the situation.   It comes as Gisborne police are given more powers to deal with gangs.   Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking the fact it's g...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday the 26th of March, the national stadium debate is continuing to drag on - and Rugby World Cup CEO Martin Snedden is calling for some action.  The government has written to Labour and the Greens asking for cross party support for its RMA reform - Mike asks Chris Hipkins whether Labour will get on board .  And Mike loves the ide...

Employment confidence has bottomed out.  The Westpac-McDermott Miller index shows it's slipped to a level not seen since the post-2020 Covid lockdowns.  It's fallen in four of 11 regions —including Auckland— which dominated the national average.  EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking business is still doing it hard, directly impacting the ability to hire and expand.&n...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says compromises will need to be made in reforming the Resource Management Act.  The Government's replacing the Act with a new planning framework, including rules around land development and environment protections.  It's seeking cross-party support.  Hipkins told Mike Hosking the country's administration can't keep putting infrastructure projects on hold...

A leading Australian economist says more focus needs to be put on productivity to pull Australia out of a deficit.  The federal Budget announced yesterday included tax cuts and cost of living relief for households.  HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham told Mike Hosking with big spending measures announced in the lead up to the election, deficits to the tens of billions are forecast for yea...

There's a belief the bigger problem with Auckland's stadiums is not having the right sized venues.   Councillors are set to vote tomorrow on whether to back Eden Park 2-point-1 or build a new Quay Park site.  The latter project can be scaled down to 20-thousand for smaller events, from 50-thousand for big ones.  But Rugby World Cup 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden told Mike Hoski...

The Police Deputy Commissioner says staff are pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness of banning gang patches.   Rival gang tensions in Gisborne mean officers have just been given extra powers to search and impound vehicles and seize weapons, following eight incidents in a week.   Tania Kura told Mike Hosking the gang patch ban has been really good for them.  She says it's brought...

French actor Gérard Depardieu's gone on trial – charged with sexually assaulting two women on a film shoot four years ago.  About 20 other women have also accused the 76-year-old of improper behaviour, but this is the first case to come to court.  He's the highest-profile figure to face accusations in the French response to the Me Too movement.  Paris Correspondent Catherine Field t...

June 2026 is not far off.  In fact, it's next year and next year is election year.  By that time, it is being reported, the interest on our national debt will be $11b.  Do you see how this works?  Not long ago the warnings were issued that it might reach $10b and at the time, it was pointed out that that is multiple times more than the Police budget.  That's just in intere...

It’s been 17 years since Pete Murray last graced Kiwi stages.  The 3x number one album selling Australian singer-songwriter has announced a 55 date tour in Australia – including four stops in New Zealand.  He’ll be in the country next month, bringing just himself and his guitar. Murray told Mike Hosking that although he last performed here 17 years ago, he’s made the journey across the d...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 25th of March, the Government is adjusting the RMA again – will this change be the end of it all?  The Prime Minister is back from India and talking Kainga Ora, councils stopping the clock, and our national debt.  Australian singer Pete Murray is coming back to New Zealand after 17 years to play some shows, so he came on for a c...

Australian beef exporters are being described as ‘lopsided and unfair’ by American farmers.  Over 20 years, the trade deficit between the two countries is thought to be $45 billion – America is hoping tariffs will fix that.   Beef + Lamb Chair Kate Acland told Mike Hosking New Zealand is not the target of America's proposed tariffs. She says the Americans’ concern is over “unfair trading...

The All Whites have secured a spot at next year's expanded football World Cup, beating New Caledonia 3-nil in the Oceania qualifying final at Auckland.  New Zealand needed an hour to score when defender Michael Boxall headed in from a corner - replacements Kosta Barbarouses and Elijah Just also struck.  This marks the third time the All Whites have qualified for the World Cup, which now...

Christopher Luxon says the country needs to get faster at building things.  The Government's announced it is replacing the Resource Management Act with a new planning framework, including new Acts around development of land and on protection of the natural environment.  It comes after the Government also announced plans to allow trusted builders to approve their own work and look at whet...

There are hopes reforms to the Resource Management Act have walked the line between development and environment.  The Government's new framework for planning includes new acts around development of land and on protection of the natural environment.  Each act includes a set of national policy direction for simplifying and streamlining local government plans and decision-making.  RMA...

A massive spike in meth use is being linked to a change in global shopping habits.    Christopher Luxon has asked ministers to look into meth use, after annual wastewater results show a 96% increase in consumption last year compared to 2023.  Massey University drug researcher Chris Wilkins told Mike Hosking it's likely a case of both people using more, and more people using.  ...

Donald Trump’s Commerce Secretary is facing backlash for his “cavalier” comments regarding Social Security.  Social Security employees have been warning that the Trump administration’s plan to cut staff will result in delayed benefit cheque.  Secretary Howard Lutnick says that anyone who complains about a missed Social Security cheque is a fraudster.  This is despite 40% of all seni...

Another swing and a miss.  Contact Energy wanted to build a wind farm in Southland. They have been turned down. They are not the first and they will not be the last.  Close to $300 million and hundreds of jobs are now not happening because of it.  Also, the need to build 15GW of additional capacity in the next 25 years will not be happening either. So far, we have built less than 3G...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 24th of March, we get the first inside look at the discussion and process behind the potential FTA agreement with India .   The public service has been asked where they think their sector can make cuts – Judith Collins explained the census as the Minister in charge of our version of DOGE.  Andrew Saville and Jason Pine discuss Li...

Canterbury rugby great Alex "Grizz" Wyllie, who died on the weekend aged 80, is being remembered for his uncompromising nature.  He played 210 games for Canterbury as a loose forward before a storied coaching career with his province and the All Blacks.  Sports journalist Andrew Saville told Mike Hosking on the Commentary Box that Wyllie loomed large in his formative years, in the good o...

New Zealand rugby has lost one of its all-time greats.  Alex "Grizz" Wyllie MBE has died at the age of 80 after excelling as both a player and coach.  Wyllie made 210 appearances for Canterbury as well as 40 matches for New Zealand, 11 of them tests.   He coached Canterbury through a three-year Ranfurly Shield reign, famously ended by Auckland at Lancaster Park in 1985.  Wyllie...