The Mike Hosking Breakfast

So, who is right?  "The rental market is like musical chairs". That was a headline yesterday. Landlords are offering grocery vouchers and incentives to sign up for rentals.  But then headline number two; "Even the middle class are struggling to pay rent".  Story number three was a report I read by JB Weir about wealth transfer, which is actually a story in itself. But the upshot is...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 19th of March, there have been overnight developments on both the Ukraine and Gaza wars, and the ceasefire call between Trump and Putin seems to be a bust.  Mike recounts his troubles with One NZ and the call system.  And Mark Mitchell stays up late in India to join Ginny Andersen on Politics Wednesday , talking PPPs and Rawir...

Labour is ruling out supporting foreign investment in what it calls "critical infrastructure", including hospitals, schools, and prisons.  Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds has told Ryan Bridge there is a place for some public private partnerships but won't say which ones Labour will support.  Labour’s Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking that there some fundamental areas that they believ...

A silver-lining in otherwise bleak retail crime numbers.  Data gathered by retail crime reporting software Auror shows the number of events with weapons in 2024 was 10% higher than 2023.   It shows threatening and violent behaviour similarly increased.    But Auror Chief Executive Phil Thomson says New Zealand's still doing better than some other countries.   He told Mike...

Aotearoa's joining the Minecraft world.  Tourism New Zealand's joined forces with developer Mojang to make six Kiwi hotspots playable locations within the game.  That includes destinations Abel Tasman National Park, Waitomo Caves, and Tekapo, and is expected to generate $50 million in advertising value.  It's a cross-promotion for locally-filmed ‘The Minecraft Movie’.  Tourism...

There’s a belief better pathways to industry and trades training are needed.  A report from the New Zealand Initiative has found just 6% of 16-to-19 year-olds participate in workplace learning, while 11% are unemployed.  It states schools are geared toward university education, even though only about a third enrol in degrees.  Report author Michael Johnston says apprenticeship optio...

A relatively minor breakthrough for the US in its attempts to end hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.   Russian President Vladimir Putin's agreed to pause attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days and progress talks about a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.   It follows a call with Donald Trump, who had been seeking a temporary ceasefire on all fronts.   Edward Lucas from...

Landlords offering incentives to entice tenants is said to be a simple supply and demand issue.  Rental listings in Auckland and Wellington have seen investors offer free weeks of rent, or bonuses like supermarket vouchers and even free moped scooters for people who sign on to a lease.  Residential Property Managers' Association Chair Tony Mitchell told Mike Hosking investors are fightin...

The war in Gaza appears to be back to square one.  Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 400 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes overnight, ending a fragile truce that began in January.  Israel is vowing to ramp up the attacks towards Hamas.   International geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller told Mike Hosking it's been the deadliest 24 hour period since Novembe...

If the New Zealand Labour Party wants to get real about re-election, they should look no further than the UK Labour Party.  Keir Starmer blew up the NHS on Friday because he said it doesn't work. He says the bloating of the numbers has not improved anything.  Jobs will be lost.  Before he blew up the NHS, he attacked the welfare system. He called it unjust and unfair because, essent...

Kiwi musician Blair Jollands has made a name for himself overseas.  He works as a sound designer and composer in the film industry, as well as creating and releasing his own music.  Jollands has a wide range of film credits, but some of the most popular he left his mark on are Poldark, Shackleton, Midas Man, and Alien vs Predator.   He’s worked with a wide range of stars, including...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 18th of March, there's almost a billion dollars' worth of Covid-era business loans that need to be paid back soon.  Christopher Luxon joins Mike from out of India, having just spoken with Modi about our potential Free Trade Agreement.  Kiwi singer and music composer Blair Jollands popped over from the UK to launch his new album,...

Nearly one billion dollars is still owed as the deadline for Covid-era loans approaches.  Inland Revenue says many Small Business Cashflow loans will default in June if not paid off.   About 130,000 businesses were issued the loans, totalling $2.4 billion.   ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small told Mike Hosking he's not surprised so many owners haven't paid it back yet....

The Energy Minister is being urged to take action as a winter electricity price spike looms.  A newly released briefing to Minister Simon Watts shows supply is tight, and gas needs to be maintained until suitable alternatives are found.  It also warns some households and businesses are finding energy unaffordable.  Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie told Mike Ho...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's adamant he won't be walking away from trade negotiations with India, even if they prove difficult.   Luxon's met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explore avenues for deeper bilateral ties and make more headway towards a Free Trade Agreement.   Trade negotiations will commence next month.   Luxon told Mike Hosking there's sensitivity from the In...

The Act Party is hopeful its foray into local body elections will provide greater candidate transparency.  Leader David Seymour is calling for expressions of interest of anyone keen to stand, saying it's time for a clean out of local councillors.  Act isn't considering challenging the mayoralty in any parts of the country.   Seymour told Mike Hosking it's about ensuring voters know...

Dairy farmers are being urged to pay down debt while they're in a good position to do so.  Fonterra's already forecasting a midpoint of $10 this season.  Industry organisation Dairy NZ expects the situation to continue, forecasting a payout above $10 next season.  DairyNZ Head of Economics Mark Storey told Mike Hosking it's a good chance to clear debt while payouts are rising, and i...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 17th of March, in very exciting news we have officially started formal negotiations with India for an FTA so trade minister Todd McClay joins us out of India. Foreign Minister Winston Peters is in Washington DC ahead of talks with key Trump cabinet members. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk the F1, the Warriors and Super Rugby for the...

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is in the United States this week, meeting with members of the Trump Administration. On Wednesday he will meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.  Peters says he is approaching the administration with "eyes wide open and prepared to listen." LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've received another one of these “the Government went against official advice“ stories. This one was around bowel testing. The Government has recently announced that testing has dropped in age from 60 to 58-years-old. The money to pay for that extra testing has come from the separate Māori   and Pacific testing, which cuts in at 50-years-old. The official advice is that more lives could be...

The Government has announced New Zealand will enter into a free trade agreement with India.  The announcement came overnight as the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has travelled to India this week.  What does the agreement involve?  Trade Minister Todd McLay talks to Mike Hosking about the development.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chaotic weather didn't get in the way of a great race in motorsport at the Melbourne F1 over the weekend.  McLaren's Lando Norris was the star of the show coming in first, but Kiwi Liam Lawson had a disappointing run.  Motorsport expert Bob McMurray talks to Mike Hosking about the event. LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's agriculture industry has the potential to become a $3 billion earner.  Land-based Kingfish farm in Northland is contributing to the prospect, as the only facility of its type in the country. The farm has already received international interest and is projected to be bigger than salmon in less than 10 years.  NIWA Aquaculture Chief Scientist Andrew Forsyth talks to Mike Hosk...

In the past 12 months, there has been a rise of 22,000 people claiming the job seeker benefit.  Economists are predicting the numbers are set to continue rising.  Associate Social Development Minister Penny Simmons says she is not surprised by the statistics.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States democratic party has reached record low numbers in favourability polls.  Many within the party have said their leaders should publicly stand against President Donald Trump.  The party is polling at just 29%.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold talks to Mike Hosking about the reason for this, and the fatal tornadoes that ripped through six states.  LISTEN ABOVE.&n...