The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Christchurch-based singer-songwriter Lee Martin is yet another example of the incredible talent produced in New Zealand.  She’s a highly acclaimed musician, both here and around the world, with multiple awards, millions of streams, and sold-out performances under her belt.  And soon Martin will be releasing her fourth album, Marlene, coming out mid-July.   “I think this is probably...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 28th of May, it's Budget Day, so we did a quickfire round with four of the biggest and most expectant sectors .  Reserve Bank Governor Dr Anna Breman talks about being the defining vote in holding our Official Cash Rate.  Kiwi singer Lee Martin tells us about her music journey and gives a performance of the latest single from h...

Is there a lifeline for Moana Pasifika?  Foreign Minister Winston Peters has hinted at “good news” for the embattled club, and is reportedly instructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to look into proposals.  Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol told Mike Hosking that from a player’s perspective, the team hasn’t been set up for success, but they remain optimistic it can ha...

The Government's being criticised for rushing homeschooling legislation.  It's backed down on proposed changes that would've increased the oversight of those who teach children at home after pushback from families.  NZ Initiative Education Research Fellow Michael Johnson told Mike Hosking the state has the right to reassess how education is delivered.  But he says the homeschooling...

The Reserve Bank Governor is feeling good about her captain's call to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25%.  Anna Breman made the final decision after the six-member Monetary Policy Committee she chairs was evenly split on whether to hike the rate.  Breman says she understands the argument for hiking but told Mike Hosking she doesn't think now's the right time.  She says f...

High hopes for today's Budget from health, infrastructure, education, and business leaders.  College of GPs President Luke Bradford told Mike Hosking he's looking for some reallocation of health spending.  He says we currently invest 6% of vote health in primary healthcare, compared to the OECD average of 14%.   On the infrastructure side of things, Infrastructure NZ's Nick Leggett...

Let this be a lesson to all those who argue against the simple truism that the market, most of the time, tends to be right.  Moana Pasifika are in liquidation, the vote was held and the story ends here.  The trouble is the taxpayer footed a lot of the bill and the money is gone, flushed down an ideological toilet.  If the idea was such a sensational one, someone actually using their...

A Former Finance Minister expects this year's Budget to invest in health, education, and defence – with cuts elsewhere.  Budget 2026 is being unveiled tomorrow, opening up the Government's books and detailing when a return to surplus is possible.  Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking re-prioritisation is the story of the week, and he's backing further cost-savings in the public sector.  T...

A Government agency's confident its multi-million-dollar fuel saving campaign is working.  The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has spent more than $3.5 million on ads encouraging people to drive smoothly and check tyre pressure.  It estimates an average fuel reduction of more than two million litres of petrol a week, saving consumers more than $7 million.  Chief Executi...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 27th of May, our attention is on the economy with Kelly Eckhold previews today’s OCR announcement while Steven Joyce looks ahead to the Budget.  How much do you think was spent on telling people to take off roof racks and make sure your tyres are pumped up to save on fuel?  And on Politics Wednesday, Ginny Andersen and Mark Mi...

There’s debate over housing entitlements after it was revealed National's Louise Upston claims allowances for a home she already owns.   MPs needing semi-permanent accommodation in Wellington can access up to $52 thousand a year.   National's Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking it is an entitlement, because MPs have to stay in the capital.   Labour's Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking the...

An entertainment figure is singing the praises of the Government for moving to protect homegrown hits.   Changes to the Copyright Act will extend protections for Kiwi recordings from 50 to 70 years after publication.   It's part of free trade agreements with the UK and EU and will in place by mid-2028.  Eccles Entertainment Founder Brent Eccles told Mike Hosking it's an important mo...

Both Manage My Health and Health NZ are vowing they've made big changes following last year's cyber-attack on 100 thousand patients.   The Privacy Commissioner has found both failed to protect patient data.  Phase Two of his review will ask whether people actually knew their data was being held in the health portal.  Michael Webster told Mike Hosking we can't afford to be lax when i...

Iran's claiming the ceasefire's been violated by US strikes.   The US military says it's hit Iranian missile launch sites and boats in the Strait of Hormuz to protect its own troops.   Peace talks appear on thin ice, with Iran's nuclear programme remaining a sticking point.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Iran's claiming they're holding all the cards.   He s...

The boss of New Zealand King Salmon says it's no fluke they're finally swimming downstream.  The company’s posting a net profit of $13.8 million for the six months to March.  The previous period saw a net loss of more than $20 million.  CEO Carl Carrington told Mike Hosking it was a tough summer on the seas, with temperatures well above average, but a lot of work went into investing...

An economist believes the Reserve Bank should raise the Official Cash Rate today to control inflation.  The bank will release its first Monetary Policy Statement since war broke out in the Middle East, with most expecting it to hold at 2.25% and not rise until September.  But Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking inflation was already at 3.1% before the war, and we'll l...

Some are working pretty hard currently to buy into the Mike Smith storyline that the big end of town has the Government's ear over climate change.  Mike Smith is the activist, the agitator, the chainsaw man, the "smack the America's Cup" bloke.  So, you know, a life of angst and upset.  His latest outing was in court, looking to sue individual companies over their pollution around c...

The World Surf League event at Raglan’s Manu Bay has wrapped after 11 days of competition.  It’s being labelled as a massive success, with organisers hitting capacity crowds of 6500 onlookers.   The event came to New Zealand’s shores in late January, supported by the Government’s $40 million Events Attraction Package.  Surfing NZ CEO Ben Kennings told Mike Hosking the purpose of the...

Kiwibank’s CEO is hoping the Reserve Bank will hold off on raising the Official Cash Rate tomorrow.  Economists are expecting it to be held at 2.25%, with markets pricing in moves later in the year.  It comes as the economy remains flat, with inflation, housing, global tensions, and weak spending all testing resilience.  Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich told Mike Hosking the economy is...

Netball New Zealand officially has a new CEO.  Tātaki Auckland Unlimited deputy chairwoman Jennah Wootten has been appointed to the role, taking over from interim CEO Jane Patteron in August.  Her appointment follows a troubled year for Netball NZ, including the resignation of former CEO Jennie Wyllie, the situation surrounding Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua, and their struggles...

This past dairy season is all-but-confirmed as record breaking but remaining at those lofty heights will be farmers' next challenge.   Rabobank expects milk supply to stay elevated into 2026-27, with farmgate prices forecast between $9.50 and $10 per kilogram.  But rising inflation could squeeze margins.  Fonterra Co-Operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking in terms...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 26th of May, it's Good News Tuesday as we hear about the new energy transition scheme , the cruise ship season , and the business events industry .  Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich gives us his economic state of play leading into the Budget and the OCR.  Netball NZ's new CEO Jennah Wootten explains how she plans to turn the sport a...

The first quarter of the year has seen a boom in people coming into the country for business events.   According to Stats NZ, international delegate arrivals are up 50%, with more than 16 thousand arrivals in the first quarter.   That translates to more than $54 million into the economy and often represents the first taste of New Zealand for visitors.   Business Events Industry Aote...

The boss of Auckland's port is still upbeat, despite another drop in cruise visits.   Data released to Newstalk ZB shows a 3% national reduction this season.   Auckland's dropping by 12%, but Port of Auckland CEO Roger Gray told Mike Hosking he predicts this is rock bottom, and things will pick back up next season.   He says they've already got 66 bookings secured.  Cruise visi...

The Pope is making it clear that artificial intelligence is a mounting threat to humanity.   In his first major teaching letter, Pope Leo has spoken out against the development of AI.  He says it must be disarmed before it slashes more jobs, accelerates wars, and dominates humanity.   Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking it's interesting Leo's targeting AI in his first m...