The Mike Hosking Breakfast

On a day of a resignation at a fairly high level, we also have a confession in court from another high profile operator.  The problem with "high profile" is it tends to be high-wire.  More is expected of you because of your role. Or is it?  From the details available, which aren't many, Andrew Bayly didn’t commit a sackable offence as far as I can work out.  Putting your hand o...

The cost of keeping Government-owned assets could be more than the return it's getting from them.   A report by The New Zealand Initiative says the Government owns $571 billion in assets, yet the returns from them don't even cover the interest on loans used to buy them.  Author Bryce Wilkinson is calling for a review to identify if assets should be sold, and if so, which ones.  &nbs...

Since winning the IndyCar Rookie Award in 2021, Scott McLaughlin has gone from strength to strength.  He finished 3rd last year, only 39 points shy of first place, as well as having the historic pole lap at Indy500, going faster than anyone in history.  McLaughlin and his wife also welcomed their first child in October of last year, right at the end of the racing season.  He told Mi...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 25th of February, Erica Stanford has a new teaching announcement, coming not a moment too soon considering the current shortage of over 2000 teachers.  The Prime Minister tangles himself into a knot when trying to answer if he would have sacked Andrew Bayly if he hadn't offered his resignation.  Indycar driver Scott McLaughlin i...

Some good news for our tourism sector.  Millennium and Copthorne Hotels have recorded its highest full-year revenue in five years, with a sense 2025 will be strong for travel.  Current international visitor arrivals still sit at 89% of pre-pandemic levels.  Chief Executive Stuart Harrison told Mike Hosking they've been holding a 'revive and thrive' strategy.  He says they've be...

The French President has met with Donald Trump at the White House, seeking stability following America's sidestep of traditional European ties.   It comes as world leaders met in Kyiv on the third-year anniversary of Russia's invasion, and the UN General Assembly voted against a US resolution to end the war without reference to Russian aggression.   Newstalk ZB European Correspondent Cat...

The Prime Minister says Andrew Bayly's good work can't compensate for bad behaviour.   The Port Waikato MP has resigned from cabinet after touching a staffer's arm during a lively conversation.   It follows an earlier incident in which he called a winery worker a loser.   Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking the good work that Bayly was doing doesn't excuse it.   He says it's im...

The Government's changing residency rules to allow overseas primary teachers to apply for New Zealand residency.  Speaking exclusively to Newstalk ZB, the Immigration Minister says from next month, offshore primary teachers will only need a job offer, and don't need to have worked here for two years, to be given residency.  Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking it follows the Government putti...

In Australian election polls, the Coalition has built a 52 percent to 48 percent lead over Labor, its biggest since the last election.  The margin significantly increases Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's chance of creating a minority government.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price says the Sydney Morning Herald has now said the election will now be sooner rather than later.  LISTE...

I am sad to report that Winston Peters is wrong. His thinking that the Pacific favours friendship has been proven naive. As I have always said, chequebooks win and we don’t have a chequebook and even his goodwill gesture in 2017, when he lined up along side Labour and handed out a billion dollars, has proven woefully short. The Chinese have shown over the weekend that the world is changing, and in...

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 24 February. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pope is in critical condition as he now battles kidney failure.  On Saturday the Vatican announced he was suffering from a prolonged respiratory crisis, and he has since been receiving constant oxygen. Rome Correspondent Jo Mckenna joins the show for an update on the Pope's condition.  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The German Conservative party has been elected, securing the largest part in the next German parliament.  The party received nearly 30% of the vote.  The Far-right party has come second.  Co-founder and director of the Global Public Policy Institute Thorsten Benner discusses the details of the election with Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The Government is welcoming more foreign investment to New Zealand businesses by amending the Overseas Investment Act. The Associate Finance Minister David Seymour talks to Mike Hosking about the announcement, why it took as long as it did, how much money is coming into the country, and the sectors excluded from the reform.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Police have a target of answering 70% of non-emergency calls within 90 seconds, but they're at 17%. The average wait time is 6 minutes and 36 seconds.  They now have a new focus: customer satisfaction.   Police director of Service Superintendent Blair Macdonald talks to Mike Hosking.  LISTE ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NATO leaders are on their way to the United States this week.  French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Washington tomorrow, followed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.  Meanwhile, Elon Musk's "5 Things" deadline is up tomorrow, leaving federal workers jobs on the line.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener...

Three Chinese warships have been docked off the coast of Sydney since last week, and they have since been seen carrying out a live weapons drill.  Commercial flights had to be diverted as a result of the exercise, with pilots being told to avoid the area.  Should New Zealand be worried?  Defence Minister Judith Collins talk to Mike Hosking about China's presence in the Pacific.&nbsp...

Spark has lost $1 billion in market value, a result that was greeted with shock by investors. Sky TV also reflected a tough economy, while Fonterra jumped after lifting earnings forecasts.  Crossing the Tasman, an American real estate giant has launched a A$2.6B bid for Australian real estate portal domain.  Greg Smith of Devon Funds Management talks to Mike Hosking about the outcomes.&n...

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.    Super Rugby: 7/10  Good start, good rugby, no one knows who is going to win and the crowds were okay.    Jannik Sinner and tennis: 3/10  For a sport that I assumed didn’t want to look shonky, it's got a very WWE vibe about it these days.  &nb...

In a week, 230 New Zealanders were given confirmation Kinleith Mill was over.  The Australians facing the same scenario at a place called Whyalla in South Australia did something completely different.  The steel mill is owned by a British billionaire and it's in a world of financial trouble. It may well go to the wall.  It employs 1000 people in a town of 22,000. So the state Govern...

Councils are planning for the long term, so should the Government be doing the same?  The Auditor-General's Office has compiled a report into 58 councils’ long-term plans, and found they made a “significant achievement” meeting their requirements on time in uncertain circumstances.  However, they found the Government lacks comparable planning requirements.  Deputy Auditor-General An...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 21st of February, the Daman Kumar case is over and he’s been granted residency – does this set a precedent?  According to our listeners, Air NZ CEO Greg Foran has plenty to defend after the airline released its disappointing half year results.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson play a new game that may have to become a regular segment...

Friday has come once again, and Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed rising crime, Air New Zealand, and which overstayers should get amnesty.  Plus, they played a new game: Is Mike a Snob?  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand expects to be short of planes for at least another two or three years.  Our national carrier's recording an 18% drop in half-year profit.  That follows a 65% in full-year profit last year.  Chief Executive Greg Foran told Mike Hosking they're going into a period when up to 11 aircrafts will be out of action.  He says it's a bit like playing a rugby match without...

It's thought the Government is unlikely to grant a wide scale amnesty for overstayers.   Daman Kumar, who was facing deportation to India even though he'd never visited, has now been offered residency.   The Greens want his parents to be granted an exemption, as they have been overstayers for 24 years.  Into NZ Immigration principal consultant Katy Armstrong says the Government won'...