The Mike Hosking Breakfast

LIV Golf seems to be growing with every event.  Upon it’s arrival, the tour was rather controversial due to its financial backing from Saudi Arabia, but its popularity is continuing to grow.  Professional golfer Ben Campbell joined the league in 2024 as a reserve player, but is making his official debut this year as a member of Bubba Watson’s squad.  Campbell told Mike Hosking that...

A soft landing for the red meat industry after a tough 2024.  Meat Industry Association data reveals there was an overall 3% decline in last year's red meat exports, which reached around $10 billion.  Total sheepmeat exports fell 3% in both volume and value.  Chief Executive Sirma Karapeeva says it ended on a positive note with December's exports rising by 17%, reaching more than on...

A reminder landlords aren't privy to the personal information of their tenants.   Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says many renters feel the need during the busy rental season to disclose more about themselves to secure a flat.   He says it can be tempting for landlords to collect this information when considering applications.  Webster says there's also been issues in the past...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 13th of February, there’s potential reforms for both the fisheries and media sector – will either make an impact?  Can you still buy KFC and rent a house? The Privacy Commissioner has new rules for what landlords can and can't look through bank accounts for.  Kiwi golfer Ben Campbell has got a full-time gig with LIV Golf, and h...

Sealord says the current Fisheries Act regulations are no longer fit for purpose.   Consultation's open on changes to the Act to allow catch limits to be more readily altered and let camera-fitted boats dump unwanted catch at sea.  If agreed on, the public would no longer be able to access fishing boat surveillance camera footage through official information requests.  Chief Executi...

Wānaka's business community doesn't appear to have been fazed by the now unlikely prospect of McDonalds setting up shop in town.   The fast-food giant has had its resource application to open in the town declined after 90% of submissions opposed the idea.   Wānaka Business Chamber Chair Jo Learmonth told Mike Hosking there was a variety of opinions in their community survey.   But s...

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce says the council needs to financially compensate businesses affected by the Golden Mile works.  Construction on the Kent and Cambridge intersection with Courtenay Place will begin in April, as part of the project to revitalise the city's tired night-life stretch.  Mayor Tory Whanau previously floated a business support package, but officials yesterday s...

A mapped-out shake-up of television and screen production legislation is garnering overwhelming support.   The Ministry for Culture and Heritage has laid out five proposals to combat declining viewership and ad revenue in light of the global shift to streaming.   Merging the Film Commission with NZ on Air and requiring offshore platforms to invest in more local content are among the sugg...

There are contradictory statements from Donald Trump, who says there will be no exceptions to the steel and aluminium tariffs, but seems open to treating Australia differently.   The US President's signed off on 25% tariffs for all steel and aluminium imports, but yesterday Australia's Prime Minister spoke to Trump, who assured him he'd consider exempting Australia.   Trump says Anthony...

For a sport that is hardly sizzling in a sports world that is sizzling, the pain for New Zealand Rugby has clearly just got a whole lot worse.  INEOS had a six year deal worth apparently $48 million. That’s $8 million a year.  They have walked three years early and as a result are being sued by NZR. I don’t blame them.  Sir Jim Ratcliffe is an interesting bloke.  He is involved...

A new device is expected to save Australia’s wine producers hundreds of millions of dollars a year.  Researchers in Melbourne have developed a smoke sensor can determine whether grapes are still salvageable after being exposed to smoke and fire.   Wine Industry Smoke Detectors track smoke events like bushfires and burn offs around vineyards and advise winegrowers as to whether it’s likel...

David Seymour has been making headlines recently, with Labour Leader Chris Hipkins even saying he should be removed as a minister for his behaviour.   The ACT Leader has been criticised after he drove a Land Rover up the steps of Parliament in a fundraising effort before being stopped by security. He has since apologised to the Speaker for his actions.   Seymour's also under fire for wri...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 12th of February, Kainga Ora have finally decided enough is enough when it comes to unpaid rent, and are making a move to recoup the losses.  How much trouble is NZ Rugby in money wise after starting legal proceedings against their main sponsor Ineos for a seeming breach of contract?  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk whet...

The Salvation Army's raising the alarm as living standards deteriorate across New Zealand.  Its state of the nation report's out, revealing one in four children also report they often or sometimes go without food.  It finds we have around 400 thousand needing welfare support, the highest number in decades.  Author Paul Barber told Mike Hosking the measurements are being taken to see...

Ineos has described New Zealand Rugby's legal action as unfortunate, as the two parties clash over a strained sponsorship agreement.  Ineos failed to pay their first 2025 instalment of an $8 million a year deal, which NZR see as confirmation they've exited the arrangement early.  The Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned petrochemical company claims they tried to negotiate a solution before legal acti...

The Government says Kainga Ora still needs to be reasonable amid a crackdown on rent arrears.  The Associate Housing Minister says Kainga Ora's owed $16 million in unpaid rent.  Currently around 10% are behind on their rent.  The agency says those willing to enter a repayment plan have their debts reduced, but those unwilling could have their tenancy ended.  Associate Housing M...

Rising gold prices could have miners flocking to the West Coast.  The regional council has told Local Democracy Reporting it's bracing for an influx of miners new to the industry, and its environmental rules.  Resource Management Chair Brett Cummings —who's a gold miner— warns the council’s consent workload will likely intensify.  Development West Coast Chief Executive Heath Milne t...

The highly contentious battle over fluoridated water could be picking up steam again, despite many being over it.   New Zealand First's new Member's Bill seeks to repeal the laws from 2021 giving the Director-General of Health central decision making authority.  It would also mandate binding local council referendums.  Dental Association Policy Director Robin Whyman told Mike Hoskin...

A must read for a reality check is the ABC, as in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and their exploration of the New Zealand vs Australian economy.  Normally the ABC, like a lot of public broadcasters, tease you with a headline and end up concluding nothing so they can claim to be balanced.  Not so in this case. Gareth Hutchens is your author, and the headline is "Inflation has fa...

Rowing officials have banned allowing what are effectively year 14 students —once referenced as "eighth-formers"— from competing at the premier annual Maadi Cup regatta after decades of angst.  The practice would sometimes see pupils spend more time grunting away in skiffs than studying in the classroom during the opening term of the year.  New Zealand School Sport boss Mike Summerell to...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 11th of February, we have economic growth winging our way , so will that turn the economy around?  The Prime Minister is on to talk his dropping poll numbers, economic growth, and whether there's a riff between him and David Seymour.  Famed comedian Ben Elton is coming back to the country for a new show - so will Mike be the but...

Ben Elton is a staple of the comedy scene.  He’s known as a pioneer for British comedy and the Godfather of Standup, though it’s his work on Blackadder and The Young Ones that he’s most well known for.  Elton’s been in the industry for four decades, last visiting New Zealand’s shores back in 2021 for his Ben Elton Live Tour.   The comedian is winging his way back this year, bringing...

National's power in the polls looks to be shifting.  Both the Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll and the 1News-Verian poll show the left bloc has the numbers to form a government if an election was held today.  Both also have Christopher Luxon losing support in the preferred Prime Minister stakes.  Curia pollster David Farrar told Mike Hosking people heard the bad economic news in December...

Christopher Luxon admits the Government has work to do following its latest slide in the polls.  Both the latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll and the 1News-Verian poll show the left bloc would have the seats to form a government.  Chris Hipkins is also gaining ground on Luxon in the preferred prime minister rankings.  The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking the results are a sign of how...

World leaders, tech bosses, and AI moguls have clashed at a Paris summit.  The city's hosting the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit with French president Emmanuel Macron saying he wants to do better at leading in the field, but better governance and protections are needed.  Paris correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking talk of interfering with the largely unregulated social m...