The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Three million trays of Zespri RubyRed Kiwifruit will be available this season - double last years quota.  That's 10,800 tonnes being shipped this year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. President has laid out a plan to relocate Palestinians to neighbouring countries, and redevelop the war-torn region into what he described as the 'Riviera of the Middle East'. Former U.S. State Department Middle East Negotiator Aaron David Millers says he doubts Trump has a strategy to execute his plans.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1News reports Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is travelling to Beijing on Friday to sign a deal.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters seems to have been caught off guard - given New Zealand's long-standing free association agreement.  Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman says the partnership has potential security and foreign policy implications, so New Zea...

"A circus". That is how NZ First's Shane Jones described the powhiri for parliamentarians at Waitangi yesterday. However, the minister has now found himself in hot water after threatening to pull the Waitangi National Trust's funding.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the destined backlash, ACT Party leader David Seymour still fronted up to Waitangi.  Greeted by turn backs, waiata, and protest - he spoke on behalf of the ACT Party, tapping into parts of his Treaty Principles Bill.  Apart from a microphone getting taken away on two occasions, it seemed to go relatively well by Waitangi standards.  LISTE ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

America's tariff tiff with Canada and Mexico may have cooled, but tension with China is escalating.  Beijing has announced a package of economic measures targeting the US after President Donald Trump imposed 10% tariffs on Chinese imports.  The response includes a 15% tax on coal and liquefied natural gas, and 10% on crude oil and types of vehicles.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold...

Hawke's Bay apple growers are reaping the rewards of their recovery after Cyclone Gabrielle.   The region grows two-thirds of the country's apples but was badly affected by the cyclone in 2023.  They say a warm and dry spring has led to one of the earliest picking seasons in decades.   Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Association President Brydon Nisbet told Mike Hosking that everything is...

Buckle up, it looks like I might agree with a trade union.  CTU policy director Craig Renney is worried about the same thing I am, and I think he is right to be worried.  What he is worried about is the possibility that we will become a net exporter of population.  Oh the irony that as an exporting nation, one of the growth industries is people.  If you have followed the migrat...

Wellington's feeling the property slump, with new figures showing a dramatic dip in house values.  The council's QV rating valuations show the average house has dropped in value of nearly 25% since 2021.  Pipitea was the worst hit neighbourhood with a 29% average drop.  Labour’s Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking that the feeling in the central city is that it’s had the guts kicked ou...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 5th of February, Housing Minister Chris Bishop has a plan to shake up Kainga Ora, and we take a look at what our unemployment rate is likely to show today.  A real estate agent is likely be banned from working for five years after refusing to do a Tikanga Māori professional development course – Janet Dickson joined the show to expl...

Unemployment's expected to peak in the middle of the year.   Stats NZ will release the labour market data for the final quarter of last year at 10.45 this morning.  It's widely thought the unemployment rate will rise to about 5.1%.   ANZ economist Henry Russell told Mike Hosking it's a lag statistic, so we'll see last year's economy reflected in the unemployment numbers today and in...

Schools are preparing for a dip in student attendance the day after Waitangi Day.  Westlake Girls High School's holding an online learning day this Friday, requiring students and teachers to work remotely.  Other schools like Westlake Boys and Auckland Grammar are closed.  Secondary Schools Principals' Association's Vaughan Couillault told Mike Hosking they've seen abysmal attendanc...

A real estate agent who refused to take a compulsory Tikanga Māori course now faces a five-year ban after a failed court bid.  The High Court's turned down Janet Dickson's request for a judicial review of decisions about agents' professional development requirements, which required taking a 90-minute class.  Those who don't complete the module risk having their licences cancelled.  ...

Briscoes Group says despite a difficult retail environment, it's had positive sales results.  The owner of the Briscoe Homeware and Rebel Sport brands says sales reached $245.3 million in the three months to January – up 0.96% annually.  Homeware sales went up 1.27%, and sporting goods rose 0.44%.  Managing Director Rod Duke believes tough trading conditions will continue and be esp...

The Government's set to sell off high-priced Kainga Ora homes in an effort to bring its books down.  It's reviewing state housing stock, focusing on expensive areas.  Its new cost-saving plan includes the sale of around 900 homes a year, with the money to go to more low-cost, denser places with greater demand.  Housing Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking they want to be more del...

We adjusted our climate target, or one of our climate targets last week.  Which in and of itself is part of the whole climate debate malaise. There are so many targets involving Paris, or not involving Paris, or timelines.  Is it 2030, 2035, 2040, 2050? Is it 5% down on 1990, or on 2000? So many numbers and so much noise, it's no wonder so many of us have turned off.  It's not that...

One of New Zealand’s musical greats is winging his way back over for a special celebration.  Greg Johnson has been making music and touring for nearly 40 years, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of his third album ‘Vine Street Stories’.  The album is home to many of Johnson’s most enduring hits, including ‘Don’t Wait Another Day’, ‘If I Swagger’, and ‘Pleasure and Overdose’. ...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 4th of February, it doesn't look like a surplus is coming anytime soon, and David Seymour is floating the idea of pulling out of the Paris Agreement. Should we?  The Prime Minister pops into studio for the first time this year to talk what's happening with our ferries and clear up some diplomatic stoush with the US.  Kiwi singer...

The European Union is focusing on who will be the best voice to respond to Donald Trump's threat of tariffs.  Leaders have been meeting in Brussels over the US President's return to power, who’s already floating the idea of imposing tariffs on the bloc.  Trump has today delayed 25% tariffs on Mexico by a month, while Canada has already imposed tariffs of its own in response to the US.&nb...

It was a pared back event last night as the 67th Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles.  The Recording Academy reformatted the awards show to help victims of the wildfires that destroyed more than 14,000 buildings and displaced tens of thousands.   More than $10 million was raised for those impacted.   Many award-winners also used their time to make statements about the current cl...

New Zealand’s taxes aren’t as competitive as they once were.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has floated potential tax cuts for corporations in the wake of the latest Treasury report.  Speaking to Ryan Bridge on Newstalk ZB last night, she says our corporate tax rate is reasonably high compared to the rest of the world.  Former Treasury Director Bryce Wilkinson told Mike Hosking tha...

A former Climate Change Minister says it would be a mistake to withdraw from a global climate deal.  ACT Leader David Seymour's floated the idea of New Zealand leaving the agreement, saying it's perhaps a discussion for a future election.  Labour’s calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to recommit to the deal.  Nick Smith told Mike Hosking it would be great if we could hold a...

The Prime Minister's open to corporate tax cuts in this year's budget.  Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge on Newstalk ZB last night that our corporate tax system isn't competitive enough with other countries.  She confirmed the corporate tax rate, currently sitting at 28 percent, is being looked at as part of the whole business tax system. Christopher Luxon confirmed with Mike Hosking they'...

Centrix is keeping positive despite rising financial hardship and almost half a million Kiwis behind on loan repayments. The credit reporting agency's latest Credit Indicator report shows consumer arrears are 1.3% higher year on year, with financial hardship up 19%. But Managing Director Keith McLaughlin told Mike Hosking the figures are seasonal and have been impacted by Christmas and the school...

A suspected antisemitic terrorist attack is being investigated by Police in Sydney after a caravan packed with explosives was discovered.  Officials have said the incident would have killed "a lot of people" had the van blown up.  Why was the Prime Minister not immediately informed of what could have been Australia's largest terrorist attack?  Australian Correspondent discusses the...