The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Otago University's urging the government to raise the cap on how many students can study medicine.  It comes amid a GP shortage across the country.  Medical School Acting Dean Tim Wilkinson told Mike Hosking they're keen to train more GPs, but Government imposed enrolment limits are in the way.  He says the shortage goes beyond GPs and impacts many disciplines.  LISTEN ABOVE&nb...

The Transport Minister says the Government's more focused on drunk and drugged drivers than speed limits.   The Government has reversed the first of 38 speed limit reductions across the country's State Highways.   The rest are due to come into force before July, while another 49 sections of road are open for public consultation.   Transport Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking hi...

A prominent former gangland figure was killed.  Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim was shot multiple times in an alleged ambush in Melbourne.  Police believe a white Porsche SUV seen leaving the carpark immediately after the shooting was involved, the car later found burnt.  Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking that there’s been a number of attempts on his life over the...

A Chinese AI start-up's emerging as a threat to US tech companies and has sent their stocks in to a tailspin.   DeepSeek has revealed an artificial intelligence model similar to services like ChatGPT, but built for a tiny fraction of their cost.  It claims to have spent just $5.6 million on development compared to the billions ploughed into the tech by US counterparts.  Craigs Inves...

The good people at OneRoof were hinting at it the other day.  They were reacting to what I know to be a bit of a buzz within the real estate community that the Government are going to move on foreign buyers this year.  I talk to a lot of agents. They range from telling me it's on, to those who hope it's on, to those who want it to be on but aren't holding their breath.  Currently yo...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 29th of January, the Police force is set to see change in their middle management – Commissioner Richard Chambers shared the details.  Privatisation is back on the minds of the Government, so Sir John Key gave his thoughts as to whether it’d serve New Zealand well.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen round out the A-team, return...

Today on Politics Wednesday Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to wrap the political week thus far. They talked the new jury duty bill, the increasing speed limits, and where the Government is at heading into 2025.  The Police Minister is welcoming a member's bill that could see more seniors serving on juries.  National's Whanganui MP, Carl Bates, has proposed raising t...

There’s less optimism from Mainfreight over the impacts of global shipping changes.   Two of the world's largest shipping companies Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk are joining forces, a move some commentators believe will reduce freight prices and provide arrival time reliability.   But Mainfreight Managing Director Don Braid told Mike Hosking he's not sure it will mean cheaper freight rates, add...

Sir John Key doubts asset sales would achieve much.  The former Prime Minister says cutting bureaucracy and allowing better foreign investment would have more of an impact.   National says it may campaign on state-owned asset sales next election, a policy New Zealand First is dead against, while ACT's floating privatisation of health and education.  Key told Mike Hosking people are...

Sky says its satellite headache will be solved by early April.  The broadcaster's apologised after hundreds of customers complained of repeated outages and technicians failing to show up.  An ageing key satellite is said to be to blame.  Sky TV Chief Executive Sophie Maloney told Mike Hosking it will be replaced in the coming months.  She said the team has been working very har...

The Police Commissioner says a loss of 17 executive-level roles will have no impact on Police delivery.  Richard Chambers is opening consultation on a proposal to disestablish 37 executive and support service positions and create 20 new roles.   He says a restructure will result in a stronger police leadership which is fit for purpose and delivers on his priorities.   Chambers told...

Elon Musk has continued to weigh into German politics ahead of next month's election.  The billionaire has made a video appearance at a rally for far-right party Alternative for Germany.  Musk has previously written an op-ed supporting the party, and hosted its leader Alice Weidel in an interview on X.  Europe Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that it looks as if Musk...

We have to talk about Donald Trump.  He is fantastic.  What I like about what he has done so far is none of it’s a surprise. He actually does what he said he would do.  The mainstream media still can't get their head around it. I watched CNN twisting themselves into a knot over the pardons and the fact a lot of what he says isn't true.  It's as though they still think by moanin...

We're being told not to be scared of the latest retirement savings figures.  The latest Retirement Expenditure Guidelines have found less than $500 thousand in savings is enough for most retirees.  Massey University Associate Professor Claire Matthews told Mike Hosking that research consistently shows that the amount people need to save for retirement is less than other people would sugg...

The richest man in the world, Elon Musk is a controversial man with a history of innovation and entrepreneurship.  He’s one of the most talked about men in America, and after hitching his ride to Donald Trump in the election, now one of the most influential players in US politics.  Musk was the largest donor in the 2024 election cycle, spending at least US$277 million to back Trump’s run...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 28th of January, the digital nomad tourist visa change was long overdue, so why is it only being done now?  The Prime Minister spars with Mike about actually putting spades in the ground instead of just lip service.    Former Fox and CNBC anchor Dennis Kneale has written a new book on one of the most interesting men in the...

Christopher Luxon's defending the Government's handling of its new stand-off with Kiribati.  New Zealand's relationship with the central Pacific Island nation appears to have reached an all-time low.  Aid to the country has been put on hold pending a review after the Kiribati President pulled out of a pre-arranged meeting with Foreign Minister Winston Peters last week.  The nation c...

There are more tariff threats from President Trump after a tense standoff with Colombia.  The South American nation rejected US planes of deported Colombian migrants, but has now had to backtrack after Trump threatened large tariffs.  The President has floated imposing tariffs on a number of trading partners as part of his 'America first' economic policy.  But New Zealand Internatio...

The Government's signalling more visa changes could be on the way to encourage overseas travellers.   There's been a loosening of visa settings, allowing tourists on holiday here for up to nine months to work remotely for an overseas employer.   Tourism Minister Louise Upston says the tourism sector continues to fall short of pre-pandemic visitor numbers.  She told Mike Hosking they...

The news is continuing to get better for Canterbury milk company Synlait.  Its share price climbed 16% yesterday off the back of news it's expecting to return to profitability in the first half of the financial year.  That follows a bail-out by major shareholders, Bright Dairy and a2 Milk.  Acting Chief Executive Tim Carter told Mike Hosking the bounce-back is good, but they still h...

A first of its kind University of Otago study has revealed worrying misconceptions among our teens about vaping.  The study found widespread belief that vaping will help with stress and anxiety, prompting people to use it as a coping mechanism.  Is vaping as popular with young people as smoking was as its worst?   University of Otago Senior Research Fellow Jude Ball discusses t...

Australians came out in their thousands yesterday when protesting to change the date of Australia Day.  Melbourne saw around 25,000 people turn out for the event, and proactive speeches calling Australia "a racist nation," and a "coalition nation."  Australian Correspondent Steve Price talks to Ryan Bridge about the protests, what the polls are indicating for this year's election, and Au...

Ohakune is basking in the closure of Desert Road, as businesses are reaping the benefits of a detour.  The Mountain Rocks Café & Bar owner Karl Christensen said his business hasn't been so busy since post-lockdown.  "We've got this flow of traffic, nose to tail through town most of the time, and it's just blown us away really," he said. Maintenance is projected to take two months.&nb...

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 27 January. 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.

Jannik Sinner has defended his Grand Slam title in Melbourne overnight, beating German Alexander Zverev. Saturday evening saw Madison Keys throw a spanner in the works to world number one Aryna Sabalenka's Grand Slam plan.  Tennis journalist David Worsley talks to Ryan Bridge about the dramatic scenes that unfolded across the ditch.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...