The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A major Super Rugby shake up is looming.  New Zealand and Australian officials are discussing letting players cross the Tasman without losing test eligibility.  It comes after revelations only two Kiwi franchises have been profitable without NZ Rugby support since 2019, and the NRL landing a $5.3 billion TV deal.   Bruce Sharrock, Senior Rugby and NRL Agent from 'The Team', told Mik...

The All Blacks are motivated to claim another win over the Springboks.  The second test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry is kicking off this weekend, and the Kiwi side will be aiming to back up last weekend's 33-16 victory.  Will Jordan has been named on the right wing for the clash, and told Mike Hosking in professional sport, the mental side of things is a bigger fish to fry.   He says...

Another week has reached its end, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was. They shared their favourite memories and paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton and discussed the week Mike and Kate have been having with Kate under the weather. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 28th of August, Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses fuel taxes and Labour's promise to freeze them for a full term.   Will Jordan joins us out of South Africa to preview the All Blacks' second test.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson remember Dolly Parton and discuss Kate's illness and Mike's week spent looking after her as they...

Kiwibank is warning the Reserve Bank against hiking interest rates.  It's picking a 25 basis point increase to the Official Cash Rate, bringing it to 2.75%, then 3% later this year.  But with unemployment up, wage growth around 2%, and weak housing, it argues rates should stay put.  Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr told Mike Hosking we need the economy to recover, and rising rates don't...

Otago mayors are heading back to the drawing board after National's change of heart over a bed tax.   The Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes, and Otago Regional councils were on the cusp of signing a deal delivering critical initiatives – including exploring a bed tax.  It's now off the table after the Government proposed replacing the bed tax, raising questions about its long-term plans.&n...

Political parties are being urged to help make Wellington the country's leading city for private sector growth.  The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has announced its election priorities, calling on parties to restore confidence and attract more investment in the capital.  It's outlined six key steps including accelerating housing, reforming local government, and backing creative, digital...

National's hit out at Labour's plan to pause fuel taxes.  Labour's promised no hikes to the fuel excise over the first three years if elected and will consider pushing back National Land Transport fund projects to compensate.  National's announced it doesn't plan to go ahead with an excise lift scheduled for January.  But Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking they can't p...

For those who don’t work in the public service, if you ever want a lesson into why it's completely different to the way the rest of us work, just look at yesterday's decision by the Privileges Committee when it came to Alison McDonald and Nic Blakeley and their misleading of ministers and an IT project at immigration.  They deliberately misled MPs. That's what the committee found.  Just...

The head of the CIA has travelled to Russia for unscheduled talks.  US intelligence chief John Ratcliffe flew to Moscow via Latvia, but neither the Trump administration nor Russia is publicly commenting.  Footage on social media also appears to show a diplomatic motorcade travelling through the Russian capital.  Retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan told Mike Hosking he believe...

A change in the wool sector.  Wool Impact and Campaign for Wool NZ have formally merged into the New Zealand Wool Collective.  It's a new sector-led body focused on growing the product's value in the country.  Chief Executive Ross McIsaac told Mike Hosking the merger was a logical step.  He says wool's financial potential isn't being realised, and there's a lot of work to do.&n...

Strong results from the Port of Auckland.  They reported a 30% increase in underlying profit from last year, rising to a record $111.2 million, and a revenue of $403.8 million.  Container volumes rose by 5.5%, cars rose 17.7%, and containers moved by rail surged 76%.  As a result, the Port will pay a $55 million dividend to Auckland Council, an increase of $3 million.  CEO Roge...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 27th of August, we have good news for the economy  next year and incredible numbers coming out of  our dairy sector .  Do we have a postcode situation with grocery prices in this country? Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden talks prices and competition.  Retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan is a welcome addi...

There's assurance work's underway to stop grocery prices from fluctuating depending on where you live.  Online supermarket Paddock to Pantry's data analysis finds the same staple items sold under the same supermarket brand can vary by as much as 32%.  It reckons since the South Island has a lower population, those living there are paying more because there is no competition.  Grocer...

The economy's on the mend but households are still feeling a squeeze.    Westpac's August overview points to an uplift in activity after a subdued June quarter.   It forecasts 2% growth over the year, jumping to 3% in 2027.   Chief economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking that the growth the country's achieved in the last few quarters is coming from good sources such as export...

Demand for our dairy exports is expected to remain stable despite volatility in the global market.  A report commissioned by DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association has found dairy exports reached almost $29 billion in 2025 and supports more than 51 thousand jobs.  It finds the dairy sector is a backbone of much of regional New Zealand's economy, wages, and job market.   DairyNZ...

So the Government has moved on rates.  The cap is 4%, unless there are exceptional circumstances.  Of all the price pressures that are out of control, rates would have to be the worst.  As we have heard this week, insurance is starting to curtail, if not fall, in some areas.  Power is actually falling for commercial users, although not to what it should be. Certainly, the cost...

Canada's launched more than NZ$33 billion of retaliatory tariffs on US imports as a trade war between the two neighbours escalates.  The tariffs will impose duties ranging up to 50% across 700 products, matching new American tariffs on Canadian goods.  It follows trade talks blowing up over the weekend, with Canada claiming unfair last-minute changes from the US.  US Correspondent R...

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen delve into the biggest stories of the week thus far.  They discussed the social media ban and Labour's stance on the subject, Five Eyes, election campaigning, and paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI-generated music will be banned from Australia's main music charts this week.  Wholly AI-generated tracks will not be eligible, though recordings using it in a supporting role will remain authorised.  It comes after a song produced with AI became the most-played track on radio and reached number four on two ARIA charts in July.  APRA's Head of New Zealand Operations Anthony Healey...

Better public transport could be a major key to unlocking better nightlife.  It comes as Aucklanders turn their heads to the opening of the highly anticipated City Rail Link on September 13th.  Research shows London's Night Tube has provided the city a huge economic boost, with more than 80 thousand people using the service each night.  Former nightlife promoter Mirik Milan told Mik...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 26th of August,  Local Government Minister Simon Watts speaks on the rates cap, and we celebrate the strength of our wine exports as Australia's fall.  Dolly Parton has passed away at the age of 80. We celebrate her career and life throughout the show, and play old clips of her previous interviews with Mike.  On Politics...

A mixed bag for Auckland in the latest State of the City report.  The annual report —as measured by the independent non-partisan platform Committee for Auckland— compares Auckland to other cities around the world.   Our biggest city scored well on innovation, international business events, and the number of people coming here.   It did less well on productivity, keeping talent and t...

A strong result for global travel and rental vehicle operator, Tourism Holdings.  Its underlying earnings before interest and tax rose 17% in the year to June, surpassing $105 million.  Its total revenue was down 5% on almost $853 million, and the next financial year's outlook's taken a hit as the company weighs two takeover offers.  CEO Grant Webster told Mike Hosking the Middle Ea...

New Zealand wine growers could be at an advantage specialising in Sauvignon Blanc.  A new report shows Australia's exports have sunk to a 22-year low, exporting less than 600 million litres for the first time since 2004.  New Zealand volumes increased to more than 300 million litres over the same period, as global consumption of alcohol falls for the third year in a row.  Invivo Win...