The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A bid to change a political football as research finds housing targets aren't working.   The New Zealand Initiative suggests councils should be judged on whether there's real and affordable choices – replacing traditional targets with price indicators.  It also recommends an expert panel to make decisions rather than central Government.  Research Fellow Benno Blaschke told Mike Hosk...

Electrifying the transport system will require strong bi-partisan action.   The Drive Electric State of the Nation report has found globally, one in four new vehicle purchases are electric – up from one in five in 2024.  Chair Kirsten Corson says strides are being made in public transport, with New Plymouth's bus fleet being 100% electric, and Auckland Transport having more than 300 elec...

The Corrections union insists corrupt staffers are few and far between, and some are even forced to go down the wrong path.  14 staff from Mt Eden and Auckland South Corrections facilities have been arrested.  A dozen are charged with accepting bribes, and others with conspiring to supply a Class A drug —namely methamphetamine— to prisoners.  Corrections Association President Floyd...

Chris Bishop says over-regulation is an economic nightmare for the country.  A new report by the Ministry for Regulation maps out 267 regulators operating across the country, describing a complex system of overlapping agencies and rules.  The Infrastructure and RMA Reform Minister told Mike Hosking there's far too much red tape.  Bishop says we spend $1.3 billion annually alone on c...

So let me get this right, just so we know where we’re at.  The Labour Party —who, I'm assuming, still want to be taken seriously this election— have had a major issue up to this point.  They have no policies.  The one policy they do have is a new tax, and the money from that new tax will pay for all of us to go to the doctor three times.  Even though a lot of us —to be frank, p...

Donald Trump's warning further attacks on Iran are still possible, despite backing down this week.   The US President called off the strikes after requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.   He says officials are still locked in negotiations with Iran, and he claims Democrats are trying to stop him.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking this is the sixth time Tru...

It’s been a busy start to the week, and Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen are back with Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest political stories so far on Politics Wednesday.  They discussed Labour’s Future Fund policy, which is light on the details, Winston Peters’ idea to buy back BNZ, and the Government’s cuts to and plans for the public service.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystu...

New Zealand is up against some quality competition in the first stage of the America’s Cup cycle.   This weekend sees the Italian island of Sardina host the first preliminary regatta, with eight boats set to take to the water.   Team NZ, Britian’s GB1, and Italian hosts Luna Rossa have sent both their main teams and a combined Women’s and Youth boat to compete, alongside crews from Switz...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis unpacks the public service cuts and we hear from the head of Commonwealth Sport as Auckland hosts the Oceania National Olympic Committees’ General Assembly.  Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton joins out of Sardinia as the America's Cup officially gets underway.  And Ginny Andersen and Mark Mit...

The Commonwealth Games are in the spotlight as Auckland hosts another major event this week.  The Oceania National Olympic Committees’ General Assembly is underway at Eden Park.  New IOC President Kirsty Coventry will be among the 200 delegates as the region builds towards the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.  Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadlier told Mike Hosking they’re fo...

New Zealand's seeing renewed growth in international education, with rising demand from both major and emerging markets.  Education New Zealand data shows more than 92 thousand international students enrolled last year, up 11% on the year prior.  China and India make up almost half of all enrolments.  Acting Chief Executive Linda Sissons told Mike Hosking we’re sitting at around 80%...

Another swathe of Government agency job cuts and public sector reform.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they want to return the public servant headcount to 1% of the population by mid-2029, culling about 8,700 jobs.  Government agency operating budgets will again be reduced – 2% now, increasing over following years.  Willis says they will also thin out the ministries, pointing t...

Kiwis appear to be cutting back on discretionary spending as fuel prices bite.  Data from Stats NZ shows retail electronic card purchases fell 1.3% last month, with Kiwis buying less or cheaper food and cutting back on their clothing budget.  Non-retail spending on the likes of travel and health is down 4%.  Infometrics Principal Economist Nick Brunsdon told Mike Hosking it makes se...

I'm 100% convinced this election is about the economy.  Do people blame the Government in any way for the economic fallout from war?  Does the economic grind make you look to other political answers?  If Labour promises more money, was the lesson of the last Labour Government not learned? Or do enough not care and will take the money and worry another day, if they worry at all?&nbsp...

The UK Government is looking into a potential pitch for the north of England to host the Olympics in the 2040s.  The assessment will examine the costs and socio-economic benefits, as well as the likelihood of bidding success.  UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking the move seems far-fetched, given the present political turmoil.  He says that in its current state, he doesn't...

Jack Ryan is returning to our screens.   After four successful seasons, the modern adaptation of Tom Clancy’s political action thriller novels is heading to the big screen for ‘Jack Ryan: Ghost War’.   American actor Michael Kelly is among the cast, reprising his role as Mike November for the high-stakes, action-packed story.   The film heavily utilised practical effects and on-loca...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 19th of May, Education Minister Erica Stanford unpacks the $131 million education funding and Touch NZ CEO Joe Sprangers explains their new partnership with NZ Rugby.  Immigration is turning into an election issue so we talk to sociologist Paul Spoonley as our population goes above 5.3 million and the gap between our birth and death...

The gap between the number of births and deaths is narrowing.  Latest Stats NZ data shows there was about 15 hundred fewer births in the year ending in March, and 170 more deaths.  The fertility rate has dropped from 1.58 births per woman to 1.53 and the infant mortality rate is also down.   Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking at some point the number of bi...

Erica Stanford insists her curriculum reform adds sunlight and accountability to the sector.   In a pre-Budget announcement, the Education Minister has announced $131 million to help improve students' reading, writing, and maths.  It'll also include more professional development for teachers and school leaders in those areas.  Stanford told Mike Hosking New Zealand's been in a black...

The services sector continues to contract.  The latest Services Index rose 2.7 points to 48.9 – with anything below 50 signalling contraction.  New orders was the only category in expansion, sitting at 51.2, while employment remained negative for the 29th consecutive month.   BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Mike Hosking the figures are the result of the fuel situat...

It's tourism's time to shine this week as TRENZ hits Auckland.  The country's largest tourism business event runs from today to Thursday at the International Convention Centre.  More than 12 hundred delegates will attend from key markets like the US and China, and it’s projected to inject more than $3 million into Auckland's economy.  Tourism Industry Aotearoa CEO Rebecca Ingram tol...

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists believes fewer people are receiving care than we're being told.   Its new report —which looks at seven districts between 2023 and 2025— shows about 20% of GP specialist referrals are being declined.   Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Mike Hosking it's down to staff shortages across the public and private sectors.  She says it shows...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 18th of May, Winston Peters tries to speak his bank buying idea into being. The Prime Minister responds to Winston Peters wanting to buy BNZ. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville cover Auckland FC, the Warriors win (and also loss) and the surfing in Raglan. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio,...

Can anyone tell me why literally everything that is ever done in the education space is rejected, hated and railed against by the unions? Have the education unions ever not asked for more money, more resources or more non-contact time, while at the same time telling you everything in the classroom is crap? The NCEA changes confirmed over the weekend, to most parent's eyes, will make perfect sense....

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine join Mike Hosking to review the weekends' sports.  The Warriors defeated the Broncos in Brisbane, is this finally our year?  And Auckland FC have defeated Adelaide to progress to the A League Grand Final, where they'll face Sydney FC on home turf.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.