The Mike Hosking Breakfast

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...

An assurance a rates cap on councils is worth the trouble despite the average amount households would save only being $34 a year.  The Government's move will restrict council rate hikes to no more than 4%, excluding water charges, and is expected to come into force in 2029.  Councils would be expected to prepare for it from next July.  Local Government Minister Simon Watts told Mike...

So we join the growing world chorus against social media/big tech and its pervasive algorithms and means of getting the young hooked.  It was an impressive launch of the social media regulation; an audience, good speakers, impassioned politicians, and a particularly effective video featuring Erica Stanford and a group of teenagers who outlined their personal experience and concerns about soci...

Greg Johnson is celebrating his birthday in style.  After 45 years of performing, the Kiwi musician is celebrating 60 years with a "career-spanning" tour in late October and early November.  The tour will feature all his classics as well as some new music from his album 'Some Night, Somewhere,' releasing in October.  Johnson has released over a dozen albums over the years and has ye...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 25th of August, we explore whether the social media ban could actually be enforced successfully, and Erica Stanford answers whether she has the numbers.  A new report on the India FTA says we're likely being conservative when it comes to how much it could lift exports.  Kiwi musician Greg Johnson joins the show from LA to promot...

The country's top restaurants have been crowned at this year's Cuisine Good Food Awards.   Queenstown's Essence has taken restaurant of the year and is one of just six nationwide awarded the esteemed three hat rating.   Auckland's Ahi, Cocoro, Tala, and Paris Butter, along with Hawke's Bay's Craggy Range were the other five, and Tala's founder and chef Henry Onesemo was named Chef of the...

Some think the India Free Trade Agreement will produce more benefits than even the Government expects.   The agreement is moving through Parliament, before it's ratified. The International Business Forum and Westpac have released new research on how the deal will contribute to value. Forum Executive Director Felicity Roxburgh says it shows Government forecasts of 0.1% GDP growth in the next d...

A major crypto summit kicks off in Queenstown today, with hope it could attract more investment.   'CryptoWinter' is looking to cash in on the country's digital asset sector – worth more than $9 billion dollars.   It brings together industry leaders, government representatives, and innovators to discuss the country's digital asset strategy and ways technology can drive investment.  ...

Pushback from Health New Zealand, who are assuring that patient needs are being met despite fresh staffing concerns.  The agency's released data for almost 740-thousand shifts last year, showing around a quarter of shifts across 615 wards were below the target staffing level at some point.  Nurses Organisation CEO Paul Gaulter says Health New Zealand should resource and staff to need.&nb...

The Education Minister's confident she'll get the support needed for a social media ban.  National's introduced a Bill which would legally require platforms like Instagram and TikTok to bar under-16s from making accounts.   The bill puts the pressure on social media companies to comply, establishing an online safety regulator and setting up a penalty regime.  ACT and New Zealand Fir...

A warning there's no magic wand to keep teens off social media.  National has introduced a Bill which would legally require platforms like Instagram and TikTok to bar under-16s from making accounts.   It would impose an online safety regulator and introduce significant financial penalties for companies' failure to comply.  ACT and New Zealand First don't support it, and Labour has s...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 24th of August, Labour has, kind of, released their fiscal strategy for the election and there are questions to ask so Chris Hipkins is on the show. The Prime Minister is on after ruling out any new taxes, proving this election is between tax or not. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk a brilliant weekend of sport between the AB's, the...

Right, a poll the Government should be worried about - whose fault is the economy? The importance of this is based on the simple premise that this election is about one thing, which is the state of the place. Is it getting better, or not? Do you see a brighter future, or not? Forget all the other issues and policies because they're frippery. All that matters is the state of your wallet, your finan...

The All Blacks pulled off the near-impossible at Ellis Park, beating the Springboks 33-16. They next face the Springboks on Sunday, but have to clear the Lions before they head to Cape Town.  Newstalk ZB's Rugby Editor Elliott Smith says it'll be a tricky match, but the All Blacks can't be breezy about the game, if they want a second victory over the Springboks this weekend.  LISTEN ABOV...

No regrets from National's Leader, as he backs down on new taxes this election. It's a sudden switch up from recent weeks with the National party discussing both a bed tax and bank tax as potential prospects.  Christopher Luxon says the party's unable to deliver either without creating cost for New Zealanders.  He told Mike Hosking that he stands by that decision, saying 'no new taxes, n...

Labour's confident stagnant property prices won't hurt its plans to slash debt if re-elected. The party's seeking to return to surplus by the end of the decade and lower net debt to 20% of GDP over time.  Its plans hinge on a fully implemented Capital Gains Tax. Labour Leader Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking that it's not expected the sliding property market will continue. He says even the cur...

A lawyer warns politicians have failed to add a property rights clause to the Bill of Rights Act before. The Act Party's promising to do so, as part of its new 'equal rights for all' election policy. The change would give property the same standing as other fundamental rights and require courts to interpret laws consistently. Pidgeon Judd property lawyer Joanna Pidgeon told Mike Hosking that there...

In this episode of the 100 Years of ZB Podcast, Mike Hosking takes you through the big events, issues and stories that Newstalk ZB covered from 1987 through to today.  It covers times of national tragedy, times of intense national interest and the international events that defined the country and the world. Mike also dives into our coverage into something the station is famous for - politics....

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.    GDP: 9/10  The Infometrics Q2 read is the final nail in the misery merchants' coffin – the turnaround is real.    Chris Hipkins: 4/10  Between the streaming bill he didn’t know he had and the Prime Minister interviews he didn’t listen to, does thi...

Simeon Brown has written a letter.  It's this sort of thing, I think, that frustrates a lot of potential and actual National Party voters.  There is an argument to be made, and power prices is one of them, where you can say that National talked a big game, but I don’t see any real results.  The letter is to the Electricity Authority (EA). They oversee the power market and whether ev...

Donald Trump is continuing to lose support in the polls.  A new poll from the American Research Group found that only 30% of those questioned approve of the way Trump is handling things – 69% disapproving of his handling of the economy.  There are big concerns even among Republicans, with 29% disapproving of the way the President is handling his job.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold...

It's Friday, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was.  Today they discussed the terrible time Kate had trying to buy tickets for Olivia Dean, the best dressed at ZB's 100th anniversary party, and Harry and Meghan's return to the UK.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A record year for industrial and agricultural manufacturer Skellerup.   Revenue is up 10% to $390.1 million, and their normalised profit has risen 18% to a record $64.2 million.  And despite Trump's tariffs and Middle East supply disruptions, US revenue has also risen by 12%.  CEO Graham Leaming told Mike Hosking the company is in good shape, and can continue to grow.  He says...