The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Friday has come once again and Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was. This week they discussed the Coldplay concerts, famous people's guitars (including one signed by Donald Trump), and how much they'd be willing to pay for a scoop of chips from the fish and chips shop. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 22nd of November, is the Government's desire for a third medical school at Waikato at risk after David Seymour raised concerns about the cost?    All Blacks' captain Scott Barrett pops in for a word ahead of their clash against Italy – the final game in the end of year international tour.  Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby talk C...

New Zealand's relationship with the incoming Trump administration will be the main topic at a US Business Summit in Auckland today.   It will feature speeches from the Prime Minister, Trade Minister Todd McClay, US Ambassador Tom Udall, and a variety of business voices.   Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Bridges says it will be a great chance to get the Government's perspective on...

After being clouded in sexual misconduct allegations, Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration to become Donald Trumps' attorney general.  The former Republican congressman says he felt he was becoming a distraction, and didn't want to waste time on a "scuffle".  US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Gaetz had faced intense scrutiny over a House Ethics Committee i...

The All Blacks have stuck with the tried and tested for their final fixture of the year against Italy in Turin on Sunday morning.   Changes are minimal from Paris – the team is relatively close to what could be termed a first-choice 23.  There are five changes to the run on-side that lost to France, four being injury related.  Captain Scott Barrett told Mike Hosking they had a focus...

Councils are celebrating the government's decision to lift the debt cap, allowing them to borrow more money.  It follows an average 15% rates increase this year across the country.  Local Government New Zealand President Sam Broughton told Mike Hosking that councils currently have two options - borrow or lift rates.  He says they have to borrow more because residents can't afford to...

A paediatric endocrinologist believes the Health Ministry's puberty blocker stance is sensible.  The Ministry's brief shows a lack of good quality evidence backing the drug's effectiveness and safety for treating gender dysphoria.  It says they should only be prescribed by a clinician experienced in gender-affirming care, as part of a team offering a full range of support.  Paul Hof...

David Seymour's concerned about the rationale behind the new Waikato medical school.  National campaigned on the idea of a new medical school with a greater focus on rural and primary healthcare.  The ACT leader wrote to Health Minister Shane Reti saying he was dissatisfied with a cost-benefit analysis on the school, which must be presented according to the coalition agreement.  Sey...

New Zealand aren’t the only ones suffering from healthcare struggles.  Italy released their 2025 draft Budget, and medical professionals in particular are unimpressed.  Nurses and doctors went on a nationwide strike, drawing 85% of support according to trade unions.  Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking that they’re saying not enough money has been allocated to healthcar...

It's ironic that we mention the Commerce Commission yesterday and here we are today, indulging in a bit more of its madness.  Lines charges, the cost of getting power to your house, is going to get more expensive.  Your bill will rise for the next handful of years by up to $85. That’s over $1,000 a year.  Is your power better? No.  Do you get more power? No.  You just pay...

A researcher believes international drug smugglers are flooding the New Zealand market, bringing prices down and availability up.  The New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey found cocaine use is increasing, with 48% of respondents reporting they've used it at some point in their life.  It finds meth's also dropping in price, with a gram becoming 36% cheaper over the past six years.  Massey...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 21st of November, the new Police Commissioner Richard Chambers reveals his plans for the next five years, and touches on the gang patch ban that came into effect overnight.  Just how much meth, cannabis and cocaine are we consuming? We look at the annual drug trend survey.  The Naked Chef Jamie Oliver hasn't done a New Zealand...

There's a view Netflix isn't paying enough attention to New Zealand's screen industry.  The movie and TV streaming corporation is setting up an office in Sydney to take care of Australia and New Zealand.  So far, the content and commissioning has been heavily based across the ditch.  Screen Production and Development Association President Irene Gardiner told Mike Hosking that some i...

Jamie Oliver has built a culinary empire.  He’s a household name in the kitchen, writing 23 cookbooks and selling over 46 million copies.  Oliver sprung into the spotlight 25 years ago with ‘The Naked Chef’, a BBC Two cooking show that ran for three series.   He landed the role after he appeared in the background of a BBC documentary about The River Cafe in Fulham, where he was work...

The Government's released a new child and youth strategy, with a focus on supporting children and their families in the first 2000 days.   It aims to lift 17,000 children out of material hardship by 2027.   2000 days is just over five years.  Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston told Mike Hosking the Government needs to focus its efforts – if they attempt too many things,...

The Transport Agency's spending is in the spotlight.  The Transport Minister's calling NZTA's costs “eye-watering” and excessive after revealing a near $800 million spend on traffic management over the past three years.  Simeon Brown says a new framework is coming to reduce costs.  Traffic Direct General Manager Dev Strause told Mike Hosking it will be made, but change doesn't happe...

Police have already acted on the new gang patch ban.  The Gangs Act 2024 came into effect at midnight last night, banning the public wear of gang patches and insignia.   New Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told Mike Hosking that at three minutes past midnight, Hastings police stopped a vehicle displaying gang insignia, and they are now facing prosecution.  He told Hosking the p...

Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith says people who are convicted of sexual crimes getting name suppression is “a massive issue”.  “Particularly for the victims, they can’t talk about what’s happened to them and they can’t warn others," Goldsmith told Mike Hosking.  “We’ve decided you only get permanent name suppression if you’re a convicted sex offender if the victim agrees. And if the v...

An additional two charges have been laid against former Australian broadcaster Alan Jones.  The 83-year-old is now facing a total of 26 indecent assault charges, relating to nine alleged victims over the span of two-decades.  Jones was granted conditional bail, and has been scheduled to appear at Downing Centre local court in Sydney on the 18th of December.  Australian Correspondent...

I think at times the Commerce Commission has an easy job in the sense it starts out life, in appearance anyway, as being on “our side. "Our” side being the people's side.  We need a hero, a protector to keep the big bad boys away from our lives and wallets.  Lately though, they look like they might have a large legal budget that someone has told them to spend or else they will lose it.&n...

Seasons are changing when it comes to secondary school sports.  In just over a year’s time, basketball is set to become the most popular sport, with participation jumping 61% since 2000.  However, there’s now concerns that New Zealand is 500 courts short to support the growing popularity.   School Sport NZ CEO Mike Summerell told Mike Hosking that while schools have great facilities...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of September, MPs want to change the standing orders in Parliament so that rules are followed and punishments are properly handed out. What can actually be changed?  The Prime Minister is back from APEC and joins the show for a chat the day after 42,000 people marched onto Parliament grounds.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Ande...

There have been a wide range of responses to Te Pāti Māori’s haka in the House last week.   Speaker Gerry Brownlee has confirmed he’s received complaints, and both David Seymour and Shane Jones have asked him to consider changes.  National's Mark Mitchell says he doesn't know of any rule change that could rein in Te Pāti Māori.  He told Mike Hosking that he doesn’t think they care a...

There's hopes New Zealand's efforts to stop smoking don't go up in smoke.   The latest New Zealand Health Survey shows daily smoking rates have remained steady over the past year.   They were just under 7%, which is down from 13% five years ago.   Auckland University health economist Paula Lorgelly told Mike Hosking we might be tripping at the finish line.  She says we're seein...

The Prime Minister says there needs to be rules in Parliament to ensure there's debate about difficult issues, without it degenerating into chaos.   Speaker Gerry Brownlee's confirmed he's received complaints about Te Pati Māori's haka in the House last week. David Seymour and Shane Jones have both asked him to consider changes.   Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking there has to be respe...