The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Government's considering charging more for visits to national parks and conservation areas.  The Department of Conservation has released two documents for public consultation on modernising conservation.  It's seeking feedback on questions like who should pay visitor fees, including both domestic and international tourists.  Conservation Minister Tama Potaka told Mike Hosking he...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 15th of November, former Speaker Sir Lockwood Smith gives his thoughts on the shambles that was the Treaty Principles Bill "debate".  Elliott Smith regales us with his experience so far in Paris ahead of the All Blacks match against France.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson break out the defence for producer Sam, talk jury duty, and...

A new report has found only 1.38% of visas are for skilled residents.  The Office of the Auditor-General has been looking into Immigration New Zealand, and says a greater focus needs to be put on attracting skilled residents.  Senior Performance Auditor Lucy Mouland told Mike Hosking that if the agency improved its systems, it could give New Zealand a competitive edge internationally.&nb...

Insurers are required to ask the right questions and not leave it up to policy holders.  New legislation has been designed to modernise outdated insurance laws, helping protect consumers and provide certainty for insurers.  A Bill has passed its Third Reading in the House.   Andrew Horne, a partner at law firm Minter Ellison, told Mike Hosking people won't need to predict the future...

A former Parliamentary Speaker says standards of the House have slipped in recent years.  During debate around ACT's Treaty Principles Bill, Labour's Willie Jackson called David Seymour a liar, while Te Pati Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi compared the party to the KKK.  Former Speaker of the House, Sir Lockwood Smith told Mike Hosking that this is “as bad as he's ever seen the House”.&nb...

A financial policy advisor says he's sceptical IRD's student debt crackdown will work.  The agency's engaged debt collectors to secure more than $2 billion of outstanding student loans from people who have moved overseas.  Fincap Senior Policy Adviser Jake Lilley told Mike Hosking those with large student loans shouldn't be expected to pay it back on the spot.  He says if people don...

Donald Trump's latest nomination for roles in his Cabinet has drawn shock from some Republicans.   He's nominated Congressman Matt Gaetz to be his Attorney General.   Gaetz has previously been investigated over allegations of sexual misconduct.  US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking it's causing backlash.   He says multiple Republicans are scathing about their colle...

Elon Musk has copped some flak from Italian officials.  President Sergio Mattarella has told Elon Musk not to interfere in Italian affairs after the billionaire said Rome judges blocking a government anti-immigration initiative should be sent packing.   Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking that Mattarella used very diplomatic language to tell Musk to butt out of Italian polit...

The Treaty Principles Bill gets debated this week, and then off it goes to the committee that will hear a lot of fear mongering and whinging about how it is the end of the world.  After that it will come back to Parliament, a vote will be had, it won't get the numbers, and it will be dead.  This is unusual as Governments normally put bills in they know they are going to pass.  Here...

A new approach to land zoning could be the answer to the housing crisis.  New Zealand’s housing crisis is locking families out of home ownership, but what would happen if local streets and neighbourhoods were the ones to decide what can be built and where?   Hyperlocal zoning allows the community to vote on potential developments, balancing the preferences of locals with the need for mor...

Golfer Steve Alker wants to keep playing professionally until he's 60, after winning a second season-long crown on the PGA Champions Tour.  The 53-year-old's joined the likes of greats Tom Watson and Bernhard Langer in claiming the overall title more than once.  He's mulled over what to consider before putting the clubs away.  He told Mike Hosking that staying fit is the biggest thi...

The first of Coldplay's three concerts at Eden Park is a night many concert-goers will never forget.  Over 50 thousand people braved the bad weather last night, the rain unable to dampen the electric energy of the performance.  Newstalk ZB's Matt Heath told Mike Hosking he arrived a critic and left a fan.  He says he always found frontman Chris Martin to be a talented man, but one w...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 14th of November, despite all the talk and bluster our tourism numbers haven't budged, and analysts say they don't see a way to get us back to pre-Covid levels. The boss of Tourism New Zealand gives his verdict.  Mike has some thoughts on schools encouraging students to attend the hikoi.  Kiwi golfer Steve Alker is now a two-ti...

The Infrastructure Minister maintains that more public-private partnerships won't mean more privatisation of assets.  Chris Bishop's unveiled a new framework for the PPPs to encourage the government to work with developers to build key projects.  He told Mike Hosking concerns of privatisation are unfounded.  Bishop says while projects would be built by private developers, ownership...

It’s expected that The Christchurch Show won't disappoint Cantabrians.  The three-day event begins today in place of the usual New Zealand Agricultural Show.  It's the product of local company Event Hire, who came to the show's rescue after the previous board pulled the pin due to financial issues.  Canterbury A&P Association Chairman Sir David Carter told Mike Hosking he's conf...

A gaming machine lobby group is pleased about a government move to bring online operators into line.  The Government's announced it's starting a licensing program, which will see 15 licences given and an up to $5 million fine for anyone operating online without one.  Gaming Machine Association Independent Chair Peter Dengate Thrush told Mike Hosking internet casinos threaten the current...

Despite a plateau in tourism arrivals, the sector is seeing positive signs.  Overseas visitor arrivals were at 3.23 million for the year to September, which is up on the same month last year, but well below 2019's almost 4 million.  But Tourism New Zealand CEO Rene de Monchy says international holiday visitors are up 29% on last year.  He told Mike Hosking international visitor spen...

Donald Trump's new administration is taking shape.  Among a rush of names of Trump appointees and likely Trump aides, there seem to be signs of some headwinds for the President Elect.  Senator Marco Rubio has been proposed as the Secretary of State, former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has been nominated as the Ambassador to Israel, and Florida congressman Mike Waltz ha...

I've got an EV car question for you.  But first, the latest EV news.  Nissan are laying off thousands of workers, Toyota says the California regulations are unworkable, Trump has arrived, tariffs are an issue and he is anti-EV, and in Britain they are discounting EVs by a third because of rules that make manufacturers sell a certain number of EVs, and if you don’t sell that many you are...

A step forward in energy production, with a Wellington company hitting a significant milestone.  The capital's OpenStar Technologies says it's created and confined plasma, allowing them to now spark fusion reactions.  It comes as New Zealand grapples with significant supply challenges in the energy market. Ratu Mataira is behind the development.  He told Mike Hosking that if they're...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 13th of November, the gang patch ban kicks in next week, and the police have been communicating with gangs as to how the new legislation will play out. Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham explains how it’s being received.  A man by the name of Donald J. Trump interrupted our call with the Prime Minister yesterday, so Christop...

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest political stories from the week thus far.  Yesterday was an emotional day for everyone as the Government offered an official apology to the survivors of abuse in state care.  Ginny Andersen was watching the livestream alongside survivors at Shed 6, which she says was a humb...

The Prime Minister has shared new details about his phone call with Donald Trump.  Christopher Luxon has had a one-on-one chat with the US President Elect yesterday morning, a call Trump was late for.   But Luxon told Mike Hosking it was a warm conversation and a productive chat, covering everything from international conflict to golf.  Luxon says Trump's perception of New Zealand,...

Auckland commuters can also expect disruption tonight as Eden Park plays host to Coldplay.  More than 50,000 people are expected to attend tonight's concert.  Extra flights and public transport services are being scheduled, but there will be heavy traffic and road closures around Eden Park this afternoon.  Chief executive Nick Sautner told Mike Hosking they're excited to be involved...

Abuse in care survivors are united in their desire for urgent action following the Government's apology.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has proposed renaming streets and public amenities that are named after known abusers and establishing a National Remembrance Day.  He's also committing $32 million into the existing settlement process.  Criminal barrister Rosemary Thomson —a Lak...