The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Former One Direction star Liam Payne was active and posting on social media just hours before his death.  The 31-year-old and father-of-one died after a fall at a hotel in Buenos Aires.  He's famous for being a member of one of the world’s best-selling boy bands at the time, then developing a solo career.  Entertainment reporter Josh Rom told Mike Hosking that online activity showed...

Chlöe Swarbrick is confident in the Greens' argument about proportionality of the House being affected by now independent MP Darleen Tana.   Party delegates have voted to ask Speaker Gerry Brownlee to oust Tana from Parliament, invoking the waka-jumping law it has previously opposed.   It's now down to Brownlee to decide if Tana's resignation from the party —but not Parliament— affects t...

There's concern in the health sector over medicinal cannabis being treated as a one-stop-shop for illnesses.   A study published in today's Medical Journal reveals the products are becoming more psychoactive, with higher THC levels.  The lead author says many GPs aren't confident in prescribing medicinal cannabis themselves.  Massey University Researcher Chris Wilkins told Mike Hosk...

A divisive bill has had its first reading in the UK’s House of Commons.  Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has introduced her Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, setting off an emotional debate.   It would allow mentally competent, terminally ill adults with six months or less left to live the right to choose to end their lives with medical help.   UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike...

I assume you are as excited as I am, for today is Decision Day.  It’s Meeting Day, Deal with Darleen Day.  Darleen is off to court, as you do, but her former party is going to have another meeting, and it is suggested they may even make a decision.  They need 75% to boot her out of the Parliament via the waka jumping law – I have no idea whether they will get that or not.  If y...

The story of self-made millionaire Tony Quinn is fairly well-known, but there’s more to the tale.  Quinn made his fortune through pet food and confectionary but is a keen motorsport driver and the visionary behind Highlands Motorsport Park in Central Otago.   Originally released in 2016, his book ‘Zero to 60’ is getting a facelift, ‘Zero to 60 and Beyond’ sharing new stories in ten new c...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 17th of October, inflation is at its lowest level since 2021, which Finance Minister Nicola Willis sees as a win. But have we overcooked it?  How is it that ACC has gone from $1 billion in the black to $7.2 billion in the red in the span of a year? ACC CEO Megan Main joined the show to explain.  Entrepreneur and racing enthusia...

Hospitality owners are getting hit with a large bill for outdoor dining.  Queenstown District Council's increased its alfresco dining fees after pausing rises during the pandemic.  One hospitality business has seen their per square-metre cost rise from $160 to $600.  Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers told Mike Hosking that $600 is 30% of the rental rate of the CBD, which is a standard in...

The Finance Minister says there's more work to be done to get the economy growing.  New Zealand's inflation rate is officially back on target at 2.2%, its lowest rate in more than three years.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking she's already focused on looking ahead to the next Reserve Bank decision in November.  She says they’ll be looking at how the economy is functioning and how mo...

More men and women are set to be remembered on Anzac Day.  Veterans Affairs Minister Chris Penk has announced the public holiday will soon officially recognise veterans from conflicts after 1966.  The bill's expected to be introduced before Anzac Day 2025 and passed before the following year.  Head of Veteran Affairs New Zealand, Bernadine MacKenzie told Mike Hosking the legislation...

The head of ACC says they're working hard on improving rehabilitation performance.   The government agency has reported a $7.2 billion deficit a year after posting an almost $1 billion surplus.   It says the cost of services and compensation rose 16% over the year.   It's proposing to hike levies for vehicle owners, workers, and business owners.   ACC Chief Executive Megan Main...

There's confusion over the size of Wellington City Council's fiscal hole.  The council is scrambling to fill a $400-600 million shortfall in its 10 year budget to mitigate its insurance risk, amid threats of Government intervention.  But Councillor Nicola Young told Mike Hosking the council doesn't have a clue how much money it actually needs.  She says they've been told by council...

There's hopes new legislation helps ease the often rocky path of divorce for abuse victims.  A bill passed by Parliament means survivors can end their marriages if they have a protection order against their spouse.  The Bill's nicknamed 'Ashley's Law', and is championed by Ashley Jones.  Jones told Mike Hosking she didn't expect it to be passed unanimously, and can't believe she was...

Donald Trump's told supporters to get out and vote for him - two months late.   The oldest-man-to-run-for-the US President mixed up the date when telling Pennsylvania voters to turn up on Election Day, which is actually three weeks from today.   He says everything would work out if everybody votes on January 5th, or before.   US Correspondent says that in contrast, Kamala Harris has...

Is a shake-up needed for the Supreme Court?  That's the question posed by a New Zealand Initiative report, which suggests the court may be straying into Parliament’s domain by granting itself the power to rewrite legislation it deems unfavourable.  It believes Parliament needs to reassert its sovereignty, to stop what it sees as the current drift towards judicial supremacy.  Author,...

Mike Hosking was joined by Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell to touch on some of the biggest political stories in Politics Wednesday.   They discussed the current state of Wellington City Council, our dislike of wealthy politicians, and whether Christopher Luxon is as out of touch as the polls think he is.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 16th of October, we discuss what will happen with the inflation number today, plus the struggles businesses are facing trying to have tables out on the street.  We explore a new report from the NZ Initiative about Supreme Court creep when it comes to rules and regulations.  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk about why we do...

A senior legal professional wants Parliament to intervene in what he considers the politicisation of the judiciary.  It comes amid controversy over compulsory Tikanga Māori courses for law students.  Gary Judd KC has complained to the Government Regulation Review Select Committee.  He told Mike Hosking Tikanga shouldn't be infused in legal process, and he wants Parliament to take a...

A young New Zealander has created a tool to reduce healthcare worker injuries when opening glass ampoules.   The Cap Snap is a multi-tool for safe opening of steel caps on glass vials and cracking open ampoules.  It also helps separate each component for better waste management.   Jack Pugh won the national James Dyson Award for the invention and has been shortlisted in the global t...

Most economists are forecasting the latest inflation rate to be well within the target band.  There’s a widespread expectation that it will fall within the 2.2-2.3% range.  The latest Stats NZ Consumer Price Index number will be released just before 11 this morning.   As it cut the Official Cash Rate last week, the Reserve Bank said it was confident inflation was now below three per...

There's ongoing concerns for the construction sector, with fewer new builds being considered.  Corelogic's latest construction index shows just a 1.1% increase in cost during the September quarter.   Overall cost growth remains subdued, reflecting an easing of pressure for labour and materials.  Combined Building Supplies Co-op chair Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking the increase in lan...

Alfresco dining's coming at a high cost to hospitality owners.   Outdoor dining fees in Queenstown are being hiked almost 1600%, in some cases costing businesses $51,000 dollars a year.  Meanwhile, the Tauranga City Council's introducing the fees at $150 per square metre, just below Auckland's highest fee of $154 dollars per square metre.   Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armit...

Tensions are running high at the Paris Motor Show.  The industry is struggling with weak demand as European automakers aim to defend their position in the market.   The EU is gearing up to impose hefty import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, as the rival automakers attempt to get a foothold in the competitive market.  France Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking...

From our “you wonder why we are where we are” file, there's a note from the Solicitor General to the Police Prosecution Service about the new system they will have in place as of the start of next year.  The Solicitor General updated the prosecution guidelines. This is what she said:  "The goals remain to ensure New Zealand continues to benefit from prosecution processes, which are under...

Oranga Tamariki is having to face up to potential back office blunders.  The Auditor General has launched an inquiry into the agency’s funding decisions, as earlier in the year there were instances of social service providers having their funding cut with little to no heads up.   The inquiry will look at the processes, criteria, and planning Oranga Tamariki had in regard to its decisions...