The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A second lot of changes to the Resource Management Act has been announced.   It follows the first, which will cut regulation for winter grazing, fresh water, and coal mining.   RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking his latest announcements are more about the act's underlying architecture.   He says he's talking about quick wins around renewable energy, housing, and the way we deal wit...

A not unfair question to ask, as we return to the power crisis of 2024, is are we being told the full story?   For the third time Tiwai has been asked to reduce power use.   Methanex is allegedly in the throes of cutting another deal with the Government over gas.   Winston has already announced they are closing. They are not alone.   The Major Electricity Users' Group is asking us, all of us, to u...

There are claims from America's Cup and Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton that taking the regatta to Barcelona has already paid off.   It comes ahead of racing starting tonight, with the final preliminary regatta leading into the Louis Vuitton Cup starting late next week.   The move to ditch Auckland for Spain was highly controversial, but Dalton told Mike Hosking they had a combined audience of 9...

There’s a belief jewellery store Silvermoon will shine bright again.   Simon Thwaites has bought the business again after selling it in 2017, after the new owner put it into liquidation in March.   He's now re-purchased the business with plans to open two physical stores in Christchurch - at Riverside Market this weekend, and The Hub, Hornby, in November.   Thwaites told Mike Hosking it was a no b...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22nd of August, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown talks whether the Government would really put a cap on council spending.   Is our police force racist? Police Minister Mark Mitchell doesn't think so and says police only deal with those doing the crime. So, what does the Commissioner Andrew Coster think?   Team NZ boss Grant Dalton...

The volume of many goods going through our ports is continuing to decline as the economic downturn continues.   Port of Auckland has announced a 22% increase in annual underlying profit, allowing it to return a $40 million dividend back to Auckland Council.   But that's largely due to a 3% increase in container volumes and 10% increase in full containers.   Chief Executive Roger Gray told Mike Hos...

There are calls for less screen time and more conversations with children before they begin school.   The Education Review Office research reveals too many children are starting school without knowing how to read and write.   More than two-thirds of parents report their child had language difficulties before they started school last year.   Head of ERO’s Education Evaluation Centre Ruth Shinoda to...

An advocate says there needs to be a major shakeup of the rules around heritage buildings.   Local Government New Zealand President Sam Broughton says current legislation means it's hard to take action on vacant buildings.   A remit has been passed at the Local Government New Zealand conference in Wellington, asking for stronger powers.   Lower Hutt's Voluntary Heritage Group Convenor Phil Barry t...

Police say gaps in how they treat people are often explained by things outside of their control.   They commissioned a three-year inquiry which has revealed ongoing inequities in treatment of people based on their race, sexuality, gender, and mental health.   It's offered 40 recommendations.   Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking it found there's different outcomes for people they d...

The Local Government Minister's outlining his expectation to councils ahead of day two of the local government conference.   Local Government New Zealand is meeting in Wellington, and yesterday received a broadside from the Prime Minister instructing them to tighten their belts.   Minister Simeon Brown is expected to make an announcement today on potential deals between central and local governmen...

Big report day for big issues.   Report Number One: The ComCom and the business of banking.    The market doesn’t work, more banks would help, how to get more banks? How to get less regulation, how to get better deals for the customer?   Firstly, don’t hold your breath. The ComCom has looked into power and petrol and banking – not a lot changes.   Nicola Willis didn’t help yesterday morning when s...

Joe Biden reflected on his legacy and laid a case against Donald Trump in a rousing address.   The President's speech ended the first day of the Democratic National Convention where Kamala Harris will accept the presidential nomination.   Biden says crime has fallen under his presidency - and will continue to fall when a prosecutor is elected President, ahead of a convicted felon.   Biden says Har...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21st of August, the banks respond to the Commerce Commission report saying there isn't enough competition in the sector. Do they agree?   We found Darleen Tana and pulled them from the naughty corner of Parliament to ask why they still deserves to stay on as an MP after turning down the Green's proposal to resign.   Ginny Andersen and M...

The Government has stepped in after it was revealed police have intentionally not been enforcing a law banning smoking and vaping in cars carrying children.   NZME can reveal not a single fine has been issued since the law came into force in 2021, with police saying fines are punitive and unlikely to work.   It can also be revealed police never carried out the necessary system upgrades to issue fi...

The largest investor of struggling Canterbury milk processor, Synlait, will increase its ownership if its planned equity raise gets approval.   China's Bright Dairy's committing to pay 60 cents per share for $185 million of stock to lift its stake of the company to 65.3%.   Board chair George Adams says it's critical for Synlait's future - after it told the Australian securities exchange more than...

Darleen Tana has made their choice to remain in Parliament.   They have declined the Green Party’s request to resign, leaving the Party to deliberate over whether or not to enact the waka jumping legislation.   Tana revealed to Mike Hosking that they’re surprised the report into the allegations of migrant exploitation in their husband’s business hasn’t already been leaked.   They said that it’s ve...

The Police Association says officers' workloads are big enough without enforcing smoking and vaping bans.   Newstalk ZB has revealed in the four years since a law banning smoking and vaping in cars with children was passed, no one has been fined or summonsed to court.   Association President Chris Cahill says there are much more important things for police to focus on.   He told Mike Hosking polic...

ANZ's chief executive believes New Zealand's banking system is competitive.   The Commerce Commission's market study found there's little competition between the big four banks, and they take high profits by international standards.   It recommends open banking and giving Kiwibank access to more capital, to better compete and become a disruptor.   Antonia Watson told Mike Hosking they don't agree...

Ukraine’s President is keeping pressure on Western allies as they struggle to defend two key positions against Russia.   In an evening address over the weekend, Zelenskyy said that there is a need for faster delivery of supplies from their partners, aiming the address to the United States, United Kingdom, and France in particular.   France Correspondence Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that it’s...

So, one poll tells us something by not really moving and another poll tells us something by being badly misrepresented.   The TV1 news numbers last night show that essentially the Government is travelling well, most parties are stable, the Greens are down a bit, but its all, so far, within the margin of error. Nothing really has changed.   What that tells you is broadly a couple of things. The fir...

Rescuers are scrambling to search for six people, including British tech mogul Mike Lynch, who are missing after a tornado capsized a super yacht off the coast of Sicily.   There were 22 aboard when the yacht sank, 15 have been rescued, including a New Zealand citizen.   One person is confirmed dead.   UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking the ship’s mast was snapped in half when the storm...

One of New Zealand’s country music faves is making her return to New Zealand.   Tami Neilson, a multi-award winner and friend of the great Willie Nelson, has announced a new mini tour of the country: Neilson Sings Nelson.   She’ll be performing all of her favourites from the Willie Nelson songbook, with the endorsement of Nelson himself: “ Tami’s the real deal and does my songs a great honour.”  ...

Concern over falling birth rates after new figures show it's the lowest since World War II.   Stats NZ says the national fertility rate was 1.5 births per woman, down from 1.60.   Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking New Zealand is following the trends of other western nations, with many European countries recording far lower birth rates.   He says it means around 500-1000...

It’s a battle of the banks after last week's Official Cash Rate cut.   Most banks dropped their advertised retail loan rates within minutes of last Wednesday's Reserve Bank announcement.   ANZ and Co-Operative Bank have now dropped their rates even further.   Co-Operative Chief Executive Mark Wilkshire told Mike Hosking things are getting competitive.   He says it's good news for homeowners out th...

A former US Treasurer says he hasn't seen this level of support for the Democrats since Barack Obama's presidential campaign.   The Democratic National Convention starts in Chicago today.   It's where Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz will accept their presidential and vice presidential nominations.   Former Democratic National Committee Treasurer Bill Derrough to...