The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The best Olympics ever. Sadly it wasn’t in our timezone, which doesn’t help the communal buzz of a nation gathered together. But we won more golds and, in my book, that is really what the Olympics is about. They have tried to make it about new, weird sports and participation, but for the purest it is about being the best. That’s why you sacrifice and give up your life for singular moments that mak...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 12th of August, the Government has dropped emergency housing numbers by a third. So where have they gone and can they keep it up? New Zealand's golden girl, Dame Lisa Carrington, talks to Mike about her three gold medals and whether retirement is on the horizon. Guy Heveldt and Andrew Saville wrap all the highlights from Paris Olympics...

Kamala Harris is surging ahead of Donald Trump in the latest major poll. The Vice President's taken a four percent lead over the former President in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan in a New York Times Siena poll. It's the clearest indication of the candidates' standing in the three battleground states since Joe Biden dropped out. But US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking says we'r...

A call for stricter regulation of building reports to address major discrepancies that could be affecting buyer decisions. The industry’s finding the quality of the $1000 reports vary, with some overstating minor issues and spooking potential buyers. One real estate agent has told OneRoof he's seen 11 inspection reports for a single property — each with a different opinion. Institute of Building S...

Retail crime is on the rise once more — with latest Police data showing it's up 17 percent in the first five months of this year. In central Palmerston North, five people have been arrested for stealing thousands of goods from Farmers and Rebel Sport on Friday afternoon. And in Christchurch's New Brighton, a community pantry and Countdown supermarket were targeted on Saturday. Sunny Kaushal — the...

Our most successful Olympics of all time is coming to a close in Paris. Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are all performing in the closing ceremony. Flagbearer Dame Lisa Carrington told Mike Hosking it's an honour to be leading our Kiwi athletes alongside fellow flagbearer Finn Butcher. “I’d say I’m a bit of a different athlete now than I was then, and I think it’s really sp...

A suggestion from the Government that some emergency housing tenants don't need to be there. Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka claims there's been a 32 percent drop in households living in motels since December — roughly a thousand children. Labour's accusing the Government of making it harder for people to access support. But Potaka told Mike Hosking there are responsibilities that come with...

Tāmaki Makaurau is bouncing back after a chaotic few years, but still playing catch-up to other global cities. The second annual State of the City report released today shows housing affordability and transport infrastructure are lagging behind. It calls for significant investment and planning to kickstart projects with the speed, scale and coordination required. Business of Cities Managing Direct...

One of the country's largest electricity generators and retailers is adamant the market is working as it should be. The Electricity Authority and Commerce Commission are continuing to look into accusations of price gouging by so-called "gentailers" - companies that both generate electricity and provide it to consumers. It comes after four mills announced they were either downsizing or planning on...

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.     Smith & Caughey's: 7/10   A bright spot in a tough old economic week. Smaller is better than nothing at all.     Jobs: 6/10   In this weird old world being not as bad as you thought isn't really good news.     Power: 1/10   This is the scandal of the week, or month, or ye...

The boys in black are back, but they'll be playing with their captain this weekend. Scott Barrett talks to Mike Hosking about his injuries and Saturday's game.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Electricity Authority and Commerce Commission have both been asked to investigate whether power companies are price gouging. Officials are also looking to import more liquefied natural gas to address the situation.  Energy minister Simeon Brown joins Mike Hosking to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After voting unanimously to keep their Maori Wards, Palmerston North City Council is seeking advice. Act's local government spokesperson Cameron Luxton is accusing elected members of playing with fire.  Constitutional law expert Graeme Edgler joins Mike Hosking to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Council-controlled organisations will soon be able to borrow more for less through the local government funding agency.  They will be able to borrow five times their operating revenue, meaning major work can get underway without major rates hikes.  Water New Zealand Chief Executive Gillian Blythe joins Mike Hosking to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that Trump is honing in on criticisms of Harris' lack of sit-down interviews since she took over from Joe Biden. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Conservative think tank suggests charter schools could close gaps in student achievement.  Researcher Maryanne Spurdle says charter schools could provide positive learning gains for disadvantaged students. She says while the model doesn't directly target these students - it allows educators to have autonomy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday the 9th of August, we have the Government's plan for water, plus Simeon Brown tells us how we'll fix the electricity woes.  All Black captain Scott Barrett pops in to talk how his surgery recovery is going and whether we'll thrash Argentina this weekend. What's Mike's latest question to win money for charity? Kate and Tim play the latest r...

The UK Prime Minister is vowing swift action as authorities brace for fresh unrest.   There's been escalating violence in far-right riots since the fatal stabbing of three girls in a Merseyside dance class in Southport last week.   More than 500 people have been arrested so far, and thousands of counter protesters have also mobilised across the country.   A rioter who punched a police officer in t...

Although the eyes of the world are currently focused on the Olympic Games, that hasn’t ended the conflicts occurring all over the globe.   Today marks day 895 of the Ukraine War, and Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week unveiling the first of the F-16s, which are already in use.   Over in the Middle East, Israel and the United States are on high alert for retaliation from Iran after the as...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 8th of August, unemployment came in lower than expected, so where does that leave the Reserve Bank and interest rate cuts?   Is Mark Mitchell playing games by refusing a meeting with police for Ginny Andersen? We get the explanation from the Police Minister himself.   One of the best military strategists Mick Ryan talks where we go to fr...

Calls for a national food strategy to be implemented in light of research showing it's virtually impossible for families on a benefit to afford healthy food.   Data shows two-children families receiving financial assistance would be $200 dollars short if they bought low-cost nutritional kai.   AUT Nutrition Professor Elaine Rush told Mike Hosking that feeding Kiwis well needs to be prioritised ove...

The Government could be importing liquefied natural gas to relieve businesses struggling with high power prices.   An Auckland paper recycling pulp mill with 75 staff is proposing to close.   Ohakune's Winstone pulp and timber mills are also at the brink of closure, putting 300 jobs on the line.   Both blame sky rocketing increases in power prices over the years.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis t...

The Police Minister has clarified why he declined the Opposition spokesperson's request to visit an Auckland police station to meet with an inspector.   Ginny Andersen says she followed well established practice when asking to visit Albany station, but Mark Mitchell's office said no.   Mitchell told Mike Hosking it's different to when he labelled then-Minister Poto Williams “petulant and vindictiv...

Economists' uncertainty regarding the Reserve Bank's upcoming Official Cash Rate moves speaks to how inconsistent its messaging has been.   Stats NZ data has the unemployment rate at 4.6% in the June quarter, up from 4.4% in March.   It's one factor the Reserve Bank considers when weighing up whether to cut the Official Cash Rate.   Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking a co...

The Government is being urged to step in to save New Zealand paper and pulp mills.   Winstone's pulp and timber mills near Ohakune are looking to close due to high power costs, with 300 jobs on the line.   Following this, an Auckland paper recycling pulp mill has put forward a proposal to close - blaming rising energy costs as one of several issues.   First Union Spokesperson Justin Wallace told M...