The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The latest cab off the rank in things Australia is doing that we suggested we might, is some sort of deal with tech around local news.  Australia led off the batting with the social media ban that has been picked up and run with all over the world.  It doesn't necessarily work, but people in various jurisdictions feel good enough about it and it may well be that enough people are affecte...

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.    The Warriors: 7/10  There is a roll-on here, a real consistency, and two more easy points this weekend.      Food scrap bins: 2/10  They're not used, they're made of plastic, they blow all over the neighbourhood. The 40% shows a bad idea is a...

Why now Sean?  I had Covid vibes when I read Sean Sweeney's thinking about the CRL.  It was Covid vibes because during that period I cannot tell you how many people I know and regularly dealt with, whether it was people in the media or people from business, who said one thing about the Government and their handling of lockdowns and the economy in private, and something completely differe...

Chaotic scenes in Australia as three women linked to Islamic State return home to face crimes against humanity and terror charges.  The women travelled with their partners to the Middle East more than a decade ago, and they say they wanted to come home for their Australian children.  They may face court as early as today.  Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking a scu...

Iran's expected to respond to the US's proposal to end the conflict sometime today.   Yesterday, Axios reported a one-page 14-point memorandum of understanding was being discussed to formally end the war.   The memo aims to set up negotiations for limiting Iran's nuclear capabilities, releasing billions-of-dollars in frozen assets, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.  US Corresponde...

Friday has come which means it’s time for Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson to help Mike Hosking Wrap the Week.  They got an update on Mike’s fountain project, the weather, and Kate and Tim listened in as Mike extended a special invitation to one of the show’s youngest fans.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A couple of weeks ago, Mike received a gift and a lovely note from one of his youngest fans – 10-year-old Freddie.  In all his decades of being on the air, he thought it was the first time he’s ever been sent a gift from someone so young. And, it was excellently decorated by Freddie’s 7-year-old sister, Harriet.   The show is now a big fan of Freddie, so they decided to give him a call a...

The Crusaders are back in their brand-new stadium.  After christening the One NZ Stadium with a 35-20 victory over the Waratahs during Super Round, tonight's clash will see them go head-to-head with the Blues.  Over 73 thousand fans walked through the stadium during its opening weekend, and it looks like it will be packed out tonight, tickets expected to sell out.   Crusaders CEO Co...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 8th of May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses the OECD report on the future impact of our current Superannuation settings.   NZR Chairman David Kirk answers questions about the new CEO, new President, and the economic state of rugby in this country.  And on Wrapping the Week, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson listen in as Mike...

New Zealand Rugby's global search for a new chief executive has led them back to their own offices.  Steve Lancaster has been confirmed as the new boss of NZR.  The former Crusader has been serving as the interim CEO for the last six months, having stepped up from his role as general manager of community rugby.   Chairman David Kirk told Mike Hosking that originally they didn’t have...

City Rail Link cost concerns are re-igniting calls for a shake up to the way we approach infrastructure. The project's former boss Sean Sweeney claims the build could've been completed at half the estimated $5.5 billion. It sparked Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to announce a full review of the project after it's opened later this year. Civil Contractors New Zealand CEO Alan Pollard told Mik...

The Conservation Minister says there's huge opportunity for conservation land to generate the country more money.  A bill's been lodged, promising major reforms aimed at speeding up the DOC sign-off process for concessions on conservation land.  It would also see overseas visitors charged to visit certain sites – estimated to raise around $60 million a year to go to conservation.  T...

The Finance Minister says the Government's going to have to do something about Superannuation.   An OECD report warns if current policy settings continue, we could be spending 5% more of our GDP on health, long-term care, and pensions by 2060.  Minister Nicola Willis says the cost for superannuation is going up billions of dollars, while there are fewer workers for every pensioner. &nbsp...

I do worry about Paul Goldsmith's ability to make a decision.  The BSA and its abolition is a “done by morning tea, let's move onto the important stuff” sort of thing.  And yet he seems to have been waxing and waning and pontificating for the past two years of Government.  At last, he has got there. The Broadcasting Standards Authority is over and thank the good Lord for that. ...

Fans eagerly awaiting the release of Mel Parsons’ new album will be able to experience it live, the Kiwi singer taking it on tour.  Earlier this morning she announced a seven-date tour for her upcoming album ‘Castle Hill’, named for the remote Southern Alps town in which it was recorded.   The album is due out in August, but half a dozen singles have already been released, including Post...

Fresh conflict between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV.  Trump launched another attack on the Pope, suggesting he believes it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, and claiming his stance is endangering people.  The Pope made no such claims and responded to the attack by saying the mission of the church is to preach the Gospel and to preach peace, and people were free to c...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 7th of May, EMA’s Alan McDonald discusses the unexpected drop in the unemployment rate, while UVisa Director Tobias Tohill gives his thoughts on what the new citizenship test should look like.   Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is back from Singapore, discussing infrastructure, the fuel deal, and the results of a poll on the Governm...

Employers are remaining cautious as the Iran war continues to push up fuel prices and slow economic growth.  Unemployment dipped slightly to 5.3% in the March quarter.  Employers and Manufacturers Association Advocacy Head Alan McDonald says businesses he's talked to aren't yet looking to shed staff.  He told Mike Hosking that they can see it’s going to get better when the conflict...

Christchurch's Mayor doesn't think previously red zoned land has been tainted by its past.   The City Council's agreed to engage with interested parties, including social housing providers, iwi, and private developers.   It's identified more than 10 hectares of land, split across 11 parts of the quake damaged zone, suitable for housing.  Phil Mauger told Mike Hosking work will be ne...

The Prime Minister says we have serious work to do on our infrastructure compared to Singapore.  He's returned from the country this week, where a deal was formally signed to ensure trade keeps flowing during disruptions – securing fuel for New Zealand and food for Singapore.  This comes as the former boss of Auckland's City Rail Link claims the project could have cost 50% less – balloon...

An immigration advisor says we should learn from other countries as to what makes a good citizenship test.  The Government's planning to impose a test from late next year.  Applicants will have to pass 15 of 20 multi-choice questions on our history, politics, and laws.  UVisa Director Tobias Tohill told Mike Hosking he hopes they're paying attention to how this is approached elsewhe...

The Government says it will be up to audiences to decide if they care whether broadcasters self-regulate.   It's shutting down the Broadcasting Standards Authority, sayings it's past its use-by date in the online age.   The Media and Communications Minister expects the Media Council will become the primary regulator for journalism. Paul Goldsmith told Mike Hosking he doesn't have to opt-...

In a year of wacky polls and debate, we have this morning probably the maddest result of all.  Horizon research has either asked a leading or confusing question, or they have a misrepresentative group of people. Or the people who answered have other things in mind when they answered because the poll is about the fuel crisis.  Now the fuel "crisis", such as it is, has not actually been a...

It’s Politics Wednesday, and Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell are back to bicker and banter their way through the biggest political stories of the week so far.  They discussed the new Horizon poll that showed the majority of Kiwis have little confidence in the Government’s ability to handle the fuel crisis and dug into how Andersen says Labour would’ve mitigated cost of living pressures. &nbs...

It's possible this year's running of the iconic annual Bluff Oyster Festival may be the last.  Only half of the four-thousand tickets to the event, taking place on May 23, have been sold.   Normally it's a sell out by now.  Festival chair John Edminstin told Mike Hosking there were early fears about an oyster shortage, but that's eased.   He says unless there's a freak storm in...