The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Department of Conservation has confirmed tourism numbers are returning to pre-covid levels.   New data shows visitors are back at 80% of what was seen before the pandemic, with arrivals increasing from 1.52 million in 2022 to 2.29 million in 2023.   Totally Tourism CEO Mark Quickfall told Mike Hosking that despite places like Europe seeing much higher figures, it has to be looked at in perspec...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 3rd of July, ACT Party leader David Seymour explains why he is agreeing to disagree on the Government's media bill.   Two unbelievable and hilarious bits of research that Mike loses it over: what we are searching for when on holiday, and Auckland being named the 9th most liveable city in the world.     Mark Mitchell and Carmel Sepuloni...

Politicians on both sides of the divide agree that the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill is worth a crack.   The Government's progressing an amended version of the Bill, which will make digital platforms like Facebook pay for news content.   It is set to progress through Parliament with the support of National, NZ First, and most likely Labour, but ACT's invoked its right to 'agree to disagree' an...

David Seymour doesn't think the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill will solve underlying issues with media.   The Government's progressing an amended version of the Bill which will make digital platforms like Facebook pay for news content.   ACT's invoked its right to 'agree to disagree' and will oppose the Bill.   Party leader David Seymour told Mike Hosking that it will probably make issues with...

There's a view police need back-up, following the revelations more prevention work is needed for the Government to deliver its youth crime crackdown.   It aims to reduce the number of serious youth offenders by 15% by 2030.   Official briefings show the Police Minister was told this was ambitious and would require cross-agency work.   Blue Light Chief Executive Brendon Crompton told Mike Hosking t...

A New Zealand home renovations company is aiming to challenge issues in the renovation market.   It's worth around $9 a year in New Zealand but the American market's more than half a trillion, which is seen as an opportunity for Kiwi exporters.   Refresh Renovations founder Jon Bridge told Mike Hosking that no one was doing renovations at scale, and there's been a major problem with budget blowout...

Polls are still suggesting a Labour victory ahead of this week's UK general election.   Labour leader Keir Starmer remains the clear contender against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party.   UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking that most polls are predicting a 240 majority for the Labour party.   He thinks that this is underestimating both a shy Tory vote and those who do...

It’s been a season full of ups and downs for the Warriors.   After a historic loss to the Titans two weeks ago, they bounced back against the Broncos, taking the win 32-16.   Coach Andrew Webster told Mike Hosking that their season has been very inconsistent.   He said that their good football is probably better than most, but their worst football is probably worse than most.   Webster said that h...

The federal election interference case against Donald Trump is headed back to the lower courts following a historic Supreme Court ruling.   The court's ruled 6-3 that former presidents are entitled to absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts while in office, but not unofficial acts.   Political commentator and National Columnist for the Washington Post Philip Bump told Mike Hosking tha...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 2nd of July, the Government has revealed their Q3 plan with a focus on public safety. So how do those directly affected feel about it all?   The Prime Minister answers those questions , plus why Te Pukenga is taking so long to disband, and Kainga Ora's future.   Warriors coach Andrew Webster tells Mike how we're going to make the playoffs...

Dairy owners want more power to make citizens arrests.   The Government's committed to passing four pieces of law and order legislation in the next quarter.   It includes allowing police to ban gang patches, confiscate firearms, more efficiency in the courts, and more rehabilitation for on-remand prisoners.   Chair of the Dairy and Business Owners Group Sunny Kaushal told Mike Hosking that it's a...

The Prime Minister is clarifying a six-figure redundancy payment to the resigning Kainga Ora CEO.   Christopher Luxon says it was not a decision made by the Government.   The public housing agency's chief executive Andrew McKenzie says he didn't sign up for an overhaul of Kainga Ora.   He's in for a payment of $365 thousand.   Luxon told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that those arrangements sit with...

Police say that community response is to thank for positive youth crime outcomes.   More than 70% of children and youths referred through the youth offender support protocol —Fast Track— haven't been re-referred.   The protocol, created by Oranga Tamariki, finds support services to prevent youth re-offending.   Police Assistant Commissioner Investigations Paul Basham told Mike Hosking that it show...

The claims the election in France has set the country on edge are being deemed an understatement.   The snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron earlier this month has the anti-immigration and European Union-sceptic National Rally party enjoying a strong lead in the polls.   French Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that the tension is palpable, with nobody quite knowing wher...

A former community housing leader says those providers are ready to collaborate with the Government.   Kainga Ora chief executive Andrew McKenzie has resigned, saying the Government's changes aren't what he signed up for.   It comes after a scathing review of the organisation.   Former Monte Cecilia Housing Trust CEO Bernie Smith told Mike Hosking that the last Government stopped community housing...

It is true to say that Biden got it together, somewhat, as the debate unfolded. But it started so badly that even in his finest moments it was ordinary. The unmistakable truth is what you saw is as good as it gets. If Americans vote for him he doesn’t improve, he doesn’t get younger and he doesn’t get sharper. I have not, until this point, believed the narrative that you can take a sitting Preside...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 1st July, we have the Government's three year plan for health and Health Minister Shane Reti explains whether it is actually achievable. Mike fact checks the nine lies from Biden and the 30 lies from Trump in the first presidential debate. Guy and Sav cover the Warriors, England's win in the Euros, and just where do NZ'ers watch Wimbledon?...

A young kiwi patient will be one of the first to be treated with a radical new treatment for a rare disease.  The drug will be used to target muscle cells and silence a gene which causes Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Neurologist and trial lead Richard Roxburgh says the method is promising.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The President struggled through Friday's debate against Former President Donald Trump, even finding it hard to finish sentences at times.  US News and World Report Senior National Correspondent Olivier Knox says it was Biden's worst public appearance during his time in office.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auckland Regional Fuel Tax expires today, saving motorists 11.5 cents per litre.  Automobile Association spokesperson Terry Collins says the organisation will be keeping a close eye on fuel companies to ensure they do drop prices.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fifty vehicles were impounded and more than 900 infringement notices dished out in Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Wellington, and Canterbury over Matariki weekend.  Superintendent Jeanette Park told Mike Hosking this is not a new issue for police.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister is looking ahead as reform of the health system marks its second anniversary.  In 2022, the former 20 Distract Health Boards were amalgamated into one central agency - health New Zealand. Health Minister Shane Reti says the previous government did not have a good implementation plan.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Integrity Sports and Recreation Commission launches today.  It's a new Crown entity that will take responsibility for safeguarding sport and recreation across New Zealand.  Chief Executive Rebecca Rolls spoke with Mike Hosking about what this means for the future of sport in New Zealand.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Northland transmission tower: 1/10   If you made it up, they wouldn’t believe you.     The ferry: 3/10   A bit more believable given the track record leading up, but it's still no less depressing.     The Warriors: 1/10   Almost as bad as taking too many nuts and bolts ou...

A little something from the perspective file.   Although things are dire and dour and straight up and down bad, in some areas they are not as bad as headlines would lead you to believe.   The best line of high drama I have read this week was around jobs. "It's like the Hunger Games", it said.   Is it? Really?   A lot of press has been given to those who have lost jobs of late.   The reason for thi...