The Mike Hosking Breakfast

It was always coming because it's part of the coalition deal.   But the Willis letter to a couple of select committees sets up, of all the inquires and market studies we have had, probably the most interesting investigation yet.   Banks and whether we are getting a decent deal, is there enough competition?   The rural community is screaming at the moment over their behaviour, there seems a very fa...

The Consumer Advocacy Council is calling on the Electric Authority to step up to ensure power companies are being transparent.   NZIER research reveals the rules intended to shine a light on whether the big electricity companies are inflating prices, aren't working.   Gentailers —companies that both generate and sell electricity— are required to disclose the price they use internally to sell power...

Beer brewers say they're disappointed in the government for bumping alcohol taxes.   The alcohol excise tax is set to increase by 4.1% from July.   It follows a number of increases over recent years.   Brewers' Association Executive Director Dylan Firth told Mike Hosking that things are pretty tough out there. He says the last government made a number of increases to the tax, but more hikes are un...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 13th of June, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells us why an inquiry into rural banking is so valuable and necessary.   We bring you the highlights from the Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer leaders' "debate".   Andy Summers of The Police fame is coming to New Zealand, so we had to talk to have the exclusive chat with the guitarist from one o...

A Christchurch company has stepped in to save this year's Canterbury A&P show.   Event Hire's reached an agreement with the A&P association to operate a slimmed down version of the annual November event.   The partnership follows the A&P board calling it off due to its financial situation.   To be called the Christchurch Show, it will remain at the show grounds.   Event Hire owner Phil...

The Finance Minister says change needs to happen in our banking sector.   The Government's requested an inquiry into banking competition, particularly in rural banking.   Nicola Willis says we owe this inquiry to our rural communities, who are vital for the recovery of our economy.   She told Mike Hosking that she's open to anything, including bringing banks into line and changing legislation to g...

A recruitment specialist says we've likely lost a number of our already small pool of skilled workers.   More than 130,000 people moved out of the country in the year to April, the highest on record according to Stats NZ figures.   A record 81,200 New Zealand citizens made up the majority of the leavers.   Talent ID Director Kellie Hamlett told Mike Hosking that these departures won't be helping o...

With over 75 million records sold, six Grammy’s, and inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Police are one of the most iconic bands in the world.   Although they’re no longer making music as a group, each member is still immersed in their creative pursuits, and guitarist Andy Summers is following his all the way to New Zealand.   In an exclusive first announcement, Summers will be bri...

The government is considering a move to scrap regulation on food exporters.   They’ve opened consultation on a proposal to allow exporters to manage the process for meeting food standards for the country the food's being sent to, rather than having to meet New Zealand's requirements.   Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard told Mike Hosking that the dairy industry has long been calling for the chang...

Australia’s Opposition leader has set the election up to be a climate war.   Peter Dutton has confirmed that should they be elected, they will not set a 2030 emissions reductions target.   He claimed they were committed to net zero by 2050 but didn’t reveal any interim targets.   Australian Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking that Albanese has started to try rip apart Dutton’s climate chan...

Data suggests many Kiwis are struggling with their savings.   Kiwibank’s annual State of Savings index has found that 1 in 3 Kiwis would struggle with paying an unexpected $500 bill.   39% are saving $100 or less a month as the cost of living sucks up their spare cash.   CEO Steve Jurkovich told Mike Hosking that historically the reasons people would call up with financial problems are because the...

Another one of those sensible moves this week, with an amendment coming to the Climate Change Response Act.   It's to make sure agriculture doesn't enter the Emissions Trading Scheme.   On a side note, the report the previous Government commissioned to look at how we handle agriculture around climate change was called He Waka Eke Noa.   Tell me what that means. Anyone. Tell me the translation of H...

Competition is starting to improve in the fuel market.   The Commerce Commission has called out retailers for being quick to put prices up, but slow to bring them back down.   They believe it’s costing motorists $15 million a year.   Bryan Chapple, Commerce Commission Commissioner, told Mike Hosking that there's no evidence its collusion, but rather companies just aren’t incentivised to lower thei...

Do working parents need more sick leave?   The conversation has arisen again, Frog Recruitment polling more than 1,700 office workers, 969 of which were working parents, to find out.   The poll revealed that 625 are coming to work sick after running out of leave, and 46% of parents use their own sick leave to stay at home with an ill child.   Frog Recruitment Managing Director Shannon Barlow told...

It's a fine start for the first day of Fieldays 2024 at Hamilton's Mystery Creek.   The agricultural event is the biggest in Australasia and more than 100,000 people are expected over the four days.   MetService is predicting fine weather for the event for the next two days, with possible showers on Friday and Saturday.   Fieldays CEO Peter Nation told Mike Hosking that this is one of the biggest...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 12th of June, we talked to the farmers about the Government’s choice to take agriculture out of the Emissions Trading Scheme.   Bring on Fieldays 2024! Such a good event, so we needed to get down there for a talk about how it's going to go over the next three days.   Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell looked at the missing man and his kid...

Family members of the missing Marokopa man and his children are hoping Police's increased efforts make a difference.   For two weeks Police are offering an $80 thousand reward for information and will consider giving immunity to people assisting him.   The now eight, nine, and ten year olds, along with Tom Phillips, have been missing since 2021 and are believed to be in western Waikato.   Police M...

Another legal first in the United States as Hunter Biden's found guilty of three criminal gun offences. It's the first time the child of a sitting President's been found guilty of a crime, and comes only weeks after Donald Trump made history as the first former President with a criminal conviction. The younger Biden could face up to 25 years in prison. US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hos...

The Government says sending troops to South Korea is good for their training.   New Zealand is sending 41 Defence Force personnel as part of the United Nations Command.   Defence Minister Judith Collins says they are mostly younger, less experienced members.   She told Mike Hosking that it's a good chance for those with a couple of years' service to work with other nations.   Collins says we're on...

Dairy NZ's welcoming the Government's decision to keep agriculture out of the Emissions Trading Scheme.   A law change will stop farming being charged through the scheme, which offsets credits against emitting.   It's also disestablished He Waka Eke Noa and plans to replace it with a new group tasked with tackling methane emissions from farming.   Dairy NZ chief executive Campbell Parker told Mike...

Rishi Sunak is struggling to recover after his blunder during the D-Day commemorations.   The Prime Minister left the commemorations early, deciding to return home to continue his election campaign instead of joining other world leaders to pay their respects.   He’s apologised for the decision, saying that “on reflection, that was a mistake and I apologise.”   UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike...

Sole trader confidence in the government's slipped after the announcement of the fortnightly $20 tax credit.   Accountancy service Hnry's most recent report reveals 44% think they'll be worse off with the government's promises.   They've come up with six policies they would support instead, such as lower tax rates for high demand professions.   CEO James Fuller says sole traders aren't looking for...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 11th of June, we looked at the Chinese Premier’s upcoming visit to our shores and discussed this and more with the Prime Minister.     Mike looked at the MPs who are taking the accommodation supplement in Wellington, and whether this passes the pub test or not.   Infamous comedian Chelsea Handler talked cancel culture, her new residency i...

Once again we ask the question: who is paying for the Waitangi Tribunal?   How much of it is what you would loosely call value for money?   There is a new urgent hearing this week. It is to do with the new Government's promise to have non-Māori Government departments use English for their name. Think the NZTA and the Ministry of Education.   The argument brought forward by a Tauranga iwi is this d...

An Auckland community patrol is seeking more funding amidst ongoing crime and demand.   Epsom Community Patrol is putting out the plea, along with asking more locals to volunteer for patrols seven days a week.   Patrol Leader Rod Gabb says central Epsom is particularly rife with crime, which can't be reduced without a collective effort.   He told Mike Hosking that a report from the Onehunga statio...