The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Cutting down health system backlogs could come with a hefty price tag.   Meeting planned care targets has been modelled by health officials to cost $723 million over two years. This comes from a briefing to Health Minister Shane Reti, which looked at three proposed targets to bring down wait times for first appointments and treatment.   Former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell tells Mike Hosking that s...

President Biden is facing new pressure to step up his response to the growing number of anti-Semitic incidents on university campuses.   Protests have popped up in numerous states, and resulted in the cancellation of the University of California’s graduation ceremonies.   US correspondent Richard Arnold tells Mike Hosking these are the most significant student protests seen since the anti-war demo...

Former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett has been appointed as the new chair of the national drug purchasing entity, Pharmac.   Paula tells Mike Hosking her experience within government, dealing with big change makes her the right person for the job.   She says Pharmac needs major upheaval, with many challenges ahead.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday marked another year since the Gallipoli campaign, the yearly services commemorating not only those who fell in World War I, but conflicts and wars that came after.   Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Andrew Dickens that it’s been a feature in recent years, the significance growing over the years.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It all revolves around Donald Trump, going beyond his ‘hush money’ trial.   The former President is dealing with a series of legal actions all revolving around trying to corrupt the elections.   The top of the legal ladder is the US Supreme Court, which heard nearly three hours of Trump arguing that he can’t be tried for anything.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Andrew Dickens that their ar...

Filling in for Mike Hosking, Andrew Dickens was joined by Tim Wilson and Josie Pagani to wrap this week.   They discussed the importance of ANZAC Day, the dog walkers protesting against Auckland Council’s removal of public bins, and Gen Z’s table manners – or lack thereof.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 26 th April Andrew Dickens filled in for Mike, getting legal analysis of the Karen Chhour and Waitangi Tribunal legal stoush - which is far from over.   Andrew found out why there's concerns for the next cruise ship season , and what impact it will likely have on New Zealand’s economy.   Plus, the new Media and Communications Minister Paul...

Table manners may be a thing of the past.   A survey has found that Gen Z overwhelmingly doesn’t care about traditional etiquette, including holding a knife and fork correctly, eating off other people's plates, and using cell phones at the table.   But international etiquette expert Susie Wilson is saddened by the news.   She told Andrew Dickens she wants people to give etiquette a go by keeping t...

Social media app Tik Tok may be in line for a court battle after US President Joe Biden signed a bill to ban the app from the United States.   US lawmakers have for years fought for the banning of the Chinese based app, citing data security concerns.   But Tech commentator Paul Spain told Andrew Dickens that Tik Tok has the power to fight it.   He says Tik Tok's parent company is massive, even sur...

One RSA District President is celebrating the turnout at ANZAC services yesterday despite the wild weather in some parts.   The mid-morning service at Wellington's Pukeahu National War Memorial Park had to be canned because of the high winds.   Tony Hill said that while there are fewer people from the World Wars, a lot of new veterans are coming through.   It includes those who fought in Iraq, Eas...

The new Media and Communications Minister says the sector isn't broken but is under pressure.   The Prime Minister handed the portfolio to Paul Goldsmith after stripping it from the embattled Melissa Lee.   He told Andrew Dickens that there are challenges to work through.   Goldsmith says there's been colossal change in how people collect their news in the last decade, and the advertising revenue...

The cruise-ship season success is being celebrated, but there's concern next season could hit an iceberg.   Ships have brought in 350,000 visitors with an estimated value of $540 million.   However, a 20% decline in port visits is projected for next season as rising costs bite the market.   Cruise Association Chief Executive Jacqui Lloyd told Andrew Dickens that there are multiple issues at play....

An appeal of the High Court's decision to overturn the Waitangi Tribunal summons of the Children's Minister has been lodged.   It ruled Karen Chhour could not be compelled to appear before the Tribunal over her plans to repeal part of the Oranga Tamariki Act.   Constitutional law expert Andrew Geddis told Andrew Dickens that the Waitangi Tribunal does have the power to summon a minister.   He says...

Australia’s politicians are facing off against billionaire Elon Musk.   The federal government's renewing its focus on social media misinformation and harm after two violent stabbing attacks in Sydney.   But X-owner, Musk is fighting an order to remove graphic footage of the attacks from the platform.   Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking that Musk ridiculed the suggestion that...

A chunk of businesses aren’t sure they'll survive this year.   A Retail NZ survey has found retailers aren't confident heading into winter and a third think they might need to close this year.   About two thirds didn't meet their first quarter sales targets.   Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Mike Hosking that the reality of where the economy is at is taking hold.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio...

A hydrogen refuelling network across the North Island is the first of its kind in Australasia.   Hamilton, Auckland, and New Plymouth will host the Hiringa Energy stations, with Tauranga to join later this year.   The network will allow hydrogen trucks to travel within the 'golden triangle' covering 95% of heavy freight routes in the North Island.   Hiringa Energy CEO Andrew Clennett told Mike Hos...

One of the mysteries of our time is why so many businesses, and big businesses, spend so much money on social media platforms, given what's on those platforms.   Hyundai are the latest to pause their advertising on 'X' after anti-Semitic posts were highlighted and the car company's ads were right next door.   In Australia they are busy sorting out legislation to penalise these platforms for materi...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 24th of April, we finally have some common sense being brought to the RMA. Federated Farmers' Mark Hooper gave some insight on the response from farmers. An interesting new study says that if we don't change our ways in the medical industry and continue to force overseas doctors to conform to our cultural standards, we risk losing them....

National MP Mark Mitchell says there's absolutely no plan to cut a fund used for recovery after extreme weather events.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis has received advice on disestablishing the National Resilience Plan; a $6 billion scheme set up after Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods.   When asked if it's being cut, National MP Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking absolutely not.   He says...

We're being told helping international doctors adjust is about more than just medical competence.   An Otago university study has found New Zealand is at risk of losing its international doctors if cultural integration practices don't improve. Lead author Doctor Mariska Mannes says many want to be here but feel there's no support in helping them figure out how things work. She says most of them sa...

A Courtenay Place bar owner says it's critical Wellington City Council has a plan for the area.   It's walked away from a $32 million deal to renovate Reading Cinema, which has been closed since an earthquake risk was discovered in 2019.   The council says it's working on other projects to help revitalise the city's entertainment district.   But Dakota Bar's Jose Ubiaga told Mike Hosking that the...

A Christchurch City Councillor says their lifeline to the A&P Association isn't a grant.   The board canned this year's A&P Show, saying it would be unwise under its current finances and business model.   The association's now breaking the 100-year lease on its Wigram Road site, with the council paying about a million dollars a hectare to buy the remaining 95 years.   Christchurch City Cou...

Universities across America are bracing for more Gaza protests.   Campus closures and arrests have followed increasing Pro-Palestinian and Pro- Israel demonstrations this week.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that the epicentre of the protests, New York's Columbia University, is now offering online classes for the rest of the term.   He says scores of pro-Palestine protesters c...

Farmers see RMA reform as common sense returning to the farm gate.   Changes across farming, water, and mining will be introduced to Parliament next month.    Federated Farmers RMA spokesperson Mark Hooper says farmers already have good systems in place.    He told Mike Hosking they have farm environment plans which show where the risk factors are and a winter grazing plan, which tells them action...

A tense standoff between a London police officer and an antisemitism campaigner has sparked outrage.   Gideon Falter, CEO of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was blocked by an officer from crossing a road near to a pro-Palestine march.   Falter was wearing a yarmulke and according to the officer looked ‘openly Jewish’, and by crossing the road in that area was ‘provoking’ the protestors and risk...