The Mike Hosking Breakfast

As the political battle unfolds with the public service over savings, it is worth remembering a couple of things.   As much heat as the Government is taking over the so-called cuts, and to be honest I am not sure that there is in fact a great deal of heat outside of Wellington, it might be worth remembering that the previous Government was the one who handed out the jobs like there was no tomorrow...

France is on maximum alert in response to a shooting in Moscow.   At least 137 people were killed and 150 injured when gunmen opened fire at a rock concert over the weekend.   An urgent meeting of the Defense and National Security Council saw the alert implemented and 4000 additional members of the Sentinel team out and about in France.   Europe Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that...

Niche fields are being prioritised as the Tertiary Commission decides who gets funding.   Piano tuning and scaffolding are among the fields they’re willing to fund as they aim to boost enrolment, but larger fields like primary teaching are missing out.   Tom O’Neil, Managing Director of cv.co.nz, told Mike Hosking that the decision blows him away   He said that while piano tuners are great to have...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 26th March 2024, the Prime Minister joined the show in his weekly slot to talk red tape and SailGP. Mike Bush detailed just what is wrong with our civil defence system after the damning review into the response to Cyclone Gabrielle. Mike broke the fourth wall by talking about this very podcast. And the brilliantly funny David Walliams was...

An iconic name in the comedy scene, David Walliams is giving a glimpse behind the curtain in a manner he’s never done before.   ‘An Audience with David Walliams’ will be hitting kiwi stages later this year, the comedian bringing his signature wit and charm to the stage, telling stories and answering questions regarding absolutely anything.   Walliams told Mike Hosking that the show is a real journ...

The Prime Minister says it's too hard to hold events like SailGP in New Zealand.   The two-day event in Lyttelton over the weekend was overshadowed by CEO Sir Russell Coutts' comments after a dolphin spotting cancelled the first day of racing.   He claimed there's too much red tape around the event.   Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking that there's a lot of obstructions when events are held in th...

There are concerns that Civil Defence isn't adequately prepared for emergencies, after failings were revealed in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.   An independent review led by former Police Commissioner Mike Bush found officials were "overwhelmed" by the disaster.   Bush told Mike Hosking that the system is not fit for purpose.   He says the current model sets good people up to fail, and change...

Potential issues are being raised with the Government's childcare policy.   From July, parents and caregivers will be able to claim a maximum of $75 a week for childcare costs.   Early Childhood New Zealand Chief Executive Kathy Wolfe says it will definitely help people.   But, she told Mike Hosking, proving eligibility and applying for it may cut off access for some.   Wolfe says some families do...

One person has been arrested and taken into custody after two men were found dead and three others were injured from a 100-person mass brawl in Gisborne on Saturday night.   Police Minister Mark Mitchell flew to Gisborne to assist the mayor and police. Mitchell tells Mike Hosking that there is a large gang presence in the area but police are very effective at policing the issue. Mitchell reiterate...

The Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis over the weekend. Kate Middleton says she has been keeping the news private to explain to her young children after months of speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding her absence from the public eye.   UK correspondent Enda Brady tells Mike Hosking that a lot of people are ashamed of their actions after the Princess was effectively bullied...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 25 th March 2024, the police speak about the deadly Gisborne brawl and Mike gets to Britain to hear the latest on Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis. Police Minister Mark Mitchell answers questions on when we will turn a page on crime, plus his thoughts on the producer of the show being assaulted over the weekend with nothing being done.   A...

A homicide investigation has been launched after two people died and three others were injured in a mass brawl in Gisborne on Saturday night.   The large fight involved around 100 people and started when two uninvited guests arrived at a 21 st birthday party.   Police Detective Inspector Dave de Lange tells Mike Hosking the investigation is making steady progress but is complex due to the number o...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins gave a State of Nation speech on Sunday with a big focus on tax policy.   Hipkins tells Mike Hosking the scale of cuts the current Government are implementing go well beyond what people thought they were voting for. The Labour party plan to release a tax policy for the New Zealand public well before the next election.   “We need to give them a compelling reason to vote...

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.     Common sense: 7/10   You can't beat a good dose of it - the Kainga Ora crackdown, part of a growing trend where a lot of ideological gobbledygook gets put right. And you can add the vape decisions to this week's offerings       The plug-in hybrid back down: 6/10   When you ov...

The US Department of Justice and 15 states are suing Apple.   They're alleging it's used the powerful demand for its iPhone and other products to drive up prices for its services and hurt smaller rivals.   Apple joins a list of the biggest tech companies sued by US regulators, including Alphabet's Google, Meta Platforms, and Amazon.com across the administrations of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden....

So, a recession it is then.   Another one.   We had one at the end of 2022, going into 2023. Remember those good times? It got revised initially and the Government of the day said "see, told you it wasn't a recession".   Then we got the final read and, yes, it was indeed a recession - two solid quarters where we went backwards.   That’s bad enough. Recessions in modern economies are rare. Normally...

Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby are back to wrap the week with Mike Hosking, discussing the Warriors, intermittent fasting, and vintage shirts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a big weekend for the Garden City.   Auckland's loss is Christchurch's gain when SailGP returns for a second year in a row while the Warriors play in the city tonight.   The events are reportedly bringing in four million dollars of revenue to the city.   Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger told Mike Hosking it will sell Christchurch and New Zealand to the world.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com...

The perception of chronic migraines as "just headaches" need to change in the workplace.   An Otago University study shows nearly a quarter of participants experience the disease for at least 15 days a month.   It's suggested it causes significant levels of disability and limits people's ability to work and socialise.   Researcher Sue Garrett told Mike Hosking that employers need to recognise how...

The Transport Minister is defending the time it will take to reverse the last Government's blanket speed reductions.   Cabinet has agreed to reverse most of the changes and require travel times and other economic factors to be considered in all future decisions.   But speed limits may not return to what they were until the end of the year.   Minister Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking that there's a p...

Nicola Willis promised Kiwis that there’s still “hope” despite the bleak outlook for the economy.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB this morning after yesterday’s announcement of  a recession .   Willis said very high inflation and rising interest rates had been prolonged.   “There’s been a big hit to the growth forecast.”   On Q1, Willis said, “There is hope.”...

The Banking Association says there is indeed competition in the market.   A draft report from the Commerce Commission has found a two-tier system divides smaller banks from ANZ, ASB, BNZ, and Westpac, as well as a lack of competition.  It says an apparent focus on profit margins has resulted in under-investment in platforms and low innovation.  It recommends the Government improve capital for Kiwi...

The Russian election has sparked a tussle between Italy’s Prime Minister and her Deputy.   Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has gone against the critical response from Western leaders, saying that the voters’ verdict must be accepted.   Salvini was a stanch ally of Putin’s before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and said that the results must be accepted as “when people vote they are alw...

There is a court case going on in Wellington over Uber drivers and their so-called rights.   It's on the back of a massive case last week in Australia, which Uber lost, over the impact on the market their arrival had.   That’s on the back of any number of cases all over the world where unions have tried to muscle in and change the rules because they see them as unfair.   Along the way Uber has had...

The home of country music has launched another rising star.   Cooper Alan is one of Nashville’s up and comers with over 225 million streams, and 14 million followers across his social media platforms, selling over 85 thousand tickets for his tours and concerts.   He and a few others were in New Zealand this week, giving kiwi audiences a taste of country coming straight out of Nashville in the Coun...