The Mike Hosking Breakfast

International student enrolments topped 59,000 for the first eight months of 2023, a 43% increase compared to the full year in 2022.   English Language Schools have seen the greatest increase, up by 347% to surpass 7000.   Education NZ's Geoff Bilbrough told Mike Hosking that it's good to have the students back after the Covid border closures.   He says the students come to New Zealand looking for...

More consequences are on the way for retailers selling illegal vaping products.   The Government is cracking down on vaping, banning single use vapes and increasing the fines by the end of the year.   The penalty will increase from $10,000 to $100,000.   Auckland University vaping researcher Dr Kelly Burrowes told Mike Hosking that enforcing fines will be the biggest challenge.   She says it sound...

Grant Robertson says he acted in the best interests of New Zealanders throughout his career.   The politician delivered his valedictory last night, saying he's proud of the Covid response.   He also said it had been his honour and privilege to be a minister but wishes he could've changed the tax system.   Robertson told Mike Hosking that he gave 100 percent.   He says he fronted up and explained w...

New Zealand's gross domestic product isn't expected to have grown in the last quarter.   ASB is predicting a 0.2 percentage point drop, ANZ expects 0.1 percentage point growth, and the Reserve Bank's forecast a flat zero percent.   If the economic growth figures are negative, New Zealand will enter a technical recession given the last quarter's figure was also negative.   Infometrics principal eco...

It's thought people shouldn't get too ahead of themselves as the idea to bring back Northland's Marsden Point Oil Refinery is floated.   The Government's investigating the feasibility of re-opening it as part of a study into New Zealand's fuel security requirements.   The privately-owned fuel refinery was decommissioned in 2022 to become an import-only fuel terminal.   Energy Resources Aotearoa's...

There’s no shortage of political drama amongst Trump’s cohort.   A former White House official, Peter Navarro is facing a four-month jail term for refusing to cooperate in the January 6 th inquiry.   Navarro worked as an assistant to the President during Trump’s administration, and in response to Donald Trump has been speaking out about retribution.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosk...

I am not sure how it is, well over a quarter of a century into MMP, that we still have this mad idea that just because you are the head of one party, you are the boss of another party.   Christopher Luxon is somehow supposed to be having a word with Winston Peters over the comments from the weekend, not to mention yesterday.   Problem number one is the media walked right into the trap and it's not...

Today marks Grant Robertson’s final day in politics.   He’ll be delivering his final speech to Parliament today at 5:30, and leaves the field with a contested legacy.   Labour’s Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking that he’s a real human in politics, making complicated topics understandable and reachable for everyday people.   She said he always had the funniest stories and she’s sure his final speech...

Changes to road user charges for EVs are being welcomed.   The Government's officially confirmed owners of plug-in hybrid vehicles will now pay $38 per thousand kilometres, a reduction from the planned $53 policy.   The change comes after the Government accidentally backed an amendment from the Labour Party.   Motor Industry Association Chief Executive Aimee Wiley told Mike Hosking that the reduct...

Completing a Great Walk is set to become more expensive for the first time in four years.   The Department of Conservation is increasing the price of a hut on a Great Walk or a campsite by 18% from July.   Paparoa will increase by 6%.   Fees will range from $19 to camp in the Abel Tasman, to $92 for a hut on the Milford Track.   Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram told Mike Ho...

More issues are arising within the Police force.   In an effort to meet the Government’s cost cuts, indefinite restrictions have been placed on the recruiting of non-sworn staff.   The Police Association has said that the freeze on hiring backroom staff will trickle over and impact the front line.   Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking that you have to be really careful.   Without...

A new Treasury paper reveals how the Government's main weapon for tackling the climate crisis could affect families financially.   It demonstrates how leaning heavily on the Emissions Trading Scheme could increase costs for households disproportionately.   Carbon prices are expected to move upwards, bringing other household costs up with it and hitting lower income families the hardest.   Victoria...

A business leader says there's a retail crime emergency.   Police data shows more than 400 retail crimes were reported a day last year, with six staff a day complaining to police they'd been assaulted.   There were more than 2000 assaults on retail workers over the course of the year, including almost 400 sexual assaults, a 20% increase from 2022.   Dairy and Business Owners Group chair Sunny Kaus...

Rumours a coup is brewing in the UK Conservative Party likely hold little truth.   In the last few days MP Penny Mordaunt has been at the centre of speculation that she’s trying to oust the prime minister, after which she’ll step into his place.   UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking that while there is disquiet within the Conservative Party’s backbenches regarding Rishi Sunak’s performan...

I watched an interview the other week with Marama Davidson.   It came after the elevation of Chloe Swarbrick to the leadership. Davidson wasn’t at the press conference, Chloe told us, because it turns out she had Covid.   In watching the interview, although Covid ridden, Davidson looked and sounded perfectly well, although she was isolating, which is what we do, isn't it?     Well, some of us do....

One of the bestselling musicians of all time, Grammy Award Winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor is on his way to New Zealand.   He’s sold over 100 million albums in a career spanning more than 50 years and is the only artist to have an album in the Billboard Top 10 in each of the past six decades.   The end of April will see Taylor visiting Auckland and Wellington for ‘An Evening wi...

Vladimir Putin has claimed a fifth term as Russia’s President.   He took an early lead with 88% of the vote upon polls closing on Sunday, and the full count saw him secure the win with 87.28%.   While several countries have congratulated Putin’s win, Europe is not under the impression that his win was fair.   Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin a power-hungry “dictator”, who is “sick...

Small town New Zealand is consuming more alcohol than the big cities.   New Auckland University wastewater analysis has found New Zealanders over 15 years are having 1.2 standard drinks per day on average, below the WHO's 2018 estimate.   South Islanders are consuming more than North Islanders, and towns have higher average consumption than cities.   Researcher Lisa Pilkington told Mike Hosking th...

The Government's new directives for Kainga Ora are being hailed a step in the right direction by the business community.   It's requiring the government agency to take stronger measures against persistent antisocial tenant behaviour and abolish the Sustaining Tenancies Framework.   Parnell Business Association General Manager Cheryl Adamson is welcoming the announcement.   She told Mike Hosking sh...

The Prime Minister says the Government is calling for action over the 20% of Kāinga Ora houses left vacant for a month or more.   The Government's issued a Letter of Expectation to Kāinga Ora outlining a series of areas where it needs improvement.   Luxon says there's a whole bunch of homes not ready to let because they need repairs or need to be rebuilt.   But, he told Hosking, he's concerned it'...

A Law Association leader says the cuts being asked of the Justice Ministry will put more pressure on the system.   Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann has released her latest briefing to Attorney-General Judith Collins.   It includes the need to raise the cap on the number of senior court judges and under-funding resulting in mouldy and leaky courtrooms.   It also mentions the district court backl...

Parliament's fast-tracking powers are being used this week for a free trade agreement with the EU.   The EU FTA Legislation Bill will pass under urgency this week so the deal can kick off by May.   Trade Minister Todd McClay sees it as a win for exporters and growers.   EU Ambassador Lawrence Meredith told Mike Hosking that it's an excellent deal for both sides, the EU and New Zealand and consumer...

A report from Rewiring Aotearoa found homes using gas appliances and petrol cars could save between $1500 and $4500 a year by switching to electric.   Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey tells Mike Hosking that even including the upfront cost of solar panels and batteries, it is cheaper to operate a home on electricity than gas and fossil fuels.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Health Minister Shane Reti is promising new funding for GPs and a redistribution of existing funding based on which practices deal with more complex needs.   He aims to meet the Government’s health targets on cancer treatments, ED wait times and child immunisations by 2030.   Reti tells Mike Hosking that the redistribution of funding will have a substantial impact on Low Cost Access practices.   L...

The Crusaders have slumped to their worst start in Super Rugby history, suffering a fourth consecutive loss for the first time in the franchise’ history.   Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge tells Mike Hosking the team is disappointed. The team were short through injury and availability, and alongside changes in personnel this had an impact on play.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...