The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The union representing Police says the minister needs to do more to support officers.   It comes after the Police Association dubbed the Government's latest pay offer as "insulting".   They rejected the government’s offer in September 2023, and were presented with the same offer on Friday, which due to the amount of time passed, is now worth about $2000 less.   President Chris Cahill told Mike Hos...

Airbnb is banning all indoor security cameras from listed properties due to privacy concerns.   It previously allowed cameras in common areas so long as they were disclosed on listings.   But it's also been facing complaints and online backlash from guests who have discovered hidden cameras during their short-term stays.   Auckland-based Zodiak Management director Stefan Nikolic told Mike Hosking...

The Government's being urged to decrease the number of carbon credits available to buy after four failed auctions last year.   The Climate Change Commission says there are too many credits on offer, and the problem is getting worse.   It also says the Government needs to clarify their plan for meeting climate targets.   Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr told Mike Hosking that there are enou...

Water lost to leaks could be costing New Zealand more than $100 million each year.   Otago University research found across the country, 20% of treated drinking water is lost to leaky pipes, at an estimated cost of $122 million.   Co-author of the report, Marnie Prickett told Mike Hosking that our levels of water loss are much higher than international comparisons.   She says Tokyo loses only 5% o...

The Workplace Relations Minister says businesses want the Government to simplify employment laws.  Brooke van Velden has laid out her agenda for this term, including focusing on regulations around contractors, public holidays, health and safety rules, and personal grievances   Also a priority is sorting out the law around holidays.   van Velden told Mike Hosking that she wants to simplify laws and...

The French President’s visit to Ukraine has been delayed.   The visit was initially planned to take place in February, visiting Kiev, the capital, and Odessa.   One reason that this visit was delayed was the Russian missile attack in an area not far from where the Greek and Ukrainian Prime Ministers were visiting in Odessa.   European Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that eyes are o...

There are two areas where the Government has, or might have, trouble.   As a result of their first 100 days you get the summation, the round up, how they did and so on.   Forget the policy and whether you like it - what they have going for them is twofold, for at least the first term.   They won the election, so have the numbers, and a lot of what they are enacting is not just the opposite of the...

New Zealand has a knack for producing talented country-pop musicians.   Self-taught Christchurch based musician Karra Rhodes has just released a single, ‘Why Can’t I Love You Less’, a full album on the horizon.   Rhodes loves a challenge, juggling law exams, study, writing, and raising two young children as she pushes forward with her music career.   Writing is a particular passion of hers, having...

Treasury has killed plans to include the cost of climate responsibilities on Government books.   Former Climate Change Minister James Shaw wanted the $23 billion cost included.   But Treasury says the sum doesn't meet generally accepted accounting methodology.   Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking that including the cost would be purely political.   He says it's listed on the ac...

Property values are slightly higher on an annual basis for the first time since August last year.   The latest QV property index shows the national average house value in February is 0.6% higher than the same time last year.   However, it's still 13% lower than the market's peak in 2021.   QV Operations Manager James Wilson told Mike Hosking that the market is still really volatile.   He said that...

Small renovations and minor building work are set to be cheaper.   From July 1, any building project worth under $65 thousand, including GST, will be exempt from the building levy.   Currently any project worth $20,444 and above is subject to the fee, which is paid at $1.75 per $1000 of work value.   Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk told Mike Hosking that the effects will be minimal,...

The Government’s interest deductibility plan is a compromise that reflects the current fiscal situation according to the Prime Minister.   Residential property investors are receiving less tax relief than National promised ACT in the coalition agreement, the interest limitation rule being phased out next financial year instead of this.   Luxon says this change is the mark of a “grown-up Government...

Funds gifted to the Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade from may be returned due to its association with a gang.   The $2.5k donation was raised in the Head Hunters North Motorcycle club's "Outlaw Motorcycle Run" event.   Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden and members of the public have voiced opposition to the club accepting the money.   But sociologist and gang expert Jarrod Gilbert told M...

The Property Investors' Federation says easing rents relies on many factors. The Government's re-introducing interest deductibility for landlords. They'll be able to claim 80 percent of interest expenses from April, and 100 percent from April 2025. The Government says it'll ease pressure on rents, also benefiting tenants. Property Investors' Federation President Sue Harrison told Mike Hosking that...

Foreign Minister Winston Peters is visiting India, as New Zealand tries to strengthen it's ties with the economic giant. He says it's time New Zealand made efforts to progress our relationship with India. India NZ Business Council Chair Michael Fox told Mike Hosking, with a strong economy and hard working people, India has a lot to offer New Zealand. He says India is progressing rapidly, and we ne...

Chloe Swarbrick is raring to go in her new role as Green Party co-leader. She is taking over the reins from James Shaw - and will share the party's co-leadership with Marama Davidson. Swarbrick says her process will be about mobilising people and communities to understand their power to make change. She told Mike Hosking that the Government is basically pulling from the same playbook as it was in...

Auckland Transport is giving itself a pass mark, for its handling of the weekend's Pink concerts at Eden Park. On Friday night, some concert-goers say they were left stranded on platforms because there weren't enough trains heading to the central city. On Saturday, some were left waiting more than an hour for trains or buses, with some buses leaving before all seats were filled. AT Public Transpor...

Wellington Water says aging pipes are to blame, after reports show the water agency's failing to reach targets. The cost to fix leaks has tripled since 2021, jumping to almost five-thousand dollars per leak. It also found the backlog of works has increased, since extra funding was provided in December. Wellington Water Chair, Nick Leggett, told Mike Hosking that they've fixed more than two-thousan...

Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby joined Mike Hosking to wrap up the biggest news stories from the week.  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.     Donald Trump: 7/10   A Supreme Court win and a race that is essentially over. That's not a bad week.     EV's: 3/10   The sales figures for February back up the sales figures for January, in that there weren't many of them. And they think this month will be about the same.  ...

A couple of fun facts that weren't covered in the Government's transport plan, given we all got exercised about registrations and fuel taxes.   The Road to Zero has been dumped as part of it. And the Te Huia train is under review.   You can add these two projects to the Labour Government's litany of shambles that, essentially, came to nothing.   The poverty figures that went backwards, the Fees Fr...

Joe Biden will be trying to woo undecided voters in his annual State of the Union speech this afternoon.   The US President is expected to focus on hot-button issues like the flow of migrants across the Mexico-US border.   He's expected to lash Republicans for pulling out of a border reform plan that they helped draft, after Donald Trump said he wanted to keep the border as a hot election issue.  ...

If you’ve been missing the farmers market, this week has you covered.   Back for its 6 th annual event, National Farmers Markets Week is kicking off this Saturday.   There are approximately 25 farmers markets across the country, making up over a thousand small food businesses with an estimated 50,000 customers supporting them each week.   Jono Walker, Chair of Famers Markets NZ, told Mike Hosking...

The preseason has come to an end and the Warriors are officially back in action with their 2024 season.   They’re facing the Cronulla Sharks tonight at home, naming their strongest possible side to open their NRL campaign.   Kiwis Coach and Warriors legend Stacey Jones told Mike Hosking that while there were a couple of shaky moments in the trials, it allowed them to mix and match combinations and...

Air New Zealand is starting to take a closer look at people's carry on luggage.   The airline allows bags of up to 7 kg and 118 centimetres in length into an aircraft's cabin.   If it's bigger than that passengers will be told to check it in, and if necessary, pay for the privilege.   General Manager of Airports Kate Boyer says told Mike Hosking that they have noticed more people pushing the limit...