The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A law expert says the Whakaari White Island trial was a messy process.   The island's owner, Whakaari Management Limited, has been found guilty on one health and safety charge brought by WorkSafe.   WorkSafe charged 13 parties in 2020; six pleaded guilty ahead of the trial and another six had charges dismissed.   Law expert Chris Gallavin told Mike Hosking that not having corporate manslaughter in...

Jack Reacher has returned in yet another novel from Lee and Andrew Child.   ‘The Secret’ is the 28 th book in the series and was released only a few months before the second season of the TV show is set to be released in December.   Lee Child told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that this is the last of their transitional collaborations, after which Andrew will be taking over completely.   He said that...

A call to centre the discussion around breaking up the supermarket duopoly as an online grocer folds.   Supie began as a start-up in 2021, aiming to introduce competition in the supermarket industry.   Voluntary administrator PwC New Zealand estimates a debt of up to $3 million, and suspects liquidation in the coming days.   Monopoly Watch Spokesperson, Tex Edwards, told Mike Hosking that there’s...

It's always a sad, old business when a half-decent idea doesn’t quite work out.   That's how it appears with Supie, the company and the start-up designed to shake up the supermarket game.   Now, it's important to remember we don’t know why they have gone into liquidation. Even if a business fails, it may say nothing about the economic environment, it may say nothing about the specific sector it op...

Auckland University researchers have identified links between more Airbnbs in neighbourhoods and higher crime-rates.   The findings —which use Auckland region census data— show it leads to lower house prices.   It highlights how Airbnbs replace long-term owner occupiers with short term occupants, which can erode the anti-crime capability of the community.   Higher density neighbourhoods —like thos...

A major bank has increased the rate it uses to check potential borrowers can afford a loan.   ANZ has upped its test rate to 9.1%.   That's despite home loan rates sitting around 7% for a two-year fix.    In past week ANZ and Westpac have raised interest rates.   Squirrel Mortgages Chief Executive David Cunningham told Mike Hosking the test rate doesn't make much of a difference.   He says the goo...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he has been spending a lot of time lately packing boxes as he prepares to depart office.   “My boxes are all packed, we’re ready to go,” Hipkins told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking.   Hipkins said the transition phase is a little bit frustrating.   “I can’t really embrace the position of opposition, and I can’t embrace the position of Government,” said Hipkins.   “We’r...

Rotorua's Mayor is looking to crackdown on unsafe housing providers in the city.   Tania Tapsell is targeting motels, hostels, and backpackers that might be operating unsafely by taking on long term tenants.   It comes after a deal was struck between local government, council, and iwi last year, aiming to slash emergency housing motel numbers to near zero.   Tapsell told Mike Hosking that it's dis...

Andrew Saville and Guy Heveldt joined Mike Hosking to discuss the Rugby World Cup final, changes that need to be made to officiating, and Joesph Parker's win over Simon Kean in Saudi Arabia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of talk about the match. But what about the game of rugby? As I was watching Bill Beaumont hand out the prizes I wondered whether he has the slightest clue that he is killing the game's chances at the domination or growth they so desperately want. For the sport's show piece, yesterday morning was a bust. If you expect the casual observer to tune in, as so many do for the pinnacle of sport, w...

Did the officiating and all the rules ruin rugby’s big showpiece? The match officiating was under hefty scrutiny in the All Blacks’ 12-11 loss to the Springboks in Paris, with referee Wayne Barnes heavily relying on the TMO throughout. The game saw three yellows and one red card, as well as questions over Springboks captain Siya Kolisi’s yellow not being upgraded to a red like Sam Cane’s for a sim...

An Auckland University think-tank study's highlighted the significant degree to which weight problems can be triggered both before birth and in early childhood. The Knowledge Hub for Maternal and Child Health at the Centre for Informed Futures found links between caregiver feeding practices, what age infants are introduced solid foods, and the weight of parents at conception. Lead researcher Dr Fe...

Our tourism sector's popping the champagne as American aviation giant Delta Air Lines enters the New Zealand market today. The airline will transit between Los Angeles and Auckland every day during summer, and three times a week in late March to late October. United Airlines have also joined the party, adding more offerings to New Zealand. House of Travel Chief Operating Officer Brent Thomas told...

Matthew Perry's being remembered after his unexpected death yesterday. The 54-year-old actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends was found dead in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home. Sources say first responders were called for a person suffering cardiac arrest. Flowers and cards are piling up outside the New York building which doubled as Central Perk. Although KTLA entertainment...

Israel says its next stage of war with Hamas has begun as it expands ground operations in Gaza. The UN has warned that civil order is breaking down in Gaza. Israeli journalist Haggai Matar told Mike Hosking they don't know if this is THE ground invasion that's been expected for some time. “We are seeing additional ground operations, but I don’t think it’s of the mass scale that was envisioned when...

The Rugby World Cup final didn’t end the way the All Blacks were hoping for. The Springboks are four-time World Cup champions after defeating a 14-man All Blacks 12-11 at the Stade de France in Paris. The final was a controversially over-refereed affair, that proved disappointing for the sport’s showpiece game. Former All Black Sean Fitzpatrick joined Mike Hosking the over-refereeing was already a...

It’s potentially the sports headline, good news, hold the front page, story of the year. Rugby has had a good week. I like what the internationals are doing with the North/South expansion. What people want is the best and playing the best. Boxing has understood that for years that you create the contest, build the hype and sell it. Splitting the game between hemispheres, as we play Australia and S...

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.       The process of elections: 2/10  Surely we have collectively decided this week that three weeks is nutty. The Electoral Commission have some answers to produce and it can't be as hard and slow as they make it.       The All Blacks: 8/10  I feel good, don’t you? It's not a fo...

Meridian Energy and NZ Windfarms have struck a deal, aiming to further New Zealand’s venture towards net zero emissions.   The joint-venture is to expand Te Rere Hau wind farm near Palmerston North, estimated costs sitting between $500 million and $600 million.   Meridian’s CEO, Mike Roan, told Mike Hosking that they plan to remove the existing wind farm and build new turbines at the site.   He sa...

Kids will be kids, but one US restaurant has become fed up with parents who refuse to control their children.   The Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in rural Georgia has introduced a “bad parenting fee”, charging parents a surcharge if their kids’ behaviour is disruptive or unruly.   The surcharge is stated plainly on the menu, but the choice has angered many social media users who are asking just what...

The All Blacks have made it to the Rugby World Cup final for the fifth time.    They're set to face the Springboks Sunday morning in an epic clash for the cup.   Former All Blacks Captain, John Hart, told Mike Hosking that the combination of youth and experience is really working for the team.   He said they’ve got the team they want, and they’ve gone in injury free, and are prepared to put in a f...

Up to 300 law enforcement personnel are searching for the suspect in the mass-shooting in Maine.   At least 18 people are dead and a further 13 injured after the shootings at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston.   Suspect 40-year-old Robert Card is believed to be armed and dangerous.   There's a "shelter in place" order for residents of the town and two neighbouring ones.   Maine Monitor Editor Da...

The Rugby World Cup is coming to a close this weekend as the All Blacks face South Africa in what’s set to be an epic final match.   All Blacks Coach, Ian Foster, told Mike Hosking that getting to this point wasn’t easy, but it helped build the team’s character.   He said that a little adversity never killed anyone, as long as you don’t sulk about it but you do roll your sleeves up and get stuck i...

Auckland councillors are almost split down the middle on whether to establish separate Māori ward seats.   Councillors have voted against the idea, 11 votes to 9.   Howick Ward Councillor Maurice Williamson —who voted against the seats— told Mike Hosking that most public submitters were opposed to Māori seats.   He says the council already has separate Māori representation around the council table...

Come Together has announced another tour in their series.   The iconic kiwi supergroup is combining the biggest and best songs they’ve recreated since their inception for a “banger” end-of-year-tour.   Jon Toogood, Shihad frontman, is a member of this star-studded group, and told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that he plans to perform David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.   He’s pret...