The Mike Hosking Breakfast

There’s renewed hope in the Kiwi start-up scene with a surge of investment in 2025.   New data shows the number of deals rose 14%, with total investment surging 61% to $754 million.   Fintech and health-tech saw strong gains, while climate and clean-tech dropped.  Angel Association Chief executive Bridget Unsworth told Mike Hosking 47 companies were funded, compared to 51 in 2023. &...

Help for struggling pharmacies could be on the way.  The Government's proposing letting pharmacists prescribe funded medicines for conditions like scabies and conjunctivitis, so people no longer have to see a GP or pay the full pharmacy price.  It would also cover medication for UTIs and the emergency contraceptive pill.  Associate Health Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking sma...

One of the easiest games in town is currently being played in Wellington.  The water company has a new Māori name, and they are going to start sending out specific water bills to everyone, which upon first blush, if you have never got a water bill before, seems a lot. The average will be about $2,500.  But then the upside is it's good to know what things actually cost, as opposed to havi...

The Iran war is prompting Qantas to scale back flights within Australia, but it's flying more to Paris and Rome.  The airline's scaling back domestic Qantas and Jetstar flights about 5%.  Qantas says fuel prices have more than doubled since late February and remain highly volatile.  Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking the airline is estimating its fuel bill will be...

President Trump is suggesting talks with Iran could resume within the next two days.  Despite the US blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a ceasefire between the sides remains in effect – but that's set to expire in a week.  Donald Trump is hinting "something could be happening" shortly in Pakistan, where negotiations over the weekend broke down.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mi...

Today on Politics Wednesday Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into the biggest political stories of the week so far.  Cyclone Vaianu hit New Zealand over the weekend, sending multiple regions into a State of Emergency. But was the build-up to the storm and the response overblown?   And Labour has yet to announce any major policy for the election – why?  L...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 15th of April, economists are divided on how quickly the Reserve Bank should raise the OCR, but there’s some good news for the tourism industry .   AUT’s annual Trust in News report reveals Kiwis’ trust in the media is slowly growing, but there’s still a way to go.   Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss the response and pr...

There’s still much room for improvement for media outlets to earn back public trust.   AUT's annual Trust in News reports shows trust in news has increased five-points from last year to 37%.   But news avoidance has increased five points to 78%, with respondents saying it's too depressing, too opinionated, or not relevant.  Report co-author Merja Myllylahti told Mike Hosking trust i...

Chinese visitors are making a resurgence.  Latest Stats NZ data shows more than 408 thousand overseas tourists visited in February – an annual increase of more than 53 thousand.  Chinese visitors topped 61 thousand – the highest monthly figure since early 2018.  Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy told Mike Hosking Chinese New Year played a part, but there's been an a...

There's division among economists regarding how soon the Reserve Bank should start raising the Official Cash Rate.  Many now expect the bank to bring forward OCR hikes, with ANZ forecasting three before the election.  But Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr warns that could be reckless and counterproductive.  He told Mike Hosking right now we're dealing with more temporary inflatio...

Retailers are on a “knife edge” deciding when to pass on increased costs to consumers.  Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Mike Hosking that retailers had been absorbing the immediate increase in import costs.  But domestically, 93% of freight was moved on New Zealand roads, with 98% of those trucks using diesel.  “Businesses can no longer absorb that. We've been talking to retailers...

I'm an AvGeek. I like plane and travel videos and one of the regulars I watch is a guy called Nonstop Dan.  He's American and has just been here giving the world the predictable view of the place.  He can't believe how amazing it is, he can't believe how remote it is, and he is thinking of moving here.  He won't of course because most don’t. But you get the vibe when you come from o...

While many may not have heard of ‘Viva la Dirt League’, their kids probably have.  Self-described as a ‘bunch of nerds who play games and make comedy sketches about games,’ they’re a YouTube sketch comedy group and independent production company based in New Zealand.   But what was once a channel that made a couple of hundred dollars a month has grown into a multi-million dollar business...

A new report is sounding the alarm on the illicit tobacco trade.  The Retail NZ report points to the growing black market, which drives crime, undermines public health efforts, and reduces tax revenue.   A quarter of smokers are using illicit tobacco, with most sourced from China and the Middle East.   Australia has faced similar issues, former Senior Australian Federal Police Detec...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 14th of April, how will oil prices be impacted by the US blockade of Iranian ports?   We've got a new report into our illicit tobacco trade and speak to an Australian expert about how we can keep from going down the same path they have.   Alan Morrison and Adam King of Viva la Dirt League talk about their success and becoming on...

The Health Minister's announced 14 new cancer treatment infusion centres will be rolled out countrywide over the next two years.   Services at a further 14 existing sites will also be expanded.  Simeon Brown says the investment's supported by $210 million, announced in Budget 2024 to upgrade facilities on the back of a Pharmac funding boost.  He told Mike Hosking they’re expecting a...

High fuel prices could be on the way as Donald Trump's military blockade adds another element to the global crunch.  The US Navy's obstructing shipping traffic around Iranian ports, with Trump threatening to eliminate any approaching attack ships.   It follows both sides failing to broker a deal to end the war in Pakistan over the weekend.  Forbes global energy expert Matt Randolph...

Tourism operators are optimistic the bumper summers are here to stay.  Christchurch Airport saw international visitor numbers climb 22% on last year.  That's about 287 thousand visitors between November and March, which fed $861 million into the South Island economy.  Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive Grant Webster told Mike Hosking there's no reason we can't be just as optim...

OCR hikes are now expected to come much faster.  Economists have been adjusting their forecasts after the Reserve Bank last week said it would take "decisive and timely" action if inflation continued to rise.  ANZ's gone from forecasting one increase in December to three consecutive increases in July, September, and October.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosk...

Australian correspondent Steve Price joined Mike Hosking to chat about the latest news out of Australia. PM Anthony Albanese is jetting off to Brunei and Malaysia with the goal to make fuel supply deals.  Meanwhile, the Government has released a $20 million ad campaign on how to limit your use of fuel when driving. And, Meghan and Harry head to Australia for a visit.  LISTEN ABOVE ...

US President Donald Trump has ordered the US Navy to block the Strait of Hormuz after failed peace talks in Pakistan.  Although, Trump said on Saturday whether the talks were successful or not made 'no difference to me'. "That breakdown in Pakistan came as, I guess, a little surprise, with Trump saying whether or not there was a deal made no difference to him," US Correspondent Richard Arnold...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 13th of April, after the negotiations fell over after 21 hours where does the ceasefire go next as Trump says the U.S will blockade the Strait. The Prime Minister says we are through the fuel situation and talks the India FTA. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine review the Warriors, the Supercars and the cancellation and Rory at the Masters....

I'm pleased for Judge Emma Aitken. She lives to rule another day. That dreadful night at the Northern Club that threatened to derail her career has not ended in the calamity it could have. The adjudicators didn’t like what she did. But equally she isn't losing her job. I got fascinated by the whole experience because it's unusual to see a procedure that is legal, but not really legal. There was a...

The Warriors have snapped an 11‑year, 17‑game losing streak against the Melbourne Storm, securing their first win at AAMI Park since 2014. The 38-14 victory came in dominant fashion, with the Warriors holding Melbourne scoreless in the second half to seal a statement win. Warriors assistant coach Slade Griffin told Mike Hosking it was great to see the team bounce back from back-to-back losses.&nbs...

After 21 hours of marathon talks in Islamabad, the United States and Iran have walked away without reaching an agreement. U.S. Vice President JD Vance described the proposal put to Tehran as Washington’s “final and best offer,” but discussions ultimately broke down over Iran’s refusal to commit to not developing nuclear weapons. The failure to secure a deal raises fresh questions about regional st...