The Mike Hosking Breakfast

While New Zealand's GDP has grown, the economic pain isn't over.   Stats NZ figures show GDP increased 0.9% in the three months to June, and 3.2% in the year to June. It's also revised its March 2023 quarter figure to 0%, up from a 0.1 percent drop.   Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking that he expects the third quarter we're currently in to be weaker.   He says he wouldn'...

I am very reassured by the ratings of the first Leaders' Debate.   It was a bit over one million, which is about the same as the last election and down a bit on the 2017 debate between Bill English and Jacinda Ardern.   I am reassured because engagement is critical and you could argue never more critical than currently, given the state of the country.   Just because the result is a forgone conclus...

Charlie Puth is bringing his music to New Zealand for the first time ever.   Best known for his 2017 single ‘We don’t talk anymore’ featuring Selena Gomez, Puth has multiple number one singles and top ten albums, as well as four Grammy nominations.   His latest album ‘Charlie’ was released in October last year, and his latest single ‘Lipstick’ was released just last month.   He’s now on the road,...

A message to whoever forms the next Government: do something about dementia.   Numbers are expected to jump markedly here in the coming years, particularly among Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities.   Alzheimer's New Zealand Chief Executive Catherine Hall says the current government has endorsed the Dementia Action Plan but hasn't yet committed to implementing or funding it.   She says dementia...

New Zealand could be back out of recession this morning.   The latest GDP figures for the second quarter of this year —due out this morning— are expected to show New Zealand's economy is growing once again.   Spending on goods remains weak, and the economy isn't growing on a per capita basis.   But Westpac's Chief Economist, Kelly Eckhold, told Mike Hosking that it’s better to focus on the annual...

“At the end of the day it comes down to the economy,” Luxon said on what the big difference is between Labour and National after the two leaders agreed on several topics during the recent leader's debate.   Luxon told Mike Hosking that the party is working incredibly hard to pull the undecided 12% vote onto their side. When asked why Luxon wasn’t being “upfront” on what his coalition plans would b...

Today's senior doctor and dentist strike won't be the last if nothing's done.   Members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists will strike for four hours from 10am, following two hour strikes in each of the last two weeks.   It will see up to 250 planned care procedures and specialist appointments deferred.   Association head, Sarah Dalton, told Mike Hosking that further strikes have a...

An education researcher says some of ACT's education policies would be a radical change while others are no brainers.   The party wants to implement standardised testing, with University Entrance replacing NCEA Level Three.   The B4 School Check would be extended to include education progress, and Early Childhood Education providers that don't contribute to child development risk losing funding or...

Kiwi driver Liam Lawson is seemingly set to receive some bad news about his future in Formula 1.   Reports have surfaced that AlphaTauri are set to extend under-fire teammate Yuki Tsunoda's contract, likely at the expense of Lawson.   Formula 1 Reporter, Daniel Moxon, told Mike Hosking that since they’re trying to fit three very good drivers into two seats, one of them is going to be left on the s...

So, the debate. Firstly, I fear I may be wasting your time if you didn't see it. If you didn't, you didn't miss much. If you did see it you will have been, I assume, bored witless. If you were a Chris Hipkins fan going in I don't think he did anything to put you off. Chris Luxon did well because it was his to lose. In fact, given the build up about him being new and so on, he did very well. He loo...

MPs Megan Woods and Mark Mitchell joined the Mike Hosking Breakfast to wrap the week's political news. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great news for skiers over the upcoming year.   The Department of Conservation has approved a new chair lift for the Remarkables, replacing the 33-year-old lift, and opening up 47 hectares of new terrain.   NZ Ski CEO, Paul Anderson, told Mike Hosking that it’s a significant investment.   He said the Remarkables are run by a local family who are passionate about ensuring they have the best equipme...

Last night saw the first leaders’ debate between Labour’s Chris Hipkins and National’s Chris Luxon.   Most seem to agree that it was a lacklustre affair, with Luxon perhaps winning by a hair.   Political Commentator Brigitte Morten told Mike Hosking that in the past, audiences would see politicians under pressure when it came to live debates.   She said that since every press conference is now str...

Auckland Airport's Chief Executive is acknowledging that the long delays some travellers are facing in customs and picking up bags is unacceptable.   The issue has long been a problem, but passengers are now saying some wait times have been even worse this month.   Carrie Hurihanganui told Mike Hosking that she feels people's frustration and has some herself, but they're working to improve the pro...

A Coromandel Peninsula community is set to hold an emergency meeting after a gang caused chaos over the weekend.   A video obtained by Newstalk ZB shows several Rebel gang members attacking what appears to be members of the public on the side of the street in Coromandel township.   Locals say there were multiple attacks and thefts.   Coromandel Business Association Vice Chair Anne Louden told Mike...

Labour's Corrections Spokesperson is unfazed by Government's move to drop its prison population reduction target.   The party has scrapped its 2017 promise to bring numbers down by 30% within 15 years.   Kelvin Davis told Mike Hosking that they were facing a prison capacity crisis in 2017, but that's changed.   He says re-sentencing rates after 12 months have dropped 11% since 2017, showing there'...

Just how far will five Kiwi blokes go to earn a buck?   Ladies Night sees Craig, Barry, Norm, Wes, and Gavin dare each other to put on a strip show to earn some extra cash, and rapidly find themselves faced with the terrifying prospect of actually having to strip in front of a crowd.   New Zealand comedy royal Mark Wright is joining the cast as Bernie, the aging, sleazy nightclub owner.   Wright t...

It's debate night tonight.   As the campaign takes its next step in intensity, the unknown this year is the Luxon factor. We have never seen him head to head, unless you watch Parliament and no one does.   He has down played his credentials against a bloke who has spent his entire career in politics.   A lot of energy goes into these things. Having hosted a couple over the years, they get nervous...

London police have received an accusation of sexual assault dating back 20 years, following media reports about accusations against comedian and actor Russell Brand.   The statement from the Met Police says the assault took place in 2003 in central London's Soho.   Brand's accused of sexual assaults and rape dating from between 2006 and 2013.   UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking that sh...

A2 Milk has cancelled the exclusive manufacturing supply arrangement it had with infant formula maker Synlait Milk.   The reason A2 has given is that Synlait has fallen below delivery standards.   Adjunct Professor at Lincoln University, Jacqueline Rowarth, told Mike Hosking that Synlait is coming off worse in this situation as they now need to find someone who will buy their product.   She said t...

There's positive news coming from across the Tasman over their big uptake in solar panels.   If the Labour party's re-elected, it will offer a rebate of up to $4000 for installing the technology.   In Australia, over a quarter of households have solar panels.   Australia Institute Principal Adviser Mark Oggie told Mike Hosking that it offers some great benefits.   He says not only does it lower em...

Momentum is expected to continue building in the country's hospitality industry as demand to own a business soars.   Enquiries from potential hospo owners are nearly twice that compared to 2019, and historic levels of confidentiality agreements are being signed.   This demand is mainly driven by new arrivals.   ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small told Mike Hosking that a lot of migran...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says he knows there is a lot riding on his performance in tonight's first leaders debate as Labour needs to make up ground in the polls. The PM told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking his party can be trusted to deliver on its election promises, will tackle crime and that the economy will bounce back. When asked by Hosking if the leaders' debate was his to lose, Hipkins replie...

It will be Chris v Chris in the first leader's debate tonight.   Labour's Chris Hipkins and National's Chris Luxon will face off on TVNZ.   The Labour leader says he hasn't spent a lot of time preparing, while Luxon says the country needs a great leader not a great debater.   But Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking that it will be important for those voters who haven't yet d...

It was more of a celebration than a win, wasn’t it?   The Knights, on a ten-game roll, were brought to a shuddering halt by a side that, if we play that way this weekend and then the final, we will win it all.   It was funny to read some of the post-game commentary about the Broncos, about how good they are, how big they are and how fast they are.   It’s a signature of a small country and a small...