The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A potential ban on bottom trawling in the Hauraki Gulf is being described as a good start. Chris Hipkins is expected to announce the ban this morning. Hauraki Gulf Forum Chair Toby Adams told Mike Hosking it'll be interesting to see if bans eventually go further. He says if the Gulf ban goes well it could promote the idea of protecting other marine areas. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f...

The Government's climate deal with a major global fund manager is being described as 'perplexing'. BlackRock Capital has launched a $2 billion dollar climate fund to help New Zealand achieve 100 percent renewable electricity. It would invest in solar, wind and green hydrogen infrastructure. But JMI Wealth Director Andrew Kelleher told Mike Hosking the reason for the announcement is puzzling, as th...

Waka Kotahi says evidence thousands of Auckland drivers are using handheld cellphones or not wearing seatbelts is just a small slice of the problem. It caught 242,000 potential offences using safety cameras at three locations in a six-month trial. Waka Kotahi's Tara Macmillan told Mike Hosking fines won't be issued, because punishment isn't under the Agency's mandate. She says the legislation does...

The National Party says it's happy to play bad cop by eliminating cellphone use in schools. It would ban phones for all year groups - with exceptions for those needing the devices for health or learning purposes. How the policy is enforced will be left up to individual schools. Party Leader Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking academic achievement is an issue that needs to be addressed. LISTEN ABOV...

One of the major downsides of MMP is the mad scramble as to who might do what with who. We are entering another period where the voter turns out to be, yet again, the loser. National need to rule New Zealand First out. That's my opinion, but even if you disagree with it, they need to say something that is definitive. Say they'll either work with them or they won't. It is materially important as to...

It's been over a decade since he's performed live in New Zealand - but Tim Finn is back. Best known of course for Split Enz and Crowded House , he has formed a band after doing a one off show in Manly last year and loving it. The September tour is called T he Lives and Times of Tim Finn and he'll perform songs from his 45 years in the game - Tim Finn joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

Former All Black coach John Hart has hit out at current coach Ian Foster's critics as the team shows encouraging signs heading into the Rugby World Cup. Foster came in for intense scrutiny and criticism last year as the New Zealand side sometimes struggled to meet their high standards. The All Blacks have impressed in going four-from-four to start their 2023 campaign and Hart told Mike Hosking the...

Concerns have come from the Prime Minister about rising gang tensions on the streets of New Zealand. Investigations are continuing into two fatal shootings in Palmerston North and at Auckland's Point England over the weekend. Both appear to be related to gang rivalries. A manhunt is also continuing after Thursday's shootings in Auckland's downtown. Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking the incidents are...

Shareholders in New Zealand's main fast food company are having to swallow some tough financial news. Restaurant Brands, which owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl's Junior and Taco Bell is expecting to see just half the full year profit it achieved last year. It's due to inflation around both wages and the cost of ingredients. JMI Wealth Director Andrew Kelleher told Mike Hosking the company hasn't been abl...

The wind energy sector is praising the Government's move to help fast track three new wind farms. The projects in Southland, at Waiuku south of Auckland, and near Palmerston North are set to generate as much power as the Clyde Dam. They'll also save 150 million kilograms of carbon emissions. Wind Energy Association Chief Executive Kevin Hart told Mike Hosking the move will help the industry. Hart...

A pay bump is on the way for Te Whatu Ora nurses and midwives - who've now accepted a collective offer. It means strikes planned for tomorrow will not be going ahead. The deal includes a pay increase, a lump sum payment and monetary recognition of the specialist nature of some roles. Nurses' Organisation CEO Paul Goulter told Mike Hosking the increase will attract nurses currently working in prima...

There's still a way to go to make Auckland a better city. A study by UK based firm The Business of Cities has criticised infrastructure planning, Covid-19 disruptions, productivity and high numbers of people leaving. Committee for Auckland Director Mark Thomas says the report should spark urgent action. He told Mike Hosking high scores in areas like liveable environments will be cold comfort.  Tho...

Prosecutors in Donald Trump’s trial are seeking limitations on what the former-president can say publicly about the case after he posted a threatening message social media. On Saturday afternoon, the day after he pleaded not guilty to election fraud, he posted “IF YOU COME AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!’ on the Truth social network. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that the Trump...

Part of the fallout from Friday's attempt by the Health Minister to convince us centralisation is working and people on waiting lists are getting seen to was the excuse, yet again, that Covid had caused at least part of the back log. Many of us have grown tired of Covid as the excuse for everything. Although I have no doubt it did play a part, and perhaps in some cases it may still be, what we are...

The Greens say it's not psychological issues that are holding people back from the dentist. The party’s latest election promise is fee dental service, providing basic and eventually specialist care to everyone. It's received a mixed reaction. Green Party co-leader James Shaw told Mike Hosking that comparisons with other countries show cost is what's keeping people from the dentist's chair. Shaw sa...

The Te Huia train service returns to central Auckland this morning after temporarily being banned. It's not been allowed on tracks in Auckland City after failing to stop for two red lights this year. To celebrate its return, free tickets will be available. Waikato Regional Council Deputy Chair Angela Strange says a system has now been installed which will stop the train if it passes a red light. S...

There are flow-on effects from the Covid-19 pandemic for health insurance companies. Southern Cross says it's currently seeing stronger growth than usual in its membership. Chief Sales Officer Kerry Boielle told Mike Hosking that they're seeing people really valuing their health. She says it's been made more stark to them through the pandemic that their health is important. LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst...

The Maori Health Authority is already tracking behind government commitments. The Hauora Maori Advisory Committee report shows Te Aka Whai Ora underspent by about $66 million in its first financial year. National's Health Spokesman Shane Reti told Mike Hosking that he's surprised how bad things are. He says only Maori staff were transferred over from the old DHBs, instead of picking people who had...

The Government says there are plenty of options for funding a second Waitemata Harbour Crossing. It's pitched two 3-lane road tunnels and another for light rail which will eventually connect Albany to the CBD.  The cost is put at between $35 and $45 billion dollars. Transport Minister David Parker is ruling out using overseas capital, like China's Belt and Road Intiative. He told Mike Hosking that...

I think we can fairly safely say that it doesn’t matter how many times they indict Donald Trump, it's not going to hurt his support base. The fact is, most people in polling think he is a crook. Very few doubt he didn’t do a bunch of illegal stuff. Equally, a lot of people think despite the fact they believe he did a bunch of illegal stuff, the charges are politically motivated. Which means they t...

Former New South Wales minister Tim Crakanthorp was sacked from his ministry for allegations that he failed to declare “substantial private family holdings,” a breach of ministerial code. Premier Chris Minns said that the Crakanthorp had “failed to comply with his obligations as a minister,” causing potential conflicts of interest within his ministry. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Mike...

Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby joined the Mike Hosking Breakfast to wrap the week that was - with a chat about how cheap prescription glasses are over in Australia.  LISTEN ABOVE 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.   Oil and gas: 7/10 As Rishi Sunak handed out another 100 licences, he showed the world the cold, hard reality that for all the hand-wringing and hot air over-renewables, they just don’t cut it in supply or reliability. They might one day, but not yet.   Donald Trump: 4/10 The in...

The All Blacks will play their final test of the year on home soil this Saturday in Dunedin - where the New Zealand side will battle it out against Eddie Jones's win-less wallabies for a second time. Heading into the match Ian Foster has tweaked the All Blacks' line up with 12 changes to his starting team. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith joined Mike Hosking to discuss the side. Catch L...

Lawyers are feeling overwhelmed by their workload pressures - and the law society has made a plea to judges asking for more time between cases. As a result, top judges have been meeting with lawyers around the country and are acknowledging their concerns - highlighting the fact that some lawyers are quitting under the workload which is putting even more pressure on those who remain. President of t...