The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Prime Minister says the country's transport plan has reacted to real world changes. The Government has announced rebuilding roads after Cyclone Gabrielle will be the priority.  Hours earlier our newsroom revealed the Government had been working on a plan which would prioritise emission reductions, something Transport Minister Michael Wood discussed yesterday. Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking wh...

Sir Rod Stewart has made another promise to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking. When the British rock icon joined Hosking, the radio host reminded him of his last time in New Zealand, where he dedicated a song to him. "You said was I coming to the show and I said I'd come to the show if you played Handbags and Gladrags and I was joking. But you did, and you dedicated it to me and that meant the world. I t...

A new online company is calling itself New Zealand's answer to Amazon Launching today, Buy Kiwi will allow New Zealanders to buy from businesses between 80 and 100-percent locally owned Managing Director Jamie Farmer told Mike Hosking it gives shoppers protection under the Consumer Guarantees Act, something not always provided with online international shopping. He says sourcing products locally w...

The trucking industry says roads need to be king in any transport plan. The Government has announced rebuilding roads following Cyclone Gabrielle damage is now top of its agenda. Earlier, Newstalk ZB's newsroom had revealed that officials were working on a transport plan with emissions reduction as the top priority. National Road Carriers Chief Operating Officer James Smith told Mike Hosking he's...

According to a new report from Deloitte, $64 billion could be added to our economy by 2050 if decisive climate action is taken. The report states that a mindset shift from both the Government and private sectors is needed to transition the economy away from fossil fuels, reducing emissions and investing in technology. Deloitte access economics director Liza van der Merwe joined Mike Hosking. LISTE...

What a joy it is to start the week as we have for a decent number of years, with a sense that something good might be brewing at the Warriors. It's easy to dismiss the Warriors and many have. But it's also easy to get excited about a new year when you have a start that looked like the effort we saw on Friday night in Wellington. I liked Andrew Webster when he came in to see us last week. Having in...

New Zealand's hospitality industry is cooking up a storm for those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Eateries across Aotearoa will hold their biggest dinner party in a fortnight, with restaurants serving a two course meal. Dinners will cost 69 dollars with more than half the proceeds going directly to the Mayoral Relief Funds. Kiwi Celebrity Chef Al Brown says so far 60 restaurants have made an effor...

Providers are welcoming National's childcare policy. Family Boost would give families earning up to 180-thousand dollars a year up to 75 dollars back on their childcare costs a week. Early Childhood Council CEO Simon Laube says in cities like Auckland, the number of people that are putting their kids in care are falling. He told Mike Hosking that this could make all the difference. Laube says the...

National is hitting back at criticism of its childcare policy. Family Boost would give a rebate of up to 75 dollars a week for families earning up to 180-thousand dollars a year. Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni says if that was offered, more people would sign up to childcare which would cause a cost blowout. But National Party Leader Chris Luxon says that's been factored in. He told Mi...

The Government is neither ruling in nor out an increase in fuel taxes as it works on a new transport strategy. The plan, which will go out for consultation this year, promises a pivot towards public transport and away from emissions-intensive investments like highways. It could mean swapping car parks for new bus lanes and cycleways. Transport Minister Michael Wood told Mike Hosking that they're y...

Pressure is mounting on Cook Strait ferry services after yet another problem. An engineering issue has forced the Interislander's Kaitaki out of action —again— only one day after it had the all-clear to sail again. The ferry hasn't been able to take passengers from the end of January when it lost power and had to make a mayday call. Jon Reeves from the Public Transport Users' Association told Mike...

Aucklanders that are still out of their homes could be waiting years before they can safely live in them again. Hundreds of furious Muriwai residents were left frustrated at a meeting with council staff yesterday, because they couldn't say when they could return. The residents have been out for three weeks already. Auckland Council Director of Regulatory Services Craig Hobbs told Heather du-Plessi...

Given the week's events, here are my observations of our new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Firstly, he is a vast improvement on the old one but already the cracks are showing. He came in to see us this week for the first time, he wants to come in when the house isn't sitting, so good on him. He arrived early; we told him to arrive at least on time because the last one who barely ever came in, desp...

Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby joined the Mike Hosking Breakfast to wrap the week's hot topics as well as hear the fallout from last week's teenage driver curbing incident. 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.   The New Zealand Rugby Union: 4/10 By all means, hire who you want, when you want - but try to look like you know what the hell you are doing in the process. After all, you are only the national game.   Andrew Coster: 3/10 Yet again he looks hopelessly out of touch. The apology...

The Breakers are gearing up to play the first game of the NBL Finals against the Sydney Kings tonight. They've had their difficulties these past few seasons, but they finally have the advantage of playing in their home country. Former Breakers player Casey Frank joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A survey commissioned by the Government reveals that 26 percent of landlords upped the rent in the past six months. But it wasn't because they're greedy, according to the results. 57 percent said they did it because of the law stopping them from putting it up more than once a year, so they felt they had to. Former president of the NZ Property Investors' Federation and property commentator Sharon C...

The first Chinese tour group in three years, is about to touch down in Auckland. It will be the first to arrive since New Zealand was added to China's Approved Destination list. Marketing Minds Chief Executive Anne Casey told Mike Hosking tourists are now reprioritising after Covid. She says travellers from China want to have their freedom, and feel safe. Australia and the US are not on the approv...

The Environment Ministry is facing criticism for spending little on public transport. Data released under the Official Information Act has revealed it spent more than $900,000 on flights from January 1 to November 29 last year. It spent just $251 on public transport fares in that time, but more than $97,000 on taxis, shuttles and Ubers. Act Leader David Seymour told Mike Hosking it's hypocritical....

National is pledging to reverse the Government's proposed "app tax", saying it's a major deviation from current tax rules. The Government says the rule change, which will require GST to be charged on rooms, rides and other services sold through online platforms like Uber and AirBnB, will create a level playing field. But National says under existing rules, sellers who bring in less than $60,000 ar...

Two air pollutants are quietly contributing to thousands of premature deaths in New Zealand every year, shows a new analysis that’s prompted fresh calls for tougher regulations. While New Zealand’s air quality is generally considered good by international standards,  Stats NZ’s newly updated indicator  has linked pollution from vehicles and fireplaces to around nine times more early deaths than la...

Part of the answer to the Rob Campbell scrap is to employ people in the public service differently. David Seymour says those in the public service are sympathetic to the Government, Ashley Bloomfield says they aren't. Rob Campbell wants to say whatever he likes as a private person, but still allegedly be neutral when he's a public person. Maybe part of the problem with the public service is you ha...

The NRL season is upon us. The competition is back tonight and the mighty Warriors have their first game of the season tomorrow night against the Newcastle Knights in Wellington. There are nine new players in the main squad - and a couple of others in the development squad - and most importantly, a new coach. Andrew Webster previously worked under Andrew McFadden in 2015 and 2016 and was with the...

The 2023 oyster season is upon us and boaties in Bluff couldn't be more excited. Last year the harvest levels weren't up to expectations, but this year is looking much better. Barnes Wild Bluff Oysters general manager, Graeme Wright, joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite just one week ago telling us he'd like another go in the case of a World Cup win, Ian Foster has announced he won't be re-applying as All Blacks coach. It seems his mind was changed rather quickly, and now all eyes are on who the new head coach of our national team may be. Former chief executive of NZ Rugby, David Moffett, joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for p...