The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mike Hosking was joined by Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen to delve into the biggest stories of the week thus far.  They discussed political ‘cash for access’ fundraising events and the Government’s newly-announced fuel relief package for lower and middle income working families.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 25th of March, Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses the new fuel relief package and new All Black's assistant coach Neil Barnes explains his mentality heading into the role.   Big changes are coming to Lotto that will make winning the big prize harder, but we’ll see more people winning some of the minor prizes.  Ginny Ande...

Lotto's changing things up for the first time in 19 years.   It's increasing prizes and adding four new Powerballs, which means the odds of winning Division One plummet from one in more than 38 million to about one in almost 54 million.   The top prize is also jumping from $50 million, to $60 million.  CEO Jason Delamore told Mike Hosking the game changes every few years and it’s ti...

There are hopes faster emergency care will ease pressure across the health system.   In the three months to October, about 74% of ED patients were admitted, discharged, or transferred within six hours.  That's up from about 72% a year earlier.  Health New Zealand Chief Clinical Officer Richard Sullivan told Mike Hosking teams are working hard to manage patient flow, as EDs are handl...

A New Zealand tech company is planning a large-scale expansion after raising more than $370 million in funding.  Auckland-based Halter develops "smart collars" for beef and dairy cattle – creating virtual fencing and paddock boundaries without physical infrastructure.  It's set to expand to the UK, Ireland, and South America later this year.  CEO Craig Piggott told Mike Hosking ther...

Neil Barnes insists he'll be prepared to challenge his new boss Dave Rennie when and where he sees fit.  The Taranaki mentor has been appointed Rennie's senior assistant at the All Blacks.  Barnes told Mike Hosking there needs to be a bit of tension as to how they’re doing things, and while everyone has lanes they’re responsible for, you need to be challenging each other in order to get...

The Finance Minister is confident she hasn't jumped the gun with her fuel relief package.  The Government's unveiled a temporary $50 weekly tax credit for about 143 thousand eligible lower-income families with children.  It will continue for a year, or until the price of 91 drops below $3 a litre for four weeks in a row.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking she has to prepare for a rang...

If the question is "what can the Government do to help you offset the war and its costs?", the answers will not only all be different, chances are no one is going to end up satisfied, or even grateful.  Yet that is the dilemma the Government currently faces, as indeed do all governments.  The moment something untoward happens our first port of call is a government.  Operation Epic F...

One of the biggest names in food is undoubtably Phil Rosenthal.  The creator of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ has gone on to write cookbooks, children's books, and present food and travel documentaries, including eight seasons of ‘Somebody Feed Phil’.   He’s effortlessly entertaining, and has figured out a way to bring his passion to the stage, visiting New Zealand and Australia in a few mon...

A major merger in the hotel sector.  Two local players, Capstone Hotel Management and Marsden Group, are set to merge from April 1st, creating the country’s largest independent hotel platform.  With around 45 properties and 2,500 rooms, the group is positioned to compete directly with big international hoteliers.   Marsden CEO Sajad Bassam has been appointed CEO of the combined grou...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 24th of March, the Government intends to relax our fuel standards to align with Australia. What does that actually look like , and does it mean we’re bringing in “dirty fuel”?  NZ Cricket has decided to back the new T20 franchise league. Players Association CEO Heath Mills explains the benefits of the new system.   Phil Rosentha...

A T20 cricketing revolution is officially underway in New Zealand.  The governing body is backing the proposed NZ20 privatised franchise league as a preferred option for the domestic game next season, which already has major association and players' association support.  NZC say the decision is in principle only.  Players Association CEO Heath Mills told Mike Hosking the level of in...

It's a tale of two cities, with Canterbury crowned the top regional economy and Wellington finishing last.   ASB's latest Regional Economic Scoreboard shows Canterbury outperformed in nearly every key measure, including employment, retail spending, housing activity, and population growth.  Otago and Waikato tied for second and Auckland climbed to fourth.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tu...

There are hopes aligning with Australian fuel standards could allow us to work together in an Anzac-type arrangement for fuel supply.  The Government's changing the standards aiming to make it easier for importers to source fuel.   Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says they're currently drawing the line at higher-sulphur fuels until officials know if it'll damage new European emissi...

Synlait's boss says the company's facing its toughest period in 20 years, but hopes a turnaround is near.  The Canterbury milk processor's posted a half year loss of $80.6 million.  Revenue rose $32 million to $949 million, while debt soared 88$ to $472 million.  Chief Executive Richard Wyeth told Mike Hosking the next six months are critical.  He says they've got the sale of a...

A refined oil expert's dismissing the idea the Government's allowing 'dirty fuel' into the country to ease supply.  Our fuel specifications are changing so importers have the option to bring fuel refined to Australian standards.  It says the fuel's compatible with New Zealand vehicles and meets safety and quality expectations.  Australia's Macquarie University's Lurion De Mello told...

For the second time in One NZ Warriors history the team has started a season 3 and 0, most recently beating the Knights 38 - 12.  One NZ Warriors CEO Cameron George attributed the teams success to the team being 'balanced'. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ First leader Winston Peters joined Mike Hosking to chat about his State of the Nation speech and election strategies.  Peters said he will rely on past achievements versus policy.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labor has comfortably won re-election in South Australia while One Nation surpasses the Liberals.  The result means Peter Malinauskas will return as NSW Premier for a second term. Australia correspondent Steve Price said the landslide result can, at least partially, be attributed to the Liberals being 'pretty useless'. Price also chats to Mike Hosking about illegal cigarettes and increasing f...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 23rd of March, we look at what could happen after the 48 hours is up from Trump's ultimatum. The Prime Minister is back from Samoa and talks the trigger point for Government help with fuel prices and whether they would even entertain Winston's idea of splitting up the gentailers. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk the mighty Warriors a...

I tell you what, it never gets old. How good are the Warriors? First time since 2018 we are 3-0. It's the second time ever. That’s a lot of years where the start has not been as good as the start of 2026. The Knights, although seemingly better this year than last, are not the Roosters and certainly not the Raiders. So in that sense when they scored early in the first half you didn’t really wonder...

ICE had been deployed to American airports amidst a partial government shutdown resulting in airport workers going without pay for weeks.  US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking, "it's because of the partial government shutdown as Dems and Republicans fight over rules for ICE immigration agents in the future." "Should they wear those awful masks, unlike regular police? Should they...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking for their weekly catch up to chat about the fuel crisis, economic management, and the possibility of the public placing blame on the current Government for the current financial struggles.  Luxon said, "we will do everything we can to support New Zealanders, but I have to be really straight up and honest and say we cannot support everybody,...

Trump's latest threats in the war with Iran are targeted towards Iran's energy fields.  The threat comes with a deadline demanding Iran reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz by Monday night (tomorrow morning NZT). Foreign Policy Institute Fellow Jeffery Price told Mike Hosking he's not convinced the threat is anything other than a negotiation tactic.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.co...

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 war: 3/10  Week three was the worst week for Trump by a mile. He asked for help, got none, and packed a sad.    The Warriors: 9/10   You literally can't start any better than they have. Plus, it's the Knights this week, so three for three.&nbs...