The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Belief a shortage of capacity across the entire bus and coach sector will impact tourism. The Bus and Coach Association says there are shortages of coaches, operators, and drivers. Association Chief Executive Ben McFadgen says tourism operators are struggling to keep up with such high demand from the return of overseas travel. He told Mike Hosking it's time for the Government to intervene. “Despit...

Tech giants could be forced to the bargaining table to pay for local news content. The Government is drawing up legislation to make companies like Google and Meta pay local news producers for their content. They're encouraged to strike their own voluntary deals, as NZME - owner of Newstalk ZB and the Herald - already has. If no agreement is found, the Government will set bargaining terms. Technolo...

The Government is backing its decision to fund 46 councils with $350 million in public transport upgrades. The package covers almost 400 new or upgraded bus stops, nearly 250 kilometres of cycleways and some 120 school improvements. Transport Minister Michael Wood says the projects will help meet future needs caused by population growth and climate change. He told Mike Hosking the upgrades are ess...

House prices have fallen by an average of $90,000 in parts of New Zealand after a turbulent year in the property market. That meant homeowners who bought at the height of the property boom in late 2021 could find themselves with mortgages larger than the value of their home, especially in Auckland and Wellington. But there were also some positives: the fall in prices was allowing more first-home b...

Pharmac says it's pleased to be ready to consult on a drug the cystic fibrosis community's been after for a long time. A provisional agreement's been made between Pharmac and Vertex to fund the drug Trikafta for those with the condition aged six and over. The drug buying agency estimated it could give those people up to 27 more years of full health when compared with supportive care. Pharmac Opera...

The Reserve Bank's Governor of Australia Philip Lowe reminded me of Eugenie Sage this week. Or maybe it was the other way round? Either way, it’s about power and influence. The Sage defence of the cluster that has been this astonishing attempt to upend democracy in this country with the entrenchment debacle is all the evidence you need to know that not all people in power, should be. Her rationale...

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 Police: 7/10 The adjustment to pursuits is a reminder that under Andrew Coster they’ve got it wrong and they’ve got it wrong because of Government direction.   Fog cannons: 2/10 An astonishingly blatant failure to address real harm. They're not even here until next year. It...

The Government has a challenge in front of it over what to do about the plight of the Ruapehu ski fields. Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is in voluntary administration, carrying debt of $45 million.  The Government isn't throwing anymore lifelines, leaving the business that runs the Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields staring down the barrel of liquidation. The company's demise would cost taxpayers up to $100 mi...

Our country's Kiwifruit pickers may soon have a robotic friend to help them out. Waikato University engineers have developed an e-bin which rolls alongside workers. They can drop the fruit into the bin, where it will be safely caught and stored in a net, instead of having to lug heavy bags on their backs. Waikato University Engineering Lecturer Nick Pickering says it will make the job more accessi...

The Children's Minister says the system needs to do better so more children aren't killed. A damning investigation into the murder of five-year-old Malachi Subecz has identified five critical gaps in the system. The Tauranga boy was murdered by his carer last November, after a history of abuse. The review makes 14 recommendations - aimed at ensuring there are interlocking safety nets in place. Chi...

The Police Association says new policy around police pursuits could be useful as the vast majority of fleeing offenders are in their own vehicles. New government measures give police the ability to permanently remove a fleeing offender's car, with harsher licence disqualifications also coming into force. Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking while there's a perception most people wh...

Sir Murray Halberg is being remembered as a man who was incredibly tough on the running track. The athletics legend and philanthropist has died aged 89. He excelled as a world-class athlete on the international stage for a decade, with his greatest achievement winning the five thousand metre gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Sir Murray Halberg's best friend Bill Roger told Mike Hosking he was a very...

Child Matters says politicians need to be bold in making policies to address child abuse. A damning report into the murder of five-year-old Malachi Subecz by his carer has found five critical gaps in the system. It makes 14 recommendations aimed at ensuring there are interlocking safety nets in place, so another child doesn't endure the same thing. Child Matters CEO Jane Searle told Mike Hosking t...

Time to catch up with one of the Mike Hosking Breakfast’s absolute favourites. We all know William Shatner’s CV - including the smash hits Star Trek and Boston Legal . William Shatner talks Mike Hosking through his experience going into space with Jeff Bezo’s Blue Origin. You might remember last year he was back in the global headlines when went into space with Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin. Shatner...

With the news that the Government are yet again messing with immigration settings and partners are now no longer allowed an open visa unless you are on the famed, but hopelessly inadequate, green list - let me ask you this question. Who is doing the most damage to the economy? Is it Grant Robertson with the printing, spending, cost of living crisis and upcoming recession? Or is it Michael Wood wit...

The company started by the Government to build Auckland's Light Rail had zero employees a month after it was founded. Written parliamentary questions show it now has at least one; chief executive Tommy Parker. Auckland Light Rail Limited was established on October 6, and as of November 9, it engages 54 contractors and consultants. National's transport spokesperson Simeon Brown says all Labour has...

Canterbury businesses are making sure they're not forgotten as retailers grapple with crime across the country. 80 of the city's business owners have signed a letter asking the Government to hold offenders to account. They're concerned the recent crime support announcements don't go far enough. Canterbury Employers' Chamber Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking it's not unique to Christc...

New data shows an experimental drug could help some people with early stage Alzheimer's. The medicine, lecanemab, attacks the protein amyloid that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, slowing progression of the disease. There are side effects for some such as brain swelling and researchers are clear more work is needed. Alzheimer's New Zealand Chief Executive Catherine Hall told Mik...

Fair pay negotiations could end up being a long, drawn out process. Unions say they already have enough signatures to demand a Fair Pay Agreement for hospitality workers. It means any negotiated pay and working conditions will apply to all employers in the industry. But Employers and Manufacturers' Association Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking there are some very complex things arou...

New Zealand's primary producers could be our saving grace as an economic storm brews. Our food and fibre export revenue is on track to reach record heights, in what's hoped will help protect New Zealanders from the global downturn. The Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report released today, shows food and fibre exports are tracking to grow to $55 billion in the coming year - up almost...

The number of people behind on debt repayments has increased by five percent in the year to October. Data by credit bureau Centrix shows the number of missed home loan repayments has risen for the third month in a row. Meanwhile, demand for consumer credit has risen, with personal loan demand up around 18 percent and vehicle loan demand up 17.3 percent year on year. Centrix Managing Director Keith...

Our National Party got themselves some coverage in Australia yesterday because three of their senior players are over there campaigning. The group is led by Chris Bishop and it shows a couple of things: 1) There are a lot of Kiwis in that part of the world so the pickings are particularly rich. 2) National are clearly organised given the election is a year away. 3) It’s a fascinating experiment, w...

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.

For many of us, the thought of supermarket queues are draining. But for others, they are seen as an entrepreneurial opportunity. Entrepreneur Jo Castasus has stepped into the game with her bulk shopping business 'Aunty Jo's'. By paying a $20 fee, Aunty Jo will do a Costco shop and ship it to you, whether you are near or far. The name behind Aunty Jo, Jo Castasus joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE  ...

Fieldays is back after a 17-month hiatus. The gates to Mystery Creek are open today with 1,000 exhibitors set to cover the site. This year the event has taken on the theme of 'same, same, but different' including the same old crowd favourites as well as new attractions like a tractor racing experience that will put visitors into the driver’s seat. New Zealand National Fieldays Society president Ja...