The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Warriors are in for a challenge as they aim to go two for two in the NRL season.   They stunned the Roosters in their opening clash, claiming victory 42-18 at Mt Smart Stadium.   The Warriors are back at Mount Smart tonight, this time for a clash against the Raiders.  Former Kiwis Captain Richie Barnett told Mike Hosking the Roosters were ill-disciplined – they didn’t give respe...

A massive new power user could put extra pressure on the South Island’s electricity system.  Datagrid has just received resource consent for a $3 billion, 78 thousand square metre data centre north of Invercargill.  About 1,200 jobs will work on the construction and about 50 people will staff the facility.  It will be the second-largest power user in the country behind the nearby Ti...

A tourism surge is putting pressure on Christchurch’s hotel capacity.  Hotels reached 96.4% occupancy last month – the highest February in a decade, and well above the national average.  ChristchurchNZ credits events like the Electric Avenue music festival and increased airline capacity.  Head of Destination Kath Low told Mike Hosking more hotels are needed, with several development...

The Government admits its walking a fine line between being prepared and causing panic.  It's considering a raft of possible measures like car-less days, limits on petrol sales, and the introduction of fuel coupons if oil prices continue to rise.  Iran's threatening to keep the critical Strait of Hormuz closed for the foreseeable future.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking New Zealand'...

Question six, the House of Parliament Question Time.   Winston Peters to Simeon Brown. The mandate for 12 to 17 year olds and the double dose of the vaccine – seek it out, it’s a fascinating exchange.  Tuesday, Chris Hipkins and Ayesha Verral denied the concerns raised by the Ministry of Health ever reached their desks.  Peters presented evidence it did, and even after it did it too...

Italy’s Prime Minister has joined other EU leaders in criticising the US-Israeli war on Iran.  They’ve reportedly bombed nearly ten thousand civilian sites, killing well over a thousand in Iran and hundreds more in Lebanon.  Giorgia Meloni described the conflict as part of a growing and dangerous trend of interventions that fall “outside the scope of international law”.  Italy Corre...

After a successful summer circuit in New Zealand, Kiwi shot-putter Tom Walsh is gearing up for a year of international competitions.  The Diamond League is only a few weeks away and the Commonwealth Games are set for July through to August in Glasgow.  But Walsh told Mike Hosking that despite performing well over the summer, his results weren’t quite what he wanted them to be, distance-w...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 12th of March, the Government is offering a pay rise to non-union primary teachers as the union’s negotiations continue.   Air NZ CEO Nikhil Ravishankar discussed the price hikes and how long they’ll last, fuel issues, and whether the airline is panicking or not.   Kiwi shot-putter Tom Walsh is back after dominating the summer...

The exercise industry is making gains.  New data shows the industry is defying economic headwinds, with 96% of adults —around 2.67 million people— exercising.  Nearly a million are regularly using structured facilities like gyms and studios, making up 26% of adults – up from 22% in 2024.  Exercise NZ CEO Richard Beddie told Mike Hosking whereas traditional sport is on a decline worl...

Keeping the Marsden Point refinery open would not have helped the current fuel supply situation, as the crude oil it refined would have come from the same choke points as overseas refineries, a senior economic advisor says.  It follows Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones’ statement yesterday that the closure of Marsden Point under Labour had “fatally wounded” New Zealand’s fuel security.&nb...

Heinz Wattie's says it's just not viable to continue selling frozen vegetables, Gregg's Coffee, and several dips.   It's proposing to close manufacturing facilities in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, packing operations in Hastings, and cut 350 jobs.   Managing Director Andrew Donegan says the past five years have been tough for the company.   He told Mike Hosking it includes bi...

Unprecedented jet fuel prices are set to cause extensive Air New Zealand flight cancellations, affecting tens of thousands of people.  The airline expects to consolidate 1,100 flights over the next six to eight weeks – impacting about 44 thousand passengers.  It expects to start notifying affected customers from today.  Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar told Mike Hosking at this st...

The Education Minister says they'll continue to work with unionised primary teachers, despite offering pay rises to the rest.   About ten thousand non-union primary teachers have the option to accept pay offers from today after the union's rejected three recent deals.  Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking a third of the workforce are being held up, and deserve a pay rise.   She says the...

Some simple observations on part two of the Covid Inquiry.  1) It's cheaper than the British equivalent finished last week that cost over half a billion dollars.  2) It says pretty much what you thought it would.  3) I'm convinced it’s a waste of time because a pandemic response is about the ideology and Government of the day, not medical process.  4) Why do I say that? Read th...

The White House says the conflict with Iran will end when Donald Trump decides it will end.  The US President says the mission is almost complete, but the US is "going to go further".  US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says US strikes are ramping up today, the Iranian regime is "totally and decisively defeated", and Iran's leaders are "desperate and scrambling".  US Correspondent Ric...

Seven Iranian football players have now been granted asylum in Australia.  Five players from the women’s team, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, slipped away from the team hotel under the cover of darkness to claim sanctuary from Australian officials, the Australian Government announced.  At least two more members of the team applied to stay later in the day, according to reports.  ...

Kiwis are spending less time on hold to customer service call centres.  Research from AI platform ServiceNow estimates New Zealanders spent 22 million hours waiting on hold last year – two million less than the year before.  It says banks and retailers have the fastest resolution time of 2.4 days on average, while government and manufacturing lag behind at 6.5 days.  ServiceNow Coun...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11th of March, we dig into the findings of the Covid Inquiry , and look at just how long Air NZ’s prices will be raised , considering fuel prices have mostly been corrected.   Former Covid Minister Chris Hipkins explains his position on the inquiry.    And on Politics Wednesday , Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk the...

Yesterday saw the release of the results of the second phase of the Inquiry into New Zealand’s Covid-19 response.  Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss the inquiry’s findings – the mistakes, the lockdowns, and the lack of communication.  Plus, Mike is fascinated by Mark’s house in Bali.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Housing affordability in New Zealand has improved to its best level in almost a decade, according to new data from Cotality.  Lower property values, rising wages and easing mortgage rates have helped reduce pressure on buyers.  Cotality NZ’s Housing Affordability report, covering Q4 in 2025, shows the national value-to-income ratio fell to 7.2 – the lowest level since a brief period in 2...

The former Covid Response Minister admits some pandemic decisions were mishandled.  The second phase of the Covid inquiry has found New Zealand’s overall response was effective, but the Government went too far with some restrictions and moved too slowly in some areas.  It's recommending new pandemic legislation before future outbreaks and stronger financial reporting.  Chris Hipkins...

The Health Minister is highlighting the importance of the Covid-19 Inquiry.   The Royal Commission's second phase report's found overall, New Zealand responded well, but highlighted concerns including the length of Auckland's lockdown.   Health Minister Simeon Brown says it shows the previous Government extended the Auckland lockdown, in spite of official advice saying it was safe to lif...

Some people could be put off travel as surging jet fuel costs push up airfares.  Air New Zealand's increasing its domestic fares by $10, its short-haul fares by $20, and its long-haul fares by $90.  Air Chathams is raising its standard fare by $20.  Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director Cath O'Brien told Mike Hosking while it's a little early to say what will happen, i...

Luxon - 1, media - 0.  After no small effort on the media's part to drum up a crisis on a bad poll, there's two important points and we can put this whole nonsense to bed.  1) Luxon doesn’t have a coup brewing. Despite all the detractors' best efforts, there is no one counting numbers. The nearest they have managed to get is Chris Bishop, who was more interested in being in India over th...

The UK and France are sending more defence assets to the Middle East as the conflict's death toll ticks over 1700.   Iran has appointed the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader, signalling a defiance to the US and Israel.   Many of the deaths so far have occurred within Iran and Lebanon, with Israel ramping up its strikes.    French President Emmanue...