The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Performance pay in education is one of those things governments have given up on, those that thought the idea had merit anyway. They tended to be National governments. And it is a good idea. The same way it’s a good idea in virtually every other workplace anywhere. The idea that a pay rise or reward only comes as a result of time spent in the classroom suggests that simply turning up makes you bet...

Since his retirement from international rugby in 2015 and all rugby in 2021 – Dan Carter has kept himself busy with plenty of business ventures and collaborations. That includes getting into the NFT game - he co-founded Glorious Digital with the likes of Murray Thom, Craig Heatley and Michael Heron. And that company has just done a deal with Wimbledon - where people can own the memorable moments f...

In the week before the Kiwis first international test in two years, there are calls for everyone to step up to revive the international side of the game. Kiwis coach Michael Maguire believes the international side of the game has taken an immeasurable hit because of Covid and tests need to be made a priority again because of it. But there's also talk of players wanting to sit out to rest for the N...

Could the Gib crisis claim some scalps at Fletcher Building? Shareholder Simplicity Living and the Shareholders Association are calling for the board chair Bruce Hassall to resign and for the entire board to be re-elected at the annual shareholders meeting later this year. They say the board is light on relevant building sector experience and a reset will put Fletcher Building back on the right pa...

There are suggestions we may have seen an economic revival of sorts in the month of May. Despite rising costs, the latest BNZ - Business NZ Performance of Services Index shows a surge in sales and new orders for the month of May. The PSI rose 3 points to 55.2, with anything above 50 pointing to expansion, and this is the highest above average income since Delta arrived back in August. Bagrie Econo...

A CO2 shortage is just another problem for food suppliers. Tegel is concerned about New Zealand's shortage of carbon dioxide gas Beer, fizzy drink, sparking wine, cheese, preserved meats, ready-to-eat meals and healthcare products could also be affected by the ongoing shortage. Supie Founder Sarah Balle told Mike Hosking consumers might not find their favourite products at the supermarket in the n...

New Zealand’s trade agenda continues to build positive momentum. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is jetting off to Europe on Sunday and will return via Australia for trade, tourism and foreign policy events. Trade Minister Damien O'Connor will also travel to Canada to promote and strengthen bilateral trade. O'Connor told Mike Hosking they will look to sign off the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement with Eur...

Disappointment over the numbers of health workers yet to get the flu vaccine. Health Ministry data shows only around 54 percent of DHB staff have received the jab so far. Meanwhile, Wellington's district health boards have paused non-urgent care, due to an unprecedented level of staff absence. National Immunisation Advisory Centre's Nikki Turner told Mike Hosking we all know what impact getting th...

I think we have broad agreement that by-elections are a story unto themselves. They are never good for the government of the day. And what happens in a one-off vote is not automatically to be repeated on a national stage. But a couple of notable things happened in Tauranga that tell a story. The National and ACT votes went up significantly. Both parties gained. And Labour not only lost, but lost b...

Max Verstappen has won a chaotic Canadian Grand Prix for his sixth victory of the Formula One season. Verstappen has further extended his championship lead after he narrowly edged out Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in a thrilling final lap battle. Sainz was less than 0.5 seconds behind the reigning world champion in the final laps, but couldn't find a way to get through. Verstappen had to do it tough at t...

Australia could be the first domino for a Commonwealth exodus. Buckingham Palace is reportedly concerned a number of countries will sever ties with the Royal Family when Charles becomes King. At the top of the list of countries most likely to leave are Australia and Jamaica. Of course Albanese isn't a royal fan and he has already said there will be a referendum on this issue if he gets a second te...

The newly-minted Justice Minister is refuting the suggestion we're too soft on crime. Kiri Allan was handed the portfolio after Kris Faafoi announced he'll be leaving Parliament to spend more time with his family. She told Mike Hosking there's one key question when it comes to the Government's response to crime. Allan says they haven't changed anything in the sentencing regime or anything that wou...

Another public holiday at the end of this week - the first year for Matariki. The calls have already gone out not to commercialise it. It's always an issue with the likes of Anzac Day - so what's the advice around a new public holiday and an issue like this? Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford joined Mike Hosking to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga's new MP is wasting no time getting down to business. Sam Uffindell has retained the Tauranga seat for National, after beating Labour's Jan Tinetti by around six thousand votes in Saturday's by-election. He's taking the first flight to Wellington this morning, to meet with his colleagues at Parliament. Uffindell told Mike Hosking he's set himself clear goals, including introducing a membe...

Questions have been asked as to whether we should we paying attention to NSW's education reforms. Premier Dominic Perrottet is looking to introduce performance pay, reduce teachers admin so they can spend actually teaching, improve access to vocational subjects for students who don't want to go to university and revamp school hours by putting activities before and after lessons. President of the N...

A Toyota Hiace mini-van carrying nine family members and travelling to Picton was ripped apart after colliding head-on with a refrigerated truck, leaving seven people dead. The family was returning home to the North Island after attending a loved one's funeral in Dunedin. It is understood that they belong to a large extended family, with many last night yet to be informed of the tragedy. The crash...

Is it a case of looking too hard? How is it possible I see a recession and banks don't? The much-anticipated GDP number for the first quarter of the year is -0.2 percent. To have a recession you need two consecutive quarters of negative growth, we now have one. I have been trying to explain that we are headed for recession for months. You can't have a recession if you don't have negative growth, a...

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.   Job Ads: 9/10 "Say whatever you like about our economic prospects. At least we all have work."   Q1 GDP Number: 3/10 "Minus 0.2 pecent is a mess. It was avoidable, it is the result of an astonishing fiscal error from the Government and Reserve Bank, and don't let them tell you...

Farmers could be paying up to 25 percent more for fertiliser, as much as $365 per tonne. Fertiliser co-operative Ballance say due to global energy and export costs fertiliser prices would have to go up. Ballance's sales manager Jason Minkhorst joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not often the Crusaders go in as slight underdogs in a Super Rugby game - let alone a final. But that's the case this weekend as they take on the Blues in front of a packed out Eden Park. They still have the pedigree on their side, though, as they chase their 11th title compared to the Blues 5th. Crusaders coach Scott Robertson joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

It's Super Rugby final time tomorrow night. The culmination of a four month season, ending with the classic rivalry renewed between the table topping Blues and the Crusaders. For the Blues it's been a long journey back to the top after an decidedly lean period - but when the team's form turns around so does the crowd, with tickets sold out for Eden Park. Blues CEO Andrew Hore joined Mike Hosking....

There's confusion among law experts over a move by the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Law Society to seek a review of the country's  judges. It's voted to pursue a motion that would see an international jurist look into the conduct of judges and judicial independence. Former Auckland University law professor Bill Hodge told Mike Hosking it's an unusual decision. He says the independence of t...

The Finance Minister admits the drop in gross domestic product isn't good. GDP has dropped 0.2 percent for the March quarter, following a three percent rise in the previous quarter. Most sectors did worse than expected, including the primary industry which fell 1.2 percent for a third consecutive quarter. Grant Robertson told Mike Hosking it's a sign of a difficult 2022. He says we didn't have tou...

A gloomy outlook for our economic growth. GDP numbers will be released by Stats NZ this morning for the first quarter of the year. It's thought growth will probably be between zero and one percent. ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Mike Hosking the second quarter of the year isn't looking too rosy either. He says sectors like agriculture and manufacturing will still quite weak. LISTEN ABOVE Se...

One of the world's biggest artists has some news for Kiwi fans. Ever since he broke out in 2011 he's been a mainstay at the top of the charts around the world. In fact in just 11 years, he's sold more than 150 million records and taken home more awards than we can list here. His latest album, ‘=’ (equals), continued that dream run. And he's heading back to our shores, with shows in Wellington and...