The Mike Hosking Breakfast

It's being argued the government has taxed beer to a point where people can't afford it as consumption levels plummet.   Stats NZ data shows the volume of all alcoholic beverages made last year fell by 8.3%, with beer dropping by 10%.   It follows the beer excise tax rising more than 20% in five years.  Garage Project Brewery co-owner Jos Ruffell told Mike Hosking the multi-billion-...

A record-breaking State of the Union speech from Donald Trump.  His 107 minute address is the longest since records began in 1964.  The US president also spoke directly to invited guests, including the US Olympic champion men's hockey team, victims of crime by illegal immigrants, and a 100-year-old World War Two veteran.   Political author and pollster John Zogby told Mike Hosking a...

The Government's hoping to send economic growth sky-high, announcing a 24/7 alternative runway for commercial airlines.  It's approved funding for Ohakea Air Force base, near Palmerston North, to run round-the-clock air traffic control so planes can divert there if needed.   Associate Transport Minister James Meager says this opens up an easier option for long-haul flights that may run l...

It feels like the golden days for dairy farmers as they celebrate a record-breaking year.  Dairy NZ's annual state of the dairy nation report shows farmers produced an unprecedented 21 billion litres of milk in the 2024/2025 season.   The sector smashed export records – raking in more than $27 billion.  Dairy NZ Chief Executive Campbell Parker told Mike Hosking it reflects the good...

A war of words between the banking sector and its regulator over how much New Zealanders want cash.   The Reserve Bank's proposing opening more branches and hubs to provide cash services, costing the sector $104 million a year.   It says cash continues to play an essential role for small businesses and communities.   But Banking Association Chief Executive Roger Beaumont told Mike H...

Marilyn Waring. Remember her?  Once an activist always an activist.  Marilyn took it upon herself to form her own select committee and she and a bunch of other MPs and interested parties opened their doors for submissions on pay equity and the changes the Government made that they didn’t like.  When doors like that get opened, people of like minds tend to wander through, and they si...

Australia’s Prime Minister was evacuated from his official Canberra residence on Tuesday.  Anthony Albanese was moved from The Lodge to another location around 6pm, as the police investigated a bomb threat.  He was able to return once a search has been concluded, after 9pm.  Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking information is currently limited, but he’s never heard...

A Kiwi start-up's labours are bearing fruit.  ‘Forever Harvest’ has raised $1.2 million to grow fruit and nuts in a lab, all year round.  The project uses cellular agriculture, removing the need for orchards or soil and making production climate resistant.   Co-Founder Mick Riley told Mike Hosking they’re not looking to replace things like bulk cherries or bulk nectarines, but rathe...

Today on Politics Wednesday, it’s a verbal brawl between Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen over the new move on orders for rough sleepers and beggars.   They discussed how effective such measures would be, whether or not they have anywhere else to go, and whether the wider public agrees with the orders.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 25th of February, MediMap’s Director explains what’s happening with the hack of their platform, plus we look at what would need to happen for Andrew to be removed from the line of succession.   Warriors CEO Cameron George speaks on co-captain Mitch Barnett’s departure at the end of the year and whether or not the Warriors are just...

Legal cases against Lord Mandelson and former Prince Andrew are in the works as officials tread carefully to avoid prejudicing the proceedings.  The UK Government is hoping to release files on why former UK Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were appointed to their high-profile roles despite ties to Jeffrey Epstein.  Royal Correspondent Robert Hardman tol...

Another Australian is leaving the Warriors on compassionate grounds.  Co-captain Mitch Barnett is departing after the upcoming NRL season – a year ahead of his contract expiring.  Barnett has a child that requires medical support and he wants to be closer to family.  Warriors CEO Cameron George told Mike Hosking it’s unfortunate because he’s been such a great leader for the club. &n...

Wellington's Mayor is considering taking the city's bus lanes back to the drawing board.  People driving in bus lanes are Wellington City Council's biggest money grabber, raking in around $6 million in fines.  A new bus lane on Cambridge Terrace caught tens of thousands of people exceeding the 50 metre maximum, worth a penalty fee of $150.  Andrew Little told Mike Hosking he doesn't...

MediMap's Director says they've traced a breach to the platform back to a profile, which has likely been compromised.   The platform's widely used across the country, especially in aged care, disability, hospice, and community health.  Director Geoffrey Sayer says there've been unauthorised changes to some demographic records.  Sayer told Mike Hosking the person hasn't used brute fo...

Primary teachers are the last on the list in the education sector, still to strike a pay deal with the Government.   Primary principals have accepted a cumulative 2.5% immediate pay rise and another 2.1% next year.  It introduces a $15 thousand curriculum-change allowance, recognising their work implementing reforms.  Education Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking teachers want...

What's in the numbers?  Well-known economist Shamubeel Eaqub has crunched a few figures. It turns out if you want to see it, being a student at university is a miserable experience.  And boy does the media love a story of misery. Being a student is pricier than ever, they tell us. "Does it pay off?" was your headline.  The answer, and this isn't from the story, it's from me, is yes....

A major moment in British politics as Peter Mandelson is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  It relates to his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.  The former UK ambassador to the US and Labour minister has been accused of passing on information to the sex offender when he was business secretary.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking while this might deflect...

Though he was never seen, Andy Wilman was an inextricable part of the success of Top Gear.  He’s the co-creator and executive producer of the show, which has been seen by over 350 million people around the world.   And when Top Gear came to a close, he was in charge of The Grand Tour, the show that picked up right where its predecessor left off, and now Wilman is running Amazon’s record-...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 24th of February, Finance Minister Nicola Willis explains why the Government has bought $200 million in Genesis shares.   The EU Ambassador to NZ Lawrence Meredith speaks on the 4th anniversary of the Ukraine war and what it will take for it to end.  Andy Wilman, the creator of Top Gear, Grand Tour, and Clarkson's Farm, joined t...

There’s some concern about our air traffic controllers being poached.   Airways New Zealand has raised the issue during an address before a Parliamentary Select Committee, warning that there’s a global shortage of controllers.  General Manager of Commercial James Evans told Mike Hosking that New Zealand is currently positioned very well to cope with tight numbers.  But, he says, the...

Today marks the fourth anniversary of Russian forces mounting a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.   Peace efforts to date have yielded little results, with casualties climbing day after day.   EU Ambassador to New Zealand Lawrence Meredith told Mike Hosking Europe's recognising it needs to do more in terms of defence.   He says the Ukrainians are not just fighting for their own peace...

A battle for front door delivery as Bunnings joins Uber Eats in Australia and New Zealand.   More than 30 thousand tools, garden, and household items will be available on the delivery service sometime this year, claiming to be at your door within 60 minutes.   Takeaways, groceries, and pharmacy items are among the products currently available  Gorilla Technology Chief Executive Paul...

The Finance Minister says there's no mandate to reduce the state's shareholding in Genesis Energy.  The Crown's directing $200 million towards new shares to retain a 51% shareholding in the company, following a $400 million capital raise.   Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking if we don't take part in this raise, we'd be breaching the law requiring the state to maintain majority ownership – s...

Signs of a turnaround in the retail sector as sales rise.  Stats NZ data shows sales jumped by $239 million in December, compared to the September quarter – up nearly one percent.  The growth was driven by pharmaceuticals and other store-based retailers, as well as electronic goods and hardware supplies.  First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Mike Hosking some of...

There are concerns using vaping as a tool to quit smoking contradicts the rest of the world. Health New Zealand's free vape programme has given out more than seven thousand devices to smokers, despite Newstalk ZB revealing last year's trial had a success rate of less than half. Now, a half-million-dollar contract has been signed to provide the devices through New Zealand-owned company, Alt. Auckla...