The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Government says it can't afford not to invest in low income families.  Main benefit rates are increasing by between 20 and 42 dollars per adult, each week.  Student Allowance and living costs are increasing by 25 dollars a week and minimum wage is also rising to 21 dollars 20 per hour.  Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni told Mike Hosking it’s another step towards income adequacy.  “T...

Celebrity chef Rick Stein’s latest show is in Cornwall, which is where he is from and a part of the country he has made famous with his restaurant in Padstow.  It's one of many restaurants these days.  Between the TV, the books and the restaurants in many respects he is the original celebrity chef, going back to his first appearance with Keith Floyd in the 1990s.  Rick Stein joined Mike Hosking to...

Developments this week in the co-governance plan involve National not committing to a referendum on it as requested by ACT.  Chris Luxon argues we don’t know what co-governance looks like. He's wrong, we do. And we do because the fans of co-governance keep telling us that we have had forms of co-governance for years.  Things like seats on councils based on race, that's co-governance. We have a new...

A crowd of more than 50,000 gathered at the MCG to farewell cricket legend Shane Warne, with Hollywood A-listers, cricket legends, family and friends paying tribute to the King of Spin.  There has been an outpouring of grief since the Spin King died after suffering a heart attack aged 52 in Thailand earlier this month, but the focus of his public memorial was on celebrating a life most could only...

The America's Cup is off to Barcelona, where Emirates Team New Zealand will defend it in 2024.   The move of course has it's critics, from fans to politicians to apparently some members of Team New Zealand themselves according to the Prime Minister.   But Team New Zealand are happy and the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron are happy - so what about the other potential competitors?   American Magic Boss Terr...

It's too early to know how worried New Zealand should be about China's new military deal with the Solomon Islands.  That's the view of former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  The Solomon Islands Government has confirmed it's finalised the deal, which could allow Chinese military personnel and assets, like ships, could be stationed in and around the Pacific nation.  Rudd, an expert on China,...

Los Angeles has come to Wellywood.   That's how Wellington's Transmission Gully is being described, with the $1.25 billion motorway now officially open to motorists.   Newstalk ZB Mornings Wellington host Nick Mills has just driven on it and told Mike Hosking it's amazing.   He says it's next level and an absolute game-changer for the Kapiti Coast and heading out of town.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

The Government says it won't be left carrying the can when it comes to Air New Zealand.  Our national airline is doing a capital raise of $2.2 billion.  It's asking existing shareholders to buy $1.2 billion worth of extra shares, including the Government, which has a majority stake.  Finance Minister, Grant Robertson, told Mike Hosking he's confident people will see Air New Zealand as a good inves...

Air New Zealand has announced a major plan to recapitalise - after two years of economic turbulence.   The $2.2 billion package will enable the airline to repay its existing Crown loan and position the company for recovery post-pandemic.   The vast majority is made up of a $1.2 billion Rights Offer of new ordinary shares.  Chair Dame Therese Walsh says there will also be a $600 million issue of re...

I am not sure if they realise it, and even if they do, whether they really care.  But taking stuff away from people like car parking on the street, which is what Auckland Transport are doing, affects the most vulnerable. It's like the Government's feebate on EVs, when you have $75,000 to buy a Tesla, you don’t actually need help financially from other taxpayers.  When they take your parking away,...

MPs Megan Woods and Mark Mitchell joined Mike Hosking to discuss the week's political news. Louisa Wall retired from parliament after 14 years, the America's Cup has a new location in Barcelona and Mark Mitchell's request to meet police was blocked by Minister Poto Williams. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive day in Melbourne for the cricketing world.   Shane Warne's memorial service will be held at the MCG in front of around 50,000 fans and anyone who's anyone in Aussie cricket will be a part of it.   Broadcaster and commentator Gerard Whateley joined Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many businesses are unhappy with the Government’s latest announcement.   The Government has introduced its Fair Pay Agreements bill, which it aims to pass into law next year.   It would create a new system for collective bargaining which they argue would lead to higher wages and better conditions across all sectors.   Businesses would then be forced to bargain with a union or accept the ruling of...

Tax cuts, a big fuel excise cut and cash payments are leading the headlines when it comes to the Australian budget.   Frydenberg announced the tax offsets amount to billions of dollars, potentially saved by the $7.7 billion less in jobseeker payments because of the low unemployment rate.  It still leaves a budget hole of $78 billion for this current financial year, which they hope contracts to $43...

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has officially opened Transmission Gully in a ribbon cutting ceremony on site this morning.  The event marks a long awaited milestone for the new $1.25 billion motorway out of Wellington that has been bogged down with delays, construction defects and budget blowouts.  Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has instructed the contractor to open the road by the end of March. T...

Barcelona has officially been confirmed as the next venue of the America's Cup, replacing Auckland of hosting duties for the 2024 event.  Emirates Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron made the announcement overnight, confirming the 37th running of the event to be held in September and October of 2024.  Team New Zealand successfully defended the Auld Mug last year with a 7-3 vi...

So, the news is Barcelona is it. The America's Cup is moving for 2024.  I think for those who don't like this, you have to see the story in two separate parts.  Part one, is it a shame it's not here? Yes. Would it bring economic benefit if it was? Yes. We all want it here, that part isn't actually a debate.  But, and this is part two, if you can't do it here and win, what other choice do you have?...

It's one of life's ironies. Feedback I have got over the years on the America's Cup is how much we hate it, how many rich pricks are involved, and how no one cares. And so it goes, until racing starts and the nation comes to a stop.  Now the feedback I am getting is how unfair it all is that it won't be held here anymore, almost as though we will miss it and we quite liked it when we had it.  Prob...

Time to meet another kiwi music act starting to make an impact.   The Fisher brothers - Brandford, Tyler, Joshua and Conrad formed the band Coterie a couple of years ago.  They're based in Perth - and they're gathering plenty of momentum.   They've amassed millions of streams already - and their single Cool It Down dominated the charts over summer.   Tyler and Conrad Fisher joined Mike Hosking.  L...

The Oscars film academy has confirmed it's launching a formal review of Will Smith's assault of Chris Rock.  In a statement, the academy says it will "explore further action and consequences" in accordance with California law, and its own standards of conduct.  It's understood to be considering stripping Smith of his Best Actor award.  LA entertainment reporter Kristyn Burtt told Mike Hosking Smit...

The international film industry is being reminded New Zealand is open for business.  Dame Jane Campion has won her second Oscar - this one for best director for The Power of the Dog which was filmed in South Island locations and Auckland studios.   Film Commission Chief Executive David Strong, who's in Los Angeles for the awards, told Mike Hosking Campion has put Otago and the country back on the...

Northland are crying out for some tourism help that they say should be extended by the Government beyond the South Island.   Earlier this month, the mayor, Northland Inc. and tourism industry leader Riki Kinnaird met with Stuart Nash and Kelvin Davis, asking for the $49 million kick start fund to include all regions throughout the country.   Currently, it's only available for five South Island reg...

A thumbs down from the AA, for Auckland Transport's parking plan.   Auckland Transport wants to make cars the lowest priority for kerbside space and wants to remove parking for 240 kilometres of road.   Roads likely to get the parking chop include Onewa Road, Lake Road, Great North Road, Mt Eden Road and Manukau Road.   AA's Policy Director Martin Glynn told Mike Hosking it adds to other policies...

China's proposed military agreement with the Solomon Islands could change the balance of power in our part of the world.  Our government is planning to raise its concerns about the deal directly with Chinese diplomats.  It could see the Solomon Islands agree to allow Chinese security forces and military assets, like war ships, to be stationed in and around the Pacific country.  Strategic analyst P...

The brain drain appears to be well and truly underway.  A revised Kiwibank forecast suggests the number of people leaving the country will outnumber the number of people moving here by 20,000 this year.  The net emigration is expected to match levels seen during the Australian mining boom a decade ago.  Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr told Mike Hosking it's likely to be those who've been long...