The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Critics aren't convinced the Government's new mega-Ministry will work.   It's merging the environment, housing and urban development, and transport ministries into a new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.   Right-wing think tank NZ Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich says it will still report to the same number of ministers.  He told Heather du Plessis...

This business of Australia tightening up its gun laws feels like it runs the risk of distracting from the bigger problems over there.  I don’t think guns were the problem on Sunday. Australia already has some of the tightest gun laws in the world.  This is a race relations problem.  This attack was predictable. There was no shortage of warnings.  Jewish businesses have been set...

Tom Sainsbury is back in our ears, and he’ll soon be on our screens too.  Season three of the Kiwi comedian’s one-man murder mystery series has just released, but it’s actually season one that’s about to make the headlines.  The first season of his ‘Small Town Scandal’ podcast has been turned into an eight episode TV series, releasing in February next year.  It’s the biggest project...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast with Heather du Plessis-Allan Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 16th of December, how is Australia responding to the Bondi Beach terror attack , and what questions are being asked of the national intelligence network?   Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce previews the HYEFU numbers and explains why it may not be the worst thing if the surplus is pushed out another y...

Splore's announced it'll come to an end next year after hopes of a Government lifeline fell through.  Next year's instalment of the annual boutique music and arts festival at Auckland's Tapapakanga Regional Park will be the last due to low ticket sales in recent years.  Long-time owner John Minty says they weren't considered for the Government's $70 million Major Events Fund.  He to...

Sydney's terror attack is raising questions about intelligence shortcomings and where security systems could be beefed up.   A 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son allegedly shot dozens of people celebrating the Jewish holiday Hanukkah at Bondi on Sunday evening.  The younger man had been investigated by the country's security agency before and wasn't considered a threat.  A seni...

There’s a view that New Zealand's still a while away from being a 'rockstar' economy.  Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update documents are coming out early this afternoon, carrying key economic metrics. Treasury's also releasing a Budget Policy Statement outlining priorities for upcoming spending. Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Heather du Plessis-Allan it was a pretty average year f...

Students are still battling to find consistent work leading into the summer break.  Fifty thousand people applied for work through Student Job Search in November – the highest number this year.  Chief Executive of Student Job Search Louise Saviker told Heather du Plessis-Allan while there are more jobs being listed, these are largely one-off or casual roles.  She says this means stu...

The Bondi Beach massacre has propelled the Australian Government to overhaul its already-tough gun laws.   Sixteen people died and dozens were injured when two shooters opened fire on a Jewish gathering on Sunday night in what's been labelled a terror attack.   Now 26 victims remain in hospital, with six fighting for life.   A 24-year-old suspect is also in hospital under police wat...

New data shows the service sector has now dipped in activity for six months in a row.  The most recent PSI recorded performance at its lowest since May, at 46.9.   For growth, it needs to sit at 50 or above.  ABC Business Sales CEO Chris Small told Heather du Plessis-Allan the results were a surprise.  He says the data had suggested the low point would be during Winter.  T...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 15th of December with Heather du Plessis-Allan, we go to Australia to discuss the latest with the antisemitic Bondi terror attack. The Prime Minister drops in for the final time this year and tells us of his contact with Australia PM Anthony Albanese over the Bondi attack and whether this debate between Willis and Richardson is harmful...

If you weren’t already feeling confident about 2026, I've got two reasons you should.   At least two major retail banks see signs of an economic recovery and we have a new Reserve Bank Governor.   No pressure on Anna Breman, but she hasn’t arrived a day too soon given that the old lot were still managing to stuff things up until literally the last chance they had, with Christian Hawkesby...

Kiwibank says it's on with a 2.4% GDP increase for 2026. But the bank has joined the chorus blaming the Reserve Bank for messing up the communications leading to increased fixed-term rates at the major retail banks. Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the economy is slowly stabilising, and because of that interest rates don't need to be as low.  "When you t...

The crackdown on drug drivers is due to start today. Starting in Wellington first, saliva testing will be used to test the drivers for 4 drugs; cannabis, meth, MDMA and cocaine. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the drug tests being used are new to police, and a trial period is necessary before a national rollout.  "We will scale it up, but the police have to ma...

An anti-Semitic terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach has claimed the lives of 12 people.  Thousands were attending a Hanukkah celebration just before 9 last night our time - when two gunmen dressed in black opened fire on the crowd.  At least 29 people are injured - including two police officers.  Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the attack is...

The principal of Auckland's Diocesan Girls, School for Girls is stepping down after more than 16 years in the job. Heather McRae is the retiring principal of one of Auckland's biggest schools, and she says she's optimistic about the school's future, and the education of children in New Zealand.  She said she likes the changes that Education Minister Erica Stanford has made to the curriculum,...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast with Heather du Plessis-Allan Full Show Podcast for Friday the 12th of December, Primary Principals have turned down the latest pay offer from the Government, saying it doesn’t acknowledge their workload.   It’s been revealed that water infrastructure is going to cost $9 billion more than originally expected after every council submitted their plan for Local Wate...

Time Magazine has just named its Person of the Year for 2025.  And it’s not a single person. It is "the architects" of AI.  The magazine says "no one" had as great an impact this year than the people “who imagined, designed, and built AI".  This was the year that we stopped talking about how clunky AI is and instead started sprinting to deploy it as fast as possible. And now the ris...

The US has escalated tensions with Venezuela and seized a tanker off its coast, described by Donald Trump as the largest ever seized.   He's otherwise keeping tight lipped, saying it was done for 'a very good reason'.   CNN reports it intensifies Trump's pressure campaign aimed at forcing the leader Nicolas Maduro out of power.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessi...

Friday has come and Heather du Plessis-Allan was joined by Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson to Wrap the Week that Was.  They discussed Air New Zealand’s new safety video, the Willis v Richardson debate, the quote of the year, and artificial intelligence.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The capital is on track for a star-studded Saturday with the premiere of ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’.  Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, and Jemaine Clement are all set to hit the red carpet in Wellington.  The 13th and 14th are set to be a huge boost for the local economy, hospitality, and screen sectors, the City Council says – the franchise now bringing $1.1 billion into New Zealand’s economy. &...

The cost of water infrastructure projects have been rising as councils learn more details about what's required.  Every council has now submitted their plan under Local Water Done Well programme.  As Newstalk ZB first revealed last week, the final bill is now expected to reach almost $48 billion – about $9 billion more than first thought.  Local Government New Zealand Vice-President...

There’s relief as the Government loosens rules on growing hemp, despite law enforcement concerns.  Cabinet's agreed to remove licensing requirements for industrial growing and handling crops, although growers must now notify Police and MPI before starting up.  A Regulatory Impact Statement shows Customs and Police warned of risks from illegal cannabis growers.  Hemp Industries Assoc...

An Upper Hutt primary school principal says their workloads are comparable with secondary school principals, and they deserve a better pay offer.  Principals who belong to the NZEI union have rejected the Government's latest collective agreement proposal.  They say it fails to acknowledge their work.  Birchville School Principal Robyn Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan unlike secon...

Kiwi consumers could finally see butter prices fall, thanks to increased global dairy production.   New research from Rabobank shows EU, UK, and US production has been surging, pushing down global prices.  Fonterra's already forecasting a lower farmgate payout than last season.  Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Heather du Plessis-Allan the change could be good...