The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Assurance for farmers with the latest methane target update.  The Government's set the 2050 targets to 14 to 24-percent below 2017 levels - which is 24 to 47-percent lower than the previous.  Federated Farmers President Wayne Langford told Mike Hosking they'd been advocating for lower, but this at least gives farmers a clear direction of travel.  He says the numbers are scientific r...

The annual report by ACC revealed a $1.5billion deficit, taking the total debt up to $13.8billion.  ACC Chief Executive Megan Main told Mike Hosking that the numbers are improving, but it's a 'big ship to turn around.'  She said that the costs for services from providers have risen more than inflation, hindering ACC's ability to provide rehabilitation for those who need it.  LISTEN...

So soybean farmers, like a lot of American farmers, are having a very tough time of it.  Soybean farmers particularly so because most of their product goes to China. So far this season, China has bought no beans.  A lot of countries, when they can, are doing business with other countries and avoiding the American tariff regime.  China in particular is caught up in an ongoing shamble...

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.    Attention seekers: 1/10  What a dreadful week as we gave far too much energy to narcissists who masquerade as people with causes, both at sea and on land.    Noeline: 2/10  Still nothing. How badly handled can a badly handled scandal be handled?&n...

US President Donald Trump's confident the momentum will continue beyond the first phase of a Gaza peace plan.   The Israeli Government's voting this morning on whether to implement the terms agreed with Hamas yesterday.   It would see hostages released early next week and Israeli troops withdraw to agreed lines.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the remaining hosta...

I argued it because I thought it was the right thing to do.  Winston Peters entered the Fonterra brands sale debate yesterday, I suspect because he thinks there are points to be scored.  Not because he is wrong, because he isn't, but if you really cared about the sale that Fonterra has been involved with for some period of time, you might have stumped up a bit earlier.  In a way it'...

It’s Friday, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was.   They discussed Dolly Parton’s not-dead announcement, the art Mike and Kate bought over the weekend, and whether or not they could pass a practical drivers test nowadays.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bathurst 1000 returns this weekend.  The first practice has seen New Zealanders Ryan Wood, Matt Payne, and Andre Heimgartner sit first, fourth and eighth respectively.  Brodie Kostecki is the current champion, looking to obtain back-to-back victories.  Former Supercars driver Paul Radisch told Mike Hosking at the end of the day, everything just comes down to luck.  He says...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 10th of October, the first stage of a peace deal in the Middle East is in progress. Whether it holds is the next question.  We announce the winner of our brilliant trip to Melbourne – you won't want to miss her reaction!  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk about the art bought over the weekend and whether or not they'd pass their...

The Public Service Minister believes cuts within the sector aren't the slash and burn they're made out to be.  The Government has reduced its contractor and consultant spending across the public service by more than half its target.  It says spending has fallen $915 million, compared to its goal of $400 million, and frontline roles in the public service have also increased.  Judith...

It's thought there are fundamental issues with the new methamphetamine contamination laws.  Properties with meth residue exceeding 15 micrograms per 100-square centimetres will be considered contaminated and require treatment.   Landlords and tenants will be able to quickly end tenancies with excessive levels.  Residential Property Managers Association Chair Tony Mitchell told Mike...

An ACC lawyer says there's a simple answer to the insurer's deficit problem.   The Scheme's recorded a net deficit of $1.5 billion, blowing the total out to $13.8 billion.  ACC lawyer and researcher Warren Forster told Mike Hosking tackling this issue requires looking at it over a generation.  He says they need to be careful about value for the money they collect and stop changing h...

The next phase of the Gaza peace talks could test Benjamin Netanyahu's loyalty.   His Government's voting today on approving the first phase of a ceasefire plan, agreed with Hamas.   It involves Israeli troops retreating to agreed lines, a cessation of fighting, and the release of hostages.   Israeli journalist Haggi Matar told Mike Hosking the Israeli Prime Minister has effectively...

The Wellington mayor went out, not really in a blaze of glory yesterday, but more a fireball of misery and bitchiness.  Tory Whanau is probably the local body poster child for ineptitude. She's given her bye-bye speech.  She was a shambles. She may still be back, as she is standing in the Māori ward.  She seems like a person who if she wasn’t in local politics, might have trouble fi...

The time has nearly come for Jeffrey Archer to put down the pen.  The prolific author and former member of Lords has sold over 350 million copies of his books, and has just wrapped up the William Warwick series with the release of the eighth book ‘End Game’.  He has one more book left to write, which he’s aiming to finish by Christmas and release in September next year.  But althoug...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 9th of October, the Reserve Bank did what the market, and the Government, wanted and cut the OCR by 50 basis points. Is this the move Nicola Willis needs for growth?   The CEO of the International Rugby Players’ Association Omar Hassanein talks the threat of R360.  Author and former member of Lord's, Jeffrey Archer is back to t...

A landmark deal has been announced for sports sponsorship in New Zealand.  Crypto company Swyftx has signed a new partnership with the Warriors, the first of a multimillion dollar spend across the sporting landscape.  Crypto sponsorships are surging globally, up 20% over the past year to US$565 million.  Warriors CEO Cameron George told Mike Hosking they were approached by Swyftx, w...

Could R360 take legal action against the eight unions who will deem any player that signs with the Saudi-backed league as ineligible for international rugby?  New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Scotland, Australia, South Africa, and Italy have joined forces against the competition, which is set to launch next year.  While NZR has a policy to avoid selecting overseas-based players, ot...

Fears a proposed bylaw to combat freedom camping in the Queenstown Lakes District could be a headache for Kiwis.  The new bylaw goes before councillors this week and proposes 15 designated freedom camping sites for the district following a surge in freedom campers.  People freedom camping in other areas could face fines of at least $400.   New Zealand Motor Caravan Association's Jam...

There's a push to make the wool industry the backbone of New Zealand again.  A cross-sector alliance has been formed between four major organisations, aimed at driving economic growth and consolidating efforts.  It wants the industry to deliver decent returns and remove existing duplications.  Independent Chair John Monaghan told Mike Hosking the price of wool is substantially incre...

The Finance Minister says she's okay with a short spike in inflation.  The Reserve Bank has slashed the cash rate 50-basis-points to 2.5% and is leaving the door open to further cuts.  It expects inflation to reach or surpass 3% in the short term but believes the economy is weak enough to push inflation back down again next year.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking we won't see another...

The biggest upshot of the latest OCR cut is likely to be the boost to consumer confidence.  The Reserve Bank's slashed the cash rate by 50-basis-points to 2.5%.  Major banks are responding by lowering floating and flexible rates after already lowering their fixed-term rates in recent days.  ABC Business Sales Chief Executive Chris Small told Mike Hosking businesses will benefit more...

I would have thought the NZIER numbers yesterday sealed the deal for the Monetary Policy Committee and today's call. The NZIER was the last substantive look at the economy, and what it shows is we have real trouble. Quite possibly recessionary trouble. They think Q3 was certainly flat, if not in contraction. If it is contraction, you can add that to the Q2 contraction and that, once again, is a re...

People are making tough choices at the supermarket to keep costs down.  A new report reveals the average weekly spend per household is now $240 – an increase of only $2 from 2023.  To cut costs, 31% of are buying less groceries, 48% are downgrading on brands, and 30% are looking for specials.  Head of Sustainable Business Development at Rabobank, Blake Holgate told Mike Hosking the...

The Police Minister says officers don't have the laws they need to move protesters from MPs' homes.  The Government introduced the legislation to ban protests outside homes in August, and it's now before a select committee.   A 29-year-old man's turned himself in and been charged, accused of smashing a window at Foreign Minister Winston Peters' house earlier this week.  Minister Mar...