The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Prime Minister says if the Government introduces a Bed Tax, it wants to ensure it does it the right way. An Auckland regional deal, signed by the council and the Government, includes a promise to look into a tax next year. Mayor Wayne Brown has been campaigning for the bed night levy on visitors - arguing it would help fund destination marketing and events. Christopher Luxon says there are a l...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 15th of June, Barbara Edmonds defends the Labour Party against Nicola Willis' claim of an 18 billion dollar "hidden bill." Mike also talks to the Prime Minister about Labour's spending and whether the government will bring in a bed tax. We find out whether a peace deal between the US and Iran is imminent. Mike's also back from his holi...

Fieldays, by all metrics, has been a big success this year. More than 1000 exhibitors and 132,000 visitors flocked to the four day event, which wrapped-up over the weekend. Exhibitor and vendor sites were sold out a month before gates opened. National Fieldays Society Chief Executive Richard Lindroos says they're delighted.  He says the event's already back to pre-Covid numbers, with increase...

There may simply be no avoiding a spike in inflation. Latest data from Infometrics and Foodstuffs shows grocery supplier cost inflation is rising again - reaching 2.2% in the year to May. Many economists now expect CPI inflation to surpass four-percent in the year to June. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking that a US-Iran peace deal probably won't change much in the short...

Iran says there's no point continuing talks with the US - jeopardising Donald Trump's peace proposal. The US President earlier claimed a memorandum of understanding would be signed today.  But deadly Israeli strikes on Beirut have plunged his plans into uncertainty - with Iran now vowing retaliation.  Foreign policy analyst Jeffrey Pryce told Mike Hosking that he wouldn't hold his breath...

Labour's pushing back against claims its election promises come with an 18-billion dollar hole. National says the party isn't detailing how it would fund major commitments, including restoring pay equity, and creating a Future Fund that could cost $13bn. Labour's finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds told Mike Hosking that every party must front-up with the numbers, and Labour's confident it can de...

You know what I’ve learned never to do?  Predict that this year’s Football World Cup is going to be a flop. Because it never is.  This year, there are problems anywhere you care to look. A single ticket is so pricey it’ll take you three months to pay off. Security is ridiculous. Parking costs 300 American dollars. Water costs 10 NZ dollars. Everything is a rip-off.  Then there’s the...

Uncertainty about whether Donald Trump's claims of progress in Iran talks have any credibility.   The US President has called off today's planned strikes, despite earlier vowing to drop even bigger bombs.   He now claims both sides have agreed to the final points of a deal – something Iran's not confirming.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan Trump is call...

Friday has arrived, which means Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Week that Was.  They discussed Uber Eats, the situation with Ben Stokes, and the FIFA World Cup which has just kicked off.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI could soon be doing your shopping, as Visa launches a new feature with ChatGPT.  AI agents can recommend products based on prompts and now complete purchases on a user's behalf – with confirmation.  Gorilla Technology Futurist Paul Spain told Heather du Plessis-Allan the aim is to have it working autonomously on an ongoing basis.  He says it can order groceries, know your shoppin...

The deck is stacked with Kiwi teams rolling into the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals.  The Chiefs are taking on the Crusaders in Hamilton tonight, followed by the Hurricanes and “lucky loser” Blues’ clash in Wellington tomorrow.  Though many believe the outcome of the tournament is predictable, NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster is pushing back against the sentiment.  He told Heather du P...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Friday 12th of June, there's renewed hope for a deal to end the Iran war. But a former US General is warning against getting too excited.  Heather asks Wellington's Deputy Mayor whether the council will cancel the Golden Mile following the damning review into the project.  NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster talks...

The Infrastructure Commission warns planning needs to start now for how energy infrastructure will power a larger, low-carbon economy.   Its latest report estimates $2 to $5 billion will need to be spent per year over the next 30 years on electricity.  General Manager of Strategy Peter Nunns says generation from sources like wind, solar, and geothermal will need to expand to meet demand....

A push for the Wellington City Council to rethink its city centre as costs for the Golden Mile project spiral.  It's now forecast to cost $220 million, up from $139 million, with an independent review warning further blowouts are possible.  The project would deliver major pedestrian, cycling, and public transport upgrades.  Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty told Heather du Plessis-Allan the...

A proposed boost to rural policing is being seen as a positive move, but farmers say more action's still needed.  The ACT Party's promising funding for an extra 100 thousand patrol hours in rural communities.  It also wants tougher penalties for armed poachers and livestock thieves, and the expansion of 111 texting for farmers with patchy mobile coverage.  Federated Farmers spokespe...

There’s scepticism about whether Donald Trump's talk of a breakthrough with Iran is genuine.   The US President's calling off scheduled strikes hours after threatening to cause even more severe damage.  He says the final points of a peace deal have been agreed by both sides.  Iranian officials are yet to confirm and are instead pointing out previous contradictions in Trump's stateme...

So that was what we waited months for, eh?  Labour’s cheaper public transport policy.  A policy so predictable that we actually did predict it four hours before it was released.  And it was predictable because it’s not a new idea. It’s an idea they took from 2022, dusted it off, and tried running out again with the tiniest of tweaks.  Being predictable is a problem because it’s...

A second night of disorder is unfolding in Northern Ireland's Belfast, with rioters hurling objects at police.   Hundreds of masked protesters set cars and buildings alight in a violent, anti-immigration display yesterday following a Sudanese refugee allegedly stabbing a man.  Local officials are condemning the violence and anti-immigrant rhetoric that’s circling.  UK Correspondent...

Alan Davies is getting everything out into the open and bringing his new tour to Kiwi stages.  The British comedian is best known for his regular spot on the long-running panel show QI and his portrayal of the titular role in Jonathan Creek.  And now he’s returning to New Zealand’s shores for the first time in a decade – with ten performances of his new stand-up show over the span of two...

Security measures and ticket prices for this year’s FIFA World Cup may be dampening the spirit of the event.  The expanded tournament features 48 teams and is being hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.  But the combined paranoia of FIFA and the US Government has resulted in intense security – NZ Herald Sport Journalist Michael Burgess describing it as “way over the top”.&...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Thursday 10th of June, Heather challenges Labour's Tangi Utikere on the party's costings for its cheaper public transport policy.  We find out whether the current housing downturn will cause records, and when the market might return to its 2021 peaks.  Famed British comedian Alan Davies is bringing his uniq...

First-home buyers appear to be making the most of the ongoing housing downturn.  New Zealand's close to its longest downturn in prices in modern history – nearing five years.  Auckland house prices are 22% below their peak, while Wellington's down 28%.  Opes Partners economist Ed McKnight told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's playing in some buyers' favour.  He says we've got the...

Downtown Auckland could be set for a mini revival, with plans for a new $350 million building.  Developer Cooper and Company is replacing Britomart's retail Pavilions with a nine-storey office and retail tower, to be completed in 2029.  Founder Peter Cooper told Heather du Plessis Allan the central city's in a slump but has come back before.  He says it needs a pleasurable environme...

Achievement and attendance gains are being celebrated at some charter schools for disengaged students.  Annual reports show four of the seven that opened last year met Government attendance or achievement targets.  Associate Education Minister David Seymour says Christchurch's Mastery School is the standout performer, despite missing achievement targets.  He told Heather du Plessis-...

Labour's pushing back on the suggestion its numbers don't add up for a proposed cap on bus and train fares.  The party's promising to cap fares at $20 a week in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and $10 elsewhere. It's estimated to cost $65 million a year – the funding coming from the Land Transport Fund. Transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere told Heather du Plessis-Allan the amount's ca...