The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Government wants to ensure local councils get back to the basics.   A bill moving through Parliament would require councils to financially refocus their core services.  The Government wants councils to give more value to ratepayers.   Local Government Minister Simon Watts told Heather du Plessis-Allan anything could be defined as "wellbeing".   He says because of lack of cl...

The Associate Energy Minister's suggesting domestic fuel producers could get special treatment, to shore up energy security.  The Government's asking for feedback on its draft long-term fuel strategy.   It focuses on resilience, domestic infrastructure, low-carbon alternatives, and security.  Shane Jones told Heather di Plessis-Allan special economic zones present a great opportunit...

It's probably sensible, don’t you think, for the Blues to consider leaving Eden Park for Mt Smart?  It’s not going to fix the attendance issues, though they seem to be hoping it will.  In the consultation they’re doing, the question they’re asking fans is whether moving to Mt Smart will make them “more or less likely to attend Blues Super Rugby [mens] home games”.  The fans might sa...

Whenever there’s success at the top level of international rugby in New Zealand, more often than not there is one specific name involved.  Known as the ‘Scrum Doctor’, Mike Cron was an assistant coach for the All Blacks for more than 200 games, winning the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.  He then came out of retirement in 2022 to join the Black Ferns, helping them win a world title as well, be...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15th of July, the Government has revealed their plan to dissolve Te Pukenga and return 10 polytechs to regional governance.  The Blues are exploring whether they should move their home games away from Eden Park. Heather's onboard and details what she thinks the issues are.  Legendary All Blacks coach Mike Cron has a new book out...

The Blues are weighing up their future at the hallowed turf of Eden Park, with their contract coming to an end.  The Super Rugby franchise have asked for public feedback on moving their home games to Mount Smart Stadium for the 2026 season.   CEO Andrew Hore told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’ve seen an increase in broadcast numbers, but they’ve seen a much smaller increase in crowds ove...

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology is welcoming the dissolution of Te Pukenga.  From next year, ten of the formally 16 polytechnics across the country will be re-established into standalone institutes after being clumped into one governing body.  NMIT Executive Director Olivia Hall told Heather du Plessis-Allan the organisation runs quite a tight stopping and starting of programm...

There's concern the US President's given Russia too much breathing room in his ultimatum.  Donald Trump says the Kremlin has 50 days to reach a ceasefire deal for Ukraine or they'll introduce secondary tariffs of 100%.  He's also confirmed plans to sell billions of dollars of US weapons to Ukraine, through NATO.  International relations professor Robert Patman told Heather du Plessi...

An expected uptick in the country's avocado production as the global market value smashes past $30 billion.  A Rabobank report reveals our avocado industry saw a strong recovery last year after crop losses in 2023, due to Cyclone Gabrielle.  NZ Avocado's forecasting a production increase of around two-million trays for the 2024/25 season, compared to the last.   NZ Avocado CEO Brad...

The Minster of Education says it's the teachers who have made the difference to improving NCEA literacy and numeracy pass rates.   Small improvements were seen last year with 57% of NCEA students achieving the numeracy standard, 61% achieving the reading standard, and 55% achieving the writing standard.  Erica Stanford told Heather Du Plessis-Allan she knows there's a long way to go but...

The Minister for Auckland's keeping positive despite a mixed annual State of the City report.  The third annual report shows the city rates strongly in sustainability, resilience, and culture, but is falling when it comes to prosperity, skills, and innovation development.   Minister Simeon Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan Auckland's at a good turning point.   He says it will be a...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 14th of July, the Government has revealed their plan to double our international student sector to be worth $7.2b in 10 years. The Prime Minister is back from holiday in time to get a grilling from Heather on road cones, the economy and who he wants to win the Tamaki Makaurau by-election. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville covers off the Al...

Christopher Luxon says all options are on the table when it comes to increasing competition in the grocery sector.  He hopes that more overseas operators - like Walmart – will expand their operations to New Zealand.   The Prime Minister told Heather du Plessis-Allan Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis is doing everything to establish new operators in the supermarket industry.  LI...

Bullying, unmet special needs education, and system pressure appear to be some of the likely causes of a rise in homeschooling rates.    The Ministry of Education’s data shows 11,400 children had an exemption from school, favouring home education last year - twice that of 2001.  National Council of Home Educators government liaison Cynthia Hancox told Heather du Plessis-Allan r...

One of the world’s largest military exercises is underway in Australia.  Operation Talisman Sabre involves 35,000 military personnel from 19 different countries including NZ, the US and the UK.  Lieutenant Colonel Tim Tuatini says a large exercise with Australia is an important operation for the NZ military to take part in.   He told Heather duPlessis-Allan that this exercise, ‘fini...

The Government has its eyes on boosting international student numbers.  It's looking at extending "in study" work rights with the hope of doubling the sector’s economic contribution to 7.2 billion dollars by 2034.  Universities New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Whelan says it won't get us back to the highest numbers seen back in 2016.   He says it will make sure international educat...

The ball is now in the Government's court following calls for bold action to fix a broken energy market.    An open letter, signed by several influential groups including Consumer NZ and Auckland Business Chamber, has been sent to the Prime Minister.   Major Electricity Users' Group Executive Director Karen Boyes told Heather du Plessis-Allan an independent review is also now with E...

Winner of the week has got to be NZ First.  In the latest Taxpayer's Union Curia poll, they are the third biggest party now, overtaking Act and the Greens.  If you’ve been watching the polls lately that’s not a surprise. This has been coming for a while.  National has been up and down, Act has been pretty flat, but NZ First has just been heading up most of the year.  There are...

With Mike Hosking off on holiday, Heather du Plessis-Allan was joined by Tim Wilson and Trish Sherson to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed the situation with the gold mine, lizards, and Department of Conservation, the company working to resurrect the moa, and ask the question of if it’s better to be smart or dumb.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

All Blacks utility back Damian McKenzie has responded to scrutiny around the side's ability to secure possession off contestable kicks ahead of tomorrow's second test against France in Wellington.  Les Bleus peppered New Zealand's back three in the air at Dunedin last week to good effect.  McKenzie —who played almost all of the game at fullback after Sevu Reece came from the field with a...

Many Kiwis are studying or training in skills that aren't needed in the job market.  That's the warning from Business NZ as the Government reviews New Zealand's vocational education system.  The lobby groups say graduates are being held back from gaining employment because they've trained in the wrong area.  They're calling for an industry-led vocational system, with more focus on w...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 11th of July, the Government is creating an anti-scam alliance to try keep New Zealanders from falling victim.  Damian McKenzie comes off the bench to tell us how the All Blacks will perform much better against the French this weekend.  Tim Wilson and Trish Sherson join Heather to Wrap the Week that was, talking lizards, moa, and...

Importing liquefied natural gas could potentially require one billion dollars in capital investment.  Major energy companies Clarus, Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, and Mercury have commissioned two studies looking into the option.  Data out last month shows New Zealand’s domestic gas supply is reducing faster and sooner than previously forecast.  Clarus chief execu...

Privacy laws may need to be tweaked to allow for a new alliance to combat scams.  The Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has announced the Anti-Scam Alliance, which joins government, industry, and consumer groups.  The alliance establishes a formal structure for industries to share data about scams and shut them down in real-time.  Minister Scott Simpson told Heather du Plessis-...

A potential change of heart from the Department of Conservation, which rejected a bid to expand the country's largest gold mine in Otago.   It initially declined Macraes' permit because details were missing on rehoming endemic lizards, a decision heavily criticized by Resources Minister Shane Jones.   DOC now says there was a miscommunication, and it will work to progress the application...