The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A growing number of New Zealanders perceive China as a threat.   A new report from the Asia New Zealand Foundation surveyed 2,300 locals between November and December, with an additional poll in March.   It shows New Zealanders' perception of China as a threat rose from 28% to 40% over four months.  Jason Young, Director of Victoria University’s NZ-China Research Centre, told Mike H...

Nico Porteous is walking away from competitive free skiing, retiring at age 23.  The Kiwi Olympian has admitted his 2022 Olympic gold and 2018 bronze in the freeski halfpipe have contributed to his decision.  He told Mike Hosking he set out with a number of goals when beginning his career at age 12, and he’s now achieved those goals.   “I feel as if the ‘more, more, more’ mentality...

Israel’s operation against Iran is expected to "take weeks, not days", as tension escalates between the countries.  224 Iranians and 24 Israelis have been killed since hostilities began after Israel's initial attack on Friday.  Features editor at Jewish News Syndicate, Steve Linde told Mike Hosking Israel has a few days to try to end this, before they alienate the world and go too far. &...

The Government's confident it's getting on top of youth vaping, with more rules coming in today.  New rules come in today including stricter advertising restrictions for vape retailers and a ban on disposable vapes.  It's in an effort to clamp down on youth vaping, with around 10% of teenagers currently regular vapers.  Associate Health Minister Casey Costello told Mike Hosking she...

The Government's work to tackle emergency housing appears to be paying off. Only about 500 families remain in emergency housing after one year of the Government's Priority One policy.  It bumps families to the top of the social housing waiting list if they have dependent children and have spent more than 12 weeks in emergency housing.   Almost a thousand families with more than two thous...

As much as we tried to celebrate last week's excellent economic numbers regarding the food and fibre, the bullishness of Fieldays, the boost in elective surgery and the boom in teacher numbers, what you can't ignore is the manufacturing read for April. It hit a brick wall. It fell over six points and is below the 50 point expansionary mark. A couple of key things about that - while services and se...

The Prime Minister has laid out his goals ahead of his visit to China. Chris Luxon is about to leave for Shanghai with a business delegation, before making his way to Beijing to meet with President Xi Jinping. Luxon says he also wants to broaden the countries' trade relationship with a focus on red meat, tourism and education. LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 16th of June, the police are starting the ball rolling on putting bodycams on our frontline police. The Prime Minister is gearing up to head to China but before that he pops in to talk the economy, balancing world egos and why we still have 10 sick days. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk the F1, the Super Rugby semifinals and Auckland...

The Government makes another step forward in upping Chinese visitor numbers, with a tweak to visa settings and processes.  From November, the Government will trial a visa waiver status for Chinese passport holders travelling from Australia, allowing them to visit for up to three months. They must have a valid Australian visitor, work, student or family visa, with the trial lasting a year.&nbs...

The death toll continues to grow as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates. Israel's initial attack on Friday has triggered a response from Iran as the two countries exchange air strikes. According to The Associated Press, at least 406 Iranians have been killed with 654 wounded compared to the Israeli death toll of 13. Israeli Journalist, Gideon Levy told Mike Hosking this is bearable for...

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says told Mike Hosking that police bodycams would help clear up misconceptions in the field. He says he was talking to a young constable who was coward punched and a body camera would've made for compelling evidence. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers wants the cameras to be implemented after a decision was put off last year.  Police are still looking into ways...

US police have found a 'hit list' of names after they confronted the man who shot and killed Democrat Melissa Hortman and her husband in the state of Minnesota. US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that the 57-year-old suspect got away - but police were able to search his vehicle. He says they found a papers listing around 70 names of other targets - as well as anti-abortion material....

An increasing number of regional conflicts - as well as Donald Trump's tariffs, are threatening the global economy.  Westpac Group Chief Economist Luci Ellis told Mike Hosking that she believes the tariffs were economic self-harm. She says they still threaten the US economy and trade patterns will continue to change, but other countries aren't going to escalate.  See omnystudio.com/liste...

It's hardly a surprise, is it? Adrian looks at what Nicola is offering to run the place, packs a sad, and is off.  It’s a pathetic end to a tumultuous period in which we, the people who paid him, deserved an awful lot better.  The fact this information on the Orr resignation had to be dragged out of the bank by way of the Official Information Act, the rules of which were ignored as the b...

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.    Ryan Fox: 9/10  Living the dream by winning. It rarely gets better, and another chance at a big one over this weekend.    Greta Thunberg: 2/10  Not kidnapped, just fantastically annoying. She is a good example of where your annoyingness outweighs...

The Census, and some of those numbers released this week, really are a treasure trove of not just fact and stats but, I would have thought, hope.  That astonishing move south, with the tens of thousands who have headed to the South Island and particularly Christchurch, is a framework for what the whole country could be.  A few choice decisions, a bit of get-up-and-go, a bit of cooperatio...

India's set to lead an investigation into a plane crash in Ahmedabad, which has killed at least 290.  The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed onto a doctor's hostel right after take-off, heading for London's Gatwick Airport.   According to the Telegraph, the last words from the pilot were 'Mayday, no thrust, losing power, unable to lift'.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mi...

Some good news for the New Zealand fashion industry.  The once troubled NZ Fashion Week has secured a three-year partnership deal with Giltrap, ensuring its future for the next few years.  It comes after the event was cancelled in 2024 due to economic uncertainty.  Owner Feroz Ali told Mike Hosking it’s going to be an amazing show this year.  He says they have a packed schedule...

This week there was a bit of on-air marriage counselling as Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike to Wrap the Week that was.  Kate’s been a bit sick this week, which means things have been a bit rough in their house.  Also on the agenda were some interesting stats about the survivors of plane crashes.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 13th of June, do we need to be concerned about the US reviewing AUKUS?   It’s a big weekend for sports with the Super Rugby semifinals and one of the most iconic motorsport races in the world, Le Mans. We speak to Brendon Hartley ahead of the race.   Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson cover off Mike's marital issues, and some interesti...

New Zealand motor racing driver Brendon Hartley is stunned by the quality of competition heading into this weekend's Le Mans 24-hour endurance race.  The prestigious race has been operating since 1928 and the winner is the car that travels the greatest distance in a 24-hour period around the 13.6km circuit.  The biggest names in vehicle manufacturing are taking part —with Genesis, Ford a...

The number of public servants working within Government is down slightly on this time last year.   But new Public Service data shows measured against last quarter, the number of civil servants has increased.   The data shows there were 63,238 people employed by the Government as of March this year – 2045 fewer people compared to March 2024, but an increase of 269 on the last quarter. &nb...

The Crusaders’ 27-year perfect home playoff record is on the line again as they size up the Blues for a place in the Super Rugby Pacific final.  It’s week two of the playoffs and the two teams will be facing off in tonight in Christchurch.   After that, the ‘lucky losers’, the Chiefs, will take on the Brumbies in Hamilton.  Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge told Mike Hosking that Super...

Corrections is prepared for a projected spike in our prison numbers.  The Ministry of Justice projects the prison population will increase 36% by 2035 to more than 14,000 people.  New policies such as the Sentencing Reform Act and the reinstatement of the Three Strikes law are pushing the projected growth.  Corrections Custodial Services Commissioner Leigh Marsh told Mike Hosking th...

A former defence minister doesn't believe the US will walk away from the AUKUS security pact altogether.  The Pentagon's started a review of the agreement between Australia, the UK, and the US, which New Zealand remains open to being involved in.  Officials will assess whether the deal fits with Donald Trump's America First agenda.  Wayne Mapp told Mike Hosking the US remains fundam...