The Mike Hosking Breakfast

As part of Fieldays, Federated Farmers have done the most interesting survey.  It is a snapshot, like them all. But the numbers for one lot are so stark, alarm bells should be ringing.  So, who would a farmer vote for? You would say National and you would be right.  Broadly the farming community is conservative, always has been.  That, partly, is because they are their own mast...

Jimmy Carr is well known for a couple of things, his controversial comedy and distinctive laugh chief among them. And he’s bringing both to Kiwi audiences early next year, travelling right across the country, stopping in 13 different cities.  He’s got a prolific career in standup, as well as being a household name in UK television, not only hosting an array of panel shows, but a regular guest...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 12th of June, it's good news Thursday as we see good news for wool , good news for our food and fibre exports, and good news for our elective surgery waitlist .  You won't believe how many people are leaving Auckland and the North Island to head to Christchurch and the South Island.   Award-winning comedian Jimmy Carr is headin...

Christchurch is acting as a magnet for thousands of Kiwis making the move down South.  The latest Stats NZ census data shows 85,000 people moved to the South Island between 2018 and 2023.  Around half of those have gone to the Canterbury region.  ChristchurchNZ Chief Executive Ali Adams told Mike Hosking the Garden City's versatility is being recognized.  She says people are re...

Health New Zealand is outsourcing more elective operations to private facilities to ease strain on the system.   The agency aims to deliver more than 10,500 additional elective procedures by the end of June, by partnering with private hospitals to expand surgical capacity.  The target is within reach with more than 8,600 procedures complete since March.     Christchurch colorec...

Todd McClay says surging value and supply is behind the rise in food and fibre export revenue.  The latest forecasts project export earnings of $59.9 billion for the year ending later this month.   It's now on track to reach $65.7 billion by 2029.  Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay told Mike Hosking we're seeing sectors like Horticulture raise exports by 20%.  He sa...

Italy’s squeezed middle class could be getting a breather.  Tax cuts are at the top of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s agenda, as she says the middle class is the backbone of the Italian production system.  She says they want to make the system fairer.   Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking she’s reduced the tax rate from around 26% to 24% so far.   She says they’re...

The Finance Minister says a move to require wool carpets in state housing makes financial sense.  Nicola Willis has announced a change to Kainga Ora's supplier agreement that will see it re-open its previously nylon-only carpet tender process.  From the start of next month, all public entities will also be required to use woollen fibres where practical and appropriate.  Willis told...

Unrest is spreading in the US over immigrant deportations.  Donald Trump is sending hundreds of US Marines and has ordered 2000 more National Guard troops to go to LA's immigration protests.  California Governor Gavin Newsom's called the US President's orders deranged and has filed a lawsuit.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking of the 2000 National Guard troops deploy...

So, the great rates upset has begun to unfold.  Auckland this week got its long-awaited council valuations.  Why people get excited about them, I have no idea.  It's a rough guesstimate by a council. It takes into account the broadest of criteria, but people seem to live and die by them.  The upset of course has come from the fact that the value of a lot of properties has dropp...

A new rideshare option is skidding into the New Zealand market.   Bolt, hailing from Europe, is promising better deals for both drivers and customers, while challenging the duopoly that currently dominates.   They’re first launching in Auckland, aiming to bring a breath of fresh air to the market.  General Manager Adam Muirson told Mike Hosking that for the last couple of years, the...

It’s unlikely New Zealand will be in for a repeat of last year’s power shortage.  Our winter stocks are in better shape thanks to improved lake levels, extra gas supplies, and an enlarged coal stockpile has added security to the system.   And although customers are still battling high energy prices, a major government review is expected in the coming weeks.  Meridian CEO Mike Roan t...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11th of June, we've got a new mental health report that shows the $1.9 billion spent has seemingly been wasted, and we talk all things energy with Meridian.    Fieldays begins today and is sure to be successful, considering how well the rural sector has been doing of late.   Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk the new s...

The select committee process has proven useful in substantially strengthening anti-stalking laws.  Originally proposals on making it an offence had a maximum penalty of five years in prison, capturing three specified acts within one-year.   But it'll now be triggered after two acts within two years.  Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Anderson told Mike Hosking it's an example of wh...

Fieldays kicks off at Mystery Creek today.  The rural sector’s somewhat bullish from its record profits across dairy and red meat, and pundits are expecting farmers to be “speaking with their wallets”.  Big crowds are expected, with many looking to take advantage of the new tax rebate on the big ticket items.  CEO of National Fieldays Richard Lindroos told Mike Hosking it’s the larg...

Experts say specialist addiction and mental health services need rapid improvement.   New research from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has found three New Zealanders die every week due to accidental and preventable drug overdose, with fatalities up 88% from 2016 to 2023.  At the same time, despite growing demands, fewer people are seeking specialist help.  Commission CEO...

New Zealand's $47.2 billion franchise sector is being celebrated.  Today marks the first World Franchise Day.  The model first took shape in New Zealand in the 1970s – with now almost 550 franchised brands including in accommodation, hospitality, education, childcare and retail.  Franchise Association Chair Brad Jones told Mike Hosking they’ve had some great growth in the sector ove...

Assurance stronger anti-stalking laws are the right move to protect victims.  Originally proposals on making it an offence had a maximum penalty of five years in prison, capturing three specified acts within one-year.   But following the Select Committee process it'll now be triggered after two acts within two years.  Chief Victims' Adviser to the Government Ruth Money told Mike Hos...

We got the press release recently from the Restaurant Association where they said there were flat sales, cost pressures and regional divergence was the theme. I have changed my mind a bit on hospitality. More broadly, I wonder whether there are too many vested interests in this country who get in the way of real progress. The hospitality story has been a long, arduous and well told one. We hear ho...

The problem with committing to things that may well come back to haunt you, is down the track, at some point, the mistake starts to hit you in the face a bit and some hard decisions are required.  My sense of it is we have become too reliant on pine trees to meet the Paris climate target.  The sheep farmers have worked that out as the protests around land conversion have once again been...

Warriors legend Shaun Johnson will be back on our screens – this time, without a rugby ball in hand.  He’s supercharging his fledgling media career, fronting a new weekly TV show dedicated to the analysis of rugby league.  Johnson signed a new deal with Sky TV for ‘League Lounge’, which launches Wednesday, and will broadcast on Sky and Sky Sport Now, with delayed release on Sky Open and...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 10th of June, it's good news Tuesday, so we have good news on our teaching numbers , business sales, and tourism.  But there’s bad news regarding corruption – we are way too complacent, and a new report suggests organised crime is corrupting our officials at a lot of different levels.  Warriors legend Shaun Johnson has a new mid...

Now is the time to sell your business.  According to ABC Business Sales, the number of buyers enquiring about purchases is up 30%.  Demand is currently outstripping supply, as new listings are down 10% on last year.  CEO Chris Small told Mike Hosking much of the interest is led by migrants, and hospitality, services, and construction are the three sectors people are primarily lookin...

Solar energy company Lodestone is expanding to the South Island.  It's constructing a solar farm in Canterbury's Clandeboye, with first generation expected next year.  It will generate 43 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity annually, similar to the company's sites in the Upper North Island.  Managing Director Gary Holden told Mike Hosking there are six more consented sites in th...

Outgoing New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson believes he's leaving the game in a better place than he found it.  He's confirmed he will leave the job at the end of the year, bringing to an end a six-year tenure that started just before the Covid-19 pandemic.  Robinson says he's proud of what's been achieved during a turbulent period.  He told Mike Hosking that the next six months a...