The Mike Hosking Breakfast

BNZ's the latest bank to drop its home loan rates, anticipating a change to the Official Cash Rate this afternoon.   The Reserve Bank's expected to cut the OCR 25 basis point to 3.25%.  Already BNZ's cut its fixed rates to as low as 4.89%, and its standard variable rate to 6.44%.   BNZ chief economist Mike Jones told Mike Hosking today's decision should indicate the Reserve Bank's g...

There's a belief official 'Run it Straight' events are trying to mitigate head injuries, but has risk written all over it.  Ryan Satterthwaite —a 19-year-old— has died after suffering a serious injury during a private version of the aggressive tackling game in Palmerston North on Sunday.  A championship league final has been blocked from Auckland's Trusts Arena.  Former Kiwis captai...

A day of celebrations has turned violent in the UK after a car collided with pedestrians at Liverpool Football Club's victory parade.  Authorities say a 53-year-old white British man has been arrested and the area has been evacuated.  47 people were injured – 27 were taken to hospital, two with serious injuries, and 20 treated on scene.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking...

The pressure is on the new Reserve Bank fill-in Governor tomorrow.  Although given it’s a committee, in theory he is more of a messenger.  It's reported that we have increased calls for a 50 basis point cut.  Why? Because things aren't flash.  If you read business results in the current reporting season, a lot of commentary tells us the recovery is underway. Things are looking...

A common deficiency could be holding you back.  Iron is the most common nutritional deficiency, both globally and in New Zealand, and it plays a role in everything from energy to brain function and development, thyroid function, and anxiety prevention.  Dr Libby Weaver is biochemist, nutritionist, and author, and her latest book ‘Fix Iron First’ delves into the role of iron in the body,...

Despite the challenging economic conditions, Turners Automotive is standing strong.  The company announced a record year to March, returning a profit of $38.6 million – a 17% increase.  The result capped off what the company said was a decade of sustainable growth.  CEO Todd Hunter told Mike Hosking the secret to sustainable growth is to provide a great environment for their people....

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 27th of May, are police deliberately not investigating retail crimes if the value is under $500?  We have a big recycling problem in this country, but we also have some good old Kiwi ingenuity when it comes to old and bruised kiwifruit.   Health whiz Dr Libby Weaver is back in studio to talk iron, and whether Mike is as healthy...

A year’s worth of plastic waste, once collected for recycling, may now end up in the landfill.  The market for coloured plastics dried up with the closure of Chinese recycling plants, and as a result, the Far North District Council is set to send 190 tonnes of plastic to the landfill.  Sue Coutts, Director of External Affairs for Zero Waste Network NZ, told Mike Hosking it’s no surprise...

Kiwi ingenuity has found a new use for the 50,000 tonnes of kiwifruit that is rejected each year.  KiwiLeather Innovations is taking the byproduct and turning it into a plant-based leather alternative.   Founder Shelley Houston told Mike Hosking it takes about 500 grams to make a square meter of the alternative leather.   She says they’re targeting the automotive sector, as brands l...

Nelson's Mayor says upgrading the city's hospital will be a turning point for its health services.  Completion of a 128-bed inpatient building has been brought forward two years to 2029.  Nick Smith told Mike Hosking the city’s health services have been under real pressure, with the old buildings dating back to 1955 and 1970.  He says it's encouraging not only to have the $500 milli...

The Government's being accused of rushing a greyhound racing ban, affecting hundreds of jobs.  Racing Minister Winston Peters gave the industry 20 months to wind down from November.  Greyhound Racing NZ is applying for a judicial review, saying the Government failed to inform, prepare, and consult on the ban.  CEO Edward Rennell says many only found out shortly before the announceme...

Retailers are seeking clarity on a Police directive on shoplifting.  RNZ reports police staff have been told to not investigate allegations of theft below $500.   Police may not take further action if the reports don't have enough evidence, such as CCTV.  Chair of the Ministry of Justice's Retail Crime Advisory Group Sunny Kaushal told Mike Hosking retailers are concerned.  He...

It is suggested Peter Dutton in Australia lost the election because of his nuclear issue and work from home policies. I personally think he lost because they ran a hopeless campaign. But it is more than possible that he floated a couple of ideas that the voter simply could not stomach. I am wondering if Chris Luxon is heading in a similar direction here with superannuation. Nuclear makes sense. Wo...

Australia's National-Liberal coalition has made up after a three day split.  New Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley is expected to announce her shadow cabinet this week.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price says it will be a battle between the Conservatives who were closely aligned to former leader Peter Dutton, and the moderates who are aligned to Sussan Ley.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See...

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 26 May. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks to Mike Hosking about the week's big issues after the budget announcement last week.  Health New Zealand's aiming to perform more than 30-thousand elective surgeries by June 2026 by outsourcing more straightforward cases to private hospitals.  Willis says getting doctors and specialists on longer term contracts will get more people the care they need...

Alcohol out of New Zealand's showing strong results around the world.  Bluff Distillery's London Dry Gin had a very good day out at the Gin Guide Awards in London, winning five awards, including Best Contemporary gin over 42 percent. They also took out Best Australasian gin and best branding. Bluff Distillery co-founder David Nash talks to Mike Hosking about the success.  LISTEN ABOVE. S...

More than half of the children on the waiting list for dental surgery have been waiting more than four months. Data from Health New Zealand shows that as of March, there were 5564 young people aged 14 and under on the waitlist, with 2942 waiting more than 120 days. The overall waitlist has grown by about 1500 children in two years.  New Zealand Dental Association Spokesperson Robin Whyman tal...

More benefit sanctions are coming in today for beneficiaries not meeting their requirements.  People on a main benefit like Jobseeker Support could be hit with money management and community work sanctions if they fail to meet one of their obligations, which involve preparing or looking for work.  One sanction means half of a person's benefit would be put on a payment card for four weeks...

Changes are coming to Auckland City's density rules.  It means height limits for buildings have been increased, and more buildings are expected.  Greater Auckland writer Scott Caldwell talks to Mike Hosking about what it means for the city.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia unleashed a massive drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv on Sunday, killing 12 people.  Ukrainian officials say it's the largest aerial assault since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.  It came hours after the two countries swapped hundreds of prisoners in the third and final part of a major exchange.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold...

New Zealand's economic recovery is now forecast to be slower than the half year update.  Unemployment is slated to peak at 5.4 percent in the June quarter. Job ads in April increased for the second consecutive month, this time by 1.1 percent.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KiwiSaver.  I was thinking about this at the weekend. I get why the government is doing the old switcharoo. I get it. Means test the government sweet we, halve it for everyone else… save some money.  Then we workers… and our employers… will slowly put more into the scheme… So that when it all comes out in the wash, we’re at least no worse off than before budget day.  Except that we...

I hope you are following the butter debate, specifically the Costco part of it. Why? Because it's an insight into how the world works, especially the economic world, and why Nicola Willis and her crusade to convince us supermarkets are ripping us off might be wrong. Willis sighted Costco the other day when she once again reminded us she is back to business on the supermarkets and looking to break...

It's likely, and indeed forecasted, that if this Government is re-elected next year it will end its second term in 2029 having never run a surplus. Now, that either means they spent too much, or they inherited a gargantuan mess. The latter we know to be a fact. But the former is a bit debatable. Depending on how you measure things, the forecast surplus in 2029 is so thin it might be less than noth...