The Mike Hosking Breakfast

To be honest, there are a lot of other things I want to be talking about, and we will try and get to them all later. But the Auckland mess, which may or may not be a bigger mess as of today or tomorrow, depending on the forecast, and its accuracy is starting to take on a life of its own. Schools are closed until next week - is that an overreaction? We have any number of inquiries and apologies fro...

It's fair to say it's been a tumultuous first two years of Joe Biden’s presidency. What started with approval ratings in the 50s with an economy on the rise turned into record high fuel prices and inflation, withdrawal from Afghanistan, a Republican power grab in the midterms that semi-worked and the majority of his party's independents not wanting him to go for a second term. No one may have more...

There would have been a sigh of relief last night. Not just from the Labour Party, but in the two newsrooms who put the polls out. It's rare two polls come out on the same day, and last time it happened they didn’t match, and therefore you had no idea who was accurate or not. The two this week show pretty much the same thing - Labour get the predictable bump from a leadership change, which althoug...

How does a glass of wine with a side of altitude sound? Kiwi wine company Invivo are offering a chartered wine flight from Auckland to Queenstown. While in the air, guests will enjoy a tasting onboard before the decent into Queenstown where they will go on a vineyard tour, setting passengers back $1,149 per person. Invivo founder Tim Lightbourne joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.c...

Schools and tertiary institutions across Auckland have been told not hold in-person classes this week. Auckland Primary Principals' Association Vice President Kyle Brewerton says told Mike Hosking while the directive was last minute, it makes sense. “You’ve still got a huge number of roads and infrastructure that is needing sorting, then we need to give time and space for that to happen without an...

Christopher Luxon isn't too worried about Labour's latest uptick in the polls. Two new polls, released last night, show support for Labour has surged since Chris Hipkins took over from Jacinda Ardern as leader. In both polls, Labour is up about five points to 38 percent, and National is trailing by about one point. The National leader told Mike Hosking the scale of the poll change is a bit unexpec...

Just as building supply demand was heading back towards normal, more than 9000 insurance claims have now been made following the Auckland flooding, a large proportion of which will be for building repairs. The building sector is already stretched and there are concerns as to whether we have capacity to handle more. Chairperson of the Combined Building Supplies co-op Carl Taylor joined Mike Hosking...

Some MPs will be getting a promotion when Chris Hipkins unveils his Cabinet reshuffle this afternoon. Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper says Hipkins will keep Grant Robertson in Finance, and Andrew Little is determined to keep Health. But he told Mike Hosking some new faces will also pick up portfolios, like Chief Whip Duncan Webb. He says Webb could be given the Conservation role, and De...

Aucklanders are being warned to remain cautious and prepared, ahead of another onslaught of heavy rain. Red Heavy Rain Warnings are now in effect, for dangerous heavy rain in Northland and northern Auckland from this morning, and the Coromandel Peninsula from this evening. Orange Heavy Rain Warnings have been issued for the rest of Auckland and Bay of Plenty. Auckland is still under a state of eme...

The ashes of five New Zealanders —and 42 others— are about to be blasted off into space. New Zealand start-up Stardust Me has sold spaces on one of Elon Musk's Space-X rockets for families who want to send their loved one's ashes into the stratosphere. The rocket was due to take-off this morning, but it's now been delayed until tonight. Co-founder Stu Potter says that the ashes are being put into...

Time now for Chris Hipkins to show us what he's made of. He's done what was required of him and showed up in Auckland over the weekend, now his role is to butt out and leave the rest of the job to the people who know what they're doing. What the Prime Minister has to get stuck into now is the more serious business of getting the country back on track. Or as he'll see it, getting Labour back on tra...

Auckland's Mayor was on a hiding to nothing with Friday's freak weather event. He's copped criticism from a lot of quarters over the timing of the emergency declaration, but Wayne Brown insists it wouldn't have been appropriate for him to do anything sooner than he did. “This is a formal process," he said. "It's not to be taken lightly, I've listened to the professionals in the field." And then he...

The weather danger certainly isn't over yet in Auckland. Our largest city remains in a state of emergency this morning after another night of heavy rain and more on the way. Four homes in the west Auckland suburb of Titirangi have been evacuated due to further slips, and fire crews have been been busy with about 30 rescues and call-outs overnight. About 45 arterial routes and local roads are close...

Metereologists say the severe weather is being caused by an "atmospheric river". NIWA Principal Scientist Chris Brandolino told Tim Dower that that "river" is actually a high mass of moisture in the air, stretching all the way to New Caledonia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The evacuations are continuing in Auckland after another night of heavy rain. Auckland remains in a state of emergency, with an Orange Heavy Rain Warning and Heavy Thunderstorm Warning still in effect. Fire crews have been been busy with about 30 rescues and call-outs overnight, and four homes in the west Auckland suburb of Titirangi have been evacuated due to further slips. At least 30 homes have...

The Waihou River has burst its banks north of Te Aroha, blocking State Highway 26. And in the Coromandel Peninsula, people are being urged to stay off the roads until further notice, with extensive road closures in effect. State Highway 25 is closed between Coromandel Town and Whitianga. And Thames Coromandel Mayor Len Salt told Tim Dower that State Highway 25A between Kopu to Hikuai is likely to...

Rising crime may be prompting more people to pack up and leave Auckland. Latest Trade Me rental stats suggest the exodus from Auckland is continuing, with rents in other regions rising at a much faster rate. Keeley Anderson from Queenstown's Tall Poppy Real Estate says she's dealing with people who want to move to small communities, where crime is less common and is dealt with faster. LISTEN ABOVE...

Sir Elton John wowed a sell-out crowd in Christchurch this week and tonight and tomorrow will be his last ever Auckland shows. Mt Smart Stadium is the venue for the two Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows. Auckland Transport is urging people drive to the concerts tonight and tomorrow, due to the shortage of public transport services. Wet and windy weather is also forecast for both nights. Sir Elton's...

Controversial plans to build a new airport in Central Otago is coming under further scrutiny. Eleven academics have penned an open latter against Christchurch Airport's plans to build an international airport on 750 hectares in Tarras. They've joined the growing opposition from local residents. Otago University tourism expert James Higham who brought the academics together told Tim Dower the airpo...

Divided opinion, over whether the Government should be increasing the minimum wage. The number of people seeking help for financial hardship has been surging, as inflation remains at historic highs. Business groups and opposition parties say increasing the minimum wage would add to inflationary pressure. First Union's Edward Millar told Tim Dower now is the time to raise the minimum wage up to the...

Divided opinion, over whether the Government should be increasing the minimum wage. The number of people seeking help for financial hardship has been surging, as inflation remains at historic highs. First Union's Edward Millar told Tim Dower now is the time to raise the minimum wage up to the level of the living wage. However, National says increasing the minimum wage would add to inflationary pre...

High praise for our new Prime Minister from the head of largest our bank. Chris Hipkins has been meeting with business leaders in Auckland, on his first full day on the job. The leaders have outlined their concerns about economic uncertainty, worker shortages, and controversial Government projects. ANZ Chief Executive Antonia Watson told Tim Dower Hipkins listened. Hipkins meets with ministers tod...

A week after Jacinda Ardern shocked the nation with her announcement she would be resigning her post as Prime Minister, her former deputy Grant Robertson has said he is pleased he did not have to put his name forward. Robertson was initially tipped by many as an obvious replacement for Ardern, having contested the leadership twice previously and serving as her deputy and Finance Minister. "I have...

You know the voice and you likely know the lyrics too. Beloved children's entertainer Suzy Cato has been up and down the country all summer singing to children, and adults, alike. She's often the special guest at events. This weekend is no exception, Suzy will be attending and headlining the four day Auckland Folk Festival, which is back for its 50th anniversary. Suzy Cato joined Tim Dower. LISTEN...

Now, here's an idea to encourage a bit of entrepreneurial spark among young New Zealanders. Ōtaki Market is looking to encourage children to set up their own stalls. Second hand toys, personalized t-shirts, bookmarks and whatever else they can come up with. Market organiser Claire Roper joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.