The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Centre for European Policy Analysis Senior Fellow Edward Lucas says calling up the reservists is a dramatic gambit by Putin. He told Mike Hosking it shows desperation on his part, because the other things he's tried to do haven't worked. “This threat of nuclear weapons being used, which I think is not nearly as scary as people think. I think this is actually a sign that he is running out of option...

It's hoped an investigation will provide clarity into how ministries award contracts, and declare conflicts of interest. The Public Service Commissioner has launched a probe into contracts awarded to family members of Nanaia Mahuta. It was requested by Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins and Mahuta herself, after persistent media reports. National MP Simeon Brown has been calling for an investig...

Alzheimers NZ says global research has highlighted the way New Zealanders with dementia are being failed. The latest World Alzheimer Report says the lack of post-diagnostic support for people with dementia is a global problem. As many as 85 per cent of the 55 million sufferers are missing out on care. Alzheimers NZ chief Catherine Hall says it paints a grim picture of the situation here. She says...

In the leadup to the 2023 election, it's been observed that Labour's honeymoon period may be drawing to a close. Our Australian correspondent Murray Olds has observed that Labour's position in the polls has gone down. There is still interest in Labour, but it's become apparent that their appeal may have peaked. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mission Estate concert speculation is over. Their big act reveal is none other than Robbie Williams - who we had on the show two weeks ago and he possibly let it slip. Joining me now is the Mission Estate concert promoter and partner at SEL James Erskine. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is going with the ''trust me'' approach when it comes to the Uffindell report. He had already said he wasn't going to release it to the public but he also won't release it to National Party MP's because he says "they trust me to represent the findings". National Party leader Christopher Luxon joins me now. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the final day of voting for a big decision for playcentres. They are voting on whether to centralise their resources into one big pot to be controlled and distributed by the National Body a la Three Waters for playcentres. It will only happen if 80% of centres vote yes to the changes. Playcentre Aotearoa Chief Executive David Moger joins me now. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Are our MP's being put in more danger this election campaign at public events? Grant Robertson said yesterday that the election campaign will be undertaken in an atmosphere different to others and that there has been an escalation in intense threats and abuse of MP's. They are even considering axing their public walkabout's next year. ACT party leader David Seymour joins me now. LISTEN ABOVE   See...

Puerto Rico faced substantial damage from Hurricane Fiona earlier this week. The hurricane caused flash flooding and storm damage, as well as knocking out the nation's power. US correspondent Richard Arnold also notes that the timing of this hurricane unfortunately happened around the same time as Hurricane Maria, which happened five years prior.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

In Australia their treasurer Jim Charles says they need to have a national discussion about how to pay for Government spending. Yes, their budget deficit was $50 billion dollars lower than forecast but Chalmers says that won't be the case going forward and they'll be constrained to "bread and butter" spending. So if they are going to have the talk, do we need to as well? Former Reserve Bank econom...

The headline was "Ardern hitches ride to New York with Canadian Prime Minister." What it should have read is "Ardern exposed as climate hypocrite." She is in good company whether it's Al Gore, Harry and Meghan, or her fellow chardonnay socialist Justin Trudeau, they are all the same. They claim one thing, do another. Trudeau took his own jet to the funeral despite the fact he was expressly asked n...

So as predicted in the battle of wayward MPs, as far as Sam Uffindell is concerned, there is nothing to see here. As regards Gaurav Sharma v Sam Uffindell, National beats Labour. Labour dragged it out and had secret meetings that they pretended didn’t happen until they did, and then pretended they weren't secret at all. They eventually sent him to the world of independence where he currently sits,...

Personal trainer James Smith has taken it upon himself to change the fitness world. He's known as the world's best straight talking and no-nonsense health guru. It's getting him plenty with attention, with a massive social media following, best-selling books and sold out speaking tours. His latest book, H ow to be Confident is out now - and he's bringing his show to Auckland and Christchurch in No...

Palmerston North Hospital is getting a ‘kids only’ waiting area in the emergency department. Design work has begun on the area, which has been put forth to keep kids away from weekend drunks and other distractions. The money won't be put up by the public either, it's come from the Palmerston North Hospital Foundation and chair Brendan Duffy joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

A new report has found the Ministry of Education barrelled forward with their new modern learning environments without any evidence behind it. The New Zealand Initiative report found ideology was the driver for the change. The Ministry couldn't provide basic info on the number of learning environments, the cost or their effectiveness as learning environments. They also didn't research the effects...

Sam Uffindell has been welcomed back into the National Party caucus. The report into his alleged bullying of a university student has found the allegations were not substantiated, they were not what was reported in the media and there were differing accounts. The report, done by Maria Dew KC, found outside of his King’s College days, there were no substantiated bullying claims. Pollster and politi...

Questions have been asked as to whether we need to reform our Emissions Trading Scheme. Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr spoke at a business and climate conference yesterday and said our current plan relies too heavily on planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide planting. He said it allows companies to plant and pollute and doesn't help us keep up with international efforts to keep warming...

Royal correspondent Robert Hardman told Mike Hosking he's never seen a day like the Queen’s funeral in his career. “At one point in the day I did notice a wry smile at the face of the King. I think he just thought ‘Phew, it’s all gone to plan. Mummy would have been very pleased.’” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grant Robertson, if you remember back to Friday's programme, defended the Reserve Bank when I suggested to him that their forecast of 4.1 percent for the OCR to top out wasn’t real. He said, and rightly, that the same bank had forecast the GDP figure last week at 1.8%, which was close enough to being right while most of the rest of us were wrong. Therefore if they had seen that growth and were sti...

Anthony Albanese makes it down to the UK to see the newly designated King Charles III. Australian correspondent Murray Olds has more to explain, including Anthony Albanese's background and thoughts on the monarchy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The BNZ art collection that went under the hammer at Webb's sold better than predicted. Of the 50 pieces up for grabs in round one, it was a white glove sale meaning they all went - and a lot of them for over their expected value at record sale prices. Overall 13.5 million dollars was forked out for the best pieces. Director of Art at Webb's auction house Charles Ninow joins me now. LISTEN ABOVE S...

Two Mongrel Mob members have been sentenced for their senior role in a sophisticated meth ring in the Waikato. The issue is with their sentences - James Smith and Richard Heller were given a starting point of 12 years and four months and 10 years and six months respectively. But by the time there were reductions for guilty pleas and significant reductions for their dysfunctional childhoods they ea...

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is set to happen a few hours from now, with all attendees on their way to the service. One of those who will be at Westminster Abbey early, representing NZ is former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Sir Don Mckinnon. Sir Don Mckinnon joins me now, ahead of the funeral. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queen Elizabeth's funeral is set to happen in a few hours. In the UK, the time to go pay respects to the Queen's coffin is drawing to a close, and all the attendees will be heading to Westminster Abbey. Phil Dampier, our royal commentator, is here to tell us all about the lead up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The urban sprawl will no longer be taking over our most productive farmland. The Government has announced new rules to protect that land to provide security for our domestic food supply and primary exports. Environment Minister David Parker joins me now. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.