The Mike Hosking Breakfast

What were perceived to be hollow threats from Rugby Australia about leaving Super Rugby Pacific may end up being more than that. Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan doubled down on his comments when pressed on criticism by experts in New Zealand, saying we are not good partners. The issue seems to step from the contract length of Super Rugby Pacific and how much broadcast revenue each rugby boar...

Fonterra's Farmgate Milk Price could surpass $10 this season, according to new ASB forecasts. If it comes to pass, it will be the first double-digit payout on record. ASB Wealth Senior Economist Chris Tennent-Brown told Mike Hosking weak supply growth, mixed with strong demand, and a weaker than expected New Zealand dollar augurs well for milk prices. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

A new report from the Human Rights Measurement Intiative has prompted the Chief Human Rights Commissioner to urge the Government to improve outcomes for some minority groups. The report shows Māori, disabled people, LGBTQ+ and low income earners are more likely than others, to experience violations of their rights. Human Rights Measures Initiative spokesperson Thalia Kehoe Rowden told Mike Hosking...

The second of the two major supermarket chains will set up a wholesale grocery service for rival retailers. It was one of the recommendations of the Commerce Commission report into the industry. Foodstuffs announced its plans yesterday with Woolworths announcing a similar move earlier this month. Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin told Mike Hosking they've had a wholesale business...

MPs Megan Woods and Mark Mitchell joined Mike Hosking for Pollies. On the agenda was the newly-appointed plasterboard taskforce, results from the Tauranga by-election and MIQ. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am trying to work out just where the FINA decision around trans athlete participation at elite level fits, as far as far-reaching decisions go. It would be right up there because the reaction has been extraordinary. Emily Seebohm, an Australian Olympic great, talked of the relief given her and so many of her colleagues have been afraid to speak out. A sport they have loved and dedicated their li...

Do you think you'd be able to be interviewed for more than 26 hours straight, even if you had the gift of the gab? That's exactly what Labour MP Kieran McAnulty is planning to do. Over Saturday and Sunday he will be interviewed by a Greytown local, attempting to break two records to raise money for the rural support trust. The records are longest broadcast interview, at 26 hours and 4 seconds set...

Taranaki DHB is aiming to get 80 percent of its staff vaccinated against the flu. Ministry of Health data shows nationwide only around 54 percent of DHB staff have had the jab. Taranaki is offering incentives such as going in the draw for a hotel stay and other prizes to engage with busy staff. Operations Centre Manager Cameron Grant-Fargie told Mike Hosking it's also about taking reasonable steps...

Supply chains could continue to be an issue, even as the world's biggest port re-opens today. Shanghai has been operating at a severely reduced capacity since March. Many shipments have either been cancelled, postponed or rerouted to other Chinese ports. Infometrics economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking supply chain issues could get worse as manufacturing sites reopen. He wonders if ports in Euro...

Several hopes for the Government's plasterboard taskforce. Building and Construction Minister Megan Woods has set up the group to troubleshoot supply shortages. Commercial construction company Naylor Love Chief Executive Rick Herd is one of the taskforce members. He told Mike Hosking hopefully the Government's assistance will educate the construction sector on what options are out there now - such...

A nationwide expansion of tackling our gang problem is much needed. Police say Operation Cobalt is being expanded, after having some success in Auckland. Police Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking our gang problem isn't just a metropolitan one. He says provincial New Zealand has in some ways seen a bigger growth of those gangs. Cahill says they gather in groups of 20 to 30 to inti...

A North Shore doctor says he is waking up at 4am worried about his patients after working gruelling 12-hour shifts seeing up to 62 patients a day. "I'm burnt out and I've already been in tears ... the whole health system is falling to bits," medical director at Northcare Accident & Emergency Peter Boot told the Herald. His comments come as hospitals across the country have been inundated with peop...

Performance pay in education is one of those things governments have given up on, those that thought the idea had merit anyway. They tended to be National governments. And it is a good idea. The same way it’s a good idea in virtually every other workplace anywhere. The idea that a pay rise or reward only comes as a result of time spent in the classroom suggests that simply turning up makes you bet...

Since his retirement from international rugby in 2015 and all rugby in 2021 – Dan Carter has kept himself busy with plenty of business ventures and collaborations. That includes getting into the NFT game - he co-founded Glorious Digital with the likes of Murray Thom, Craig Heatley and Michael Heron. And that company has just done a deal with Wimbledon - where people can own the memorable moments f...

In the week before the Kiwis first international test in two years, there are calls for everyone to step up to revive the international side of the game. Kiwis coach Michael Maguire believes the international side of the game has taken an immeasurable hit because of Covid and tests need to be made a priority again because of it. But there's also talk of players wanting to sit out to rest for the N...

Could the Gib crisis claim some scalps at Fletcher Building? Shareholder Simplicity Living and the Shareholders Association are calling for the board chair Bruce Hassall to resign and for the entire board to be re-elected at the annual shareholders meeting later this year. They say the board is light on relevant building sector experience and a reset will put Fletcher Building back on the right pa...

There are suggestions we may have seen an economic revival of sorts in the month of May. Despite rising costs, the latest BNZ - Business NZ Performance of Services Index shows a surge in sales and new orders for the month of May. The PSI rose 3 points to 55.2, with anything above 50 pointing to expansion, and this is the highest above average income since Delta arrived back in August. Bagrie Econo...

A CO2 shortage is just another problem for food suppliers. Tegel is concerned about New Zealand's shortage of carbon dioxide gas Beer, fizzy drink, sparking wine, cheese, preserved meats, ready-to-eat meals and healthcare products could also be affected by the ongoing shortage. Supie Founder Sarah Balle told Mike Hosking consumers might not find their favourite products at the supermarket in the n...

New Zealand’s trade agenda continues to build positive momentum. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is jetting off to Europe on Sunday and will return via Australia for trade, tourism and foreign policy events. Trade Minister Damien O'Connor will also travel to Canada to promote and strengthen bilateral trade. O'Connor told Mike Hosking they will look to sign off the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement with Eur...

Disappointment over the numbers of health workers yet to get the flu vaccine. Health Ministry data shows only around 54 percent of DHB staff have received the jab so far. Meanwhile, Wellington's district health boards have paused non-urgent care, due to an unprecedented level of staff absence. National Immunisation Advisory Centre's Nikki Turner told Mike Hosking we all know what impact getting th...

I think we have broad agreement that by-elections are a story unto themselves. They are never good for the government of the day. And what happens in a one-off vote is not automatically to be repeated on a national stage. But a couple of notable things happened in Tauranga that tell a story. The National and ACT votes went up significantly. Both parties gained. And Labour not only lost, but lost b...

Max Verstappen has won a chaotic Canadian Grand Prix for his sixth victory of the Formula One season. Verstappen has further extended his championship lead after he narrowly edged out Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in a thrilling final lap battle. Sainz was less than 0.5 seconds behind the reigning world champion in the final laps, but couldn't find a way to get through. Verstappen had to do it tough at t...

Australia could be the first domino for a Commonwealth exodus. Buckingham Palace is reportedly concerned a number of countries will sever ties with the Royal Family when Charles becomes King. At the top of the list of countries most likely to leave are Australia and Jamaica. Of course Albanese isn't a royal fan and he has already said there will be a referendum on this issue if he gets a second te...

The newly-minted Justice Minister is refuting the suggestion we're too soft on crime. Kiri Allan was handed the portfolio after Kris Faafoi announced he'll be leaving Parliament to spend more time with his family. She told Mike Hosking there's one key question when it comes to the Government's response to crime. Allan says they haven't changed anything in the sentencing regime or anything that wou...

Another public holiday at the end of this week - the first year for Matariki. The calls have already gone out not to commercialise it. It's always an issue with the likes of Anzac Day - so what's the advice around a new public holiday and an issue like this? Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford joined Mike Hosking to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.