The Mike Hosking Breakfast

An investigative report released Wednesday blamed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other senior leaders for allowing boozy government parties that broke the U.K.'s COVID-19 lockdown rules, and while Johnson said he took "full responsibility" for the breaches, he insisted he would not resign. Revelations that Johnson and his staff repeatedly flouted restrictions they imposed on Britain in 2...

The reality dating show Love Island will dress contestants in second hand clothes from e-Bay. The show has attracted criticism in the past for having clothing sponsors like Missguided, and I Saw It First, companies known for their fast-fashion. Personal stylist Caitlin Taylor joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Central Bank has raised the Official Cash Rate to 2 percent in a bid to drive down our 31-year-high inflation. Its forecasts of how high the OCR might rise have also jumped significantly, peaking at 3.9 percent in June next year. Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's being forced to take sides in the growing divide between the US and China. Jacinda Ardern has been meeting with several top US lawmakers this morning, including Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat Chuck Schumer. Discussions have mostly focused on gun control and trade, rather than China. But Chief Political Reporter Jason Walls told Mike Hosking Ardern's visit to the US at this time,...

Fears China's latest plan for a security pact with the Pacific is designed to give them more influence in the area. China has sent a draft to 10 Pacific countries, outlining a plan for policing, security and data communications cooperation. It comes ahead of a meeting Foreign Minister Wang Yi is hosting in Fiji next week. Otago University international relations expert Robert Patman told Mike Hosk...

The Government's expected to announce funding for security measures that protect businesses from ramraids. Parnell Business Association's Cheryl Adamson told Mike Hosking any form of support is welcome. She says businesses have been crying out for ram raid security funding for 18 months, and hopes they'll be given cash for things like security grills, bollards, glass and barriers. LISTEN ABOVE See...

Zespri's global revenue has topped $4 billion for the first time despite a challenging season, the company says. The kiwifruit marketer credited a record crop, investment in brand-led demand creation and its industry's ability to respond and leverage its scale for the record financial result in 2021/22. In a statement, the Mount Maunganui-based company said its global operating revenue of $4.47 bi...

It's coming home to roost a bit, isn't it? What we have learned this week, whether it be the construction company now in Britain looking to fill the jobs here that pay over $100,000, the university students that haven't come back despite the door being open, the manufacturers who told us the job queue is non-existent because reputation is an issue, or the apple orchards that have left over $100 mi...

National says it would have liked to see Auckland gang members arrested this morning. There was a spate of shootings across the city overnight, in Ōtara, Papatoetoe, Flat Bush, Papakura, Te Atatū, Mount Albert and Henderson. National's Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking search warrants should have been executed this morning. “When we talk about seven isolated shootings, you’re talking about dozens of...

A world-first remote-operated digger is entering Christ Church Cathedral today. It will undertake a clean-up, clearing out the debris, masonry and significant biohazard inside the nave.  Project Director Keith Paterson told Mike Hosking the machine is being controlled by a driver standing in an operations centre outside the cathedral. He says the operator is looking at a lot of screens , and he's...

An independent quality review of the national breast screening programme is underway. It's been commissioned by Interim Health New Zealand, and will whether the nationwide service continues to deliver strong and equitable outcomes. Chief Executive Margie Apa says it will have a strong focus on ensuring the needs of women, and particularly Māori women are being met. The review's focus will be on th...

Traffic management costs are raining on popular parades. Whau Local Board Member Jessica Rose says the thousands of dollars Auckland Transport charges could lead to the cancellation of Anzac Day and Santa parades. She told Mike Hosking she wants the costs justified. Rose says the issue is being raised at a board meeting - and she wants to know if they can be reduced in the future. LISTEN ABOVE See...

Prepare for interest rates to keep rising. The Reserve Bank is expected to raise the Official Cash Rate by another 50 basis points today, to counter rising inflation. That would take the OCR from 1.5 to 2.0 per cent -it's highest point in six years. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr told Mike Hosking the central bank is likely to continue with 25 basis point rises until the OCR hits three perce...

Change could be coming to the rules around New Zealand's elections. Justice Minister Kris Faafoi's announced a review of the electoral law that will include discussing the voting age. The independent panel will also assess other election rules - with changes planned before next year's election. The independent panel chair Deborah Hart told Mike Hosking it's a good idea to look at the rules. She sa...

A concern our Foreign Affairs Minister isn't doing her job properly. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has had no direct contract with the New Zealand ambassador or our embassy in Russia during the Ukraine crisis. She says such talks are usually headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Neither has Mahuta made contact with New Zealand diplomats in the Solomon Islands since its Chin...

The almost universal review card of the Prime Minister's much-hyped first trade trip was that it ended up light on detail. It was to Singapore and Japan, where we got a visa adjustment that allowed 300 instead of 200 people with certain skills into the country. Whether any of them come is another matter, of course, as raised by the Employers and Manufacturers Association yesterday. There were a co...

Brendon Hartley, formerly of Formula 1 and now competing in the World Endurance Championship, is about to head to Europe for the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans. Hartley is no stranger to the race, having taken the title in 2017 and 2020 as well as a runner-up placing in 2021. Brendon Hartley joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plant-based milk is skyrocketing in popularity, and looks set to overtake cow's milk in Australian cafes. Oat milk is top of the list, rising from 0.2 percent to 20 percent of the plant based milk market, and still climbing. Otis Oat Milk co-founder Chris Wilkie told Mike Hosking says in New Zealand it started out in cafes, but it's now the fastest growing product on supermarket shelves. He says t...

Star player Chanel Harris-Tavita is the latest to step away from the Warriors. Prop Matt Lodge cut ties with the club last week, while Harris-Tavita will see out the season before taking some time away from the game. Questions have been raised as to whether this another indication of trouble within the club, and what can be done about the culture. Former Kiwis captain and league commentator Richie...

A six month safety camera trial that detects mobile phone usage starts in Auckland today. Three cameras have been installed - two on a State Highway, and one on a local road.   They capture all vehicles and detect drivers whose hands aren't on the steering wheel and might be using a mobile. Because there's no police involvement drivers won’t be getting a ticket. Waka Kotahi's Kane Patena says step...

Seismic global events have left the milk market on shaky ground. Rabobank's latest Dairy Seasonal Outlook forecasts a farmgate milk price of $9 per kilogram of milk solids for the 2022 to 2023 dairy season. But it says farmers need to control costs and manage their risks, thanks to an uncertain outlook. Senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins says ongoing lockdowns in China, where about 45 percen...

Former Defence Minister Ron Mark says New Zealand's been late to the party in helping Ukraine. We're sending a further 30 defence personnel to the UK, to train Ukrainian forces on a specific type of light gun. Ron Mark has been on the ground in Ukraine and says despite the odds the people have an iron will. He told Mike Hosking the international community will judge us in the years to come. Mark s...

It's still too soon to tell how many international students will come here to study. Fewer than 10 percent of five thousand spaces set aside for them have been filled. Immigration New Zealand has told our newsroom 431 visas have been approved. Otago University International Director Jason Cushen says told Mike Hosking he's not surprised by the number. “The border exception process requires a numbe...

The saving grace, they say, as we plummet towards who knows where economically, is that we all have jobs.  Growth might be slow or non-existent, the cost of living may well be going through the roof, the debt may be piling up, and the mood may be sour, but we all have jobs. It's a global phenomenon. As bad as it is, or might yet be, we are in work.  But you might have noticed Netflix laid some peo...

After three solid rounds at the PGA Championship, Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox went backwards in the final round to slip outside the top 50 in his opening major of the year.  Following three even par rounds of 70, Fox went into the final round in a share of 23rd place but a seven-over 77 saw him drift down the leaderboard at Southern Hills.  Fox had two bogeys on the front nine and a further five dropped...