The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Russia's retreat from Kyiv may just be a chance for it to regroup. It's predicted the fighting will intensify in the east and south over the next few weeks. Despite the expected escalation, peace talks between the two nations continue. Ukrainian journalist Iryna Matviyishyn told Mike Hosking Ukrainians are sceptical. “What I can say is that peace talks kind of do not match the demand of the Ukrain...

A nationwide shortage of Gib board is sparking major delays for the construction sector. There's a waiting time as long as nine months for the product. Prices are going through the roof and there's concern a black market is developing as Gib sells for up to five times its usual price. Combined Building Supplies chairperson Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking it's quite simple – if builders can't get mat...

A concert promoter has his fingers crossed for a switching of the traffic light soon. Cabinet meets this afternoon to decide if all, or regions, of New Zealand should ease Covid-19 restrictions. A move to Orange would see an end to indoor gathering limits. Eccles Entertainment boss Brent Eccles told Mike Hosking he's hoping for some clarity of when indoor concerts can come back. He says the liftin...

I was thinking as Phil Goff got tipped about his new job in London, about how badly wrong we appear to have gone the job market.  We all seem to agree that productivity is not what it should be and we have never really been as smart at working as we could be.  And although productivity is a fairly broad based and tricky old thing to detail, far less address, we are making some fairly fundamental e...

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.     Will Smith: 0/10  "He's a thug and he made an unforgivable mistake.  I strongly suspect he only said sorry because he knows he will have to give the statue back."     Hollywood's Reaction to Will Smith: 1/10  "Cemented their already substantial reputation as mass hypocrites b...

Seaweed could become a game-changer when it comes to cleaning up some of New Zealand's most polluted waterways.   Almost a million dollars has been spent investigating the seaweed's effect on Waikato's Waihou River, and if successful it could become implemented nationwide.  Leader of the Algal Biotechnology Research Group at Waikato University Marie Magnusson is involved with all this and joined M...

In these times when business is hard to come by, we should be celebrating when a company does so well.   Silver Fern Farms has posted an annual record profit of $103.8 million, a 59% increase.   They've benefited from a market surge in demand for protein and of course we have the best here.   Silver Fern Farms chief executive Simon Limmer joined Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/liste...

A Former Defence Minister says it's too soon to make a decision around Anzac Day gatherings.  Defence Force personnel have been told not to attend public commemorations due to Covid-19, instead attending them on camps and bases.  The decision could still be reviewed and revised.  Wayne Mapp told Mike Hosking Omicron may not be a problem in three and a half weeks and RATs could be used anyway.  He...

National has no tolerance for bullying.   This comes from the party's deputy leader, after two Young Nats resigned following the trolling of three Christchurch left-wing politicians.   Wigram MP and Cabinet Minister Megan Woods, Ilam MP Sarah Pallett and Christchurch City Councillor Sara Templeton were harassed online, with Woods calling the comments misogynistic and toxic.   Nicola Willis told Mi...

A discussion about pay equality - but not in the direction you might expect.   World number 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas has sparked the conversation after saying that because female tennis players get equal prize money, they might as well play best of 5 sets too, instead of the 3 they currently play. Former New Zealand tennis pro Brenda Perry joined Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

The Government says it can't afford not to invest in low income families.  Main benefit rates are increasing by between 20 and 42 dollars per adult, each week.  Student Allowance and living costs are increasing by 25 dollars a week and minimum wage is also rising to 21 dollars 20 per hour.  Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni told Mike Hosking it’s another step towards income adequacy.  “T...

Celebrity chef Rick Stein’s latest show is in Cornwall, which is where he is from and a part of the country he has made famous with his restaurant in Padstow.  It's one of many restaurants these days.  Between the TV, the books and the restaurants in many respects he is the original celebrity chef, going back to his first appearance with Keith Floyd in the 1990s.  Rick Stein joined Mike Hosking to...

Developments this week in the co-governance plan involve National not committing to a referendum on it as requested by ACT.  Chris Luxon argues we don’t know what co-governance looks like. He's wrong, we do. And we do because the fans of co-governance keep telling us that we have had forms of co-governance for years.  Things like seats on councils based on race, that's co-governance. We have a new...

A crowd of more than 50,000 gathered at the MCG to farewell cricket legend Shane Warne, with Hollywood A-listers, cricket legends, family and friends paying tribute to the King of Spin.  There has been an outpouring of grief since the Spin King died after suffering a heart attack aged 52 in Thailand earlier this month, but the focus of his public memorial was on celebrating a life most could only...

The America's Cup is off to Barcelona, where Emirates Team New Zealand will defend it in 2024.   The move of course has it's critics, from fans to politicians to apparently some members of Team New Zealand themselves according to the Prime Minister.   But Team New Zealand are happy and the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron are happy - so what about the other potential competitors?   American Magic Boss Terr...

It's too early to know how worried New Zealand should be about China's new military deal with the Solomon Islands.  That's the view of former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  The Solomon Islands Government has confirmed it's finalised the deal, which could allow Chinese military personnel and assets, like ships, could be stationed in and around the Pacific nation.  Rudd, an expert on China,...

Los Angeles has come to Wellywood.   That's how Wellington's Transmission Gully is being described, with the $1.25 billion motorway now officially open to motorists.   Newstalk ZB Mornings Wellington host Nick Mills has just driven on it and told Mike Hosking it's amazing.   He says it's next level and an absolute game-changer for the Kapiti Coast and heading out of town.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

The Government says it won't be left carrying the can when it comes to Air New Zealand.  Our national airline is doing a capital raise of $2.2 billion.  It's asking existing shareholders to buy $1.2 billion worth of extra shares, including the Government, which has a majority stake.  Finance Minister, Grant Robertson, told Mike Hosking he's confident people will see Air New Zealand as a good inves...

Air New Zealand has announced a major plan to recapitalise - after two years of economic turbulence.   The $2.2 billion package will enable the airline to repay its existing Crown loan and position the company for recovery post-pandemic.   The vast majority is made up of a $1.2 billion Rights Offer of new ordinary shares.  Chair Dame Therese Walsh says there will also be a $600 million issue of re...

I am not sure if they realise it, and even if they do, whether they really care.  But taking stuff away from people like car parking on the street, which is what Auckland Transport are doing, affects the most vulnerable. It's like the Government's feebate on EVs, when you have $75,000 to buy a Tesla, you don’t actually need help financially from other taxpayers.  When they take your parking away,...

MPs Megan Woods and Mark Mitchell joined Mike Hosking to discuss the week's political news. Louisa Wall retired from parliament after 14 years, the America's Cup has a new location in Barcelona and Mark Mitchell's request to meet police was blocked by Minister Poto Williams. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive day in Melbourne for the cricketing world.   Shane Warne's memorial service will be held at the MCG in front of around 50,000 fans and anyone who's anyone in Aussie cricket will be a part of it.   Broadcaster and commentator Gerard Whateley joined Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many businesses are unhappy with the Government’s latest announcement.   The Government has introduced its Fair Pay Agreements bill, which it aims to pass into law next year.   It would create a new system for collective bargaining which they argue would lead to higher wages and better conditions across all sectors.   Businesses would then be forced to bargain with a union or accept the ruling of...

Tax cuts, a big fuel excise cut and cash payments are leading the headlines when it comes to the Australian budget.   Frydenberg announced the tax offsets amount to billions of dollars, potentially saved by the $7.7 billion less in jobseeker payments because of the low unemployment rate.  It still leaves a budget hole of $78 billion for this current financial year, which they hope contracts to $43...

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has officially opened Transmission Gully in a ribbon cutting ceremony on site this morning.  The event marks a long awaited milestone for the new $1.25 billion motorway out of Wellington that has been bogged down with delays, construction defects and budget blowouts.  Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has instructed the contractor to open the road by the end of March. T...