The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Waikato Chamber of Commerce is concerned the Hamilton to Auckland train service is financially and environmentally worse than driving. A report for the chamber shows per trip driving costs $48 compared to $294 on Te Huia which includes the $12 fare and a $282 subsidy. Based on the assumption of one person per vehicle, carbon emissions are 20kg per person driving and 31.5kg per person on the tr...

A vaccine expert says the justifications used for mandates now don't apply as much.  Act leader David Seymour wants to see a move away from mandates, claiming the only thing they're currently good for, is creating division. Immunisation Advisory Centre medical advisor Peter McIntyre told Mike Hosking they were brought in to protect the health system and to reduce transmission of the virus. “Both o...

Time now to mark the week, the little piece of news and current events that’s almost as popular as tomatoes at under $6 a kilo.     The protest: 2/10  “There are no winners.”     The police and their handling of the protest: 2/10  “Too slow, too soft.”     The politicians handling of it: 2/10  “Pretending they were all mad as snakes and rabble - how did that go for you?”     Trevor Mallard's role:...

Acclaimed Kiwi author Christine Leunens has had her new novel snapped up by Hollywood.   Christine's earlier book, Caging Skies, was made into the movie Jojo Rabbit by Taika Waititi in 2019.   Her latest is called In Amber's Wake, it's set in New Zealand during the 1980s era of the Rainbow Warrior and Springbok Rugby Tour.  It's set to be filmed in New Zealand.  Christine joined Mike Hosking.  LIS...

A former Defence Minister says the Government needs to think twice before bringing in the military to deal with the protest at Parliament.  Police have requested support from the Defence Force to tow illegally parked vehicles.  It comes amid fears the protest could continue for several months.  Former National MP Jonathan Coleman told Mike Hosking bringing in New Zealand troops to deal with New Ze...

After months of debate, an agreement hass been reached between Silver Lake, New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association.   Us private equity giant Silver Lake will invest $200 million in exchange for a stake of up to 8.58 percent.   It still needs the green light from the Māori Rugby Board and provincial unions.  North Harbour chairman Gerard van Tilborg joined Mike Hosking to...

Many Ukrainians are preparing to make difficult decisions as tensions increase even further at its border with Russia.   It's thought some five million civilians would take up arms in the event of an invasion alongside official army forces.   Newshub Europe Correspondent Lisette Reymer says told Mike Hosking many are living in fear.  “They’re not sitting there debating the wider political scape, t...

Housing affordability has deteriorated to all-time record lows.  Figures from CoreLogic shows the average New Zealand property is now worth 8.8 times the average annual household income - up from 8.3 just three months ago.   But CoreLogic Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson told Mike Hosking he doesn't believe numbers have peaked.  “There’s perhaps a little bit of momentum in house prices lef...

The Health Minister accepts there has been confusing messaging on whether teachers should be able to access rapid antigen tests.  Officials say RATs will only be available to school staff if they're close contacts and must be back at school - and schools should have planned for scenarios where some teachers and students isolate at home.  But Andrew Little says under the rules, teachers should have...

Pokie machine owners want the Ministry of Health to help fund its facial recognition software in gambling venues.   It helps stop people who self-identify as problem gamblers.  The Gaming Machine Association says there's a big pot of money set aside in a technology fund for things like this.  Chairman Peter Dengate Thrush joined Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

There are more calls for help from hospitality businesses every day...  Now a Hospitality NZ survey says more than 70 percent of cafes, bars and restaurants are looking to cut staff or reduce hours to survive.  We heard earlier this week what's happening in Queenstown and in Auckland's CBD.  Hospitality NZ CEO Julie White and Retail NZ CEO Greg Harford joined Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst...

The Morrison Government is set to make changes to its Migrant Act, which could see more 501 deportees come here.  It gives Australia's Immigration Minister more power to cancel visas and deport people under the 'character test'.  Leveraging off the Djokovic drama, Minister Alex Hawke says it shouldn't be easier to deport an international sports star than a convicted criminal.  But, Greg Barns from...

The tents can stay but the vehicles around Parliament must move.  Protesters are still camping on the lawn in front of the Beehive, while 450 of their vehicles are jamming the surrounding streets.  Police Association President Chris Cahill reckons protesters will still be there in three months.  He told Mike Hosking a group of people sitting in tents won't change the world and can be left there. ...

Protesters at Parliament are disappointed no one from the Government's come down to talk to them yet.  It's the tenth day of the demonstrations and the lawn in front of Parliament is still filled with tents and the nearby streets are blocked with 450 vehicles.  Protester liaison, Leighton Baker, told Mike Hosking tens of thousands of businesses have been affected by the vaccine mandates, and they...

Who do you reckon is winning the PR war when it comes to this protest at parliament?  As another group sets up camp in Christchurch, you get the sense there is an element of momentum, and if not momentum, certainly a resolute determination to hold their ground.  The media seem all over the place. Some are acquiescing to the speaker's request not to interview people, while others ignore him. So, we...

Mark Mitchell and Megan Woods joined Mike Hosking to break down the week's politics news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Kelleher from G2 Capital Advisors joined Mike Hosking to review the GlobalDairyTrade auction overnight. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox is back on home soil after winning the biggest title of his career in the United Arab Emirates over the weekend.  He took home a half-million dollar paycheck and was five shots clear in his victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic.  Ryan joined Mike Hosking from MIQ.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A council in the northern Hawke's Bay is pushing to ban gang and other insignia from headstones.   The Wairoa District Council will put out the proposed change to the cemetery's bylaw, for public consultation.  Three existing gang-branded headstones are considered huge and offensive.  Mayor Craig Little told Mike Hosking there may be push-back from the gangs.  “But funny enough, I met with the gan...

Police continue to take a softly-softly approach to the protest at Parliament.  The lawn in front of the Beehive is covered in tents, straw, mud, leaking Portaloos, and rubbish bags.  The surrounding streets are full of cars, campervans and trucks, which are blocking businesses and Victoria University.  Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking police won't be imposing a state of emergen...

It is being suggested it would take a bold judge to side with a group that claims MIQ was unlawful or unreasonable.  A two-day judicial review of the system has wrapped up in the High Court - a case taken by Grounded Kiwis, arguing the right to enter New Zealand.  The court's decision has been reserved.    Auckland University law expert Jane Norton told Mike Hosking any judge that sides with the g...

Members of some Auckland households are having to isolate in campervans.  There are also reports of households that have families of 10-plus, staying in isolation periods for up to 45 days.  In Phase Two, the self-isolation period for cases reduces from 14 days to 10 days, and for contacts from 10 days to seven.  Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking he acknowledges it could b...

If you ever want an example of how farcical our border situation is right now just talk to Paul Abbott  Paul is leaving New Zealand after having arrived in the country for his new job as the head of Destination Queenstown  The job lasted seven months and now he's off.   Why?  Because he can't get his family into the country.  So here we are, unable to get the labour and skills we need, and occasio...

New Zealand rock band Dragon aren't impressed by Scott Morrison's rendition of one of their hit songs.   They've slammed the Australian Prime Minister, who performed a cover of their "April Sun in Cuba".  Morrison sung it on a ukulele during a sit-down interview with his family.  The band has called it a cynical move for Morrison to humanise himself in his attempt to get re-elected.   Dragon band...

Could this year finally be the year for our beloved Warriors?  Thanks to Covid and the border - it seems the club will be mainly based out of Australia again - but there's hope of some home games later in the year.   A big talking point for the team is the return of one the stalwarts - Shaun Johnson.   So what's it like being back? And with a month to go - are the Warriors ready?  Shaun Johnson jo...