The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Inflation could be about to reach its highest point in three decades -- and keep climbing for months to come.  The latest Consumer Price Index data is due out at 11 this morning.  Most economists are predicting an annual inflation rate of about six-percent for the 2020 calendar year.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Tim Dower there's not much we can do to avoid the effects of high inflatio...

Concerns for businesses that use rapid antigen testing regularly.  The Ministry of Health says it's consolidating incoming orders.   Inscience is a distributor of the tests in New Zealand, and says its orders will now be gobbled up by the ministry.   Director, Ann-Louise Anderson told Tim Dower she has many clients who need those tests regularly.  “They were destined for companies that have health...

The Government is set to reveal how it will try to step up the fight against Omicron as the highly infectious Covid-19 variant spreads across the country, with predictions of up to 50,000 cases a day.   Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced further measures, including new mask mandates and increased use of rapid antigen tests (RATs).  Mark Mitchell and Stuart Nash joined Tim Dower to discuss...

There's a new trend taking over social media.  This is a TikTok thing, linked to the idea it's unhealthy to sleep with your mouth open.  It has led to people taping their mouths shut before they hit the hay so they breathe through their nose.  Dr Alex Bartle is the Medical Director of Sleep Well Clinics and he joined Tim Dower.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer New Zealand thinks Air New Zealand is being a bit tight with its credit rules.  Right now, you can receive a credit if your flight is cancelled because of traffic light changes.  But if you're booked to fly for an event, and you don't want to travel because that's been cancelled, then you’re out of luck.  Consumer New Zealand CEO Jon Duffy joined Tim Dower.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.c...

Things aren't looking any rosier for people trying to get on the property ladder.  A new CoreLogic report suggests the property market has moved past its peak growth rate.  However, independent economist Tony Alexander told Tim Dower that won't help first home buyers.  He says the tightening of home lending rules has stripped away their ability to get into the market.  “It’s been a heck of a last...

Fears the pandemic is causing mental distress to escalate amongst teenagers.   Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey is calling for a mental health summit to take stock of the pressure the country's youth are under.  He told Tim Dower they're starting to see the early warning signs - and that should be triggering alarm bells nationwide.  “I think when you look at the restrictions our young people face, the i...

Cloth masks may be quickly becoming a thing of the past.  The Government's new rules around mask wearing come into effect next Thursday.   Face coverings will have to be an actual mask as opposed to scarves, bandanas or T-shirts pulled up over the face.  They'll be required in all food and drink venues, close-proximity businesses, events and gatherings.  Any workers covered by a vaccine mandate wi...

A transport company says Rapid Antigen Tests are working well for colleagues over the Tasman.  Some essential workers will be able to end isolation sooner, once rapid antigen tests are available.  This will cover people in the supply chain, in particular, around food.   Mainfreight chief executive Don Braid told Tim Dower his colleagues in Australia use them daily in the carpark before starting wo...

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Sunday rejected a British claim that the Kremlin is seeking to replace Ukraine's government with a pro-Moscow administration, and that former Ukrainian lawmaker Yevheniy Murayev is a potential candidate. Britain's Foreign Office on Saturday also named several other Ukrainian politicians it said had links with Russian intelligence services, along with Murayev who is the...

As we head into this new unknown with Omicron - plenty of us are thinking about staying healthy. Dr. Michael Mosley knows a thing or two about healthy living - he's behind the famed Fast 800 Diet and is a well-known TV presenter. His new book the Fast 800 Keto is out now. Dr. Michael Mosley joined Tim Dower from Britain. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more, job seekers are being asked to include a video resume with their application. Linkedin data shows 79 percent of hiring managers think video has become more important for vetting candidates. Robert Walters Recruitment uses video cover letters - and Auckland director Grant Hadbgood joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nico Porteous nailed the preview - now it's time to do likewise at "the big O-show". The Kiwi freeskier today confirmed his status as a gold-medal favourite for the Winter Olympics in Beijing, securing back-to-back superpipe victories at the X Games in Aspen. Porteous stunned the competition with a flawless fourth and final run, unleashing what commentators described as "one of the most technical...

Online and open book exams are in store for Auckland University students this year - bar some exceptions. It has started discussion around whether other universities should follow suit given Omicron is here and will start to spread. Auckland University Students' Association president Andrew Lessells joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Z Energy is rejecting claims that it's pocketing more profits from rising fuel prices. New Zealanders are feeling the pain at the pump, with fuel prices the highest ever, and continuing to rise this summer. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has released data suggesting much of the price rise is due to fuel companies pocketing more profits. Z Energy Chief Executive Mike Bennetts t...

The Health Minister says the health system has coped with previous Covid outbreaks - and will cope again. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists wants the Government to declare a health workforce emergency, due to new Omicron outbreak. The Medical Association also says it's time to declare an emergency. But Andrew Little told Tim Dower the system has proved time and time again, over the p...

The tap's being turned down on cheap money, which is making markets nervous. The New Zealand share market fell into correction territory yesterday morning, but recovered during the afternoon to close down 1.27 per cent. US stocks are also down, with the S&P 500 index falling and the Dow tumbling more than 800 points. Craigs Investment Partners analyst Mark Lister told Tim Dower that's expected to...

Sports minister Grant Robertson has eased fears that the move to a red light alert level could impact the women's ODI Cricket World Cup later in the year. New Zealand is set to host the event in March and April, which will see countries come from around the world to compete for the top title in the sport. With the country moving to the red light setting at 11.59pm on Sunday after confirmation of O...

A wildfire near California's scenic Highway 1, which winds along the Pacific coastline, prompted evacuation orders in Monterey County on Friday night. The Colorado Fire was sparked in Palo Colorado Canyon in the Big Sur region, according to the county's office of emergency services. A portion of Highway 1 was closed in both directions, the Department of Transportation said in a tweet Saturday. The...

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has revealed the back-to-school plans for students, parents and teachers. A key plank of the plan will be the use of rapid antigen tests for students and staff, to be taken twice a week, the premier told reporters in Sydney on Sunday. Up to six million tests are being sent to 3000 public, Catholic and independent schools across NSW ahead of the start of term. Once the...

Sick of lugging your golf bag around the course? Taranaki businessman and avid golfer Simon Moore believes he's created a viable 11-in-1 golf club. It can be used from anything as a driver, iron, putter, etc. Simon Moore joined Tim Dower from Florida. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists wants the Government to declare a health workforce emergency. It comes amid concerns the Omicron outbreak could further impact an already under-pressure health system. The union estimates the country needs 1500 more hospital specialists, 1400 GPs and 12,000 nurses to match Australia per capita. Executive director Sarah Dalton told Tim Dower even befo...

Employers are being told to be creative in filling the staff absences expected because of Omicron. Finance Minister Grant Robertson says there will inevitably be some disruption to supply chains. Auckland University supply chain expert David Robb told Tim Dower the first issue will be staffing because up to a quarter of our workforce could be off. He says businesses should ask staff to do a bit mo...

Omicron's arrival in the Nelson region is sending shudders through the local business community. The country has been plunged into Red after a Motueka family of nine tested positive for the variant. An Air New Zealand crew member also has it and may have been infectious on five flights. Nelson Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Ali Boswijk told Tim Dower larger businesses have been putting in dua...

The Covid-19 Response Minister expects daily Omicron case numbers could potentially reach the tens of thousands. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is calling for the Government to declare a health workforce emergency amid concerns an Omicron outbreak will exacerbate existing pressure. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told Tim Dower while the Omicron hospitalisation rate is lo...