/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/rss 九一星空无限 For all the top interviews, the Mike Hosking Breakfast brings you the stories that set the day's news agenda. Mike asks newsmakers the hard questions, hear Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:46:28 Z en /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-still-more-questions-to-answer-for-the-reserve-bank/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-still-more-questions-to-answer-for-the-reserve-bank/ The mail I'm getting got a bit more official yesterday with Fitch suggesting they think the Reserve Bank isn't done.  A lot of people thought the Reserve Bank was done cutting because fill-in Governor Christian Hawkesby basically said as much last week.  On the inference that it was over, swap rates on the wholesale market started going up.  Why should you care? Because if you owe money to a bank a lot of their income to lend comes from the wholesale markets.  If it goes up so does your interest rate, which is what has been happening since last Thursday.  Now this is where we get into subtlety and nuance.  Technically Hawkesby said the bank remains open to further action, so if you lined Hawkesby up in court he could defend himself.  But as always in these matters it is the between the lines stuff, the nod and the wink stuff, that markets read.  And they are reading an end and, as a result, the numbers are rising.  Tied in, if another cut is coming as Fitch suggests, things are further complicated with our dollar, given places like Australia are doing the opposite.  Their Reserve Bank is closer to hiking than cutting. That affects how the world sees our economy and our currency, at 87cents to the Australian dollar and at 43cents to the pound, looks anaemic.  For good measure, Fitch seems downbeat about our recovery. They are calling 2% next year by way of GDP. They were saying 2.7%.  This then brings in the Government. The Government, in election year, would like 2.7% over 2%.  2% they'd be able to milk but 2.7% is home court advantage.  If you want one more thing that kind of backs up the Fitch funk, Black Friday didn’t work.  Spending was down on last year. Personally, I think that’s about it being a crock of you-know-what and it's more clickbait than it is bargains and people are over being ripped off.  But that’s just me.  So anyway, Hawkesby leaves with a trail of questions left behind as he heads to the beach.  If you are one of the so-often quoted ones who are rolling out of one mortgage into another, these are still tricky times to try and get right and you want to hope Fitch has misread it.  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:15:48 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-pete-hegseth-facing-scrutiny-over-potential-war-crime/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-pete-hegseth-facing-scrutiny-over-potential-war-crime/ The US Secretary of Defence is facing scrutiny for potentially having committed a war crime.  Pete Hegseth is facing scrutiny over a strike he ordered on a boat in the Caribbean Sea suspected of smuggling drugs.   The Washington Post reported last week that Hegseth authorised a highly unusual second strike to kill all survivors on the boat – reports Hegseth has denied.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Hegseth has previously railed against the Geneva Convention and the legal rules of engagement.  In his book, Arnold says, Hegseth shares an anecdote in which he tells the soldiers in his platoon to ignore such legal advice.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:09:15 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/pollies-mark-mitchell-and-ginny-andersen-on-scrutiny-week-labour-chasing-the-m%C4%81ori-seats-cabinet-meetings/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/pollies-mark-mitchell-and-ginny-andersen-on-scrutiny-week-labour-chasing-the-m%C4%81ori-seats-cabinet-meetings/ With the year nearing its end, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking for the final Politics Wednesday of 2025.   They discussed Scrutiny Week, Labour’s decision to chase the Māori seats and what’s ahead as we enter an election year.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:37:44 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-return-of-the-killer-cut/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-return-of-the-killer-cut/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) RBNZ Not Done Yet/Liam's Seat Safe/Hello, Honor/When You Can't Let it Go/Worst Meeting Ever Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:26:07 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/fiona-cooper-nzus-council-executive-director-on-todays-us-business-summit/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/fiona-cooper-nzus-council-executive-director-on-todays-us-business-summit/ New Zealand’s relationship with the "Land of Opportunity" is taking the spotlight in Auckland today.  Business, trade, and political leaders are attending the annual US Business Summit.  Christopher Luxon is set to open the summit, shedding light on the Government’s actions to strengthen bilateral ties.  NZUS Council Executive Director Fiona Cooper told Mike Hosking New Zealand is doing great business with the US and the summit is about sharing stories about how to navigate the tariff turbulence.   But at the same time, she says there are tonnes of opportunities in the US, in areas like technology, investment, education, agriculture, and aerospace, and this is about seizing them.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:20:43 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-03-december-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-03-december-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 3rd of December, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers outlined the Police's new targets in the wake of the McSkimming debacle.  Liam Lawson has officially retained his seat for Racing Bulls next season! Former Ferrari and Williams manager Peter Windsor broke down the decision for us.  And Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell joined Mike for their last Politics Wednesday of the year.   Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:10:33 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/lisa-king-af-drinks-founder-on-the-success-of-the-brand-a-nationwide-distribution-deal-in-the-uk/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/lisa-king-af-drinks-founder-on-the-success-of-the-brand-a-nationwide-distribution-deal-in-the-uk/ The success story keeps rolling for Kiwi company AF Drinks.  The alcohol-free brand has just secured nationwide distribution in the UK with supermarket giant Morrisons.  It follows on from their US expansion, with them now stocked in over 4000 stores including Target, Walmart, and Sprouts.  Founder Lisa King told Mike Hosking there’s been a huge trend towards alcohol moderation.  She says that a lot of people are still drinking alcohol, but they’re moderating it and choosing to drink less or drink non-alcoholic versions.   LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:54:34 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/peter-windsor-former-williams-and-ferrari-executive-on-liam-lawson-retaining-his-spot-at-racing-bulls-for-2026/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/peter-windsor-former-williams-and-ferrari-executive-on-liam-lawson-retaining-his-spot-at-racing-bulls-for-2026/ A mentoring role for Liam Lawson in the 2026 Formula 1 season.  The New Zealand driver has retained his spot in Racing Bulls alongside 18-year-old debutant Arvid Lindblad.  Lawson had been vying for the vacant seat with demoted Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda, following Isack Hadjar's promotion to the parent team.  Former Williams and Ferrari executive Peter Windsor told Mike Hosking Lawson's the best fit for the requirements.  He says Liam will flourish in a senior role and it’ll bring out the best in him.   LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:31:41 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/kate-gainsford-secondary-principals-council-chair-on-the-number-of-principals-quitting-within-their-first-year/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/kate-gainsford-secondary-principals-council-chair-on-the-number-of-principals-quitting-within-their-first-year/ There's a belief support for first-time principals is falling short.  九一星空无限talk ZB analysis has found 970 principals quit in the past three years – one in five within their first year.  Retirements jumped 26% over the same period.  Secondary Principals' Council Chair Kate Gainsford told Mike Hosking other countries have solid systems to prepare principals, but we don't.  She says part of the role teachers can get used to while they're middle and senior leaders, but part can't be learnt until you're actually in the role.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:11:35 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/amanda-malu-education-nz-ceo-on-the-economic-impact-of-international-students/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/amanda-malu-education-nz-ceo-on-the-economic-impact-of-international-students/ The economic impact of international students is surging.  New Stats NZ data shows education-related travel exports jumped to $4.52 billion in the year to September, up from $3.6 billion the previous year.  Education New Zealand wants to increase that figure to $7.2 billion by 2034.  Chief Executive Amanda Malu told Mike Hosking growth is across all sectors and there’s still room to expand.  She says universities have higher enrolments than they've ever had, schools are growing, and private training has grown 33%.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:01:09 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-chambers-police-commissioner-on-the-police-targets-to-improve-public-trust-and-confidence/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-chambers-police-commissioner-on-the-police-targets-to-improve-public-trust-and-confidence/ Confidence from the Police Commissioner that New Zealanders don't see police any differently in the wake of the McSkimming scandal.  Richard Chambers has announced four new targets, which include restoring public trust and confidence to 80%.  It follows the IPCA's recent and scathing report into how serious allegations against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming were addressed.   Chambers told Mike Hosking people understand the blame lies with former leaders.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:46:08 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-im-confident-for-2026/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-im-confident-for-2026/ It probably came out on the wrong day to get the coverage it deserved, but one of the last pieces in the economic turnaround told us we are basically there.  Consumer confidence is back, up six points to 98. It needs to be 100 or more for expansion, but it’s the highest figure since June and backs the business confidence, which last week was up a lot.  Business comes first because they see the turnaround on sales. The spending numbers back that up because they are pretty real time and then you get confidence as a follow up, given although we are spending, some may not want to admit it may still feel like they are in a bit of a funk.  But add it all together and the conclusion is inescapable.  You can also add the ASB housing numbers if you want. Confidence in the housing market is at a 15-year high.  Why? Because it's almost perfect – good supply, cheap money, but most importantly we seemed to have crossed the psychological barrier and given ourselves permission to start to feel good again.  The irony is the growth that drives all this might just have been there all along. We get the Q3 GDP number later this month with Infometrics suggesting it is 0.9%.  Add that to the rest of the year and we are well above the growth line. Not that a lot of the commentary has backed that up.  Which is not to say some still do it tough. It's not to say it's the boom times. It's just to say there comes a point where the facts, figures and evidence can no longer be denied.  Here is my next prediction: as a result of all this, 2026 might well be a very good year indeed.  That's based on the idea that economies are about psychologies. Yes, they are about fundamentals but if the fundamentals are in place, then the next thing you look for is mood.  And given the mood has been so repressed, when we decide to take the handbrake off there might just be no stopping us.  As I said last week don't underestimate the Reserve Bank and the finality of their cut. They said this was it, they they've done their job, we are free to go and enjoy our lives. For those waiting and dilly-dallying, that was what they were waiting for.  The next confidence survey will be over 100 and that will be the start of a trend for the year ahead.  Remember where you heard it first.  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:52:59 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/david-walliams-uk-comedian-and-author-on-his-new-childrens-book-santa-son/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/david-walliams-uk-comedian-and-author-on-his-new-childrens-book-santa-son/ Although he’s best known for his comedy, David Walliams has a growing portfolio of children’s literature.  He’s sold more than 60 million copies worldwide and has just released his 44th book ‘Santa & Son’, just in time for Christmas.  He released his first children’s book in 2008, and even after 17 years and nearly 50 books, Walliams still finds writing to be a challenging task.   “You’re constantly scared, you think, oh my god, I’m gonna run out of ideas, or you think, oh god, this is too similar to something I’ve already done,” he told Mike Hosking.   “The thing I try and do is move as far away as I can from something I’ve just done, because the thing is you just don’t want to repeat yourself.”   A lot of his earlier works were set contemporary Britain and revolved around schools, and after a while he found he’d run out of ways to make a teacher character work.  “I can’t think of any more traits that would make teachers funny,” he told Hosking.  “So I thought I just have to move away from that and find different stories.”  “I sort of have to make it difficult for myself just so I don’t end up going down the same path.”  When it comes to success, Walliams explains that he’s not competitive in any major way.  “I don’t see other people who do what I do as sort of foes or anything,” he said.  “But of course I want my book to be well-received, I want kids to enjoy it, I want it to make people happy.”   LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:44:36 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-the-stupid-system-we-shouldnt-have-voted-for/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-the-stupid-system-we-shouldnt-have-voted-for/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Tuesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) And We Still Don't Get It?/Hosk's Worst Nightmare/Sabotaged By Mould/F1 Deep Dive/Let Down By Your Team/Groin or Groins? Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:17:21 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-02-december-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-02-december-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 2nd of December, the Government is bringing in rates caps in 2029. Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Nelson Mayor Nick Smith give their takes on the proposal. Will there be a coup in Netball NZ? A Special General Meeting has been called this weekend to discuss a vote of no confidence of the leadership. UK comedian and author David Walliams has a new children's book out and he can't wait to catch up with Mike and make of his tight jeans! Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:10:34 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/rob-walter-black-caps-coach-on-the-three-test-series-against-the-west-indies/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/rob-walter-black-caps-coach-on-the-three-test-series-against-the-west-indies/ Coach Rob Walter is comfortable with how the Black Caps are tracking heading into the three-test series against the West Indies, beginning today at Hagley Oval.  New Zealand is fresh from overcoming the West Indies by a combined 6 games to one in the two white ball series.  While Walter was pleased to get the results, he reckons the Black Caps can still improve as a cohesive group.  He told Mike Hosking they’re not expecting the West Indies to be a pushover.   LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:07:52 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nicola-compton-tauranga-netball-centre-board-chair-on-the-plan-to-overthrow-the-netball-nz-leadership/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nicola-compton-tauranga-netball-centre-board-chair-on-the-plan-to-overthrow-the-netball-nz-leadership/ Netball stakeholders attempting to overthrow the national governing body say issues extend beyond the Silver Ferns coaching saga.  The Waikato Bay of Plenty Zone has called a Special General Meeting for Sunday to declare its intention for the board and chief executive to be replaced.  Tauranga Netball Centre board chair Nicola Compton says Dame Noeline Taurua's treatment is one of three major concerns.  She told Mike Hosking the other two are the uncertainty surrounding the ANZ Premiership after next year and the mishandling of the television rights deal.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:54:56 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/simon-watts-local-government-minister-on-the-government-setting-caps-on-council-rates-increases/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/simon-watts-local-government-minister-on-the-government-setting-caps-on-council-rates-increases/ An assurance a council rates cap will only target unnecessary costs, not community services or infrastructure.  By 2029, councils wanting to increase rates by more than 4% will need approval from a government-appointed regulator.   Water rates are excluded from the cap.  Local Government Minister Simon Watts told Mike Hosking this will be an education process for councils.  He says there's a lot of fat in the system and councils need to ensure cash has to be going into essential areas.   Watts says he will work with the industry, not against them.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:31:02 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/steve-jurkovich-kiwibank-ceo-on-the-state-of-home-ownership-index/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/steve-jurkovich-kiwibank-ceo-on-the-state-of-home-ownership-index/ A view more New Zealanders are adapting to get on the property ladder to overcome economic woes.  Kiwibank's Annual State of Home Ownership Index finds 57% of non-owners feel locked out of the market, improving by 6%.  It notes 60% still find the cost of living the biggest obstacle to owning a house.  Chief Executive Steve Jurkovich told Mike Hosking more people are open to exploring different pathways to ownership.  For example, he says, people are exploring co-owning, getting together with their parents and grandparents to try buy a house.   LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:19:14 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/david-seymour-associate-education-minister-on-the-mouldy-school-lunches-being-served-at-a-christchurch-school/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/david-seymour-associate-education-minister-on-the-mouldy-school-lunches-being-served-at-a-christchurch-school/ David Seymour's shrugging off food poisoning concerns at a Christchurch school, saying its principal is often complaining about Government policies.  Haeata Community Campus recalled all lunches yesterday after discovering some boxes contained rancid and "dead" looking food.   Some children had already eaten their lunch.  Minister-in-charge Seymour told Mike Hosking a previous batch has likely been re-served to students.  He says they're keeping an open mind while looking into how meals from last week got in front of children this week.  The School Lunch Collective, Ministry of Education and MPI are all investigating.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:54:20 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nick-smith-nelson-mayor-on-the-government-proposing-to-cap-rates-increases-at-4-a-year/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nick-smith-nelson-mayor-on-the-government-proposing-to-cap-rates-increases-at-4-a-year/ There's an expectation a rates cap will prove challenging and require teaming up with central Government.   The Government's proposing to stop rates increases at 4% a year, excluding water and other non-rates revenue.  Councils wanting to go beyond this will need approval from a government-appointed regulator.  Nelson Mayor Nick Smith told Mike Hosking he's not surprised councils have been targeted by the Government as it aims to reduce costs across the board.  But he says delivery will require the Government to work with them to get costs down, especially in the construction sector.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:44:58 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-i-think-we-should-get-rid-of-some-jury-trials/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-i-think-we-should-get-rid-of-some-jury-trials/ In the UK the Justice Secretary has suggested the end of the jury trial, except for rape, murder, manslaughter, or what he calls "cases that pass a national interest test". The idea has received the sort of reaction you would expect from the usual quarters you would expect it from. My hope is we might want to look at something similar here. The wait, like in the UK, for a trial is absurd. The system is overwhelmed. Getting a jury is hard work and will never get any easier. So if we accept the system doesn’t function in a way we would want, judge-alone would be an immediate improvement in efficiency. Could I be controversial and suggest the reality also is that most people who end up in court are in fact guilty of what they are accused of doing? Which is not to change the idea that you are innocent until proven otherwise. It's just that you can mount a fairly solid argument that a jury is made up of a collection of people who may or may not want to be there, may or may not know what's really going on, may or may not get nuance and minutiae of certain aspects of the law and, therefore, as a collective be a fairly weak representation of the justice you seek. In a way it's like democracy. We love the idea but at local body level we literally can't be bothered. We don’t even turn up so is the idea still a sound one, even if it doesn’t work? Being judged by a jury of your peers - what a wonderful 1800's style thought. But here in the real world it's got a very stale, arduous vibe to it. Why is it important that 12 people agree on something? Well, it isn't if they can't because in some cases we then make it that only 11 people need to agree. So you see, rules are malleable. In some places it's 10 needed. So lets not get all rigid, because the law has been around a while. If the basic premise is justice being seen to be done then the “doing” has to have an element of pace about it. Not rushed, not rubber stamped and open to skullduggery, but an efficient system seen to be working well. You can't argue we have that, or anywhere close. Lammy of the UK has been bold and good on him. Let's hope the same boldness resides somewhere here as well. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 30 Nov 2025 20:20:26 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-actually-on-second-thoughts/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-actually-on-second-thoughts/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Monday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Maybe We Should Save the Planet After All/Nobody Wants To Be Judged By Their Peers/What If You Don't Want a Clinic?/AFC Sinks/Raising the Albo Sun, 30 Nov 2025 20:15:55 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-01-december-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-01-december-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 1st of December, Local Government Minister Simon Watts speaks on what councils will be spending on 'Water Done Well' over the next decade. The Prime Minister speaks about our maths results, whether EU countries are worried about our climate targets and the City Rail Link being delayed until late 2026. For the final time Andrew Saville and Jason Pine speak to Mike for the year about the F1, Supercars and Auckland FC. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sun, 30 Nov 2025 20:10:26 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/commentary-box-andrew-saville-and-jason-pine-auckland-fcs-defeat-the-three-way-title-battle-in-f1-and-the-v8-supercars/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/commentary-box-andrew-saville-and-jason-pine-auckland-fcs-defeat-the-three-way-title-battle-in-f1-and-the-v8-supercars/ Jason Pine and Andrew Saville join Mike Hosking this morning to discuss the weekend's sports. On the table today: Auckland FC suffered a loss at home amid monsoon-like rains. Should the game have been called off?  The F1 Driver's Championship is headed to the final race of the season, with three contenders for the title.  And the V8 Supercars Championship has changed up their format, but is it too confusing?  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 30 Nov 2025 19:45:21 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jeffrey-price-foreign-policy-institute-senior-fellow-discusses-trumps-warning-of-strikes-on-venezuela/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jeffrey-price-foreign-policy-institute-senior-fellow-discusses-trumps-warning-of-strikes-on-venezuela/ US President Donald Trump's working to force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro out of office. Trump's warned airlines and travellers to avoid the country on social media - and says land strikes on Venezuela could come 'very soon'. The Trump administration has pinned illegal migration and drug trafficking on Venezuela's Government - amid a crackdown on the issue. Foreign Policy Institute Senior Fellow Jeffrey Price told Mike Hosking that it's hard to tell what the strategy is from here, but it's clear Trump wants Maduro gone. He says it's not clear how he'll do this - but the US is willing to do it with force. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 30 Nov 2025 19:17:07 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/robert-beaglehole-action-on-smoking-and-health-chair-says-youths-dont-find-vaping-cool-anymore/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/robert-beaglehole-action-on-smoking-and-health-chair-says-youths-dont-find-vaping-cool-anymore/ An anti-smoking group says young people don't think vaping is as cool as it used to be.  Action on Smoking and Health has released the results of its survey which asks more than 30-thousand Year 10 students about their smoking habits.  It shows 7.1-percent of the age group vape daily - down from the 10-percent peak in 2022 - and less than a third have ever tried it.  ASH Chair Robert Beaglehole says Government policy has played a big role in the change.  He says it took some time for the regulation to catch up with the issue - but it is clearly working now.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 30 Nov 2025 19:12:05 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/simon-watts-local-government-minister-happy-with-councils-response-to-new-water-infrastructure-model/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/simon-watts-local-government-minister-happy-with-councils-response-to-new-water-infrastructure-model/ The Local Government Minister is pleased to see councils joining forces under the new water infrastructure model. The Department of Internal Affairs expects councils to spend nearly 48-billion dollars on Local Water Done Well over the next decade. The reforms could create more than 40 water entities, with some councils joining multi-council-controlled organisations. Simon Watts told Mike Hosking that 38 councils have already combined to form 12 entities. But he says it's never been about the number of entities - the critical part is whether it's financially sustainable. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 30 Nov 2025 18:42:06 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/chris-luxon-prime-minister-says-banks-should-be-passing-ocr-rates-to-customers-or-customers-should-switch-banks/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/chris-luxon-prime-minister-says-banks-should-be-passing-ocr-rates-to-customers-or-customers-should-switch-banks/ Chris Luxon says banks need to be passing on their OCR cuts to customers - and customers should be switching banks if they don't. Mortgage rates have been falling significantly, following recent OCR cuts. But the Reserve Bank says the banks still have room to move, to be cutting the rates further. The Prime Minister says [told Mike Hosking] banks should be competing for customers, and customers should be trying to get the best deal they can. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 30 Nov 2025 18:37:39 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/karl-dean-national-dairy-chair-says-low-wheat-prices-are-driving-farmers-to-switch-to-dairy/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/karl-dean-national-dairy-chair-says-low-wheat-prices-are-driving-farmers-to-switch-to-dairy/ Repeatedly low wheat prices are driving more farmers to turn to dairy. The Canterbury Regional Council says up to 25-thousand more dairy cows could be added to the region this year - with 32 new farms given the green light. Federated Farmers' confidence survey in July found 81 percent of dairy farmers surveyed were making a profit, compared to just 40 percent of arable. National Dairy Chair Karl Dean told Mike Hosking that dairy has a more consistent cash flow. He says arable farmers are the ones with the land to convert. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 30 Nov 2025 18:31:11 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-the-govt-shouldnt-have-touched-the-carbon-market/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-the-govt-shouldnt-have-touched-the-carbon-market/ If you follow the carbon market, and you should, it is yet another lesson in the abject failure that almost certainly results in gerrymandering markets.  Four times a year you bid for credits (offsets) to counter your polluting habits.  You do this because we signed up to Paris and made a bunch of promises we were never going to be able to keep.  By selling credits the Government has the potential income of about $2 billion a year. Except little, if any, of that happens because by and large people don’t turn up and bid.  And they fail to show up, broadly speaking, because people don’t believe a word the Government says on climate.  It's not just this Government. The last one was even worse.  They have tried to set a price for carbon credits, remembering of course that it's an entirely invented market. So it's a dart-at-a-board stuff at the best of times.  Of late the price was $52. Then it was $33 before settling back to about $40-something.  Enter Climate Minister Simon Watts. Now, he doesn’t normally talk about the market because that’s interference, the same way the Prime Minister doesn’t talk about the Reserve Bank.  But Simon has talked about the market, and he has done that because the Government are panicked.  He issued a reassurance that despite all the changes they are making around climate, the carbon market and the ETS are still a thing. We are still committed, it's still going to happen.  His commitments, he said, are firm.  Except, Simon, that’s the problem – no one believes you.  This is a Government that says one thing and does another. Don’t get me wrong, what, roughly, they are doing is the right thing.  The tide has gone out on climate. The promises are a bust. No one is going to make Net Zero, so the answer is stop pretending you are.  Science might come to the rescue and if it does, fantastic.  But the governmental promises around carbon and the ETS and car import duties is all BS. There is no better proof of that than the carbon market.  The market is calling the Government's bluff.  Carbon credits or snake oil? Same thing.  No one's buying figuratively and literally.  Fri, 28 Nov 2025 21:09:46 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mark-the-week-the-maths-trial-results-were-an-example-of-a-simple-truth/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mark-the-week-the-maths-trial-results-were-an-example-of-a-simple-truth/ 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.    Education: 8/10  The maths trial results this week were a tangible example of the simple truth that if you concentrate on something and work hard, you will win.    The All Blacks: 6/10  They did better than the critics seem to suggest. Rugby has changed but the attitude on expectation and winning hasn’t. This isn't 1986.    Regional councils: 8/10  Bold call, good call. We will be better off for the call.    Ginny Andersen and steak: 6/10  Who had her down as a surreptitious food stealer?    Rachel Reeves: 2/10  Have a look at her work on taxes and ask yourself how far-removed Barbara Edmonds is - or isn't.    Surrender by Thursday: 4/10  Wasn't that yet another harebrained thought bubble by a bloke who looks increasingly unhinged, or tired, or old, or mad. Or possibly all of those things.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:38:28 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-good-things-to-those-who-deserve-them/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-good-things-to-those-who-deserve-them/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Friday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Work Hard. Get Paid/Mark the Week/Fish Is Getting Cheaper/Must Miss Movies/The Usual Courier Chaos Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:29:52 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-why-arent-more-people-excellent/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-why-arent-more-people-excellent/ It’s the simple question with seemingly no simple answer: why aren't more people excellent?  Naylor Love reported this week they are cracking the $1 billion revenue mark. They are an old company that has never cracked a billion.  Naylor Love are in construction. Construction is apparently having, or has had, a hell of a time of it.  So how is it a business in a tough sector can be so outstandingly successful?  They put it down to being good at complex projects. They do those well, the reputation grows, the word-of-mouth spreads and so it goes.  The other day I discovered a coffee roaster made by a company called Kaffelogic. Their machine is made in New Zealand.  The sadness is they are one of a handful left that produce appliances of any sort in New Zealand. The thing is their machine is world class because the bulk of professionals who enter roasting competitions use that machine.  So what that means is we can produce appliances, but don’t. Mostly that will be price related but like wine, or kiwifruit, or salmon, it seems there is nothing stopping us producing in small numbers if it is at the top end.  The same way there is nothing stopping Naylor Love booming in an industry that isn't booming.  The same way I can name you any number of restaurants and cafes that are doing very nicely, thank you, in a sector that is, according to press releases, in a world of trouble.  The same way, as we heard just this week, that despite all the job market downturns and tough times, at no time did it get any easier to find great talent.  No shortage of people. Just a shortage of excellence.  There seems to be a pattern here.  It seems a truism that no matter what you are surrounded by, no matter what the circumstances are, excellence will always shine and do well.  That if you are good, or dare we suggest excellent, at what you do, there is always a place for you not just to participate, but to succeed and even excel, while those around you flounder and complain and blame their lot.  Excellence is your ticket to wherever it is you want to go.  Don’t tell anyone. Heaven forbid it catches on.  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:28:36 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/wrapping-the-week-with-kate-hawkesby-and-tim-wilson-mikes-new-tv-the-price-of-salmon-simon-dallow/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/wrapping-the-week-with-kate-hawkesby-and-tim-wilson-mikes-new-tv-the-price-of-salmon-simon-dallow/ The week has come to an end, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to wrap it all up.   Mike ordered a new 85-inch TV and its installation has thrown the house into a bit of disarray. Kate’s been looking at the price of salmon, and they discuss the legacy and impact of Simon Dallow as he signs off as 6pm newsreader for the last time tonight.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:12:43 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-28-november-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-28-november-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 28th of November, Judith Collins speaks on the public inquiry to be held into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children.  Could we grow more coffee in New Zealand? And who knew we grew any sort of decent coffee here in the first place?  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk about the installation of Mike’s new TV and the legacy and impact of Simon Dallow as they Wrap the Week.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:10:25 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/peter-sheppard-coffee-producers-association-chair-on-the-plans-to-expand-coffee-production-in-new-zealand/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/peter-sheppard-coffee-producers-association-chair-on-the-plans-to-expand-coffee-production-in-new-zealand/ A shift in climate has opened the door to grow more coffee in the Far North.  Industry specialists have gathered near Kaikohe for the annual Coffee Producers Association conference.  New Zealand currently has about a dozen growers and more than seven thousand trees, with goals to scale-up production.  Association Chair Peter Sheppard told Mike Hosking we're in a zone where the climate has become warm enough to make the industry viable.  He says there’s huge potential in New Zealand, and they’re at the beginning of a really exciting journey.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 19:56:10 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/bruce-patten-loan-market-mortgage-advisor-on-the-call-for-banks-to-slash-home-loan-rates-in-the-wake-of-the-ocr-cut/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/bruce-patten-loan-market-mortgage-advisor-on-the-call-for-banks-to-slash-home-loan-rates-in-the-wake-of-the-ocr-cut/ A mortgage advisor is joining the Finance Minister in urging banks to slash home loan rates.   Nicola Willis is asking them to pass on “as much as possible” in the wake of the Reserve Bank cutting the Official Cash Rate to 2.25%.  She says the banks have a stake in the economy, and passing the cuts on will make a significant difference.   Loan Market Mortgage Advisor Bruce Patten told Mike Hosking the banks are holding onto some really good margins at the moment.  He says he’d like to see them pass them on before Christmas – everyone needs it, so someone needs to make the move.   LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 19:33:35 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jacksen-love-flamingo-scooters-co-creater-on-the-move-to-shift-e-scooter-riders-to-bike-lanes/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jacksen-love-flamingo-scooters-co-creater-on-the-move-to-shift-e-scooter-riders-to-bike-lanes/ The Government's move to shift e-scooter users from the sidewalk to bike lanes is being hailed as a win for common-sense.  ACC statistics for e-scooter injuries this year are close to surpassing $14 million.  There were also more than two thousand claims for e-scooter related injuries in the first half of this year.  Flamingo Scooters Co-Creator Jacksen Love told Mike Hosking it clears up confusion.  He says bike lanes are clearly a lot safer than the road and helps keep footpaths clear for pedestrians.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 19:09:02 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/carolyn-young-retail-nz-ceo-on-retail-activity-increasing-by-19-in-the-september-quarter/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/carolyn-young-retail-nz-ceo-on-retail-activity-increasing-by-19-in-the-september-quarter/ Good news for the retail sector as sales increase across the country.  Stats NZ data shows the total volume of sales increased 1.9% in the September quarter, equalling more than $470 million.  The growth was driven by motor vehicles and electronic goods, which saw the biggest boost this quarter.  Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Mike Hosking the start of a new Government year may play a role in the rising numbers.  She says leases may expire and people may need new vehicles, which happens in the third quarter.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:59:25 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/judith-collins-attorney-general-on-the-inquiry-into-the-governments-actions-during-the-tom-phillips-saga/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/judith-collins-attorney-general-on-the-inquiry-into-the-governments-actions-during-the-tom-phillips-saga/ There's assurance an inquiry into the Tom Phillips saga is important for the public, but also his children.  Phillips was on the run with his kids for nearly four years, ending only when he died in September in a Police shootout.  An inquiry's been confirmed to look at whether Government agencies took all practicable steps for the children's safety and welfare.  Attorney-General Judith Collins told Mike Hosking we want to get this done so the children can better understand what unfolded.  She says once they grow up it'd be helpful for them to know that some people tried very hard to for them.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:44:56 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-the-latest-details-around-the-suspected-shooter-of-two-national-guards-in-dc/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-the-latest-details-around-the-suspected-shooter-of-two-national-guards-in-dc/ More details are emerging around the background of the Afghan national who allegedly shot two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC.  Both soldiers remain critically injured after yesterday's shooting, while the suspect's in custody.  The FBI says the shooter had worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and had immigrated to the US in 2021.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the suspect was reportedly troubled by his work with a CIA paramilitary force in Afghanistan.  Arnold says the group was also accused of civilian killings.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:33:46 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-erica-stanford-was-right-the-backlash-is-disgusting/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-erica-stanford-was-right-the-backlash-is-disgusting/ I tell you what I like about all the educators whinging away over the curriculum redo and the Treaty treatment: they are at least standing their ground. They are having their say and that is no bad thing.  It struck me yesterday when I read Roger Gray's speech, Roger Gray of Auckland Port. When he talked of “No Zealand”, of the naysayers, of the cruise people in Miami and their view of NZ not wanting a cruise industry. Of Jacinda Ardern calling them Petrie dishes.   Where were the Roger Grays when she was actually in charge and wrecking the place?  The educators are bold enough to tell the current government they don’t like what's going on, but where was the business community when their companies were being shafted?  In the prizes for gonads and backbone, the educators win hands down.  Not that they are right of course, and in that is the gargantuan irony. The educators complain about rules and change and yet are irrefutably on the wrong side of history, given the education outcomes produced in this country.  And yet business was nowhere to be seen or heard, despite the fact we all knew the country was being strangled by power freaks, and they would eventually be proved right.  But as much as I defend an educator's right to speak up, there is something deeply insidious about the way educators, particularly unions, operate.  The list, the signatories of principals who have signed this protest to the Education Minister over the curriculum change is driven by, the Education Minister told us, unions.  And it’s a standover tactic. It’s an intimidatory play. You are bullied and harried and cajoled into signing, hence she claims, you then ring her up and tell her you signed reluctantly.  That sadly, says something about a principal that acts out of fear – sort of like businesses hating the decisions but saying nothing.  Fear is no way to live, but for some I get it: life is short, who needs the grief?  But if that is the mentality in education, if that is the modus operandi of unions, what sort of world are our kids entering into? What sort of brain washing, whether overt or subliminal, do our kids get subjected to?   The Minster, in telling us all this on Tuesday, said it is disgusting – anyone want to disagree?  Wed, 26 Nov 2025 22:38:12 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/bic-runga-kiwi-singer-songwriter-on-her-new-album-red-sunset-and-upcoming-tour/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/bic-runga-kiwi-singer-songwriter-on-her-new-album-red-sunset-and-upcoming-tour/ One of the country’s most famous singer-songwriters is back with an entirely new album.  It’s a new chapter for Bic Runga, who’s sixth studio album, ‘Red Sunset’, is releasing in February next year, with a tour following in March.  It’s her first album in 15 years to feature all-original material.  “It’s a bit of a reinvention,” Runga told Mike Hosking.  “That’s never easy to do, but it’s either reinvent or just repeat yourself, so, y’know, I really kind of wanted to try something else.”  The album was recorded in an Airbnb in Paris earlier this year, where Runga and her family were holidaying.   “We rented a house with a piano, and really knocked the record out.”  “I wanted it to have some of that vibe and just remembering my life before, y’know, the kids and stuff,” she told Hosking.  “It was just sort of a nostalgic trip, I suppose.”   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:48:45 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-that-about-wraps-it-up-for-the-ocr/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-that-about-wraps-it-up-for-the-ocr/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Thursday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) What Did Christian Want to Be When He Grew Up?/Hosk vs Teachers/When Is Black Friday Exactly/Going to the Dogs/It Might Be How We're Drinking Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:21:40 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-27-november-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-27-november-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 27th of November, Kiwibank’s CEO and the Reserve Bank Governor unpack the Official Cash Rate cut to 2.25%.  A class action lawsuit is being filed against Transpower and Omexom over the massive power failure following the pylon disaster – are Northland businesses interested?   Kiwi singer Bic Runga is releasing her first fully original album since 2011, so she joined for a chat about ‘Red Sunset’ and her new tour.   Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:10:29 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jo-mckenna-italy-correspondent-on-the-passing-of-a-new-femicide-law/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jo-mckenna-italy-correspondent-on-the-passing-of-a-new-femicide-law/ The intentional killing of women and girls is now its own crime in Italy.   Lawmakers unanimously backed a bill making femicide a specific crime punishable by life imprisonment.   Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the measure a tool to "defend the freedom and dignity of every woman".  Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking it looks very much like a symbolic gesture.  She says she’s not sure how you would prove the murder of someone is related to their gender, as opposed to some other factor.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:09:24 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/christian-hawkesby-acting-reserve-bank-governor-on-the-ocr-being-cut-to-225/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/christian-hawkesby-acting-reserve-bank-governor-on-the-ocr-being-cut-to-225/ The Reserve Bank Governor is leaving the job tomorrow with no major regrets about the pace of OCR cuts.  The cash rate's dropped 25 basis points to 2.25%.  Forward-projections suggest this will be the end of the current cycle of OCR cuts, with inflation expected to ease and the economy expected to recover in the new year.  Governor Christian Hawkesby told Mike Hosking they've been responding to circumstances.  He says they've been dealing with a stall in economic recovery while focusing on their mandate of controlling inflation.  Hawkesby says it's hard to say exactly why New Zealand's recovery has stalled more than other countries, telling Hosking there isn't one clear reason for the downturn this year.  He says it's a bit of a puzzle, with tariffs and cautiousness both playing a role, and that's why last month's cut was needed to kickstart the economy.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 26 Nov 2025 19:36:35 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/thomas-scrimgeour-maxim-institute-researcher-on-the-push-for-the-government-to-use-social-impact-bonds/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/thomas-scrimgeour-maxim-institute-researcher-on-the-push-for-the-government-to-use-social-impact-bonds/ A public policy think tank is pushing the Government to take advantage of social impact bonds. The model means the Government only pays providers when they achieve results for a particular problem.   It had previously been used for the Genesis Youth Trust, which reduced youth reoffending by 30%.   Maxim Institute Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour told Mike Hosking the beauty of social impact bonds is that it allows highly flexible and customisable interventions.  He says you can target the people who are most vulnerable, not just the easy options.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 26 Nov 2025 19:17:27 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/leah-mckerrow-north-chamber-ceo-on-the-lawsuit-being-levied-towards-transpower-over-the-widespread-power-outages/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/leah-mckerrow-north-chamber-ceo-on-the-lawsuit-being-levied-towards-transpower-over-the-widespread-power-outages/ A suggestion most Northland businesses are ready to move on rather than seek compensation over widespread power outages.  In June last year, an inexperienced worker removed nuts from three of a pylon's legs causing it to fall over cutting power to almost the entire region.  The opt-out class action against Transpower and its lines maintenance contractor is being backed by Australian financing firm Omni Bridgeway.   North Chamber Chief Executive Leah McKerrow told Mike Hosking local businesses are ready to move on, if it's been learnt from.  She says businesses would rather see investment in energy resilience and roading rather than try to take on a government-owned entity.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:59:12 Z