/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 Sat, 17 Jan 2026 09:25:49 Z en /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-chris-hipkins-defends-decision-not-to-front-covid-inquiry-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-chris-hipkins-defends-decision-not-to-front-covid-inquiry-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ "We've answered every question": Hipkins defends decision not to front Covid Inquiry  Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he's already answered the Covid Inquiry Commissioner's questions, negating any need for him to appear publicly.  Hipkins and former Ministers Dame Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson, and Ayesha Verrall declined open hearings, leading the second part of the inquiry to be called off.  Hipkins says lawyers raised several issues around them appearing, including setting a precedent and possible abuse. He told Mike Hosking he doesn't see the point in repeating the process.   Hipkins says the Commissioners themselves have said former ministers have answered every single question put to them and they are seeking no further information.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:30:08 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/best-of-2025-mikes-minute-heres-the-truth-on-working-from-home/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/best-of-2025-mikes-minute-heres-the-truth-on-working-from-home/ Hasn’t working from home become funny?  Seek have produced a thing called Money Matters, and they look at work-life balance.  Actually, hasn’t that become a thing as well – work-life balance. I can't place it exactly, but it seems like a Covid thing. The world changed and so did we.  Working hard is now so last year, or so last decade. We all long for work-life balance with a good sprinkling of mental health days.  But working from home is a scam because according to Money Matters if you got a pay rise you would go back to the office quick as you like.  So is it about work-life balance or is it about money?  Everything is about money. We just like to pretend it isn't. You feel more virtuous if you pretend it isn't about money.  But Money Matters spills the truth. Working from home is easier, we save on the commute, you claim you are more productive, blah blah blah. "Hey, how about 20% more?" Then you're out of there.  We would work more hours for more money, we would take on an increased workload for more money, and we would commute further for more money.  There isn't much we wouldn't do for more money.  The work from home thing, by the way, is funny because before Covid there was virtually no such thing. The idea that you could invent a thing and then having invented it, because we were all locked down anyway, turn it into a permanent thing that could only be broken by a pay rise is the ultimate in farce. It's an insight into how quickly a habit can form if it suits you.  Anyway, the only other thing that can make us blow up our precious work-life balance is more time off.  But it still doesn’t beat money.  It's why lotto is popular I guess – money solves everything.  Do we value work-life balance? My word we do.  But do we value it more than money? Don’t make me laugh.  Sat, 10 Jan 2026 19:30:32 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-kate-calls-out-mike-during-wrapping-the-week-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-kate-calls-out-mike-during-wrapping-the-week-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking once again to Wrap the Week that was.  On today’s agenda was the gender pay gap, the Tom Phillips situation, and Kate finally got her chance to call out Mike’s behaviour from the week.  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 09 Jan 2026 19:30:13 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-dame-noeline-taurua-gives-first-interview-since-coaching-saga-began-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-dame-noeline-taurua-gives-first-interview-since-coaching-saga-began-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ Dame Noeline Taurua gives her first interview since the saga began Dame Noeline Taurua has broken her silence, following her suspension and reinstatement as Silver Ferns coach. The 57-year-old and her coaching team were stood down in September after player concerns emerged from a Sydney training camp. Interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie is leading the team on next week’s Northern Tour. Speaking to 九一星空无限talk ZB's Mike Hosking in her first interview since the saga, Taurua says the suspension was horrific, and she feels partly vindicated, but not fully back in the job. She says her happy place is on court, training with the players, so there's still a bit to go until she's really back. LISTEN ABOVE FOR PART 1 AND BELOW FOR PART 2 Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:30:48 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-wrapping-the-week-with-some-rando-sir-john-key/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-wrapping-the-week-with-some-rando-sir-john-key/ It’s Friday once more, but Mike Hosking’s panel for Wrapping the Week looks a little different.  Tim Wilson is off on holiday, so a special guest was brought in to replace him – Sir John Key.   It took a while for Kate to guess the "rando" calling in, but once she did they got stuck in discussing clothing, wine, and whether or not Sir John can join Kate’s pickleball league.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 06 Jan 2026 19:30:06 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-wrapping-the-week-coffee-snobs-and-how-60-differs-to-40/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-wrapping-the-week-coffee-snobs-and-how-60-differs-to-40/ The A-Team is back to Wrap the Week, with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joining Mike Hosking to discuss the week that was.  They discussed Mike’s coffee woes, how being 60 differs to being 40, and a wayward delivery of cherries.   LISTEN ABOVE  Sun, 04 Jan 2026 19:30:29 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-ed-sheeran-talks-his-career-fame-and-2026-loop-tour-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-ed-sheeran-talks-his-career-fame-and-2026-loop-tour-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ “Finding the balance”: Ed Sheeran talks fame and staying grounded, 2026 tour   One of the world’s bestselling artists, Ed Sheeran is one of the most influential artists of his generation.  He’s sold almost 200 million albums and is one of only a handful of artists on Spotify Billions Club with more than ten tracks with over one billion streams.  Sheeran last toured New Zealand’s stages back in 2023, and he’s returning three years later, with 2026’s ‘Loop Tour’.  Despite his global musical success, Ed Sheeran has a reputation for being down to earth and humble, shrugging off the trappings of stardom in favour of a much more grounded presence.   He alternates between projects – huge stadium tours and local gigs, painting and podcasts, parenting and performing.   While the most enjoyable period of his career was the first two years after the release of Plus in which the world opened up to him, Sheeran explains that nowadays he prioritises balance.  “It's about finding the balance and not going nuts,” he told 九一星空无限talk ZB’s Mike Hosking.  “Not being like, I am just a popstar and that is all that I am, I think it’s really nice to be a dad, and also be a popstar, and have a balance of the two.”   Stardom and fame can take its toll, some people becoming jaded and disconnected from the world around them, however, Sheeran believes that only happens if you live in a bubble.  “I think you get jaded when things start getting very self-centred, and you think like, oh this is happening to me, and this is this, and this is that, and it’s very me, me, me, me, me.”  Sheeran tries to keep himself grounded, surrounding himself with regular people, getting out into the world, and taking public transport at his wife’s strong encouragement.   “I do remember playing shows where no one wants to come to them and releasing music that fell on deaf ears,” he told Hosking.  “So I feel super grateful to be, you know, people are still interested in my music, people are still coming to the shows.”  “I don’t think you can get jaded with that.”  ‘Loop Tour’ is Sheeran’s sixth major concert tour, and although he still performs in the occasional pub, stadium tours are on a completely different level.   Although there’s definitely a pressure to match and even outperform his previous tours, Sheeran has faith in his music and what it means to his audience.  “I know I can create special moments.”  “I think that when you’re doing these shows, it’s an understanding that it’s not about me, it’s about the community and about the couples that are coming to the gig, the families that are coming to the gig, and what the songs mean to them.”  LISTEN ABOVE  Sat, 03 Jan 2026 19:30:10 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-new-air-nz-ceo-nikhil-ravishankar-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-new-air-nz-ceo-nikhil-ravishankar-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ "Everything to keep you guys safe": New CEO of Air NZ comments on mass cancellations In the North Island, Red Wind Warnings are in place for Wellington and southern Wairarapa. There are extensive public transport and flight cancellations. Air New Zealand says it's already cancelled almost 100 flights today. CEO Nikhil Ravishankar says told Mike Hosking that it will only operate flights if it's safe to do so. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 02 Jan 2026 19:30:50 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-jimmy-carr-talks-comedy-upcoming-tour-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-jimmy-carr-talks-comedy-upcoming-tour-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ "Such a joyful thing": Jimmy Carr talks comedy, upcoming NZ tour  Jimmy Carr is well known for a couple of things, his controversial comedy and distinctive laugh chief among them. And he’s bringing both to Kiwi audiences early next year, travelling right across the country, stopping in 13 different cities.  He’s got a prolific career in standup, as well as being a household name in UK television, not only hosting an array of panel shows, but a regular guest on many of the rest.  Carr has a busy schedule, and he told Mike Hosking that he works as much as he possibly can, as his work is such a joyful thing.  “If I have a night off, what am I doing? I’m sitting at home having my tea,” he said.  “If I come out and do a show, it’s such a joyful thing."  “I also think I do have a propensity to get cancelled once in a while,” Carr confessed, the comedian having seen his fair share of controversies.  “So you never know when your last one’s going to be.”  When it comes to cancel culture, Carr is a big advocate for freedom of speech.  “I’m not for everyone, and edgy jokes, there’s you know, limits of it, sometimes it’s not for everyone,” he told Hosking.  “But the whole cancel culture thing, you go, well, as long as you don’t get cancelled by your own audience, I think you’re golden.”  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:30:31 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-eric-topol-talks-longevity-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-eric-topol-talks-longevity-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ Longevity: What's the secret to living longer, healthier lives?  People are becoming increasingly more interested in living longer.  Health, wellness, dieting, and fitness are more and more prominent on social media, and health monitoring technology are becoming increasingly popular.  Cardiologist Dr Eric Topol has been researching longevity for decades, and is considered to be one of the top five voices on the subject.  He’s just released his latest book, ‘Super Agers’, a detailed guide to living a longer, healthier life.  Topol told Mike Hosking it’s not necessarily about living longer, but rather extending the years someone lives with intact health.   He says living to 90 and being perfectly health throughout ought to be more important than trying to live to 110 and having many years of dementia, or profound frailty, or poor quality of life.   Although there are revolutions happening in regards to anti-inflammatory and hormonal medications, Topol says it’s never going to be as simple as a pill.  Things like lifestyle factors, environmental pollution, microplastics, and forever chemicals also need to be controlled, he explains.  Listen to the full interview for a detailed explanation of health, longevity, and the new developments in the medical sector.   LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 30 Dec 2025 19:30:52 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-dr-libby-weaver-talks-iron-deficiencies-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-dr-libby-weaver-talks-iron-deficiencies-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ Is an iron deficiency holding you back? Dr Libby Weaver discusses  A common deficiency could be holding you back.  Iron is the most common nutritional deficiency, both globally and in New Zealand, and it plays a role in everything from energy to brain function and development, thyroid function, and anxiety prevention.  Dr Libby Weaver is biochemist, nutritionist, and author, and her latest book ‘Fix Iron First’ delves into the role of iron in the body, and how a deficiency could be impacting your life.  She joined Mike Hosking to discuss her research.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:30:34 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-murray-bartlett-and-annie-murphy-talk-nine-perfect-strangers-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-murray-bartlett-and-annie-murphy-talk-nine-perfect-strangers-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ "A wild, unhinged romp": Annie Murphy and Murray Bartlett talk 'Nine Perfect Strangers'  Kiwis will be able to experience the drama as ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ returns for a second season.   Nicole Kidman’s Masha Dmitrichenko has invited a new cast of characters to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps, pushing them to the brink over the course of a week.   Annie Murphy and Murray Bartlett are among the cast, playing alongside Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strong, Aras Aydin, and of course, Nicole Kidman.  For Murphy, the ensemble nature was a huge draw, telling Mike Hosking she was thrilled by the prospect.  “We were there for six months Munich, with a whole bunch of really talented, really theatre, dorky actors... I was thrilled.”  Bartlett was also excited to be a part of the show, having watched and “devoured” the first season.  Season 2 will be releasing on May 22nd worldwide on Amazon Prime.  LISTEN ABOVE  Sat, 27 Dec 2025 19:30:58 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-mark-robinson-unpacks-resignation-from-nz-rugby-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-mark-robinson-unpacks-resignation-from-nz-rugby-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ "Time to move": Mark Robinson unpacks resignation from NZ Rugby Outgoing New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson believes he's leaving the game in a better place than he found it.  He's confirmed he will leave the job at the end of the year, bringing to an end a six-year tenure that started just before the Covid-19 pandemic.  Robinson says he's proud of what's been achieved during a turbulent period.  He told Mike Hosking that the next six months are critical for their role both domestically and internationally, with both their involvement in the establishment of international calendars and competitions as well as the opportunity they have to reset the financial model for the New Zealand game.   Robinson likes to think those would both be signed off by the end of the year, and that in conjunction with his family moving over to Australia, makes him feel it’s time to move on.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 25 Dec 2025 19:30:21 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-joseph-parker-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-joseph-parker-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ "Absolutely no idea": Joseph Parker uncertain of his next opponent  Joseph Parker’s next fight is still up in the air.   The Kiwi boxer was set to challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF Heavyweight belt, before pulling out last-minute on medical advice.   Since then, Parker has called out Oleksandr Usyk, but Dubois may be first in line for that fight.  Parker told Mike Hosking that there’s a lot of different ways the timeline could play out.  He says he has no idea what’s happening next, and for now, is just focused on training, spending time with family, and finding a good balance in life.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 23 Dec 2025 19:30:45 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-wrapping-the-week-supermarket-collectables-and-ad-jingles/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-wrapping-the-week-supermarket-collectables-and-ad-jingles/ Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking once again to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed clothes shopping and quiet luxury, Mike’s problem with some supermarket collectables, and who has the best voice for advertising jingles.  LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:30:29 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-james-may-talks-his-stage-show-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/best-of-2025-james-may-talks-his-stage-show-on-the-mike-hosking-breakfast/ "You can't rewind": James May takes to the stage with 'exciting' new show  When you hear the name ‘James May’, it’s likely you think of cars, Top Gear, and The Grand Tour, but much like his co-stars, May has plenty of other projects.  He owns his own pub and gin line, and has done countless shows visiting other countries, rebuilding toys and machines, and exploring life’s questions.  May’s now onto his next journey – a live theatre performance that brings the stories of explorers to the stage.  It’s called ‘Explorers: The Age of Discovery’, and May’s bringing it to Kiwi audiences in August.  It’s been quite a busy year for May – something he told Mike Hosking was quite unintentional.  “This year was going to be my, what I called a ‘dry run at retirement’, to see how much I liked it,” he revealed.  “But I’ve ended up doing a live tour, a couple of TV shows, various other odds and ends – it's actually the busiest year I’ve had for probably a decade, in terms of demands on my time.”  “But maybe that’s a good thing,” he said. “Maybe if I was left to my own devices, I’d sit in the garden and rot.”   Despite his vast experience in the entertainment industry, May isn’t terribly experienced with live performances.  “We used to do Top Gear Live and then Clarkson, Hammond & May Live, but there were three of us doing it, plus our stunt driving team and various other circus performers,” he explained.  “This one is quite intimidating because it just me."  LISTEN ABOVE  Sun, 21 Dec 2025 19:30:09 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/heather-du-plessis-allan-this-is-my-politician-of-the-year/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/heather-du-plessis-allan-this-is-my-politician-of-the-year/ It’s that time of the year where we pick our politician of the year.  For me, it's the same person as last year.  Political commentators, myself included at times, have an unfortunate tendency to sometimes choose politicians because they’re good at playing the political game.  And if you’re into that, you might pick Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for collecting her Time magazine award.  Or Chris Hipkins for resurrecting his party’s fortunes from a horror 2023 election result.  Or Labour’s Arena Williams for giving good speeches, or Shane Jones for getting attention.  But at a time when we all acknowledge our country is in a bit of a polycrisis, slipping further behind the pack, I think the most important measure is not whether a politician is good at politics, it's whether a politician is making a difference.  And no other politician is making as big a difference as quickly, in an area as important, as Erica Stanford.  Already kids are learning more than they have been for years. The results from her phonics changes a couple of months ago were so dramatic a staff member in her office burst into tears.  She’s doing this despite increased resistance from teachers' unions.  Parents are raving and teachers themselves are noticing the difference.  Nothing is more important than our kids and educating them properly.  And on the politics, she can play politics as well as anyone. You watch closely as her opponents learn that lesson.  Just ask Willow-Jean Prime.  So, Erica Stanford it is.  Because nothing beats having a good idea, being brave enough to execute it and helping to turn this country around.  Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:47:26 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/wrapping-the-week-with-kerre-woodham-and-tim-wilson-christmas-plans-vanity-fair-photoshoot-holidays/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/wrapping-the-week-with-kerre-woodham-and-tim-wilson-christmas-plans-vanity-fair-photoshoot-holidays/ For the final time this year, Heather du Plessis-Allan was joined by Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson to Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed the Vanity Fair photoshoot of the Trump Administration, festive clothing, and their plans for the Christmas holidays.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:40:57 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/warren-maher-waikato-regional-council-chair-on-the-request-for-a-one-year-extension-of-the-te-huia-service/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/warren-maher-waikato-regional-council-chair-on-the-request-for-a-one-year-extension-of-the-te-huia-service/ The Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service could come off the tracks if it becomes too expensive for rate payers.   Waikato Regional Council is writing to the NZTA board to ask for a one-year extension of the service, through to 2027. They want to test full integration with Auckland’s City Rail Link, which opens next year.  Waikato Regional Council Chair Warren Maher told Heather du Plessis-Allan 60% funding through the Land Transport Fund will be vital to keep it going.  He says if it drops back to 51%, they want the review of the trial to go ahead at NZTA's April meeting, and that could be the death nail for Te Huia.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:29:52 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-19-december-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-19-december-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast with Heather du Plessis-Allan Full Show Podcast for Friday 19th of December, we cover off the better-than-expected Q3 GDP number, which is signalling some hope for next year.  Jennie Wyllie has resigned as the CEO of Netball NZ, but does it need to go further than that?  And for the final time for the year Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather to Wrap the Week and discuss their Christmas plans.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:10:33 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-a-thriving-economy-just-what-i-wanted/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-a-thriving-economy-just-what-i-wanted/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Friday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Beats Socks/Politician of the Year/Remember Kiss Cam?/Now We're Cooking Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:08:00 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/kruze-tangira-former-mens-netball-skipper-and-commentator-on-the-resignation-of-jennie-wyllie-as-netball-nz-ceo/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/kruze-tangira-former-mens-netball-skipper-and-commentator-on-the-resignation-of-jennie-wyllie-as-netball-nz-ceo/ The resignation of Netball New Zealand CEO Jennie Wyllie had to happen.  That's the view of former New Zealand men's netball skipper and commentator Kruze Tangira.   Tangira told Heather du Plessis-Allan he believes the drama around the standing down then reinstatement of head coach Dame Noeline Taurua has plagued the year.  He says it started all the way back in January at the Sydney training camp, and it’s taken until December for there to be a real resolution.  It was unfortunate that Taurua had to lose her job and have her name tarnished in the process, Tangira told du Plessis-Allan, but change needed to happen in order to rebuild the reputation of netball within New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:58:18 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/liz-gregory-leavers-trust-founder-on-the-government-cancelling-the-registration-of-gloriavales-school/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/liz-gregory-leavers-trust-founder-on-the-government-cancelling-the-registration-of-gloriavales-school/ A push for the Government to use its powers to begin dismantling Gloriavale.  The Secretary for Education has cancelled the Christian sect school’s licence, forcing it closed from January.   The call comes just a week after former leader Howard Temple was sentenced to more than two years in prison for sex offending.  Leavers' Trust Founder Liz Gregory told Heather du Plessis-Allan she’s now urging the Government to go further, starting with de-registering the community’s charity.  She expects that to be the next step and anticipates it could be shut down before Christmas.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:44:12 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/andy-england-darfield-high-school-principal-on-the-rising-number-of-students-disciplined-for-physical-assault/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/andy-england-darfield-high-school-principal-on-the-rising-number-of-students-disciplined-for-physical-assault/ A view school violence is changing, with fewer mass fights, but far more frequent outbursts.  New data shows 12,300 students were disciplined for physical assault this year – up 49% on 2019.  Most incidents involved students attacking other students.  Darfield High School Principal Andy England told Heather du Plessis-Allan increasing neurodiversity in classrooms is likely one factor.  He says devices are also a problem, with social media trends often sparking more organised assaults.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:29:30 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-prebble-former-associate-finance-minister-on-the-gdp-path-of-the-economy/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-prebble-former-associate-finance-minister-on-the-gdp-path-of-the-economy/ A prediction that 2026 will be a very good year for the economy.   GDP grew 1.1% in the September quarter.   Former Associate Finance Minister Richard Prebble even suspects we could see a turnaround in unemployment, which has ticked up since 2022.   He says Stats NZ data is always backwards looking.   Prebble told Heather du Plessis-Allan job ads are on the up and Seek numbers up 7%.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:06:07 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-the-white-houses-new-presidential-walk-of-fame/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-the-white-houses-new-presidential-walk-of-fame/ Donald Trump has unveiled a new Presidential Walk of Fame in The White House.  It includes portraits of all the previous presidents and corresponding descriptions, written in the style of social media posts.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan Trump has helped write some of them.  The one for Joe Biden refers to him as Sleepy Joe, the worst President in the history of America.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:37:37 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/gerard-bond-oceana-gold-ceo-on-the-approval-of-the-8-billion-waihi-north-mine/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/gerard-bond-oceana-gold-ceo-on-the-approval-of-the-8-billion-waihi-north-mine/ The $8 billion Waihi North mine has been given the approval to go for gold, and there could be many millions of ounces out of it.  It's been given the green light through the Government's fast track programme.  The permit secures 350 existing jobs and creates more than 100 new roles.   Oceana Gold Chief Executive Gerard Bond told Heather du Plessis Allan they're investing one billion dollars of capital to get things going.  He says that will be put towards a tunnel to go under the forest park and hundreds of millions will be spent during its operation at well.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:25:18 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/heather-du-plessis-allan-this-is-why-postal-voting-needs-to-go/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/heather-du-plessis-allan-this-is-why-postal-voting-needs-to-go/ Surely that judge throwing out the election result in Auckland has started the clock ticking on postal voting.  This case may not seem a big deal given that it involves just 79 votes, in just one subdivision, in just one relatively small local board election in Auckland.  But the 79 may just be the tip of the iceberg. It may be that hundreds of ballot papers in that subdivision were stolen from letterboxes, filled in and sent in as legit votes.  Now Ken Turner from the Waitakere's is also considering legal options because he reckons something funny happened with 212 votes in his election too.  None of this is a surprise to me because years ago when friends of mine were flatting, as happens, mail turned up for previous tenants.  Some of that mail was voting papers. So my friends filled the papers in and sent them all back in as legitimate votes and no one ever got in trouble for it.  We all know the mail voting system is ripe for being gamed.  But perhaps in our naivety we hadn’t imagined it would go from a bunch of silly flatties to what seems like may have been an orchestrated rigging of an election.  Postal voting should go the way of the horse and cart. It's not the only reason so many of us can’t be bothered with council elections, but it is a significant part of it.  You get the mail, pop it on the counter, forget about it, find it after election day is well past, or find it too hard to remember where to find a post box.  Not only does it make it harder to vote, it also makes it harder to trust the election outcome.  Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:18:46 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/matiu-walters-six60-lead-singer-discusses-the-bands-drive-festival-new-single/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/matiu-walters-six60-lead-singer-discusses-the-bands-drive-festival-new-single/ It’s not a Kiwi summer without Six60, and the county’s highest selling live band is rolling on.   They’ve dropped their latest single, ‘We Made It’, coming in the wake of their bestselling Australian performance at the Sydney Opera House.  They’ll also have the honour of being the first live act to perform at the new One NZ Stadium in Christchurch and are curating a new country and roots music festival, taking place this summer in Matakana.   Lead singer Matiu Walters told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s just a one-day festival at the moment, but they have plans to grow.  “It’s definitely a tough time for the arts, music, and for everyone really, to be fair,” he said.  “We didn’t, we never want to kind of just, to like, rest on our laurels.”   Over the years they’ve been performing, Six60 has smashed records, being labelled as the country’s first-ever Chart Icon at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, and Walters says their drive stems from their desire to do “cool stuff”.  “Our goal was, was always just to write and perform music, and my purpose is to sing and play guitar, and all these things that kind of happened around us,” he told du Plessis-Allan.  “We’re aspirational dudes.”  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:51:44 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/craig-williams-maket%C5%AB-pies-general-manager-on-the-first-hot-pie-vending-machine-in-rotorua/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/craig-williams-maket%C5%AB-pies-general-manager-on-the-first-hot-pie-vending-machine-in-rotorua/ A Kiwi classic with added convenience.  Rotorua has its first hot pie vending machine, stocked with the famous Maketū Pies.  All ten varieties are on offer in the machine, which sits just outside the I-site and besides the Redwoods Treewalk.  General Manager Craig Williams told Heather du Plessis-Allan the site was selected for visibility, with around 700,000 tourists passing through per day.  He says a lot of international tourists are looking for a hot pie as part of their Kiwi experience, and the novelty of the machine will capture attention.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:24:37 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-we-can-do-fraud-too/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-we-can-do-fraud-too/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Thursday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) And You Thought Our Elections Were Free and Fair/Fast-Tracking and Kicking-Arse/That About Wraps it Up for Commissioners/What We Sort-Of Bought This Year/Mar-a-Lago Face Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:19:15 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-18-december-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-18-december-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast with Heather du Plessis-Allan Full Show Podcast for Thursday 18th of December, we speak to the new Deputy Police Commissioner and preview the Q3 GDP number.  The Government is saying the road cone hotline's performed as desired, so they’re shutting it down – six months early.   Six60 lead singer Matiu Walters stops by for a chat and performs their new single 'We Made It'.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:10:26 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/andrew-body-financial-markets-and-banking-expert-on-the-reserve-banks-changes-to-banks-capital-holding-requirements/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/andrew-body-financial-markets-and-banking-expert-on-the-reserve-banks-changes-to-banks-capital-holding-requirements/ Hopes a Reserve Bank move will translate to better prices for borrowers might be overly optimistic.  It is changing the mix of capital banks are required to hold, aiming to reduce funding costs and freeing up around $5 billion in equity across the sector.   It’s also targeting closing the gap between bigger and smaller banks, making the market more competitive.  Financial Markets and Banking Expert Andrew Body told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the change might result in a couple more chicken dinners for your average borrower, but nothing substantial.   He says the big deal here is competition, which will require political leadership like we’ve seen in housing, education, and health to solve.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:56:23 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/brooke-van-velden-workplace-relations-minister-on-early-end-to-the-road-cone-tipline-its-findings/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/brooke-van-velden-workplace-relations-minister-on-early-end-to-the-road-cone-tipline-its-findings/ The Government maintains its road cone hotline has been worthwhile.  The pilot, which encouraged the public to report excessive cone use, ends tomorrow, six months ahead of schedule.  Site visits found 86% of work sites were already compliant.  Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden told Heather du Plessis-Allan the hotline has found there are issues with the traffic management plans councils design.  She says the people on the ground putting the cones out aren't the problem.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:37:30 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/mike-pannett-new-deputy-police-commissioner-on-his-appointment-to-the-role-following-the-mcskimming-fallout/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/mike-pannett-new-deputy-police-commissioner-on-his-appointment-to-the-role-following-the-mcskimming-fallout/ Newly minted Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Pannett says he's up for the challenge as he starts the job.   His predecessor Jevon McSkimming was given nine months home detention yesterday, for possessing objectionable material.  Pannett told Heather du Plessis-Allan the reputational damage from McSkimming is something police need to take into account.   He says policing is even more complex and dynamic now than it has been in the past, and there’s some big challenges ahead of them.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:18:59 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/claire-achmad-childrens-commissioner-on-the-coroners-report-into-the-self-inflicted-deaths-of-six-northland-youths/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/claire-achmad-childrens-commissioner-on-the-coroners-report-into-the-self-inflicted-deaths-of-six-northland-youths/ Schools and kura could have an important role to play in preventing youth suicide.   Coroner Tania Tetitaha's inquiry into the self-inflicted deaths of six young people finds they were effectively lost in a fragmented system.   Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad says we need to make sure getting help is as easy as possible at the earliest stages of distress.   She told Heather du Plessis-Allan school-based services like counselling and social workers provide a lot of benefits. Achmad says their presence makes them more accessible and more trusted by children and young people.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:06:43 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/sharon-zollner-anz-chief-economist-ahead-of-the-final-gdp-announcement/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/sharon-zollner-anz-chief-economist-ahead-of-the-final-gdp-announcement/ Several of the major banks expect a significant bounce back in GDP for Q3 when Stats NZ releases its economic figures later this morning.  Westpac and ANZ both predict a gain of about one percent, putting that down to a jump in activity across the board.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Heather du Plessis Allan while she's nervous some of that could turn up in the revised numbers down the track, it's looking positive.  She says some of the corners should be knocked off the volatility in the economy and the overall level of GDP will be revised up.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:44:42 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/heather-du-plessis-allan-nicola-willis-needs-to-be-braver-and-cut-more/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/heather-du-plessis-allan-nicola-willis-needs-to-be-braver-and-cut-more/ It's no surprise that Nicola Willis has pushed out surplus by another year.  That now makes it three years in two years, as in she has delayed surplus by three years in just the space of the two years she’s been at the Finance Minister’s desk.  Had she kept her pledge, the one she made about tidying up this country’s books when asking for our votes in 2023, we would be seeing a surplus next year.  Now it’s 2029 at the earliest.  Getting our books back in order is important if we don’t want our kids to pack up and leave for Australia when they’re old enough to.  Nicola can blame everyone from Treasury to Trump if she wants, but she has not done enough to get us back to surplus.  She has defended, and kept, Jacinda’s wasteful policy of paying for one free year for university students. The policy has been repeatedly criticised as a flop that doesn’t actually make anyone go to university.  Cutting that would save us in the vicinity of $1 billion over four years.  She has given welfare to households on more than $200,000 a year by giving them money for childcare. People on that kind of coin don’t need benefits.  Cutting that would save $1 billion in a little over five years.  She still hasn’t cut or income tested the Winter Energy Payment, which is going to people who are still in the workforce and being set aside for nice trips to Fiji.  Cutting that would save $1 billion in less than two years. Trimming it would save less, but it would save something.  She has cut 2000 public servants when Grant and Jacinda added 14,000.  Be in no doubt - money is tight.  But there is still a lot of waste that could be cut if Nicola Willis was brave enough.  Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:51:23 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-17-december-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-17-december-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast with Heather du Plessis-Allan Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 17th of December, Nicola Willis responds to the surplus being pushed out another year, the third blowout in her two years as the Finance Minister.  Indycar champ Scott Dixon is on to talk his career and the launch of a new world class karting facility in Auckland.  And Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen cover all the highs and lows of 2025 on the final Politics Wednesday for the year.    Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:39:27 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-nick-reiner-being-arrested-on-suspicion-of-murdering-rob-and-michele-reiner/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-nick-reiner-being-arrested-on-suspicion-of-murdering-rob-and-michele-reiner/ The son of Hollywood director and actor Rob Reiner is being held on suspicion of the murder of his parents.    Police say 32-year-old Nick Reiner's been booked for murder after Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home.   They say he's a suspect in the case and is being held on a US$4 million bail.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Reiner and his wife had apparently taken their son to a holiday party, where he had apparently been disruptive, the day before their bodies were found.  He says it allegedly led to a shouting match between the father and son.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:36:13 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/pollies-mark-mitchell-and-ginny-andersen-on-retail-crime-highs-and-lows-of-2025-governments-books/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/pollies-mark-mitchell-and-ginny-andersen-on-retail-crime-highs-and-lows-of-2025-governments-books/ Today Heather du Plessis-Allan was joined by Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell to recap the highs and lows of 2025 on the final Politics Wednesday for the year.  They also discussed the retail crime numbers, the state of the Government’s books, the need for a social media ban, and the situation with Nicola Willis and Ruth Richardson.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:22:30 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/scott-dixon-indycar-champion-on-the-opening-of-the-sir-colin-giltrap-raceway-in-auckland/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/scott-dixon-indycar-champion-on-the-opening-of-the-sir-colin-giltrap-raceway-in-auckland/ A momentous day for New Zealand motorsport.  The Sir Colin Giltrap Raceway, a world-class karting facility in Auckland, is officially opening.  The track builds on the country’s heritage and pathway to the world stage.  It will be opened by Indycar champion Scott Dixon, who told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s going to be huge, especially for the young talent in this country.  He says that we pack a big punch for such a small country, so it’s really great to see that everyone’s pulled this off.   LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:10:02 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/angus-chambers-general-practice-owners-association-chair-on-the-proposed-new-primary-health-organisation/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/angus-chambers-general-practice-owners-association-chair-on-the-proposed-new-primary-health-organisation/ A possible win for the General Practice Owners Association, as they take on the so-called healthcare duopoly and cost pressures.  Their proposal for a breakaway Primary Health Organisation is gaining traction, with 116 GP practices, covering 833,000 enrolled patients, showing interest.  If approved by Health New Zealand, it would become the country’s largest PHO, representing around 16% of total enrolments.   General Practice Owners Association Chair Dr Angus Chambers told Heather du Plessis-Allan that there’s widespread dissatisfaction within the GP community.  He says some of it’s because PHOs have gone off their path and are doing things that aren’t best for GPs, but they’ve also had years of underfunding and woeful workforce planning.   LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:46:06 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/vi-hausia-former-%C5%8Dtara-papatoetoe-local-board-deputy-chair-on-the-overturning-of-the-papatoetoe-election-due-to-manipulated-voting-papers/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/vi-hausia-former-%C5%8Dtara-papatoetoe-local-board-deputy-chair-on-the-overturning-of-the-papatoetoe-election-due-to-manipulated-voting-papers/ Questions over whether the postal voting system is working after a South Auckland local body election was overturned.  Judge Richard McIlraith ruled irregularities altered the outcome of the Papatoetoe vote for the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.  The case involved stolen voting papers and fraudulent use, and a new election must be held by April 9.  Former Deputy Chair Vi Hausia told Heather du Plessis-Allan this was discovered when names of people who didn't cast a vote, showed in the system.  He says groups of people also went to cast a special vote after not receiving their paper but found they supposedly had already voted.  LISTEN ABOVE   Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:29:36 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-dude-wheres-my-surplus/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-dude-wheres-my-surplus/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) It's Coming - and So Is Christmas/Death Match No-Show/Stoking Embers Often Results In Fire/I'd Almost Forgotten This One/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:25:48 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nicola-willis-finance-minister-on-the-government-pushing-out-surplus-expectations/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nicola-willis-finance-minister-on-the-government-pushing-out-surplus-expectations/ The Government insists it has a plan to turn the economy around.  Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows the country is first forecast to be in the black by 2029-2030.  The Finance Minister has admitted the country is borrowing money to pay the interest bill on the debt.  Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis Allan that bill is about $9 billion a year.  She says around 80% of borrowing over the next few years will be for capital assets like hospitals, schools, and roads.  There may also be more cuts to the public service as they aim to get back down to surplus.   Economic growth is expected to be just 1.7% next year, and Willis says there's still room for efficiency in the public service.  She will be sending letters out to her cabinet colleagues to give them ideas on where they can make some savings.  LISTEN ABOVE   Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:10:27 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/oliver-hartwich-nz-initiative-executive-director-on-the-new-ministry-of-cities-environment-regions-and-transport/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/oliver-hartwich-nz-initiative-executive-director-on-the-new-ministry-of-cities-environment-regions-and-transport/ Critics aren't convinced the Government's new mega-Ministry will work.   It's merging the environment, housing and urban development, and transport ministries into a new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.   Right-wing think tank NZ Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich says it will still report to the same number of ministers.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan having it fully operational in six months is also ambitious.   Hartwich says the ministries are busy with RMA reforms, which are taking up all their resources.   He says putting a super merger on top of that could be asking too much.  LISTEN ABOVE   Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:54:48 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/heather-du-plessis-allan-the-bondi-attack-was-a-race-relations-problem/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/heather-du-plessis-allan-the-bondi-attack-was-a-race-relations-problem/ This business of Australia tightening up its gun laws feels like it runs the risk of distracting from the bigger problems over there.  I don’t think guns were the problem on Sunday. Australia already has some of the tightest gun laws in the world.  This is a race relations problem.  This attack was predictable. There was no shortage of warnings.  Jewish businesses have been set alight in recent years, synagogues have been attacked, obviously Jewish people have been hassled, Israeli people have been denied customer service in Melbourne, cars have been set alight in an anti-Semitic attack and two nurses in Sydney lost their jobs for bragging on TikTok that they would kill Jewish patients.  There is a timeline on Time magazine’s website of all the events leading up to Sunday that is confronting.  The Albanese Government knew there was a problem brewing. They asked the special envoy on anti-Semitism to give them a set of recommendations.  For the last six months they’ve had those recommendations and done nothing.  So, tightening up gun laws is never a bad thing. Checking in on a licence holder every few years rather than never must be a good thing.  But if the Aussies think that’s the fix for what just happened, they are misguided and allowing themselves to be distracted.  Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:58:47 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/tom-sainsbury-kiwi-comedian-on-season-3-of-small-town-scandal-the-tv-adaptation/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/tom-sainsbury-kiwi-comedian-on-season-3-of-small-town-scandal-the-tv-adaptation/ Tom Sainsbury is back in our ears, and he’ll soon be on our screens too.  Season three of the Kiwi comedian’s one-man murder mystery series has just released, but it’s actually season one that’s about to make the headlines.  The first season of his ‘Small Town Scandal’ podcast has been turned into an eight episode TV series, releasing in February next year.  It’s the biggest project Sainsbury’s done to date, but he revealed to Heather du Plessis-Allan that he’s struggling a little bit to recognise just how big of a moment it is.  “When you’re kind of working on a TV show, it’s just such a long process,” he explained.  “When you kind of live with it, to the minutiae of watching every little bit of it, it doesn’t feel like a big moment.”   Unlike the podcast, in which Sainsbury voices every role, he’s performing alongside other actors in the TV show – a bit of a change of pace. "The funny thing is we talked about me playing characters at the very beginning,” he told du Plessis-Allan.  “We talked about it, but it just turned, like, as soon as you do the kind of maths, it’s the logistics, it’s too bonkers.”   While he’s no longer behind the wheel for every character, Sainsbury is very happy with how actors such as Morgana O’Reilly have replicated them.   “They’ve gone above and beyond.”   LISTEN ABOVE   Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:46:54 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/john-minty-splore-owner-on-the-2026-festival-being-the-final-instalment/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/john-minty-splore-owner-on-the-2026-festival-being-the-final-instalment/ Splore's announced it'll come to an end next year after hopes of a Government lifeline fell through.  Next year's instalment of the annual boutique music and arts festival at Auckland's Tapapakanga Regional Park will be the last due to low ticket sales in recent years.  Long-time owner John Minty says they weren't considered for the Government's $70 million Major Events Fund.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that while ending the festival is potentially premature, the writing is on the wall.  Minty says he could hang on for another year and hope things will get better, but from a financial point of view, he can’t take that risk again.  LISTEN ABOVE   Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:22:35 Z