/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, 23 Aug 2025 06:22:42 Z en /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-the-teacher-strike-achieved-nothing/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-the-teacher-strike-achieved-nothing/ As the teachers head back to school, like all the other strikes, nothing got achieved.  It never does.  For a strike to work you need to scare people, you need to bring a place to a standstill.  Cook Strait ferries and the bus and train services were unavailable for weeks on end at a time. That’s what works. But those days are gone, thank the good Lord.  These days it’s a day here, a day there.  Yes, we get you are not happy. Yes, you might deserve a better deal.  But your day off with your one minute of placard waving on the TV news that isn't watched the way it used to be anyway, doesn’t really shift the dial.  I think also the country has changed in the past few decades. Although unionism had a bit of a spike under six years of Labour, the Employment Contracts Act of the early 90's largely broke the unions for good.  Not literally, but when people got a choice, they chose to back themselves.  I wish those who are unionists could see the freedom and potential of non-union opportunity.  Not all jobs can be individualised, but most can, and teaching is one of them.  We all know good teachers, great teachers, and ordinary teachers, the same way we know good waiters, and restaurants, and doctors, and accountants, and retail outlets.  In a nation of small businesses, it tells us we back ourselves. We revel in the idea that we, and our skills and determination, can make a decent living.  The fact the rote response to merit-based pay for teachers goes something like "how would you judge on exam results?" shows how little they understand their individuality and ability to make a difference.  It's like that Radio NZ report last week where most of them thought they were in a sunset industry, when in fact the exact opposite is true.  It's Stockholm Syndrome. Your captors, the unions, have told you this is the only way. It isn't and never has been.  I have argued this for years and have got nowhere, but that doesn’t make it a bad argument.  What I know, like hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders know, is that being your own boss and your own person is a winning formula, if you want to win.  I know, like hundreds of thousands of other New Zealanders, that I love my job and my lot.  I don’t see the same fizz from teachers. Why do you reckon that is?    Fri, 22 Aug 2025 22:31:38 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mark-the-week-recalling-mallard-was-the-move-of-the-week/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mark-the-week-recalling-mallard-was-the-move-of-the-week/ 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.    Alaska: 6/10  As an event it didn’t look like a lot. But Europe came to Washington and, apparently, a meeting is on. The lights aren't out yet.    Trevor Mallard: 8/10  Move of the week from Winston Peters. It took a while, but I still haven't found anyone who disagrees.    The Reserve Bank: 2/10  They missed the contraction, and they paused as the country was going backwards. Now we need two more cuts. They got us into trouble but can't get us out? Look up the word "useless" in the dictionary.    Helen Mirren: 7/10  James Bond "has to be a guy". You wouldn’t have had to say that once. Nowadays it makes headlines.    TOP: 4/10  As novel as it is to advertise for a leader, the fact you don’t have one probably sums up the prospects for next year - which are none.    Balls: 7/10  The balls at the US Open are made of New Zealand wool. My favourite fun fact of the week.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW  Thu, 21 Aug 2025 23:20:06 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-22-august-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-22-august-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 22nd of August, the Air Force is getting planes and helicopters from the US, so we’re finally starting to get a respectable fleet.  All Blacks coach Scott Robertson takes a break from the wine and meat to tell us about the team’ prospects this weekend in their second clash against Argentina.  Kate Hawkesby and "some rando" John Key are back by popular demand to Wrap the Week - from a superyacht!  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:09:13 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/darryn-webb-air-force-chief-on-the-27-billion-investment-in-the-defence-forces/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/darryn-webb-air-force-chief-on-the-27-billion-investment-in-the-defence-forces/ A $2.7 billion defence spend could help to boost recruitment to the forces.  The Government's investing in new aircrafts, including two new Airbus A321 planes, in a lease-to-buy plan.  Five Seahawk helicopters are also being bought.  Air Force Chief Darryn Webb told Mike Hosking this will be appealing to potential new recruits.  He says morale lifts when they have new equipment, and they're always able to get the most out them.  Webb says the investment will benefit the forces well into the future – saying we always get more out of our assets compared to most countries, and predicts the aircraft will have around a 30-year service life.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:00:56 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/bill-hodge-retired-law-professor-on-the-call-to-overhaul-the-clean-slate-act/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/bill-hodge-retired-law-professor-on-the-call-to-overhaul-the-clean-slate-act/ A call for an overhaul of the Clean Slate Act.   Last week tutor Timothy Fisher was sentenced to four years and five months in prison for sexual abuse charges.  He had historical indecency convictions but was able to pass multiple police vets and become registered as a teacher.  Despite receiving a red stamp warning from police, the council renewed his practising certificate after receiving an investigation report from its Complaints Assessment Committee and another clear police vet.  Retired Law Professor Bill Hodge told Mike Hosking there should be an expansion of what crimes aren't allowed to be swept under the carpet.  He says the act was designed for minor offences, like marijuana possession.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 21 Aug 2025 20:25:24 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-chambers-police-commissioner-on-the-proposed-interpol-base-in-the-pacific/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-chambers-police-commissioner-on-the-proposed-interpol-base-in-the-pacific/ The Police Commissioner is supporting an Interpol base in the Pacific, and says many pacific nations are also on board.   Interpol has pitched the idea to police representatives from 22 Pacific Island nations at a conference in Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands.   Richard Chambers says 13 of the countries are already members of Interpol.   He told Mike Hosking it would be a big help to those police forces.   Chambers says it provides them with information and intelligence to fight crime.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 21 Aug 2025 20:13:53 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-we-were-more-right-than-the-reserve-bank/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-we-were-more-right-than-the-reserve-bank/ There are two key things for me that came out of the Reserve Bank commentary.  The press conference post the announcement should be a must watch for us all – the insight is invaluable.   On one hand, the genius three who turned up —Karen, Paul, and Christian— tell us that what they have done will flow through.  In other words, don't panic. "It will come through". I'll come back to that.  But then they tell you they got it wrong in Q2. There was less than no growth in the second quarter, but they didn’t see it.  So they're bullish in their talents on one hand, but hopelessly wanting on the other.  By the way, the vote 4-2 – that's never happened before. Two of the voters wanted a 50 point drop. I want to know who they are, because they would appear to get it.  What the confession of no growth in Q2 asks is if they had seen it, could they have done more?  Don’t answer that because the answer is yes, yes, yes, and yes. Now, because they botched it, they are most likely going down to 2.5% for the cash rate.  The other interesting thing for me is I'm a big believer in psychology. The economy is about much more than stats and data, it's about the mood and the vibe.  They talked of the cautious nature of our behaviour, I would argue they are part of the problem.  They look cautious. They look circumspect. They look like wonks who don’t get out a lot.  They certainly don't get out into the real world where the majority of us have been seeing the wreckage of our economy for most of the year.  They don’t vibe it and they don't sell it, which is not to say they are supposed to be show ponies, but my word, what a boring bunch they are, with spreadsheets for friends.  This economy needs a cheerleader. It needs a significant, impactive, influential, and loud voice for its merits. Hawkesby, Silk, and Conway aren't it.  It should have been 50 points, and it should have been 50 points before yesterday, and because it wasn’t, the economy stalled and they didn’t see it coming.  How does that install confidence?  So, there's at least two more cuts. But why are we waiting?  They will argue it's because the 25 points will flow through. Will they really?  Let the record show, to this point, we are more right than they are.  Wed, 20 Aug 2025 22:34:23 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/adrienne-begbie-prospa-managing-director-on-the-impact-of-the-latest-ocr-cut/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/adrienne-begbie-prospa-managing-director-on-the-impact-of-the-latest-ocr-cut/ Will the latest cut to the Official Cash Rate provide some much-needed stimulus to the business sector?  The central bank's cut the OCR 25 basis points to 3% and is signalling more are possible.  It's recognised unemployment is high, and businesses aren't producing as much as they could.  Prospa Managing Director Adrienne Begbie told Mike Hosking that while some people were hoping for 50, a 25 basis point cut does help a lot.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 20 Aug 2025 22:19:54 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nick-bryant-former-us-correspondent-on-the-latest-developments-between-trump-putin-zelenskyy/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nick-bryant-former-us-correspondent-on-the-latest-developments-between-trump-putin-zelenskyy/ The White House is claiming plans are well underway for a meeting between Russia's President Vladimir Putin's and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.  US President Donald Trump met with Zelenskyy and several foreign leaders earlier in the week, following his meeting with Putin in Alaska.  Trump says he hopes Putin will move forward on ending the war in Ukraine but admits the Kremlin leader may not want to make a deal at all.  Former US Correspondent Nick Bryant told Mike Hosking that this presumably will end with Trump issuing an ultimatum to Putin, but the crunch moment never seems to come.  Before the talks in Alaska, Trump said if a ceasefire is not reached, there would be serious consequences and sanctions on Russia, but in the aftermath of the talks, Trump appears to have backed down.  Bryant says that Trump seems to be influenced by the last person he speaks to and lacks a coherent strategy, so it’s hard to see how this will end.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:48:24 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-whos-running-the-show-and-for-how-long/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-whos-running-the-show-and-for-how-long/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) He's Been Acting for a While Now/Strike? What Strike?/Where's Winston?/Putting It Back Together Is the Challenge Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:22:57 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-21-august-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-21-august-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 21st of August, New Zealand’s intelligence service warns that terrorist attacks are a realistic possibility in their latest threat assessment report.  Acting Reserve Bank Governor Christian Hawkesby defends the latest cut to the OCR and explains their logic in holding in Q2.   Former US Correspondent Nick Bryant gives his thoughts on the last two weeks of global politics, digging into the next steps in the Ukraine war.   Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:09:06 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jason-te-brake-zespri-ceo-on-the-strong-returns-expected-this-kiwifruit-season/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jason-te-brake-zespri-ceo-on-the-strong-returns-expected-this-kiwifruit-season/ Positive news for kiwifruit growers with expectations of strong returns this season.   Zespri's forecasting record returns on a per-hectare basis —and improvements per-tray— for all but two categories.   SunGold and Sweet Green remain within the indicative ranges from June.  Chief executive Jason Te Brake says sales are tracking well across our key markets.  He told Mike Hosking consumers continue to want health and nutrition, which their product is packed with.  Te Brake says they have a strong brand, and they’re continuing to build demand every season.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:08:45 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/robin-whyman-dental-policy-director-on-the-dental-roadmap-to-address-poor-oral-health/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/robin-whyman-dental-policy-director-on-the-dental-roadmap-to-address-poor-oral-health/ A plan's been laid out for potential dental reforms to address New Zealanders’ poor oral health.  New Zealand Dental Association data shows one in three Kiwis have untreated tooth decay.  Its policy roadmap for the next five years includes expanding community water fluoridation, introducing a sugary drink levy, and including oral care into our universal health coverage.   Dental Policy Director Robin Whyman told Mike Hosking the big issue with the workforce shortage is distribution.  He says that big urban centres, particularly in Auckland, have very good coverage, but in provincial areas there’s a much lower number of dentists and as a result, rural New Zealanders can struggle to get access.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:54:15 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/christian-hawkesby-reserve-bank-governor-on-the-ocr-cut-inflation/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/christian-hawkesby-reserve-bank-governor-on-the-ocr-cut-inflation/ The Reserve Bank Governor is defending not going harder with cuts to the Official Cash Rate.  The cash rate has been cut 25 basis points to 3%.  But it's signalling more cuts than it was before, and has revealed two of the six Monetary Policy Committee members actually wanted a bigger cut.  Christian Hawkesby told Mike Hosking he stands by the central bank's decisions.  He says they're focused on their mandate of controlling inflation over the medium term, but the recent slowdown has changed their outlook.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:23:02 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/andrew-hampton-sis-director-general-on-threats-to-new-zealand-the-publics-role-in-identifying/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/andrew-hampton-sis-director-general-on-threats-to-new-zealand-the-publics-role-in-identifying/ New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service is reiterating the public's role in the fight against threats.  The organisation is keeping our threat level at low, meaning attacks are realistically possible.   SIS Director-General Andrew Hampton told Mike Hosking they're worried about young people radicalising online, geo-strategic shifts, and espionage.    He says key to their response is the public knowing what to look out for and reporting it.  Concerning behaviours include someone showing interest in terrorist attacks, identifying with an extremist cause, and supporting violence to further it.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:04:31 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-why-dont-parents-cop-flak-for-our-kids-education/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-why-dont-parents-cop-flak-for-our-kids-education/ Can I ask a question about parents?  I watched Erica Stanford do a press conference yesterday at a school in Wellington while launching the writing action plan.  While I was watching that I was reading a story about Nicola Willis, who it was suggested by people in London might be the next Prime Minister.  She had gone to the New Zealand Society on her trip last week. She stood there in a tangerine suit and there had been a buzz about the room as they wondered whether this was New Zealand's next Prime Minister.  It was a weird story, and it means nothing, but if it ever came down to it, I would take Stanford over Willis all day long.  She is a force of nature and if you ever want to see a minister in charge of detail, watch her in a classroom in front of cameras. You won't fail to be impressed.  The bad news though is part of the day involved the release of yet more data showing our kids in Year 3, 6, and 8 are in real trouble when it comes to maths and reading.  Only a small minority are where they should be. A small minority.  The claim at this stage by Stanford is what they have introduced, and are introducing, is the turnaround plan. It's the magic, the cure, and the panacea.  Not that it makes it better, but the numbers out yesterday were marked against some of the new standards, hence the massive failure rate.  This stuff is benchmarked internationally. Once, not long ago (maybe when I was at school), in a lot of stuff we led the world. Today we are so far from leading the world it makes you want to cry.  Stanford isn't crying. She speaks in a way that suggests she knows something the rest of us don’t, like she has seen the future and it is bright.  Or could it be she just hopes it is and is faking it till she makes it, because the gap between where our kids are and where they need to be is gargantuan?  So, back to the parents. Where are they?  Maths can be sort of tricky, if you want to find an excuse, but reading and writing isn't. A kid who can't read or write properly by high school is a reflection of their home life, as much as the school.  Schools take too much heat. Governments take too much heat.  If your kid can't write or read and your kid is 12 or 13, where have you been?  Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:54:59 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/matt-redwood-coffee-on-queen-co-owner-on-the-tasman-district-council-threatening-fines-for-flags-on-the-footpath/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/matt-redwood-coffee-on-queen-co-owner-on-the-tasman-district-council-threatening-fines-for-flags-on-the-footpath/ There’s trouble brewing in Nelson over a council bylaw banning advertising flags outside shops.   The bylaw was adopted in November of 2024, limiting retailers to a single sandwich board display, which must be placed against the curb.  'Coffee on Queen’ has been threatened with a $500 fine and forced to remove their flag, which co-owner Matt Redwood says attracts $200-$300 in revenue from foot traffic.   Redwood told Mike Hosking the rule is taking a lot of money out of businesses pockets.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:30:17 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/pollies-mark-mitchell-and-ginny-andersen-on-the-covid-inquiry-trevor-mallard/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/pollies-mark-mitchell-and-ginny-andersen-on-the-covid-inquiry-trevor-mallard/ Today on Politics Wednesday, the Covid Inquiry is still at the top of mind for many.  Chris Hipkins, Dame Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson, and Ayesha Verrall have declined to publicly answer questions for the Royal Commission's second Covid Inquiry.  Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell delved into the situation, as well as touching on Trevor Mallard’s ousting from the role of Ambassador to Ireland.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:04:02 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/todd-mcclay-trade-minister-on-his-meetings-in-saudi-arabia-the-us-regarding-trade-and-tariffs/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/todd-mcclay-trade-minister-on-his-meetings-in-saudi-arabia-the-us-regarding-trade-and-tariffs/ The Trade Minister says his trip to the US is all about ensuring our trade tariffs don't shift around too much.   Todd McClay says the 15% duty on New Zealand goods isn't likely to be removed, as Donald Trump is imposing them on all countries that have a trade surplus with the US.   He'll be passing on the message that tariffs harm New Zealand.   McClay told Mike Hosking he'll also be asking about future plans for tariffs.   He says they want that certainty so they can properly manage their risk.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 19 Aug 2025 21:35:09 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-rate-fatigue/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-rate-fatigue/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Is This Still Interesting?/Teacher Buy-In Would Make Things Easier/The War Count/Do We Really Want Him Back?/Our Woolly Balls Tue, 19 Aug 2025 21:17:58 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-20-august-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-20-august-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of August, the Reserve Bank has a call to make today – they're expected to cut the OCR by 25 points, but what comes next?  Trade Minister Todd McClay joins us out of Saudi Arabia before his flight to the US in which he’ll continue to try lower our tariff rate.   Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss the Covid Inquiry and Winston Peters’ exclusion, and Trevor Mallard’s ousting as the Ambassador to Ireland on Politics Wednesday.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 19 Aug 2025 21:09:14 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nick-sautner-eden-park-ceo-on-the-blues-reportedly-looking-to-play-two-super-rugby-games-at-mt-smart-stadium/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nick-sautner-eden-park-ceo-on-the-blues-reportedly-looking-to-play-two-super-rugby-games-at-mt-smart-stadium/ The Blues are poised to head across town to Mt Smart for two Super Rugby games next year.  They're reportedly still planning to play most of their games at their usual Eden Park base, but are looking closely across town.  Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner told Mike Hosking that having the right event in the right venue is important.  He says the Blues negotiations probably highlight the need for a broader conversation regarding the Auckland stadium network, along with what’s best for Auckland when optimising and utilising the network.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:48:24 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/carl-taylor-combined-building-supplies-co-op-ceo-on-the-signs-of-recovery-in-the-construction-sector/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/carl-taylor-combined-building-supplies-co-op-ceo-on-the-signs-of-recovery-in-the-construction-sector/ There are tentative signs of recovery, as a troubled construction sector looks to turn the corner.  A new report shows the sector generated $94 billion in revenue in the year to March, down slightly from $99 billion the year prior.  Despite this, the report shows residential consents have levelled off, government infrastructure projects are restarting, and falling interest rates are supporting mortgage activity.  Combined Building Supplies Co-Op CEO Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking the Government is doing everything it promised to do to help.  He says he couldn't even get in front of the Construction Minister in the last government, but this government actually listens.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:24:41 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/erica-stanford-education-minister-on-poor-writing-achievement-in-schools-writing-action-plan/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/erica-stanford-education-minister-on-poor-writing-achievement-in-schools-writing-action-plan/ A lack of surprise from the Education Minister over poor writing achievement in schools.  New data shows only a quarter of Year 8 students achieved their curriculum writing level last year.   The Government's launching a new digital tool for students sitting below the standard and introducing more professional development in literacy.   Education Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking the figures are the results of years of decline and a poor curriculum, which is now being changed.  She says there's teaching practices where students have to guess words.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:02:06 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jerrod-kerr-kiwibank-chief-economist-seeks-further-ocr-cuts-ahead-of-todays-announcement/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/jerrod-kerr-kiwibank-chief-economist-seeks-further-ocr-cuts-ahead-of-todays-announcement/ A senior economist says he'd like to see a series of OCR cuts.  The Reserve Bank will announce its decision at 2pm today.   Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr is expecting to see a 25 basis point cut.   He told Mike Hosking after a cut today, he'd like to see two more to get the OCR to 2.5%.   Kerr says that sort of stimulation is what we need to pull us out of recession.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:51:26 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/newstalk-zbeen-why-the-media-takes-sides/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/newstalk-zbeen-why-the-media-takes-sides/ FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Tuesday on 九一星空无限talk ZB) Especially in New Zealand/The Ongoing Power Struggle/Nobody Voted for This/Just Build Whatever/Remember Pretty Things? Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:19:00 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/rod-liddle-uk-correspondent-on-kier-starmers-role-in-the-white-house-meetings-regarding-ukraine/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/rod-liddle-uk-correspondent-on-kier-starmers-role-in-the-white-house-meetings-regarding-ukraine/ A trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the United States is looking likely.  US President Donald Trump's been meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House today, following talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.  Zelenskyy and Trump are now meeting with other leaders, including Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking Starmer is saying he thinks they can make real progress to end the war.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 23:35:11 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-the-pay-equity-court-case-is-a-show-trial/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-the-pay-equity-court-case-is-a-show-trial/ If Grant Robertson thinks the Covid inquiry is a "show trial", then what is about to unfold at the High Court as of the end of this month can't be far behind.  A bunch of unions are taking the Government to court over pay equity.  They are having several stabs at it – the Bill of Rights is in play and the democratic process is up for debate.  One of the things the unions claim may happen if they win, is a select committee would have to hear submissions and a debate in Parliament would have to take place.  That’s the "show trial" part. Select committees hear from the people you would expect to hear from: broadly, it's people opposed to whatever change of law is in play.  And a debate in Parliament hears both sides, one for, one against, with the Government of the day prevailing, given it is they who have the numbers and indeed that is why they are the Government.  Which is essentially why court is a waste of time, remembering of course the Government is the ultimate court and if they want to pass a law, they can.  Making it complicated is the whole pay equity calculation is a mess. Secondary teachers, for example, were one of the many claimants putting an equity claim forward before the law was changed.  To my eye being a high school teacher is not an equity issue. Men do it, women do it, there are lots of them and they aren't paid on gender.  It's not a profession where 99% of them are women and because they are women, they are poorly paid.  High school teachers are paid quite well. You could equally argue they are not paid as well as they could be because the union insists on them all being paid the same based on time in the classroom. If they got paid on merit it would be a different world.  Kristine Bartlett's case became famous because we could all see the care industry was mainly female and the pay was poor. I would still argue the pay was poor because the work, although kind and worthy, is not of great numerical value.  If it was, rest homes would pay more, charge residents more and we'd happily foot the bill. But we don’t.  Anyway, the upshot is the best the unions can hope for is a court win. The win can then be used to beat the Government about the head as big, bad meanies.  But it will still not get them paid under an equity deal because the court is not the Government.  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 22:44:38 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/ryan-wood-kiwi-supercars-driver-on-his-year-so-far-success-in-racing/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/ryan-wood-kiwi-supercars-driver-on-his-year-so-far-success-in-racing/ It’s been an incredible rise for Kiwi Supercars driver Ryan Wood.  Racing for Walkinshaw Andretti United last year, he helped the team to 3rd in the Teams Championship —their highest finish since 2016— and was widely considered the best rookie on the grid.  This year has already seen him claim a win in race 14, with multiple podium appearances under his belt, as well as a host of Top 10 finishes.   Wood told Mike Hosking he’s really happy with the improvements they’ve made over the last year since moving into the main game.  “It’s been a great year so far,” he said.  “Really excited for, obviously, the big races coming up, and it should be a huge challenge.”  “Hopefully we’re ready for it.”   LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 22:27:17 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/karin-kos-apiculture-nz-ceo-on-the-challenging-times-for-the-global-honey-sector/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/karin-kos-apiculture-nz-ceo-on-the-challenging-times-for-the-global-honey-sector/ Times are challenging for the global honey sector.   Oversupply, inflated prices, and global volatility continue to drive sector woes.   Apiculture NZ CEO Karin Kos told Mike Hosking both domestic and export factors are contributing.  In 2019, New Zealand had a record 1 million hives and 10,000 beekeepers, but now there’s under 500,000 hives and 7,600 beekeepers, she says.   At the same time, Kos told Hosking, there was softening global demand post-Covid, particularly in some of our largest markets.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 22:13:12 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/mike-fuge-contact-energy-ceo-on-the-companys-full-year-net-profit/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/mike-fuge-contact-energy-ceo-on-the-companys-full-year-net-profit/ One of the country’s major electricity companies is defending their increased profits amid rising energy prices.   Contact Energy’s full year net profit is up 41%, with revenue up 20%.  Their underlying profit also climbed 17%, bolstered by a strong lift in geothermal generation as well as improved sales and customer numbers.  CEO Mike Fuge told Mike Hosking the profits are the result of their investment in major projects that benefit the country, such as geothermal.  He says they’re actually investing more than what they earned in profit last year.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:30:37 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-quest-for-peace/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-quest-for-peace/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Tuesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Boldly Going Where... Blah, Blah, Blah/The Court Isn't the Boss of Us/Auckland Council Is So Cooked/Our Energy Is Rank Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:17:58 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/vaughan-mabee-amisfield-executive-chef-on-being-crowned-restaurant-of-the-year/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/vaughan-mabee-amisfield-executive-chef-on-being-crowned-restaurant-of-the-year/ The chef at the country's best restaurant says they're always improving to stay top of the game.   From more than 300 contestants, Queenstown's fine dining hotspot Amisfield has once again been crowned 'Restaurant of the Year' at the Cuisine Good Food Awards.  Executive Chef, Vaughan Mabee told Mike Hosking being in Central Otago helps them in many ways.   He says the combination of their team and the area's amazing wine country, tourism, and product brings the success of the restaurant and vineyard.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:13:24 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-19-august-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-19-august-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 19th of August, eyes are on the White House as Zelenskyy and EU leaders meet for peace talks. Our White House Correspondent is on the scene.  Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge defends their big profit rise while the country faces rising energy costs.  Kiwi Supercars driver Ryan Wood is having a stellar second season so far, so we catch up with him during the mini break of the year.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:09:11 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/lauren-tomasi-channel-9-us-correspondent-on-the-meeting-with-trump-zelenskyy-european-leaders/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/lauren-tomasi-channel-9-us-correspondent-on-the-meeting-with-trump-zelenskyy-european-leaders/ Donald Trump's focussing on a peace deal rather than a ceasefire as talks with Ukraine's President get underway.  Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House for talks with Trump and several European leaders today.   Trump also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and says he'll have a phone call with him after today's talks.   Channel 9 US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi told Mike Hosking the meeting has been quite warm so far, with it appearing to be a room full of friends as opposed to heads of state.   She says that it’s a good thing for Europe, who has come into this supporting Zelenskyy, as they know the security of Ukraine will have ramifications on Europe.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 20:58:18 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/chris-penk-building-and-construction-minister-on-the-shake-up-of-building-consents-and-liability/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/chris-penk-building-and-construction-minister-on-the-shake-up-of-building-consents-and-liability/ Taking some of the pressure off councils is expected to make them more willing to consent buildings.   The Government will shift liability for building defects based on responsibility.   Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says councils will still have responsibility for their consenting.   He told Mike Hosking liability will be decided by the courts.   Penk says we could see some cases where the various councils and designers share 50% liability.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 20:40:23 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/mark-troughear-freightways-ceo-on-the-rise-in-net-profits-for-the-year/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/mark-troughear-freightways-ceo-on-the-rise-in-net-profits-for-the-year/ Financial results are coming in thick and fast.  a2 Milk is reporting a 21% rise in profit alongside announcing it has bought the Yashili  plant in Pokeno.  It's also sold its majority stake in the Mataura Valley plant in Gore to Open Country Dairy.  Contact Energy's profit is up 13% after a surge in geothermal generation.  Freightways' profit is up 12.9%.  Chief executive Mark Troughear is putting it partly down to strong growth in Australia.  He told Mike Hosking he’s been through three recessions in this business and they’re all a little bit different, but he thinks we may have just broken the back of this current one.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 18 Aug 2025 20:05:18 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-the-polls-keep-coming/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-the-polls-keep-coming/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Monday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Poll'o'Rama/The Problem with RNZ/But Can They Win Hosk Back?/Eating Anecdotally/Are You the Next TOP Leader? Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:16:38 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-18-august-2025/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-18-august-2025/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 18th of August, we've got conflicting reports on the cost of food at the supermarket - but none of it helps the fact our country's debt is nearing $1trillion. The Prime Minister says whether or not he would appear at a Royal Commission if called upon and how close we are with a deal with Winston Peters about foreigners being able to buy a home. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk the Warriors, the All Blacks and whether they have better dance moves by the PM. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:09:07 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/commentary-box-jason-pine-and-andrew-saville-join-mike-hosking-to-discuss-the-weekends-sports/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/commentary-box-jason-pine-and-andrew-saville-join-mike-hosking-to-discuss-the-weekends-sports/ Jason Pine and Andrew Saville join Mike Hosking this morning to discuss the weekend's sports. On the table today: The Warriors defeated the dolphins 14-10, finishing off an impressive comeback from 0-10 down.  The All-Blacks defeated Los Pumas in Argentina to secure a strong start in the Rugby Championships. And Chris Wood starts the new season of the Premier League with a bang, netting multiple goals on opening day. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:42:41 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-how-did-rnz-not-know-about-this-already/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-how-did-rnz-not-know-about-this-already/ You may have read a report commissioned by Radio NZ to look into why their operation has become such a dumpster fire. It said a bunch of stuff that was obvious. One thing that surprised and saddened me though was that most people within that organisation thought radio was dying and audiences were bailing. That's not true. In fact it’s the opposite. Radio is robust and, comparatively speaking, thriving. So my question is, how is it you can have a company of people who don’t understand their own industry? Where did they get their view from? Why has no one corrected the view? Where is management in that process? Their audience has shrunk, but it hasn’t vanished. It's gone to, well mainly, here to 九一星空无限talk ZB. The customer is still spending, they’ve just changed shops. The fact they don't know that I would have thought should set off alarm bells, most ironically because the place is full of journalists who once upon a time had inquiring minds. They asked questions and they wanted to know things. If you have such a mind you would have quickly discovered what was actually happening and what the reality of your medium was. How can you be a journalist and be that bewildered? And if you are that bewildered on your own doorstep, how bewildered are you about the rest of life and the world? Also of concern was management's response to the report. By the way the report basically says the place is shot, it needs a bomb and some genuine talent. The response suggests what Radio NZ management do quite well is commission reports, then ignore them. So the exercise as a whole appears a waste. They got told some obvious stuff they should have known, an alarming thing about their staff they should also have known, but now they do know they need to fix and the rest seems a bit tricky. For me, they can do what they like. But what I care about is that this industry is actually successful. Some of us are having the time of our lives. Some of us know what's going on and understand proceedings. Some of us still ask a few questions. The future is bright and it's there for anyone who wants it. But to want it you've got to be keen and you've got to be awake. That might be their biggest problem of all. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:30:52 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-discusses-auckland-mayors-calls-for-bed-night-levy/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-discusses-auckland-mayors-calls-for-bed-night-levy/ The Prime Minister says Auckland won't be getting a bed tax this parliamentary term,  despite a renewed call from the city's mayor.  Last week Wayne Brown again called for a bed night levy, saying it wouldn't cost the Government anything.  He claimed they were cheeky for not putting one in and believed they would eventually cave.  Chris Luxon told Mike Hosking that now is not the time to be putting in another tax.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:23:54 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/john-hart-former-all-blacks-coach-on-the-dominant-victory-over-argentina/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/john-hart-former-all-blacks-coach-on-the-dominant-victory-over-argentina/ The All Blacks have defeated Argentina in the Rugby Championship.  They dispatched a 24-41 victory over Los Pumas, who hosted the All Blacks at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba.  Former All Blacks coach John Hart told Mike Hosking that the dominant display still needs improving, citing a lack of discipline.   ‘You wouldn’t want to be doing that against South Africa’ he said in regard to the All-Black’s big matchup in three weeks.  LISTEN ABOVE  Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:16:26 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/sharon-zollner-anz-chief-economist-discusses-the-governments-rapid-increase-in-national-debt/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/sharon-zollner-anz-chief-economist-discusses-the-governments-rapid-increase-in-national-debt/ The government's debt has shot up as our collective total gets closer to one trillion dollars.  The country's overall debt rose to $870billion dollars for the year to May, 5.4-percent higher than last year’s $830billion.  Central Government debt sits at nearly $239billion, rising 11-percent on last year.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner says it's worrying if it's getting frittered away, instead of going into key things like infrastructure.   She says the trouble with the increase is the Government doesn't have a lot to show for it.  LISTEN ABOVE  Sun, 17 Aug 2025 19:57:29 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/chris-quinn-foodstuffs-north-island-managing-director-says-consumers-should-look-for-better-value-as-grocery-prises-soar/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/chris-quinn-foodstuffs-north-island-managing-director-says-consumers-should-look-for-better-value-as-grocery-prises-soar/ The latest Stats NZ figures says food prices in our 15 main cities have increased five-percent in the past year -- with grocery prices rising much faster than restaurant and takeaway prices.  But Foodstuffs says prices in its stores have only increased 3.4 percent.  Foodstuffs North Island Managing Director Chris Quin told Mike Hosking that much of that rise is being driven by beef, lamb and butter.  Quinn says consumers can get good value with frozen chickens, leg roasts and many winter vegetables.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 17 Aug 2025 19:48:33 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/thomas-scrimgeour-new-zealand-could-secure-a-place-in-the-global-ai-economy-with-a-sustainable-data-centre/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/thomas-scrimgeour-new-zealand-could-secure-a-place-in-the-global-ai-economy-with-a-sustainable-data-centre/ New Zealand could secure a place in the global AI economy with a sustainable data centre Research by the Maxim Institute has looked at leveraging the country's renewable energy, cool climate, and strong privacy laws to become a hub in the Asia–Pacific.  Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour says high energy costs must be tackled in order to seize the opportunity.  He told Mike Hosking AI servers use huge amounts of energy - but some large players are already investing in New Zealand.  Scrimgeour says Amazon and Microsoft are investing heavily, and is expected to count for about 10 billion dollars in GDP over the next 15 years.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 17 Aug 2025 19:36:19 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-stop-putting-the-bill-on-the-taxpayer/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-stop-putting-the-bill-on-the-taxpayer/ It never takes long to find the bank of the taxpayer.  The Green Building Council has lined the Government up for Lord knows how many millions so we can all ditch our gas heaters, buy heat pumps, and save money and the gas industry.  We talked during the week with businesses who use gas. Some are looking to convert, and some want discretionary loans from you-know-who.  Major gas users met the Minister last Friday to, I assume, state the obvious that we don’t have enough gas, so “something” needs to be done.  Just what the "something is" no one seems to know, given I haven't been given a clear answer to a fairly simple question.  At the big level like Methanex or Ballance, I don’t know if there is an answer. You either pay the price, and presumably pass it on, or you don’t and close down.  At the smaller level, does a grower of something need a government loan or hand out? Should a grower have seen the price of gas and thought to themselves that they might like to inquire about an alternative?  I guess you get that interface between a business being for personal good versus wider good, like jobs and produce and what role a government might play in that.  At a personal level we use gas. The price is a joke. We may or may not need to look at something different, but in the meantime, I'm prepared to foot the bill, and I have no desire to seek help from the government.  If the Green Building Council are right and we all switched to electricity as supplied by rain, wouldn't life be great? But we all know it's not that easy.  We all know the renewable journey has been, and remains, a cluster. We all know a variety of circumstances have coalesced to provide the sort of business environment that leads to big bills, big cutbacks, job losses and lack of growth.  It's an open question as to how much of the lack of gas is about Labour and the killing of an industry versus what we already had, running out faster than we thought.  But is it possible we could have a mindset change, whereby the taxpayer isn't always the first cab off the rank to cover yet more lack of foresight and planning?  Fri, 15 Aug 2025 22:32:10 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mark-the-week-visas-are-one-of-the-bright-spots-of-the-week/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mark-the-week-visas-are-one-of-the-bright-spots-of-the-week/ 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.    Visas: 7/10  One of the bright spots of the week. Two more visas and access to labour that solves problems. More please.    Recognising Palestine as a state: 3/10  Talk about angst for no result. Around and around we go.    Disney Cruises: 4/10  Can you blame them? You make this the most expensive place in the world to bring a ship – who needs to deal with that?    Mystery meat: 3/10  What idiot thought of that?    Ardern and her henchpeople: 0/10  I don't know what else there is to say when you have sunk that low. More fool us. I can only imagine what the 50% of voters who wanted a chunk of that arrogance in 2020 think now.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW  Thu, 14 Aug 2025 22:14:44 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-central-govts-differing-approach-to-local-govt/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-central-govts-differing-approach-to-local-govt/ The battle of duelling responsibilities is unfolding before our eyes and I can't work out whether it will all end in tears.  On one hand you've got the Local Government Minister off to Cabinet with his rates cap plan for councils. The average rate rise is almost 10%. Inflation isn't.  It's not good enough. They are out of control and Wellington is going to do something about it.  But then on the other hand we have Local Water Done Well, the new Government's replacement for Three Waters.  You can buddy up with a group of councils and areas, or you can go it alone.  For example, Gisborne District Council has decided to go it alone. Is that a good idea? Not according to Internal Affairs, who have written to them, having seen their plans.  They have also written to five other councils with similar ideas and said to them that you don’t seem to have the capacity and wherewithal to pull this off.  So, what if they're right?  What if they don’t and the whole thing goes tits up?  How is it a Central Government on one hand is setting the rules of engagement on rates for fear of things getting out of control, yet letting councils, who their own people are suggesting aren't up to it, loose on water infrastructure that may well end up putting them in the poor house?  It's that complex, angsty line between freedom and control, local and central. Where is that line drawn?  If you don't trust them on rates, is water so simple and cheap and easy that they should be fine?  Then you get to the bit about voters and local democracy. Gisborne claim they’ve consulted and the community is behind them.  That almost certainly isn't true, given the consultation would have involved the usual handful of those actually interested, as opposed to the majority who wont be remotely aware, or care, until of course it all goes wrong. At which point there is all hell to pay.  So who is right?   Central Government getting control of the out of control, or letting the out of control dabble elsewhere and going into it with a red flag?  There seems a stark inconsistency in approach from Wellington because both approaches can't be right.  Thu, 14 Aug 2025 22:12:19 Z /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richie-barnett-former-kiwis-captain-previews-the-warriors-v-dragons-clash/ /on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richie-barnett-former-kiwis-captain-previews-the-warriors-v-dragons-clash/ The Warriors’ season hinges on tonight's match against the Dragons, crucial for playoff chances.  Injuries and missed opportunities have plagued the Warriors, who have won only two of their last seven games.  A win at Mt Smart would make them a shoo-in for a playoff spot, while a loss could see them slip as low as seventh to finish the round.   Former Kiwis Captain Richie Barnett told Mike Hosking the injury crisis has done a number on the team this season, but they need to get the chemistry back and this is a perfect opportunity.  He says the Warriors have to bring their old game back —their discipline, their aggression— and they need to play a bit more football.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 14 Aug 2025 22:01:33 Z