The Mike Hosking Breakfast

KiwiSaver is a newsmaker.  It's making news of late because of the so-called "hardship withdrawals".  Bad news is an easy headline.  What is covered less is the bulk of the KiwiSaver story i.e. lots of people are in it, the returns are growing and, for most people, it is a half decent way to save on a long-term basis.  But also in the latest quarterly statements (this is for the December quarter) is a fun fact that those who like to fixate on competition could do with looking at.  KiwiSaver and those who run the various funds is not a lot different to banking, or supermarkets, or airlines, or telcos, or power companies.  In other words, if you want to, you can ask some questions around competition.  Like the last Government, this Government has been fixated with competition, or lack of it. They have investigated it, jawboned it, threatened it, and sometimes introduced rules and laws to change it.  Yet punters choice rarely gets given the weighting it should.  In KiwiSaver there are about 25 providers and yet five have the bulk of our money. Why?  Is there a lack of competition? Clearly not. In fact, three of the top five are the banks. Oh, the irony!  We hate the banks, the banks rip us off, the banks are to be treated with the utmost suspicion, if only we had more competition with banks. In KiwiSaver we do and yet we can't flock to the banks fast enough with our life savings.  The lesson I think, if any of us want to learn it, around power companies and banks and insurance is basically we are lazy. Moaning is easier than doing something about our problem.  The laziness is never better exemplified in KiwiSaver than with the ridiculous number of default accounts i.e. people who can't even be bothered picking a fund.  There are 25 providers and five of them have 65% of the business, which is $90 billion of the $145 billion under stewardship.  Are we exercised? Are we worried? Do we even realise?  Don’t look now, but they actually do a good job as well. $5 billion was added in the past quarter.  Unless you're in Bitcoin, and more fool you, over the past decade if you were in the right fund you’ve been getting about 9% a year, every year, for 10 years.  That almost sounds like a model that works. It could be the competition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France has launched its biggest military drill since the Cold War.  12,500 troops, 25 ships, and 140 aircrafts have been mobilised in the three-month Orion 26 exercise, which is intended to prepare for the growing threat from Russia.  The drill will ramp up in April, as it will be placed under NATO command and include NATO forces.   France Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking the reason it’s such high intensity is because there’s never been a confluence of threats at this level before, according to the French military.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a rallying cry to staff and is insisting he won't step down.    Downing Street communications chief Tim Allan has quit saying he wanted to make way for a new team.   It was after Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney's quit, taking responsibility for advising Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.   Starmer addressed staff at his office, saying they must prove politics is a force for good.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking Starmer’s been a disaster, but he hasn’t left before, and he’s not going to leave now.   He says he’s aided by the fact that the next election is three years away, so he can always say things will improve greatly over that time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 10th of February, Energy Minister Simon Watts provides some more details regarding a new LNG import facility.   Are we worried enough about the peach “dumping” from China? And does it extend beyond peaches?  Forensic science specialist Tom Coyle discusses his 37 years in the job and working some of New Zealand’s top cases.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From true crime to Sherlock Holmes to CSI, people all around the world have a fascination with crime, mystery, and forensics.   And Thomas Coyle has been up close with the field for decades.   He started his career as a fingerprint examiner at Scotland Yard when he was a teenager, before moving to New Zealand decades later, setting himself up as one of our most prominent forensic experts and crime scene investigators.   It led to him being named a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024, and he now runs his own forensic business and teaches students from as early as year 2.   Coyle’s 37-year career is detailed in his new book, ‘The Dead Speak: My Life in Forensics’.  He told Mike Hosking there’s a lot of information in the book, but he hopes it’s honest, raw, and gives a ‘real insight’ into what forensic science is about at crime scenes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s confidence a new gas importing facility will deliver benefits that outweigh the costs.  The Government’s confirmed it will build a liquefied natural gas import facility in Taranaki, with a contract expected by mid-year.  It says the project will save the country about $265 million annually – roughly $50 per household.  Energy Minister Simon Watts told Mike Hosking that Huntly Power Station only covers 50% of the energy problem, and while they have gas generation capacity out there, they don’t have the fuel to run it during dry years.   He says it’s why they need that certainty of volume and certainty of supply.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are being urged to buy local tinned fruit as imports from overseas flood the market.   New Zealand’s peach industry took a significant hit last year, when Heinz Wattie’s told multiple peach growers it would no longer need their fruit.  It's because many consumers are choosing imported fruit instead after China dumped hundreds of thousands of canned peaches into the market at a much lower cost.  Hawkes Bay's Yummy Fruit Company general manager Paul Paynter told Mike Hosking there's a difference in quality.  He says if people buy a can of Watties and a can of the Chinese brand, the taste is night and day.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A proposed multi-million dollar liquefied natural gas import facility is winning support from electricity companies.   The terminal will be housed in Taranaki, with the Government aiming to have a "build" contract locked down mid-year.  It expects it will save each household about $50 a year once up and running – from late next year at the earliest.   Contact Energy's Mike Fuge told Mike Hosking it removes the drama of the system.  He says when suppliers and gas users can't get gas, everyone gets very uptight, and this brings a rationality to the market, so we aren't worrying about tomorrow.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions marks surround whether benefits from Crown Regional Holdings investments have been assessed properly.   More than half of their $433 million loan book is now considered at risk of —or currently in— default.  Most of the portfolio covers the Provincial Growth Fund and the current Regional Infrastructure Fund.   Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett told Mike Hosking we've got to keep demanding accountability from these investments.  He says we need to better understand why these investment decisions have been made.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 9th of February, David Seymour on a huge amount of unqualified ECE sector teachers and if we're worried about it. The Prime Minister is on to talk unemployment, fast tracking and when we will announce a State of Origin game in New Zealand. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk the Superbowl, the Winter Olympics and the Davis Cup and it's disappearance from mainstream sporting events. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As promised on this morning's show, here's Andrew Saville in his signature new look!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville join Mike Hosking this morning to discuss the weekend's sports. On the table today: The T20 World Cup, does everybody have a team these days? Are they worth the Black Caps' time? The guys discuss what Winter Olympic sport they'd take a crack at, and the Super Bowl - a sporting occasion or a marketing occasion?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister remains hopeful for a fall in unemployment this year. Unemployment's reached a 10 year high of 5.4% - with Auckland's unemployment rate rising again to 6.4%. Job numbers have increased, but that's been offset by more people joining or re-joining the labour market. Chris Luxon told Mike Hosking that the economy's rebounding, and that should flow through to the job market soon. He says there's always a lag effect - with unemployment being the last economic indicator to turn around. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour wants to reassure parents things have improved - despite new data showing growing workforce challenges in early childhood education. Nearly 34,000 teaching staff were employed last year, but just over two-thirds were qualified. Almost 10,000 staff had no formal qualifications - nearly double the number in 2011. Associate Education Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking that parents should know the number of teachers with formal qualifications has increased. He says in actual fact the situation hasn't changed much in five years and has improved since they've been in Government.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A defence lawyer says our jury system's fundamental - despite there being scope for improvement.  Open Justice can reveal potential jurors were paid more than seven million dollars in fees and expenses in 2024 - up from 5.69 million two years prior.  The Ministry of Justice can't say how many of these people were selected for a jury. Barrister John Munro told Mike Hosking that there's always going to be some slippage.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fears a decision around mining could affect New Zealand's reputation on the world stage.  Trans-Tasman Resources' proposal to mine 50 million tonnes of seabed a year for 30 years in South Taranaki has been declined in a draft fast-track decision.  The panel found there would be credible risks of harm to Maui dolphins, little penguins and fairy prion birds.  Minerals Council Chief Executive Josie Vidal told Mike Hosking that it does New Zealand no favours.  She says it comes at a time when we're trying to convince the US that we can be part of a global supply chain for minerals.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US correspondent Richard Arnold caught up with Andrew Dickens to chat about the biggest news in America.  Microsoft founder Bill Gates is facing backlash following a number of mentions in the most recent Epstein file release. Among the release was an email allegedly written by Epstein about Gates which claimed he hid a sexually transmitted disease from his wife after contact with “Russian girls”. Meanwhile, a search is underway in Arizona for the mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since January. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following this weeks wastewater spill in Wellington Gillian Blythe, Water NZ CEO, has emphasised the need for a reform of water infrastructure and oversight.  "I think what's really critical is that we need to have regulatory oversight and we need to be able to highlight what it is that the the type of non-compliance is," she told Andrew Dickens.  "Sometimes those non-compliances can be at the lower end, whether a report was filed at the right time, whether a sample was taken in the right time period, but some of them will be at the more complex end, and we need to make sure that we are focusing on that information." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins joined Andrew Dickens to chat about Waitangi Day hecklers, co-governance, and equal opportunity.  He also spoke about moving back towards using te reo for official titles, something the National coalition has moved away from. "There's nothing to be scared of by embracing te reo Māori and having, Māori names for government departments," Hipkins said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brenton Harrison Tarrant was jailed for life in August 2020, with no possibility of parole, after he plead guilty to the murder of 51 people and wounding 40 in the Christchurch terror attack. Tarrant is now, five years later, attempting to overturn his conviction with claims he was not in a rational state when he plead guilty.  Criminal defence lawyer Steve Cullen spoke to Andrew Dickens about the appeal saying, "It's a very difficult situation for all, but we have to let the wheels of justice grind on and let it be dealt with properly so that hopefully, whatever the outcome is, we'll get finality and closure this time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New START treaty, signed by the United States and Russia in 2010, was a nuclear arms reduction treaty which has now expired. US President Donald Trump has now called for a brand new nuclear treaty, prompting fears of a new global arms race. International Law Professor Al Gillespie told Andrew Dickens, "Mr. Trump is the one who let it void, he was saying, well, it's not fair that only America has these restraints in Russia. "He wanted other countries like China to also have restraints, but China wasn't interested." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Winter Olympics are set to kick off in Milano Cortina, Italy this weekend with the opening ceremony taking place on Saturday February 7 at 7.30am NZT.  New Zealand team Chef de Mission Marty Toomey joined Andrew Dickens to chat about how the team is settling in, and the high hopes for this year.  "I think from a New Zealand team perspective, there's no doubt that this team is made up of athletes that are stronger across the board than we have been previously," Toomey said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the economic news in New Zealand and around the world.  They discussed European interest rates, the global dairy trade, and the US job market and dollar. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A number of politicians, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, were heckled during Waitangi speeches with conflicts surrounding treaty principles interpretations remaining the primary contention point.  Although, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says that, despite the evident tension, progress is being made. "We attended the National Iwi Chairs from a couple of days ago on Wednesday, and there's a real constructive and positive vibe, and appetite to do things together," he told Andrew Dickens.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.    The economy: 7/10 Overall, a good news week, but a reminder that until we get the jobs right we ain’t properly right.    Foster and Hansen: 9/10  The wackiest story of the week by a mile. Could it be real? Could it be fantasy? Are the union completely mad, or completely brilliant?    Epstein: 3/10  It needs to lead somewhere tangible. Having a lot of emails and photos of underwear and sleaze and tawdriness is not a crime, it's just yuck. Where is the crime?    Brian Tamaki: 7/10  An application for a bridge too far. No more protests, no more closures, no more madness. We thank you Brian. You broke the camel's back.    Melania: 7/10  An interesting insight into our times. It's an example of how the camps are the camps, and the gap has never been wider. It was rubbished, ridiculed and written off and, yet, for a documentary it did excellent business. Everything is political and very little has any nuance. It's sad.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It could have been a coordinated knife to the Government's heart.  On the day the unemployment rate went up, the Warehouse offered a real world example of the problem by announcing another 270 jobs would be added to the pile as they look to save and outsource and generally reorganise themselves.  The irony, well lost in the throng of those who look to use the headline for political gain, was the fact the number of people employed is up. It's up by 15,000.  But the headline is the headline and 5.4% is not 5.3%, or 5.2%.  So it makes Gareth Kiernan at Infometrics more right that any Government member had hoped.  5.4% is deja vu. It's February of 2025 all over again. There's a lot to be pleased about but the big prize, the tail at the end of the economic dog being jobs, did not come to the party.  And that old chestnut of Auckland is back to haunt us as well. They've got the highest jobless rates to be found in big cities with close to 6%. Wellington and Hamilton are close to 6% too. If the cities don’t fire, the country doesn’t fire.  It will of course. The vibe in Auckland is palpable in a variety of different areas. Positivity is well and truly back, but it takes time.  And in election year time is of the essence.  Luxon's pitch so far this year is the right one. But talking about recovery is one thing, you've got to actually feel it.  The real trouble in these numbers is not the headline.  1) It's those who need more work. Why? The cost of living. There is a big uptick of women back in the workforce. Ask yourself why.  2) The young people aged 15-24 is over 16%. It's always high but this is too high. Anyone with offspring in this age group knows the struggle. Our youngest has work but she hustled.  3) Australia. Say what you want about the price of a house and the inflation rate, and they are real issues and Australia is in trouble overall this year, but apples and apples, jobs to jobs, they kill us.  This is not a stat for nuance and subtlety. You can't pick out some vague highlights like a region, or a sector, or an industry and try and milk it.  Unemployment got worse. Full stop.  With all the rest of it in place and looking so much better there is a recovery on and it will come right.  But right here, right now, this week, the jobs stat for a government relying on economic credibility took a right hook and will be dazed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Jeffrey Epstein files release is developing into a political scandal in the UK, with MPs voting to release papers relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.  He's being investigated over allegations he shared internal government information with the convicted sex offender.   UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's confirmed he knew Mandelson had ties with Epstein, but claims Mandelson lied about the extent of their relationship.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking there’s no explanation Starmer could give for the appointment, the only thing he can do is apologise.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Waitangi this weekend, the week is coming to a close a little earlier than usual. So Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the (short) Week that Was.  They discussed jobs and unemployment, and with Producer Sam is jetting off to a wedding right after the show, Mike was shocked at what has become the go-to gift for the newly married.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 5th of February, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tries to put a spin on a headline unemployment number that doesn't help the Government in an election year.  There’s a sewage disaster in Wellington, so Mayor Andrew Little joined to discuss the situation.   Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss jobs, and Mike can't believe that money is now the gift of choice for a wedding on Wrapping the Week.   Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A decent haul from Mike Hosking’s cherry tree.  Last year he was gifted a tree to ‘adopt’ by the team at Electric Cherries – who run everything without the use of fossil fuels.  The ‘Mike Hosking Tree’ has now been harvested and six kilos of cherries are ready to be eaten.   Founder Mike Casey told Mike Hosking that it’s been a pretty rough season down in Central Otago, with a lot of wind, rain, and a lot of damaged cherries.   But there’s a consolation prize, he says, which is that prices have remained high since there’s been much fewer cherries on the market.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s cautious optimism New Zealand could achieve the country's largest medal haul at a Winter Olympics.  17 athletes, all in various snowboard and ski disciplines, will compete at the Milan-Cortina Games starting this weekend.  Chef de Mission Marty Toomey told Mike Hosking that recent form points towards a new frontier of success.  He says the Snow Sports NZ crew have come off an X Games with six medals, and New Zealand took three medals in the Beijing Games, so he’s hoping they’ll get north of that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says critical damage to the city's wastewater treatment plant couldn't come at a worse time.  Heavy rain flooded the building's lower floors causing sewage to leak into Tarakena Bay, writing off equipment and forcing the plant to shut down.  Wellington Water says it could take months to fix and urges people to stay off beaches along the south coast, and avoid collecting seafood.  He told Mike Hosking the failure appeared to be a “freak thing”, and since becoming mayor, nobody had ever indicated to him that the treatment plant was at risk.   He says there’s been ongoing investment in it, and they have contractors looking after all the rest.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes things will gradually turn a corner for Canterbury milk processing firm Synlait.  It's revealed it expects to report a $77 to $82 million half-year loss, due to the ongoing impact of previous "manufacturing challenges” at its Dunsandel plant.  Ashburton-based supplier Willy Leferink says suppliers are worried, but they have supply contracts to honour, and what really matters is that they continue to get paid.  He told Mike Hosking the company seems to have a good plan to get things back on track.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Economic Growth Minister says things are picking up in some regions sooner than others.  Unemployment's hit a ten-year high nationally, reaching 5.7% in Bay of Plenty, 5.8% in Wellington, 5.9% in Waikato, and 6.4% in Auckland.  But it's fallen to 3.7% in Canterbury and just 2.3% in Otago.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking employment is rising in many sectors, but it's not even around the country.  She says Canterbury in particular has seen a big rise job numbers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it a bombshell?  A moment too weird to properly comprehend and, because of that, is that why it isn't real? And if it's not real then it's not worth speculating on.  And yet here I am speculating.  The NZ Rugby Union has approached Steve Hansen and Ian Foster and asked them to apply for the coach's job.  Is that the most absurd, bizarre, nutty, unbelievable, possibly stupid thing you have ever heard around rugby, or perhaps even sport?  And yet it's suggested it's true.  In a way I hope it isn't, unless it is. But first I'll deal with the 'isn't'.  I hope it isn't because the union already have enough reputational issues without adding to them, like the panel, the rules and the criteria. For goodness sake, just go get a rockstar. Surely the All Blacks coaching job still has enough prestige that getting great talent isn't an issue?  That's if you haven't already targeted someone, which they should have!  But then I hope it is true because I love Hansen and I love Foster and I'm an old romantic who fizzes over the edge of the glass in excitement at what would be/could be one of the great redemption stories in all of sport.  Both have issues with rugby and rules and unions. Foster especially got treated abysmally. How good could it feel to march back into the dressing room and say "Hello lads. Now where were we before I was so rudely interrupted?"  But for the union, this is why it can't be true. You don’t go to a Hansen or a Foster and say have an application form and see what you think.  You beg for such talent to frequent your business! And if you're asking them to apply, what are you saying to Jamie Joseph and Co. who might be asking why they're looking for reheats when they're there. Not a bad point.  See? It would be way better if none of this were true.  Mind you it would be way better if they hadn't sacked Scott Robertson mid-term with a mass pay out and a restraint of trade with no clear plan going forward.  This is almost so good it can't be real, while also being so bad it shouldn’t be real.  The key of course is to win the world cup and if we do that no one will care who the coach is.  But that bit seems a long way off when we currently have no coach and in front of us what could be a stroke of genius, or sheer insanity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has called for the Republican Party to nationalise elections.   He made the statement during his appearance on the podcast of former deputy FBI director Dan Bongino, saying the Party should seek to take over voting in at least 15 places.  Elections are primarily run by state law, with voting administrated by local officials across the United States.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that nationalising the election would go against the Constitution, which says elections are governed by state law, not by any party in power.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 4th of February, Transport Minister Chris Bishop delves into the overhaul of the drivers licensing system.  Mike runs through what words he can, can't, and shouldn't say after the BSA's latest swearing report.  And Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss Peeni Henare’s resignation, the messy press conference with Labour and the Greens, and Waitangi on Politics Wednesday. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Politics Wednesday, Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell delve into the biggest political stories of the week so far.  They discussed the proceedings at Waitangi, the joint press conference between Labour and the Green Party, and the resignation of Labour MP Peeni Henare.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More good news on the tourism front.  Auckland Airport has reinstated its partnership with Thai Airways, bringing back non-stop flights between Auckland and Bangkok.   The route reconnects New Zealand with one of Asia’s major aviation hubs, and is expected to bring in around $250 million a year in visitor spending.  Auckland Airport Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker told Mike Hosking not only will it make it easier for Kiwis to visit Thailand, the flights also make New Zealand a much more attractive destination for Thai tourists.   Also, he says, Thai Airways has a network of 56 international destinations from Bangkok, so this route will help bring in more high spenders from places like the UK, Germany and India.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A chance to open next year's Rugby World Cup with a blockbuster Wallabies-All Blacks clash has been passed by.  Organisers have opted to kick-off the tournament with Australia taking on Hong Kong on October 1, with the All Blacks facing Chile the following day.  The move is being labelled as a play to keep interest levels “alive”.   International Rugby Players’ Association CEO Omar Hassanein told Mike Hosking getting a mostly guaranteed win in the first match is important, and while one would like to hope Australia could beat the All Blacks, form over the last decades indicates they may struggle.   He says the opening match in Peth is likely to sell out regardless of opposition, so it was a tactical ploy to ensure Australia stays in the tournament and momentum continues.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wine industry is trying to stay positive.   It's facing an oversupply of sorts after around 100 thousand tonnes of grapes —about a fifth of the crop— were left on the vine last year.  Some growers put it down to people changing their drinking habits globally, others blame the pandemic, tax increases, and US tariffs.   New Zealand Winegrowers Chief Executive Philip Gregan told Mike Hosking there are issues, but they will keep making quality products.  He says long term, the industry is confident it's producing the types of wines people want to drink.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists are divided on whether unemployment is finally starting to fall.  Stats NZ is releasing its latest employment update at 10.45.  Economic conditions are improving, but that's also prompting more people to re-join the labour market.  Most bank economists expect the unemployment rate to remain unchanged from three months ago at an historically high 5.3%, but ASB economists think it will fall slightly to 5.2% – the first fall in unemployment in four years.  Senior Economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking that hiring is starting to pick up after being on the backburner for so long.   He says the economy has some underlying momentum, and after waiting on the sidelines last year, firms are going to convert those intentions into actions.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it's modernising the drivers licensing system, with the key change being the end to full license practical tests.    After passing the restricted license test, drivers under the age of 25 will have to wait out a mandatory 12-month period as a restricted driver before they can apply for a full licence.   Those aged over 25 will have to wait six months.   Transport Minister Chris Bishop says it'll save time and money.   He told Mike Hosking most countries don’t make drivers do a second practical test, so they’re bringing New Zealand in line with that.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building townhouses and apartments is becoming increasingly popular, with Auckland leading the charge.   More than 36-thousand building consents for new homes were issued nationwide in the year to December, up 9%, with multi-unit homes making up the majority of those.   Master Builders Chief Executive Ankit Sharma told Mike Hosking this is likely to continue in the long term due to infrastructure constraints and population growth in big cities like Auckland.  He says it's better to build before demand comes or else there will be shortages.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A small tip on news coverage.  The media can go some small way to redeeming its reputation by asking more questions.  One of the current obsessions is the closure of hospitality outlets.  A café only needs to announce their closing, and the media can't swoop fast enough with a doom and gloom headline.  To be fair, The Hospitality Association doesn’t help. They roll out no shortage of misery stories.  Ruby in Auckland got headlines the other day after they announced they were leaving downtown Auckland. Now, Ruby isn't hospitality, but the same fetish for bad headlines applies.  Get into the detail and, yes, the Auckland vibe isn't what it might once have been, but the real reason they were leaving is the space didn’t suit them anymore. They were off elsewhere and days later their original space was snapped up by a business that was keen to expand.  Fast forward to this week and it’s the Rice Bowl Burger Bar in Wellington.  Cue the Stuff headline: "Another Wellington hospo business announces closure".  Here is what I know: every story has a story. It is not always the economy. In fact, often it isn't the economy. In some cases, it's wrong place i.e. they took the car parks away, or sometimes it's bad luck i.e. they built the CRL around you and didn’t compensate you.  Sometimes it's because you aren't very good at your job i.e. your food is crap and there are better places down the road.  Sometimes it's about migration. Hospo is an easy way to buy work for you and the family, but that doesn't mean you're any good or understand the culture. But it is a ticket to work and a visa.  The evidence, for those who want to look at it, shows hospo for those who work hard, offer good food and good service, does well. The country, sadly, is over hospo-ed.  And irony of ironies, despite the closure and woe and misery headlines, we actually have more hospo outlets than we ever have.  One closes, but at least another one, if not more, open. But they don’t write about the start-ups.  Because that would be just a bit too upbeat, wouldn't it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 3rd of February, Education Minister Erica Stanford unpacks the new reporting system for junior education.  Meta VP and Global Head of Safety Antigone Davis is in the country and discusses what they're doing to protect kids online and her thoughts on the social media bans gaining traction around the world.  9News Finance Editor Chris Kohler puts both our and Australia’s financial concerns in humorous light and discusses his book ‘How They Get You’.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh allegations have emerged linking former UK-US Ambassador Lord Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein.  Newly released files suggest Mandelson shared internal government information with the convicted sex offender.  The revelations follow the release of photographs showing Mandelson in his underwear.  Mandelson was sacked as the ambassador last year and is now stepping down from the UK Labour Party entirely.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking the Labour Party’s leadership is tainted, as Sir Keir Starmer made him the Ambassador having known he had connections with Epstein.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finances can be a bit of a struggle.   Costs are constantly rising, and in an era of auto-payments and forgotten subscriptions, it can sometimes be difficult to keep on top of everything, or even know that you’re getting the best deal.  9News Finance Editor Chris Kohler is becoming increasingly popular on social media for incorporating dry wit into usually boring economic news and has written a book called ‘How They Get You’.  ‘How They Get You’ covers “sneaky” everyday economics and what you can do to outsmart the systems and save your money.  Kohler told Mike Hosking the intent of the book is to take a good thorough look at something that tends to be boring and is often pushed to the side.  “I think people are really smart actually, I think that they just are presented with information in a way that makes them feel like it’s nebulous, or it’s above their heads, or they don’t have the right education.”  “For most people, they’re, their radar of when something isn’t fair, and when something is a bit off is really good, but I think that they’re not given the tools to argue with financial institutions in a way that might help them.”   Kohler very much subscribes to the mentality that if you look after the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves, though he says it’s more than pennies at the moment.  “The difference between the best and the worst mortgage rate out there at the moment is a couple hundred a month for people.”  “I think it’s very important to, to have a good hard look at the money that we’re spending and whether or not we can be spending less.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New entrants are needing more help than ever.   Primary schools are reporting record levels of children arriving without basic skills such as talking, eating and toileting.  Data from the Auckland Primary Principals’ Association shows 92% of schools report new entrants don’t know the letters in their own name.  Director of New Shoots Children's Centre Kelly Seaburg told Mike Hosking there isn't good data on what kids have learned prior to attending school.  She says they know whether children have attended Early Childhood Education, but they have no idea how many hours they’ve spent there.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Current liquor licensing rules are overzealous, according to Nelson's Mayor.  Nick Smith says it felt odd that he was unable to buy a bottle of wine at the Ready to Roll concert on Sunday, at Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson.  Patrons were only able to buy it in cups.  Nelson Mayor Nick Smith told Mike Hosking the licensing authority would make the organisers of the event agree to strict conditions if they want bottles, which is a bit over the top.  He says he's gone to similar events for decades and he's never seen any trouble.  Smith told Hosking it's not just concerts where this is happening – earlier in his term as Mayor, they had to use a screen to block people being seen drinking at tables on Trafalgar Street.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.