The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The economic impact of property investors is being quantified for the first time.  A report commissioned by the Property Investors Federation estimates the sector added $24.8 billion to GDP last year.  It also links investors to about 126 thousand jobs nationwide – about 5% of the workforce.  Advocacy Manager Matt Ball told Mike Hosking the lack of data has been damaging to the sector.  He says it leads to bad policy which leads to bad outcomes, so they're trying to change that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How long can you pedal an invention?  On Friday March 6th the poll is out. It's bad for National and the media has concocted the idea that as a result of these numbers and the previous Monday's press conference about the war, that things have got so bad for the Prime Minister he is “considering his position over the weekend”.  They have also concluded numbers are being crunched, pressure is mounting and pressure is building for him to resign.  By the Monday, on this programme, March 9th it is clear no such thing has happened. No numbers are crunched and no considering of positions has been undertaken.  Is that the end of the story? No, it is not. It bubbles on for the rest of the week with literally nothing happening apart from the reiteration of what we already know not to be true.  By Thursday last week the NZ Herald runs an editorial declaring he has survived the week.  Survived from what? Their invention of a problem?  On Friday, Peter Dunne writes a piece that calls the media invented nonsense out.  On Saturday, Bruce Cotterill adds TVNZ woes to the list, but also points to the abject absurdity of the previous Monday's blitzkrieg at the airport as said Prime Minister and various Cabinet members arrive in Wellington to a pack of screeching journalists still refusing to believe that the story is entirely of their invention.  Then yesterday, March 16th, ten calendar days since the invention, Radio NZ were to have two talking heads discussing how the Prime Minister survived the pressure and the pending consideration of his position.  Assuming today there is no more, surely that has to be a record for continuing coverage of a pile of bollocks. Which leads to the question: how dangerous are our media when they invent a story and run with it? And then having had it dispelled, continue to run with it?  New week and there's a new story. The aforementioned Prime Minister ahead of his Pacific trip asked for a title, said the Samoan Prime Minister.  "Not true," said the Prime Minister's office, yet they still ran with it until Monday when the Samoan Government said it's not true.  How many times do you have to say a story isn't true before it isn't a story?  Is it true to say if a story that isn't true is still run as a story, we most definably have an agenda here? A bias? A level of dishonesty?  Given that, do they wonder why their reputations are in tatters?  Do they even care? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK says it won't be drawn into a wider war in the Middle East as Donald Trump urges allies to keep shipping lanes open.  The US President wants nations to help police the strait after Iran used drones, missiles, and mines to shut the key channel, used by tankers carrying a fifth of the world’s oil and gas.  Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain will work toward a fast resolution that brings security and stability, and he wants to see an end to the war as soon as possible, as it becomes more dangerous the longer it drags on.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking that Starmer’s position is roughly in line with what the nation is thinking.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our favourite tool shops is now a century old.  2026 marks 100 years for the tool company Stihl, which has been in New Zealand for over 40 years.  It’s been family-run since its inception – founded by Andreas Stihl in 1926 and passed on to his son, Hans Peter Stihl, before his grandson Dr Nikolas Stihl took the reins.   He’s the Chair of the Advisory Board and Supervisory Board and told Mike Hosking that remaining a family-run model has been better for them in the long run.   “Family-run businesses, they simply can take strategic decisions better than publicly owned companies,” Stihl says.  “We don’t report to any boards outside of the family ... we are independent, and in the long run, at least for us, that has been a lot better.”   With a turnover of €5.5 billion, equivalent to nearly $11 billion, 20 thousand employees, and manufacturing in eight countries around the world, Stihl is still continuing to grow.  “We keep on growing,” Stihl told Hosking.  “We’ve grown last year, and that wasn’t easy because of the world economy, but we did.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 17th of March, Finance Minister Nicola Willis breaks down the fuel situation and its impact on our economy.   Another big win has brought Wētā FX’s Oscar count to eight – Matt Aitken joined Hosking to chat about the win.   The man in charge of the century-old Stihl company, Dr Nikolas Stihl, is in the country, and joined to discuss one of the greatest business stories in the world.   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 big Hollywood celebration for the Wētā FX team last night after another Oscar win.   Wellington's Wētā FX won Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards in LA yesterday for their work on James Cameron's blockbuster Avatar: Fire and Ash.   It brings their total Oscar count to eight.   Head of Visual Effects Matt Aitken told Mike Hosking it's an acknowledgement of the team's dedication.   He says they thought it was the best work ever done in visual effects, but you never know how it's going to go on the night.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister's unveiled an overhaul of the health system.  It will see workforce, budget, service delivery, and recruitment decisions made at the local level from July.  Simeon Brown says it's a significant change but isn't a return to the old district health board system.   He told Mike Hosking the Government's also committing $25 million towards a new winter health plan.  Brown says New Zealand has a growing and aging population, so the investment is needed to ensure the country is prepared for winter.  The plan will deliver hundreds of extra staff, 71 extra hospital beds, and up to 567 short-stay aged-care beds over the peak winter period.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New alcohol legislation could go further.   The Bill put to Parliament yesterday includes a raft of changes to bar licences, aiming to cut red tape and bureaucracy.   But Alcohol Beverages Council Executive Director Virginia Nicholls told Mike Hosking changes should also limit the number of district licensing committees.   With 67 committees currently around the country, she says it's hard to create consistency.   She says it's a reflection of out-of-date rules, that doesn't acknowledge a difference between a good and bad license holder.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra's preparing to recruit a new boss after the resignation of current CEO Miles Hurrell.  Hurrell's given six months' notice to allow for a smooth transition.  The board and management regularly discuss succession plans and they'll be running a robust process to appoint a new CEO.  Co-Operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking it's unclear if Hurrell's replacement will come from inside or outside the organisation, but farmers have high expectations.  He says Hurrell has built a strong team around them, but they'll be plenty of interest from outside Fonterra as well.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An electric vehicle provider saw an uptake in electric and hybrid car sales over the weekend as fuel prices continue to soar.  BYD General Manager Warren Wilmot told Mike Hosking the number of fully electric and hybrid BYD cars bought on Saturday quadrupled their usual sale.  “We sold 80 on Saturday as opposed to the usual 20 to 25 we sell on a Saturday.  “Our Australian friends did even better they sold 902.”  Wilmot told Hosking a lot of people had already done their research and were sitting on the fence about whether to buy one, and that they “took the opportunity now.”  “Higher fuel prices aren’t great for anyone; you know the cost will go up for us too for shipment and other things.”    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has emphasised there’s a range of scenarios for inflation amidst the global oil crisis – not just the worst-case scenario of 3.7% outlined yesterday.  “We don't know what's going to happen with factors that are outside of our control,” she told Mike Hosking.  “We don't know how long the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed. We don't know whether Asian refineries will be able to access alternative supplies of oil in sufficient quantities, and we don't know whether importers will be able to access alternative supplies of refined products. So we're preparing for all of those scenarios.”  The Government remained "hopeful" there was enough cover, refineries could keep producing enough fuel and importers could bring in the quantities New Zealand needed.  Treasury would be the first to acknowledge their forecasts were “guessing games”, but "we have to plan for what could be around the corner so that if bad things happen, we're ready".  Hosking pointed out other countries were taking action to relieve mounting costs, including heating oil relief in the UK overnight.  But Willis said the UK and Europe’s energy and electricity prices were much more affected by events in the Middle East than New Zealand, which relies largely on hydro and renewables.  Our Government is closely monitoring the international response to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz.  Donald Trump is calling on several allies to send warships and other support to secure the strait.  Japan and Australia say they currently have no plans to send naval ships and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer say neither will Britain be drawn into a wider war.  But Willis told Mike Hosking there will be much to play out in the days ahead.  She says they do want to see the Strait of Hormuz reopened, and it will be up to all countries to decide whether and what role they plan.  "We haven’t been asked to participate in any particular efforts in the Strait.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia Correspondent Steve Price joined Mike Hosking to talk about the latest news out of Australia.  One Nation have reached 24% in the latest poll, just five points away from Labour.  Price said, "if you'd told me a year ago that they were gonna be sitting right now with a primary vote of 24%, I would've said you're crazy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold joined Mike Hosking to chat the latest in US news including the US attack of Kharg Island and the increased security measures at today's Oscars. "They have police dogs and SWAT teams, anti-drone technology, even sharpshooters on patrol," he said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 16th of March, we enter week three of the war and get the analysis from on oil and fuel prices. The Prime Minister calls in from Samoa to confirm he didn't ask for a title and tells us what we're getting out of the trip. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk Liam Lawson's brilliant weekend, the Warriors brilliant weekend and the Crusaders not so brilliant weekend re the media ban. 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.

The Oscars arrive at noon (NZT) today with One Battle After Another as the front runner for Best Picture, with a chance of 76.3%, but Sinners is being eyed for a possible underdog win.  Jessie Buckley is the favourite for Best Actress after already taking home the Critics Choice, SAG, and Golden Globe for her role in Hamnet. Variety's Chief Film Critic Peter Debruge joined Mike Hosking to chat his expectations for the event.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking for their weekly catch up to chat fuel security, his visit to the Pacific, and Trump's calls for aid in the Strait of Hormuz.  Luxon told Hosking he is 'confident' in New Zealand's fuel imports as most of our supply comes from South Korea and Singapore.  "We've got very good cover and stocks," he said.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yet another “advice ignored” story. The trouble with advice is it's not automatically right and more often than not the media seems to think it counts for something, hence their obsession with coverage. The latest example is Paul Goldsmith ignored advice around move-on orders. The media plays these advice stories up because it suits their increasingly obvious bias against the Government. But when you read the advice it’s a mixture of the vague, wrong and made up. The best part is the bit that says evidence of a growing public disorder problem is limited. Are they serious? They obviously work from home and looked out their kitchen window at morning tea time and didn’t see any disturbances. Is there a person who has walked down Queen Street in Auckland, Courtenay Place in Wellington or their environs and not seen the trouble and upset the wonks can't see? They go on - police data showing prosecutions for such offences has declined in recent years. I repeat, are they serious? Why do you reckon that is? Just because you didn’t prosecute doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. They also, in a very political way, go on to lump all homeless or rough sleepers into the same category. The media does the same thing. It makes the very obvious and deliberate mistake of assuming all homeless or rough sleepers are the same. And like anyone else, they are not. The move-on orders are not about anyone and everyone. They are about the ones who cause trouble, who abuse the shopper or stop the proprietor getting into their business. As far as I can see, the aforementioned isn't actually mentioned in the advice. At some point the wonks might want to ask about rights. As much as you might want to argue for the right for a drug-crazed lunatic to be able to say what they want and do what they want, where they want, you might like to wonder if a punter should be able to go about their business unhindered. Out here in the real world the answer is, yes. Hence the Government move-on move reads the mood of the community, and is welcome, and will be effective, and, like the ram-raids and shop smashing's, will be dealt with. The question left is if that’s the quality of advice ministers get, I see some reasonably large and obvious savings to be made.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have good news on housing.  1) It's still a buyers' market.  2) A good chunk of the buyers are first timers.  It’s the debate we should at least acknowledge has been, for now, partially solved.  Not long back we were where Australia currently is; young people couldn't afford a house and, with plenty of emotion, it was suggested they never would.  That wasn’t actually factually true then and it most certainly isn't now.  What is helping is two things:  1) The slow rise of prices as we move out of the recessions and into recovery. The capacity for the wider economy to grow without major house price increases is actually a good debate, or question, but one for another day.  2) Lending. There is a lot of it for first timers.  Money attached to small deposits is booming. The reason that is happening is because the Reserve Bank loosened the debt-to-income rules as well as the LVR's.  So, with less than 20% you can get into a home.  Australia has a better system. The Government backs some people into homes with 5%. It's income related and in Australia there is an attached argument around price increases, given they aren't building houses and immigration is booming.  But here we don’t have those problems, sadly. But of the two problems young people face (one being the deposit and the other being the price of a house and therefore the mortgage) it’s the deposit that is the biggest hurdle.  20% of $800,000 grand is $160,000. Saving that sort of money is ruinous to dreams, so the sooner we get past that as a hurdle the better.  A mortgage can be managed. But what is most important about all of this is the indisputable truth that housing is a Kiwi dream, if not an obsession. A house is a retirement plan and the arguments around putting your money elsewhere and spreading the basket falls largely, rightly or wrongly, on deaf ears.  If I had my way 5% would be the key, 10% max. If young people have been locked out of housing, it's not the price that’s been the killer, it's been the deposit.  The Reserve Bank rules have been, yet again, another of their mistakes. These news stats are hopefully partial rectification. See 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 Warriors: 8/10  Come on! Let's start with the good news – we're one from one. A thrashing against a good side and another home game tonight.    Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: 6/10  She's back. Whether she likes being back is another thing, but good on her for fighting her corner and exposing her crappy little party.    The Covid report: 6/10  Told us what we already knew and changes nothing. Listen to Hipkins. You reckon he knows how to say sorry?    Oil: 1/10  If you ever wanted proof over how far off we are in renewables, check our reaction to $120 a barrel.    Trump: 2/10  It's over, it's not over, we need to win more, we've only just got started, I could end it today, I could end it in an hour. He redefines mental.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My observations on week two of the war.  I'm as convinced as ever I was that this thing is over in the four week-ish window they said it would be.  If true, it means we should not have spent the week guessing when it will be over because we have already been told.  If I worry about anything it's miscalculation. The trouble with the miscalculation is we don’t really know if it is or not because most of what we hear is from the President and his Secretary of War, both of whom are cartoonish in their persona.  To say out loud he was surprised at the size of the Iranian navy is shocking. To say out loud, and both have, that they were surprised Arab states got attacked is even more shocking.  But then this was a bloke yesterday travelling through middle America telling the crowds at a rally that prices were coming down, so my faint hope is even though he is completely detached from reality, the people in the uniforms aren't.  I have no doubt Iran is fairly flattened and their ability to do a lot going forward that would bother the Western world is now severely limited.  But I also know oil isn't flowing and my equal bet is more people are worried about oil than they are about Iran.  That’s why this war, polls show, has no buy-in. We don’t care and we never did. Mind you, we may have been saved from ourselves of course because we would care if the Iranians ever really got nuclear weapons.  So if this thing ends within a month or so and oil is back to $68 a barrel, all in all, it will have been worth it.  It also shows beyond a shadow of doubt that renewables are nowhere near the answer, given when the Strait of Hormuz got closed, we didn’t all turn on our windmills.  But at the end of week two what I know is this: the economy is everything.  Economics is everything and this war will end not because Iran has been beaten, but because oil is king, petrol drives economies and Americans are voting later this year. And if they can't afford the bills because their President got sucked in by Israel, he's toast.  And as mad as Trump is, he's no idiot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Members of the International Energy Agency have unanimously agree to release 400 million barrels of oil reserves to help combat steep oil prices arising from the conflict in the Middle East.  It equates to about four-days' worth and is the largest ever release of reserves in the agency's history.  The US is releasing 172 million barrels from their Strategic Petroleum Reserve, beginning next week.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the move will result in a 40% decrease in the US’ oil backstop.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Friday, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was. With the ongoing uncertainty surrounding oil prices, the Government is considering heading back to the Muldoon-era and instituting car-less days if all else fails, so Tim, Kate, and Mike took a look back at what those days were like. And should you watch something just to see how bad it is? Mike is gobsmacked the Melania documentary was ever made, and thinks everyone needs to watch it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An energy industry lobby group is warning the decline in domestic gas supply is a sign of a shrinking economy.  PwC research —commissioned by Gas Industry Co— suggests the gas market must contract sharply as domestic supply falls, potentially leading to business closures, job losses, and higher energy costs.  The research assumes the Maui field will stop producing in 2027.  Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie told Mike Hosking modelling suggests the economic impact will be significant.  He says a report for MBIE found that without LNG terminals and with the loss of domestic supply, New Zealand's GDP will be about 0.1% lower in 2035.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 13th of March, is the Government really considering car-less days because of the fuel instability? What are the other options? Nicola Willis discussed the details.  Richie Barnett unpacked the Warriors' performance against the Roosters and looked ahead to tonight’s clash against the Raiders.  And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talked the days of car-less cars, the Melania documentary, and whether you should watch something just to see how bad it is as they Wrapped 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.

The Warriors are in for a challenge as they aim to go two for two in the NRL season.   They stunned the Roosters in their opening clash, claiming victory 42-18 at Mt Smart Stadium.   The Warriors are back at Mount Smart tonight, this time for a clash against the Raiders.  Former Kiwis Captain Richie Barnett told Mike Hosking the Roosters were ill-disciplined – they didn’t give respect to the Warriors, and they got caned in all areas of the game.  But the Raiders are a different side, and he says their ruck speed is the best in the game – if you control that, you control the game.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive new power user could put extra pressure on the South Island’s electricity system.  Datagrid has just received resource consent for a $3 billion, 78 thousand square metre data centre north of Invercargill.  About 1,200 jobs will work on the construction and about 50 people will staff the facility.  It will be the second-largest power user in the country behind the nearby Tiwai Aluminium Smelter.  Auckland University computer science lecturer Ulrich Speidel told Mike Hosking it's going to shift the power balance in the South Island quite a bit.  He says in terms of power use, that’s about 70% of what Christchurch consumes, and you can’t just add major power users without eventually running into generation limits.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tourism surge is putting pressure on Christchurch’s hotel capacity.  Hotels reached 96.4% occupancy last month – the highest February in a decade, and well above the national average.  ChristchurchNZ credits events like the Electric Avenue music festival and increased airline capacity.  Head of Destination Kath Low told Mike Hosking more hotels are needed, with several developments in the pipeline.  She says a Sheraton Hotel is opening next year in the former Noah's Hotel building, which will add 240 rooms.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government admits its walking a fine line between being prepared and causing panic.  It's considering a raft of possible measures like car-less days, limits on petrol sales, and the introduction of fuel coupons if oil prices continue to rise.  Iran's threatening to keep the critical Strait of Hormuz closed for the foreseeable future.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking New Zealand's still in a good place right now, with a secure 50-day fuel supply.  She says they're proactive in case the situation changes, further down the track.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Question six, the House of Parliament Question Time.   Winston Peters to Simeon Brown. The mandate for 12 to 17 year olds and the double dose of the vaccine – seek it out, it’s a fascinating exchange.  Tuesday, Chris Hipkins and Ayesha Verral denied the concerns raised by the Ministry of Health ever reached their desks.  Peters presented evidence it did, and even after it did it took a very long time for anything to be done about it.  So a couple of issues out of that. Firstly, it is potentially a misleading of the House – a very serious issue. More importantly, a misleading of us.  There is little more egregious for a number of New Zealanders out of the Covid experience than the vaccine issue.  Sadly, a lot of the noise around it was tin hat material driven by Ouija board thinking, but some of it, not much, but some of it was real.  The risks became a lightning rod. All vaccines carry risk, but concerns were raised about rushed development. And then making that risk higher, mandating of that rushed development into the arms of New Zealanders.  Also making this complicated is the line between politics and health, politics and expertise.  The government has a right to ignore advice – they do it all the time. But can you ignore health advice – an area you are not expert in?  Part of what Peters raised, that may well be a longer term issue, is legal. Is there a case to be heard, whereby a government knew of a problem around a vaccine and yet did nothing with that knowledge until later. Meantime any number of young people were exposed to a risk they didn’t have to be.  Associated with the stance is the broader, but not legal aspect of this. If that is the sort of approach a government can take, then how does that dovetail with the overarching view that governments want vaccine rates in the high 90s – in other words, they want public trust.  A lot of the Covid response and report is about interpretation and ideology. This appears much more specific, worrying, and potentially dishonest. Watch this space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italy’s Prime Minister has joined other EU leaders in criticising the US-Israeli war on Iran.  They’ve reportedly bombed nearly ten thousand civilian sites, killing well over a thousand in Iran and hundreds more in Lebanon.  Giorgia Meloni described the conflict as part of a growing and dangerous trend of interventions that fall “outside the scope of international law”.  Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking Meloni is walking a tightrope between not wanting to be too openly critical of Donald Trump, but also being mindful of the polls.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a successful summer circuit in New Zealand, Kiwi shot-putter Tom Walsh is gearing up for a year of international competitions.  The Diamond League is only a few weeks away and the Commonwealth Games are set for July through to August in Glasgow.  But Walsh told Mike Hosking that despite performing well over the summer, his results weren’t quite what he wanted them to be, distance-wise.  “This is kind of the part where you’ve really got to trust what you’re doing,” Walsh said.  “Sometimes you’ve kind of got to, y’know, take a few hits early season to help you line up later in the season when, when things really count.”  “The Commonwealth Games is what we’re really working towards, and sometimes you’ve got to step back, and remind yourself of that.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 12th of March, the Government is offering a pay rise to non-union primary teachers as the union’s negotiations continue.   Air NZ CEO Nikhil Ravishankar discussed the price hikes and how long they’ll last, fuel issues, and whether the airline is panicking or not.   Kiwi shot-putter Tom Walsh is back after dominating the summer circuit in New Zealand and talks his KPIs and prep ahead of the Diamond League season and the Commonwealth Games.  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.

The exercise industry is making gains.  New data shows the industry is defying economic headwinds, with 96% of adults —around 2.67 million people— exercising.  Nearly a million are regularly using structured facilities like gyms and studios, making up 26% of adults – up from 22% in 2024.  Exercise NZ CEO Richard Beddie told Mike Hosking whereas traditional sport is on a decline worldwide, recreational fitness such as the gym, dance, and martial arts are growing.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keeping the Marsden Point refinery open would not have helped the current fuel supply situation, as the crude oil it refined would have come from the same choke points as overseas refineries, a senior economic advisor says.  It follows Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones’ statement yesterday that the closure of Marsden Point under Labour had “fatally wounded” New Zealand’s fuel security.  But according to a 2025 fuel security study for the Government, keeping the privately-owned Marsden Point open would have been the mostly costly resilience option, and would only have bought a little more resilience, Heuser Whittington partner Andreas Heuser told Mike Hosking this morning.  “There are much better resilience options such as increasing the tankage in New Zealand, and our transition to EVs will also help us.”  Heuser was confident New Zealand currently had the right settings in place, although it may need to look at updating the minimum stockholding requirements for diesel.  However, if the situation became more serious and led to rationing, the Petroleum Demand Restraint Act 1981 may need updating to reflect that New Zealand no longer had a domestic refinery.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heinz Wattie's says it's just not viable to continue selling frozen vegetables, Gregg's Coffee, and several dips.   It's proposing to close manufacturing facilities in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, packing operations in Hastings, and cut 350 jobs.   Managing Director Andrew Donegan says the past five years have been tough for the company.   He told Mike Hosking it includes big increases in the price of gas, energy, diesel, and coffee.   Donegan says it's meant an almost 40% increase in the cost of producing a ton of vegetables.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unprecedented jet fuel prices are set to cause extensive Air New Zealand flight cancellations, affecting tens of thousands of people.  The airline expects to consolidate 1,100 flights over the next six to eight weeks – impacting about 44 thousand passengers.  It expects to start notifying affected customers from today.  Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar told Mike Hosking at this stage, they're planning to cut frequencies, rather than entire routes.  He says they're in daily —if not hourly— contact with their fuel suppliers and working with the Government on a coordinated response.  They've already had to raise fares to help cover the rising costs, but Ravishankar told Hosking every airline is dealing with similar issues.  He says the airlines have the same or similar playbook for dealing with fuel price shocks like this.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister says they'll continue to work with unionised primary teachers, despite offering pay rises to the rest.   About ten thousand non-union primary teachers have the option to accept pay offers from today after the union's rejected three recent deals.  Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking a third of the workforce are being held up, and deserve a pay rise.   She says they'll continue to sort a deal with union in good faith.   NZEI's Liam Rutherford says the move is a deliberate breach of good faith and undermines teachers' collective bargaining.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some simple observations on part two of the Covid Inquiry.  1) It's cheaper than the British equivalent finished last week that cost over half a billion dollars.  2) It says pretty much what you thought it would.  3) I'm convinced it’s a waste of time because a pandemic response is about the ideology and Government of the day, not medical process.  4) Why do I say that? Read the report. It says numerous times good advice was ignored.  5) Did the Labour Government, broadly, cock it up? Yes.  6) Badly? Yes.  7) The report says, at its heart, people tried hard. They wanted to do the right thing.  8) Is that an acceptable answer? Sort of. But wanting to do well isn't the same as actually doing well.  9) It's hard to work out what's worse – the medical cock-ups or the financial ones.  10) Grant Robertson and his economic vandalism come out of it probably as bad as Jacinda Ardern and her megalomania.  11) They were too slow, I would argue because they were lazy. They sat in Opposition for nine years not expecting to get to Government, they weren't sharp or ready, so not only did Winston hand them a lifeline, they got a pandemic. They never stood a chance. They weren't match fit.  12) It's as much our fault as anyone. A party that gets about 30% support in an MMP election got 50% in 2020. Too many of us loved being told how to wipe our bums and too many of us were too lazy to think and work out where it was all heading.  13) The tide turned and (given any response whether it be a pandemic, war, or just plain policy is reliant on public goodwill) once it did turn Labour were done for.  14) The fact Ardern can't live in the country tells you very clearly how badly the tide turned.  15) I am no more confident today that we are any more ready for a pandemic, although if we can take anything from the report;  16) It’s the recommendation that public debt needs to drop so we can be more ready for an unpredictable world. War, anyone?  17) Neither of the reports were really needed. We are the experts because we lived through it. Some of us still bear the scars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White House says the conflict with Iran will end when Donald Trump decides it will end.  The US President says the mission is almost complete, but the US is "going to go further".  US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says US strikes are ramping up today, the Iranian regime is "totally and decisively defeated", and Iran's leaders are "desperate and scrambling".  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Trump’s giving mixed messages about the timeline of the conflict.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven Iranian football players have now been granted asylum in Australia.  Five players from the women’s team, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, slipped away from the team hotel under the cover of darkness to claim sanctuary from Australian officials, the Australian Government announced.  At least two more members of the team applied to stay later in the day, according to reports.   Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking that those who wanted to return left the country last night, catching a flight to Sydney, then to Kuala Lumpur.   Where they go from now, he says, is uncertain, as commercial flights obviously can’t enter Iranian airspace at the moment.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are spending less time on hold to customer service call centres.  Research from AI platform ServiceNow estimates New Zealanders spent 22 million hours waiting on hold last year – two million less than the year before.  It says banks and retailers have the fastest resolution time of 2.4 days on average, while government and manufacturing lag behind at 6.5 days.  ServiceNow Country Manager Kate Tulp told Mike Hosking the improvements are being driven by AI.  She says 72% of New Zealanders say that they're willing to embrace AI and actually want to use self-service first.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11th of March, we dig into the findings of the Covid Inquiry, and look at just how long Air NZ’s prices will be raised, considering fuel prices have mostly been corrected.   Former Covid Minister Chris Hipkins explains his position on the inquiry.    And on Politics Wednesday, Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk the Covid inquiry and Mark's house in Bali – you'll never believe what he paid for it.    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.

Yesterday saw the release of the results of the second phase of the Inquiry into New Zealand’s Covid-19 response.  Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss the inquiry’s findings – the mistakes, the lockdowns, and the lack of communication.  Plus, Mike is fascinated by Mark’s house in Bali.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing affordability in New Zealand has improved to its best level in almost a decade, according to new data from Cotality.  Lower property values, rising wages and easing mortgage rates have helped reduce pressure on buyers.  Cotality NZ’s Housing Affordability report, covering Q4 in 2025, shows the national value-to-income ratio fell to 7.2 – the lowest level since a brief period in 2019 and before that 2016.  Mortgage servicing costs have improved, with repayments accounting for 42% of gross median household income, down from a peak of 56% in late 2023.  Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson told Mike Hosking that the housing market isn’t cheap and getting into it is not easy, but it’s easier than it’s been for quite some time.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former Covid Response Minister admits some pandemic decisions were mishandled.  The second phase of the Covid inquiry has found New Zealand’s overall response was effective, but the Government went too far with some restrictions and moved too slowly in some areas.  It's recommending new pandemic legislation before future outbreaks and stronger financial reporting.  Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking he recognises his mistakes, in hindsight.  He says he'd would've made decisions about the Auckland lockdown and the roll-out of RAT testing differently.  But he’s defending their Covid spending, saying the inquiry raises questions about what was included as ‘Covid spending’.   Hipkins told Hosking that the category was too broad, and could’ve been broken down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister is highlighting the importance of the Covid-19 Inquiry.   The Royal Commission's second phase report's found overall, New Zealand responded well, but highlighted concerns including the length of Auckland's lockdown.   Health Minister Simeon Brown says it shows the previous Government extended the Auckland lockdown, in spite of official advice saying it was safe to lift.  He told Mike Hosking the report highlights that, as well as the Government’s overspending, causing many of the challenges New Zealand is facing today in terms of inflation and the economy.  Brown says this report was needed, as the previous administration didn’t want to the hard questions to be answered, and the reality is that the lockdowns and their economic impact were significant for New Zealanders.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some people could be put off travel as surging jet fuel costs push up airfares.  Air New Zealand's increasing its domestic fares by $10, its short-haul fares by $20, and its long-haul fares by $90.  Air Chathams is raising its standard fare by $20.  Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director Cath O'Brien told Mike Hosking while it's a little early to say what will happen, it's likely demand will drop.  She says the increase in the price to travel, coupled with the challenge of travelling to certain places, could see people change their plans.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luxon - 1, media - 0.  After no small effort on the media's part to drum up a crisis on a bad poll, there's two important points and we can put this whole nonsense to bed.  1) Luxon doesn’t have a coup brewing. Despite all the detractors' best efforts, there is no one counting numbers. The nearest they have managed to get is Chris Bishop, who was more interested in being in India over the weekend than lining up a new job for the new week.  Also, we don’t vote for Prime Ministers. They are not presidents. We vote for parties and policies and results. If you like National you don’t not vote National because the leader isn't to your taste.  2) The revelation from the Curia poll, that on one hand they tried to tell you how unpopular Luxon was with a net negative rating of -19. It turns out Bishop is about as bad on -14. Erica Stanford is -16. Everyone is underwater.  Chuck in Winston, Seymour, and Hipkins, you'll see no one is in positive territory and that tells you a couple of things as well. We live in an era where likeability is irrelevant because we hate everyone.  Post-Covid we have never got over the funk, so as much as you want to bang on about Luxon not connecting, according to the numbers, no one connects.  It's all over the world. Trump is underwater, Starmer is underwater, Albanese is underwater and Macron is underwater.  Chris Minns who runs New South Wales is popular currently because of his handling of Bondi. Apart from that pick a politician because we hate them all.  In the likeability numbers, the likes of which we see in the TV1 poll, if Hipkins was 50% and Luxon was 20% then that's an issue. But they aren't. They both have been stuck at about 20% forever and all the others are below that.  That's why none of this matters. In the past the polls have shown an answer, a suitor, a name that drives a bit of fizz. We have no such names.  Now, you can debate the merits or otherwise of great leaders with great personalities, or lack of them. But we are where we are and none of the current lot will go down as Churchill's, to paraphrase Trump. And Churchill, by the way, for a lot of the time wasn’t popular either.  So let's see this nonsense for what it is: we are voting on the economy, not show-men. There is no coup, this is but one poll. Mountain versus molehill. A waste of time.  Let's all try and do a lot better. There is too much at stake. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK and France are sending more defence assets to the Middle East as the conflict's death toll ticks over 1700.   Iran has appointed the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader, signalling a defiance to the US and Israel.   Many of the deaths so far have occurred within Iran and Lebanon, with Israel ramping up its strikes.    French President Emmanuel Macron says his country will deploy 10 warships and an aircraft carrier to nearby waters as a defensive measure.  France Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that Macron is saying what most other European leaders are saying – they are there to protect their interests, assets, and citizens.   She says they’re defending their assets and allies in the area, but they’re not getting involved in the wider conflict.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our best up and coming country music talents is being recognised across the ditch.  Zac Griffith is a self-taught musician from Tapawera, near Nelson, and his rise started at the Gold Guitar Awards, which he won in 2023 at the age of 18.   He joined Kaylee Bell on tour last year, and got a co-sign from Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson.   Griffith told Mike Hosking that Bell has been a big influence and cheerleader for him.  “She really has boosted my confidence, especially with taking me on that tour that she did last year,” he explained.   “It’s, you know, getting the praise from people that you look up to – people that are doing what you want to be doing.”  Griffith had won a handful of country music awards before taking home the Gold Guitar, but it was that award that reinforced his path in music.   “Winning that really was, was a testament to me, and was, yeah the thing that made me go, okay, I must be doing alright.”  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.