The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The White House Press Secretary's confirmed federal layoffs could happen within days thanks to the latest United States government shutdown.  Federal funding expired yesterday after Democrats and Republicans failed to get their respective bills through the senate, furloughing thousands of government workers.  Donald Trump is blaming the Democrats, threatening to follow through with mass layoffs in an effort to pressure them to back moves to end the shutdown.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that analysts are estimating approximately 750,000 federal employees will be furloughed.   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.  It was Tim’s birthday yesterday – the big 60. Did he do anything fun to celebrate?  They also touched on All Blacks and injuries ahead of this weekend’s clash, and a very expensive brand of plush toys.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bledisloe Cup is back in storage for another year but the Rugby Championship remains up for grabs for all four teams going into the final round.  The All Blacks are taking on Australia at a sold-out Optus Stadium, while South Africa clashes with Argentina at Twickenham.  Seven changes have been made to the side, with Scott Barrett returning from injury to his position as captain.  Vice-captain Jordie Barrett told Mike Hosking a week is a long time in international rugby, as the game has become so competitive and the margins are so small.  He says they’re making a few adjustments after last week’s game, but the Rugby Championship is there to win if they really want to.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 3rd of October, what is going on with Te Pati Maori? In fights, out fights, and one of the biggest Māori-led activist groups has severed ties. And all of this comes before they “reset” in a week or so.   All Black vice captain Jordie Barrett says we're in for a good chance of reclaiming the Rugby Championship, so long as we beat the Wallabies and South Africa loses to Argentina.  And as they Wrap the Week, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson celebrate Tim turning 60 and Mike shows his empathetic side... he thinks.  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.

New Zealand's electric car market is reaching a tipping point.  Five new Chinese car brands have entered the market in the last two months – Dongfeng being the latest.  Its launch lineup includes three fully electric models, and dealerships are set to open in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch later in the year.   Auto Distributors NZ CEO Simon Rutherford told Mike Hosking the market has shifted over the last few years to be more accepting of EVs.  He says people who are looking to buy a second car are increasingly more likely to consider buying electric, and even in the last year there’s been a shift of about 10% out of pure ICE vehicles into something electrified.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A more analogue type of vacation at a new retreat.  Created by Kiwi Michelin Star Chef Toby Stuart and his wife Sabina Bronicka-Stuart, ‘Slow Stay’ is a luxury retreat over the Abel Tasman.  The idea is to switch off technology and relax, recuperate, recharge, and reconnect with one another and the world around us.   It’s tapping into the global wellness tourism market, which is projected to hit US$2.1 trillion by 2030 – growing at 12% per year.  Stuart told Mike Hosking that while it’s not cheap, there is value for money.  Some of the things included are dinner, breakfast, yoga classes, and wellness facilities, and he says it’s up to guests whether they want to embrace the wellness elements or embrace a bit of indulgence.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's launched an NZTA-backed freight action plan, which will link big airport projects with road and rail.  It'll look at national demand and set up a freight advisory council after calls from the industry to make exports more competitive, and imports more affordable.  Airports Association Chief Executive Billie Moore told Mike Hosking that although the plan focuses on roading, it needs to bring all modes of transport together.  She says there's only so much that can be achieved through airports investing in cargo, if the road connections aren't good enough.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ex-Māori party co-leader suspects problems within the current cohort as an influential former supporter cut ties.   Toitū Te Tiriti's Eru Kapa-Kingi's described the party's leadership as "effectively a dictatorship model".    The party's emailed members overnight, saying it remains committed to transparency, accountability, and unity.  Former co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell told Mike Hosking he's not close to the leadership but based on the last few weeks there could be issues.    Flavell's pointing to the fall out around Takuta Ferris and the removal of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi as whip.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes new welfare requirements for pig farming will streamline how things operate.  The changes include requirements for the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls, as well as requirements for space to grow pigs.  They won't come into force until the end of 2035, so farmers have time to prepare.  Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard told Mike Hosking] this gives the industry certainty in how to move forward.  He says they've been living in a bit of a limbo land for the last five-to-seven years, and it’s affecting confidence in the sector.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forget the detail of the power reforms, because we dealt with them yesterday, let's deal to the politics of it and a habit the Government has that is hurting them.  There is a pattern.  The pattern is the Government tells us there is something wrong, it could be banks, it could be supermarkets, it could be power, or it could be airlines.   The last Government had the same issue – they took on petrol stations.  Their concern is partially real. It's real because 1, there might be bits and pieces of the sector that could do with some tightening or tidying and 2, there is almost always consumer concern.  The consumer angst is part of the problem, because the consumer will always see a problem whether there is one or not. That’s why lazy journalists do vox pops – is butter too expensive? The answer will always be yes. Doesn’t mean that’s a problem a government can solve.  So having stated the problem, you have then created the expectation that you will do something about it.  The trouble with yesterday's power deal was the obligatory report suggested more than what actually eventuated by the time the final decisions were made.  Hence the reputation, and the reputation is of a government that talks a lot, does a lot, but the “a lot” doesn’t amount to much.  Yesterday was your classic example: the Electricity Authority gets clearer riding instructions, big deal, the industry has the perception removed that the government don’t want to get into big projects, a phone call could have done that.  We are to import, in several years time, some LNG – great. Nothing wrong with any of it and it would have landed well if they hadn't given you the sense that Reform —capital letters— was on its way  Personally I never thought the industry was that broken. Labour and their oil and gas debacle hobbled us for several years while we wait for the windmills – bit of coal bridges the gap. Like butter, and indeed airlines, there is generally logic as to why things are the way they are.  The report fell flat not because what was in it made no sense or hurt an industry, but because it had an “is that it?” feel about it.  And it had that feel about it because the Government haven't worked out the balance between hype and reality.  Of their passion projects, where trouble sits, banks, airlines supermarkets, or power – name me the one that’s materially different because of what they did, not what they said.  Politically, that’s their failing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new cookbook and a celebration of the farming sector.  Kiwi Chef Nadia Lim has spent over five years designing her new cookbook, which she says is about paying tribute to the farmers, land, and sustainable food.  ‘Nadia’s Farm Kitchen’ is filled with seasonal recipes, as well as offering a glimpse into life on Royalburn Station with personal stories and anecdotes.  She joined Mike Hosking to discuss the book and for a bit of a trip down memory lane, telling him that looking back, their journey on the farm is quite different to what they originally expected.  “I would describe the whole journey, if I could sum it up, as starting from quite an idealistic place,” Lim told him.  “You know, oh, we’re going to be on this farm and we’re going to diversify and we’re going to have a full farm to plate model, to being chipped away, chipped away at slowly over the years, to definitely becoming a whole lot more realistic.”  “It’s really a game of you win some, you lose some.”   However, despite some mixed results, Lim says they love living on Royalburn Station.  “It might not be the best financial return, but I can tell you it is the best lifestyle return, and you can’t beat that.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 2nd of October, the Government is teaming up with banks to try deliver more social housing – Minister Chris Bishop unpacks the scheme.   Pharmac’s new Chief Executive Natalie McMurtry speaks for the first time on how she plans to lead the entity.  Beloved Kiwi chef Nadia Lim has been working on her new cookbook for about 5-6 years and is on to talk about it and the value of the farm.  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.

Natalie McMurtry says Pharmac's model drew her to the agency's top job.   She is just three weeks into her five-year-contract as chief executive at the drug-buying agency.  The Canadian is tasked with continuing efforts to improve the agency's standing with the New Zealand public after years of degradation.  McMurty told Mike Hosking she’s happy to keep moving forward on the reset plan that’s been put in place.  She says she saw an opportunity to make an impact, and a board that has a great plan in place – one she could get behind.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big headache for NRL bosses ahead of the grand final.  10 stars are reportedly lined up to leave league, defecting to rugby union’s Saudi-backed ‘R360’, including Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomaz, and Warriors winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.  The competition is targeting an October 2026 start date.  But Australian Sports Journalist Jim Dolan confirmed to Mike Hosking that no one has officially signed onto the project yet.  He says there’s no coaches, no venues, and while there’s plenty of talk of money coming in from around the world, no one’s actually put their hand up and confirmed they’re investing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a view the property market will continue to be in buyers' favour for some time, despite values edging up.  Cotality data shows property values in New Zealand ticked up by 0.1% in September, following a cumulative 1.6% drop over the five months to August.  Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says regional New Zealand properties are faring better.  He told Mike Hosking that 2026 is looking better, but right now things are pretty flat.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corrections says a steep increase in prison assaults is due to better reporting of incidents.  New data shows there were more than 2600 assaults in the last financial year.   It includes more than 1500 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, and more than 1000 on staff.   Custodial Services Commissioner Leigh Marsh told Mike Hosking they've been working hard to improve how they deal with these incidents.  He says the encouragement of reporting assaults has seen an increase in the number of non-injury assaults being reported, which where the biggest number lies.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Housing Minister's working to strengthen our community housing sector with a new loan scheme.  The Government will take on some of the risk of bank loans to eligible community housing providers.  It says the move should lead to more social homes with better lending conditions and lower priced loans.  Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking Kāinga Ora currently borrows through the Government's low rates, which gives them a competitive advantage.  He's trying to create a housing system that delivers warm and dry social houses, no matter who owns them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mercury Energy says the Government's new energy plan gives it confidence to keep investing in projects.  It's offering Crown-controlled companies more capital to invest in generation projects, establishing a Liquefied Natural Gas import facility, and giving the Electricity Authority greater power.  CEO Stew Hamilton told Mike Hosking businesses now have some form of clarity.  He says it allows them to keep building at pace, adding they're on the right track, as more power projects have been delivered in the last 18 months than the past 15 years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dixon Street building debacle surely allows us to ask some questions of the Treaty process.  If you missed it, Dixon St Apartments sold for a million dollars to local Māori under their Treaty deal – the Treaty deal had a first right of refusal clause.   Now my assumption, clearly incorrect, is you would get first right of refusal based on the idea that something of cultural or historic significance was coming to the market, and as local iwi you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity.  I didn’t realise this was a commercial free for all, where anything and everything for sale goes to local Māori first.  Further, I had assumed, clearly wrongly as well, that in having a first right of refusal, that meant that long lost treasure, whether historic or cultural, would be returned to said iwi to be honoured and looked after in perpetuity, not flicked off for quick profit.  So obviously nothing like that is remotely part of the Treaty deals. So first question: why not?  Next question is: if it isn't, is it commercially acceptable to have a race-based clause when it comes to real estate?  And even if it is, is it commercially acceptable to sell stuff cheap?  For if you haven't followed the story, five minutes after buying the building, the new owners sold it on for $3 million.  So under a special deal signed for, on our behalf, by our government, we, the taxpayer, lose $2 million on one building.  Next question: how could a Crown agency, i.e. Kainga Ora, think $1 million was a good price for something that was clearly worth $3 million?  And in that is the problem with not involving the free market.  Next question: did anyone involved in the cloistered deal know what they were doing, and if not, given its taxpayers’ dosh, why not?  Another question: was the Treaty process designed so tribes could get into real estate speculation? At what point was a Treaty settlement about putting past wrongs right versus turning tribes into speculators?  This was a bad deal. The original owners of Dixon St, us, got stiffed.  And we got stiffed because of a race-based real estate clause that arguably should never have been part of an historic arrangement in the first place.  Final question: what are we going to do about it? Or more worryingly, is there anything we can do about it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen are calling in from airports in Italy and Auckland to delve into the biggest topics of the week so far.  Local body elections are looming – how can we raise the involvement rate?  Plus, a raft of changes to both the earthquake-prone building system and the energy sector were announced in the last two days.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 1st of October, we get an insight into whether Hamas is likely to accept Trump’s proposed peace plan.  The Government has announced their plan for energy reform – boom or bust? Energy Minister Simon Watts unpacked the announcement.   Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen join us from airports in Italy and Auckland for Politics Wednesday, discussing local body elections, changes to the earthquake-prone building system, and the electricity announcement.  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 Government’s opting to provide capital to Crown-controlled power companies instead of reshaping its role in the energy sector.  Genesis, Mercury, and Meridian have been assured funding is available for major infrastructure projects.  A procurement process for a Liquefied Natural Gas facility has also been launched, which Energy Minister Simon Watts says will start on Monday.  He told Mike Hosking Cabinet will aim to make a decision by Christmas to get supply into the country as soon as possible.  Watts says their shortest timeline has supply arriving by Winter of 2027, but if a more traditional route is used, it’s more likely to come by 2028 or 2029.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's revealed progress is being made towards their mental health and addiction targets.  The latest data shows 80.3% of New Zealanders are accessing specialist mental health and addiction support within three weeks.  However, that percentage is carried by eight of the 20 regions, leaving behind Northland, Gisborne, and Canterbury.  Clinical Psychologist Dr Dougal Sutherland told Mike Hosking the access to specialist services was a positive surprise, as it’s not necessarily what he’d heard.  He says he’s cautiously optimistic about the progress, but there is still room for improvement.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fresh blueprint has been developed to boost Dunedin's future.   Business South's new targets include delivering more than 15 thousand high-value jobs by 2034, welcoming 150 new businesses a year by 2029, and growing Māori-owned businesses by 129% in four years.   CEO Mike Collins says the goals may be stretched, but are going to be remarkable, with many motivated people backing the growth.   He told Mike Hosking they're firing up some wraparound support services that would identify the gaps in a business’ practices and match them up to what they need.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmac believes it makes sense to leave the day-to-day stuff to Health NZ.   The Associate Health Minister and Minister Simeon Brown have jointly announced the national agency and drug-buyer can both procure medical devices.  Pharmac will focus on more-technical equipment —due to its level of clinical input and assessment— and Health NZ on bulk-buying standard items.  Pharmac Chair Paula Bennett told Mike Hosking it clears up uncertainty around who does what.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister says uncertainty around Donald Trump's tariffs is most concerning, following threats he'll impose a 100% tariff on all movies made outside the US.  The US President didn't confirm when or how it could be enacted in a post on social media, which followed an initial threat on foreign-produced movies in May.  Todd McClay told Mike Hosking he was in Malaysia last week with other trade ministers, who are all dealing with the rolling wall of announcements with no clarity.  He says Trump's social media announcements are creating a lot of uncertainty, and Hollywood won't know what's going on.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's proposed peace deal for Gaza is bringing some hope and optimism.  The deal would end the war, and requires all hostages to be returned, Israeli troops to be pulled out of Gaza, and would allow Trump to lead an interim Government.   It's being supported by our Foreign Minister Winston Peters as well as European and Middle Eastern leaders.  The Economist Middle East Correspondent Greg Carlstrom told Mike Hosking it's good to see a serious proposal.  He says it's an actual plan to end the war, unlike Trump's wild suggestion in February to depopulate Gaza and turn it into a beach resort.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes that investment will flow into the energy sector once Government reforms are announced.  Energy Minister Simon Watts will unveil the changes this morning, targeting issues the market hasn’t been able to resolve on its own.  The Government ordered the review last year after gas supply issues and soaring wholesale prices.  Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge told Mike Hosking the industry needs support for renewable investment already under way as no one wants that momentum lost.  He says the most important thing for the country is continued investment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a move you could have seen coming from the moment it was first announced, or if you couldn’t see it coming you hoped it would come, Auckland University has decided its Waipapa Taumata Rau course will now be optional instead of compulsory.  For a generation who have been appallingly let down over the Covid period by Government and education decisions, the Auckland University desire to force you into Māori courses seemed not just ill advised, but cruel.  Kids of the past half dozen years have been soaked, to the point of drowning, in Māori issues and doctrine in their schooling and they are sick of it.  The Labour Government's obsession with race has had the opposite effect intended. It didn’t cajole and encourage, it rammed and forced and overwhelmed us with condescending overlord-type instruction.  University is not about being told what to learn, it was supposed to be the opposite.  From our personal experience this year it appeared to us that the course was not just ill conceived, but shonkily run by people barely qualified to deliver a curriculum that seemed largely made up with no real focus or discipline.  Students hated it, resented it, and were dragged kicking and screaming through it.  Not just that, but to add insult to injury you had to pay for it. They forced you into it, then sent you a bill.  As in all these areas of race the trick has always been that if you seek it, want it, desire it, whether broader study or the specific language, it's freely available and fill your boots.  But the determination to square peg it only ever led to pushback and resentment.  The last thing I would have thought universities wanted to do was put people off study.  Once again from personal experience, we know people who not only avoided Auckland University, but in fact ended up studying offshore. None of this is a desirable outcome for the country.  The upside is when asked by the university the feedback was as you would have expected. And to their credit they have at least read the room and backed off.  But not before another year for thousands has been lost in a whirlpool of woke-enforced nonsense that never had to be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our brightest musical talents is making waves across the ditch, just in time for some new music to drop.  Cassie Henderson arrived on our screens in 2014, competing on X-Factor at 14 years old, and making it all the way to the quarterfinals.  She stepped away from music for a while, before returning to the industry in 2023, quitting her job to pursue music fulltime.  Since then, Henderson’s won awards, released new music, and is currently competing on the The Voice Australia. “It was the biggest opportunity for me to grow, and rise up, and test myself,” she said of performing on TV.  “I get messages a lot from young people in New Zealand saying that I inspire them, which is always a huge dream, but it’s almost a little bittersweet because I know how long I’ve been working at this, and I know how long I haven’t had success for.”  “It’s a really tough gig, but it's always been my passion, and it’s what I love the most in the world, so it’s no question for me.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 30th of September, the Government is changing the earthquake-prone building system in a common sense move for this country that will free up billions.    We also have new data on our health targets and they are going, slowly, in the right direction – Health Minister Simeon Brown unpacks the results.   Kiwi singer Cassie Henderson is in for a song and chat - you'll love her!  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 Reserve Bank's conceded earlier or more aggressive OCR hikes may have reduced inflation sooner.  It's been reviewing its response to the recent three-year period of high inflation.  Chief Economist Paul Conway says the central bank was also required to maintain maximum sustainable employment.  It had limited data and less accurate forecasts due to Covid uncertainty.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Mike Hosking the bank will absolutely draw lessons from the report, just as they did with things like the Christchurch earthquake.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could a New Zealand-based team join the Big Bash T20 cricket competition?  NZC governing body chief executive Scott Weenink says they are investigating whether joining the Australian league is viable.  Cricket Australia is mulling over expansion options – Singapore, New Zealand, and Canberra have been deemed candidates.  Weenink told Mike Hosking they’ve been in talks for about a year about the potential of adding a men’s and women’s team to the Big Bash.  If it were to happen, he says it wouldn’t be at the expense of Super Smash, as it’s important to have a strong domestic competition in New Zealand as well.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It appears other countries are still thirsty for our wine.   The New Zealand Winegrowers 2025 Annual Report states exports are sitting at more than $2 billion per annum, fuelling investment in 42-thousand hectares of vineyards.  The US remains the major export market despite a 3% drop at $762 million, and newer Asian markets are doing well.  NZ Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan says balancing supply and demand, and growing markets remain the two major challenges, which they're prepared to meet.  He told Mike Hosking there are lots of market opportunities out there for the industry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police scrapped millions of dollars from crime prevention to meet the Government's savings expectations ahead of this years' budget.  The cuts were found in funding to burglary prevention programmes.  Documents show Treasury had warned funding cuts could lead to higher cost and more crime in the longer term.  But Police chief operating officer Andrea Conlan says difficult decisions had to be made in order to be fiscally responsible.  She told Mike Hosking prevention is a key focus across the organisation, so it’s not about reducing their effort or focus on prevention.  Conlan says the specific initiatives were identified as areas in which the money could be moved and reinvested.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister acknowledges more work's needed to ensure the Government's targets are met in every region.  Data shows there's been improvements around cancer treatment access, childhood immunisation rates, ED stays, and wait times.  But regional averages paint a different picture, with Counties Manukau and Auckland going backwards in ED wait times.  Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking that decrease is due to localized factors.  He says there's been a significant increase in people turning up to those hospitals' EDs, which has an impact on wait times.  Child immunisation rates have seen the biggest lift among the targets.   The proportion of children fully immunised by age two is up more than five points, to 82 percent.  Brown told Hosking significant work is going into lifting immunisation rates to avoid declines like those seen in the US.  He says they're investing more money and working with primary care, but adds that some regions need more work.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Building and Construction Minister says new earthquake building rules are more nuanced. Changes to the rules will remove Auckland, Northland, and the Chatham Islands from the regime.  Coastal Otago, including Dunedin, will be classified as a medium seismic hazard area, and will remain within the earthquake-prone building system  Building Minister Chris Penk says the rules are ultimately designed to protect life.   He told Mike Hosking under the current system some owners were unable to afford the upgrades.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday the 26th of September, the Corrections Association speak on almost running out of money already due to growing prisoner numbers. The Prime Minister joins for his regular Monday chat to talk the Palestine call and power reform coming this week. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine cover off the All Blacks test, the netball and plenty of other non-related sport chat too! 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.

If you watched Winston Peters speech in New York late Saturday morning you can see why he did so well last week in the Herald's boardroom feedback. For the bloke who has been the epitome of aggro and grumpiness, in his better moments he is as good a foreign minister as this country has ever had. Politically, the announcement and its build-up got dragged out way longer than it ever needed to and therefore took up too much oxygen at a time when we really should be focusing on vastly more pressing local issues. No matter what we said the eyes of the world were never really on us, despite the hysteria of too many in our media landscape who have little or no grip on perspective. But given we were to say something, what we did say was logical and sensible, unlike what was said by many far larger countries earlier in the week. The United Nation's greatest weakness is its reliance on hot air as opposed to substance, which is why we landed where we did in our declaration. Just saying stuff counts for nothing. It's too easy, which is why too many people do it. By the time Peters had finished the week, he had done some excellent truth bomb work. On climate he is indisputably right - we make a lot of promises we know aren't going to come to pass. On Gaza we are all appalled at the outworkings of hate. But recognising things doesn’t stop that hate, or the war, or have the food flow, or the hostages released. Essentially we should expect more of both Israel and the Palestinians. Don't ask for recognition while you still refuse to release hostages. When there is something a lot more tangible New Zealand is ready to recognise progress. Progress is tangible. Words aren't. The idea that a lot of people saying stuff builds momentum is simply untrue and we have seen that in the past week. A peace, if there is to be one, will be driven by the Americans, who will corral the Israelis to a point of some sort of submission or agreement. Albanese and Starmer and Carney and all the rest of them played true to the usual lightweight, verbal frippery that’s made the U.N famous. We at least told it like it is. It was a good moment for a small country.  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 AFL semi finals draw 100,000 fans to each game. Liam Lawson finished 5th in Baku to secure his best ever finish in F1. And what should the Black Ferns take away from their defeat in the Rugy World Cup semi finals? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says Winston Peters has articulated New Zealand's position on Gaza well.  Over the weekend the Foreign Minister announced that New Zealand would NOT recognise Palestinian statehood,  yet.  Chris Luxon says Hamas is the de facto government and a designated terrorist organisation in New Zealand.  He told Mike Hosking that New Zealand's also called out the excessive response of Israel.  Luxon says we're a friend to both groups and are focused on peace.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Kiwi dollar continues to weaken against the Australian dollar, hitting a three-year low last week. The NZD is currently trading at 88 cents off the back of soft GDP growth and rate cuts, and concerns are raising as China's economic rebound could widen the gap further. Investment director for Craigs investment partners Mark Lister told Mike Hosking that New Zealand's rate cuts are having a stronger impact on the economy than Australia's. 'We are obviously looking at more rate cuts than we expected and not for the right reasons.' LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has decided against recognising a Palestinian state. Foreign minister Winston Peters argues that the move would be counter-productive, but he retains the "when, not if" stance.  CBS News correspondent in Jerusalem Linda Gradstein told Mike Hosking that Israelis are worried about a 'diplomatic front turning against Israel.'  She said that the public want the war to end as the international community's opinion of Israel grows increasingly negative. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International students are loving their time in New Zealand, as new data shows a steady recovery in enrolments. The 2025 International Student Experience Survey shows the number of students enrolled in domestic institutes, has increased 16% to almost 64,000 since 2024. It found 87% of students gave a positive rating of their overall experience. Education New Zealand Chief Executive Amanda Malu told Mike Hosking that students value the connections they make, the overall living experience, and the visa process. She says there's a 10% jump in students finding the via process positive. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The argument over our Corrections Minister's looking through rose tinted glasses continues, as the organisation begins to run out of new money.  A $98million boost in this year's Budget was expected to last until June, when the population was projected to hit 10,800 - but that milestone is already nearly met. Despite this, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says there's no looming crisis. Corrections Association President Floyd du Plessis told Mike Hosking says this is a rosy version of the truth as staff are well and truly short. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are apparently going to hear about major electricity sector reform from the Minister this coming week.  The final touches are being sorted.  Simon Watts calls them fundamental. He refers to the last time it was this major as being in the 90's.  So are they going to split the gentailers?  The Government's history would suggest no. They have been talking big on banks and supermarkets, and they've made plenty of announcements, but little has actually happened.  Why would this be any different?  This Government has also argued, rightly, that business likes consistency. When the last lot talked about Onslow and the lake and the hole in the ground, the industry stopped investing.  So would splitting the big players not cause the same trouble?  But in the report that is driving the Government's thinking we have seen an astonishing increase in the basic power bill.  In 2021 we spent $4.4 billion. The next year was $4.5 billion. In 2023 we spent $4.8 billion on power bills. In 2024 it was $5.2 billion.  So it's increased from $4.4 billion to 5.2 billion, and you wonder why you don’t have any spare cash.  On average the basic household power bill since 2023 has gone up $400 each and every year.  We can explain some of it on renewables. We need investment but we still haven't closed the gap. We still panic in winter, and that’s before you get to all the AI and data centres that will presumably suck us dry.  By the way, on the renewable front, Contact Energy are looking at pulling more water out of Lake Hawea. That’s if they can get past the locals, who of course hate it.  In that is part of the New Zealand problem – nimbyism. You can't moan about the bills and also moan about the solutions.  Everyone wants utopia, but don’t want to pay for it, or have any of it happen in their backyard.  So, stand by. Maybe it's fundamental, maybe it's a government looking to spin some more PR.  I think though what we all agree on is we need more power, and the damage the current scenario is doing to the economy can't go on. 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.    Donald Trump: 2/10  Possibly his worst and easily his maddest week yet. Tylenol, the war, Jimmy Kimmel, James Comey, the visas, the escalator, and the teleprompter. Unhinged doesn't even come close.    Jimmy Kimmel: 7/10  Won the moral ground on free speech.    Disney: 2/10  Lost the morale ground by being spineless, and putting their prices up.    Fonterra: 9/10  The numbers and the success are amazing.    The Ranfurly Shield: 7/10  It's changed hands four times this season and the last two have been sensational games.    Palestine: 4/10  Are you as surprised as I am that after all those pledges of recognition the war hasn't stopped, the food hasn't flowed, and Hamas are still open for business in Qatar?    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has had as bad a week as any he's had.  The difference that made it stand out was that he looks increasingly unhinged.  It was not the UN speech. That was classic Trump – a lot of made-up stuff and grandiose pomposity.  It sort of wasn’t the visas, given at its core it's also classic Trump. They want Americans hired, not immigrants, which is on brand. Chaotic, but on brand.  It wasn’t even Jimmy Kimmel. Celebrating the demise of someone is a sad trait but, once again, on brand, even though Kimmel is back and Trump's stance on free speech looks decidedly mad or non-existent.  The real turn of events was the war and Tylenol.  For a bloke who was sorting Putin out on day one, and who told Zelenskyy he didn’t have any cards, the about-face seems astonishing, if not worrying.  The pivot hands the problem to NATO and the EU, but what was he thinking taking it on in the first place?  Putin has schooled him, spanked him, and humiliated him. He has that, as yet, unexplained hold over him that no one can understand.  Then we come to autism. In watching the heavily touted announcement, the one we had been waiting for for 20 years, he didn’t seem to have a clue as to what he was talking about.  The Amish were raised, the ingredient was mispronounced and stumbled over, and as a result pretty much anyone in health globally called it a pile of nonsensical rubbish.  The basis of Trumpism is making America great again – there are too many migrants, too many bad trade deals, and an economy that isn't performing up to scratch. All of that is understandable and it's what got the votes.  Yes, there was a chaotic, comedic, braggadocios style to it all. But at its base, if you were of a certain disposition, it kind of made sense, and you can't argue against the electoral success.  But as the months have unfolded, it's gotten madder and more unhinged and wandered off into areas of extreme improvisation.    It all culminated this week in complete humiliation over the war and a pronouncement in an area, i.e. health, that he clearly has zero experience and expertise in, and clearly has listened too much to his nutty friend with the odd voice.  Disagreeing with his policy approach is politics, but being seen as a global clown undermines his reputation and that of the entire country.  And that’s where he took it this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a belief a shooter in Dallas, Texas, was motivated by violent ideology and divisive rhetoric.   One detainee is dead and two more are critically injured after a rooftop sniper fired indiscriminately at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Facility, also known as ICE yesterday.   The gunman later died from a self-inflicted gunshot.   Dallas ICE Director Joshua Johnson says it's being investigated as an act of targeted violence.    US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the shooter reportedly left behind notes including a game plan of the attack and target areas at the facility.  One note reportedly says he wanted to give ICE agents a sense of “terror”, the shooter describing ICE employees as "people showing up to collect a dirty pay check".  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday has come which means it’s time for Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson to Wrap the Week with Mike Hosking.  They discussed Mike’s interview with Scott Roberson, whether or not Producer Sam should hit confirm on his holiday booking in Asia, and whether it's time to cancel your streaming subscriptions.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.