The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Sir John Key says the Reserve Bank deserves much of the blame for the latest sharp drop in GDP.  Our economy's contracted 0.9% in the June quarter.  The Government says international turmoil and uncertainty over tariffs have driven the fall, which was much larger than expected.  Key told Mike Hosking the OCR was also a major factor.  He says two months ago he was criticised for calling for the OCR to come down 100-basis points, but that will probably now happen by Christmas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having argued the other week for compulsory KiwiSaver, it was sort of ironic, but probably lucky, that several reports came out post the comments that wanted the same thing.  Then enter Winston who wants it as well, and will pay for it, apparently with tax cuts.  Of course the tax cuts are completely unaffordable, but it doesn’t make the compulsion a bad idea.  I personally am not for compulsion, but it seems the only way to solve our never-ending inability to save.  Here is what possibly is the defining argument: a bloke called John O'Malley, who works for Deloitte, has written a paper on creditor and debtor nations.  That is when you take all of a country's financial dealings with the world and work out who owes what.  Places like Germany and Japan and Switzerland are what they call "creditor nations". They are owed money.  The debtor nations owe the money. It will not surprise you that New Zealand is a debtor nation.  Australia, which is where the paper originated, is what they call a "switcher nation". In other words, Australia has been a debtor, but the numbers have reversed dramatically. Net foreign liabilities have gone from 63% of GDP in 2016 to 32%, to now 24%.  If it keeps going, you're a creditor nation.  How have they done this? Well, it's through a number of things because economies are complex, but no small contributor has been superannuation.   Former Labor Treasurer Paul Keating introduced compulsion in 1992 from employee and employer, and they have never looked back.  Yes, they had the usual arguments – it cuts into pay rises, it's unaffordable, etc. But 30-something years later the proof is in the numbers. We have an average KiwiSaver of $30,000-ish. They have an average of $130,000-ish.  Recently, for the first time, they could say a person starting work and working for 40 years on an average salary could look forward to retiring in comfort.  So, a problem solved. They don’t debate retirement and its cost, and the wealth created makes them on the verge of being a creditor nation, joining the heavyweights like Japan and Germany and Switzerland.  So New Zealand or Australia? Who would you rather be?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US President's been treated to a day of processions, gifts and flypasts in his second state visit to the UK.  Donald Trump's attending a state banquet at Windsor Castle, hosted by King Charles, with about 150 other guests.  The King is cherishing the close ties between American and British people, saying the ocean may divide the two countries, but they're the 'closest of kin.'  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking they’re flinging every bit of royal regalia that they can at Trump in order to curry favour, and it seems to be working.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another case of a Kiwi punching above his weight.  Hailing from Christchurch, 20 year old motorsport driver Jacob Douglas is currently competing in the USF Pro 2000 Circuit over in the States.  He’s on the road to IndyCar, and has just wrapped up the season, finishing 5th overall and securing a win and eight podiums.  At age 16 Douglas made the move to America in order to chase his dreams, and told Mike Hosking at the time he didn’t realise how big of a deal it was.  “I was kind of just, y’know, another Kiwi going off overseas to chase my goals in sports,” he said.  “But it was a great experience, and yeah, I loved every minute of it.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamilton's first domestic jet service in 25 years will connect thousands of people to Christchurch every year.  Air New Zealand's Airbus A320 service will operate alongside two smaller planes, to be deployed to other parts of the regional network.  From today the 171-seat domestic jet will leave Christchurch at 3pm five days a week and return from Hamilton just after 5pm.  Waikato Chamber of Commerce CEO Don Good told Mike Hosking Air NZ wouldn’t have put a plane on that route if there wasn’t demand.  He says they’ve seen the opportunity and believe that it will grow.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 18th of September, we look at the predictions of how bad Q2 was economically, and whether this is the worst of it.   Some extraordinary new numbers when it comes to youth crime that shows the Government is starting to get the issue under control.  Young motorsport driver Jacob Douglas details his path to IndyCar and why he moved to the US by himself at only 16 years old.   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.

Top musicians are taking their music off Spotify and leaving the platform behind – but why?  Kiwi musicians like Tiki Taane and The Bats have joined overseas acts like Deerhoof and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard in boycotting the platform, accusing it of exploitation, poor royalties, and subsidising big international acts.  As it stands, each stream earns an artist around one-twentieth of a New Zealand cent.  Tech commentator Paul Spain told Mike Hosking artists are making a fair point, as Spotify has been increasing their prices, but not artist payouts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The vast majority of New Zealand's foreign tourist levy is being held on to by the Government.  Budget documents show up to $139 million is being banked from the International Visitor Levy for Crown spending.  This year's budget allocated $55 million a year to spending in conservation and $35 million to new spending in tourism from a pot of almost $230 million.  Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka told Mike Hosking it helps cover the costs of all things used by tourists, not just things like conservation.  He says tourists also use the health system and roads, not just conservation estates and tourism areas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Children's Minister is attributing a reduction in youth reoffending to boot camps, even though they haven't started yet.   The Government says serious and persistent young offending has dropped by more than 14% since June 2023.   Northland experienced the greatest decrease at 40%.   Minister Karen Chhour told Mike Hosking there have been significant developments.   She says they've learnt a lot from the military-style academy pilot, which has informed other programmes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frustration from farmers over Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a nitrate emergency.  It voted —nine to seven— for the declaration after groundwater testing found levels of the chemical increasing in the majority of monitored sites.  Federated Farmers Vice President Colin Hurst told Mike Hosking solving this problem can take a number of years, but farmers have been working on it.  He says ECan's put a wedge between farmers and council after yesterday's decision.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many are predicting a fall in GDP for quarter two.   Stats NZ will release the figures later this morning, just before 11am.  The Reserve Bank expects a 0.3% drop while bank economists are more pessimistic.   Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Mike Hosking there are worrying trends.   He says the construction sector is still in a downturn, while manufacturing has seen a fall after a decent first quarter.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If it's any help to those chained to Nicola Willis' office, there is a decent piece I read yesterday asking whether Israel was heading towards a South Africa moment.  In an interview this week, Netanyahu seemed to accept some sort of isolation was a price his country was, and is, paying for as a result of the war.  But none of that has been brought about by people chaining themselves to door handles.  Nor would the cause have been advanced in any way, shape, or form by Nicola taking communion with them. Nor indeed by the march that wandered through parts of Auckland over the weekend.  What has led the war to the point it is, is severalfold.  Firstly, Hamas started it. That is an indisputable fact. The raid of two years ago was entirely on them.  What happened next has happened numerous times in one form or another.  Hamas starts it, Israel responds. They have responded the way they have this time, once again, for a couple of reasons.  1) It was a particularly brazen attack.  2) America has a president that doesn’t mind the sort of retaliation that has taken place.  Never before have we seen drawings of a new Middle East, with millions of Gazans living in a Trump-like Floridian Eutopia.  Now, it's fair to suggest events of the last few days i.e. the attack in Qatar, has pushed the Americans to the limit, if not beyond.  But you will note that Rubio is currently in the Middle East and still shaking hands with Netanyahu and still happy to be in the photo.  In the meantime, back here, nuns are chained to door handles, people wave flags and the angst in the media over whether we will recognise Palestine next month in New York is palpable.  But to reiterate, at no point do any of our actions make a jot of difference. Once this particular chapter is over, in whatever form that takes, we will go back to a relatively stable period of co-existence.  Until someone does something stupid all over again, which of course they will.  This story has been told many, many times over. When hate drives the narrative nothing ever really changes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 22-year-old charged with allegedly killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has made his first appearance in court.  Tyler Robinson is facing seven charges including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.  Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University last week.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, which is something Trump had called for.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things have been heating up in the political sphere, so Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into the latest developments.  They discussed the decision to close Auckland’s Harbour Bridge for a protest, before the wind changed the plans, free speech and the right to protest, and the latest in the situation with Te Pati Māori and the tricky spot Labour seems to be in.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 17th of September, data reveals the chance of going to prison is at an all-time high, but only 15% of criminals are going behind bars.  The Black Caps’ new coach is in for a word ahead of the 20th anniversary of T20s and our series against Australia. Keen sports fans will know that the first ever T20 was played between NZ and Australia.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen spar over the Te Pati Māori's comments and John Tamihere’s endorsement of them 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.

New Zealand’s creative sector has much more impact on the economy than commonly believed.  The sector is now the country’s fourth-largest export industry, worth $13 billion a year and supporting 100,000 jobs.   It’s also more productive than agriculture, with each worker generating $346,000 a year compared to $317,000.  Toi Mai Workforce Development Council CEO Claire Robinson told Mike Hosking it’s bigger than wine, fruit, and seafood – all industries we think are part of our economic narrative.  But despite this, she says, the creative sector doesn’t have a voice or a seat around the cabinet table.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A chance for the Black Caps to build depth and experience in the Chappell-Hadlee T20 series against Australia at home.  The 14-man squad's been depowered by injury.  Regular skipper Mitchell Santner, Will O'Rourke, Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne are sidelined, while Kane Williamson's unavailable.  Coach Rob Walter told Mike Hosking it’s all part of the build-up to the T20 World Cup next year and in the same breath, series against Australia are always ultra-competitive.  He says they’re taking it one series, one game at a time, but still keeping an eye on what’s happening in the future.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food prices are continuing to rise, with a 5% increase in the year to August.  Dairy continues to be the main driver, with the price of milk rising 16%, cheese 26%, and butter 32%.   Meat, poultry, and fish followed behind, up 8.1% annually.  Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking what they see is a pretty clear correlation between current prices and global markets.  He says it’s a good time to be a farmer now but it may not always be the case, and you only have to go back to the 23/24 season in which the headline milk price was below the cost of production to see that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government wants to see more careers in the aviation sector take off.   It's launched the first ever aviation strategy which is designed to future proof the sector, and promote tourism and economic growth.   Associate Transport Minister James Meager says he wants to make it quicker and easier for people to train while keeping standards high.   He told Mike Hosking there are some barriers which need to be looked at.   Meager says it costs about $100 thousand to train and it's slower than other countries.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows hospitals were, on average, 587 nurses short every shift last year.  A Nurses Organisation Infometrics report analysed Te Whatu Ora data from 1.69 million shifts from 2022 to 2024 in 59 public hospitals.  Last year saw a slight improvement on 2023, when the shortage averaged 684 nurses per shift.  Former Health New Zealand Chair Rob Campbell told Mike Hosking it confirms that issues facing the health system are dire.  He says nurses have had to face people telling them they're wrong about the issues, but now it's clear they aren't.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than seven thousand people have been sent to prison following a conviction.  Ministry of Justice data shows the proportion of convicted charges leading to prison sentences has reached an all-time high at 27%.  People convicted of robbery, sexual offences, and homicides have the highest imprisonment rates.  Criminal defence lawyer Steve Cullen told Mike Hosking it's worrying to see such a large number of people involved in illegal activity.  He says it could be due to a wave of young people coming through, social media, or gang and drug influences.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I see the plan.  Labour is sweating the current Māori Party meltdown, so they have rolled out Willie Jackson, who claims Takuta Ferris is handing political extremists ammunition to paint the Māori Party as too weird to ever do business with Labour.  There are several problems with the plan.  Firstly, post the by-election Willie has no credibility.  Willie couldn’t win a raffle, far less a vote. And not only couldn’t he win the vote, he couldn’t get anyone out to even contemplate voting. What we saw a couple of weeks ago in Auckland was the biggest by-election shambles in many a long year.  The next problem is the Māori Party are too wacky to ever be in Government, Ferris or no Ferris. In citing Ferris as some sort of issue, you are forgetting Packer, Waititi, and Maipi-Clark, and all the others who found themselves in front of the Privileges Committee and sanctioned in a way we had not seen previously.  These are not people remotely interested in working with others.  In that is the real issue for Labour. It's not the Māori Party's problem.  If the Māori Party weren't attached to a centre-left bloc by polling, none of this Ferris nonsense would be of any interest to anyone.  But because mathematically they are needed in an invented deal for polling purposes, they take on a larger importance.  Without them Labour stand zero chance in the election next year.  To make the story interesting, the pollsters and the media have to align all three parties otherwise the narrative doesn’t work.  Then there's the other issue for Willie: the so-called "political extremists" he talks of. Another name for them is middle New Zealand, who saw what Labour, and Labour alone, did with Māoridom 2020-2023 with the obsession, the name changes, the new rules and courses and the compulsion around all things Māori. Talk about turning the punter off with obsession.  Between the Greens with their Palestine and wealth tax fascination and the Māori Party and their separatism, no wonder Labour are worried.  They have freaks for friends. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Davies is a well-known funnyman.  He’s best known for starring in Jonathan Creek and for his permanent spot on QI, as well as his nearly 40 years of stand-up comedy.  Davies has had a busy career, and in amongst it all he’s written two memoirs, Just Ignore Him, released in 2020, and White Male Stand-Up, released just this month.  In both the memoir and his latest stand-up performances, Davies covers his extensive career, the highs, the lows, and the struggles he’s had with the abuse he experienced as a child.   He joined Mike Hosking for a chat, delving into his struggles, comedy, and White Male Stand-Up.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 16th of September, the state of our economy took another hit with the 18th straight month of contractions in our services sector. Q2 GDP numbers on Thursday will be fascinating.  Yet again we are looking at Eden Park and whether more concerts could be held there. Can we just get on and do something about it?  Alan Davies of Jonathan's Creek and QI fame is on for a chat about his new book titled "White Male Stand-Up".  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 Gisborne forestry industry wants to manage expectations when it comes to cleaning up slash.   One company is appealing the district council's order, which would force it to prevent all woody debris from leaving a forestry block.   Samnic Forest Management says it would likely go bankrupt if the order were to go ahead.   Forest Owners Association Chief Executive Elizabeth Heeg told Mike Hosking there must be a compromise.   She says the judiciary must understand what is and isn't feasible for the industry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wētā Workshop has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Saudi Arabian princess.  The agreement is part of five new commercial partnerships signed by Kiwi and Saudi businesses, valued at $100 million.  Creative organisation Rukun was founded by HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and will work with Wētā to help grow Saudi Arabia's creative economy.  Wētā Workshop co-CEO and COO David Wilks told Mike Hosking they’ve increasingly diversified over the years, and Saudi Arabia is the next step in the process.  He says the opportunities are significant – the country is changing at a great rate and is looking for the kinds of talents Wētā has.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our largest sector is continuing to do it tough.  Latest data from BNZ and Business NZ shows our services sector —which makes up almost three quarters of the economy— has contracted for the 18th consecutive month.  Our manufacturing sector is also back in contraction after a period of growth.  Business NZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking we're still seeing a tale of two economies.  She says the primary sector is doing quite well, but the services sector is continuing to face challenges.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Government paper suggests gas demand could outpace supply before the turn of the decade.   The briefing from Resources Minister Shane Jones delivers a strong warning for the coming years.   It says, unless the country finds new gas or alternative power generation, there won't be enough gas from 2029.   Jones told Mike Hosking there will be some available, but it will be snapped up by industrial companies.   He says the crisis will be caused by businesses which continue to be reliant on gas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claims the current Eden Park rules are comical.   The Government's looking at settings including the number of concerts held at the Auckland stadium and their duration.   RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says there will be a four to six week investigation period.   He told Mike Hosking he won't be making a pre-emptive decision on what needs to change.   Bishop says even though he's publicly stated that the rules are stupid, he will follow the proper process.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's an expectation farmer confidence will stay high as long as commodity prices stay up.  The latest Rabobank survey's found farmers' faith in the broader agricultural economy is at its second highest level in the last decade, up to 46%.  51% expect it to improve in the year ahead.  DairyNZ Board Member Jacqueline Rowarth told Mike Hosking the sector's cautiously positive, as trade may change at any time.  But she says New Zealand is the best producer of essential amino acids at the lowest environmental impact, so our meat and milk is wanted.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 15th of September, we've got a $70m package to secure major events here. Is it enough? And what does it get us? The Prime Minister is in to talk the Pacific Islands Forum, why a protest can block SH1 and when we are getting an Indian trade deal. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk the disappointing week of sport for Warriors and All Blacks fans - and the good news if you're a Canterbury rugby or Black Ferns fan! Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Noeline Taurua isn't the first coach to be badly treated. But she might be the most successful and well regarded. Sport is a funny thing, especially nowadays where it seems to want to walk a line between being successful and being modern, or dare I suggest the word "woke"? Last week when reports of players feeling unsafe emerged I didn’t even know what they meant by that. "Unsafe" is something that might happen in the dark, in an alley. It’s a physical danger thing, as opposed to an emotional state on a court. On a court you can be exhausted, or exhilarated, or furious, or elated. I just can't work out how you are "unsafe". Which in part is the problem. It's an invention or a new derivation of the word. Your “environment” has been interfered with. Even if you accept its new usage it’s the sort of thing you might find on a university campus among the angsty. On a sports field or court it has no place. Even less so if that court is at the elite level. Cycling had a horrible time, but that was abuse. Is netball talking about abuse? Does Taurua abuse people? That doesn’t seem to be the suggestion. Next problem is the lack of clarity, if not honesty. All reports seem to indicate "unsafe" is code for the coach being old fashioned, demanding high standards and not putting up with slackness. We used to like that approach. That approach was the norm. The only purpose of elite sport is victory. It exists for no other reason than to let a chosen few express themselves in a way where they win and others can piggyback by way of TV licensing and ticket sales. Unless Noeline Taurua has had a personality transformation and they are all wandering around at Netball NZ going "what happened to Noels, man she's changed", which I suspect hasn’t happened, then what we are left with is the inescapable conclusion that Taurua is the victim of soft management in a world where every crybaby is “heard” and the ultimate victim, in an irony of irony's, is one of the sport's greatest exponents. She is benched while the woke in the boardroom wreck the national women's sport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks lost 43-10 to the Springboks in Wellington on Saturday night.  It is the biggest defeat the All Blacks have suffered in a test match.  Former All Blacks player Sir John Kirwan told Mike Hosking that the All Blacks need to have a look at their play and seriously review how the match unfolded  ‘Normally we go away saying, OK, we can fix that up we'd be right, but I think this one is a little bit more serious’  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cabinet discussions are continuing over whether New Zealand will recognise the State of Palestine. A number of countries have said they'll recognise Palestine next week at a UN meeting. Chris Luxon says recognition is a complex issue and that there's a range of views to consider, and the Government will make its own decision on whether recognition is appropriate. The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking an announcement on the matter, won't be made today. He says the Government has always said it's a matter of "when not if" -  Foreign Minister Winston Peters will have more to say on the matter in the coming weeks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Excitement over the Government's change in event funding, with its newly announced $70million tourism package.  It includes $40million to secure large-scale international events from next year and a ten-million-dollar fund to support existing events.  Eccles Entertainment Founder Brent Eccles [eck ils] says the main change is now concerts can access major event funding, which will have a huge impact.  He says in the next three months, new shows will start to be announced, reflecting the success of the fund.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data from Corrections,  reveals more than 3,000 gang members and associates make up the just over 10,000 sentenced and remand prisoners. It equates to about a third of the country's estimated gang population.  Corrections Association President Floyd du Plessis says the chances of rehabilitation for these inmates is low.  He says it needs to be possible for prisons to separate people,  based on their intentions to turn their lives around.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fallout from Charlie Kirk’s death continues as politicians, commentators and celebrities weigh-in on the situation.  The likes of Stephen King, Ted Cruz and President Trump have all commented on the situation – with King and Cruz butting heads on twitter.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that the investigation into the killing is ongoing.   He said that only the roommate of the suspected shooter has acted cooperatively so far.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hasn’t working from home become funny?  Seek have produced a thing called Money Matters, and they look at work-life balance.  Actually, hasn’t that become a thing as well – work-life balance. I can't place it exactly, but it seems like a Covid thing. The world changed and so did we.  Working hard is now so last year, or so last decade. We all long for work-life balance with a good sprinkling of mental health days.  But working from home is a scam because according to Money Matters if you got a pay rise you would go back to the office quick as you like.  So is it about work-life balance or is it about money?  Everything is about money. We just like to pretend it isn't. You feel more virtuous if you pretend it isn't about money.  But Money Matters spills the truth. Working from home is easier, we save on the commute, you claim you are more productive, blah blah blah. "Hey, how about 20% more?" Then you're out of there.  We would work more hours for more money, we would take on an increased workload for more money, and we would commute further for more money.  There isn't much we wouldn't do for more money.  The work from home thing, by the way, is funny because before Covid there was virtually no such thing. The idea that you could invent a thing and then having invented it, because we were all locked down anyway, turn it into a permanent thing that could only be broken by a pay rise is the ultimate in farce. It's an insight into how quickly a habit can form if it suits you.  Anyway, the only other thing that can make us blow up our precious work-life balance is more time off.  But it still doesn’t beat money.  It's why lotto is popular I guess – money solves everything.  Do we value work-life balance? My word we do.  But do we value it more than money? Don’t make me laugh. 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 cathedral: 7/10  If I wasn’t from Christchurch, I doubt I'd be gripped, but that thing is in such desperate need of being sorted so a new plan is most welcome.    The by-election: 3/10  A bust on every level, but mostly for the lack of interest in basic democracy.    Charter schools: 7/10  The first public, publicly declared school having a look at the option. The idea might have come of age.    Compulsory KiwiSaver: 6/10  Between Peters and several new reports, it's building a head of steam as an idea. The ideas time might have come.    Takuta Ferris: 1/10  Idiot.    The Warriors: 8/10  Webster was right yesterday: it is a new season now. We are 6th and 6th is good, 6th is alive, and 6th is a ticket to the big dance. Let's dance!    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My uplifting story of the week involves charter schools.  Charter schools are the little idea that could. Or maybe they are the big game-changing idea that could.  We heard this week of the first public school wanting to explore the charter route.  It's in Northland and it's being driven by the realisation that what they currently do doesn’t work for their kids.  And that is the genesis of the charter school thinking.  Remember, charter schools go back to a previous Government, before Labour took to them in 2017.  So this isn't new. But the basic premise was one size does not fit all and a lot of kids may well benefit from different styles and approaches to learning.  I have been a fan from day one. Not because charter schools are magic bullets, but rather the simple premise that what we have demonstrably doesn’t work for everyone.  You can't hide from the facts and the truth and our pass rates, our success rates, are shocking.  The unions simply bleat for more resource. Even if it is a partial answer, it isn't close to being the whole answer and their myopic view that there can only be one way is a very large part of the overall handbrake that has prevented real change and advancement.  The Northland school, I thought, gave excellent insight. They have good people, they work hard, but they are simply not getting the cut through, so they need to try something different. They didn’t used to be “for” charter schools, but just their ability to accept change needs to be admired and encouraged.  Chris Hipkins as Education Minister in 2017 killed them. Not because they weren't working, but because he is beholden to the unions and there was no way they were ever going to get a chance to prove them wrong.  So what we have seen this time round is no shortage of demand for schools. In fact, more schools are demanding it than there is money allocated.  We see the first public school, or at least the first public school prepared to admit they want to look at change, which leads surely to a growing sense charter schools might at last have their time.  Some may well turn out to be brilliant, lives may well get changed and the recognition of a decent idea may well be widely accepted.  It seems the momentum is on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Friday which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back to Wrap the Week that was with Mike Hosking.  They reminisced about David Bryne, discussed the Dame Noeline Taurua situation and the cost of marimbas – plus, Mike was given a lovely gift.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Army is embracing the race to the latest drone technology.  A tri-service team is being sent to the UK for the Military Drone Racing Tournament.  It aims to develop the Defence Force’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities as drones become a key part of combat systems.   Major Richard Adams, the NZ Army’s lead on Uncrewed Aerial Systems, told Mike Hosking that if you look at what’s happening in Ukraine at the moment, every six months looks completely different to the last, given the way this technology is changing.  He says they’re looking to adapt as quickly as possible, so they have the most up to date equipment available to their people.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 12th of September, a new school subject list has been announced, and there’s an emphasis on artificial intelligence.   There’s a new plan to restore the Christ Church Cathedral, coming not a moment, or a year, too soon.   Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk Mike's gift and Noeline Taurua's suspension as they Wrap 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.

Authorities say they are making significant progress in the manhunt for Charlie Kirk's killer.   The highly influential conservative activist and Donald Trump ally died after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University yesterday morning.   Investigators say they've recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle and have good quality video of their latest suspect.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking there has been bipartisan denunciation of the murder.  He says there have been statements not just from Trump, but every living former president condemning this attack and any and all political violence.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voter turnout could be an issue for a proposal to introduce binding referendums on major council spending projects.  The Local Government Business Forum has released a report in favour of holding referendums for significant projects exceeding $500 per ratepayer.  It says it should only apply to non-essentials, preserving councils' ability to invest in key utilities like water and transport.    Forum Secretary Nick Clark told Mike Hosking thresholds need to be in play to help low voter numbers.  He says there should be a turnout threshold or a super majority, particularly if it's a binary choice.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's cautious optimism in the construction sector and hopes the economy will improve.   The Master Builders State of the Sector Report cites remaining demand issues like consumer confidence.   The report finds 66% of people describe their recent build as a positive and a similar number of people report no significant delays.  CEO Ankit Sharma told Mike Hosking regions are leading the way while urban centres like Auckland and Wellington are still facing headwinds, but there’s a strong pipeline.  He says they’re transitioning from survival mode into a place of, hopefully, sustainable recovery.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christ Church Cathedral rebuild could be the last milestone for the Garden City to thrive.   Work will begin next year to complete the nave, entrance way, tower, and restore the rose window by 2030.  This halves the funding to about $40 million, with the Anglican Church pledging another $20 million.  Reinstatement Director Mark Stewart told Mike Hosking they've been working on this for years and have a robust plan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister says a lot of schools were already trying to teach some of the new curriculum subjects.  A new list of study topics has been unveiled as part of a refresh of the national curriculum from 2028.  It places greater emphasis on the STEM subjects and adds Civics, Politics and Philosophy, and Media and Journalism.  Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking a lot of schools were trying their best to teach some of these subjects in the NCEA system.  She says they were trying to cobble together credits from different subjects, to make topics like Civics, Philosophy, and Politics work.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the teachers maybe, maybe not accept their pay offers and maybe, maybe not go on strike yet again, I can't help but worry about the new recruits.  We were busy celebrating just last week, enrolments to become teachers have gone up markedly – big, big increases.  This seems, on the surface anyway, to in part be a solution to a long-term problem, i.e. our permanent shortage in a profession that has lost its lustre.  I am not against migration to solve issues, but there is a balance to be struck and you would like to think that the profession is actually staffed by people who like what they do, and not a pile of recent arrivals whose main criteria for being in a New Zealand classroom was to be in the country, not the job itself.  So, lots of new recruits, good. But once out the other side, what awaits them, and does it look like the ongoing industrial mess that pervades our work landscape at the moment?  Do these recruits know what they will get paid? What their conditions are? Do they know what actually teaching in a New Zealand classroom in 2025 entails and looks like?  Because somewhere between the enthusiasm of enrolment and the jaded misery of experience a decade on, something dramatically goes wrong.  The money seems decent —not spectacular, but decent— the same way it seems decent for nurses and doctors.  It seems to me we have got to a point where no small amount of energy, money, and change has been put into education, and between that and the pay, it’s not a bad deal.  Yes, it's challenging, given kids and their issues. Yes, you'd like more specialist teachers, or non-contact time, or whatever, but negotiations are quin pro quo.  The rises we have seen in recent years, the change currently being implemented to turbo charge performance by way of results, seems to be setting us up for a decent sort of system producing a decent sort of outcome.  Is it the unions that are wrecking this? Are they really the impediment? Do most teachers just want to get on with it?   We seem at a place where the public support is most certainly not what it was for the teachers' plight, and might just be tipping against them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s finance leaders are more confident for the year ahead.  A new report from the Hunter Campbell Group shows an uptick in confidence from CFOs, with 38% expecting modest to strong growth over the next 12 months – up from 31% last year.  But on the flip side, confidence in the Government’s ‘responsiveness’ remains low across the board.  Hunter Campbell Managing Partner Lee Marshall told Mike Hosking they’re starting to see a two speed economy take shape in New Zealand, with almost half of businesses surveyed meeting or exceeding their targets, while the other half stagnated or went backwards.  He says in general, those whose businesses performed well in the last 12 months are very confident things will continue to improve in the next 12 months.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.