The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen are back with Mike Hosking to discuss the biggest political stories of the week so far.  Should New Zealand swap to four year parliamentary terms? Would Kiwis support the move?  They also discuss the Tamaki Makaurau by-election and gangs in the wake of Peeni Henare saying he’d repeal the gang patch ban.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 27th of August, we have good economic news: a new Westpac report says our growth is set to outpace Australia over the next few years. Does that stop the brain drain?  Erica Stanford has another new visa up for grabs to get entrepreneurs in and spending.  Mark Mitchell joins from Queenstown and Ginny Andersen joins from Fiji to discuss four year terms, burner phones, and the Tamaki Makaurau by-election.  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 new pitch has been made for a two-hour ferry link between the North and South Islands.  The ‘North South Express’ would see a new port built at Clifford Bay, near Blenheim, through a public-private partnership.  The plan proposes a multi-use terminal, with no speed restrictions, and boosted logistics productivity.  CB Port Limited Spokesperson Dr Stephen Grice told Mike Hosking they can have the port up and running by 2029 – potentially even earlier.   He says they’re bringing new engineering and capabilities to the project so the port with a floating wharf can be developed and designed overseas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s hope the horticulture sector will see a massive boost over the next decade.  A roadmap has been unveiled to double farmgate returns by 2035.   Actions aimed at increasing value include building consumer understanding, mapping domestic supply chain vulnerabilities, and establishing an online horticulture library.   HortNZ Chief Executive Kate Scott says they're in a strong position to succeed.   She told Mike Hosking the value of having a really broad and ambitious goal is it gives a sense of purpose to the sector.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's on track for stronger economic growth but it could take a while to flow through to house prices.  Westpac is forecasting New Zealand will outpace Australia's growth over the next few years.  But New Zealand will still face a higher unemployment rate and lower wage growth, and the recovery's likely to be felt in some regions much sooner than others.  Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking property will be the last sector to see a turnaround.  He says New Zealand saw property prices go up 40% during the boom, compared to a 30% rise in Australia.  Joyce says it’ll be an export-led recovery – something we haven't had for a while.  He says with an export-led recovery, Auckland feels it later than other regions, which is what we're seeing now.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of people coming in on the Government's new Business Investor Visa could be limited.    It'll fast track residency for any foreign investors who put $2 million or more into a Kiwi business.  If a business is worth $2 million, the applicant will have to buy it, and they'll have to invest at least a quarter of its total value if it's worth more than that.  Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking she thinks around 100 of these visas will be granted in the first year.  She said this isn’t an Oprah-style “everyone gets a visa” situation.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view that new migrant tax rules will put us on par with other countries.  The Government's proposing a bill to stop migrants being taxed on estimated overseas income and instead, only what they actually earn.  Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale told Mike Hosking the current settings are a problem for high-value migrants, particularly now we have the Active Investor Plus scheme.   He says these people usually have a portfolio of shares of other things around the world but we tax them on an annual basis, no matter if they sell.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain is facing a financial crisis, with the country potentially heading towards a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  Economists are warning that they’re headed towards a 1970s-style debt crisis, with one saying the UK’s borrowing costs are higher than in Greece – which has the highest debt in the euro zone.  UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking that financially the UK is “screwed”, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves is in significant trouble.  He says there was a $120 billion black hole in the Government’s books last month, and an awful lot of wealthy people have left the country, concerned about high taxes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has the penny dropped?  There was no shortage of headlines and news coverage yesterday out of our interview with the Prime Minister on the Reserve Bank.  In a nutshell, Luxon suggested Christian Hawkesby blew it and should have/could have moved faster on the cash rate.  This is news, but not because the Prime Minister is right. We all know he is right.  But there is a convention whereby because the Reserve Bank is independent you don’t bag them, especially if you are a politician, far less the most influential politician.  But here is why Luxon was right and deserves recognition for what he said: there comes a time when you've got to say what you've got to say.  You can't dance around convention without becoming convention's victim.  There is too much of that. People who can't have a go at judges is another example.  By tiptoeing around the truth, we invite complacency and accountability becomes woefully lacking.  The cold, hard politics are at play as well. Christian Hawkesby and his gang of monetary committee wonks aren't up for re-election next year.  Believe me, if Luxon wanders the countryside telling us he wished the cash rate was lowered faster, he's not getting any sympathy.  The extreme of course is Trump, where you call for sackings and, occasionally, actually do some sacking. We don’t need to be that unhinged.  But it is unfairly restrictive for a government to cut spending, cut red tape, change rules and laws, trim jobs, cap councils, upend the RMA, and get the fast track going. Or in other words, work their butts off pulling every lever they can to fire the joint up.  But in the meantime, the old dump de dos on the terrace can't see a contraction when it smacks them in the face and they stall the economy through ineptitude.  Also, quite apart from anything, we like strong leadership. We like people telling it like it is.  If Luxon has had a weakness it might just be he has been a bit corporate, a bit beige, a bit polite and a bit nice.  Hopefully yesterday was the start of something new and more strident and with it a few more people are held to open, public account. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new use for “ugly” fruit, with two Kiwi dads turning a hobby into a business.  Fruit Cru makes use of seconds, the ugly fruit from local orchards that doesn’t make it to export, turning it into organic wine.   Since starting in 2021, they now produce about 10,000 bottles each year, and have signed a deal with Foodstuffs to stock their beverages in five supermarkets in the Wellington region.  Co-founder Cosmo Hawke told Mike Hosking there’s a shortage of fruit for traditional wine, but at the same time things like cherries, apples, and feijoas were going unpicked.  He says as far as they can tell, they’re the only ones making a beverage in this way, and it could only be done in New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motorsport fans are getting a look inside the career of one of the more recognisable names in Supercars.  After 21 years, last year saw Mark Winterbottom retire from full time driving.   His career included a championship win in 2015 in his infamous Ford at the height of the Ford v Holden rivalry, a Bathurst win, and 39 wins overall.  Although he may have retired from full time driving, Winterbottom has signed on to be a mentor and co-driver for Tickford Driving – partnering with Cam Waters.  He’s also taken the time to write a memoir, ‘Frosty - The incredible true story of the boy from Blacktown who became a Bathurst king’.  Winterbottom comes from a working class background and his introduction to the world of motorsport came at a young age.  “I sort of started motorsport at eight years old,” he told Mike Hosking.  “And at 44 now, I love it more than I ever have.”  “I’ve always thought of it as a privilege to race cars, but when you have that taken away from you, or your time stops, I think you appreciate it even more.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 26th of August, the Reserve Bank is opening consultation on banks’ capital requirements – Chair Neil Quigley discusses the situation.   TVNZ will be introducing a paid event pass for the first time ever after securing the broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  Mark 'Frosty' Winterbottom has a new memoir out about his time as a full time Supercars driver, so we had to catch up with him.  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.

TVNZ will be charging its viewers for content for the first time after securing the rights to broadcast next year's Fifa World Cup.  Viewers will be able to stream 104 football games over the tournament's 39 days, including replays and highlights, if an event pass is purchased.  All of New Zealand's games will be free-to-air, alongside a handful of others.  TVNZ CEO Jodi O'Donnell told Mike Hosking data was collected on how many people are actually prepared to pay for additional sport.  She says the number of people that watched the Euros tournament with TVNZ gave them confidence.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank says it wasn't dragged kicking and screaming to a review of capital rules.  It's put out two proposals aimed at loosening capital requirements.   Board Chair Neil Quigley says they were reviews that the bank has been looking at for a while.   He told Mike Hosking if they were loosened, it wouldn't cause too much of a shakeup, and it probably won't have a big effect on pricing.   Meanwhile, Quigley says the decision about a full-time replacement for Adrian Orr is weeks away.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tertiary sector's not losing sleep over grade inflation at universities.  A New Zealand Initiative report's found the proportion of A-grades has increased from 22% to 35% since 2006, but academic improvement can't explain it.  Universities NZ CEO Chris Whelan told Mike Hosking it's not clear what's causing the change, but the report only considers four factors.  He says none include the changes in how teaching is done, the use of online technologies, and the increasing number of postgraduate students.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Self-employed Kiwis are prioritising their businesses rather than thinking about retirement.  A report by the Retirement Commission and accounting firm Hnry shows just 44% of self-employed people actively contribute to KiwiSaver.  This is compared to 78% of employees.  The report also reveals 41% of self-employed workers don't get any government KiwiSaver contribution.   Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson told Mike Hosking they're having to make trade-offs.  She says employees get contributions from their employers, but self-employed people are having to pay themselves.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Port inefficiencies could undermine New Zealand's goals to double export earnings.   The Cargo Owners Council says there's been a 30% drop in productivity since 2019.   Chair Brent Falvey says there needs to be a comprehensive reset of our ports and a strategy for the whole supply chain.   He told Mike Hosking we just aren't keeping up with rest of the world.   Falvey says New Zealand is in the bottom 20% for port efficiency.   LISTEN ABOVE 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 All Blacks suffered a defeat at the hands of Los Pumas in Argentina, is the criticism they're receiving justified?  TVNZ is set to broadcast the NPC through the year, hopefully bringing attention to the local games. And the Warriors defeated the Titans in Queensland to secure an important victory in the NRL. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 25 August. 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.

The Prime Minister could follow Australia's lead in an attempt to boost overseas stays through major events. A new report shows strong demand for hotels in the likes of Queenstown, but occupancy's down for Auckland and Wellington. Big names in the tourism sector, like Sudima Hotels believe more events equals more hotel rooms booked.  Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking that he's been looking at a model that Australia's Victoria once used. He says they had major events every quarter and micro-events every week, which is something to think about. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"MP's struggle to identify silver bullet solutions". That was the headline Friday as Jenee Tibshraeny detailed a years worth of work by the Finance and Expenditure Committee that has come up with zip. Oh they have made recommendations, don’t get me wrong. Imagine what it would look like if they had been toiling away for a year and came up with a blank piece of paper. But without telling you I told you so... I told you so. Here is the difference between us and them. They entered this particular exercise with an ideological or conspiratorial bent. The opposition and their ideas involve public ownership, Māori banking theories and all sorts of psychobabble that has nothing to do with competition. The Government has the Nicola Willis idea that this is all a scam, the banks are crooks and they are ripping us off. I have argued there is no scam, there is plenty of competition and I have become increasingly convinced the issue really lies in the Reserve Bank and their desire for retail banks to hold gargantuan amounts of money in reserve "just in case". Labour buys into this thinking, which is why they appointed Adrian Orr, who introduced the rules in the first place. The evidence is all around us. Is there choice? Do people swap banks a lot? Do banks openly compete for customers? Can you do deals through brokers, or directly? Yes, yes, yes and yes. Would more banks help? Probably, but there is nothing stopping them opening. So, the committee has no silver bullet. Do you know why? Because there isn't one. Because guess what - the system isn't broken. No, it's not perfect. It's what happens with limited markets and small populations. As I have said to Nicola Willis all along, if you've got an answer, do it. Pull the trigger, show us your trick and wave your wand. But one year of searching tells you one thing. If you look at things with an open mind, you wouldn’t have gone down the rabbit hole. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Los Pumas completed a historic victory over the All-Blacks on Sunday, defeating them 29-23 to secure their first victory over the All-Blacks on home soil since 1976.   It is also the fifth defeat under the leadership of Scott Robertson.  Former All-Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry told Mike Hosking that although the loss in Argentina is tough, it’ll give the team more motivation as they prepare to face South Africa.  ‘it really galvanises them, and really focuses them, and I think that's what they require.’  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sentences could only get tougher for drivers who kill under the influence, as a 20-year-old's been sent to prison.  Alexander Lucas Kerr has been sentenced to 27 months in prison, after a crash killed one of his friends and left the other in a wheelchair.  He was found with cannabis in his system when he crashed his car in a semi-rural part of Havelock North in January.  Criminal defence lawyer John Munro says Kerr doesn't qualify for home detention, despite heavy discounts to his sentence.  He says if the starting point remains the same in a year, discounts could be capped at 40-percent.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police are acknowledging they're not perfect, as it's revealed junior officers are 'barely equipped' with the basics.  A survey of training officers has found two thirds are concerned about probationary constables’ understanding of police responsibilities when holding suspects in custody.  Assistant Police Commissioner Tusha Penny says transparent graduate tracking is important to the organisation, so there will be more of it. She says a review is underway, and there will be some changes to the curriculum early next year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian-owned Drifter Hotel-Hostels is planning to open new branches in Auckland and Wellington, expanding on their current foothold in Christchurch.  $22million has been invested into the project so far.  Hotel Council Strategic Director James Doolan told Mike Hosking that we need to work on getting even more international travellers back.  He says more capacity's needed if we want bars, shops and restaurants to be pumping.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the teachers head back to school, like all the other strikes, nothing got achieved.  It never does.  For a strike to work you need to scare people, you need to bring a place to a standstill.  Cook Strait ferries and the bus and train services were unavailable for weeks on end at a time. That’s what works. But those days are gone, thank the good Lord.  These days it’s a day here, a day there.  Yes, we get you are not happy. Yes, you might deserve a better deal.  But your day off with your one minute of placard waving on the TV news that isn't watched the way it used to be anyway, doesn’t really shift the dial.  I think also the country has changed in the past few decades. Although unionism had a bit of a spike under six years of Labour, the Employment Contracts Act of the early 90's largely broke the unions for good.  Not literally, but when people got a choice, they chose to back themselves.  I wish those who are unionists could see the freedom and potential of non-union opportunity.  Not all jobs can be individualised, but most can, and teaching is one of them.  We all know good teachers, great teachers, and ordinary teachers, the same way we know good waiters, and restaurants, and doctors, and accountants, and retail outlets.  In a nation of small businesses, it tells us we back ourselves. We revel in the idea that we, and our skills and determination, can make a decent living.  The fact the rote response to merit-based pay for teachers goes something like "how would you judge on exam results?" shows how little they understand their individuality and ability to make a difference.  It's like that Radio NZ report last week where most of them thought they were in a sunset industry, when in fact the exact opposite is true.  It's Stockholm Syndrome. Your captors, the unions, have told you this is the only way. It isn't and never has been.  I have argued this for years and have got nowhere, but that doesn’t make it a bad argument.  What I know, like hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders know, is that being your own boss and your own person is a winning formula, if you want to win.  I know, like hundreds of thousands of other New Zealanders, that I love my job and my lot.  I don’t see the same fizz from teachers. Why do you reckon that is?   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.    Alaska: 6/10  As an event it didn’t look like a lot. But Europe came to Washington and, apparently, a meeting is on. The lights aren't out yet.    Trevor Mallard: 8/10  Move of the week from Winston Peters. It took a while, but I still haven't found anyone who disagrees.    The Reserve Bank: 2/10  They missed the contraction, and they paused as the country was going backwards. Now we need two more cuts. They got us into trouble but can't get us out? Look up the word "useless" in the dictionary.    Helen Mirren: 7/10  James Bond "has to be a guy". You wouldn’t have had to say that once. Nowadays it makes headlines.    TOP: 4/10  As novel as it is to advertise for a leader, the fact you don’t have one probably sums up the prospects for next year - which are none.    Balls: 7/10  The balls at the US Open are made of New Zealand wool. My favourite fun fact of the week.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the "never the twain shall meet" moments that came out of Covid was working from home.  Here we are, five years on, and the battle has not only not died, it's intensified.  The big gab fest this week in Canberra had the unions asking for a four-day week.  Victoria, run by communists, has already stated they will put it into law, even though they can't.  Now the obligatory poll shows, guess what, huge numbers of people want the right in law to work from home.  On the other side of the equation is the poor old businesses who are pulling their hair out.  In places like the UK and America it's got a bit ugly with mandates and threats over returning to the office, or else you're out.  The coalition in Australia in the recent campaign ran on a policy of banning work from home for public servants. It went down like a cup of cold sick and was, among other things like nuclear, seen as the reason they lost so badly.  That’s the trouble with democracy, isn't it? What if the people are wrong? What if the collective doesn’t get it and doesn’t care?  You could run a poll that says, "would you like the Government to pay for a family-sized chocolate bar and a French martini every Friday?” You'd get a good number.  What we want and what makes sense don’t always align.  "But I save time in the commute". Yes, you do and that’s good. Because you have to remember not all ideas are 100% bad or good, right or wrong.  But on the whole working from home does not suit the employer as much as the employee.  Are there exceptions? Of course. But exceptions are not the debate. The debate is the law, and the law applies to everyone.  Making it worse is the people who make the laws are given their jobs by the people who do the polls. So, do you suck up to them and give them what they want, or do you do the right thing?  Especially when, in this case, the right thing may not be the popular thing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we in for a wool revival?  Industry leaders are meeting at a number of workshops next week, with the aim of driving up value.  Stats show strong wool now makes up just 1-2% of gross farm income, compared to nearly 65% in the 1980s.  Federated Farmers Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Mike Hosking there’s good collabroation happening between government, industry, and various initiatives to drive up value.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back by popular demand, Sir John Key is back alongside Kate Hawkesby and Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  This week the former Prime Minister is calling in from a super yacht in Croatia, discussing the Warriors, Father’s Day, and ChatGPT.  Plus, Kate tells a story about Lebanese food.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 22nd of August, the Air Force is getting planes and helicopters from the US, so we’re finally starting to get a respectable fleet.  All Blacks coach Scott Robertson takes a break from the wine and meat to tell us about the team’ prospects this weekend in their second clash against Argentina.  Kate Hawkesby and "some rando" John Key are back by popular demand to Wrap the Week - from a superyacht!  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One change to the All Blacks run-on side for Sunday morning's Rugby Championship rematch against Argentina in Buenos Aires.  Simon Parker debuts at number eight, moving Ardie Savea to openside flanker with Du'Plessis Kirifi dropping out of the 23.  Wallace Sititi and Tamaiti Williams return from injuries for the first time this year via the bench.  Coach Scott Robertson told Mike Hosking they've zeroed in on finishing this week, as well as keeping things fresh.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investors may sit back and wait for further cuts to the Official Cash Rate as first home buyers surge into the housing market.  The Cotality Monthly Housing Chart shows first home buyers account for 27% of market activity in July – the highest proportion in 20 years.  The Reserve Bank this week cut the OCR another 25-basis points to 3%.  Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson told Mike Hosking first home buyers are taking advantage of a quiet market as others hold off.  He believes a reason people are waiting is job uncertainty and the labour market.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A $2.7 billion defence spend could help to boost recruitment to the forces.  The Government's investing in new aircrafts, including two new Airbus A321 planes, in a lease-to-buy plan.  Five Seahawk helicopters are also being bought.  Air Force Chief Darryn Webb told Mike Hosking this will be appealing to potential new recruits.  He says morale lifts when they have new equipment, and they're always able to get the most out them.  Webb says the investment will benefit the forces well into the future – saying we always get more out of our assets compared to most countries, and predicts the aircraft will have around a 30-year service life.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A call for an overhaul of the Clean Slate Act.   Last week tutor Timothy Fisher was sentenced to four years and five months in prison for sexual abuse charges.  He had historical indecency convictions but was able to pass multiple police vets and become registered as a teacher.  Despite receiving a red stamp warning from police, the council renewed his practising certificate after receiving an investigation report from its Complaints Assessment Committee and another clear police vet.  Retired Law Professor Bill Hodge told Mike Hosking there should be an expansion of what crimes aren't allowed to be swept under the carpet.  He says the act was designed for minor offences, like marijuana possession.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Commissioner is supporting an Interpol base in the Pacific, and says many pacific nations are also on board.   Interpol has pitched the idea to police representatives from 22 Pacific Island nations at a conference in Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands.   Richard Chambers says 13 of the countries are already members of Interpol.   He told Mike Hosking it would be a big help to those police forces.   Chambers says it provides them with information and intelligence to fight crime.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are two key things for me that came out of the Reserve Bank commentary.  The press conference post the announcement should be a must watch for us all – the insight is invaluable.   On one hand, the genius three who turned up —Karen, Paul, and Christian— tell us that what they have done will flow through.  In other words, don't panic. "It will come through". I'll come back to that.  But then they tell you they got it wrong in Q2. There was less than no growth in the second quarter, but they didn’t see it.  So they're bullish in their talents on one hand, but hopelessly wanting on the other.  By the way, the vote 4-2 – that's never happened before. Two of the voters wanted a 50 point drop. I want to know who they are, because they would appear to get it.  What the confession of no growth in Q2 asks is if they had seen it, could they have done more?  Don’t answer that because the answer is yes, yes, yes, and yes. Now, because they botched it, they are most likely going down to 2.5% for the cash rate.  The other interesting thing for me is I'm a big believer in psychology. The economy is about much more than stats and data, it's about the mood and the vibe.  They talked of the cautious nature of our behaviour, I would argue they are part of the problem.  They look cautious. They look circumspect. They look like wonks who don’t get out a lot.  They certainly don't get out into the real world where the majority of us have been seeing the wreckage of our economy for most of the year.  They don’t vibe it and they don't sell it, which is not to say they are supposed to be show ponies, but my word, what a boring bunch they are, with spreadsheets for friends.  This economy needs a cheerleader. It needs a significant, impactive, influential, and loud voice for its merits. Hawkesby, Silk, and Conway aren't it.  It should have been 50 points, and it should have been 50 points before yesterday, and because it wasn’t, the economy stalled and they didn’t see it coming.  How does that install confidence?  So, there's at least two more cuts. But why are we waiting?  They will argue it's because the 25 points will flow through. Will they really?  Let the record show, to this point, we are more right than they are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will the latest cut to the Official Cash Rate provide some much-needed stimulus to the business sector?  The central bank's cut the OCR 25 basis points to 3% and is signalling more are possible.  It's recognised unemployment is high, and businesses aren't producing as much as they could.  Prospa Managing Director Adrienne Begbie told Mike Hosking that while some people were hoping for 50, a 25 basis point cut does help a lot.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White House is claiming plans are well underway for a meeting between Russia's President Vladimir Putin's and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.  US President Donald Trump met with Zelenskyy and several foreign leaders earlier in the week, following his meeting with Putin in Alaska.  Trump says he hopes Putin will move forward on ending the war in Ukraine but admits the Kremlin leader may not want to make a deal at all.  Former US Correspondent Nick Bryant told Mike Hosking that this presumably will end with Trump issuing an ultimatum to Putin, but the crunch moment never seems to come.  Before the talks in Alaska, Trump said if a ceasefire is not reached, there would be serious consequences and sanctions on Russia, but in the aftermath of the talks, Trump appears to have backed down.  Bryant says that Trump seems to be influenced by the last person he speaks to and lacks a coherent strategy, so it’s hard to see how this will end.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 21st of August, New Zealand’s intelligence service warns that terrorist attacks are a realistic possibility in their latest threat assessment report.  Acting Reserve Bank Governor Christian Hawkesby defends the latest cut to the OCR and explains their logic in holding in Q2.   Former US Correspondent Nick Bryant gives his thoughts on the last two weeks of global politics, digging into the next steps in the Ukraine war.   Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Positive news for kiwifruit growers with expectations of strong returns this season.   Zespri's forecasting record returns on a per-hectare basis —and improvements per-tray— for all but two categories.   SunGold and Sweet Green remain within the indicative ranges from June.  Chief executive Jason Te Brake says sales are tracking well across our key markets.  He told Mike Hosking consumers continue to want health and nutrition, which their product is packed with.  Te Brake says they have a strong brand, and they’re continuing to build demand every season.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A plan's been laid out for potential dental reforms to address New Zealanders’ poor oral health.  New Zealand Dental Association data shows one in three Kiwis have untreated tooth decay.  Its policy roadmap for the next five years includes expanding community water fluoridation, introducing a sugary drink levy, and including oral care into our universal health coverage.   Dental Policy Director Robin Whyman told Mike Hosking the big issue with the workforce shortage is distribution.  He says that big urban centres, particularly in Auckland, have very good coverage, but in provincial areas there’s a much lower number of dentists and as a result, rural New Zealanders can struggle to get access.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank Governor is defending not going harder with cuts to the Official Cash Rate.  The cash rate has been cut 25 basis points to 3%.  But it's signalling more cuts than it was before, and has revealed two of the six Monetary Policy Committee members actually wanted a bigger cut.  Christian Hawkesby told Mike Hosking he stands by the central bank's decisions.  He says they're focused on their mandate of controlling inflation over the medium term, but the recent slowdown has changed their outlook.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service is reiterating the public's role in the fight against threats.  The organisation is keeping our threat level at low, meaning attacks are realistically possible.   SIS Director-General Andrew Hampton told Mike Hosking they're worried about young people radicalising online, geo-strategic shifts, and espionage.    He says key to their response is the public knowing what to look out for and reporting it.  Concerning behaviours include someone showing interest in terrorist attacks, identifying with an extremist cause, and supporting violence to further it.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can I ask a question about parents?  I watched Erica Stanford do a press conference yesterday at a school in Wellington while launching the writing action plan.  While I was watching that I was reading a story about Nicola Willis, who it was suggested by people in London might be the next Prime Minister.  She had gone to the New Zealand Society on her trip last week. She stood there in a tangerine suit and there had been a buzz about the room as they wondered whether this was New Zealand's next Prime Minister.  It was a weird story, and it means nothing, but if it ever came down to it, I would take Stanford over Willis all day long.  She is a force of nature and if you ever want to see a minister in charge of detail, watch her in a classroom in front of cameras. You won't fail to be impressed.  The bad news though is part of the day involved the release of yet more data showing our kids in Year 3, 6, and 8 are in real trouble when it comes to maths and reading.  Only a small minority are where they should be. A small minority.  The claim at this stage by Stanford is what they have introduced, and are introducing, is the turnaround plan. It's the magic, the cure, and the panacea.  Not that it makes it better, but the numbers out yesterday were marked against some of the new standards, hence the massive failure rate.  This stuff is benchmarked internationally. Once, not long ago (maybe when I was at school), in a lot of stuff we led the world. Today we are so far from leading the world it makes you want to cry.  Stanford isn't crying. She speaks in a way that suggests she knows something the rest of us don’t, like she has seen the future and it is bright.  Or could it be she just hopes it is and is faking it till she makes it, because the gap between where our kids are and where they need to be is gargantuan?  So, back to the parents. Where are they?  Maths can be sort of tricky, if you want to find an excuse, but reading and writing isn't. A kid who can't read or write properly by high school is a reflection of their home life, as much as the school.  Schools take too much heat. Governments take too much heat.  If your kid can't write or read and your kid is 12 or 13, where have you been? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s trouble brewing in Nelson over a council bylaw banning advertising flags outside shops.   The bylaw was adopted in November of 2024, limiting retailers to a single sandwich board display, which must be placed against the curb.  'Coffee on Queen’ has been threatened with a $500 fine and forced to remove their flag, which co-owner Matt Redwood says attracts $200-$300 in revenue from foot traffic.   Redwood told Mike Hosking the rule is taking a lot of money out of businesses pockets.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Politics Wednesday, the Covid Inquiry is still at the top of mind for many.  Chris Hipkins, Dame Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson, and Ayesha Verrall have declined to publicly answer questions for the Royal Commission's second Covid Inquiry.  Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell delved into the situation, as well as touching on Trevor Mallard’s ousting from the role of Ambassador to Ireland.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of August, the Reserve Bank has a call to make today – they're expected to cut the OCR by 25 points, but what comes next?  Trade Minister Todd McClay joins us out of Saudi Arabia before his flight to the US in which he’ll continue to try lower our tariff rate.   Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss the Covid Inquiry and Winston Peters’ exclusion, and Trevor Mallard’s ousting as the Ambassador to Ireland on Politics Wednesday.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister says his trip to the US is all about ensuring our trade tariffs don't shift around too much.   Todd McClay says the 15% duty on New Zealand goods isn't likely to be removed, as Donald Trump is imposing them on all countries that have a trade surplus with the US.   He'll be passing on the message that tariffs harm New Zealand.   McClay told Mike Hosking he'll also be asking about future plans for tariffs.   He says they want that certainty so they can properly manage their risk.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues are poised to head across town to Mt Smart for two Super Rugby games next year.  They're reportedly still planning to play most of their games at their usual Eden Park base, but are looking closely across town.  Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner told Mike Hosking that having the right event in the right venue is important.  He says the Blues negotiations probably highlight the need for a broader conversation regarding the Auckland stadium network, along with what’s best for Auckland when optimising and utilising the network.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.