The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Changes to the rules around leave will be revealed today.  The Government is announcing their overhaul of the 2003 Holidays Act, which includes annual, sick, and bereavement leave regulations.  Employers and Manufacturers Association's Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking hourly accrual of leave is expected to come in.  He says this will simplify processes and take the sting out of the back-pay issue employers have at the moment.  McDonald says the overhaul is a long time coming, and while there may be some political tradeoff, both employers and employees will benefit.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A much-needed boost to rural schools' infrastructure, which has been neglected for many years.  The Education Minister's unveiled a $413 million package to get maintenance and improvement jobs at schools underway sooner.  More than half is for improvements on all isolated, rural, or small schools.  Rural Schools Leadership Association President Andrew King told Mike Hosking it will predominantly go towards basic infrastructure.  He says in the past, rural schools haven't had work done simply because of the cost to get trades people out there.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economic difficulties across the ditch appear to echo the struggles felt in many New Zealand households.   The Reserve Bank of Australia has delivered a brutal reality check to the nation on the cost of living, as it expects the situation to worsen.    It warns prices will never return to pre-pandemic levels.   Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking it's the same story here.   He says it would be a sign of very tough economic times if businesses were cutting their prices so drastically.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 22nd of September, we know where $100m is going for our hospitals. But is it a band-aid, or substantial money for infrastructure? The Prime Minister answers whether he's feeling embattled, is fast track really fast track and when we're getting news about reform in the electricity sector and the new Reserve Bank governor. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville discuss Liam Lawson's best F1 finish and the Ranfurly Shield switching hands, again. Plus the Black Ferns loss in the World Cup. 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.

When Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson are raging against their President, you know a line has been crossed. Cruz said the FCC threat from Brendan Carr was straight out of Goodfellas and it's got mafia written all over it. It's important not to forget we have the confluence of several stories here in the Jimmy Kimmel scrap; 1) The absurdity of defending free speech while closing it down. The First Amendment is critical, until it isn't, apparently. 2) The lack of corporate spine. Both Kimmel and Stephen Colbert have been dumped, mainly because the companies that own the networks were looking for FCC approval to do business. The fact they were being compromised by stand over tactics didn’t appear to bother them. It reminds me a lot of Covid in this country. The number of corporates who privately raged at the Government were nowhere to be seen publicly. It's amazing what power-driving fear can do to a business. 3) The simple reality that despite number one and two, these late night shows have in fact dug their own grave. They are a broadcasting failure. Their arrogance to ignore the mood of the audience has seen their ratings crater and, along with it, advertising revenue. Where once Jay Leno and Letterman kept it light and fun, Kimmel and co have turned their shows into angst fest's, with less humour and more campaigning. No one wants to be lectured at 11 o'clock at night and they failed to see that. Like it or not the Trump train is rolling and their fury belongs largely in places like California. The rest of America isn't interested. So in the midst of the mess, who is the biggest criminal? Is it the President for being a hypocrite? Is it the networks for being spineless? Or is it the shows for being out of touch with their audiences? While you work that out, the indisputable bit is the biggest losers are the shows. The President aint returning and he is time limited. The networks will move on with their FCC permissions but the shows are gone. The landscape is irrevocably changed. The big question left is - who's next? LISTEN ABOVESee 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.

Frustrations are growing around the fast-track process in Taranaki, which has grounded to a halt due to bureaucracy.  215 parties are now having their say in the ‘VTM’ seabed mining project.  Resource Minister Shane Jones told Mike Hosking that the discourse around the project is responsible for hindering its progress.   ‘We're dealing with a substantial reduction in earnings, not only from manufacturing, but from oil and gas.’  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cabinet expects to make a final decision later this week, on whether New Zealand will formally recognise a Palestinian state. Australia, the UK and Canada have all formally announced their recognition of Palestine. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned their moves, saying a Palestinian state would be a "huge reward to terrorism" and "will not happen". Chris Luxon told Mike Hosking that New Zealand will make its own decision. He says irrespective of the decision New Zealand makes on state recognition, the bigger issue is how to make the region calm and peaceful again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands have gathered in Arizona for the memorial service of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Among those in attendance is a number of Republican politicians and high-profile names including The President, Vice President and Elon Musk. US Correspondent Richard Arnold says that the rise of political discourse around free speech has grown alongside the grieving. 'Seen by most as completely abhorrent alongside the grieving, we've also seen a growing political debate over freedom of speech.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Demand is outstripping supply when it comes to luxury accommodation. New Zealand agents say they're turning away half of high-net-worth travellers due to a shortage of properties. Some are fielding up to 50 requests a week. Co-founder of Stay Luxe Accommodation, Greg Owen told Mike Hosking that there's a real shortage in Auckland, so hotels are being used instead. He says they're looking to stay in larger hotels - which are often owned internationally, so the profits are going offshore. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rural doctor says the government's hospital investment is still not enough. Health Minister Simeon Brown's announced a $100million boost for 21 local projects, aimed at improving clinical spaces and support services. General Practice Aotearoa chair Dr Buzz Burrell told Mike Hosking that the investment will be only for touch ups. He says there will only be $5million per project over two years, it's not going to be world changing. Health New Zealand's also allocating $20million dollars to increasing frontline ED staff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If only nostalgia paid the bills.  But when it comes to peaches, it doesn’t.  Wattie's is out. Pams do a good line of imported stuff, and those who buy peaches in tins like it cheap.  A lot of us like cheap.  Cheap has never been more appealing in a cost of living crisis. If I was in the business of patriotic purchases, I would close my door and go home.  It does work to a degree overseas. Australia is running an "Australian Made" campaign which has had traction.  Canada gave it a good push post the tariff debacle. The French are into it. But a place like New Zealand, despite the rhetoric, has never really excelled at being good at backing local.  Pams do peaches at $0.99. Wattie's is $3.90. They would have to be some pretty spectacular fruit for that price, and that is why Wattie's is out.  They told us yesterday demand is down. Who needs Brian down the road in Hawke’s Bay when you have fruit from Lord-knows-where at a fraction of the price?  Peaches are also out of favour. As Greg my hairdresser and I were talking during the week, who buys cans of peaches anyway?  It's school camp food, he suggested. But he might just be one of those trendy urbanites.  I walked him down memory lane with my childhood canned fruit salad that had peaches and pears and apples and two cherries. The cherries were the prize. I'd happily burn a whole can of syrupy crap to land the two cherries.  But here is the thing – one of the tricks in life is honesty.  When we face these issues, we burn a lot of energy and time on things we know aren't going to work, or are past their used by date, or are a waste of time.  Marching for Gaza is not saving a single life or stopping the war.  Turning up at COP30 isn't getting an inch closer to Net Zero and Helen Clark is never going to think more concerts at Eden Park is good.  We don’t like local anything if we have to pay more than some cheap crap from Vietnam or on Temu.  It is what it 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.    Farmer confidence: 8/10  In an economic world of woe, it's good to see a decent chunk of people doing well and enjoying it.    GDP: 2/10  Sort of the turgid, rank, icing on the rotten economic cake. How does a Reserve Bank not see a contraction of that size?    Eden Park: 7/10  Best news of the week as reality finally arrived in suburban Auckland. Have a massive facility and actually use it? How novel.      Shane Jones: 6/10  Didn’t we already think he was the deputy?    Jimmy Kimmel: 3/10  If they stuck with being light and entertaining, not angsty and angry, they might not be getting yanked off air or sacked.    Benjamin Doyle: 2/10  What a hapless, self-aggrandising waste of time. The Greens have got a massive credibility issue when it comes to candidate selection.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was this the final nail in the Adrian Orr coffin?  Can we add Christian Hawkesby and the entire monetary policy committee? After all, it's easy to blame a governor, but it’s a committee that votes on what to do with the cash rate.  After the famed Q2 finished (remember April, May and June), we come to the next committee decision in July. Orr is gone, Hawkesby is up, and they have just witnessed the previous three months.  And what do they do? Nothing. No change. They held.  Why? Because they felt things were in hand.  They also said the economy would contract 0.3%.  Yesterday came the proof that it's hard, when you are actually paid as a so-called expert, to get it more wrong than they did.  We all felt it and knew it. Most of us wouldn't have been able to put a number round it like the banks have to, but most of us don’t have the data they have access to.  But what we all knew was it was bad, it was tight, it was ugly, and it wasn’t going in the right direction.  But the gap between -0.3% and -0.9% is inexcusable.  The same way it is inexcusable to stand there in July and tell us more stimulus wasn’t needed.  At some point someone has to be held to account. Yes, Orr is gone, but only because he packed a sad. Yes, Quigley is gone, but only because he got found out.  No one has actually been held to account for a spectacular failure to do the job. Why are the Monetary Policy Committee members still in work? How many of them are there because of their so-called "expertise" versus being appointed for the so-called “right” reasons?  Results count. Facts matter.  And here is the issue for the Government: as the poll showed us this week, a lot of New Zealanders blame the Government for the economy.  They have been let down in no small part by the Reserve Bank and when the Prime Minister the other week on this show fired off a bit of advice, all the pointy heads wrote op-eds whining about independence.  Independence is fine. But not if you're useless. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Friday so Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was.  Mike decided to end the week with another pop quiz – this time on things that were covered on the programme this morning. Kate was not enthused.   Plus the school holidays are coming up, so they had to touch on everyone’s plans.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 19th of September, Sir John Key has some advice for Finance Minister Nicola Willis, who has some tough questions to answer after that Q2 GDP result.  The Government is flying the flag for the wool industry in China.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson take a pop quiz and discuss school holidays plans 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.

We’re in the business end of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, but a former Black Ferns captain is warning against getting cocky.  The Black Ferns have made light work of Spain, Japan, Ireland, and South Africa, leading them to the semi-finals.  Saturday morning will see them face off against the World No 2 team – Canada.   Former Captain Dr Farah Palmer told Mike Hosking that although it’s likely we’ll make it through and face England in the final, she wouldn’t take Canada lightly.  She says the last time we played Canada was a draw, and the time before that was a loss, so we need to focus on Canada first, not the finals.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The axing of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show has sparked debate around freedom of speech.  Kimmel has been pulled off air indefinitely by ABC over his comments relating to the Charlie Kirk killing.  The late-night host suggested Kirk, who was shot at a Utah University last week, was killed by a pro-Trump Republican.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking reactions are sharply partisan.  He says that some, like former Fox host Geraldo Rivera, believe Kimmel’s statements were inappropriate and it’s wrong to overthink the suspension and make it about government, censorship, and other issues.  But on the other side, Arnold says, is people like former President Barack Obama, who says cancel culture has been taken to a new and dangerous level.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Negotiations between senior doctors and the Government have broken down.   They've rejected a $160 million offer and are set to strike for 48 hours next week.   The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists had put a proposal which would have cost about $300 million.   Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Mike Hosking doctors are playing catch up.   She says doctors haven't had pay increases lower than inflation since the pandemic.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says a new Reserve Bank Governor will be announced “very shortly” as she comes under growing pressure to tackle New Zealand’s economic woes. Economists are calling on the Reserve Bank to cut the Official Cash Rate more aggressively after yesterday’s shock GDP result. New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.9% in the June quarter, a reduction well over market expectations. Expectations were for a 0.4% decline in GDP, while Reserve Bank forecasts were for a 0.3% drop. The worse-than-expected outcome could mean the Reserve Bank will cut its Official Cash Rate (OCR) more aggressively than was previously thought, economists said. In an interview with Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking this morning, Willis was asked what she expects from the Reserve Bank to address the situation. “I will very shortly be announcing a new governor for the Reserve Bank. Obviously, we’ve had a chair change at the Reserve Bank. We are refreshing that institution and I think that is very good indeed,” Willis said. She would not give a specific date for the announcement, instead describing it as happening “very shortly”. She confirmed she knew who the new Governor is. Christian Hawkesby is the current Acting Governor of the Reserve Bank. He was appointed to a six-month term in April following Adrian Orr’s resignation in March. Willis told Hosking Kiwis shouldn't get down about the latest drop in GDP and we mustn't talk our way into a recession.  She says we shouldn't overreact to a bad quarter – we've got to keep playing the full game, dig in, and do the things that are needed to grow the economy.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Associate Agriculture Minister believes wool is making a comeback and New Zealand could double its exports over the next decade.  Mark Patterson is in China for the country's largest wool conference, where he'll meet with industry representatives, wool growers, and processors.  It's our largest trading partner for wool, with $176 million of $446 million in total exports heading there last year.  Patterson told Mike Hosking farmers can be confident with how the market's moving.  He says the price is at an eight year high and steadily increasing, and while supply has been declining, demand has been ramping up, which is what's really needed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.