The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Importing liquefied natural gas could potentially require one billion dollars in capital investment.  Major energy companies Clarus, Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, and Mercury have commissioned two studies looking into the option.  Data out last month shows New Zealand’s domestic gas supply is reducing faster and sooner than previously forecast.  Clarus chief executive Paul Goodeve says it would be expensive.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the most important thing is not what it costs, but the value it brings, and last winter we saw the cost of not having a stable fuel supply.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Privacy laws may need to be tweaked to allow for a new alliance to combat scams.  The Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has announced the Anti-Scam Alliance, which joins government, industry, and consumer groups.  The alliance establishes a formal structure for industries to share data about scams and shut them down in real-time.  Minister Scott Simpson told Heather du Plessis-Allan the Government is exploring ways to ensure all laws are complied with.  He also believes Facebook has a role to play in cracking down on scams.  Meta is involved in the alliance, and Simpson says Facebook should ensure scammers don't use their site.  He told du Plessis-Allan rules are in place to control advertising in print media but not in the digital world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A potential change of heart from the Department of Conservation, which rejected a bid to expand the country's largest gold mine in Otago.   It initially declined Macraes' permit because details were missing on rehoming endemic lizards, a decision heavily criticized by Resources Minister Shane Jones.   DOC now says there was a miscommunication, and it will work to progress the application.    Conservation Minister Tama Potaka told Heather du Plessis-Allan DOC and the company which owns Macraes, OceanaGold, worked on the matter yesterday.   He says they had a very productive meeting, and he expects they'll process the application swiftly.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More volatility for some of our best-known magazines.    The Listener, Woman's Day, and New Zealand Woman's Weekly are among a range of New Zealand and Aussie titles going up for sale.   Publisher Are Media —which purchased them five years ago, in the chaos of Covid-19— is now on the market.    Former New Zealand Women's Weekly Editor Alice O'Connell told Heather du Plessis-Allan a lot of these brands have a strong heritage, and she hopes they will live on.   She says maybe it won't be in a magazine format, but there are different ways to consume information, and they could live online.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hasn’t the AI and Wimbledon drama taught us exactly the same lesson we keep learning with technology and sport: it’s great - if it doesn’t disrupt the game.  And if that is the lesson, why don’t we learn it already?  Wimbledon has not used AI properly.  First problem was it missed a ball out. By a foot. The match got stopped and everyone waited four minutes. Yes, it was confirmed the AI got it wrong, so the match resumed.  It turned out someone turned the AI off.  Then we’re at the quarter finals. AI calls a ball out. It's not. It’s a metre inside the baseline.   The match is stopped, the umpire calls the tech people, or whoever, and everyone waits. Yes, it's confirmed it was in and the match resumes.  It turns out a ball boy was crossing the net at exactly the moment the ball was moving and the AI can’t handle that.  Players are cross. The waiting has broken the game’s momentum.   The crowd is cross. They’ve paid to watch the play, not sit around waiting for tech to be checked.  On the other side of the world, here, we are again complaining about the TMO in last weekend’s test involving itself too much.  Even Wayne Barnes is complaining that the TMO is ruining the continuity of the game.  Other sports have already learned this lesson.  League has limited what the bunker can look at, football is thinking about limiting the VAR, ice hockey has limited video review and it's the same with volleyball.  They all know what Wimbledon hasn’t quite managed to do and rugby can’t quite seem to accept, which is that technology is great.  But don’t let it disrupt the game. Don’t let it keep fans waiting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antonia Prebble is a mainstay of New Zealand’s evening TV viewing.  She had just hit her 20’s when she was cast in 'Outrageous Fortune', becoming a household name.  They’re now celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic comedy-drama show, plus the 10th anniversary of the prequel series 'Westside'.  Prebble has expanded since then, and while she still partakes in international productions, she also runs a successful podcast ‘What Matters Most’, which is now on its 4th season.  She told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since 'Outrageous Fortune'.  “I just turned 41, so I started Outrageous when I was twenty and a half – literally half my life ago.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 10th of July, Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks the Reserve Bank decision to hold the OCR steady and what that says about our economy.  Shane Jones has had enough of lizards, DOC, and progress being stalled on a mine that would provide 700 jobs for the Otago region.  Kiwi actress Antonia Prebble joins to talk the 20th anniversary of Outrageous Fortune and the latest season of her podcast What Matters Most.  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.

Red Bull have waved the chequered flag to team principal Christian Horner.   The 51-year-old had been in the role since 2005, overseeing eight drivers' world championships and six constructors' titles.  The syndicate sits fourth on the teams' ladder this season, and four-time defending world champion Max Verstappen has won two of 12 races with reports suggesting he is considering a shift to Mercedes.  F1 Journalist Chris Medland told Heather du Plessis-Allan that while no definitive reasons have been given yet, there are multiple possibilities.  He says that the team’s form on the track has been in decline over the last 18 months, and Horner also faced controversy off the track during that time.   Verstappen’s future could have also been central to the decision, Medland says, with Verstappen also wanting to see change and not getting it under Horner’s leadership.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The video game industry's going gangbusters, with the number of people employed up by more than 20%.  This is due to a four-year, $160 million sector rebate, offering 20 cents back for every dollar eligible studios spend.   Forty studios will receive a share of $22.4 million this year, including RocketWerks Games.  Its CEO, Stephen Knightly, told Heather du Plessis-Allan $40 million is available yearly, but the Government's put a cap on it.   He says any one studio can only get up to $3 million, but thinks it should be increased as there's obviously money there.  Knightly says the scheme has delivered on what it was intended for, keeping studios from moving overseas.   He says he looked at starting a team up in Australia, but instead they're now staying in Auckland, and hiring more people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's reluctant to give work opportunities to beneficiaries outside of emergencies.  It's activated a beneficiary task force in Tasman and Marlborough, with beneficiaries able to get paid for helping clean up debris and slush.  Social Development Minister Louise Upston says the initiative is just for Civil Defence emergencies at this stage.  But Upston told Heather du Plessis-Allan she's open to suggestions about how to reduce the number of people on the Jobseeker benefit.  She says this takes a significant amount of funding, and the Government's coffers aren't a bottomless pit.  Upston told du Plessis-Allan it's estimated 30 people are needed for the work.  She says there'll be three clean-up crews, and understands there were 10 people interested within a few hours of putting the message out.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are expectations the Government continuing to step in to cover natural hazard costs for homeowners could create a moral hazard.   An independent climate adaptation report reveals annual losses from weather-related events over the next 25 years could increase by a quarter.   It warns the later we respond, the more disruptive the adjustment will be.   Chair Matt Whineray told Heather du Plessis-Allan the best way forward is for people to understand what they can get and for the Government to move away from buyouts.   He says this needs to be done over a period of time so the market has time to adjust and so people have fair warning and an opportunity to respond.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Resources Minister says a setback for expansion of the country's largest gold mine could result in the loss of up to a thousand jobs.  Central Otago's Macraes gold mine applied for a permit under the Wildlife Act to clear vegetation on its site in a bid to expand its operation.   Last month the Department of Conservation declined it, stating the company hadn't made clear how it would relocate more than 10 thousand lizards.  Shane Jones told Heather du Plessis-Allan the lizards are as common as acne on a teenager.   He says they're scattered throughout Otago, and farmers don't need special permits when carrying out work on their land.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says businesses should be more confident about the economic recovery.  The Reserve Bank's been weighing up lower-than-expected growth and higher inflation in its decision to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 3.25%.  Nicola Willis says businesses have been battening down the hatches.  But she told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’re maybe more wary than they should be.  Willis says all of the fundamentals in the economy are good.  She says the Government is business-friendly and is on the side of those wanting to invest, make money, create jobs, and export overseas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let me tell you what Chris Hopkins is busy doing to the Covid Inquiry.  Let me tell you, when he says that the Covid Inquiry is providing a platform for those who have conspiracy theorist views, he is trying to undermine it, and he's doing that. So it doesn't matter what the outcome of the inquiry is, people have already written it off as a nut job investigation.   I suspect Chippy already knows that he's not going to come out of this flash. Neither is Jacinda. Neither is Ashley. Neither is Grant.   Because we already know what went wrong. We can see that the lockdowns went too long. We know that the border was done badly. We know how much money was printed, to name just a few things that they did wrong.   It's kind of rich of Chris Hipkins to complain that the terms of reference have been deliberately constructed to achieve a certain outcome, because that's coming from the guy whose government did exactly the same with the original Covid Inquiry.   They set up such a limited set of terms of references that we had to set up a second inquiry after they lost the election just to get to the stuff that we actually care about, which is the mandates and the Auckland lockdown, and so on.   They set up an inquiry, deliberately designed their words to only learn lessons, not assign blame when actually blame, or you can call it just taking responsibility, is exactly what a lot of us affected by all of this stuff would like to see.   But what really bothers me about what Chris Hipkins is doing is the continual demonising of conspiracy theorists. Now, look, I don't love a conspiracy theorist. They're a bit nutty. I've had to sit through lectures about the world order hours on end, trying to be polite and pretending that you care because you love the person, right? A lot of these people went down the rabbit hole because Labour forced to the jab on them, so they went off to do their own research and they came back a bit strange.   They shouldn't be excluded. They may be conspiracy theorists, but they're still our friends and our brothers and our uncles, even if they're a bit slightly different at the moment. Conspiracy theorists or not, they were as affected by these decisions as everyone else, therefore, they get a say too.   And whatever, by the way, happened to “they are us”? Or does that only apply when it suits Labour? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Details have emerged about the career-ending night former Minister Kiri Allan was arrested in Wellington for drink driving.   Allan resigned immediately after crashing into a parked car and testing over the legal limit in mid-2023.   Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan her behaviour was unacceptable, but he believes in redemption and everyone makes mistakes.   Labour's Ginny Andersen says there is public interest in knowing what happened, but it must be difficult for Allan to have everything playing out again.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 9th of July, will the Reserve Bank act in line with consensus and hit pause on OCR cuts?  Why have Auckland Arena’s billionaire backers pulled out of the Western Springs stadium deal? Why is a free stadium now off the table for ratepayers?  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell debate mandatory sentences, whether Jacinda Ardern should come back for the Covid inquiry, and if $230,000 is too much to get the Government's FamilyBoost money 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.

There's a belief a plan to resurrect the extinct Moa will have ample roll-on effects.  US company Colossal Bioscience has partnered with Ngāi Tahu in a $50 million project to revive the flightless bird through gene editing.  Canterbury Museum's Senior Curator of Natural History Paul Scofield says it's a great eco-tourism opportunity.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan people could come and see Moa roaming the hills in a reserve.  Scofield says scientists would also be able to see how these birds affected the ecology of New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The death toll from flash floods that struck central Texas has now climbed to at least 108 people.  Search and rescue efforts have reached their fifth day, with the dead including 28 children due to flooding west of San Antonio.  Dozens of people are still missing.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan hundreds of volunteers have joined in.   He says searches along the Guadalupe River are slow and dirty.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministerial Advisory Group believes the community is a vital part of the solution in stomping out organised crime and drug use.  The group has released its third report which highlights being tough on organised crime means also focusing on drug users.  Advisory Group for Organised Crime Chair Steve Symon says it requires early intervention and community-based treatment.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan it no longer involves just patches and motorbikes - it's about organised crime reaching in as a business and affecting communities.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confusion over the billionaire-backed Auckland Arena proposal being withdrawn from options for Western Springs.  Businesswoman Anna Mowbray, her husband and former All Black Ali Williams, and Auckland FC owner Bill Foley withdrew their 12,500 seat proposal, which wouldn't have cost ratepayers a cent.  It follows news Aucklanders don't have a clear preference on an option for the site.  The group cites unique challenges.   Chair of the Stadium Venues Working Group Shane Henderson told Heather du Plessis-Allan they've been left largely in the dark.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's making moves to ensure we'll no longer lag behind when it comes to Artificial Intelligence.  Science Minister Shane Reti's announced the Government's first strategy for using AI - claiming it'll reduce barriers to adoption and promote responsible use.   He says it could lift our GDP by $76 billion by 2038.   Reti told Heather du Plessis-Allan the strategy's a signal to both businesses and the community over what policy settings the Government will follow.  He says modelling suggests AI use could free up an hour a day of working time for businesses.   Reti says that's an hour that can be better spent on other high value tasks.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists say pausing the OCR could be prudent as we wait to find out more about the state of global trade.   The Reserve Bank will make a call today on whether to cut the Official Cash Rate for a seventh consecutive time or hold it steady at 3.25%.   There's much to consider, including uncertainty about the US tariffs.   ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Heather du Plessis-Allan we'll have more information next month about inflation and inflation expectations.   He says hopefully all the trade deadlines will be dealt with and we'll have more clarity about what tariffs countries face.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view that current family trust laws have too much red tape.  The Government's making it easier to sell property held in a family trust in its latest revamp of anti-money laundering policies.    It means realtors won't need to collect extensive information about a trust's history to make a sale.   Family Trust Services' managing director, Janet Xuccoa told Heather du Plessis-Allan people have to provide the same information to realtors, lawyers, and accountants.  She says the changes are a relief to most providers, as the legislation is complex, time-consuming, and repetitive.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Government considering minimum sentences, I would have no problem with this. I realise the judiciary aren't going to love it because it's tying their hands. But frankly, that is the point. Because some of the sentencing discounts that have been handed down by judges are frankly outrageous. The worst case that I've come across is the case of a rapist who attacked a woman in Albert Park in Auckland three years ago. He was given a discount of 77% by the judge for being young, for pleading guilty, for being good before that and for trying to be better after that. The defence lawyer had sought discounts totalling 110%. Discounting to that point feels like nothing more than trying to get as light of a sentence as possible. Now, I know the Government has already amended the law so judges are limited to handing down discounts of no more than 40%. But that doesn't fix the problem entirely because there are still ways to game that, for example by simply beginning with a low starting point, so that by the time you've discounted to the max of 40% you end up at the low point you want. We seem to think if you're in jail for murder that's a bit much and I don't think it is. A minimum sentence sets a bar below which even the craftiest judge can't fall. The problem with it is obviously the risk that it becomes the default sentence but if that starts happening then that can be dealt with. Also, this is not a novel idea. They do this in the U.S, in the UK, in Australia, in Singapore etc. And I see a case for us doing it too. If you're discounting three quarters of a sentence, you've got a problem. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you listen to parenting experts, you'll hear the same thing time and time again about raising kids properly.  They need love, but just as importantly, they need boundaries.  They need to be told no, they need to be disciplined, and they need to learn what they can and can't do.  And if you don't do that, you basically ruin their chances at success.  Now, bear that in mind when you hear people like the Children's Commissioner arguing that kids should be off limit on citizen's arrests.  At the moment the Government is proposing a law change to allow retailers, or security guards, or you and I, to hold a shoplifter until the cops can get there and take over.  The Children's Commissioner is well-meaning because she just doesn't want kids hurt.  These things can go badly, especially if you've got the worst case playing out like we've seen, which when you've got weapons involved with kids turning up with hammers and knives and so on to raid a store.  But while she means well, she is wrong.  Because a loophole like that will be exploited by adults.  Gangs already use kids to commit their ram raids and their thefts because they know that kids get off more lightly than they would.  If you make a rule that kids are allowed to escape but adults get held down, you only make it more likely that they send the kids in, thereby making it more likely that kids end up ruining their life.  Which brings us back to the very start - kids need boundaries.  Not just from parents. But also from the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand can’t get enough of Bill Bailey.  The UK comedian last came to our shores in 2023, tickets to his ‘Thoughtifier’ tour selling out.   He’ll be back towards the end of the year, bringing a celebration of comedy, songs, and skills by the name of ‘Vaudevillean’ to Kiwi audiences.  Bailey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to delve into comedy, technology and AI, the resurgence of people seeking out live shows and performances, and just why Kiwis love him so much.  “Most of life is just showing up, and so if you turn up somewhere and you show willing, then I think you draw people along with you.”  “Plus the fact I think there’s quite a lot of similarity between our senses of humour. I think there’s a sort of shared love of the absurd, and a love of language, and a love of the general sort of oddity of life.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 8th of July, we look at the changes to the FamilyBoost scheme and if it makes the policy a boom, or if it's still a bust.  Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson was finally found guilty, after days of deliberation from the jury.  World renowned comedian Bill Bailey is winging his way back here for another nationwide tour, so we need to find out why he's so popular with Kiwis.  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.

Wellington waits with open arms as anticipation builds for the arrival of Welsh football club Wrexham.  Owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, Wrexham AFC is due to visit the capital for a friendly against the Phoenix on July 19.  New data from Booking.com shows Wellington is the most searched NZ location on the site, with interest in accommodation up 600%.  WellingtonNZ Events Manager Heidi Morton told Heather du Plessis-Allan the city offers a great opportunity for a unique location.  She says there's still rooms and tickets available.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand isn't likely to get a better deal than we're currently getting, when it comes to trade with the US.  Almost all goods to the US now face a 10% base tariff rate.  Donald Trump's announced a 25% tariff rate for Japan and South Korea from the start of next month and may also raise tariffs on other trading partners.  Business NZ Advocacy Manager Catherine Beard told Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealand probably can't negotiate a tariff rate below the 10% rate we're facing.  She says if that's the best rate going, it's probably not worth New Zealand trying to get into a "David and Goliath" battle with the US.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is set to host Israel's Prime Minister at the White House as the US pushes for a ceasefire in Gaza.  The BBC reports Israel and Hamas resumed indirect talks in Qatar but ended after three hours without a breakthrough.  Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton told Heather Du Plessis-Allan there's no compromising between the two sides.  He says Hamas' objectives are to get Israel out of Gaza, while Israel's is to destroy Hamas as a military and political force.  Discussions to strike a permanent deal with Iran in the wake of recent airstrikes on its nuclear facilities are expected to also be on the table.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian mushroom murder trial could end up in the appeals court.  Erin Patterson's been found guilty of murdering her estranged husband's parents and aunt, and attempting to kill his uncle with a beef wellington containing death cap mushrooms.  Newstalk ZB's Lesley Yeomans is in Victoria, following developments.  She told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Patterson's legal team now has 28 days to decide whether they'll appeal the verdict.  Yeomans says we’ll have to wait for the next month or so to see if they’ll do so, but you would assume it’s likely.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doubts over the amount of admin needed for families to get the FamilyBoost scheme.  The Government's announced changes, which mean eligible families can now get 40% early childhood education fee rebates, up from 25%.  The threshold household income has risen to $229 thousand.  Early Childhood NZ chief executive Kathy Wolfe told Heather du Plessis-Allan ECE providers have to help families access the scheme, which creates more admin for services.  She says it would better for providers to have more control, and help families afford the fees.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iwi-owned commercial entities have outperformed some of New Zealand’s largest listed companies.  ANZ’s annual Te Tirohanga Whanui report shows the entities emerged from the economic downturn in good shape, faring better on a return on assets basis.  Waikato-Tainui’s among the strong performers, having a balance sheet of $1.9 billion.  Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka told Heather Du Plessis-Allan there are some reasons behind the uplift.  He says many iwi and Māori businesses are land and people based, they have low debt levels, and are often generational players.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 7 July. 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 Acting Prime Minister says judges need to hear the message when it comes to tougher sentencing. The Government's increasing maximum sentences for several offences and isn't ruling out more minimum, or mandatory, sentences in the future. David Seymour told Heather du Plessis-Allan judges need to think outside their position of privilege. He says someone who has been attacked, or has had their car or property stolen, wants the perpetrator to be punished.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education Ministry data shows three and a half thousand kids have been missing from the education system for more than a year since 2022.  Lead Principal of the Manurewa Attendance Service Cathy Chalmers told Heather du Plessis-Allan having to find these kids is part of the problem.  She says a multi-agency approach is needed, as there are normally other issues that contribute to disenrollment or low attendance.  The Government says it's putting information-sharing agreements in place, between agencies like Kainga Ora and the Health Ministry See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A law expert says the court system can be fixed by understanding facts - not mandatory sentences.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith hasn't ruled out the policy which would see a minimum standard set for various crimes.  Judges currently have discretion to give discounts based on aggravating or mitigating circumstances.  Former High Court judge Sir Ron Young says New Zealand has a lot of people in prison as it is.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan the courts are already on the heavy end of sentencing, with people serving up to 20 years for murder compared to just ten, 30 years ago.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second phase of the Covid Inquiry starts today, with vaccine mandates proving to be a hot topic.   The hearings will be held in Auckland, available to watch online and will be chaired by KC Grant Illingworth.   Phase two is focused on aspects of the Covid response like vaccine mandates, the approval process and vaccine safety.  Illingworth told Heather du Plessis Allan that there are 31-thousand submissions, with a fair chunk focused on the mandates.  He says there's a number of people who think the mandates protected them, and many others who have an opposite view. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There appears to be a feeling we don't like the fact that banks make money.  Inland Revenue's digging into the tax settings being applied to banks at the Government's request - as it seeks to ensure they're paying their fair share.   But Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Heather du Plessis-Allen she believes it's motivated by a general bad attitude towards banks.   She claims the Government's looking to take more money off them, as they're perceived as big organizations that make a lot of money.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What we need is an "are we sure we know what we are doing before we rush into this" catalogue or guide.  The EV story might turn out to be one of the world's, and certainly the transportation industry's, biggest headaches as company after company admit they leapt in way too quick to electric, bought into all the Government-led madness on climate and invested, God-knows how much to transfer to a mode of movement the world wasn’t ready for, or wanted.  EVs were sold as way more than they ever were.  Now even the scientists are waking up. There's a good piece of reading from Dr Caroline Shaw published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, whereby they do what we really should have done at the start and look at the EV in totality.  It said don’t get all hyped and hooked up on emissions. Yes, emissions in an EV vs petrol debate do drop. But what about the rest of it? They looked at all sorts of things like the extra weight, therefore the extra wear and tear, the weight and therefore the potential for injury, the cheapness of driving, therefore you drive more, therefore our fitness drops as we drive and don’t walk.  They looked at a myriad of things that should have been thought about and scoped out on day one and weighed up.  Because here is the end result: when you add all that stuff up, the good, the bad and the ugly, electrifying cars would lie somewhere between harmful and neutral.  Are you serious?  Going electric could be harmful? Would it have not been useful to crunch a few of those ideas to understand this at the start of the obsession that drove the thinking?  Or, like so much ideology, do the details not matter as long as we can leap on the old bandwagon, take a small piece of the bigger picture and then milk it for all its worth, knowing that we can leave the reality and the clean-up for another day?  This by the way is not anti-EV.  It’s the realisation that like most things, what was the answer, and the obsession, and the next new thing, actually turns out to be just another piece in a way bigger, more complex, picture than the obsessives ever care to learn about.  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.    July 1st: 7/10  A lot of cool stuff started, including higher speed limits on roads where higher speed limits make sense and increase efficiency.    Helipads: 8/10  Amazing for so many reasons; well-known rich people, a ridiculous number of submissions, a massive waste of energy and, finally, they won.    Offensive to girls: 3/10  The fuss over the Warehouse and the backpack is pathetic. It was a joke. It was light-hearted.    The All Blacks: 7/10  A new season, new hope, new excitement and an easy opener.    Wegovy: 7/10  That was a lot of publicity in the news for a product next to no one can afford.    School lunches: 7/10  Because with the new stats, the new meals, and the new feedback, that is a good example of a problem solved. Now, are the media going to give the same amount of coverage to the answer as they did to the problem?    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republicans are celebrating after US President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" bill crossed the line.  Trump is expected to sign his sweeping domestic policy bill tomorrow as he celebrates the Fourth of July at the White House.  House Speaker Mike Johnson claims everything was a disaster under the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris administration.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking there was a lot of drama throughout the entire process, but eventually, Trump bullied the vast majority of House Republicans into signing onto the bill.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a survey out last week that broadly supported the Government’s moves around KiwiSaver, as in the 3% and 3% going to 4% and 4%.  But they wanted the Government to do something about the cut in contribution from the state.  Small hint – if you rely on the Government for any consistency around long term projects, forget it.  From the very beginning of KiwiSaver, the Government were always going to be the weak link.  When it comes to big picture stuff, dedication and focus from a government is a casualty of the three year political cycle. They were never going to be our friend on retirement savings.  The best advice I offer anyone, including our kids, is do it yourself. It's your life, your decision and your future, so do it yourself.  To show you how hopeless we are at saving in this country, figures released last week in America showed their KiwiSaver, what they call their 401k, hit a record high at 14.3%.  So while we are mucking around on 3-4% they are up to over 14%.  Here is the kicker – the industry says it really should 15% if you want to be comfortable.  A psychological step change is required and I'm not sure we will ever get there.  Whether its employer contributions that get offered instead of more pay, or whether it’s the Australian style compulsion, a lot of countries do it a lot of different ways and most of them have dealt with the age of retirement as well.  We basically are stuck with 65-years-old, and angst around even a debate about changing it, and far too many people who get to retirement and are stuck with a state-funded payout that has never been good and will not serve you well, if it's all you have to live off.  There is of course no reason for this to even be a problem. Lee Kuan Yew many years ago in Singapore took a third world country, told them to save, forced them to save, and now they are rich.  The answers are all there. Australia has it sorted, the Norway fund is famous, and even the Americans at 14.3% seem to have it solved.  We need to look and learn and then get our act together and apply a bit of basic discipline to our long-term futures that don’t rely on a government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  The historic Cardrona Hotel has been put up for sale – is Mike personable enough to run a hotel?  Tim and Kate offer up some programming advice, and the three delve into various athletics and racquet sports.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central Otago's iconic Cardrona Hotel is up for sale through private negotiation.  The 162-year-old building sits between Wanaka and Queenstown.  It's on the market for the first time in more than a decade.  Co-owner Cade Thornton told Mike Hosking they'll be selling privately, with no real estate agents involved.  He says there's been expressions of interest throughout their ownership, from overseas parties and nationwide.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 4th of July, we cap off a week of crime announcements with some new trespass laws.  Codie Taylor joins the show ahead of the first All Blacks test of the year against France.  Tim and Katie give some programming advice and debate whether Mike would be any good as a police recruit wing patron 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.

The first All Blacks test of 2025 is upon us.  Saturday night will see a new team tackle an understrength French side in Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.  There were plenty of surprises in the team announcement, with four debutants in the 23 and some unexpected faces in the reserve line up.  Codie Taylor is playing hooker, and told Mike Hosking that although the French side is understrength, they have to respect and acknowledge their opposition.  However, he said, their main focus is on making sure they get things right, since this is their first crack playing as a team.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it’s letting shop owners take back control.  It's proposing legislation to double maximum trespassing fines and allow trespassing people for three years, from multiple sites.  Hospitality NZ’s Steve Armitage told Mike Hosking the law’s been outdated for some time.  He says that when it was introduced back in 1980, a $1000 fine was much more material than it is 45 years later – according to the World Bank, the purchasing power of $1000 in 1980 equates to about $50,000 today.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a clever new marketing ploy from a Wanaka fashion designer.  ‘The Precious Collaborative’ are selling $10,000 coats in order to subsidise New Zealand wool products in their store.  The profits of the coats are able to discount a once $700 item to under $200 – the aim to put quality NZ wool items within the average person’s reach.  Founder Claire O’Connell told Mike Hosking that by purchasing the coat, people are supporting so much within the country – from the strong wool industry right through to local production.  So far two people have bought the $10,000 coat, and O’Connell says that since then they’ve sold almost 100 garments, of which 85% were bought at the discounted price.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talks about a major update to a 15 year old agreement between Taupō’s council and the region's largest landowners have sparked controversy.   The 2009 Joint Management Agreement between the district council and Ngāti Tūwharetoa is being workshopped, and a draft agreement has been presented to the public.  Critics argue that no public mandate has been issued, and that ‘Treaty principles’ are embedding ‘co-governance’ directly into council operations.   Mayor David Trewavas told Mike Hosking the agreement has absolutely nothing to do with co-governance, and is instead about protecting Lake Taupō.  He says that when people actually look at and understand the deal, they’ll understand it’s about protecting the lake and ensuring it remains one of the cleanest in the world.  “It’s just all about the lake, nothing to do with co-governance at all.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.