The Mike Hosking Breakfast

There’s little sign of recovery soon for the country's sheep numbers as they continue to drop.  Beef + Lamb NZ shows breeding ewe numbers are down nearly 2% on last year, with this season's lamb crop forecast to be down nearly 120 thousand lambs.  However, beef cattle numbers are showing positive signs, rising 4%.  Beef + Lamb NZ Chair Kate Acland told Mike Hosking the lower numbers are driven by the continued afforestation in big traditional sheep areas like Southland.  She says sheep prices are phenomenally good at the moment, and if we weren’t seeing pressure from carbon forestry, the rebuilding would be much stronger.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump estimates his high-stakes diplomatic talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin have a 25% chance of failure.  The two presidents will meet in Alaska tomorrow to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine.   Trump's previewed the summit as setting the table for a second meeting, inviting in Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.   New Haven University international affairs expert Matthew Schmidt told Mike Hosking public opinion in Ukraine is strong, on a need to stop the bleeding.   But he says they're not willing to give away everything or be humiliated to get there, so Trump will have to navigate that.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are fears limited information sharing is hindering authorities efforts to tackle transnational crime.  A report from a Ministerial Advisory Group focused on organised crime says there's sparse coordination between agencies, technological limitations, and people are fearful of sharing what could be useful information.  It's recommending a new sharing framework and tweaks to the Privacy Act to make it easier.  Chair Steve Symon told Mike Hosking change is needed.  He says he's been a prosecutor for 20 years and it's been the bane of their existence, which has worsened over time as agencies become more siloed and risk adverse.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm assuming the instigators of the second Covid Inquiry are deeply disappointed in what is unfolding, in terms of accountability.  Inquiry Part 1 was a Labour Government stitch up. It was an exercise in smoke and mirrors.  Inquiry Part 2 is a coalition deal driven by ACT and NZ First, and was designed to look into areas not touched on in Part 1: access to vaccines, lock downs, economic damage, and so on.  I have argued since the start that we needed an advisorial approach. In other words, we do it like the Brits, who called people to a witness stand and held them accountable.  We didn’t do that and now we're paying the price.  Ardern and Hipkins, along with Robertson, have declined to appear.  No kidding. What a surprise. I wonder why?  Grant Illingworth KC, who is in charge of the current work, has the power apparently to pull them in. He is choosing not to do so, hence my assumption of disappointment at political party level.  The Illingworth justification is the aforementioned operators are cooperating with proceedings.  That's not good enough in my book, or indeed anywhere close.  Simple question: is there a broad expectation among ordinary, everyday New Zealanders that those who made life-changing calls in a life-changing period of New Zealand owe it to us all to front and be questioned under oath about why they did what they did?  Another question: what does it say about the morals and characters of said people, who seek public mandate and public support and approval, that when things get a bit awkward they are nowhere to be seen?  Where is the courage of their conviction? Where are their spines and gonads?  Can a person like Hipkins, and indeed Verrall, who I also understand is refusing to front, possibly present themselves to the voting public next year with a straight face and ask once again for the power to run the land, having been the same people who in august of the year before ran for the hills when accountability came calling?  The rules of engagement were lacking. We were let down.  As the head of this with power to do better, Illingworth is letting us down.  But nowhere near the level of Ardern, Hipkins, Robertson, and Verrall, who should be ashamed of themselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has accused the UK of backsliding on human rights over the past year, claiming it’s not a free country.  The US State Department says the UK’s Labour government ‘repeatedly intervened to chill speech’, their annual assessment also highlighting laws limiting free speech around abortion clinics.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking it’s something that both Trump and Vance have said before, and it has a certain resonance with people like Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage.  He says the claims are causing a problem for the Government, who are already under fire for being a two-tired government that seemingly penalises the right for saying things, but lets the left go scott-free.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, the All Blacks were praised for their mental fortitude.  When it came down to the wire, fans could expect the team to handle the pressure, trained and prepared for all scenarios.  Much of that fortitude can be attributed to Gilbert Enoka – our national team’s mental skills coach for 23 years.  He retired at the end of 2023, and has now written a book that covers his mentality and philosophy during his tenure: ‘Become Unstoppable’.  Though some of the techniques used changed over his nearly three decade long career, Enoka told Mike Hosking that the underlying principles are the same.  “Pressure wears a new face every season, every year,” he explained.  “But the principles for managing and navigating your way through, I believe, are timeless.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief many farmers will be feeling disappointed and betrayed after a report to Parliament on the ban of carbon forestry.  The Environment Select Committee’s recommendations show carbon farms across productive farmland, won't be coming to a stop.  Currently under the Emission Trading Scheme there's a ban on whole-farm conversions for land that's not used for beef and sheep farming.  Federated Farmers forestry spokesperson Richard Dawkins told Mike Hosking this still puts beef and sheep at risk of full conversions.  He says there's less export income without a productive meat industry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 14th of August, then-Covid Minister Chris Hipkins defends his decision not to appear publicly for the Covid-19 Inquiry.   Public Service Minister Judith Collins responds to the latest strike action from both nurses and secondary school teachers.    All Blacks mental skills expert Gilbert Enoka imparts his wisdom and philosophy from his 23-year career with our top side in his new book 'Become Unstoppable'.  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 exporters are remaining upbeat.  The latest Export New Zealand DHL Export Barometer shows about four in five have maintained or increased export volumes over the past year.  Exporters say it's been getting cheaper to do business, but they're getting more worried about trade wars.  NZ International Business Forum Executive Director Felicity Roxburgh told Mike Hosking the impact of tariffs will take some time to flow through.  She says some of the goods impacted are still on the water and wont be paying until the 5th of October, so while there’s currently a lot of positivity, time will tell.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is blasting the secondary teachers union for calling a strike.  Post Primary Teachers' Association members will put down the tools next Wednesday, rejecting a three-percent pay increase over three years. Tens of thousands of healthcare workers are also preparing to walk off the job on two separate days next month. Public Service Minister Judith Collins told Mike Hosking it seems the union spent more time on its marketing, than it did at the bargaining table. She's urging teachers to stop using kids as political footballs and get a union that actually cares about them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister says our NCEA achievement results are ticking up as we climb out of Covid.  Last year Level 1 achievement dropped slightly to its lowest level in a decade, and Māori fell further behind.  There were improvements though in NCEA Levels 2, 3, and University Entrance for the first time in five years.   Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking these students also came through after she became Minister.  She says they've had that hour of reading, writing, and maths which has helped this incline, but she's really worried about Level 1.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he's already answered the Covid Inquiry Commissioner's questions, negating any need for him to appear publicly.  Hipkins and former Ministers Dame Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson, and Ayesha Verrall declined open hearings, leading the second part of the inquiry to be called off.  Hipkins says lawyers raised several issues around them appearing, including setting a precedent and possible abuse. He told Mike Hosking he doesn't see the point in repeating the process.   Hipkins says the Commissioners themselves have said former ministers have answered every single question put to them and they are seeking no further information.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins came undone yesterday, twice.  You would hope, given there is literally no pressure on him right now and he basically gets to spend his days bagging the Government, he might want to sharpen up, given next year is a whole different kettle of fish.  Mistake number 1: He attempted to gain points on Palestine by suggesting David Seymour was holding the Government to some sort of ransom and if it wasn’t for the veto they would have declared support for statehood by now.  What Seymour said was Hamas would need to be demilitarised.  Now, apart from the fact that’s not radical, new, or an already widely held view by many who want to recognise Palestine – what is it Hipkins is saying?  He doesn’t mind Hamas or Hamas being a terror group? Would he be happy with the two state solution, with Hamas at the control panel? If he does, no problem, just say so.  Mistake number 2: For reasons best known to himself he got trapped in a discussion about his tax policy. What tax policy, you ask? Exactly.  But he somehow managed to suggest that even though there isn't a tax policy, what there is, is broad agreement around a wealth tax and a capital gains tax.  And then the bullet in the foot – he couldn’t rule in, or out, the possibility that the family home was part of that tax capture.  Tip number 1: Drop the Middle East. No vote is moved in this country on a place that has been a disaster zone for decades and the more you look like you tolerate terrorists the more you put middle New Zealand off you.  Tip number 2: If you are stupid enough to even hint that a family home could be part of a new tax, give up right now because you are toast.  As history shows, a CGT with the family home exempt has been trialled and rejected multiple times by his own party. The irony of ironies being it was Hipkins himself with a captain's call that dropped it last time.  So not only is he clearly not committed or convinced, he seemingly may have been hijacked by some left-leaning radicals inside his own camp to get the family home involved.  So, a party that can tolerate Hamas and tax your family home.  What could possibly go wrong? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of New Zealand’s homes are beginning to fall.  The latest QV Quarterly data reveals that average prices have fallen by 0.5% over the three months to July.  Auckland is down by 1.2%, while Queenstown and Invercargill continue to rise by 2.4% and 1.2% respectively.  The average price is now 13.1% cheaper than the artificial Covid peak in 2021.  Brad Olsen, Infometrics’ Principal Economist, told Mike Hosking with about half a year’s worth of sales currently on the market, there’s a lot of supply.  On the flip side, he says there aren’t as many buyers, with employment uncertainty and the hit many people’s KiwiSavers took earlier in the year influencing buying habits.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Much has happened in the political realm since last Wednesday, so Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell are back to cover it on Politics Wednesday.  The military-style boot camps have seen mixed results – is it still a success with a 80% reoffending rate?   And what’s happening with Willow-Jean Prime? Is there any excuse for her ignoring the briefing invitation for the NCEA changes?  Plus, Mike offers up some advice regarding Question Time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The newly announced America’s Cup rules are shaking up the competition.  The confirmed protocol includes a requirement for a female sailor on board, batteries replacing manual power, the introduction of a cost cap, and a reduced number of sailors on board.  It also outlines a new partnership between all teams, establishing equal authority among those involved.  Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton told Mike Hosking it’s been a pretty torrid six months getting the changes across the line, but anything worth doing is not necessarily easy.  He says people are focusing on the obvious changes, but the seismic shift will be the America’s Cup moving from a boom-bust cycle into a more even cycle.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 13th of August, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour comments on the debate around recognising Palestine as a state.   New rules have been announced for the next America’s Cup – Team NZ boss Grant Dalton gives the lowdown.  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss the success rate of the boot camps, Willow-Jean Prime, and Mike’s advice for Question Time 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.

From a PVC pipe in a Taranaki shed to international success, Huski Coolers has seen its overseas exports surge.  The company's renowned wine cooler had its largest overseas order, shipping 76 thousand units to the UK as heatwaves rip through Europe.  The NZ firm is on track to double its eight-figure annual revenue this year.  Huski Co-Founder Simon Huesser told Mike Hosking they wanted to create a sleek, useful, and stylish item to help keep drinks cool over summer.  He says you take a cold bottle out of the fridge, put it in a Huski and that's it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament is becoming increasingly divided over the situation with Palestine.   Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick was barred from Parliament yesterday when she suggested MPs not backing her bill to sanction Israel were spineless.  She believes an apology from her isn't needed, and is engaging with Speaker Gerry Brownlee about returning to the House today.  Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour raised the question to Mike Hosking of how can you call for an international rules-based order when you can’t follow the basic rules in your own workplace.  Swarbrick has been a Member of Parliament for more than half her life, he said, so she should be able to debate on the issues – and if she can’t, she should be asking why she’s not persuading people.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More businesses are reporting losses but things may not be quite as bad as the numbers make it seem.  Inland Revenue data shows one in five businesses aren't turning a profit.  But ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small says most of those are businesses structured to make a loss, like trusts and property companies.  He told Mike Hosking the situation he's seeing is far more positive.  Small says 90% of businesses that are coming to see him are making a profit, with others making a paper loss.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An uptick in heat pump use could ease pressure on the energy system and cut costs.  A report by the New Zealand Green Building Council reveals if more households opt for heat pumps, it could save Kiwis more than a billion dollars a year.  It's also revealed this could protect thousands of industry jobs, with three mills closing in the last year due to soaring energy prices.  Green Building Council CEO Andrew Eagles says more heat pumps in the country will reduce these demand pressures for the gas sector.  He told Mike Hosking they’ve got an opportunity to free up gas from a sector that doesn’t need it.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the military-style academy and the ensuing pilot report is not the number of people who re-offended.  Hell, I thought they all would.  But rather it was the fact it was, in the minds of too many, predetermined.  Those who called them boot camps are in the invidious position of bagging the idea but not having a solution, which is an awfully easy position to be in.  Labour and the Greens hate the idea of this sort of thing. It's unkind, it doesn’t involve sitting around talking about your feelings a lot, it's not forgiving and it doesn’t recognise trauma and your past.  That’s why crime got as hopelessly out of control as it did in the past handful of years.  Their policy was to have fewer people in prison, a lot of judges offering massive discounts, and just an overarching view that, short of the super serious stuff, a bit of smash-and-grab, or biffo, was somewhere between teenage high jinks and loutish behaviour that a good telling off might address.  In the meantime, back in the real world, we were completely sick and tired of the Toyota Yaris in the shop windows and layabouts wandering out of Woolworths with legs of lamb and a slab of beer, having not paid.  So, back to military academies. Ten of the worst were given a few months with rigorous oversight, hopefully to be let back out and wrapped up with the support of some expert guidance and, fingers crossed, a life changing experience.  In many respects the Government were on a hiding to nothing when you take ten of the worst. What have they got to lose? The fact two didn’t re-offend, I would have thought is little short of a miracle.  Those that did offend, by the way this wasn't widely reported, offended at a lesser level and do not forget the trial is ongoing. The guidance and wraparound mentorship is still in action.  There is hope.  Criticism around the cost is fair enough. But like most problems, when its been allowed to get progressively worse, whether it’s a car, or a paint job, or a kid on the skids, the bill goes up.  This most likely won't be a miracle. But it might be a dent. It might, for some, actually work.  It might be better than what we have done, which is little to nothing.  But you would need an open mind to come to that conclusion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown's benefiting from another influx of winter tourists.  Local operator Skyline has seen a 33% increase in international visitors to its luge, and a 21% rise in visitors to its gondolas.  Other operators are also reporting a similar increase.  Chief Operating Officer Danny Luke told Mike Hosking tourism is booming again.  He says the winter’s been vibrant and they’re seeing real growth at the moment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 12th of August, New Zealand is considering recognising a Palestinian state. Does it matter? Will it change the war? Former Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff weighs in.   Christchurch has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Super Round – NZR boss Mark Robinson discusses the decision.  Country music star Lainey Wilson is on her way to New Zealand for the first time next year, and chatted exclusively with Mike.  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.

From living in a trailer outside a recording studio to selling out 80 thousand capacity stadiums, Lainey Wilson has made it big.  For over a decade she’s been one of the biggest country music stars to come out of Nashville, with nine Country Music Association Awards under her belt, as well a Grammy.  Her career started in 2014 with the release of a self titled album, but it was with the release of her second album ‘Tougher’ in 2016 that kickstarted her career properly.   Since then, her success has only grown, and now she’s headed to New Zealand for the first time in 2026.  Despite Wilson’s current stardom, she had a rough start to her career.   The trailer she lived in had a lot of issues, from flooding and rotting floors to running out of propane and having to sleep in coats to stay warm.  “I was willing to put up with whatever I had to put up with to be able to do it,” Wilson told Mike Hosking.  “It didn’t even cross my mind that it was actually hard in the moment.”  Finding success in the music industry isn’t easy, but Wilson was determined, with a “weird sense of peace” in her heart, knowing that this is what she was supposed to do.  “I knew at nine years old that I was going to be in Nashville and that I was going to tell stories,” she said.  “So it was important for me to like, listen to that feeling and see it through.”  However, despite that gut feeling, she had no idea “telling stories” would look lead to nearly 30 awards, eight number 1 hits, and over 2.1 billion streams.  “It looks even better than I could have ever imagined.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officials are committing to just the one year of Super Round in Christchurch – for now.  Christchurch's new stadium will play host to five Super Rugby games over Anzac weekend 2026.  Super Round took a year out of the schedule this year after the Melbourne Rebels exited the competition.  NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson told Mike Hosking it has always been on the radar to give back to a region that loves its rugby and has been a massive supporter of the game at many levels.  He says they’re not ruling out the possibility of Christchurch hosting more rounds in the future.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it worth trying to grow rice in New Zealand?  As our appetite for the staple crop increases, ecologist Yuki Fukada has pointed out the complete lack of commercial rice production in the country.  We’re currently importing $95 million worth of rice from overseas – about 85,000 tons.   Lincoln University’s Dr Jacqueline Rowarth told Mike Hosking Fukada is looking at it in terms of volume, but she thinks we should be looking at value instead.  Rice is a $2 a kilo crop, Rowarth says, and if we can grow something of a higher value we should stick with that instead of replacing it with rice.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cinderella and Mickey Mouse are packing their bags and heading offshore as Disney Cruise Line confirms its exit from New Zealand.  The company operated its Disney Wonder ship across the Tasman since 2024 but will relocate to another part of the world from 2026.  Cruise Association Chief Executive Jacqui Lloyd told Mike Hosking the fees imposed on ships is playing a big role.  She says the costs imposed on ships in New Zealand and Australia is expensive.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a view businesses have been taken by surprise by surging gas prices.  Energy management company Optima and Business NZ's joint survey reveals gas prices have risen by more than 100% on average in the past five years.  Nearly half report it's led to them reducing operations, increased prices, or cutting staff.  Business NZ Energy Council Executive Director Tina Schirr told Mike Hosking they didn't know how quickly supply would dwindle.  She says they knew there'd be moderate reduction over the next few years, but didn't think it'd be this steep over the last two years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A critical decision lies before New Zealand on whether to recognise Palestinian statehood.  Australia's pledged to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, following suit with countries like France, Canada, and the UK.  Our Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed we will reach a formal decision next month. Former Foreign Minister Phil Goff told Mike Hosking the move would send a message to Israel its action is unacceptable, and would affirm the Palestinian people's rights to a homeland.   He says it supports a two state solution, which New Zealand backs and which Israel itself agreed to more than 30 years ago.  Goff says it's a measure we should take, but it won't resolve the appalling things happening to the Palestinian people.   He says New Zealand should be doing more to back up its words with action, as we tend to talk-the-talk without having the guts to do anything about it.   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: Richie Mo'unga, why don't they bring him straight into the All Blacks? Is NZR tripping over it's own rules again? The Blackcaps thrashed Zimbabwe resulting in their largest test victory ever - 359 runs! And Shane Van Giserbergen is set for a contract extension, but are the details a bit too vague? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 11th of August, we've got more work visas to help out with seasonal work - but an immigration advisor says some of the rules around these ones could be a game changer. The Prime Minister is fresh off a visit with Anthony Albanese and joins Mike in studio as he asks if anything came out of it. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine console Mike on the Commentary Box after the Warriors loss and they discuss the life of Peter Lester.   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.

I don’t know Elisha Milmine and I wish her nothing but the best. But as it turns out, she is your new councillor in the Kahuranaki ward for the Hastings District Council. She was standing against one person, that person withdrew, so she wins by default. She has no experience. She put her hand up, was the only one standing so, congratulations, the job's yours. What a stupid system. This story is far from unique. Plenty of elections aren't even held because no one stands, or people who may or may not be any good don’t get opponents so they win by default. So, here is an idea. Accepting we are fantastically over-governed and clearly there are nowhere near the number of people interested in filling the jobs, how about we run a system whereby you have a minimum number of candidates, like a quorum? If you don’t get that number then the vote is off. The people, if there are any, don’t contest and either the seat is vacant for a term and/or a commissioner or overseer is appointed, like they have done in Tauranga and other places when the council falls apart. In other words, you bring in an experienced expert. Having a vacant space might lead to more interest next time, or the realisation that there are too many seats. Having an expert or commissioner might lead to a realisation that amateur hour is no way to run a city, town or district. We don’t hand out regular jobs by default. Why on Earth do we do it at the highest level of civic leadership? The scenario is so desperate we literally take anyone. That’s not smart when you're running a raffle, far less a population. And yet here we are with any number of councils mired in debt and handing out cost-plus-accounting rate rises because they don't have a clue how to run anything properly. If someone from Mars came down to review the way we do this they would fall over laughing at our stupidity. So, it’s a contest, it’s a quorum, or we do some appointing of some actual talent. Tell me it isn't a bad idea.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two new seasonal visas have been unveiled, allowing the likes of rural contractors or chairlift operators to return for up to three years or stay for up to seven months. It follows the unemployment rate reaching a five-year high of 5.2-percent.  Malcolm Pacific Immigration Director David Cooper told Mike Hosking it's hard to get New Zealanders into domestic seasonal work. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon says he and Anthony Albanese are on the same page about standardising regulations on both sides of the Tasman.  The New Zealand and Australian Prime Ministers have wrapped up an annual catch-up in Queenstown.  Luxon told Mike Hosking that they've also asked big business CEOs from both countires, to identify where things could be standardised more.  He says Australia's states can have lots of differences in regulations, and they're keen to see where that can be standardised.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra police officers are being called to Northland to contend with a squeeze on resources from rising violent crime.   In the past three months, 90 officers from across the country have been brought in to work five-week shifts.   Northland District Commander Superintendent Matt Shroj says the region saw four homicides in quick succession, which was the tipping point.   He told Mike Hosking that the district's been in a much better place with this extra support - but these are busy people, and they have their own areas to get back to.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belgian company Parkwind is exploring plans to build a large scale offshore wind farm in South Taranaki.  Parkwind Country Manager Peter Spencer says that Europe and Australia have already put these systems into place. 'The Europeans are the masters of it. The Australians are doing very well.' He said these offshore wind farms could be up and running in the next decade. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have at least partially changed my mind on charging tourists.  The idea that you can wander around our conservation estate for free is, of course, nuts.  Like the various charges that we have placed on tourists, whether it be at the border, or potentially in a hotel with a bed tax, the simple truth is if we got our act together in terms of marketing and seat capacity to the country, people would be happy to pay them.  Why? Because everyone pays for everything all over the world and if post-Covid travel has taught us anything, it's that you can basically rob a tourist blind and they are still happy to pay.  That’s before you get to the bit where our dollar is so pathetic that most people coming here can't believe what they get on the exchange rate.  But as part of the conservation announcement over last weekend what we also got was New Zealand's other great problem – the negative reaction.  As much as we love our open spaces and clean air and national parks you have never seen a group of people more determined not to have anyone touch them.  God forbid we should open the place up to a bit more business. We have seen it for years in the RMA and groups like Forest & Bird, who must have spent millions on lawyers in the environment court looking not to change anything.  The Quiet Sky group at Waiheke and various other locations are determined never to see a chopper polluting their environment ever again.  There is this default position whereby we are happy to be left alone, we don’t like interlopers, intruders or *ick* tourists. And we certainly don't want them tramping over our stuff, far less *ick* landing a helicopter and then tramping over our stuff.  We don't like cruise ships either so we have made them ruinously expensive to park here. So, they don’t.  Yay, a win for the greenies.  What we do like though is lots more pay, lots more hospital beds, much better education, lots of welfare and generous dollops of free stuff, all paid for by the money tree in Wellington.  The fact tourism, the conservation estate, ships and rich Americans in E130's pay for a lot of it doesn’t seem to have registered. 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.    Sheds: 8/10  The new garden shed rules are what good governance should be about – simple and common sense. How hard can it be?    Local body elections: 4/10  Nominations close and, once again, a whole bunch of races are not being run because we don’t have enough candidates.    15% tariffs: 1/10  Biggest blow of the week in an economy that needs it like a hole in the head.    Coal: 7/10  Good cooperation with the gentailers, some cold, hard reality at last, and a good kick in the pants for the idiots who closed the oil and gas.    Downtown Auckland: 3/10  Wake up call of the week from the real estate bloke who said we look more like Suva than Sydney. Ouch.    Jobs: 4/10  Because the simple truth is this aint over. There is more where that came from in a year that was supposed to be showing real signs of recovery.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I said earlier this week that the Government will be re-elected next year because, all things being equal, history tends to show you get two terms.  Plus, the Opposition remain the same people who stuffed the place a year and a half ago and the pain of that, the closeness of that, is still real for too many of us.  Unless of course they rejuvenate the party or say sorry – none of which is going to happen.  This was all backed up by Treasury who, in one of their latest papers which is well worth reading, basically says the Government overspent. They were told not to overspend.  And whatever spending they were doing should've been targeted and directly linked to Covid. None of that advice was followed.  They sprayed money at a rate that equated to $66billion, or 20% of GDP, and when the worst was over they kept spraying.  And here we are a couple of years later bogged down in their economic incompetence.  The politics of it all is in full swing as Labour tried to blame the current Government for the mess. What's making that argument slightly complicated is the ongoing criticism, which is justifiable if you ask me, that for all the announcements and noise, this is a timid Government that really had licence to go for broke and they have largely chickened out.  They have dabbled and poked and prodded and done some decent, common sense stuff. In just the past few weeks we've had changes to building products, garden sheds, speed limits, RUC's and NCEA.  There is no shortage of bits and pieces but it's not transformational, hence the slow progress and the opening for Labour to have a crack.  Labour are praying you forget all this is on them. But it is and the Treasury paper very clearly says so.  They told Grant Robertson to tighten it up, to be disciplined, but socialists with majorities and egos are not for turning and so the ruinous money party was on.  Writing about it doesn't fix it. But it is proof positive that this lot inherited one of the most ill-disciplined, ill-advised, arrogant, bungling, fiscal messes of the modern age and if you don’t believe the National Party, believe Treasury.  Labour don’t have a leg to stand on.  And the same people who did that to us are still there wanting you to forget and give them another crack in a years time.  That is why they will not win. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Friday, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed Mike’s potential career in reality TV, car troubles, and AI in language learning apps.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors are just holding onto their position in the top four.  Saturday will see them face off against the Bulldogs – a must win match after their last two losses.  But the question remains, with the spotty performances from the New Zealand team, will they be able to defeat a top four side?  Former Warriors Captain Monty Betham told Mike Hosking the Warriors have yet to lose three matches in a row this year, and experts believe that pattern will hold true.  He says both teams will be looking to bounce back in this clash, vying for a higher position in the top four.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An exception to normal procedure at the Crusaders in bringing Richie Mo'unga back to the Super Rugby franchise. The 56-test All Black has signed an 18-month contract to return in July after three seasons playing in Japan.  Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge says they're stoked Mo'unga is returning to his home franchise.  He told Mike Hosking this type of contract is probably the way of the future – athletes gaining experience elsewhere before returning to the game.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 8th of August, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour joins to talk about the huge number of kids leaving school without a single qualification.  In sporting news – Richie Mo'unga is coming back so there's cause for celebrations for Canterbury and All Blacks fans. And we look at a massive make-or-break weekend for the Warriors to see whether they are serious contenders this year.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson Wrap the Week and talk about whether Mike is going to feature on reality TV in the very near future.  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 prospects of a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin may be crumbling faster than they've formed.   The Kremlin says the US President and his Russian counterpart have agreed to meet in the "coming days".   But the New York Post is quoting Trump's officials, saying this is not the case.   Foreign Policy Analyst Jimmy Rushton told Mike Hosking Putin is burning through astonishing amounts of manpower for relatively little strategic progress.    He says Putin thinks he can outlast the West, but Ukraine would rather fight than accept poor peace terms.  Rushton says many people have taken what Moscow's selling and run with it, and it shows desperation from the Kremlin for it to pretend it is ready for peace.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a view we're an international outlier with our labelling regulations.  The standards are under review from the Ministry for Regulation in its latest attack on red tape.  Minister David Seymour says the labelling codes seem overly restrictive.  He says for example, Chemist Warehouse has someone employed full time to check labels.  BusinessNZ CEO Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking it's an issue for overseas companies having to deal with regulations here that are nowhere else.  She says if you buy a bottle of French or Spanish wine, it'll have an ugly white sticker on it – that's because of rules that only apply here.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The effects of Donald Trump's tariff hikes are already being felt in the US and around the world.   The US President's updated trade policy is now in effect for more than 90 trading partners.   New Zealand goods are grappling with a 15% tariff at the American border.   US Correspondent Charles Feldman told Mike Hosking the income will pay for Trump's tax cuts for the wealthy at the cost of consumers.   He says prices for almost anything Americans get as an imported product will rise.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist says the Government did the best it could in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.   The Treasury's latest report calculates the total cost of the Covid-19 pandemic at $66 billion.   The Government ignored official advice at the time to ease spending.   New Zealand Initiative Chief Economist Eric Crampton told Mike Hosking it is hard to fault anyone up until late 2020.   He says, afterwards, the Government failed to come up with solutions outside lockdowns and wage subsidies.   Treasury is now suggesting the Government establish an independent fiscal institution for better scrutiny.   Crampton says Treasury isn't in a position where it can effectively challenge the Finance Minister's decisions.   He says the public currently can't rely on Treasury for clear warnings when things are going wrong, which is needed for democratic accountability.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Deputy Prime Minister says he'd sack Willow Jean-Prime for declining numerous Government requests for collaboration on NCEA reform.  Documents show Labour's education spokesperson declined an advisor's meeting and didn't answer a text and multiple emails from Education Minister Erica Stanford regarding planned changes to NCEA.  David Seymour told Mike Hosking if he were Labour's leader, he would drop her because there are better people for the job.   He says he wouldn't know what to do because she may be the best option that Labour has.   Seymour says we need alternative schooling options to keep students in schools, with more than ten and a half thousand students leaving school last year with no educational qualifications.  Ministry of Education data reveals 16% didn't achieve NCEA Level 1 or above – 6% more than in 2017.  He told Hosking the education system has become less appealing because children don't believe they're missing something valuable.   There's also ethnic disparity, with 28% of Māori school leavers having achieved no qualifications, compared to 19% of Pacific leavers and 14% of Pākehā leavers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Jones is fast becoming my favourite politician.  And he might have summed up the Government's issues with one on of his increasingly famous quips.  "The Ruth Richardson bare austerity approach is not delivering the economic growth we need."  He is right, isn't he? Classic liberal politics, trimming and cutting, is not the massive bomb we need under us.  As Chris Bishop yesterday was offering more detail on RUC rates and a move away from petrol taxes, all of which is fine, Shane and his mate Winston were wandering around Marsden Point and talking of making it a special economic zone.  It'd have tax treatment and incentives to get people to invest and do things. Marsden has got land and a port, it's close to shipping lanes, etc.  Ireland has made these things famous. They cut a deal on rates, or tax, bring 'em in, stoke 'em up and watch the growth explode.  Image might be a problem. Shane and Winston both come from, well, Marsden, so it’s a bit nepotistic. But the idea is sound.  Shane has also this week announced a massive upheaval of fishing, the biggest in decades. So it’s the big stuff that we may need because the regular size stuff hasn’t provided the heft we hoped for.  Yes, yes, yes, they inherited a mess, we get that, but the results are what count.  As ACT changed the laws around garden sheds and Nicola talks about supermarkets, it might just be ideas beyond our normal comprehension are what are actually called for.  The irony of the Jones' idea is it's not part of the coalition deal. I could ask, why not?  Is the Ruth Richardson line an acceptance that what they thought would work, hasn’t?  Another irony – I'm not sure how Shane and Winston can wander around Marsden blue-skying their way out of recession, when it's them that’s holding up the foreigners from buying a house after they have invested tens of millions into the country.  But credit where credit is due, Jones seems to have taken on the mantle of the arse kicker. He is where a lot of us are at.  This is not a bad Government, far from it.  It's perhaps just a timid Government. And with October 26 and a ballot box getting closer, maybe we need to shift it up a gear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.