The Mike Hosking Breakfast

KiwiSaver.  I was thinking about this at the weekend. I get why the government is doing the old switcharoo. I get it. Means test the government sweet we, halve it for everyone else… save some money.  Then we workers… and our employers… will slowly put more into the scheme… So that when it all comes out in the wash, we’re at least no worse off than before budget day.  Except that we will be worse off, because it’s us and our employers paying for it. We pay more up front. Our employers pay more up front. That’s added cost. Businesses recover cost by putting up prices, which we end up paying, or by lowering costs, like wages… which is how most of us make a living, right? So, the net effect is worse for us and better for the government. Now again, I get why they need to slash spending but the irony with tinkering with KiwiSaver is this. For your average kiwi working hard and saving and planning for retirement… that’s what we’re told to do…. These changes throw all your calculations out of whack. You plan on a long-term, predictable set of circumstances. When they’re changed without warning and at random, it punishes people who are trying to do the right thing.  We need more of a heads up on changes to KiwiSaver… and more importantly… NZ Super. It’s not a matter of if but when that also gets means-tested. Even if the when is post-Winston.  Nicola Willis says she’s been giving this some thought. The future of superannuation. I’d like to know, and other hard-working Kiwi-savers I’m sure would also like to know, sooner rather than later, what those thoughts are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I hope you are following the butter debate, specifically the Costco part of it. Why? Because it's an insight into how the world works, especially the economic world, and why Nicola Willis and her crusade to convince us supermarkets are ripping us off might be wrong. Willis sighted Costco the other day when she once again reminded us she is back to business on the supermarkets and looking to break them up, or twist their arms, or regulate them where it hurts, so we can all feel so much better about the price of a trolley full of goods. What she knew, she said, was competition is good for prices. As I tried to say, that is school cert economics and, although partially right, isn't the whole answer. Butter at Costco is $10 per kilo. Elsewhere you can pay $10 and get half that. In that very example is part of the story - it costs different amounts all over the place on any given day, depending on where you go, or when you go. It’s a bit like petrol. Also a bit like petrol, the end price is driven by international pricing. We pay international prices because we make the stuff and sell it. Its how we make a living and we should be celebrating this. If farmers weren't doing so well we would be truly stuffed. Costco, because they are large, as in globally large, buy more of anything than anyone here locally. Because of that their price per unit drops and their margins are smaller. Scale counts Also, as the consumers group pointed out, it’s a loss-leader for Costco. In other words they are losing money on every pack they sell. Why? Because it gets you in the store to buy other stuff. Remember, at Costco you have already paid a membership fee to be there. So their butter isn't really $10 per kilo. They are eating the difference, as Trump would say, in the hope you buy stuff in aisle eight. Lots of supermarkets run loss leaders. They also put chocolate biscuits at eye line to tempt you. It’s a clever business. But Costco and their butter is not a real economic equation. And there is no magic in their pricing, the way Nicola seems to think there is.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's likely, and indeed forecasted, that if this Government is re-elected next year it will end its second term in 2029 having never run a surplus. Now, that either means they spent too much, or they inherited a gargantuan mess. The latter we know to be a fact. But the former is a bit debatable. Depending on how you measure things, the forecast surplus in 2029 is so thin it might be less than nothing, and that’s the optimistic way of measuring things, which the Government now favours. I wonder why? The traditional way of measuring things still has a $3 billion hole by 2029. The pay equity money turns out to be about $2.5 billion a year, which shows you how hopelessly loose pay equity became. Primary teaching is not a pay equity issue, the same way nursing isn't. It’s a union pay grab. The opposition will still try and convince you otherwise, but they're wrong. What we do know is the Government found $5 billion a year from savings and equity, which is a lot of money, but money that still allegedly needs spending, hence the ongoing deficits. The dept-to-GDP keeps going up. It's too high. But under my way of doing things, the little there was handed out, or redistributed, yesterday wouldn’t have even been there. But I suspect the politics of an approach that austere was too much to stomach. But here is their issue; a conservative Government can only run things in the red for so long before the public quite rightly asks whether they actually know what they're doing. Getting rid of KiwiSaver freebies for the so-called wealthy is a good move. Getting rid of Best Start freebies for wealthy families is also a good move. Means testing wealthy families on jobless teenagers is common sense. It's already done on student allowance. Depreciation for business assets is a good move. It encourages people to spend and take a punt - more of that please. In the end it was a simple document because the Government has limited room to move and Governments should not be the home of all good ideas, bum wiping and problem solving. They should set the mood and clear the run way. It’s a classic centre-right Budget written in tough times. What they need politically is people to understand just how tough it is and to give them leeway and some patience to ride this out. As for those who dug us this hole in the first place - the less we hear from them the better.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday the 23rd of May, it's all things Budget on the show this morning - KiwiSaver changes, how the Government is making the "savings" gas exploration and Nicola Willis to explain it all. A home playoff game for Auckland FC this weekend as they look to make their way into the final. Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk Smith & Caugheys and how much you should pay for a dog! 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.

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. The Budget: 7/10 In totality she did quite a lot with next to nothing and the intent and messaging, I hope, gave hope. Because boy do we need hope. Oh, and also a surplus. The Green's budget: 1/10 They shouldn’t even be allowed near a calculator. When nurses get pay cuts because of tax you know you are dealing with nutters. The Privileges Committee debate: 6/10 Because at last the committee came to the party on rule breaking and at least attempted to right the egregious mess the place has become. The Warriors: 8/10 They just keep on winning. And this weekend at home against the Raiders - what a lip-smacker! The Golden Dome: 6/10 Is it even real? Can you build a dome in three years and, if you can, how come we can't build a road in that time? Smith & Caugheys: 2/10 That is what arrogance, incompetence, blind ideology and lack of vision does for a city.  LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC have the second leg of their A-League semi-final clash against Melbourne Victory tomorrow night. It’s the home leg for AFC – with Go Media Mount Smart Stadium expected to be a sellout with 28-thousand fans. The club’s CEO Nick Becker told Mike Hosking the team aren’t getting ahead of themselves – and are solely focused on this game. He says it would be a brilliant achievement to reach the Grand Final in the franchises’ debut season. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An oil and gas lobby group is celebrating the Government's 200 million dollars for gas fields. Resource Minister Shane Jones announced the money would be used to co-invest with developers to start new fields. Energy Resource Aotearoa Chief Executive John Caregie told Mike Hosking it's a positive signal to the sector. He says it will tilt the economic signals from negative to neutral. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is defending her budget and growth agenda, despite a surplus being some years away. The Government's books aren't set to return to surplus until 2029. Nicola Willis says that surplus is coming despite disruption on the world stage. She told Mike Hosking alongside spending cuts they're also investing to encourage businesses to grow. Willis says the biggest risk to getting back into surplus would be a slow down in the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two people are dead and eight injured after a plane crashed in San Diego overnight. The small business jet crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood, spilling jet fuel across the road and engulfing multiple homes in flames. Police evacuated around 100 residents. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking authorities are doing more searches, to make sure everyone's out. He says it's believed those killed were on board, but among those injured were people on the ground. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view suggests says yesterday's Budget is highlighting New Zealand's fiscal realities. It found more than 21-billion dollars in savings - including nearly 13-billion from its pay equity changes. Despite the many cuts - the Government isn't forecasting New Zealand to return to a surplus until 2029. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking reaching that will be touch and go. He says the next few Budgets are likely to be the same, and it will probably get harder to reach that target -- meaning less spending, or something else, may be required. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What I hope for today is a sign and a sense that what we are facing economically as a country is real, and it's real bad, and the Government see it, accept it, and chart a path forward that gives us some sort of hope.  The damage done by Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson, Chris Hipkins, and Adrian Orr is now years long.  You can't invent money in that volume without spending the ensuing years trying to dig yourself out of it.  The start has been made.  The cutbacks have begun and the screaming, wailing, and upset has ensued. But there is a lot more where that came from.  The seeds of recovery are real, manufacturing is expanding, and has been for several months, but services aren't. Sentiment isn't.  The farmers have struck gold, but the weather has been exceptionally kind, as have Americans with their passion for burgers.  Our debt is shocking. We are not running a surplus on an annual basis and still won't be for years.  The Finance Minister today has virtually nothing to play with; no excess, no lolly, and no largesse.  She has, I hope, found a fortune in savings and she will redirect that to better places.  I pray she isn't borrowing on top of what we have already incurred. If she has, she may well be making a generational mistake, given Treasury says 50% debt by way of GDP is it, and we are close enough to that to worry the conservatives.  In a sense today should wrap some numbers and forecasts around the rhetoric, being we are open for businesses, we are pro-growth, we are big on infrastructure and most importantly, fiscally as well as economically, we are not going to die wondering.  Today is not a day for a dollar here and a dollar there. It is not an itch-scratching exercise.  It should be a document that lays an ongoing foundation for the major project that is the economic resuscitation of the New Zealand economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of New Zealand’s most influential music groups is back after five years out of the game.  Fly My Pretties was first formed in 2004, and brought together musicians from a lot of well-known Kiwi bands to record live albums.   The cast includes musicians from the Black Seeds, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Phoenix Foundation, and The Phoenix Foundation, among others, and was founded by Barnaby Weir and Mikee Tucker.  Tomorrow marks their first release in five years, with their seventh album ‘Elemental’.  Weir told Mike Hosking the project has turned out different to how he would have imagined it, but the core concept is still there.  “I hope that there’s still a lot of, y’know, more leads in it,” he said.  “This new album is really strong, and y’know, in the future, I might not be on the stage, I might be just more of a mental kind of character involved with it, but the concept can just, y’know, continue.”  And, as a special treat, Weir gave an exclusive, acoustic performance.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Auckland oyster farmers have been hit with a wave of uncertainty.  Norovirus has been found in the Mahurangi River where the shellfish are grown, resulting in contaminated product and closures until further notice.   They're blaming Watercare and Auckland Council, claiming they let sewage flows get out of control before infrastructure could catch up.  Watercare says a new pipeline should be completed in 2028.  Matakana Oysters co-owner Tom Walters told Mike Hosking it’s too little too late for many of the businesses, who have been begging for measures to be introduced for years.  He says there’s been no accountability from Watercare or the council, or compensation after the growth and development of the area cost them their farms and livelihoods.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22nd of May, we talk to the major sectors to hear their wish lists for today's Budget.    145 years of Smith & Caughey's has officially come to an end, and Mike is ropeable.  Fly My Pretties co-founder Barnaby Weir is on to talk their first album in five years, plus, gives us an exclusive look at a new song.  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.

KiwiSaver's a hot topic in today's budget announcement.   Low and middle income earners could be getting tax back on their contributions into the fund.   Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker told Mike Hosking it's a recommendation made by the tax working group.   She says that will make a difference to people's savings.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All quarters of the health service need funding, not just lip service.   That's the message from the Nurses Society ahead of the Government's budget announcement today.   National Director David Wills says our health system's been historically underfunded.   Wills told Mike Hosking services can't be delivered without adequate funding.   He says despite claiming to deliver increases, in real terms there was under funding in the last budget.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A promise today's budget will deliver real growth for the economy.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hours away from unveiling her 'No BS Budget', claiming there'll be no frills or excess.   The Government's been slowly teasing figures, concentrating on balancing the books through cuts and reprioritisation in spending.  Business NZ CEO Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking the government knows its role in business recovery.  She says they're the first government in a long time that's methodically looked through what can be done to make things easier.  It’s also been teasing changes to the KiwiSaver scheme, with more to be revealed.  It's expected to increase KiwiSaver's default contribution rate from the current 3% as well as means-testing its own annual contribution, up to $521 dollars.  Rich told Hosking they'll be keeping a close eye on things.  She says it depends on how it's phased in over time, so businesses can factor it into wage negotiations and salaries.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief New Zealand's entering the early stages of an export-led recovery.   Stats NZ data reveals it's at $1.4 billion in April, compared with a $12 million deficit last year.  The dairy sector's been the big winner, up $601 million to $2.2 billion.   Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking it's promising on the back of a tough three years in the sector.   He says domestically people aren't spending a lot, so imports aren't coming in, but fortunately the world is buying more from us which is a great point in the cycle.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smith and Caughey's closure indicates what needs to change in Auckland's CBD  The city's most iconic department store is closing its doors after 145-years, with the loss of almost 100 jobs.  The closure comes down to increased competition, economic hardship, and the state of the central city.   Heart of the City Chief Executive, Viv Beck told Mike Hosking it's a sign of fundamental flaws in the management of Auckland's CBD, especially in transport.   She says the system needs more functionality and common sense to meet Auckland's realistic transport needs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zespri’s largest-ever crop has topped $5 billion in global sales   After some challenging seasons, the kiwifruit company has exceeded their long-term goals by $500 million.  The record season saw the sale of close to 221 million trays of Kiwifruit, compared to 164 million the previous year.  Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake told Mike Hosking it comes after a decade of investing heavily in the brand.  He says they've been able to give good returns back to growers after some challenging years.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billions in spending has already been announced, and more to come for today's budget.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hours away from unveiling her second budget, and is promising no frills or excess.   The Government's been slowly teasing figures, including a $600 million infrastructure investment into the country's rail network.   Infrastructure New Zealand Policy Director Michelle McCormick told Mike Hosking they're trying to make some progress.  She says it's good to see they're continuing to build on the fundamentals.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins needs help.  For the life of me I have no idea why he is wasting his time defending the Māori Party.  He says their punishment is too harsh.   Problem 1: Is he doing it because it’s seen as anti-Government? In other words, despite him saying he wasn't going to bark at any passing car, he barks at any passing car.  Problem 2: This reinforces the general view that the Labour Party are soft on people who break rules, and consequences should always be watered down.  Problem 3: He is the leader of a major party, and the major parties represent, you would have hoped, a bipartisan view that behaviour and rules and etiquette are to be adhered to in a place of national leadership.  Problem 4: The Māori Party are nothing but trouble and you want, as a centrist, to stay well clear of them.  They don’t like Parliament, they don’t believe it should exist and, if it does exist, they think they should have a separate version for themselves.  Hipkins is like some tragic, legal aid boot lawyer who defends the hopeless for the sake of it.  There is no upside, and yet in Budget week he has bought into the narrative, yet again, that some poor saps have been hard done by and it's all not fair.  He somehow has to be on the side of the victim.  Problem 5: Say whatever you want about the Privileges Committee, but it is Parliament's long-standing court, and his party is a part of it.  It seems odd, and undermining, that you're willing to partake in the process then bag it when it reaches a conclusion.  Problem 6: A few of his own members were part of the original crime on that infamous day when things went dramatically to the pack. So maybe he feels like a hypocrite, given Peeni Henare fell on his sword and the others were too belligerent to do so.  Problem 7: New Zealanders want, like, and demand standards, so he is on the wrong side of this. Problem 8: When we aren't wanting improved behaviour, we wouldn’t mind the big players in the political game concentrating on the big issues, like the mess economically we are currently in, as engineered by the bloke who is busy barking at passing cars.  The Greens and the Māori Party are minor players and not serious.  Labour are supposed to be serious. So how about you give it a crack? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Liberal-National Coalition has called it quits after more than 60 years in partnership. National's leader David Littleproud says the parties couldn't come to an agreement on policy after days of negotiations.   Australian Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking the decision was unexpected, and is probably the destruction of the Liberal Party in Australia for a very long time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21st of May, Privileges Committee Chair Judith Collins discusses the adjournment of the vote regarding the suspension of the Te Pati Māori MPs.  Mike digs into what exactly it is that Winston Peters doesn't like about foreign business investors being allowed to buy houses that are priced out for the vast majority of New Zealanders.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen do Politics Wednesday and discuss gifts to MPs, the debate, or lack thereof, in the House, and the Budget.    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.

Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Mark Mitchell joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest political stories of the week so far. Mike's got the register of Pecuniary Interests, which lists the gifts MPs received between February 1st of 2024 and January 31st 2025 - so the three of them discussed some of the entries on the list.  They also discussed debate, or lack thereof, in the House, and what might else might be coming out of Budget 2025. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Demand's strong for bricks and mortar retail, despite the growth of online shopping.   JLL NZ's new report estimates almost 255-thousand square metres of new retail space is needed over the next five years to keep up with our growing population.  It also finds customers prefer in-store shopping over e-commerce.   Research and Strategic Consultancy head Chris Dibble told Mike Hosking a significant amount of the development is likely to happen in Auckland, as the city has about 13% of the country’s retail supply.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Z Energy's expanding its 'top up shops' in hopes of helping with competition in the grocery sector.  The gas station chain is expanding its grocery offering as part of a diversification push.  It will target customers looking for convenience between their large shops – for snacks or staples.  Grocery Action Group Chair Sue Chetwin told Mike Hosking they'll have nothing fresh or frozen, which is where the competition is.  She says they'll have bits and bobs, but it's not the answer to very high grocery prices.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hints the foreign buyer ban could be lifted, but not yet.  OneRoof reports rumours have been swirling with some agents telling them politicians had told them a decision to reverse the 2018 Labour policy was imminent.  Act leader David Seymour and New Zealand First MP Andy Foster were mentioned, but both deny any confirmed changes.  Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told Mike Hosking it will not be in tomorrow's budget, but it won't be too long before there's an announcement.  When it comes to the man who interrupted a rail announcement, Peters doesn’t care if he loses his job.  He and Chris Bishop faced multiple hecklers at Wellington's train station yesterday while unveiling Government funding of rail.   The end of the media stand-up was derailed by an employee from the environmental and engineering consultancy Tonkin and Taylor.  The man was reportedly wearing a company lanyard at the time.  Peters told Mike Hosking it's now an employment matter.  He says the behaviour is disgraceful, and he won't put up with it inside or outside of Parliament.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief EDs could be diverting patients away with vouchers for urgent care clinic consultations, more than they are.  It's believed Auckland's Waitakere Hospital is sending away around 25 patients a day with vouchers due to long wait lists.  The Health District's total voucher spend jumped 60% between 2022 and last year.  The Royal College of GPs' Medical Director, Luke Bradford told Mike Hosking there's pressure on EDs to meet Health NZ's target of seeing patients within six hours.  He says it's cheaper to hand out a $150 or $200 voucher, considering the average cost for a visit is 800.  Bradford says it’s a reasonable way to help manage the flow of EDs, and vouches are a solution to managing a recession and a lack of resources.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chair of the Privileges Committee wants Labour's Leader to apologise.  Chris Hipkins told TVNZ Judith Collins had publicly condemned “uncivilised behaviour from indigenous people” in relation to Te Pati Māori's actions.  Judith Collins told Mike Hosking she never said that.  She says it’s entirely wrong for him to have said that, and she’s called on him to apologise and apparently he’s going to think about it.   The debate on the proposed punishments for the three Te Pati Māori MPs was moved to June 5 - to leave this week free for the Budget.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The debate around the Privileges Committee and their decision for the Māori Party MPs starts today.  It's set to be a long-winded and largely pointless exercise.  If you can be bothered, get a read on where each of the parties stand.  Why?  Because you will find that some parties don’t agree with the committee and think the so-called punishment is a bit hard.  The Prime Minister was asked about this yesterday at his post-Cabinet press conference. In fact, they were the first questions asked, which was sad and yet again a reminder of how the Press Gallery is not really interested in the news of the day, and perhaps even the good news of the day.  The good news of the day came from the Finance Minister, who was standing next to the Prime Minister at said conference and had been busy up to the question bit outlining some new tax treatment for investment and payments for start-ups and businesses looking for a bit of relief around rules and paperwork.  That got scant coverage, despite the fact these are the very sort of issues, ideas, and polices that will drag this beleaguered economy out of the quagmire it is currently stuck in.  As regards to the Privileges Committee, for the record, the Prime Minister stood firm on the ensuing debate, and whether or not by bargaining away the decision it could expedite what could be days of time wasting.  Why this matters is because standards matter, and standards in this country have become embarrassing. What the Māori Party did was farcical, as well as embarrassing.  Their punishment was not because they were Māori, or because what they did was Māori, it was because they broke the rules, and rules count or should count.  Because when they don’t, people like the Māori Party and to a lesser degree the Labour Party and the Greens, bring us all into disrepute.  Believe it or not, there are large swathes of this country that find what has been happening at our highest level of leadership to be completely and utterly shocking, as well as embarrassing and needless, and we are more than over it.  By asking whether Government can plea bargain it away so we can skip a lengthy, boring debate is systematic of the problem itself.  "Why deal to it, when we can ignore it or water it down?"  If those who think this is all okay want to debate it and remind us what mediocre looks like, that's on them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says the Vatican's 'very interested' in hosting negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.  The US President's held two separate phone calls today, one with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the other with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.  He says Ukraine and Russia will immediately start working towards a ceasefire, and more importantly, an end to war.  Europe Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking Pope Leo XIV has had a flurry of diplomatic meetings following his recent inauguration.    She says he may be set to host peace talks, so Trump may be heading to Rome.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis will be able to experience the drama as ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ returns for a second season.   Nicole Kidman’s Masha Dmitrichenko has invited a new cast of characters to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps, pushing them to the brink over the course of a week.   Annie Murphy and Murray Bartlett are among the cast, playing alongside Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strong, Aras Aydin, and of course, Nicole Kidman.  For Murphy, the ensemble nature was a huge draw, telling Mike Hosking she was thrilled by the prospect.  “We were there for six months Munich, with a whole bunch of really talented, really theatre, dorky actors... I was thrilled.”  Bartlett was also excited to be a part of the show, having watched and “devoured” the first season.  Season 2 will be releasing on May 22nd worldwide on Amazon Prime.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 20th of May, millions are being invested into rail and tax changes for foreign investors – where is the Government getting the funds from?   Parliament is voting today on the punishment for the three Te Pati Māori MPs.  White Lotus star Murray Bartlett and Schitt's Creek star Annie Murphy are on to talk their roles in the new season of Nicole Kidman's ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A continuing squeeze on natural-gas supply, with little hope for a quick solution.  Production fell 20% in the first quarter, compared on the year before, to 22.85 petajoules.   Industry spokespeople say available gas is depleting and exploration of new fields is banned.   Echelon Resources CEO Andrew Jefferies told Mike Hosking we're not going to get more gas without looking for it.  He says gas provides nearly the same amount of energy electricity does, so people can't do without it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says the tone and spirit of this morning's conversation with Russian's President Vladimir Putin were excellent.  This comes following a two-hour call between the two leaders, with Trump now saying Ukraine and Russia will immediately start working towards a ceasefire.  He's reportedly also wrapped up a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.  Kyiv-based Foreign Policy and Security Analyst Jimmy Rushton told Mike Hosking Putin has Trump right where he wants him, and he's clearly being manipulated and worked by Putin.  He says Trump and his Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are simply making things up as they go along.  He says they keep talking to Putin about this 'destructive war', but he doesn't care, even about the lives of his own people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Speaker of the House has been worried Parliament's standards have been slipping over the past few years.  It comes as the Privileges Committee report on Te Pati Māori's behaviour during last year's Treaty Principles Bill vote, will be debated and voted on this afternoon.  It proposes a 21-day suspension for the party's leaders, and a seven-day suspension for MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke.  Former Speaker Sir Lockwood Smith told Mike Hosking a decision to close the public gallery is wise.  He says this will be a test for Speaker Gerry Brownlee because his judgement will be critical.  Smith says it’s up to him to make sure this debate, which will be watched by many, shows Parliament to be a better place than it’s been in the last couple of weeks.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says maintenance to keep the country's railways working is long overdue.  Chris Bishop, alongside Rail Minister Winston Peters, announced $461 million for the rail freight network, and an additional $143 million for Auckland and Wellington's metropolitan trains.  It's ahead of this week's Budget announcement.  Bishop told Mike Hosking more will be needed in the future to keep Auckland and Wellington's trains running.  He says successive governments have neglected rail maintenance.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's frustration over the Government's lack of pace in changes to encourage foreign investment.  It's set aside $65 million over four years to loosen the capitalisation rules for investors.  The change will allow foreign-owned companies to fund a bigger chunk of their investments in New Zealand through tax deductible debt.  Queen City Law managing director Marcus Beveridge says told Mike Hosking the Government's still trying to get rid of roadblocks.  He says it's underwhelming to be a year and a half through an election cycle and to still be tweaking things in this space.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OneRoof had a story over the weekend about an apartment in Auckland that is for sale for $17 million. It was for sale for $16 million, so they have put the price up despite the fact it has been for sale for several years. They are looking to the international market where $17 million is not a lot of money. The article also featured information about a Knight Frank Wealth report that ranked the priorities of those with money and real estate investment was right up there, as well as, for the super wealthy, the ability to have a super yacht park featured highly as well. The point being, in Auckland your $17 million penthouse can be a few hundred metres away from your super yacht. Yet, in this country foreigners can't do that because they aren't allowed to buy a house. What they are allowed to do is get a golden visa and the new rules have proved popular. There is good inquiry. For $5-10 million you invest in a business, you employ, you grow, you help us out and, yet, you still can't buy a house. The fact the apartment has been on the market for years clearly shows no locals want it, or can afford it. So the fear, as proffered by some, that foreigners take houses off New Zealanders at this level clearly isn't true. The Government, or parts of it, want to fix this anomaly and yet they can't, or don’t, because NZ First refuses. Rumours a while back suggested a compromise had been reached. National had an election policy of $2 million as a protection on lower priced houses. The rumour was a figure of $5-6 million had been reached with NZ First but it never came to fruition. So in Budget week, when yet again the dire state of our finances is laid bare and a commentary around growth will be pushed hard, one of the answers of the wealthy having money to invest, has not been fully enacted because one part in this Government is xenophobic. This battle to regain our economic mojo is hard enough as it is without ankle-tapping ourselves by refusing to enact blatantly obvious ideas. If we can't pull every lever possible we have no one to blame but ourselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the pope’s inauguration in Rome over the weekend. While there, he met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to discuss donating military tanks to the country. Australia has donated $1.5 billion in support of Ukraine. Australian Correspondent Steve Price talks to Mike Hosking about the meeting between the leaders, Victoria’s budget, the F1 and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 19 May. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says his Government is calling out bureaucrats falling foul of the government's expectations. It comes off the back of Winston Peters expressing his criticism of Māori targeted hires, after a government job was advertised as a “tikanga lead” to promote Māori customs, principles and values in the Māori policing unit. Luxon discusses whether the reason NZ First is seeking changes to the regulatory standards bill is because they have problems internally. The Government is officially announcing its budget on Thursday, after a series of pre-budgets announcements have been made, including multi-million-dollar funding to the film industry and urgent care facilities across the country. Mike Hosking questions where the money’s coming from. Prime Minster Christopher Luxon and Mike Hosking talk all this and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's good news for the manufacturing sector.  Business BNZ performance of manufacturing index shows an upward of 0.7 points. JMI Wealth Spokesperson Andrew Kelleher says it's a strong indicator that recovery is underway for manufacturing.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are changes to the way New Zealanders are getting educated, with distance learning increasing.  Correspondence schooling has seen a 32 percent rise in enrolment since 2018. Crimson Global Academy CEO Penelope Burton talks tells Mike Hosking social anxiety is a contributor, while others aren't finding in-person schooling challenging enough.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rural community of members bill is looking to adjust the rules around KiwiSaver so that it can be used to buy a farm.  The change would also allow defence force personnel to get access to a first home.  National MP for Rangitīkei Suze Redmayne talks to Mike Hosking about the proposed changes.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rules are being relaxed around borrowers using flatmates to pay their mortgage. Previously, borrowers would need signed documentation from a flatmate contributing to the cost, but now a declaration of intent is all that’s needed. Opes Partners Resident Economist Ed McKnight talks to Mike Hosking about what this means. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s announced $164 million will be spent on five new 24/7 urgent cares across the country. Rural areas will have round the clock, on call support. It means 98 percent of Kiwis will be within an hour from the nearest urgent care. Chief Executive of Rural Healthcare Network Dr Grant Davidson talks to Mike Hosking about the investment. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump is facing strong opposition from members of his own party, after they blocked the advancement of the President's budget bill. Nicknamed the 'big beautiful bill' by Trump, the bill seeks to lock into place tax cuts which mostly benefit wealthy American's, while also calling for no taxes on tips. To pay for the tax cuts the Government would need to cut medical aid, food for the poor and clean energy initiatives.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold talks to Mike Hosking about the bill and a terrorist attack in Palm Springs.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back Tony Blair.  A new report he is a part of sees him joining the growing list who argue that Net Zero is doomed.  Net Zero will be doomed whether we do anything about it. No one is going to jail if they don’t reach Net Zero.  It's just that we can avoid a lot of needless damage along the way by recognising it early and bailing, so our economies can be put back on some sort of level footing.  Ironically, there is growing anger in Spain over this week's power blackout, with a lot of people blaming the renewable aspect of their supply chain. Spain is over 50% renewable, which is high for Europe.  The people's argument being the higher the reliance on renewables the more fragile your grid is.  Back here farmers are furious, once again, over the new settings for the ETS. We have gone from 50% to 51% reductions, only because Paris says each year you need to adjust up.  So they adjusted the least they could. But they still acquiesced to what was signed up years ago when Net Zero was a bullish theory, not an economy sapping reality.  The Climate Change Commission the other day put new targets for credits and pricing on the carbon auctions. They were completely different to last years, in a "we make it up because we don’t know what's going on" kind of way.  We have stumbled and bumbled our way through all of this, hurting our living standards. And to what end?  Emissions are in fact down for New Zealand. Yay us.  Is the world any better? No.  Which is why Blair joins Kemi Badenoch in calling it all out. The Reform Party are booming, in no small part because they have called it all nonsense.  So between Blair, Farage and Badenoch that’s a lot of cross-political support to tip up an increasingly obvious dead-end idea.  Like 'Me Too' and the cancel culture and all the other bandwagons that got fashionable, Net Zero is destined for the same end.  Not that helping the planet isn't good or laudable. But what we didn’t understand then, but clearly do now, is at what price?  And are we prepared to pay it?  Given the answer is no, a few more Blair, Badenoch, Farage-type voices here wouldn’t go amiss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.