The Mike Hosking Breakfast

There's a belief official 'Run it Straight' events are trying to mitigate head injuries, but has risk written all over it.  Ryan Satterthwaite —a 19-year-old— has died after suffering a serious injury during a private version of the aggressive tackling game in Palmerston North on Sunday.  A championship league final has been blocked from Auckland's Trusts Arena.  Former Kiwis captain Richie Barnett told Mike Hosking the official events are a controlled environment, but heads can end up in the wrong space.  He says it's still impact, which is the problem, as you don't need to have a concussion to have a brain bleed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A day of celebrations has turned violent in the UK after a car collided with pedestrians at Liverpool Football Club's victory parade.  Authorities say a 53-year-old white British man has been arrested and the area has been evacuated.  47 people were injured – 27 were taken to hospital, two with serious injuries, and 20 treated on scene.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking it doesn’t appear to be connected to terrorism at this stage.  He says the motives are a complete mystery.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pressure is on the new Reserve Bank fill-in Governor tomorrow.  Although given it’s a committee, in theory he is more of a messenger.  It's reported that we have increased calls for a 50 basis point cut.  Why? Because things aren't flash.  If you read business results in the current reporting season, a lot of commentary tells us the recovery is underway. Things are looking better.  We can certainly see that, for example, with retail spending. The numbers produced just last Friday for the opening quarter of the year are up, and in some parts of the sector they're up quite a bit.  We have seen manufacturing expanding for several months in a row now.  So those are the fact-based statistics. The other measures, like confidence, have dropped. We see people in the doldrums.  But that is a vibe.  Can you find people who are in the doldrums? Of course you can. But does a vibe lead to a lack of action or a lack of spend? Or do we say one thing and do another?  We also read a lot about this “uncertainty”. The uncertainty is of course Donald Trump, because Trump is increasingly seen as insane.  It may well all end in tears, threatening tariffs on Europe one day then delaying it all until July the next.  Against this, the Reserve Bank Governor has to work out whether to drop the OCR by 25 or 50 basis points. If it's 50, does that gee us all up and out we go and fire things up? If so, then next thing you know inflation is sparked up.  Does he go 25 and hint at another 25, and may even another 25?  What does he say about inflation and its uptick already, not just here but globally? Do we have the growth to support any such uptick? Is the uptick driven by actual activity, or still people just putting their prices up?  As someone said, who on Earth would want to be Reserve Bank Governor? And our one isn't even under the constant threat of being fired.  Thank the good Lord that we indisputably have an export-led recovery of sorts. Meat and wine and kiwifruit are doing the business.  But that’s over there, over here we are still in a funk.  So, what to do? Your move Christian.  No pressure then.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A common deficiency could be holding you back.  Iron is the most common nutritional deficiency, both globally and in New Zealand, and it plays a role in everything from energy to brain function and development, thyroid function, and anxiety prevention.  Dr Libby Weaver is biochemist, nutritionist, and author, and her latest book ‘Fix Iron First’ delves into the role of iron in the body, and how a deficiency could be impacting your life.  She joined Mike Hosking to discuss her research.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the challenging economic conditions, Turners Automotive is standing strong.  The company announced a record year to March, returning a profit of $38.6 million – a 17% increase.  The result capped off what the company said was a decade of sustainable growth.  CEO Todd Hunter told Mike Hosking the secret to sustainable growth is to provide a great environment for their people.  He says they then provide a great experience for customers, and the combination of those two things delivers a great experience for their shareholders.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 27th of May, are police deliberately not investigating retail crimes if the value is under $500?  We have a big recycling problem in this country, but we also have some good old Kiwi ingenuity when it comes to old and bruised kiwifruit.  Health whiz Dr Libby Weaver is back in studio to talk iron, and whether Mike is as healthy as he thinks he is.  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 year’s worth of plastic waste, once collected for recycling, may now end up in the landfill.  The market for coloured plastics dried up with the closure of Chinese recycling plants, and as a result, the Far North District Council is set to send 190 tonnes of plastic to the landfill.  Sue Coutts, Director of External Affairs for Zero Waste Network NZ, told Mike Hosking it’s no surprise the coloured bottles won’t be recycled, as they’ve known they can’t be for about a decade.  She says there’s plenty of good ideas out there to mitigate the problem, they just need to be implemented.  Coutts says the Government is currently consulting on extending producer responsibility, which would put the problem back into the hands of the ones creating it.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi ingenuity has found a new use for the 50,000 tonnes of kiwifruit that is rejected each year.  KiwiLeather Innovations is taking the byproduct and turning it into a plant-based leather alternative.   Founder Shelley Houston told Mike Hosking it takes about 500 grams to make a square meter of the alternative leather.   She says they’re targeting the automotive sector, as brands like Tesla are already using things like cactus leather for their interiors.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nelson's Mayor says upgrading the city's hospital will be a turning point for its health services.  Completion of a 128-bed inpatient building has been brought forward two years to 2029.  Nick Smith told Mike Hosking the city’s health services have been under real pressure, with the old buildings dating back to 1955 and 1970.  He says it's encouraging not only to have the $500 million upgrade, but also the 32 bed temporary inpatient ward.  Smith told Hosking it gives them both immediate relief, but also enables the redevelopment and earthquake strengthening to be done really well.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's being accused of rushing a greyhound racing ban, affecting hundreds of jobs.  Racing Minister Winston Peters gave the industry 20 months to wind down from November.  Greyhound Racing NZ is applying for a judicial review, saying the Government failed to inform, prepare, and consult on the ban.  CEO Edward Rennell says many only found out shortly before the announcement.  He told Mike Hosking they've had no engagement from the Government and nothing in writing on the decision – the only way they’ve been able to determine how it was made was through the Official Information Act.  Based on that information, Rennell says the paper that went to cabinet was highly selective and didn’t present complete facts.  “When you’re looking to take away $159 million from the economy and 1,054 jobs, surely you have an obligation to review the full facts.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retailers are seeking clarity on a Police directive on shoplifting.  RNZ reports police staff have been told to not investigate allegations of theft below $500.   Police may not take further action if the reports don't have enough evidence, such as CCTV.  Chair of the Ministry of Justice's Retail Crime Advisory Group Sunny Kaushal told Mike Hosking retailers are concerned.  He says similar policies have already failed in America and the UK, where gangs of shoplifters exploit them to make illegal gains without consequences.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is suggested Peter Dutton in Australia lost the election because of his nuclear issue and work from home policies. I personally think he lost because they ran a hopeless campaign. But it is more than possible that he floated a couple of ideas that the voter simply could not stomach. I am wondering if Chris Luxon is heading in a similar direction here with superannuation. Nuclear makes sense. Working from home hinders productivity. But the voter is always right and being a voter beats logic. Will the voter be right here on superannuation? Are there enough New Zealanders who have landed on the simple truth that 65-years-old, as a pension age, is no longer sensible, nor affordable? $28 billion is the bill each year, and growing. That seems worse now because we are broke. But even in good times it’s a stunning amount of money. National will take it to the vote next year. They may be saved from themselves by NZ First, if they are still in the mix, because it will be a bottom line. But we reach the interesting point where logic and emotion collide. For many, superannuation is untouchable. It’s a lifetime's worth of work. "i paid my taxes" they say, even though that line isn't actually real because we spent your taxes years ago and then borrowed a bit more to keep the lights on. 65-years-old is the new 50-years-old and, post-Covid, older workers have never been in more demand. The days of being out to pasture are increasingly gone. 65-years-old is not old. Imagine a day where you enter the workforce knowing you need to take care of yourself. Yes, if you strike trouble the pension is a welfare payment, not an entitlement. But we either have to change the narrative and mindset from entitlement to welfare, or we need to up the age. In upping the age over time, even giving years worth of notice, it's still a very big call. It underlines our desire for free stuff, or perceived free stuff. Once you set a precedent with money it is fantastically hard to undo. But Luxon, apparently, is keen to give it a crack. He calls it a no brainer. First clue - there aren't many who think it’s a no brainer. Labour learnt the hard way over the capital gains tax. Luxon may be about to learn something similar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's National-Liberal coalition has made up after a three day split.  New Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley is expected to announce her shadow cabinet this week.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price says it will be a battle between the Conservatives who were closely aligned to former leader Peter Dutton, and the moderates who are aligned to Sussan Ley.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 26 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.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks to Mike Hosking about the week's big issues after the budget announcement last week.  Health New Zealand's aiming to perform more than 30-thousand elective surgeries by June 2026 by outsourcing more straightforward cases to private hospitals.  Willis says getting doctors and specialists on longer term contracts will get more people the care they need sooner.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last week announced his intention to raise the retirement age. Willis says no discussions have taken place yet, but says the Government would need to be upfront with their plans.  "At some point, a future government is either going to have to slap a lot more tax on people or it's going to have to front up to whether the settings can be tweaked a little bit," she says.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alcohol out of New Zealand's showing strong results around the world.  Bluff Distillery's London Dry Gin had a very good day out at the Gin Guide Awards in London, winning five awards, including Best Contemporary gin over 42 percent. They also took out Best Australasian gin and best branding. Bluff Distillery co-founder David Nash talks to Mike Hosking about the success.  LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than half of the children on the waiting list for dental surgery have been waiting more than four months. Data from Health New Zealand shows that as of March, there were 5564 young people aged 14 and under on the waitlist, with 2942 waiting more than 120 days. The overall waitlist has grown by about 1500 children in two years.  New Zealand Dental Association Spokesperson Robin Whyman talks to Mike Hosking about the issue.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More benefit sanctions are coming in today for beneficiaries not meeting their requirements.  People on a main benefit like Jobseeker Support could be hit with money management and community work sanctions if they fail to meet one of their obligations, which involve preparing or looking for work.  One sanction means half of a person's benefit would be put on a payment card for four weeks - only to be used at approved, essential retailers.  Social Development Minister Louise Upston talks to Mike Hosking about the sanctions.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changes are coming to Auckland City's density rules.  It means height limits for buildings have been increased, and more buildings are expected.  Greater Auckland writer Scott Caldwell talks to Mike Hosking about what it means for the city.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia unleashed a massive drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv on Sunday, killing 12 people.  Ukrainian officials say it's the largest aerial assault since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.  It came hours after the two countries swapped hundreds of prisoners in the third and final part of a major exchange.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold talks to Mike Hosking about the raid and the seven people arrested after escaping prison in New Orleans.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's economic recovery is now forecast to be slower than the half year update.  Unemployment is slated to peak at 5.4 percent in the June quarter. Job ads in April increased for the second consecutive month, this time by 1.1 percent.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.