The Mike Hosking Breakfast

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.

I asked Judith Collins yesterday, just what has become of us?  The “us” I was referring to is this country. But I amended that in my mind yesterday afternoon when I read the first review of Jake Tapper's book on Joe Biden.  What's become of all of us, is now the question.  "Biden didn’t recognise George Clooney at a fundraiser", was your headline.  Tapper is making money out of a book on a subject he should have been all over four years ago, but wasn’t. Most of the American media in particular weren't.  They knew Biden was what he was, but it didn’t seem to matter then. But now that they can make a buck, it’s a story.  This was raised at the White House correspondents dinner, so it's not like they aren't aware of how this looks.  Jacinda Ardern falls into the same category – destroy the country, run away to Boston, write a book and collect the money.  It's shocking.  Jannik Sinner, the tennis player in name, and act. He meets the Pope, having cut a deal with the doping authorities not to miss any majors and return to his home tournament a hero.  And the daddy of them all is the current American President. He offers White House tours and a dinner if you buy his crypto.  How is this possible?  He tells you "it’s a good time to buy" before he makes an announcement that he knows will move the markets. No one is seemingly doing anything about it.  He is about to collect a plane for God's sake! That is quite obviously illegal, and yet, who is it that is going to do something about it?  Winston Peters had his head in his hands when Brooke let the big word fly, and he lamented the lack of standards.  All around us are seemingly new norms.  There are more and more indicators that what was once the right way to go about business now doesn’t matter.  Punishments that once addressed indiscretions are now laughed at or negotiated away.  Moral fibre that kept you on the straight and narrow is not just gone, but jettisoned and replaced by contempt and arrogance.  If the President of America can bribe your crypto purchases, while flying on an illegal plane, former leaders can profit from negligence, and the Fourth Estate can pretend to be unbiased while ignoring the news and then cash in on their ineptitude, is it any wonder more and more of us long for the good old days? 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.    Trump: 7/10  It’s a circus most of the time, but what a watch. Turkey, Riyadh, free planes, mad sucking up, the Village People, trade, and the markets. Just another week.    Brooke van Velden: 8/10  Because she took her moment and ran with it, and quite possibly turned the dial her way.    Smoked salmon: 7/10  Revelation and story of the week. Letters from all over the world and a mad insight into eye-watering prices.    The police: 4/10  They promised 500 and they aren't going to deliver. That’s a loss.    Ryan Fox: 8/10  Living your dream is not only wonderful when it's you, but equally wonderful to watch.    The unions and their work from home claims: 3/10  Wouldn’t it be amazing if, just for once, they actually looked like they might like work and productivity and dedication and getting ahead, instead of their incessant misery?    Auckland FC: 9/10  The other part of the season starts this weekend. Whatever way you slice it, it's the sports story of the year domestically.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soaring food prices might be hard to swallow.  Stats NZ figures reveal prices rose 3.7% annually last month, with increases across all food categories.  Butter prices increased 65.3%, milk and cheese went up 15.1% and 24% respectively.  Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin told Mike Hosking there's pressure on products we're getting export success from.  He says it's a fantastic part of the story, but the impact on consumer is clear.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Half-year profit has more than doubled for New Zealand seafood company Sanford.  It's the best result in a decade for the company, which took home $34 million in profit in the six months to March this year.  It's seen improved salmon sales, especially in the US and China.  Managing Director David Mair told Mike Hosking he's been there for just over a year and has been working to increase productivity.  He says he's reviewing every process within the business and says it's important that if a company tries to add value, it doesn't exceed the added cost.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US is sharing its low expectations of current Ukraine peace talks in Turkey, with both sides backing out of sending their leaders.  Russia's sending low-level official Vladimir Medinsky, Ukraine's decided to send its defence minister instead.  Donald Trump was preparing to go, only if Russian President Vladimir Putin was there.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Trump is now suggesting he expected this all along, saying he wasn’t planning on going in the first place.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The week has come to an end once more, and Mike Hosking was joined by Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed the new cheese produced by Fonterra, Mike's seemingly endless golf stories, and since today is Pink Shirt Day, they debate whether or not Mike is a bully. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 16th of May, yet another pre-Budget announcement – $275 million for the new Social Investment Agency headed up by Andrew Coster.  Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters laments the declining standards of Parliament and politicians.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk a new product from Fonterra, Mike's endless golf stories, and whether Mike's a bully or not as they Wrap the Week.   Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The America’s Cup is headed to Italy for the first time.   After a successful campaign in Barcelona in 2024, Emirates Team New Zealand will again defend the Auld Mug in European waters, with Naples to host the next edition, which will also include the return of the Youth and Women’s America’s Cups.  Exact dates for the regatta are still to be determined, however, the next edition will be held in 2027 during the New Zealand autumn and winter – the northern hemisphere spring and summer.  AUT Sailing Professor Mark Orams told Mike Hosking Naples will be a wonderful location for the next Cup – it's a great city and sailing venue.   He says the announcement of the venue gives teams that certainty, allowing them to look at if they can make it work.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters says behaviour in Parliament has become degrading.  It comes after a recommendation three Te Pati Māori MPs be suspended for their haka in the house, and Minister Brooke van Velden said the c-word.  Yesterday he launched a broadside on X against the actions taken in Parliament, saying the House of Representatives has become a House of Chaos.  The Deputy Prime Minister told Mike Hosking standards have slipped, and it's the Speaker's job to rein it in.  He says the rot started under former Speaker Trevor Mallard, when he loosened dress standards.  “As Steven Maharey, the former MP and Minister from Palmerston North said, once you let down dress and other standards, everything else will be let down as well and to be debased – and that’s exactly what’s happened.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Social Investment Fund CEO says their new approach will help address New Zealand's social issues.  It's receiving $190 million in this year's budget, aiming to invest in social services early to prevent future harm and save costs.  The first three initiatives to benefit will be Autism New Zealand, Emerge Aotearoa —which works with young offenders— and an iwi wraparound service provider.   CEO Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking the fund has a long-term and wider focus.  He says its portfolio neutral and will focus on creating change in families where it needs to occur, instead of dealing with the day-to-day symptoms of problems.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, a small update on what I said yesterday on pay equity.  My gut says it won't damage the Government.  Don’t get me wrong – if I was the opposition I would be prosecuting this as hard as I could, the way they are, because they have a genuine issue and ongoing issue, at least until the Budget, that they quite rightly believe is there for the taking in terms of points, headlines, and moral high ground.  I don’t think that ultimately is true. But I fully get they think it is.  The tide turned yesterday though in Question Time. Not because Brooke van Velden dropped the c-word.  Watching it live, it was quite the moment. Question Time has become dour, there is limited talent on display, and the Speaker is cantankerous and ruins the fun.  But yesterday was alive with frisson. Brooke van Veldon's mic drop moment was pointing out that Jan Tinetti, the questioner, a former Woman's minister, a woman who railed against misogyny, was using misogyny by quoting a misogynistic article, authored by a woman to make her point.  That led to applause and rightly so.  It further exposed the Labour Party, and in fact most of the opposition benches, as frauds who are arguing the pay equity issue using bogus material and fake facts.  The more this is debated the more hope you have that a wider grouping of us will tune in and get into the detail, because it is in the detail the truth lies. The equity laws, or rules, were a shambles and being milked by unions.  But the tide turned because there seems genuine anger within the Government over what Andrea Vance was allowed to do.  When I say allowed, I assume she is edited and therefore cleared.  The odd thing for me is I struggle to get upset at being attacked.  Being a public figure, you are open for this sort of stuff, and I have received more than most. It's water off a duck's back, especially from an angsty journalist.  But van Veldon, Collins and, as Vance calls them, the "hype squad" seem genuinely outraged and it is that outrage that turned, or at least will turn, the dial.  If they argue on fact, and the other side argue on emotion using lies, bogus material, and foul language, they will eventually lose.  Hence the dent so many thought was coming for the Government will never arrive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major milestone for one of our most iconic tourist attractions.  The Skyline Luge has surpassed 100 million rides across its eight tracks around the world – including the ones in Queenstown and Rotorua.  The company is also looking to continue their expansion around the world, with a brand new gondola and luge set to open in Swansea, Wales.   Director of Skyline Enterprises, Grant Hensman told Mike Hosking one of the successes of the luge is the repeat business.  He says they have people who have been coming back for the full 40 years they’ve been operating in Rotorua – started as kids and are now bringing their own kids.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine and Russia are set for the first direct talks since the war began.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is personally attending the talks in the coming hours in Turkey.  The Kremlin's sending a delegation, and has confirmed it will not include Russian President Vladimir Putin, instead being led by Vladimir Medinsky.  Former Australian Major General Mick Ryan told Mike Hosking Ukraine is likely to remain pretty pragmatic in negotiating a ceasefire.  He says a war termination agreement may see them accept that Russia is temporarily occupying Ukrainian territory, but they’ve been clear they won’t accept that they’re parts of Russia.   Ryan says while they want peace, they’ve made it clear they won’t accept peace at any price.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 15th of May, Privileges Committee Chair Judith Collins is on to discuss the punishment suggested for the three Te Pati Māori MPs.  Will the meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin in Turkey happen? Former Australian Major General Mick Ryan gives his thoughts on how it will go, if Putin will turn up, and how much of a role the US plays.  Auckland FC owner Bill Foley is on to talk A-league ahead of the semifinals this weekend - and if his Vegas Golden Knights can turn around a 3-1 deficit in the NHL playoffs.  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.

Auckland FC owner Bill Foley's revelling in his side's inaugural A-League football season success.  The Black Knights won the Premier's Plate for finishing top of the regular standings.  They begin their two-leg semi-final with Melbourne Victory away on Saturday, before the home fixture on May 24.  Foley told Mike Hosking the business model he's used at Bournemouth in the Premier League, and the Golden Knights in hockey's NHL has worked again.  “We knew we were going to have a very competitive team, and we overachieved.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Net migration is expected to stay low, with global affairs keeping many people where they are.   Stats NZ data shows there was a net migration gain of only 26 thousand in the year to March, down from more than 100 thousand the year before.  It says the fall is mainly due to fewer migrant couples arriving, with a slight increase in departures.   Massey University Sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking a big question mark hovers around the migration figures.  He says he’s unsure whether the numbers will keep, or if it’s going to keep dropping and New Zealand will see something similar to the net loss seen during the global financial crisis.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The presidents of Russia and the US are both down as “maybes” for attending the peace talk with Ukraine, due to start later today.  Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy is personally attending the talks in Turkey and the Kremlin's sending a delegation – it remains unclear whether it'll include Vladimir Putin.  Donald Trump says he might turn up if the circumstances are right.   Former Foreign Minister Sir Don McKinnon told Mike Hosking Trump's involvement in the talks could be a bad thing.  He says he'd be prepared to give too much away, which undermines what liberal democracies like New Zealand believe in.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doubts over the PSA's arguments on work from home policies.  The union's heading to the Employment Relations Authority after mediation didn't resolve differences with the Government on the issue.  The PSA claims a move to get more workers in the office will have a big impact on women.  Employment Law specialist Jennifer Mills told Mike Hosking she doubts the authority will side with the PSA.  She doesn't believe there's an argument that any changes are indirect discrimination.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judith Collins calls for “civility” in Parliament after suspending three MPs and attacks on female MPs. Collins praised Act MP Brooke van Velden for standing up for herself after using the c-word. Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi face 21-day suspensions without pay. Parliament Privileges Committee chair Judith Collins is calling for “civility” in the House after the decision to suspend three MPs without pay and attacks on female MPs. Collins said she was proud of Act MP Brooke van Velden for “standing up for herself” yesterday when she stirred major controversy by using the c-word in the House while attacking Labour for not condemning a column that used the word “c***” against female ministers. Yesterday, her committee’s decision was handed down to three Te Pāti Māori MPs after last year’s controversial haka. The committee recommended 21-day suspensions for co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, saying they should be “severely censured”. Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer face a heavy censure. It also recommended a seven-day suspension for MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke. Collins told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking this morning the suspension also meant the MPs would go without pay during this time. She confirmed the suspension would be carried out consecutively. Collins said the committee had been “collegial” through the six-month-long process and only butted heads in the end when it came to handing down the penalties. “Even [the Green Party and the Labour Party] are differing from each other. “It’s a very severe penalty compared to what has been awarded in the past, it’s not only a suspension from the House, it’s a suspension of salary. “But then, we haven’t seen that level of behaviour before.” She said the committee’s decision would be tabled today before it was voted for on Tuesday. She said she expected it to pass. On Brooke van Velden’s use of the c-bomb in the House yesterday, Collins said she was proud of the Act MP for standing up for herself and the other women in the House being attacked. “I would say to Brooke, that I wouldn’t have used the word myself but I did feel that she did stand up for herself and all the rest of us and I am waiting for someone of the left persuasion… one MP, just one, to come out and say it’s not okay to attack someone just because you are not okay with what they do." She called reading the language in the column, which was written by Andrea Vance and published in the Sunday Star-Times, one of the “lowest points” in Parliament she has seen in her 23 years of service. “That and what happened on the 14th of November in Parliament. “It’s just the sort of behaviour towards each other that is despicable.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The newly elected pope's preparing to deliver his inaugural mass this Sunday.  A number of world leaders are expected to attend, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance.  Newstalk ZB's Jo McKenna is in Italy and told Mike Hosking Pope Leo has been very active in his first week of his papacy.  She says he's made a number of unscheduled visits around Rome, repeating his message of world peace.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here is another example of the way the pay equity game is played by the media.  If you choose not to call a minister the c-word, you run a headline like this - "Ministers set to take big pay rises right after wiping 33 pay equity claims".  That’s the headline in Newsroom. It is dishonest in its inference.  It's emotive and it misrepresents what is happening. In that is the Government's battle to try and convince the casual observer there is merit in what they have done in changing the law.  First, a minister's pay and an equity claim are two completely different things.  Second, a minister's pay is not equity based because a woman minister gets what a male minister gets. Always has, always will.  Making it slightly more complicated, is a minister's pay is not merit based. They all get the same no matter how hard they work, how many portfolios they have and how good they are, or aren't.  Third, although the 33 equity claims were wiped, it doesn’t mean they were stopped from going ahead under new rules. It doesn't mean they won't succeed under new rules. We have yet to see how that unfolds.  Fourth, and part of the reason for the rule change, is a lot of the claims were not equity claims. They were bargaining, masquerading as equity from unions.  Fifth, the fact a minister gets a pay rise is not of a minister's doing. It's an independent body, over which a minister has no control.  Like an equity claim, the body looks at similar work to a minister's and makes a call based on those numbers. The irony is, who can you compare to a minister? You can't of course. A Prime Minister is also unique, so it’s a muddle. It's a system that is okay, only because we can't think of another one.  But at no point is it about equity.  The emotion of the debate overtook the rationale of the debate the moment Brooke van Velden made the announcement and it’s gone downhill ever since.  Sixth, the headline uses the word "claim". In ministerial pay there is no claim, just an occasional decision, independently reached.  So overall in terms of discourse around a detailed, if not complex, issue, apples and apples is what you might hope for, not immaturity and muddied waters.  Which is what we've got. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sussan Ley has become the first woman to lead Australia's Liberal Party.    She's been deputy for three years and has been appointed leader in a tight ballot, edging out Treasury spokesperson Angus Taylor.   It comes after former leader Peter Dutton lost his seat in the recent election.   Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking Ley's switched on, as a qualified commercial airline pilot.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 14th of May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is on after announcing the first Super Fund withdrawal will come years earlier than expected.  The Government is planning on investing $140 million into improving school attendance – Associate Education Minister David Seymour elaborates.   Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss Jevon McSkimming, missing the new 500 police targets, and pay equity 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.

Netball officials are at the whim of the Commonwealth Games scheduling as they explore player eligibility options.  Pressure is mounting on the New Zealand governing body to allow overseas-based athletes to feature for the Silver Ferns.  The players' association has suggested moving the domestic tournament before or after the Australian competition, so their members can compete in both.  Netball New Zealand boss Jennie Wyllie told Mike Hosking they don’t control the Commonwealth Games, and it becomes difficult from a broadcast and commercial perspective when it keeps moving.  She says that ideally, they’d have some certainty, and the Games would sit outside of the window, but they’re at the whim of how the Federations plan it.  Wyllie's open to shifting the local competition from 2027.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A planned $3 billion inland port in Otago hopes to support soaring freight volumes in the region.  Construction of the Milburn Quadrant, north of Milton, is expected to start within two years.  It comes as forecasts predict freight volumes from Central and South Otago are expected to grow 30-40% over the next decade.   Project Developer Mark Johnston told Mike Hosking the development will include a 55-hectare inland port, offering freight storage and connected to the South Island’s main trunk rail line.  He says it will be similar to Hamilton's Ruakura inland port and offer land for other industrial development.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's conceded it'll likely miss its November target for 500 new police.  Under the National-NZ First coalition agreement, it aimed to reach the recruitment target within its first two years in office.  Police bosses say they've been facing challenges, with more trainees failing training and more people leaving the force.  Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking they're not going to get hung up on the target.  He says they're going to deliver the 500, but standards matter, and they won't compromise.  Labour’s Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking that the closer they can get to what they promised the better, but they’re currently only sitting at 17 extra officers from when they started.  She says getting to 500 by November is virtually impossible. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fears social media is exposing more young people to drug use.  The latest Drug Trends Survey reveals apps like Facebook and Snapchat are used to arrange sales, and drugs are also marketed on gaming apps.  It finds there's been an overall rise in the use of social media purchasing for all drug types, particularly cannabis and MDMA.   SHORE and Whariki Research Centre Professor Chris Wilkins told Mike Hosking the market's moved online.   He says there's an algorithm phishing for engagement, which means there's a cross section of young people who are exposed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A significant funding boost for attendance services across the country.  The Government's investing $140 million into improving school attendance over the next four years, in Budget 2025.  It includes $123 million on a new attendance service, with more data monitoring than currently exists.  Associate Education Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking a lot of the funding will go towards more people in these roles.  He says about 80 regions will have a single attendance service that schools can call on.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warehouse is pushing for potential 'right to repair' legislation to hold overseas manufacturers accountable.  The retailer's among companies taking part in the select committee process for the Right to Repair Amendment Bill.  It aims to reduce waste, create a repair workforce, and cut costs for consumers.  Warehouse Group Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing GM Phil Cumming told Mike Hosking the Commerce Commission isn't doing enough when overseas products don't meet expectations.  He says consumers are often turning to retailers instead of manufacturers, which is why clearer, stronger rules are needed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.