The Mike Hosking Breakfast

It’s been 17 years since Pete Murray last graced Kiwi stages.  The 3x number one album selling Australian singer-songwriter has announced a 55 date tour in Australia – including four stops in New Zealand.  He’ll be in the country next month, bringing just himself and his guitar. Murray told Mike Hosking that although he last performed here 17 years ago, he’s made the journey across the ditch much more recently. “Loved New Zealand, getting back over there and holidaying with the family just recently too,” he said. “In fact, when Covid hit a few years back, I got the last flight out of the place back to Australia.” Murray joked that they were probably disappointed to get the flight, saying it would’ve been nice to stay in the country during lockdown. But he told Hosking that 17 years without performing here is too long.  “I’m going back to correct that now, so, looking forward to it actually.”  “It’s going to be good fun.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 25th of March, the Government is adjusting the RMA again – will this change be the end of it all?  The Prime Minister is back from India and talking Kainga Ora, councils stopping the clock, and our national debt.  Australian singer Pete Murray is coming back to New Zealand after 17 years to play some shows, so he came on for a chat. 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.

Australian beef exporters are being described as ‘lopsided and unfair’ by American farmers.  Over 20 years, the trade deficit between the two countries is thought to be $45 billion – America is hoping tariffs will fix that.   Beef + Lamb Chair Kate Acland told Mike Hosking New Zealand is not the target of America's proposed tariffs. She says the Americans’ concern is over “unfair trading practices”, and New Zealand plays with a really straight bat.   Acland says there’s no restrictions on American meat coming into New Zealand, our farmers and exports aren’t subsidised, and our exchange rate isn’t manipulated.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Whites have secured a spot at next year's expanded football World Cup, beating New Caledonia 3-nil in the Oceania qualifying final at Auckland.  New Zealand needed an hour to score when defender Michael Boxall headed in from a corner - replacements Kosta Barbarouses and Elijah Just also struck.  This marks the third time the All Whites have qualified for the World Cup, which now accommodates 48 rather than 32 teams.  NZ Football CEO Andrew Pragnell told Mike Hosking this is probably the greatest group of talent they’ve ever seen in the men’s space.  He says expectations should be high, and this group has the capability to not only win games, but get out of the group round.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon says the country needs to get faster at building things.  The Government's announced it is replacing the Resource Management Act with a new planning framework, including new Acts around development of land and on protection of the natural environment.  It comes after the Government also announced plans to allow trusted builders to approve their own work and look at whether consenting authorities are fit-for-purpose.  The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking too many things are standing in the way of getting things done.  He says it currently takes 19 months to build a standard three or four-bedroom house here and is 50% more expensive than in Australia.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes reforms to the Resource Management Act have walked the line between development and environment.  The Government's new framework for planning includes new acts around development of land and on protection of the natural environment.  Each act includes a set of national policy direction for simplifying and streamlining local government plans and decision-making.  RMA Expert Advisory Group chair Janette Campbell told Mike Hosking they're confident it's hit a balance.  She says they had a clear direction to protect the environment bottom line, and they've done that with the Environment Act.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive spike in meth use is being linked to a change in global shopping habits.    Christopher Luxon has asked ministers to look into meth use, after annual wastewater results show a 96% increase in consumption last year compared to 2023.  Massey University drug researcher Chris Wilkins told Mike Hosking it's likely a case of both people using more, and more people using.   He says the increase represents the changes to the drug market, which is moving from a brick-and-mortar store, to a global online platform.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump’s Commerce Secretary is facing backlash for his “cavalier” comments regarding Social Security.  Social Security employees have been warning that the Trump administration’s plan to cut staff will result in delayed benefit cheque.  Secretary Howard Lutnick says that anyone who complains about a missed Social Security cheque is a fraudster.  This is despite 40% of all seniors living alone being entirely reliant on the payment – some 40 million people.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another swing and a miss.  Contact Energy wanted to build a wind farm in Southland. They have been turned down. They are not the first and they will not be the last.  Close to $300 million and hundreds of jobs are now not happening because of it.  Also, the need to build 15GW of additional capacity in the next 25 years will not be happening either. So far, we have built less than 3GW.  We are entering yet another winter where it is touch and go on power supply.  The Minister has been busy wagging his finger at the gentailers.   The climate campaigners bark on about the role of renewables, yet we continue to import record amounts of coal to cover the gap.  We have cut a deal to keep Huntly going ever longer because the renewable dream is getting further and further away. Renewables may or may not be the answer to our problems at all.  The simple truth about water, sun, and wind is they are beyond our control.  Coal and nuclear isn't. But we seem to insist renewables are what we want to do, and yet we don’t.  Nimbyism will kill us. We seem happy to be shocked every year at the coal pile and we seem to be happy to be unhappy at the idea we don’t have enough power to get us through a winter.  The industry tells us they are investing in wind and solar. But are they?  How many get turned down vs how many actually get the go ahead? Are we actually progressing, or taking a step forward and a step back?  Here is the ultimate irony: there's been a lot said about this Government's fast track law. Their fast track law is actually just an extension, or an amendment, of the old fast track law, which Labour produced during Covid.  Under that fast track law this wind project got turned down.  So, is a “no” fast tracking? Or no tracking?  If you can't get a wind farm through under fast track, are we actually into solving issues or not?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 24th of March, we get the first inside look at the discussion and process behind the potential FTA agreement with India.   The public service has been asked where they think their sector can make cuts – Judith Collins explained the census as the Minister in charge of our version of DOGE.  Andrew Saville and Jason Pine discuss Liam Lawson's weekend in China and the impact of Alex “Grizz” Wylie in the Commentary Box.  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.

Canterbury rugby great Alex "Grizz" Wyllie, who died on the weekend aged 80, is being remembered for his uncompromising nature.  He played 210 games for Canterbury as a loose forward before a storied coaching career with his province and the All Blacks.  Sports journalist Andrew Saville told Mike Hosking on the Commentary Box that Wyllie loomed large in his formative years, in the good ol' days when players and media actually socialised.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand rugby has lost one of its all-time greats.  Alex "Grizz" Wyllie MBE has died at the age of 80 after excelling as both a player and coach.  Wyllie made 210 appearances for Canterbury as well as 40 matches for New Zealand, 11 of them tests.   He coached Canterbury through a three-year Ranfurly Shield reign, famously ended by Auckland at Lancaster Park in 1985.  Wyllie worked as an All Blacks assistant under Sir Brian Lochore before his own 86.2 percent winning tenure with them from 1988 to 1991.  Former All Black and Wyllie’s nephew, Richard Loe told Mike Hosking he’s left his mark on the sport, and his history will continue for many decades to come.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Parking Association believes multiple changes are needed for chasing up unpaid fines.  In the three years to the end of 2024, just 68% of almost $29 thousand Auckland Transport fines were paid in part or in full.  While AT says it's not a straightforward process, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he's asked for advice on making them better debt collectors.  Association chair Mike Kelly told Mike Hosking the psychology around it is one major issue.  He says there are lots of people who get tickets daily for repetitive offences and aren't too bothered, and the tickets end up with the Ministry of Justice.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's top butchers are jetting off to Paris to represent New Zealand on the world stage.  Our national team, the Sharp Blacks, will compete with the best in the trade around the world in the annual World Butchers Challenge.  They'll be judged on things like their cuts, amount of meat wasted, and yield.  Sharp Blacks Captain Riki Kerekere told Mike Hosking the Kiwi team are held in high esteem.  He says the team loves to showcase the great quality of Kiwi butchery.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A census sent out to all government workers is wider reaching than simply identifying cost cutting advice.   Thousands of public servants across all agencies have been asked in a census to identify taxpayer value in their work and any changes needed, with results expected in July.   The survey's done every five years.  Public Service Minister Judith Collins told Mike Hosking how to save money is just one of many focuses.   She says it also asks about concerns people have around any unacceptable sexual harassment and bullying, adding it's therefore a two-way exercise.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Negotiations on a free trade deal with India have been launched.  Representatives across defence, tourism, and trade are home after travelling with the Prime Minister's delegation.   New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Chief Executive Peter Chrisp told Mike Hosking there's good-will on both sides to make it work.  He says there's was considerable warmth and engagement between the Prime Ministers, and strong interaction with the delegation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters says Donald Trump's team is "well-informed" about what's happening in our part of the world.  The Foreign Minister met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and key officials in the US last week.  The visit comes as New Zealand waits to see if we'll get any exemptions from Trump's tariffs.  Peters told Mike Hosking Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and the others he met with, were very aware of developments in our region.  He says they were seriously well-advised and much better-prepared than some people he's met from previous administrations.  LISTEN ABOVE 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.    GDP: 7/10  Or should that be 0.7? It’s a bigger number than they thought and an indication that we have finally turned the corner.    The Covid loan deadline: 3/10  A sad, sad, sad reminder of why the 0.7% in GDP has taken so long to get here. Close to $1 billion owed and what do you reckon the chances of it all coming back are?    Whangarei and their fluoride meeting: 2/10  Read the Spinoff blow by blow account. It's gold, unless you live there and pay for it. Then it's farcical.    The wars: 3/10  Dreadful week. The Trump call to Putin was a joke and the ceasefire fell to bits.    Ted Lasso: 8/10  Another series when they said there wasn’t another series.    F1: 7/10  New Zealand ratings show half a million of us watched. That would make it the most watched programme of the week, or close to it.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you accept that the Government are struggling in the polls, you may well accept the general notion that part of what is driving that is the lack of runs on the board.  Perhaps an impatience is frustrating some of us.  We voted to get rid of the last lot on the understanding that things had been wrecked and destroyed, and there was this new lot that were going to put it right.  The trouble has been, as they have tried to explain, that things like fiscal cliffs were a lot worse than anticipated and the problem with too many voters is we vote and move on, and then when we re-engage, we expect fixes to problems that are more complex than we gave them credit for.  This Government has announced a lot and changed a lot. But the simple to read “runs on the board” are only starting to trickle through.  The downturn on crime would be one of them. The police focus on rounding a few people up, so we feel safer on the streets is tangible.  The targets on emergency housing being met years ahead of schedule is another one.  Then yesterday the Gross Domestic Product, the GDP, which is surely one of the most important of all.  It is the economy and the economy is everything. It pays the bills, retires the debt, forks out for the programmes and sets the mood of the nation.  If you are growing, and as it turns out (thank the good Lord) we are, you are moving forward and moving forward is what gets Governments popular and re-elected.  Everyone, as in the experts, had the number at anywhere between 0.3% and 0.5%, still importantly in the right direction.  So the actual figure of 0.7% is better than expected and must be the best of news.  For a country that has spent more time in recession than virtually anyone, certainly anyone we compare ourselves to in the OECD, this cannot be overstated in terms of importance.  0.7% surely comes with a sense that there is more where that came from. So maybe, just maybe, we can turn our backs on the dark days, or years, that have dragged this country to places economically it has never really been.  No, it is not over and, yes, there is much left to do.  But such a decent and, dare I suggest, better than expected number will tell you that the current Government might have got a grip on the worst of it and turned the tide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s more uncertainty about who will be and won't be included in Donald Trump's upcoming agricultural tariffs.  Here in New Zealand, we're still in the dark about whether we'll receive an exemption for things like our growing exports of hamburger meat.  Over in Australia, analysts believe they're very unlikely to get an exemption.  Correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking US farm lobbyists are accusing Australia of creating an unequal trading relationship – something Australia disputes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed Mike’s unexpected sick day, Wordle, and the youngest person to break the 4-minute mile, Kiwi runner Sam Ruthe.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday the 21st of March, we have growth! 0.7% is higher than everyone predicted, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis is optimistic this is just the beginning.  We've got a new rare car and country music festival at Ayrburn - is that the best pairing, or is that the best pairing?  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss Mike's sick day and Sam Ruthe 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.

Fonterra has delivered a strong interim result for the 2025 fiscal year.  It's reported a half year Profit after Tax of $729 million, with earnings of 44 cents per share.  It's alongside a Farmgate Milk Price midpoint of $10 per kilograms of milk solids for the season ending 2025.  CEO Miles Hurrell says it’s pleasing to be able to deliver these results for farmer shareholders and unit holders.  Dairy Insights Consultant Stu Davison told Mike Hosking the entire industry is fizzing.   He says it’s a pretty uncommon result to see a strong milk price and a strong dividend in the same season, and they’re going to ride the wave while they’ve got it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's move out of recession is being felt by some much earlier than others.  Latest figures show our economy's grown by 0.7% between October and December.  But some sectors are faring much better than others, with construction and IT contracting about 3%, and transport and warehousing growing almost 2.5%.  Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Vice President Paul Koch told Mike Hosking some businesses are doing even better.  He says some businesses he knows of have seen growth of about 10% during the quarter.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A boost for Central Otago business when the inaugural Ayrburn Classic rolls into Arrowtown this weekend.  Hundreds of vintage and luxury cars will be on show at the 160-year-old farm, which has recently become a hospitality hub.  The event's taken inspiration from overseas festivals like Pebble Beach in California.  Ayrburn Owner Chris Meehan told Mike Hosking the land was a sheep paddock around a year ago.  He says now there are 10 restaurants and bars, a winery – and they're doing about 40-thousand meals per month.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protest action is still going ahead in Napier this weekend.  There's been community backlash after a leaked proposal showed the Government considering cutting the overnight urgent care nurse service.  It's now choosing to retain it, but still with no GPs on-site.  Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise told Mike Hosking the closest doctor is a 25-minute drive away at Hastings Hospital's busy Emergency Department.  She says the protest will not just be for overnight care but about the level of services being provided to the community in general.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance and Growth Minister is confident the economic turnaround will continue.  Latest figures show we're officially out of recession, after our economy grew 0.7% between October and December.  Nicola Willis says we're going to continue to see growth in tourism and agriculture exports.  She told Mike Hosking households should also be getting more disposable income as they switch over to lower mortgage rates, that will flow through into the economy.  Willis says the consensus among forecasters is for growth to accelerate this year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Telecommunications Forum says difficulty switching between providers isn't an issue, despite concerns from the Commerce Commission.   A study from the commission says the process of changing providers isn't working as well as it should for consumers.  It wants telcos to improve its process to benefit consumers and competition.  But Telecommunications Forum Chief Executive Paul Brislen told Mike Hosking most people aren't worried about their phone bill.  He says it's not an issue most people think about.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s middle-distance prodigy Sam Ruthe has become the youngest person in history to break the four-minute mile barrier.  The 15-year-old from Tauranga became the 49th New Zealander to break the four-minute mile doing so at a wet Go Media Stadium last night.  Olympian Sam Tanner helped lead Ruthe in the second half of the race, setting the pace for the teenager towards the finish line.  Ruthe eventually finished second behind Tanner in three minutes 58.35 seconds.  He's eclipsed the previous pioneer, then 16-year-old Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who has gone on to become a double Olympic champion.  Ruthe told Ryan Bridge that it felt amazing having all his friends and family there supporting him.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no such thing as a ceasefire this morning.  It's all breaking down in the Middle East. Netanyahu's come out with more fighting talk and the rockets are back on.  And for Ukraine, Trump hasn't exactly cloaked himself in glory with this so-called deal.  And I say so-called deal because it hasn't actually held.  First, it was only partial. There wasn't a full ceasefire like Zelensky agreed to.  Second, it covered energy infrastructure not being hit for a 30 day pause. But already the Russians have fired at energy facilities, roads, and two hospitals.  Now, if you go and have a look at the read-out from the call between Trump and Putin it says Putin gave the order to his top brass to immediately stop the firing on this energy infrastructure.  So, either the military is going rogue and firing anyway, or Putin's up to his old tricks.  Actually, both of things could be happening. Hell, with Russia they both could be true.  But either way, for Trump and the big game he likes to talk, the art of the deal has just hit the Kremlin wall.  In Trump's favour, reputation-wise, is at least people are talking about peace.  We've just had three years of war and whenever world leaders meet it's always talk about more, more and more war.  A ceasefire, an armistice and a peace deal all require action.  At least the phones are ringing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 20th of March, will the light at the end of the economic tunnel start to reveal itself with today's Q4 GDP data?  15-year-old Sam Ruthe is on the show after becoming the youngest person to run a sub four-minute mile.  Senior expert on Russia Keir Giles joins us out of the UK after we've now had the Trump/Putin call, and the Trump/Zelenskyy call overnight.  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 details of President Donald Trump's phone conversations with his Ukrainian and Russian counterparts remain relatively shrouded.  Trump's sought a full end to hostilities between the two sides but appears to have settled for a limited ceasefire and further discussion for now.   All three parties say the calls have gone well, but there are discrepancies in their reporting.   Chatham House UK Russia expert Keir Giles told Ryan Bridge the read-out on Trump's call with Vladimir Putin is like two completely separate conversations.   He says neither of them is a particularly reliable source at the moment, but it's clear they're treating this in two different ways.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A crack down on persistent young offenders.  New Ministry of Justice data shows a 19% increase in children and young people receiving orders or adult sentences in 2024, compared to the previous year.  There's a 16% rise for Māori tamariki and rangatahi.  Blue Light CEO Brendon Crompton told Ryan Bridge these are children who have likely gone through the youth system and have continued to offend.  He says to keep the community safe Youth Aid has no choice but put them in the District Court.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist is warning not to expect big growth in GDP figures out today.  Data —due out from Stats NZ just before 11 this morning— is expected to show the economy has been pulled out of recession, but is still crawling to recovery.  Economists are predicting growth of between 0.3 and 0.5%.   Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon told Ryan Bridge he's predicting flat growth in the fourth quarter.  He says there have been signs things are turning, but it's likely to have happened in the beginning of this year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simeon Brown's hitting back over concerns of overreach from what he's calling the 'health police.'   The Health Minister's directed public health doctors to stop weighing in on issues like fast food, and leading advocacy campaigns.   But the comments, combined with looming job cuts, have sent shockwaves through the medical sector – who fear this 'censorship' would limit doctors' ability to effectively serve their communities.   Brown told Ryan Bridge public health teams should primarily focus on immunisation targets.   He says they shouldn't be waging war against council policies and people's choices about what they want to eat.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pope's condition is said to be improving, but there's uncertainty over an upcoming royal visit.  The 88-year-old has been in hospital for more than a month with double pneumonia, but the Vatican is now saying he's making slight improvements.  King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to visit for the jubilee celebrations of the Catholic Church, early next month.  But Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Ryan Bridge it's uncertain whether the Pope will be able to meet the royals.  She says the Vatican is refusing to confirm the meeting, or whether he will be out of hospital by then.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A change in direction for homeowners and their mortgages.  90% of home loans were floating or fixed for less than a year in January.  CoreLogic says there's anecdotal evidence borrowers have begun to fix for longer as interest rates come down.  Squirrel Mortgage Broker, David Cunningham told Ryan Bridge things have changed dramatically since Christmas, with favourable rates for longer fixed-term periods.  He says Westpac kicked it off with a 4.99 term for three years, ANZ doing the same at two-years, with all competitors now offering near there.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, who is right?  "The rental market is like musical chairs". That was a headline yesterday. Landlords are offering grocery vouchers and incentives to sign up for rentals.  But then headline number two; "Even the middle class are struggling to pay rent".  Story number three was a report I read by JB Weir about wealth transfer, which is actually a story in itself. But the upshot is we are the 7th wealthiest country on Earth. If you do the median, i.e. half above and half below, we are the 5th wealthiest.  So if we are so wealthy, how come we can't afford rent?  If we can't afford rent, how come they are offering grocery vouchers to lure us in?  The answer, of course, lies in the specifics of each story.  The middle class line came from a unionist they called an "economist" in the story, so a man with an agenda. He cited a teacher on $60,000. Teachers don’t earn $60,000 unless there are one of the new, young ones and let's be frank, if you are new and young and on starting wages you should be flatting.  As for the voucher story, well that is a reflection of the good news. Rentals are not rising the way they were because of supply. Thousands more houses are on the market and there are more houses than punters. That sort of supply and demand equation is good for the consumer.  So, if you drum up the worst case scenario, guess what you will find? A problem, closely followed by a headline.  But what of this wealth transfer? It was an interesting report showing billions is changing hands as the boomers die and the kids get the inheritance.  Women are disproportionately benefiting over men, it will carry on well into the 2040's and is a reminder that we are not in fact the squalid, broke, backwater that many would make us out to be.  We might be a low paid or "wage economy", but we are not as economically divided as some would make out. We are not broke and through things like housing, vast sums have been amassed.  And it's currently being bequeathed and left to others.  The trick is to read the detail, not fall for the headline.  Can some not afford rent? Yes.  But it's not the norm. That's your story.  But then that doesn’t make a good headline. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 19th of March, there have been overnight developments on both the Ukraine and Gaza wars, and the ceasefire call between Trump and Putin seems to be a bust.  Mike recounts his troubles with One NZ and the call system.  And Mark Mitchell stays up late in India to join Ginny Andersen on Politics Wednesday, talking PPPs and Rawiri Waititi's comments about David Seymour.  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 is ruling out supporting foreign investment in what it calls "critical infrastructure", including hospitals, schools, and prisons.  Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds has told Ryan Bridge there is a place for some public private partnerships but won't say which ones Labour will support.  Labour’s Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking that there some fundamental areas that they believe aren’t helped by making a profit out of them.  However, she says, they’ve made it clear that if National goes into a deal for a PPP, they won’t wind it back.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A silver-lining in otherwise bleak retail crime numbers.  Data gathered by retail crime reporting software Auror shows the number of events with weapons in 2024 was 10% higher than 2023.   It shows threatening and violent behaviour similarly increased.    But Auror Chief Executive Phil Thomson says New Zealand's still doing better than some other countries.   He told Mike Hosking the unfortunate part is that this is happening across every retail store, and it’s the frontline retail workers being threatened.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aotearoa's joining the Minecraft world.  Tourism New Zealand's joined forces with developer Mojang to make six Kiwi hotspots playable locations within the game.  That includes destinations Abel Tasman National Park, Waitomo Caves, and Tekapo, and is expected to generate $50 million in advertising value.  It's a cross-promotion for locally-filmed ‘The Minecraft Movie’.  Tourism New Zealand Marketing Manager Brodie McLeish told Mike Hosking the pack is available to the game's 170-million monthly users.  She says the Kiwi sites are free for all to download and engage with.  McLeish says it aims to encourage people to play the game, then come and travel around New Zealand for real.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a belief better pathways to industry and trades training are needed.  A report from the New Zealand Initiative has found just 6% of 16-to-19 year-olds participate in workplace learning, while 11% are unemployed.  It states schools are geared toward university education, even though only about a third enrol in degrees.  Report author Michael Johnston says apprenticeship options need to be more visible to young people.  He told Mike Hosking part of the problem is apprenticeship training is viewed as being for the kids who don’t cope with the academic path.  Johnston says we need to rearrange the system so that young people, regardless of their background and propensities, look at apprenticeship training as a viable option.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A relatively minor breakthrough for the US in its attempts to end hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.   Russian President Vladimir Putin's agreed to pause attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days and progress talks about a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.   It follows a call with Donald Trump, who had been seeking a temporary ceasefire on all fronts.   Edward Lucas from the Centre of European Policy Analysis told Mike Hosking Putin's tardiness prior to the call could be perceived as a weapon.   He believes Putin doesn't show Trump a mutual level of respect, and perhaps the thin pickings out of the call reflect that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Landlords offering incentives to entice tenants is said to be a simple supply and demand issue.  Rental listings in Auckland and Wellington have seen investors offer free weeks of rent, or bonuses like supermarket vouchers and even free moped scooters for people who sign on to a lease.  Residential Property Managers' Association Chair Tony Mitchell told Mike Hosking investors are fighting for tenants due to a lack of demand.  He expects it to be only a temporary thing and hopes the strong underlying demand factors will make a difference soon.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in Gaza appears to be back to square one.  Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 400 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes overnight, ending a fragile truce that began in January.  Israel is vowing to ramp up the attacks towards Hamas.   International geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller told Mike Hosking it's been the deadliest 24 hour period since November 2023.  He says things are looking grim, with Israel's Defence Minister warning he'll open the gates of hell if the remaining hostages aren't released.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the New Zealand Labour Party wants to get real about re-election, they should look no further than the UK Labour Party.  Keir Starmer blew up the NHS on Friday because he said it doesn't work. He says the bloating of the numbers has not improved anything.  Jobs will be lost.  Before he blew up the NHS, he attacked the welfare system. He called it unjust and unfair because, essentially, there are too many people sitting on welfare doing nothing and there is no incentive for them to change their habits.  Remember, this is a British Labour Prime Minister.  We are also expecting the chancellor to slash more spending. Why? Because they don’t have any money.  If only a Hipkins or an Ardern or a Robertson were anything close to this.  What was close to this was Roger Douglas, David Lange, David Caygill, and Mike Moore - the proper Labour Party. The Labour Party many recognise as being a middle-of-the-road centrist-type party that a lot of New Zealanders could recognise.  If what Starmer is up to works, he is Tony Blair 2.0, and the lesson Blair taught us is the same thing Bob Hawke taught us in Australia – a Labour movement doesn’t have to be about wokeness and largesse and economic ineptitude.  It needs to be about common sense and the worker. Not a hardcore unionist, but a middle class New Zealander who gets up, makes their kid's lunches, heads to work and comes home late, a bit tired and ready for a beer and a BBQ at the weekend, living in their own home in suburbia with a belief that life is pretty good, New Zealand is pretty good and the future is moderately bright.  None of that is hard. But I bet you it's completely foreign to most of the current Labour lot who butchered the place between 2017-2023.  The old adage around votes and political support about the centre being large and the place to get a lot of votes, is real.  We wouldn’t mind some wider representation. National or Labour can occupy the centre. History shows it's possible and it's successful.  Hipkins needs to study Starmer and learn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi musician Blair Jollands has made a name for himself overseas.  He works as a sound designer and composer in the film industry, as well as creating and releasing his own music.  Jollands has a wide range of film credits, but some of the most popular he left his mark on are Poldark, Shackleton, Midas Man, and Alien vs Predator.   He’s worked with a wide range of stars, including Madonna and Rhianna, and won praise from the late David Bowie and Boy George.  ‘Little Comet’ is his fourth album, which he recently released under his own name after performing under the pseudonym ‘El Hula’.   Jollands left New Zealand in 1995, spending awhile in the United States before winding up in the UK, where he’s remained since.  He told Mike Hosking that getting a job in sound design at the time was very much a right time, right place situation.  “I was a coffee barista, and I thought y’know, I really need to get something that pays a little bit more to help my music along.”  “So I actually walked in and gave them my CV, and a week later they said ‘will you come in because we had three people just, they’ve been headhunted and they’ve gone to another studio.’”  Although sound design and music production may seem like different areas, Jolland says these days the line between them is really fine.  “For example, the late Jóhann Jóhannsson, for say, his movie ‘Sicario’, it’s, I find it very hard to establish what is music and what is sound design – it's very tonal, it’s not as harmonic, less melodic.”  “But generally speaking, sound design is more organic, and we capture sounds and manipulate them.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 18th of March, there's almost a billion dollars' worth of Covid-era business loans that need to be paid back soon.  Christopher Luxon joins Mike from out of India, having just spoken with Modi about our potential Free Trade Agreement.  Kiwi singer and music composer Blair Jollands popped over from the UK to launch his new album, joining Mike in studio for a special performance.  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.

Nearly one billion dollars is still owed as the deadline for Covid-era loans approaches.  Inland Revenue says many Small Business Cashflow loans will default in June if not paid off.   About 130,000 businesses were issued the loans, totalling $2.4 billion.   ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small told Mike Hosking he's not surprised so many owners haven't paid it back yet.  He says there were no personal guarantees or general security agreements, so it was a free hit for business owners.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.