The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Deputy Leader of New Zealand First says his party will step in to stop management of the Waitakere Ranges morphing into co-governance.  Auckland Council's proposing a board made up of Iwi, the Department of Conservation, and the council.   Act Leader David Seymour has also criticised the plan as moving towards co-governance.   Shane Jones told Mike Hosking they're not going to stand for it.  He says they won't tolerate any slither of the West Auckland heritage land being under that type of arrangement.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tory Whanau's shock U-turn not to run for the Wellington mayoralty again marks three consecutive one-term mayors for the capital.  Whanau has this morning revealed she's dropping out of the race, saying she wants to give Andrew Little a clearer run to victory.  It means Whanau, along with the two previous mayors Andy Foster and Justin Lester, only served one term in the job.  Former Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast told Mike Hosking that's bad for the city, which needs stability.  Tory Whanau will stand for the city's Māori ward.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief changes to certifications and inspections for builders is a step in the right direction.  Legislation introduced by the end of this year will see approved building firms, drain layers, and plumbers allowed to sign off their own work on smaller residential dwellings.  Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Mike Hosking the Government's missed an opportunity to introduce a quality mark for builders.  He says that would give homeowners the confidence a builder has the credentials to do the job well.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charities have been spared from tax changes in this year's Budget.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been proposing revisions to tax rules that could see charities taxed on their business activities.  But she says there are still complex issues that need to be worked through before any rules are updated.  Tax expert Geof Nightingale told Mike Hosking it's likely too hard.  He says there's been several goes at this over the last 20 years, with not enough tax revenue being the main problem.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is being reported as a scrap, which I'm not sure is accurate. But if it is, it is a shame and probably a lesson for the combatants, who are both supposed to be on the same side. But under MMP, is anyone on the same side? Act are concerned about ACC and their current desire to solve safety issues in the manufacturing sector. But by putting a race-based lens across it, ACC want people who have answers, or programmes, for injuries to Māori and Pasifika. This of course is not what the Government is supposed to be about and a Cabinet edict says so. The shame of this is both sides, in fact all three sides, are at one on the issue. They campaigned on the issue and they campaigned on it because the last Government got so obsessed with Māori issues and language and acquiescing to everything cultural that a large swath of voters got thoroughly sick and tired of it. So why we are here after a year-and-a-half and a Cabinet instruction is beyond me. The fact ACC, or any Government department, are still trying this on is the real problem. It goes to a theme we have highlighted too often this term and that is that a public service don’t appear to be neutral, or operating under the instruction of the Government of the day, but rather to their own beat. There is no good news in two parties seemingly debating a formally agreed approach with each other and there is no good news in a department continuing to do something they shouldn’t. We have enough to deal with at the moment without previously agreed approaches being re-litigated or disavowed. Obviously work safety is not a race-based problem. It is an industry or sector problem and ACC should know this. Even if they didn’t, they should be following instruction. Act are on the right side of this. But they shouldn’t have to be given the point of Government is enactment of policy, not endless re-litigation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's changing New Zealand's approach to EV infrastructure. Grants will now turn into interest-free loans -$69-million worth for the private sector to build chargers throughout the country. The target is 10 thousand in the next five years. ChargeNet Board Member Stephen England-Hall talks to Mike Hosking about the scheme. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 28th of April, how did Hawkes Bay's gang conflict warrant pan out?   The Prime Minister speaks to us out of Dubai as he wings his way home about Gallipoli, the Pope's funeral and his time with Keir Starmer. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk the Warriors in the top 4 and Auckland FC winning the Premier's Plate. 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.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says incomplete or wrong information from the IRD is to blame for shortfalls in the Government's FamilyBoost scheme.  The tax rebate of up to $75 per week was initially touted as a $249-million-a-year handout to help with covering childcare costs.  Only 1.2% of eligible families received a full subsidy.  Christopher Luxon talks to Luxon about the shortfall, his experience at the Pope's funeral and time commemorating Anzac Day.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following Pope Francis' death last week, the process begins in electing a new head of the Catholic Church.  The conclave will begin early next month.  Vatican Correspondent Edward Pentin talks to Mike Hosking about what we can expect.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC went into yesterday's game against Perth Glory knowing they had won the Premier's plate.  The win comes for finishing top of the round.  The team went on to beat Perth Glory 1-0.  Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker talks to Mike Hosking about the achievement.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hawkes Bay has seen three shootings in 48 hours as gang conflicts heat up.  A gang conflict warrant has been invoked 26 times since Thursday, leading to eight arrests. Police Minister Mark Mitchell talks to Mike Hosking about the conflict.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the Pope's funeral to discuss next steps in Russia-Ukraine peace effort.  Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that this week Trump will decide whether to continue the process.  It comes as Trump said in a post to truth social last week, "Vladimir, STOP!" after Russia carried out the deadliest attack in months on Ukraine.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold talks to Mike Hosking about the meeting and what the polls are saying after Trump's first 100 days in office.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stance may be softening in the trade war between China and the United States.  Last week US President Trump said the initial 145 percent tariffs wouldn't actually be that high.  China appears to now be mulling their imposed tariffs.  Greg Smiths of Devon Funs Management talks to Mike Hosking about the developments, the trade war's impact on the US economy and the good news for US tech stocks.  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.     Meteorological paranoia: 2/10   Between the MetService and the media, you would have thought Noah and his large ship were going to be needed, and yet...    Teachers: 6/10  God bless them, but it’s hardly a surprise when you see a drop in numbers, is it? Would you be a teacher?    Easter rules: 3/10   I'm not sure what’s worse, the shambles they’ve become, or the annual tedious debate about changing them… even though we never change them.    Hegseth: 4/10  Looks increasingly like a doofus, and I’m not sure he wasn’t a doofus to start with.    Canada: 7/10   Best election going right now – early voting at records, massive swing in the polls… could be one to remember.    Exports: 8/10  Good news story of the week. In March, this country hit it out of the park – that’s what we need more of.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Polls are funny things at the best of times, and despite plenty of evidence that they can be as wrong as they can be right, we still seem fascinated, if not obsessed, by them.  There are two races at the moment being heavily polled: Australia and Canada. Canada votes this Monday, Australia in a couple of weeks.  Canada is more interesting, if for no other reason than the incumbents were losing by so far it wasn’t funny, but are now leading.  The PM quit and the new bloke, Carney —who once ran the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England— is now chasing the top job.  On the surface, that change of leadership might have played a part in voters' minds – Trudeau was past his used-by date in a Jacinda Ardern “loved then hated” kind of way. More likely, south of the border, Trump got elected, tariffs became an issue, and Carney looks like the person who can better stand up to America.  Polling out yesterday says the Conservatives are closing as people refocus on local issues like housing and cost of living, but the gap is still 12 points. Which is an amazing swing given the gap was 20 points the other way until tariffs stole the headlines.  Meantime, in Australia it’s gone from a race where the incumbent would be lucky to survive, far less thrive. Where a hung parliament was probable, requiring any number of accommodations with Greens and Teals and Independents, given a minority was the best Albanese could hope for, to what increasingly looks like an easy romp home with a majority.  Marginal seat polling out yesterday shows Labor with a 3.5% swing in the past week. Another poll had 45% of voters saying they didn’t like Dutton’s personality, therefore wouldn’t vote for him.  Competence, cost of living, that apparently doesn’t count. You look at him, you don’t like him, he’s toast.  It hardly seems a sophisticated way to decide the future of your nation, but then that’s democracy, isn’t it?  One argument says Albo should win —first term governments don’t lose— haven’t since the 30s.  But Canada, if the polls are right, that would be a victory from the ashes. What happens in another country is so profound: the party that was getting thrashed has their fortunes completely reversed. That’s one for the history books. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Capping off another short week, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed the number of people taking leave for the period, the best brand of Easter eggs, and the fact that chatbots have queues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A groundbreaking new partnership for New Zealand Cricket, in an effort to keep the country's top players from joining other global T20 franchises.  New Zealand Cricket have joined forces with the financial backers of a new franchise in North America's Major League Cricket - a competition that has a value of at least $200 million.  The move could help keep leading players and coaches in the Black Caps set-up, instead of becoming global T20 freelancers.  CEO Scott Weenink told Mike Hosking they're taking a two-pronged approach.  He says this presents an opportunity to diversify their revenue streams into the most lucrative global sporting market, while also creating opportunities for their high performance staff and players.    The new team —which is yet to be formally named or have their location confirmed— will debut in the 2027 season.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it's reinstating confidence in the Emissions Trading Scheme.  It comes as the Climate Commission's calls for carbon credits to stay the same price, to maintain stability.  Climate Change Minister Simon Watts told Mike Hosking while some carbon credit auctions haven't taken off, things are improving on other years.  He says the previous Government was getting too involved and causing volatility, but he's turning things around.  He says the Commission's told the Government its changes are working well, and it can keep its hand off the tiller.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 24th of April, David Seymour defends his controversial slash-and-burn changes to the Early Childhood Education sector.   We also explore whether Donald Trump is preparing to retract his tariffs on China with insights from Doug Holtz-Eakin, a former economic adviser to Senator John McCain.   Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby wrap the short week with a fun discussion on the 'best' Easter eggs currently on the market.  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.

Telco companies and digital platforms need to step up to protect people from scams.  That's the message from the New Zealand Banking Association as they roll out a new suite of their own protective measures.  Chief Executive Roger Beaumont told Mike Hosking scammers prey on the vulnerable and cost New Zealanders billions every year.  He says while it's not the Bank's problem, they're putting in safeguards to reduce the risk of it happening.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The heath sector's welcoming more money in the pockets of new graduates.  The Government's expanded the existing scheme giving graduates bond payments to stay in the country.  Payments are up to $50 thousand over a period of three to five years.  Nurses' Society National Director David Willis told Mike Hosking it's needed.  Willis says it's designed to get workforce into hard-to-reach areas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising hopes of easing tensions in the trade war between the US and China.  Donald Trump's signalling a potential U-turn, saying the 145% tariffs on Chinese goods are "very high" and will "come down substantially".  But the two countries are yet to hold any formal trade talks.  Economist Doug Holtz-Eakin —a former adviser to John McCain— told Mike Hosking if Trump keeps waiting for Xi Jinping's call, he'll be waiting a long time.  He says China has no reason to come to the table, and intermediaries will need to get involved to get both sides talking.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regulation Minister David Seymour's accusing unions of 'fearmongering' about the review into early childhood education.  Cabinet's agreed to adopt 15 recommendations from a Ministry of Regulation review that found a number of settings were outdated.  Seymour says the unions made their mind up before the Government released its decision.  He told Mike Hosking there are just too many regulators, with multiple Ministries and local councils trying to enforce rules without any clarity.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of people are descending on Rome ahead of Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday.  It's already a busy time for the city, with Easter and other local public holidays falling this week.  Newstalk ZB's Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking she's spoken to people who have waited in line for four hours to catch a glimpse of the Pope.  She says the Vatican is considering keeping the doors open past midnight tonight because of the demand.  Security checks will also be stepped up ahead of the funeral, with the Vatican working out the arrangements tonight.  McKenna says they will include firefighters who specialise in terrorism and chemical warfare.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I wish I had the Minister's positivity around teaching.  As you will have heard, we are short of teachers. We aren’t training as many teachers as we used to, so increasingly, we’ll need to bring more of them into the country.  The Minister suggested—optimistically, I think—that it's about more than just pay. It's about resources and support, which I’m sure is true. But the question remain, does it solve anything?  Does anything solve anything?  Is teaching simply a profession —like so many others— that is no longer what it once was? And if that's the case, why would anyone choose to be a teacher today?  Kids can be difficult. And if they’re not, schools are riddled with social issues that no teacher should have to deal with – yet they do.  Teachers are more like social workers than educators now. Even with all the holidays, the numbers don’t lie: people aren’t enrolling in teaching like they used to.  The trouble is, while teacher numbers are dropping, the number of kids isn’t. In fact, student numbers are expected to peak next year. So the gap widens.  Bringing in teachers presents a twofold issue.   You have to find teachers in a world where everyone is looking for them. They have to want to teach here. Is New Zealand really a magnet?  I could try to reassure you by talking about the teachers I had – but we’re going back 50 years. They were, virtually all of them, ordinary. Even with age and some maturity, as I look back at the ones I remember, not a single one was exceptional or brilliant or even really, really good. They were average. In an average school. That turned out a lot of average kids.  Is it possible the great teachers are, and have always been, the exception? The ones with the calling, the drive? The rest have merely been okay.  Which, of course, doesn’t solve the problem.  We have a lot to do with it. Society is a mess these days: held back, held down by anxieties, concerns, divisions, anger, frustration. A sense of loss, bewilderment, and upheaval that occupies pretty much everywhere, globally.  And so we send our offspring —if we send them at all— to be shaped by a miracle worker. One we pay average money to. In what might be a leaky building. With minimal resources.  We are setting it all up for failure. It’s complex. But if the Minister is right, and she can turn it around, she deserves a medal. If not beatification. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest topics of the short week so far. They discussed New Zealand First's new Member's Bill calling to legally define gender, conscience votes, and Kieran McAnulty's Easter bill. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 23rd of April, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with Sir Keir Starmer, signing a new weapons deal.  NZ First are occupying themselves with gender issues, trying to follow the UK Supreme Courts decision - we talk to Suzanne Levy from Speak up for Women about the bill.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Anderson discuss conscience votes and request a special shoutout 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.

Key services are lagging behind in Canterbury's Selwyn district as it tries to cope with exponential population growth.  Stats NZ data shows it remains the fastest growing district in the country, with 3200 new arrivals in the year to June.  Rolleston and Lincoln experienced the biggest jumps, at 9.6% and 8.1% respectively.  Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking Selwyn falls behind when it comes to infrastructure.  For example, he says that of the 20-odd primary schools with more than 700 students, five of them are in Selwyn.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Catholic Church is at a crossroads as it prepares to vote for a new leader.  Pope Francis died aged 88 on Easter Monday following a stroke and heart failure.   His funeral will take place outside St Peter's Basilica on Saturday evening, and then Cardinals will be summoned to Rome to elect his successor.   NPR Vatican correspondent Christopher White told Mike Hosking it's anyone's guess who the new pope will be.  He says they have to decide whether to continue on the path of reform initiated by Pope Francis —a more welcoming and inclusive church— or to course correct.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The International Monetary Fund is slashing its global growth forecasts due to impact of Donald Trump's tariffs, and expects the US to be hit particularly hard.  US markets have been rallying, with the White House confirming it has 18 trade deal proposals on paper, is talking with 34 countries this week, and has a China deal in the works.  But China's warning it will hit back at countries that make deals that go against its interests.  Export NZ Executive Director Josh Tan told Mike Hosking it's still unclear how New Zealand and its exporters will be affected.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Foreign Minister says New Zealand's new weapons deal with the UK reflects a strong relationship.  Christopher Luxon and Sir Keir Starmer have met in the UK overnight.  They've announced a deal worth more than $60 million for New Zealand-made drones and discussed the war in Ukraine.  Sir Don McKinnon told Mike Hosking it's another step in joint support for the war-torn country.  He says New Zealand and the UK have always been closely linked, but there's a long way to go before the war can be stopped.  Luxon and Starmer are also pushing for even closer military ties, coming after the Government announced it's boosting military spending to hit more than 2% of GDP.  McKinnon told Hosking it'll help New Zealand's international reputation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Differing opinions on New Zealand First's Members' bill regarding the definition of 'woman'.  MP Jenny Marcroft is proposing legally defining a woman as being an adult human biological female.  Rainbow Auckland co-chair Sibyl Mandow says it's a political move to be divisive, stir up hate, and generate a narrative to distract from more pressing issues.  Mandow says the bill is trying to denounce the existence of trans people – who have no agenda and just want to exist.   But Speak Up for Women spokesperson Suzanne Levy told Mike Hosking polling on this issue indicates people don't want trans people to be treated poorly.  But she says at the same time, people don't think sex can be changed.  Levy says laws need to be definable, as sex has never had any other meaning than biological sex.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says there's a chance the new Northland Expressway project will have a budget blowout.  The road will go from Warkworth, east of State Highway one, and over the Brynderwyn Hills to the east of the current route, then through Whangarei.   It's expected to take around 15 years to complete and is one of New Zealand's most expensive infrastructure projects.   Transport Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking they're doing a lot of preparation work now to make sure there aren't any slip-ups.  He says they're working on detailed designs, consenting work, and getting the funding model right, but slippages in cost can't be ruled out.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some questions for you around the Reserve Bank and their funding.  Firstly, the Finance Minister is to be congratulated on her handling of the fiscal matters in reducing the expenditure by 25% – this is a DOGE like achievement.  In fact, if you have been following DOGE, what they said they would do and what they have done is like a lot of the Trump output so far, mainly hot air. So in fact, Willis leaves them somewhat in her dust.  Then came the revelation from the cabinet papers that a lot of the extra money the Reserve Bank had got hadn't been spent... this is possibly referred to as waste and was a good insight into how Adrian and Grant ran the place.  But despite the fact it hadn't been spent, all of a sudden just before Nicola came along, it did get spent. Budgets in areas like people and tech info and data were spending like drunks.  So clearly Willis has seen their scam, called their bluff, and got her way. Good on her.  But the bigger question is this, with all that money, tens of millions a year, were they any good, and did that money buy good results?  Were good people doing good work?  Well history shows us obviously the answer is no.  Our Covid response is now widely seen as inept. Our three recessions, the outworking of a complete and utter cock up when it came to handling a financial crisis.  We have smaller issues still at play like the reserves for commercial banks, an out working of the OCR paranoia.  For all that money we seem to have employed a Central Bank that did worse than most, to this day Treasury —and this might be on Treasury not the Reserve Bank— cannot work out the value of all that money flooding into the economy. What did it do? What was its value?  If they can't work it out, did the Reserve Bank know going in or were they panicked and flying blind?  Why did they give that free money to the banks with no restrictions on what happened to it next? There remain the unanswered questions years later, the out workings of which we economically are still paying for.  So the 25% cut is one story, the other is what we got for our investment. How would you describe a return that bad?  And given it went to the inept, is 25% enough? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine joined Mike Hosking to reflect on all the sport that took place over the long Easter weekend.  They discussed the Warriors’ golden point win over the Broncos, a kick from Luke Metcalf allowing them to claim the win. Also on the agenda was the latest in Formula 1, Super Rugby, and Reiko Ioane’s sabatical location.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Organised crime syndicates could be seeking to infiltrate our sporting landscape.  The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has raised concerns about a global migration of crime into sport.  New Zealand's Sport Integrity Commission's working with its overseas counterparts and policing experts like Interpol to protect against corruption attempts.  Chief Executive Rebecca Rolls told Mike Hosking New Zealand has a few factors that makes it uniquely vulnerable to organised crime groups.   She says we're vulnerable to criminal betting schemes because our sport is streamed at times when there isn't much else to bet on.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 22nd of April, we're still struggling to get our extra 500 cops, is fitness really holding new recruits back?  The Pope passed overnight – we get the latest out of the Vatican from our Correspondent with Edward Pentin.   Andrew Saville and Jason Pine jump in the ComBox and reflect on Luke Metcalf's kicking woes.  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.

Ferry and cruise passengers could be facing a new levy.  The Government is weighing up how to fund a permanent rescue tugboat for the Cook Strait, and a user pays system is on the table.   They’ve contracted MMA Vision to provide emergency cover in the meantime, but a long-term solution is still up in the air.  Maritime Union Spokesperson Victor Billot told Mike Hosking they’re happy to see the temporary measures, but there does need to be a long-term plan.  However, he says they’re unsure a user pays model is the right fit, or that it would be easy to enforce.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crowds are gathering to mourn following the death of the Pope.  The head of the Catholic Church died overnight at the age of 88, following a stroke, coma, and subsequent heart failure following a battle with double pneumonia.  Nine days of mourning is now underway before his funeral and his burial at Saint Mary Major.  Newstalk ZB's Catherine Field is in Paris – one of many parts of the Catholic world now mourning the Pope's loss.  She told Mike Hosking while Francis divided opinion in Europe, everyone agrees he was a man of humility and compassion.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London, just hours after the death of Pope Francis. Luxon confirmed he spoke to the King about the death of the Pope during his meeting, but would not divulge further details. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said Luxon “enjoyed discussing New Zealand issues with the King”. Luxon said discussions with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in coming days will revolve around the Ukraine-Russia war and trade. He and Starmer will travel to meet New Zealand soldiers who are training Ukrainian troops. “I certainly welcome any efforts around just and lasting peace for Ukraine … we’ll keep discussing options about being involved in peacekeeping support once the conflict concludes. “We, as a small country with limited resources a long way away, aren’t going to be the ones to end that war, obviously … but, regardless, we stand beside our set of values which we think Ukraine, Zelensky, embodies.” Luxon said trade would also be a hot topic given the UK had recently become NZ’s seventh-largest trading partner. “We just need to keep pushing forward on it and keep pushing food and beverage and tourism.” King Charles had a busy few days ahead of Luxon’s arrival, with various Easter-related events. Late last week, he attended the annual Maundy Service, during which he awarded gifts to individuals in recognition of outstanding Christian service. Maundy Thursday takes place on the Thursday prior to Easter and commemorates the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. On Easter Sunday, Charles was joined by other members of the royal family at St George’s Chapel in Windsor for a traditional church service. In his Easter message, the King said: “The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world – the whole world – that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another, and to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death. “There are three virtues that the world still needs – faith, hope and love. ‘And the greatest of these is love’. It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.” Luxon met with the King for the first time at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in October. The Prime Minister gave away little about what the pair discussed during that meeting, but said it was obvious King Charles had a “deep, deep affection for New Zealand” and was “very knowledgeable about a number of issues”. “It was a very natural conversation; it was just the two of us sitting outside and having a chat on a couple of seats.” This is Luxon’s first visit to the UK as Prime Minister. He touched down late on Sunday night (NZT). Ahead of the trip, Luxon highlighted that trade was likely to be a key talking point. “New Zealand is a champion for free trade, and I look forward to talking to Sir Keir Starmer about what our countries can do together to support the rules-based trading system,” Luxon said. “The UK is one of NZ’s closest and most trusted partners, and, for many Kiwis, it is where they base themselves on their OE. The UK is also important to NZ’s prosperity. Our exports there grew by more than 20% in 2024 and are still growing.” Two-way trade with the UK, which NZ signed a free-trade agreement with in 2022, was worth $7.27 billion in the year ending December 2024, making it our seventh-largest trading partner. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Associate Police Minister remains confident the Government's 500-cop recruitment target can still be reached by November.  Police bosses say they've been facing challenges.  They say more trainees are failing training, and more people have been leaving the Police force.  But Casey Costello told Mike Hosking there is still six months to go.  She says taking a monthly snapshot doesn’t provide a full picture and isn't helpful.  Costello says the morale of the Police is good, which is contributing to strong interest in joining. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prayer services are taking place around the world in memory of Pope Francis.  The head of the Catholic Church died overnight at the age of 88, following a stroke, coma, and subsequent heart failure after a battle with double pneumonia.  Vatican correspondent Edward Pentin says two weeks of rituals and ceremonies are now underway.  He told Mike Hosking that will begin with nine days of mourning.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the halfway mark, can we suggest things are starting to turn for the Government?  This week we have seen the Prime Minister at Ruakura with a multi-billion dollar investment that sells the Māori economy and showcases large amounts of foreign money, as well as the potential for huge productivity gains and economic growth.  On Monday there was more money for tourism. Tourism is coming back, it's too slow, but the tourist spend is up to post-Covid levels.  On Tuesday, Education Minister Erica Stanford was pumping more money into classrooms with savings made from the bespoke design nonsense and waste that the Labour Party trainwreck was in charge of.  Then the Prime Minister is back with the police and Justice Ministers, spruiking very good-looking numbers around victims of crime.  This comes on the back of three polls all of which show the Government being returned to office if an election was held today.  Slowly but surely specific bits are starting to fall into place. Things like the fact we had good GDP in the last growth stats.  Clearly from Tuesday's numbers, crime, which was as big an issue last election, is looking very much in a box. The gang patch laws are working with even the critics saying they're working. Surveys say people feel safer on the streets and the victim numbers look very good indeed.  Health remains an issue and there seems a determination among the unions especially to keep it on the front page.  But the key bits that sink or support Governments —the economy, education, crime and justice— look solid. If they can get health under control they will be rolling.  Obviously, the economic side is fragile and open to a lot of stuff that is beyond our control, so counting chickens is pointless.  On that note, you then come to this idea that’s gaining traction that the Trump fiasco could well be the making of our Prime Minister.  A bloke who has struggled to connect might well have settled nicely into his wheelhouse with an economic mess that could see the best of him shine when it's needed most.  If the polls play okay for them they way they do now, with glimmers of light, by the time we get to the end of the year momentum might well be theirs and an election may well be theirs to lose. 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 Golden Visas: 7/10  Part of what's turning out to be a pretty solid run for the Government. There seems genuine interest from the wealthy to come and park up here and grow the place.    Business sales: 6/10  Demand is up, supply is down. People want to chart their own destiny, which is always a very good sign.    Coachella: 4/10  Most people who went borrowed money to pay for their tickets. Clearly no money left over for Golden Visas.    Andrew Little: 6/10  Given Tory Whanau's reputation and record, is it even a race?    The women on Bezos' rocket: 2/10  Brought new meaning to the term space cadets.    Taupo: 8/10  Shout out for last weekend and the Supercars. Place was packed, looked awesome and Matty Payne was your hero #NZAtItsBest.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My fun fact of the week, not that it's that fun or even new, given it's been around if you could be bothered looking.  In Hawke’s Bay there are 56 mayors, chairs and councillors spread across five councils. Just for Hawke’s Bay.  Not Mexico City, or London, or New York. Hawke’s Bay, in little old regional New Zealand.  This is contained in an excellent piece well worth reading over the long weekend to be found on the Newsroom website.  Broadly it looks into amalgamation of councils. The good news is amalgamation is coming.  In my view it cannot come fast enough.  This small land is festooned with councils and boards and groups who do little other than add to inflation with cost, plus accounting.  The trick, and part of it is the Government's Water Done Well programme, is once they spin those duties out to new entities you won't need as many councils and councils won't have a ratepayer base to be able to afford stuff anyway.  But here is where it might go wrong:  1) Fiefdoms. Too many still argue they are more important than they are.  2) The Government says they won't enforce this change. They will act on the communities’ will.  Big, big mistake.  On the upside there is talk of as few as 13 unitary authorities. That would mean 11 regional councils gone. Good, do it as quick as you like.  We are grossly over-councilled in this country, with 67 currently. We have authorities for handfuls of thousands of people. It's absurd and that’s before you get to the quality, or lack of it.  The savings are huge, with $5 billion on the RMA side alone.  By the time you read the article you are left uplifted by the possibility that one of your more boring topics, local body representation, might, just might, be heading somewhere good.  My hope is if it does head somewhere good, we may at last start to pay attention to it, be invested in it and it becomes a virtuous circle of success, productivity and positivity.  And if that doesn’t fizz you up for a good Easter, nothing does. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 17th of April, the Government has announced a $20b plan to upgrade our health infrastructure, so now we need some action.  The Commerce Commission has pushed KiwiRail to compensate the victims of cancelled Interislander ferries.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson wrap the short week, and we deal with Kate's first boomer moment.    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.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking a day earlier than usual, to wrap the short week before Easter.  They discussed Morgan Wallen and country music, the school holidays, and Kate has her first boomer moment.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission says it'll take KiwiRail to court if it doesn't compensate ferry customers.   The rail provider's agreed to pay those disrupted in three Interislander cancellations in early 2023.  KiwiRail had previously treated delays and cancellations from mechanical faults as out of their control, which the Commerce Commission argued misled customers.   The Commission's Vanessa Horne told Mike Hosking KiwiRail should've taken action on its own accord.   She says good businesses get ahead of the game to ensure customers are cared for.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new electricity gentailer is entering the market with a primary focus on large-scale solar.   Lodestone Energy says it will initially focus on commercial and industrial sectors, but may expand if the market allows.   It says it’s creating it fifth solar farm with plans for up to 20 more in the next few years.   Lodestone Managing Director Gary Holden told Mike Hosking it scatters them in less-visible places like substation areas and behind hedge rows.   He says it has a vision for every community to have its own solar farm and battery pack.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's tariffs are having ripple effects here and everywhere.  Infometrics is drastically reducing its GDP growth forecast from 2.6% to just 1%.  Many economists now expect the Reserve Bank to go further with OCR cuts than previously forecast, in spite of a likely rise in inflation.  Fonterra Chief Executive Miles Hurrell told Mike Hosking there will be some kind of global slowdown.  He says it will start in the US, where consumers are already feeling the impact of the tariffs, but any slowdown in the world's largest economy will ultimately be felt everywhere.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.