The Mike Hosking Breakfast

There’s a belief a surge in Kiwi parents making significant sacrifices to afford sending children to private schools won't last.    In some instances, private school enrolments are closed until 2027, families are being asked to submit videos of their home life, and entrance tests are being made tougher.  Independent Schools of New Zealand chief executive Guy Pascoe told Mike Hosking around 4% of New Zealand students are enrolled at private education.   He says parents are making huge financial sacrifice to make it happen, and there's concern there'll be a point when parents simply can't afford it anymore.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A $664 million mental health programme seems to have challenges to address to help it reach its targets.  The Access and Choice Programme received the five-year funding in Labour's 2019 'Wellbeing' Budget.   It's aiming to support 325 thousand people per year, but during 2023-24 saw just over 207 thousand.   Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission chief executive Karen Orsborn told Mike Hosking awareness is an issue.  She says people don't always know where to go, and it's also about how GPs make it easier for patients to seek the support.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's crackdown on cowboy builders is seen as a step in the right direction.   Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says there'll be more transparency about suspended builders, stronger discipline, and an improved complaints process.   Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma told Mike Hosking the current disciplinary system doesn't provide enough of a deterrent as it's very slow, lacks transparency, and many consumers don't even know it exists.   He says this will try to improve the system to a level where they can not only address the small instances of bad performance, but also provide more transparency to homeowners.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two special elections in the US are racking up quite the price tag.   Voters are heading to the polls in two special elections in Florida and Wisconsin.  Florida's holding special elections for Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz's congressional seats, and both seats are critical races for Republicans, given their slim majority in the House.  The battleground state of Wisconsin is also voting on a new judge for the state's top court.  It's become the most expensive judicial contest in US history, with more than $90 million being spent on campaigning, including $21 million by Elon Musk.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Musk has been accused of trying to buy the election.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump tariffs are looming over Australia.  Washington is expected to announce new tariffs on its trading partners tomorrow, and opinions are divided on whether Australia will get pinged.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking that they shouldn’t get hit too badly as there’s currently a $17.9 billion trade surplus with the United States.  He says there could be a couple of flow on effects that could impact Australia, such as China flooding their market with cheaper products, or buying less of their minerals as they won’t selling as much to the US.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As exercised as some have been this week about social media, the Greens and their behaviour, the bigger issue is not the Greens, but Labour and all who might support them into Government.  As much as we may froth and hyperventilate about any given issue of the day or small firestorm, who runs the country and how is what we all ultimately should be focused on.  We will not be going back to a single large party ever again, for two reasons.  One is because Covid is not repeating and, even if it did, I doubt we would panic again electorally the way we did.  Two is given when Labour was left to their own devices, they literally destroyed the place, most of us, for good or bad, have come to the conclusion that a mix of parties under this MMP system we seem to have voted for an accepted is here to stay.  So National need at least one player, probably two, and the same applies to Labour.  For now, National seem to have got lucky and/or well organised. Whether you support it or not, broadly speaking National, Act, and NZ First get along fine.  The media try to stir bits of trouble around minor matters periodically and we are yet to see a full-blown campaign post a first term, where the gloves are off a bit and a few punches might get thrown. But overall, things are cordial and well managed.  Labour on the other hand need certainly the Greens and possibly the Māori Party. Both are increasingly ropey.  Both are increasingly belligerent, both are increasingly fringe and both are an electoral nightmare for a so-called mainstream, left-wing party.  The Greens of James Shaw, Rod Donald, and Jeanette Fitzsimons are long gone.  The Māori Party of Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia are long gone  Both the current Greens and the Māori Party are anti-establishment disruptors who revel in a type of anarchy, almost as though they are outside the system. All of that is fine if you like that and want to vote for it.  But it is completely incompatible to running a country, even for a Labour Party that has become increasingly left-leaning and socialist.  If you don’t need, or want, to be in power, and I don’t think half the Greens or the Māori Party actually do, you can say what you want.  But Labour do want power, and their problem is they are going to end up having to answer for an increasingly unhinged rabble or at least try to dress it up as something they can handle.  That’s their problem. I don’t think they have the wherewithal to even come close to pulling that trick off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 2nd of April, New Zealand has abandoned its bid to host the America’s Cup after the Government denied funding.  NZ Rugby have sorted out their advertising stoush with Ineos, and we seem to have done alright out of it. So where to next for the All Blacks brand and company?  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell have a spirited discussion about the Greens, the Māori Party and the ferry deal 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.

A new test for Parliament's processes.  Te Pāti Māori MPs are refusing to appear before a Privileges Committee hearing about last year's haka in the House, after being told they can't appear together with their lawyer.  Labour MP Peeni Henare appeared before the committee last month, with the committee finding his conduct was disorderly but didn't amount to contempt.  He apologised for leaving his seat to perform a haka, but stands by performing it, saying he'd do it again  Fellow Labour MP Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking it will be interesting to see how this plays out.  She says Labour believes in taking part in the Privileges Committee process, but this is an issue for Te Pāti Māori and Parliament to navigate.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petro-chemical conglomerate Ineos have dug deep into their pockets to resolve financial differences with New Zealand Rugby over kit sponsorship.  A settlement has been reached after NZR lodged an injunction at the High Court in Wellington – the figure reportedly in excess of $21 million.  Ineos get to terminate the deal after three years, and NZR can now attempt to secure a new sponsor.  Halo Sport Managing Director Simon Porter told Mike Hosking NZR now has some prized assets to sell, and have some time to ensure they get a good deal.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voters are heading to the polls in two special elections in Florida and Wisconsin.  Florida's holding special elections for Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz's congressional seats and both seats are critical races for Republicans, given their slim majority in the House.  The battleground state of Wisconsin is also voting on a new judge for the state's top court.  It's become the most expensive judicial contest in US history, with more than $90 million being spent on campaigning, including $21 million by Elon Musk.  Republican Strategist Matt Terrill told Mike Hosking while the Republicans are confident they’ll win Florida, a different race is unfolding in Wisconsin.  He says the outcome will send a signal as to where the pulse of the country is – if the Trump-backed candidate wins, it signals the strength of his mandate, but if the Democratic candidate wins, they’ll have a point to rally behind.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central and local government are being challenged to work together to attract major events.   The bid for Auckland to host the next America's Cup in 2027 has been abandoned after central government refused to put money up for it.   Major Events Group Founding Director Chris Simpson says New Zealand could host great events if the investment is there.   He told Mike Hosking it's something that needs strong collaboration.   Simpson says the events can't go ahead if cities are keen but the Government's not.  He says New Zealand isn't going to be able to pull in huge amounts of money like the Middle East, and we can't just rely on good will.   Simpson says we have a track record of holding great events but that just doesn't cut it anymore.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Privileges Committee will meet with or without Te Pati Māori.  The party's refusing to front up for alleged threatening behaviour towards David Seymour during last year's Haka in the House.  Co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi —along with Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke— have all been separately summoned.  They say they haven't been allowed to appear together, at a time their lawyer can attend.  Constitutional Law Expert Graeme Edgeler told Mike Hosking the committee will meet regardless.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An opinion new health and safety regulatory reforms is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.  The Government's change makes clear landowners won’t be responsible if people are injured on their property, while doing recreational activities.  Fault will lie with the organisations running them.  It used the prosecution of the company that grants access to White Island after it erupted as one reason for the change.  Health and Safety Lawyer Grant Nicholson told Mike Hosking that's the only example of the law getting muddy.  He says ultimately the court did its job —with the company later acquitted— and the law worked as intended.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I sort of hinted at this the other day when the monitor for the Wellington City Council put out his second report.  My question was, given there was leaking and dysfunction and the punter was at their wits end, what now for Wellington?  Do we just get more reports?  Well, lo and behold, another Wellington operation has their own monitor in the form of the Commerce Commission who have been brought in to oversee the mess at Wellington Water.  The Minister has not seen any improvement, there's been no real change and unless stuff happens, there are rate rises galore for no real gain.  So once again we can ask, what do the Commerce Commission do? Do they write reports too?  If those reports tell us the place is still a shambles, how many reports does it take for someone, somewhere, to actually fire up a bit of action?  I can also add, and this is an overarching observation, just how dysfunctional does Wellington need to get before it literally implodes on itself?  The electorate changes last week were all in Wellington. Why? Because people have left and, to be frank, who can blame them?  Then we come to Tamatha Paul, who made what most observers seemed to suggest was one of the most extraordinary comments about police anyone had ever heard.  Her good friends in Labour called them stupid. The Prime Minister called her insane.  Yet she holds an electorate. The good people of Wellington central, and by no small margin I might add, looked at her credentials and decided they liked her enough to vote for her.  So Wellington, what's the story?  What level of madness and dysfunction are you willing to tolerate before change comes? Is change ever coming? Do you actually want change?  Do you mind paying a lot more than you need to for stuff that doesn’t work? Is a crummy council, a lot of broken pipes and a mad MP OK, as long as your cycleways are fun to ride on?  Oh, did I mention the trains?  You can't beat Wellington on a good day.  When, Wellington, was your last good day and why are you putting up with it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission and Auckland Airport's latest interactions are being seen as a sign regulation is working.  Auckland Airport isn't lifting its airline charges for the next two years as much as intended, after the commission's report showed their targeted returns were too high.   The report also found the airport's multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment plan is appropriate.  CEO Carrie Hurihanganui told Mike Hosking they said last year that if the commission continued to see a difference between the returns they targeted and what they received, they would change it, and they did.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph Parker’s next fight is still up in the air.   The Kiwi boxer was set to challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF Heavyweight belt, before pulling out last-minute on medical advice.   Since then, Parker has called out Oleksandr Usyk, but Dubois may be first in line for that fight.  Parker told Mike Hosking that there’s a lot of different ways the timeline could play out.  He says he has no idea what’s happening next, and for now, is just focused on training, spending time with family, and finding a good balance in life.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 1st of April, Winston Peters has revealed the new ferry deal. The majority seem reasonably happy – now its time to hit the targets for cost and timing.   People will be able to call up a hotline to complain about excessive road cones. Presumably nothing can go wrong with that...  And Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker is in studio to tell us his future plans and how he ideally sees his career panning out over the next two years.    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.

There's a view that the ferry deal timeline is optimistic.   Rail Minister Winston Peters has announced two road and rail-enabled ferries and upgrades to port infrastructure will be rolled out late in 2029.   Former Chair of the Ferry Ministerial Advisory Group Mark Thompson told Mike Hosking that will be a challenge with current conditions.   He says there's an influx of orders for ship builder, which could jeopardise the timeline.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coalition is showing unity on the Cook Strait ferry deal.   Rail Minister Winston Peters has announced two road and rail-enabled ferry and port infrastructure to be delivered by 2029.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis had a plan, but it wasn't confirmed whether those were rail-enabled or not.   Peters told Mike Hosking the fact that a new plan is on the table, isn't being critical of her.  He said that when they brought a new option to the table, Willis had enough wisdom to say they should see if it’s possible.  Peters is standing firm in his criticism of Green MP Benjamin Doyle's historical Instagram posts.  The Greens says they're screening an immense volume of abuse, including death threats towards Doyle, over Doyle's old social media posts with sexually suggestive captions.  The party is accusing Peters of "fanning the flames of hatred".  Peters told Mike Hosking that's not true.  He says thousands and thousands of people from the rainbow community are supporting what he's saying.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank appears to have caved to pressure with its decision to review its capital requirements.  The central bank introduced stricter rules in 2019, requiring banks to hold capital to buffer them against a 1-in-200-year financial crisis.   The rules have been criticised for driving up lending costs.  Former Reserve Bank economist Michael Reddell told Mike Hosking there's been a clear appetite for change.  He says the Reserve Bank has "read the tea leaves", including criticism it's faced from banks, businesses, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis herself.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bad news for France's National Rally party as leader Marine Le Pen's been barred from running for office for five years.  She's been found guilty of embezzling European Union Funds to finance the party.  Le Pen will be ineligible to run in the 2027 presidential election.  Paris Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking there's no one else in the party with the energy to run a successful campaign.  She says voters are voting for her, as all the far-right parties have a clan at the centre of them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pledge to "bring back common-sense" to New Zealand's approach to workplace health and safety.  The Government confirms small businesses will only need to manage risks relating to death or serious injury to reduce compliance costs.   It's also planning a telephone hotline to report excess road cone use.  Minister-in-Charge, Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking most companies are happy with the core of the Workplace Safety Act, but don't know how to comply.  She says the Government will clarify it so businesses can focus on its critical risks, rather than posters warning of a hot water tap or staircase.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian election has been called for 3 May and the polls have swung in favour of Labor.  Cost of living is going to the booths with voters and Anthony Albanese's Government is promising tax cuts.  Peter Dutton needs to win 22 seats to get a majority government.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price talks to Mike Hosking about the election and why barbecues are banned in Victoria, See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 31st of March, we talk the dud that was the supermarket announcement and how the current big players are reacting. The Prime Minister has switched his regular slot to a Monday and talks supermarkets, ferries and the servicing of our Air Force planes. Andrew Saville and Jason talk Moana Pasifika pantsing the Crusaders, the Warriors winning three on the trot and Auckland FC all but securing the premiership. 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 Government says all options are on the table as Nicola Willis issues a six-week consultation to ensure 'all options are exhausted.' The announcement has been met with disappointment by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the six-week period is reasonable.  "Maybe other governments in the past haven't actually thought about things or been prepared to go as as deep as what we're proposing, but I think it's a good thing," he said.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB has seen some stabilisation in interest rates, the primary sector and rising consumer spending.  It comes as it was announced Q4 was higher than expected at 0.7%.  Q1 ends today, what will the results be?  ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley talks to Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has said all options are on the table as Finance Minister Nicola Willis issues a six-week request for information.  Willis threatened to break up the current supermarket players, floating the idea of restructuring the two existing supermarket chains. Foodstuffs North Island Chief Executive Chris Quin talks to Mike Hosking about the announcement.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Breakers officially have new owners.  The basketball team have a a majority owner in 47-year-old American Marc Mitchell.  Mitchell's investment group includes Leon and Stephen Grice, and Paul and Liz Blackwell. New owner Marc Mitchell talks to Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Half of the Government's $400m savings target has come out of Heath NZ in the form of contractors and consultant spending.  The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive director Sarah Dalton says isn't happy about the cuts.  "This seems flagrant in terms of taking the short-term option, not looking a little bit further down the road," she said.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talk about teasing me on a Sunday morning.  At 10am we are told Nicola Willis is giving us the good word on supermarkets. She doesn’t like the industry - she's been telling us this for a year and a half. She is going to do something about the industry - she's been telling us this for a year and a half. So, Sunday was the day. Except it wasn’t. It was yet another diatribe about what needs to be done, what could be done and what might be done. There were more threats, more possibilities, more questions and more investigations. It was also a speech of hopeless contradictions. On one hand she was telling us how hard it was to enter the market at scale and how big that risk was. Then she was telling us this was a $20+ billion sector, more than tourism and dairy combined, and yet she clearly hasn’t stopped to ask herself if that big. Do you not think anyone who could, might have had a bit of a look at the prospect of entering it?  She talked of a player being able to grab 10%. That’s over $2 billion dollars worth of business. You don’t reckon someone, somewhere hasn’t looked at the prospect of $2 billion dollars worth and thought "I wonder if that isn't a bit of me"? To find out why we don’t have more competition, she announced she was launching yet another investigation. Then after six weeks she may, or may not, get Cabinet to do something legislatively. If that happens she wants to do it by the end of the year and get it passed by the end of the term i.e the end of next year. So an entire term in Government having literally not produced one more shop. As I've said all along, it may be we are too small for another major player. Maybe the niche players, along with the two giants, are what are market tolerates. But as for Nicola and her finger-wagging, if threats were results then we'd be getting somewhere. If speeches were shelves of well-priced food, the issue would be dealt to. But for a Government with an image of more talk than action, she didn’t do anything to help that reputation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has coined Wednesday as 'Liberation Day', when he will roll out tariffs promised to free the country from foreign goods.  The President says he will impose 25% tariffs on cars and car parts made outside of the United States.  Tesla's are one of the only cars made entirely in the US.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold joins the show to discuss Liberation Day, and the death of Richard Chamberlain.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US consumer confidence is feeling the economic and tariff uncertainty, as Lululemon shares fell 15%, and inflation expectations are picking up. It comes as Kiwi consumer confidence is still challenged according to a latest read.  Greg Smith of Devon Funds Management talks to Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Village Roadshow, no small player in the movie industry, this week filed for Chapter 11. They have been having some legal issues with another major studio. But they sighted along with that their other overriding  problem, the actors' strike. You remember that? It was more than actors, of course, it was the whole industry. Hollywood came to a stop for months as they argued over pay and conditions. Some of the pay and conditions were based around what was seen at the time as this frightening new development called AI that was potentially going to slash their work and income. They wanted protections. It was eventually settled but, and here is the really big question, at what cost? Hollywood has never come back and the movie industry has never been the same. Irony of ironies a lot of people lost their jobs. Not because of AI, but because they never recovered from the shuttering as a result of the strike. So given fewer movies were made, less income was generated, and the vicious cycle began. That was until someone like Village Roadshow could no longer go on, so they folded for Chapter 11. Chapter 11, if you don’t know is not the end. It can be the end, but initially it's about some protection to get some affairs in order and potentially get a rescuer. The lesson here is unionism. This is what this is. Hollywood, the film, and television industry is heavily unionised. It's one of those ideas that, once upon a time might have made a modicum of sense, but as the world and the workplace has changed and got increasingly sophisticated now presents as an old idea that does more harm than good. So they go on strike, the multi millionaire actors back them , food parcels are handed out, they pound the picket line, and they eventually cut a deal. Is that good? Not if you then go and lose your job, not if the studio then goes and files for Chapter 11. What's the point of that? What would you rather have? More money for fewer people? Or more people? Because that’s what unionism does. So, was the strike a win or a path to joblessness and business ruin? What do you reckon Village Roadshow would say?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.    Signalgate: 1/10  A good sign of how mad and dopey that lot are. A platform they shouldn't have been on, a denial that got blown out of the water, and an attack campaign that made them look pathetic.    The Warriors: 7/10  Not just two wins in a row, but two very good wins in a row - and a third on Sunday with the Tigers.    Liam Lawson: 2/10  Yes, it's sport and, yes, it's tough. But this is at the hard end of hard calls, that line between dream lived, and shattered.    Whangarei council: 1/10  They got hung up on fluoride, wasted any amount of time arguing about it, went to court with no money, and no budget, and lost and got pasted by the judge. Awesome work guys!    Lindsay McKenzie: 6/10  He's Wellington's Crown observer, who thinks the local body law should be changed so we get better qualified people to represent us. Give that man a medal.    Tamatha Paul: 2/10  Yes, the Greens are nuts. But Labour wants to run the country with them.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The most uplifting part of the week for me in terms of news was the combination of Winston Peters and his very wise words over diet and work.  The statistics department released the numbers of those who are working beyond 65-years-old. In fact, not just 65, but 70, 80 and 90-years-old.  For Peters, what made the advice so useful is you can argue he has never been more relevant and effective.  Age is one thing, but performance is another.  If you take the politics out of it, he would be the match for anyone in the current political game. There would be few, if any, that would question his work ethic, the miles he is covering and the effort he is making in putting us back on the international map.  And he is doing it at almost 80-years-old.  The trouble with age is we still focus on the number. Say whatever you want about Trump but he is a good 78-years-old while Biden was a very poor 82-years-old.  In fact, I am surprised that 65-years-old is still a thing. It only gets attention because of superannuation. There is an official attachment to the age – you get money for a so-called lifetime of work, you can retire, you are old, so you get a gold card for a ferry ride, etc.  The really upbeat aspect of all this is that it wasn’t so long ago that age in work was an issue, but for negative reasons.  Older workers were let go, they had trouble getting new jobs and roles for women of a certain age in Hollywood became a thing.  It all seems to have been reversed.  Dare I suggest it has been helped by the reputation, whether real or imagined, that the so-called new generation aren't really as interested in work.  Covid ruined a lot of us. Work-life balance became a thing. Work from home became a thing. Quiet quitting became a thing.  As more and more younger people moaned and complained and slacked off, the diligence, consistency and institutional knowledge of the older worker increased in value.  Winston Peters' knowledge and experience in Parliament is to be seen any Question Time you want to look. He runs rings around most of them.  He has purpose. And as the Asian cultures in particular will tell you, age is but a number and purpose is everything. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back on the air, joining Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed the Liam Lawson situation and Bob Geldof – who Mike interviewed earlier this week.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand winemakers are continuing to make moves in the US.   Amid an uncertain market, we were the only nation in the top ten US wine suppliers to increase its volume last year.  Data suggests it’s the 16th year in a row New Zealand wine has reported growth.   Invivo Wine Founder Tim Lightbourne told Mike Hosking there’s big opportunities over in the States, with New Zealand wines being sold right around the country.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 28th of March, it’s official – Eden Park will be getting a revamp, and Auckland won't be getting a new stadium.  Kiwi’s trust in our public institutions is eroding over time – a survey revealing it’s at its lowest point since 2022.   Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss Bob Geldof with Mike 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.

Liam Lawson has had the keys taken off him at Red Bull and will complete the Formula 1 season with the franchise's Racing Bulls development team.  He lasted two Grands Prix before management decided to replace him with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda for his home event next weekend at Suzuka.   The switch confirms widespread speculation.  BBC Formula 1 correspondent Andrew Benson told Mike Hosking the line CEO Christian Horner is running about “duty of care” is them trying to dress the situation up as best they can.  He says getting rid of someone after two races isn’t duty of care by any stretch of the imagination, and instead, giving him a chance to try and perform better would be.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trust is eroding over time in our public institutions.   The Acumen Edelman Trust Barometer reveals 67% of New Zealanders express a sense of grievance with business, media, government and NGOs – surpassing the global average of 61%.   Many feel overlooked by those in power and disillusioned as a result  Acumen Chief Executive Adelle Keely says it's a wake-up call for those in charge.   She says for the past few years, businesses have been the most trusted institution - but this year for the first time, no institutions are trusted at all.  Keely told Mike Hosking it's a worldwide trend.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says they've over-delivered on their promise to save money from public sector job cuts.  Latest Public Service Commission data shows the core workforce decreased 4% in the year to December 2024.  Public Service Minister Judith Collins says the Government's expecting to save $800 million by June – double the initial target.  Nicola Willis —the coalition government's initial Public Service Minister— told Mike Hosking the money saved is going into much better purposes.  She says it’s instead going into things like the Family Boost Policy, to support early childhood education costs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The boss of Eden Park remains hopeful of convincing the Government to help fund a major expansion.  Auckland councillors have voted to back the upgrading of the stadium over the building of a new arena near the waterfront.  But Eden Park has yet to secure any public funding.  Chief Executive Nick Sautner told Mike Hosking work will now begin on making a case to government.  He says while everyone's doing it tough right now, there are opportunities for money to be re-allocated and invested in New Zealand's national stadium.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A review confirms better access to care should be a key priority.  Health New Zealand's released a Clinical Quality and Safety Review using data from the past decade.  It reveals the number of people waiting more than four months to see a specialist tripled between 2020 and 2023.   Royal College of GPs Medical Director Luke Bradford told Mike Hosking fewer people are also choosing not to access care, especially since Covid.  He's concerned there's been a drop off in immunisations and cancer screenings.  However, there is a belief the quality of care is getting better despite taking longer to access it.   Bradford says there's been a decrease in surgical complications and better experiences had by patients in the system.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The problem with Red Bull and Liam Lawson is several fold.  One, the most egregious part is, if the reports are true, that Honda offered another $10 million to get their man Yuki Tsunoda in the seat. This is not new, they have done so before but were rebuffed.  Two, next weekend would be the first track Liam had actually driven on previously. Red Bull would have known this when they hired him. To have two races on unknown tracks is pretty tough.  Three, they hung in with other drivers who struggled a lot longer than two races. So suddenly the harshness has reached a new level and probably reflects an internal level of panic given the performance of other teams.  Four, they know Liam can actually drive the car. They saw it, they tested him, and he can do it. So, they are not guessing. They took a punt on him but not a blind punt.  So, you then have to look at the damage you are doing to a young driver and his confidence.  Yes, he is still in F1 and yes, the Racing Bulls are improving on what they did last year, but he will never win mainly because Racing Bulls is a feeder team to Red Bull, so they are not allowed to win.  Red Bull also carry responsibility for building a car that doesn’t work. Even Max Verstappen, the driver of his generation, is having trouble.  So Liam goes to a mid-field team to do what? Hopefully perform well to then be lured away to someone who can offer the hope of better prospects.  As exciting as living a F1 dream is, turning up each weekend to come 13th can't be that much fun after a while.  The cutthroat part though is life. The good thing about motor racing is they have been in it since they were kids. They have been schooled in winning and losing and in victory and failure.  Liam has had Helmut Marko in his ear forever. It's a tough and unforgiving business. But that’s the keyword, business. They aren't in it because they like you, they are in it to use your talent for as long as you are useful.  The reward is if you're good you get rich, famous, collect trophies, buy a place in Monaco, and live your dream.  If you're okay, you drive for Alpine or Sauber, travel the word, and get moderately wealthy.  It ain't over, but your heart goes out to a bloke who was that close.  He seems sadly to be on the end of some poor management, ruthless ethics, and the cold reality of elite sport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer was one to remember for the cherry industry.   Exports have hit a new milestone, surpassing five thousand tonnes.  The previous record was about 4,200 tonnes in the 2017/18 season.  Summerfruit New Zealand CEO Dean Smith told Mike Hosking exports were not only high, but also of high quality.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there anybody who doesn’t know the name Bob Geldof?  Along with the Sex Pistols and the Clash, Geldof and the Boomtown Rats are attributed with changing the face of music.  A significant part is due to the Live Aid concert and Geldof’s activism – which is part of the reason he’s made his way to our shores.  Geldof has a couple of dates lined up in New Zealand, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Live Aid and the 50th anniversary of the Boomtown Rats.  The show’s called ‘An Evening with Bob Geldof: Songs and Stories from an Extraordinary Life’, and it’s a slightly different type of show than he normally performs.  Geldof told Mike Hosking that it leans more theatrical, with visuals and songs accompanying the storytelling element.   “It’s not something I’d normally do,” he continued.  “In the summer, as you said, the Rats are 50, we do all the big festivals and then we're talking off mic about, y'know, suddenly Bobby Boomtown's in the house."  "The sagacious quiet person you're listening to right now becomes something else.”  This show is set to be a bit less intense, Geldof jokingly warning people to bring a sleeping bag as the stories may go on for a while.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 27th of March, the banks are continuing to call for capital rules to be eased. But Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews is warning against it.  We get reactions to the new sentencing and drug driving testing laws coming into place.  Fonterra's CEO Miles Hurrell defends the proposal to sell of the company's consumer brands, like Anchor.  And the iconic Bob Geldof is the country for his stage show - so he joined Mike in studio 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.

Fonterra’s elaborating on the details of their consumer brand sell-off.  The conundrum comes off the back of a monster half year result in which operating profit rose to 16%.  The planned divestment could see brands like Anchor and Mainland sold off.  CEO Miles Hurrell told Mike Hosking the key for any good business is knowing what you’re good at.   He says that over the years, the returns as an ingredients business have been stellar, but farmers aren’t getting the desired return on capital from the consumer side of things.  He says they believe they can get higher returns from investing that cash back into ingredients and food service.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson's future at Red Bull in Formula 1 remains gridlocked by speculation.  Reports suggest Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda will swap with Lawson for the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend, joining defending world champion teammate Max Verstappen.  Lawson's opportunities have been slim on unfamiliar tracks in a new car thus far, one of which was in the wet at Melbourne.  Formula 1 Journalist Chris Medland told Mike Hosking Red Bull has likely decided to make a change before the situation becomes irreparable and damages Lawson’s confidence too much.  From his point of view, they should have had the more experienced Tsunoda in instead, as he has nothing left to prove and whereas Lawson still has more learning to do.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's confidence roadside drug testing won't pick up prescription drugs.  Legislation giving police powers to do random saliva tests has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.  Police should be ready to use tests late this year.  Transport Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking there will be two tests at the roadside.  He says it will be testing for cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.