The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Law Association is calling the recent passing of sentencing law changes a great example of democracy in action. The new law caps the sentence discounts judges can apply at 40% and adds new aggravating factors. Law Association Vice President Julie-Anne Kincade told Mike Hosking issues raised —such as the wish to see the sentencing reduction proposals softened— were taken on board. She says many select committee submitters shared similar concerns, and these seem to have been reflected. But Kincade says they're concerned about how the new laws will increase the populations of our already full prisons. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A careful balancing act on how far banks should have to go to prepare for a rainy day.  Parliament's Finance Select Committee is currently seeking feedback on whether the Reserve Bank's capital requirements for banks should be changed.  The current rules are stringent and costly.  Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Mike Hosking we also can't go too far the other way.  She says if a bank fails, and there isn't enough money to pay people out, that will have a huge impact on the whole economy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lindsay McKenzie is still busy at work.  You will have forgotten the name because like so much news these days, it's hot stuff until it isn't.  Lindsay is the bloke that was appointed to watch over Wellington Council because of their dysfunction.  He has just written his second report. His first report seemed sort of sympathetic. Yes, they were a mess, but they were decent people sort of thing.  His second report seems to suggest not a lot is getting better. Some councillors have continued their criticism of each other and they're suspicion of information being leaked, writes Lindsay.  He also says the community is at its wits end over infrastructure although most of that comes from the same complainers.  He has also noted since his first report there have been several incidences that have given rise to concerns about the organisations ability to function.  Now, the question I have is, given the place is still to be found wanting, what next? You might remember Minister Simeon Brown put this bloke in as the least intrusive option, as opposed to a full commissioner or set of commissioners.  So far, so bad. So, is the government going to do anything? Or is poor old Lindsay set to write reports for the rest of his life?  In the report though is a nugget of gold. He recommends a review of the Local Government Act in relation to the qualification for and capability to hold office.  Yes, yes, and yes please.  Let's actually treat these jobs as jobs as opposed to dabbles, fascinations or fiefdoms. Let's actually require people to have some skills.  The idea you can just put your name forward for a job of such responsibility is absurd beyond belief and when any idiot can have a crack, guess what you get? Wellington is what you get.  Let's get a bit professional, let's put a bit of heft behind the job, and let's get some talent in the room.  I have no doubt this is going nowhere, because why would you fix anything when you can ignore it? But if that was run with, Lindsay would deserve, if not a knighthood, certainly keys to a vastly better run city. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's admitted the gang patch ban hasn't turned out as badly as they feared.  The Deputy Police Commissioner has confirmed staff are pleasantly surprised at the ban's effectiveness, saying it's brought more control to the situation.   It comes as Gisborne police are given more powers to deal with gangs.   Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking the fact it's gone well is a good thing.  She says given fears haven't eventuated of frontline officers getting hurt, she can recognise it's gone better than everyone thought it would.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday the 26th of March, the national stadium debate is continuing to drag on - and Rugby World Cup CEO Martin Snedden is calling for some action.  The government has written to Labour and the Greens asking for cross party support for its RMA reform - Mike asks Chris Hipkins whether Labour will get on board.  And Mike loves the idea of people needing a qualification to be able to become a local councillor or Mayor.  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.

Employment confidence has bottomed out.  The Westpac-McDermott Miller index shows it's slipped to a level not seen since the post-2020 Covid lockdowns.  It's fallen in four of 11 regions —including Auckland— which dominated the national average.  EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking business is still doing it hard, directly impacting the ability to hire and expand.  He says more than 60% of firms let staff go within the last year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says compromises will need to be made in reforming the Resource Management Act.  The Government's replacing the Act with a new planning framework, including rules around land development and environment protections.  It's seeking cross-party support.  Hipkins told Mike Hosking the country's administration can't keep putting infrastructure projects on hold.  He says that if there are projects underway, even if they’re not the administration’s first choice, they’ll keep doing them.  Labour also wants clarity around the Treaty of Waitangi's role in the reform.  Cabinet's decided on ruling out incorporating a Treaty clause in the legislation, despite the Expert Advisory Group recommending the current clause be carried over.  Hipkins told Mike Hosking they want to make sure Treaty settlements are respected.  He says saying you want to respect the Treaty but then saying you don't want to put it into law is contradictory.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leading Australian economist says more focus needs to be put on productivity to pull Australia out of a deficit.  The federal Budget announced yesterday included tax cuts and cost of living relief for households.  HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham told Mike Hosking with big spending measures announced in the lead up to the election, deficits to the tens of billions are forecast for years to come.  He says the best way to change that is to boost Australia's slumped productivity, which is at the same level as it was in 2016.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief the bigger problem with Auckland's stadiums is not having the right sized venues.   Councillors are set to vote tomorrow on whether to back Eden Park 2-point-1 or build a new Quay Park site.  The latter project can be scaled down to 20-thousand for smaller events, from 50-thousand for big ones.  But Rugby World Cup 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden told Mike Hosking they can't keep putting smaller events like test cricket into big stadiums.  He says even if they build the new stadium and it gets five-thousand people to smaller games, they'll have the same problem.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Deputy Commissioner says staff are pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness of banning gang patches.   Rival gang tensions in Gisborne mean officers have just been given extra powers to search and impound vehicles and seize weapons, following eight incidents in a week.   Tania Kura told Mike Hosking the gang patch ban has been really good for them.  She says it's brought more control to the situation, with staff admitting it's probably gone better than they thought.   However, Kura says this doesn't mean they can rest on their laurels either.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French actor Gérard Depardieu's gone on trial – charged with sexually assaulting two women on a film shoot four years ago.  About 20 other women have also accused the 76-year-old of improper behaviour, but this is the first case to come to court.  He's the highest-profile figure to face accusations in the French response to the Me Too movement.  Paris Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking his has been a long time coming.  She says he's such a giant in the industry, so the courts have shied away despite previous allegations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 2026 is not far off.  In fact, it's next year and next year is election year.  By that time, it is being reported, the interest on our national debt will be $11b.  Do you see how this works?  Not long ago the warnings were issued that it might reach $10b and at the time, it was pointed out that that is multiple times more than the Police budget.  That's just in interest. Once we pay the $10b our debt doesn’t diminish. It's exactly the same. We have gone nowhere. We've just kept the wolf from the debt door for another 12 months.  Well, the $10b has gone and we are now heading for $11b.  Why?  Because as the Finance Minister keeps warning, and she is doing this because the budget is close, the cost of borrowing is going up.  Why?  Because we are a greater risk. Risky people who want money have to pay a higher price. It's why credit card debt is more expensive than mortgage debt.  The Government sells bonds, they ask for money and in return they will give you interest. For you to give them that money you want a decent return.  The last time they put some 10 year bonds out they were paying 4.62%. That’s a big interest bill on billions of dollars.  Remember also that they are adding to that debt pile each and every year until they reach an annual surplus. Even if they reach an annual surplus, which they aren't going to now for years, all you have achieved is not adding to the pile of debt.  Even if you add not one more dollar to the debt, the debt doesn’t shrink. It demands another $11b from you to pay the interest bill.  The mistake that is often made is we look to other countries and go "look, their debt is more than ours", either in dollar terms or as a % of GDP. What isn't pointed out is how small and vulnerable and unable we are to grow our way out of that.  We owe a lot and ratings agencies, although not alarmed, are alert.  This Government were left with a shed load of debt from an economically criminal previous Government.  And that bill is about to hit $11b a year, or over $30m a day.  Every day, forever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.