The Mike Hosking Breakfast

There's a bit of pushback coming from some sectors in the education business towards the reading, writing, and maths tests.  These are the tests we are failing. Those who are failing mostly come from poor backgrounds.  I'm not sure equating monetary status and academic success should be a thing.  But a bunch of principals from the "poorest communities" have got together to lobby the Government to stop the tests because they say it will lead to more kids leaving school with no qualifications.  After two rounds of these tests more than half failed reading and writing and 75% failed numeracy.  You can't get university entrance if you don’t get these grades.  Now, there is no doubt that failure affects attitude and there is equally no doubt that for some the “give it up” scenario must be tempting if the hurdle is too high.  But then there's also no doubt that allowing kids to leave school having failed is a failure in and of itself.  Any country that has any level of success globally is not a country that goes soft on education.  The principals’ answer is the answer that has failed us for years, which is also the Chris Hipkins Covid answer - give them something for nothing.  An alternative to an exam is the extra 20 credits scenario that is due to expire at the end of 2027. They want that made permanent and instead of 20 credits they want it made into 60 credits. So, like Hipkins and Covid, extra credits for not actually doing anything. Just extra credits for life being a bit crap right now.  No one gains when we do this. It is excuse making. It is an acceptance that we fail, and are failing, and failure is part of what we do.  You can either read and write or you can't. You can either add up or you can't. And if you can't, having people pretend you can, won't fix anything.  Part of why this country is where it is, is because we are apologists in areas like this and instead of being determined to fix it, we set about looking for ways to excuse it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 4th of March, GPs are loving the new health announcement, which should have been implemented years ago.  The Prime Minister joins the show to talk health, school lunches, and Ukraine.  Former Australian Defence Force Major General Mick Ryan is back on the show to talk about the Chinese warships in our waters and the Ukraine war after the Oval Office bust-up.  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 Upper Hutt Mayor says it was obvious the region's water agency was ripping off ratepayers for a long time.  Report findings show a lack of oversight meant Wellington Water was paying nearly three times more to contractors for pipe work, compared with in other areas.  Board Chair Nick Leggett says it means millions of ratepayer dollars wasted.  Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy says Leggett must resign.  He told Mike Hosking his council smelt a rat for years, but their concerns fell on deaf ears.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A military expert says China's sent a clear message with its war ships as they sail away from Australia and New Zealand.  Three highly powered navy vessels entered Australia's exclusive economic zone in the Tasman Sea last week, where they performed live firing exercises.   The New Zealand Defence Force is no longer monitoring the warships as they sail west away from Australia.  Lowy Institute Senior Fellow Mick Ryan told Mike Hosking it's a display of power from China, showing they can disrupt trade whenever they want.  He says it's also a test of Australia's relationship with the US, considering what's happening with Europe.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is defending how much nurses in New Zealand are being paid.   Yesterday the Government announced multiple incentives to improve access to primary care, including a cash injection of $285 million over three years.   Christopher Luxon says any narrative about health services being cut is completely untrue.   He told Mike Hosking the Government's making good progress on recruitment, just not getting the results patients need.   Luxon says the remuneration of nurses has increased to $127 thousand dollars, including allowances and overtime.    He also says that those unhappy with his Government's refreshed school lunches should go make a marmite sandwich.  A number of schools have complained about late deliveries and sub-standard offerings under the new cut-price regime.  Luxon's acknowledged some delivery timeframes and meals haven't been up to scratch, but says some people will never be pleased.  He told Hosking parents should be the ones feeding their kids.  Luxon says he'd rather the state didn't have to provide lunches, but he's not willing to let children go hungry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nutritionist is defending health star ratings, despite the little impact they have.  Otago University has led a probe of the decade-old voluntary system for rating food products, finding they only slightly improved diet.  It calculates it'd save the health system about 70 times more if it were made compulsory.  Nutritionist Nikki Hart told Mike Hosking it is a helpful system for consumers.  She says people aren't looking at the back of the packet, so the rating gives people a good idea.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GPs say a Government cash injection into general practices is a good start.   The Health Minister's announced $285 million in performance-based funding for practices over three years.   Simeon Brown is also kick-starting initiatives to boost the number of nurses and overseas-trained doctors in healthcare.   Royal College of GPs President Samantha Murton told Mike Hosking practices need a lot more money, but the Government has to start somewhere.  Another measure announced was the 100 new placements for overseas-trained doctors.   The Royal College of GPs says vocational training for the doctors was always done in hospitals.   But Murton told Hosking primary care is now getting a slice of the pie.   She says general practices offer a wider range of training in New Zealand healthcare than hospitals.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a vision Australia and New Zealand can help ease each other's seasonal electricity woes.  Company Taslink is proposing a massive underground trans-Tasman cable, allowing surplus power to be transferred between the two countries.  It estimates the link would increase our power grid's capacity by about 40%.  Co-Director Richard Homewood told Mike Hosking it would have meant 20% lower power prices last winter.   He says Australia has the opposite problem, with power outages during the hot summer days, when we have a surplus.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can argue until you are blue in the face as to whether what happened at the White House on Saturday was bullying, or unfair, but what the U.S President has on his side is common sense and military power. As Zelenskyy slunk off to Downing Street for a hug with Keir Starmer and today's meeting with King Charles, what few in Europe seem to understand is that saying you back Ukraine doesn’t win a war, or come close to it. Without America, this thing is over, and fast. Mark Rutte gets that, hence his plea to Zelenskyy to repair the damage. Norway promised more resource, or at least said they would ask their Parliament. The UK announced another 2.5 billion pound loan. But for what? This thing is three years old and is going nowhere, at best with America fully on board it is a stalemate. It is, as so many have put it now, a meat grinder and Russia has more meat to grind. What was on display in Washington was a simple reality of the Trump administration - they are not interested in war, they are interested in deals. A mineral agreement sees the Americans on the ground in Ukraine. No one is rolling over American interests militarily in Ukraine. Trump is also right in saying a ceasefire is pretty much instant and it's at that point you start working on the “what next“. All the photo opportunities and love-ins that Zelenskyy appears to revel in doesn’t get you an inch of your country back and it doesn’t give you any advantage over the Russians. NATO are incapable of beating Russia without American buy-in. That buy-in is over. Trump keeps it simple - Zelensky has no cards and, to a lesser degree, Europe only has limited cards. It is why America is America. Without them we are done. Where I think Trump is most right is he appears the only one interested in actually getting this thing sorted. The Europeans talk about peace, but peace as a result of victory. There will be no victory. Three years of the war shows us this. The only victory is Russia's if America bails.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 3rd of March, it seems crazy we haven't had a police officer training facility in the centre of Auckland, so we've finally fixed that. Where does the Ukraine war go after the shambles that was the Oval Office meeting? We speak to an expert out of Washington D.C. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine give their sporting highlights of the weekend, which won't be the Warriors. 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.

Cuts in the health sectors "back office" roles are forcing front-line workers to pick up administrative work, resulting in delays for treatment and a reduction in services.  Nurses and social worked are working as reception ships due to the staff shortages.  In the year to June, 12,000 kiwi nurses gained registration across the ditch.  Nurses Organisation President Kerri Nuku talks to Mike Hosking about the issue.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Dutton's liberal party is committing $3 billion to the purchase of extra joint strike fighter jets, if they win the upcoming Australian election.  The party say they will buy 28 fighter jets.  The pledge comes as Chinese warships have circumnavigated Australia.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price talks to Mike Hosking about the commitment, Dutton's 60 Minutes interview, what the polls are saying, and how Trump brushed off Australia.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An emergency summit has taken place in London, days after a contentious meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy and JD Vance.  Where does this leave the White House? Senior Advisor at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Mark Cancian talks to Mike Hosking about the fall out of the meeting. LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Oscars day and Kiwi's are front row for their work out of Wētā FX this year.  The team have three nominations for Alien Romulus, Better Man and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Head of Visual FX Matt Aitken talks to Mike Hosking about the ceremony.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's meth use has reached unprecedented heights.  New figures show a monthly peak of 39.2 kg recorded in October - well above historic averages and nearly double the previous record of 20.6kg in 2021.  Massey University Drug researcher Chris Wilkins talks to Mike Hosking about the reason for the surge, and what this means for the country. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police announced yesterday they will be opening a new training wing for recruits in Auckland.  The current Royal New Zealand Police College is in Porirua, where recruits train for 20 weeks. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers talks to Mike Hosking about the need for the new location, what it will do for the target of 500 new police, if the Police are on track for that target, and flexibility it will give the recruits.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer confidence perked up in February to 96.6.  Perceptions of personal finance situations was up five points, with 21 percent expecting to be better of this time next year.  Greg Smith of Devon Funds Management breaks down the findings with Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world is reacting to a fiery meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold says shock waves are continuing to be felt around the world, with NATO attempting to 'patch things up.'  "Vance certainly intervened in ways we've not seen from an American VP before, and is facing protesters right now in Vermont," he said.  Was it a setup? 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.    Andrew Bayly: 3/10  It’s a sad business. Was it a sackable offence? No. Does it put people off entering politics? I would have thought so. But when you call someone a loser and grab an arm, can you survive? It was the re-offence that was sackable.    Law and order: 8/10  The violent crime stats and new detainment powers are tangible evidence of progress in the right direction.    Marsden and the rebuild: 2/10  That’s what is wrong with coalitions. They indulge folly.    Temu: 3/10  We are spending more there and less domestically. Never underestimate the power of cheap crap.    Tory Whanau: 1/10  Cancelling her Newstalk ZB slot is the beginning of the end. Cancelling Newstalk ZB slots doesn’t tend to go well for voting patterns – I speak from experience.    The Warriors: 7/10  Unbeaten in the offseason and some fairly ordinary, blow-up bat-wielding Raiders to tackle first up.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were two hardcore reality checks this week as a result of the arrival of the Trump sequel.  BP summed up the climate dilemma very succinctly when he said they got it wrong on net zero.  Net zero has become an unobtainable obsession. It's a business decision for many thousands of companies all over the world, driven not by clear-sighted intelligence, but woke nonsense and a desire not to stand out from the crowd.  It's that mad, insecure feeling you have when you are 10 years old in the schoolyard not to look different, say anything unusual, or attract attention. As it turns out, it stays with you all the way up to the boardrooms, who got sucked into believing that spending billions, cutting jobs and forgoing growth would somehow lead to saving the planet.  "We got it wrong on net zero". So, BP are back in the oil business because Trump said "drill, baby drill".  That was a campaign slogan in an American election with a flow-on effect for the whole world.  Then you come to aid. There's nothing wrong with aid, but a Labour Prime Minister in Britain cut the aid to pay for the defence.  The polls say he did the right thing, as 66% of Britain think they spend too much on aid. When they hear a transportation system for refugees in Eastern Europe uses a Porsche dealer and they are paying for it, who can blame them?  Our aid in the Pacific, until recently, remained largely unaudited.  The idea of helping the helpless is worthy. But the reason it never ends is because aid becomes an industry and the helpless rarely get actual help. UNRWA is a UN aid agency. Have a look at their record and see how keen you are to keep giving.  It is human nature. Most ideas start off well but blow out into a combination of madness, waste, expansion and slackness, until someone comes along and says enough is enough.  The core principles of aid and a cleaner planet remain laudable goals and ideals.  But until we can bring some discipline to the execution, some rigour to the containment, parameters of the targets and some realism around what's actually practically achievable, it will always be hijacked by tryhards, do-gooders and zealots.  We will always make the same mistake.  It will end up needing a German election-type result, or a Trump-type victory, to bring us back to our senses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking once more to Wrap the Week that was.  They went through the list of MPs’ credit card expenses, discussed school lunches, and the latest conflict between Hosking and the ZB Afternoons hosts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 28th of February, we talk to both the energy sector and Minister Simon Watts on the new recommendations that could level the playing field.  We've got the list of MPs credit card expenses – who's buying Carl Jr's and who’s buying the magnum of red wine?  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss whether the producer of this show needs to fired and school lunches as they Wrap the Week.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's shifting his focus from politics to business during the final leg of his trip to Vietnam.  Luxon is aiming to drum up as much support as possible for Kiwi businesses operating in the Vietnamese market.   Earlier in the week, he signed a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement with Vietnam, making New Zealand just one of 10 counties to have such an agreement.  Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking that Vietnam’s government structure is inextricably linked with the business side of things, and to get anything done on the business side, you need to get things done on the political side.  He says the consensus within the business delegation is that the agreement will help drive business and get Kiwi businesses into the Vietnamese market.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions have been raised over how US actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died, with the situation deemed suspicious, despite no signs of foul play.  The pair have been found dead with their dog in their New Mexico home.   Carbon monoxide poisoning has been ruled out.  The couple's front door was found unlocked, with no signs of forced entry.  Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the pair's bodies were found in separate rooms.  He says they'd been rarely seen since they quit Hollywood decades ago.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local Government New Zealand is making its support known for four-year terms extending to them.  The Government's proposing to keep the standard three-year term, but allow it to be broadened if the opposition of the day is better represented at select committees.   Local Government New Zealand President & Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton told Mike Hosking it makes sense for councils to adjust as well.   He says there's only one good year for doing work, with the other two disrupted by elections and setting up.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Horowhenua district councillor is under fire for working remotely – from the other side of the world.  Councillor Rogan Boyle left the country in October and is said to currently be in Scotland with no plans to return any time soon.   Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden told Mike Hosking while Boyle has been attending council meetings on Zoom, it's not good enough.  Wanden believes Boyle should resign.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Energy Minister says new rules for the electricity sector can't come soon enough.  The Electricity Authority's proposing changes to give independent power companies the same access to prices and hedge contracts.  Simon Watts hopes that will create a more level playing field.  Power companies are hiking prices, and Watts told Mike Hosking things could get worse as we head into winter.  He says conditions are dry, lake levels are lower than they were this time last year, and we still have a gas shortage.  Watts says the situation is acute and he's worried.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High hopes for proposed changes to the electricity sector.  The Electricity Authority is proposing new rules, giving independent power companies the same access to hedge contracts and access to the same wholesale prices.  Electric Kiwi was forced to turn away new customers last winter due to surging wholesale prices.  Chief Executive Huia Burt told Mike Hosking these changes will be a game-changer.  She says this is what they've been fighting for – a level playing field, for sharper pricing, more investment, and more affordable energy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's hoping to clear up backlogs of approvals for animal and plant health products as it commits to speeding up processes.  It's accepted all 16 Ministry of Regulation recommendations for cutting red tape in agriculture and horticulture.   That follows last year's review, looking into processes for new veterinary medicines and agri-chemicals.  Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard told Mike Hosking he knew of the concerns around delays before taking his current role.  He admits seeing the processes and wait-times first-hand was an eye-opener.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trick, and we fail it virtually every time, is not to get bogged down in the minutiae.  There aren't prizes for coming up with dumb scenarios to try and catch the idea out.  Amending the law to allow greater use of locals to grab a scumbag and hold them till the coppers arise is a good, and welcome, idea.  If the Government is making tangible and positive progress anywhere, it's on the crime front.  More people are in jail, more people are being rounded up, more of us feel safe, the police feel better about doing their job, or being allowed to do their job, and the citizens arrest news is merely adding to that progress.  Coming up with scenarios about criminals bringing bigger weapons to robberies won't happen, the same way we haven't seen the gangs give the bird to the coppers over patches.  At the Prime Minister's press conference this week with Paul Goldsmith, Mark Mitchell, and Commissioner Richard Chambers, they were asked about there being more gang members, with the inference being the law is failing.  Yes, said Richard Chambers, there are more members because we are putting more groups on the register. And arrests aren't going up commensurately because gangs aren't flouting the law and retail thugs won't flout this one either.  Thugs are cowards and opportunists. They try it on because they know they can.  The moment they know a guard in a supermarket can jump on top of them they won't bother, the same way they tried to get work when the traffic light system came in for Jobseeker.  Bottom feeders are essentially lazy. If it's easy, they’ll abuse it or nick it. If you crack down the game's up and they will give up.  This sort of thing should be welcomed. This is what we wanted. Memories can't be so short that we have forgotten the madness that filled our streets just a year or so back.  The ram raids, the gangs, the blocked roads with their intimidation, the non-existent police to round them up, the endless criminals on ankle bracelets reoffending - we hated that! We got furious at that. A year and a bit later the change has happened, and the statistics have turned.  Let's not get bogged down in a petty game of "but what if".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 104th New Zealand Golf Open is underway at Millbrook.  Justin Quiban of the Philippines is the initial leader with two birdies from two holes.  Meanwhile, tournament boss Michael Glading told Mike Hosking that Danny Lee's return from the LIV circuit has been welcome.  He says he’s come with a really great attitude, and apparently can’t walk anywhere without 30 people saying hello to him.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis has shown slight improvement after 13 days in hospital.   He's been undergoing treatment for double pneumonia.  The Vatican's confirmed a CT scan of the pontiff’s chest 'shows a normal evolution' of the inflammation in his lungs.  Rome Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking there could be hope.  She says the problem he had with his kidneys has receded and he's had no respiratory crisis in the last 48 hours.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 27th of February, we’ve got the details, kind of, of the changes to the citizen’s arrest laws. So, are the cops happy?    What is going on with our power prices? Meridian reckons they have some answers, so CFO Mike Roan joined the show to explain.  Warriors coach Andrew Webster beams in from Las Vegas to tell us how we will beat the Raiders this weekend.  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.

More changes are on the way for the electricity sector, as power prices continue to rise.  The Electricity Authority's proposing new measures to stop the big four electricity companies giving their own retail arms preferential treatment.  The Government's lifting restrictions to allow lines companies to invest more in electricity generation.  And Meridian Energy Chief Financial Officer Mike Roan told Mike Hosking the sector's also looking at how they can shore up energy supplies after being caught out by the gas shortage.  He says they're scrambling, dusting off old contingency plans from 10 to 15 years ago.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors are balancing work and play heading into their NRL season opener against the Raiders on Sunday in Las Vegas.  Coach Andrew Webster says the team was very social for the first two days, but the players knuckled straight down and got to training ever since.  He told Mike Hosking the Vegas Strip is out of their system now, and everyone’s excited and looking forward to chasing points.  Adjusting to NFL stadia dimensions remains a challenge for the Warriors.  The Allegiant Stadium field is 6.5 metres shorter and 5.1 metres narrower than traditional rugby league measurements.  The Warriors played their final trial against the Storm in Hamilton under the same modifications.  Webster told Hosking they're adapting.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has made it clear to China that we aren't happy with its handling of the warships the Tasman Sea.  The Foreign Minister's been meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing.  Peters says the pair talked about China's new deal with the Cook Islands and the Chinese Navy vessels, which have now entered Australia's exclusive economic zone.  Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller told Mike Hosking Peters doesn't appear to have held back.  He says it appears to have been a fairly tough conversation, and a robust exchange of views, with Peters saying it was a "failure" that China didn't give more notice to New Zealand.  Miller says China probably didn't want things to play out as they have, and reports from Chinese state media suggest it's keen for more "dialogue" in the future.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A child protection advocate says an increase in abuse and neglect in care cases comes as no surprise.   A report by the Independent Children's Monitor has found the number of young people being abused in state care has increased, and children aren't receiving the minimum standards of care required. Child Matters Chief Executive Jane Searle told Mike Hosking things need to change.  She says the report shows Oranga Tamariki is still not doing what it was designed to do.  Searle says changes need to start with the huge workload of social workers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association is the latest group hesitant about moves to change citizen arrest laws.   The Government's introducing legislation loosening general public arrest rules, including permitting citizen's arrests at any time of the day in response to retail crime.    But association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking while it's not forcing people to take the law into their hands, it's still incredibly risky.   Cahill says people make decisions without the full facts in front of them, and while someone may think they're dealing with a teenage offender, things can escalate.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International visitor numbers aren't quite back to pre-pandemic figures, but their wallets are.  Overseas tourist spending hit nearly $17 billion to the year to March 2024 – just under 2019 levels.  Visitor numbers sit at around 89% of figures five years ago.  Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive, Rene de Monchy told Mike Hosking there's plenty of capacity for international visitors, particularly in the 'off-peak' season.  He says encouraging people to come between March and November is a major focus.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the “here we go again” file: we are being lined up once more for another winter of shonky power supply. A deal has been done again with Tiwai to cut production. Oh, the irony in a country that is supposed to be focused on growth, growth, growth. Mercury is the bearer of the glad tidings that the power price is heading north by an average of 10%. Why? Because we don’t make enough power. We are hopelessly reliant on rain and we stopped looking for oil and gas. We didn’t get enough windmills and solar panels up. So we are short. We were also short last year, and the year before. The spot price is about $200, not the $800 it was for a time last year. But it's well north of what it should be. Yet again the year has started dry, but in a reassuring sign of expertise in meteorological minutiae, the power company said there's still plenty of time for it to rain. So that’s okay then. Cost plus accounting is not confined to councils. Power companies do it too. We are paying for the windmills whether we want them or not. A lot of the renewable investment is not about it solving the problem, because it doesn’t automatically, at least not in a sensible, cost effective way. What a lot of it is about is wokeness and being seen to be part of the Paris crowd. The same way the BNZ likes to haunt petrol stations, power companies like to gouge us for their green credentials. Like banks, there is an argument we are not well served by these big gentailers who, in simple terms, are not doing their job. What is their job? Power. Is there enough power? No. Was there enough last year? No. Is it good enough in 2025 in a country economically on its knees looking for growth, growth, growth? No.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New South Wales nurse that was stood down over a social media video where she claimed she would refuse to treat Israeli patients, has been arrested.   The 26-year-old has been charged with threatening violence to a group and using a service to harass and threaten to kill.   In the filmed conversation with an Israeli influencer, the nurse allegedly bragged about refusing to treat Israeli patients, killing them, and saying they would go to hell.   Australian correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking federal police have put in a lot of leg work on the case.   Price says the officers travelled to Israel and translated the interview from Hebrew to English.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a good six months for the Port of Auckland.  It’s doubled its half-year profit and will deliver a 20% increase in its dividend to Auckland Council.  Car and structure steel imports are down, but bulk cargo levels are rising.  Chief Executive Roger Gray told Mike Hosking that's partly due to one-off events, like Genesis rebuilding the coal stockpile for its Huntly power station.  He says their operational performance is also increasing, which is attracting more customers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Opposition is wary innocent people may come off worse if more citizen's arrests are permitted.   The Government is due to announce a refresh in the way it handles retail crime this afternoon, following a 12% rise in rates last year.   A loosening of citizen arrest rules is expected, which currently only allow arrests between 9pm and 6am, and for crimes with a maximum punishment of at least three years in prison.  Labour's Police Spokesperson Ginny Andersen says New Zealand has already seen examples where people have been injured or lost their life, because a weapon was involved.  Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking the police can’t be everywhere all the time, and they want to make sure that business owners and customers are protected.  He says they want to ensure people have the right to defend themselves and their property without criminalising themselves.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 26th of February, violent crime is down for the first time since 2018, much to the pleasure of the Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith.  The Government is making an announcement today, loosening the citizen’s arrest laws. So would you, if you could? Or is it a recipe for disaster?  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell debate policing strategies and Andrew Bayly 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 Kiwi robotics company is at the heart of a new agriculture branch of Yamaha Motors.  Yamaha's bought Robotics Plus, developers of AI-orchard vehicles designed to pick, prune, and spray fruits such as apples for an undisclosed fee.  Co-founder Steve Saunders told Mike Hosking this new venture will help expand the company.  “Exciting times ahead for us.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Police Minister is declaring his support for a loosening of citizen's arrest laws.  The Government is set to announce a retail crime strategy re-jig based on an advisory group's recommendations, which include making it easier for people to arrest others.  Currently they can only occur at night between 9pm and 6am, for crimes with a maximum punishment of at least three years in prison.  Stuart Nash told Mike Hosking hard working Kiwis have their hands tied while crime is being committed, and it's crazy that they can't do anything.  However, he says they have to be proportionate, and can’t become an excuse for beating others up.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's competition over the rugby broadcast rights.  British streaming disruptor DAZN is reportedly being courted by New Zealand Rugby.  Talks with Sky have been dragging on – it's understood the broadcaster's offered $85 million dollars a year to renew, a smaller bid than its current deal of $111 million a year.  Duco Events founder David Higgins told Mike Hosking he believes people would pay for DAZN just for the rugby – initially.  He says they'd have to get everything right, including having the players become interesting stars, not robots.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The company behind Northland's Marsden Point Oil Refinery wants to turn it into a new energy precinct.  The refinery closed in 2022 and is decommissioned, with Resources Minister Shane Jones now considering making the area a special economic zone, meaning different planning, investment, and even tax rules.  Jones says transforming the asset to enable alternative fuel manufacturing like bio-fuel would help with energy security. Channel Infrastructure Chief Executive Rob Buchanan told Mike Hosking they welcome the Government's approach.  He says they're pleased the minister is willing to support the exciting project.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dealing with retail crime could be about to get easier.   Incoming new Government measures are expected to address the possibility of citizen's arrests and make it clearer how people can protect their properties.   Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith told Mike Hosking a government advisory group has been working very hard on recommendations and next steps, which will be confirmed later today.  It comes as new data shows overall retail crime increased 12%, however ram raids halved last year, and violent crime dropped 2%.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a day of a resignation at a fairly high level, we also have a confession in court from another high profile operator.  The problem with "high profile" is it tends to be high-wire.  More is expected of you because of your role. Or is it?  From the details available, which aren't many, Andrew Bayly didn’t commit a sackable offence as far as I can work out.  Putting your hand on the arm of a person you are having a “lively” discussion with isn't very cool, or acceptable, but in and of itself it's not the end of a career.  But the trouble with Bayly is the "loser" thing in some way, shape or form was going to haunt him. So a small infringement, by way of a follow up misdemeanor, was always going to be larger than it would have been with a clean sheet.  Also, Luxon has set the behaviour bar high. The precedent is there, so any trouble and you're out.  Contrast that to Caleb Clark, who has pled guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.  The max sentence, with sentencing happening in June, is many thousands of dollars, or months in prison.  His lawyer wants him discharged without conviction.  Unlike Bayly he hasn’t offered to quit, so the question becomes: is it a sackable offence?  Drink driving has been established with a number of incidents over the years with high profile convictions as not being sackable, so the precedent is set there.  But what about dangerous driving, and more worryingly, with the message it sends of failing to stop for the police?  Failing to stop with a view to what? Scarper? Not get caught? Evade the law? Get away with it?  Law and order has been a major election issue and the polices rolling in to get on top of law breaking has been a major focus for most of us of late.  If I, as a high profile operator, was up on charges of failing to stop or dangerous driving, would you expect me to be sacked? Would this workplace, beyond whatever happens in court, expect to see some sort of resignation?  Or does profile only count in politics, where no law was broken but emotions get you sacked?  What does an All Black have to do, illegally, to be sacked as an All Black? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.