The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The cost of keeping Government-owned assets could be more than the return it's getting from them.   A report by The New Zealand Initiative says the Government owns $571 billion in assets, yet the returns from them don't even cover the interest on loans used to buy them.  Author Bryce Wilkinson is calling for a review to identify if assets should be sold, and if so, which ones.    He says the Government should be asking if someone else could put the assets to better use to improve public access.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since winning the IndyCar Rookie Award in 2021, Scott McLaughlin has gone from strength to strength.  He finished 3rd last year, only 39 points shy of first place, as well as having the historic pole lap at Indy500, going faster than anyone in history.  McLaughlin and his wife also welcomed their first child in October of last year, right at the end of the racing season.  He told Mike Hosking that life as a dad has been pretty wild, but he’s enjoyed it.  “Had a great Christmas, and I’m just really, really excited to get back to the racetrack and get amongst it.”   Their daughter will be coming to the track for the first time this weekend, which McLaughlin says will be awesome.  This is McLaughlin’s fifth year racing, and he’s certain he can claim the win.  “I feel like I’m in the right, the right frame of mind, I feel like I’m driving the best I ever have, and I’ve got all the tools to do it.”  “The title for me is a big goal.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 25th of February, Erica Stanford has a new teaching announcement, coming not a moment too soon considering the current shortage of over 2000 teachers.  The Prime Minister tangles himself into a knot when trying to answer if he would have sacked Andrew Bayly if he hadn't offered his resignation.  Indycar driver Scott McLaughlin is taking a pitstop before this weekend’s season opener to talk to Mike about becoming a dad and his expectations for the year.  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.

Some good news for our tourism sector.  Millennium and Copthorne Hotels have recorded its highest full-year revenue in five years, with a sense 2025 will be strong for travel.  Current international visitor arrivals still sit at 89% of pre-pandemic levels.  Chief Executive Stuart Harrison told Mike Hosking they've been holding a 'revive and thrive' strategy.  He says they've been doing refurbishments and upgrades to position themselves in a strong space for the future.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The French President has met with Donald Trump at the White House, seeking stability following America's sidestep of traditional European ties.   It comes as world leaders met in Kyiv on the third-year anniversary of Russia's invasion, and the UN General Assembly voted against a US resolution to end the war without reference to Russian aggression.   Newstalk ZB European Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking Emmanuel Macron will be saying Europe understands his frustrations with defence spending.   But Macron will also be asking Trump to keep the US European security guarantee in place, as it's what their security and economics are based on.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says Andrew Bayly's good work can't compensate for bad behaviour.   The Port Waikato MP has resigned from cabinet after touching a staffer's arm during a lively conversation.   It follows an earlier incident in which he called a winery worker a loser.   Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking the good work that Bayly was doing doesn't excuse it.   He says it's important to have standards and Bayly has realised he didn't meet his own expectations.  Luxon would not be drawn on whether he would have sacked Bayly had he not resigned. He repeatedly said Bayly had not met his expectations.  “The standards are really clear of my ministers. In this case, I laid down, after the last [loser] case, crystal-clear expectations." Pushed on whether his answers were indecisive, Luxon said he was decisive.  He then said he would have demoted Bayly and taken his ministry away from him had Bayly not resigned.  On the Chinese navy, Luxon said it has got “much more benign, much more competitive in the Pacific”.  He said it was normal for airlines to divert flights. “We’re relaxed with what’s happening in the sense of it’s legal, but we want to make sure we get a bit more advanced notice.”  On the Cook Islands, Luxon said he was incredibly frustrated with Prime Minister Mark Brown and the government.  WATCH ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's changing residency rules to allow overseas primary teachers to apply for New Zealand residency.  Speaking exclusively to Newstalk ZB, the Immigration Minister says from next month, offshore primary teachers will only need a job offer, and don't need to have worked here for two years, to be given residency.  Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking it follows the Government putting secondary teachers on the same pathway last year, which made a big difference to their numbers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Australian election polls, the Coalition has built a 52 percent to 48 percent lead over Labor, its biggest since the last election.  The margin significantly increases Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's chance of creating a minority government.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price says the Sydney Morning Herald has now said the election will now be sooner rather than later.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am sad to report that Winston Peters is wrong. His thinking that the Pacific favours friendship has been proven naive. As I have always said, chequebooks win and we don’t have a chequebook and even his goodwill gesture in 2017, when he lined up along side Labour and handed out a billion dollars, has proven woefully short. The Chinese have shown over the weekend that the world is changing, and in a dramatic way, and we haven't even mentioned the word Trump yet. The Cooks deal is about mining the seabed. It's about things at great depth in the ocean that are worth a fortune. In the meantime the Chinese navy has arrived locally and we are busy diverting planes while having no idea why they have done what they have done. The best reasoning I have seen so far is from Mick Ryan, who appears on this show periodically. He is ex-military and a great thinker and is deeply worried. If he is, we all should be. His theory is the Chinese are reminding Australia that you might want to stay local instead of wandering off and doing your exercises in places like, oh, I don’t know, Taiwan? If you don’t know what's coming and when, staying local makes sense. They are sending a message.  Is it legal? Yes. It's international waters so it's international law and nothing has been broken, apart from the fact they are rude by not letting anyone know.  But then that's the point. There is also a sense that some sort of picking of sides is coming i.e AUKUS or no AUKUS.  We might like to think about that as well. We might also like to look at our defence forces and wonder, yet again, if we have tried our luck just a little too long and what's left of what we have, might need a bit more dough spent on it. But, as for the Pacific, Mark Brown will say nice things. But money talks and it has talked.  The Pacific generally are being, or have been, bought off by Chinese money, whether its security like the Solomons or mining like the Cooks.  Friendship doesn’t solve any of it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 24 February. 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 Pope is in critical condition as he now battles kidney failure.  On Saturday the Vatican announced he was suffering from a prolonged respiratory crisis, and he has since been receiving constant oxygen. Rome Correspondent Jo Mckenna joins the show for an update on the Pope's condition.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The German Conservative party has been elected, securing the largest part in the next German parliament.  The party received nearly 30% of the vote.  The Far-right party has come second.  Co-founder and director of the Global Public Policy Institute Thorsten Benner discusses the details of the election with Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is welcoming more foreign investment to New Zealand businesses by amending the Overseas Investment Act. The Associate Finance Minister David Seymour talks to Mike Hosking about the announcement, why it took as long as it did, how much money is coming into the country, and the sectors excluded from the reform.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have a target of answering 70% of non-emergency calls within 90 seconds, but they're at 17%. The average wait time is 6 minutes and 36 seconds.  They now have a new focus: customer satisfaction.   Police director of Service Superintendent Blair Macdonald talks to Mike Hosking.  LISTE ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NATO leaders are on their way to the United States this week.  French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Washington tomorrow, followed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.  Meanwhile, Elon Musk's "5 Things" deadline is up tomorrow, leaving federal workers jobs on the line.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three Chinese warships have been docked off the coast of Sydney since last week, and they have since been seen carrying out a live weapons drill.  Commercial flights had to be diverted as a result of the exercise, with pilots being told to avoid the area.  Should New Zealand be worried?  Defence Minister Judith Collins talk to Mike Hosking about China's presence in the Pacific.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spark has lost $1 billion in market value, a result that was greeted with shock by investors. Sky TV also reflected a tough economy, while Fonterra jumped after lifting earnings forecasts.  Crossing the Tasman, an American real estate giant has launched a A$2.6B bid for Australian real estate portal domain.  Greg Smith of Devon Funds Management talks to Mike Hosking about the outcomes.  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.    Super Rugby: 7/10  Good start, good rugby, no one knows who is going to win and the crowds were okay.    Jannik Sinner and tennis: 3/10  For a sport that I assumed didn’t want to look shonky, it's got a very WWE vibe about it these days.    Farmers: 9/10  At over $10 in dairy and regulation driven by reality, not fairy tales, it's no wonder they are feeling good.    Bootcamps: 6/10  The report spoke well of the pilot. Pity the media didn’t cover more of the report, as opposed to the Labour Party pile on.    Debbie from the Māori Party: 1/10  When you are that detached from the world in which you are allegedly serving, and on holiday while you're displaying your ignorance, you've got to wonder. Mind you, as Rawiri Waititi so eloquently, and yet incorrectly, put it, it could be a hatch job.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a week, 230 New Zealanders were given confirmation Kinleith Mill was over.  The Australians facing the same scenario at a place called Whyalla in South Australia did something completely different.  The steel mill is owned by a British billionaire and it's in a world of financial trouble. It may well go to the wall.  It employs 1000 people in a town of 22,000. So the state Government, backed by the Federal Government, has bought it.  Even for a Labour Government in Australia it is an extraordinary move.  But the assessment is, in a small town, you can't afford to lose that many jobs.  They will look for a buyer, they will look for finance and they will look to rejig the place to solve the problem. But in the meantime, the place is open and the jobs are saved.  The first question you ask, of course, is would this decision be made if it was not about a month or so out from an election, which is an election the Government who just bought the steel mill is in serious danger of losing?  The precedent is also shocking. If you save one, surely you save them all? And if you don’t, because you can't, the locals will, quite righty, ask why not?  Also, the Government owning things in the long term has never really been a recipe for efficiency or success. As much heat as Labour got in the 1980's for selling the railways here, Helen Clark buying them back has hardly been one of life's great business decisions.  In a small town though, at the pub or the dairy or the sports field, who cares? They've got jobs, the bills get paid, and the kids stay in the local school. They'll take it. Where the money came from doesn’t really matter.  As much as Shane Jones espouses the value of the regions, the region here still lost its mill.  We still have the problem that is the price of power. It still hasn’t been addressed as an issue, and we go into another winter with a mess of a system.  In Australia the place is open, the jobs are saved and no one's leaving town.  So, which approach is better? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Councils are planning for the long term, so should the Government be doing the same?  The Auditor-General's Office has compiled a report into 58 councils’ long-term plans, and found they made a “significant achievement” meeting their requirements on time in uncertain circumstances.  However, they found the Government lacks comparable planning requirements.  Deputy Auditor-General Andrew McConnell told Mike Hosking they’re raising the question of how much the central government understands about its future infrastructure costs.  He says most government agencies have a form of infrastructure they’re relying on, so they think that question needs some serious consideration.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 21st of February, the Daman Kumar case is over and he’s been granted residency – does this set a precedent?  According to our listeners, Air NZ CEO Greg Foran has plenty to defend after the airline released its disappointing half year results.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson play a new game that may have to become a regular segment: Is Mike a Snob?  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.

Friday has come once again, and Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed rising crime, Air New Zealand, and which overstayers should get amnesty.  Plus, they played a new game: Is Mike a Snob?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand expects to be short of planes for at least another two or three years.  Our national carrier's recording an 18% drop in half-year profit.  That follows a 65% in full-year profit last year.  Chief Executive Greg Foran told Mike Hosking they're going into a period when up to 11 aircrafts will be out of action.  He says it's a bit like playing a rugby match without the front row.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's thought the Government is unlikely to grant a wide scale amnesty for overstayers.   Daman Kumar, who was facing deportation to India even though he'd never visited, has now been offered residency.   The Greens want his parents to be granted an exemption, as they have been overstayers for 24 years.  Into NZ Immigration principal consultant Katy Armstrong says the Government won't want to grant amnesty because it could be seen as unfair to legal migrants.   She told Mike Hosking there needs to be support for those who have done the right thing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lack of competition in the banking sector is being blamed on poor regulation.   Financial experts believe a fundamental change to the Reserve Bank and the Council of Financial Regulations is required.  Andrew Body, one of the experts, told Mike Hosking the regulators have created a “moat” around the large banks in New Zealand.  He says the capital requirements, the Reserve Bank’s outsourcing requirements and branch policy, as well as the conduct and disclosure regulation and costs of operating all favour the big banks.   Body told Hosking that RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr has completely “overcooked” the regulation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pope's sense of humour is well and truly intact, even as it's expected his funeral preparations are underway.  New medical tests reveal the 88-year-old pontiff has developed bilateral pneumonia.  Italy's Prime Minister Georgia Meloni has visited the Pope in hospital, where she was happy to find he hasn't lost his sense of humour.  Rome Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking she expects the Vatican would be going through standard funeral arrangements.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The name of the game for the government this year is economic growth and increased productivity.  For that, what New Zealand needs is successful businesses.  One of New Zealand’s most successful entrepreneurs believes more can be done to grow business confidence and the economy alike.  Rowan Simpson, one of the founding members and investors in TradeMe and Xero, is releasing ‘How to Be Wrong’, a book that details the unique position New Zealand is in to grow businesses.   He told Mike Hosking that while there are plenty of ideas that are not investable, there’s more than enough that have great potential.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Given the issues around KiwiSaver, it’s a miracle any of us save anything to become remotely independent in retirement.  Last week we told you about the Morningstar rankings and how the biggest operator in the market was performing so poorly, and now we have yet another crack at where the money is actually invested.  Mindful Money is upset over the increase in funds going to fossil fuel producers. We have a 20% increase in the last six months.  That's despite the amount of new money flowing into KiwiSaver only being 7%.  Mindful Money is clearly of the view that the whole transition away from fossil fuels is still an urgent and present thing, when clearly, it's not.  What we have here is a clash of reality vs ideology.  The reality is KiwiSaver funds look for returns. The ideology is that no matter how unrealistic it is to run the world on sun and wind, we still need to sacrifice more to get there.  If there has been one crushing realisation this past year or so around that, it is the simple truth that the transition to renewables has been found out, and badly.  Genesis has half a million tonnes of coal standing by for this winter to keep the lights on. They have another half million tonnes on order, with a backup order for another 200,000 tonnes.  Someone mines that coal. That's good business and good business pays dividends.  If you hate coal don't even look at India and China. Coal is booming. It doesn’t make it nice or palatable, but it's real and investment is about reality.  We are in a time where the cold, hard truth of what we thought was going to be easy, isn't. It might not even turn out to be real.  The last thing we need is KiwiSaver funds playing dumb games like the banks and looking to deny legitimate activity, the financial life blood, it needs to produce goods and services people actually want.  What we want in KiwiSaver is a pool of money that grows. That happens by investing in relevant activities that turn a dollar and pay a dividend.  Morale indignation doesn’t fund retirement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday the 20th of February, Winston Peters says we need a reset in our relationship with the Cook Islands.  Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr joined to talk our future plans after they cut the OCR by 50 basis points.  One of our most successful entrepreneurs Rowan Simpson has some ideas about how to turn this country around, and it's all laid out in his new book ‘How to be Wrong’.  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 researcher's warning better security is urgently needed as New Zealanders become soft targets for scammers.   Independent Research Solutions Director Jarrod Gilbert has found people earning more than $100 thousand are significantly more likely to become victims, with rates increasing 10% since 2018.  He told Mike Hosking it's the country's most prominent crime, and we need to act as at the moment, we're slipping behind.  Gilbert says if measures aren't put in place, Kiwis will become an even more significant target.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The timeframe for the 500 officer increase in policing numbers is shrinking.   Police News magazine reports there are actually fewer cops in the country than when the target was set 14 months ago.  Associate Police Minister Casey Costello says they've lost 150 through attrition, but they're expecting to put 650 recruits through in the first half of the year.   She told Mike Hosking it won't just be new recruits who help bolster the numbers.   Costello says more than 100 former officers have applied to rejoin the force.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure is mounting on banks to pass OCR cuts onto their customers.  The Reserve Bank's signalling yesterday's double cut to the cash rate will be followed by at least two more single cuts.  All major banks have started dropping their rates.  But Governor Adrian Orr told Mike Hosking they need to go further.  He says they need to be doing better, looking at their own margins, and chasing and competing for customers much more vigorously.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Borrowers may want to be shopping around more for better deal following yesterday's double cut to the OCR.  The Reserve Bank's signalling more cuts in April and May.  All banks have started dropping short-term rates.  New Zealand Home Loans Chief Executive Kip Hanna told Mike Hosking that's likely to continue as banks fight it out for available lending business.  He says banks are becoming more competitive on rates and offers, and the structures can be just as important as the rates themselves.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Foreign Minister's calling for a 'reset' of the relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.  New Zealand claims Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is not sharing all the documents on his recent agreement signed with China.  Some details have been released, including working together on seabed mining, and looking at setting up embassies.  Winston Peters told Mike Hosking the leadership of the Cook Islands needs to tell people what's in the agreement.  He wants to trust them, but also verify what's in the agreement.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest cuts in the US Government have been described as a “total farce”.  The Trump Administration has reversed the firings of hundreds of employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration, the department tasked with working on the nation’s nuclear weapons programs.   The cuts were part of a DOGE purge across the Department of Energy.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking they attempted to walk back the sackings and rehire the workers, but were unable to contact many of them since they’d been cut out of the email network.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You have to read it to believe it and even in reading it, it might well be you still can't believe it.  A report, one of a number of investigations now underway, has reported back on whether personal Census and Covid intel collected at Manurewa Marae was misused for electoral purposes.  It's important to point out that this particular report didn’t have it within its scope to find out whether the marae did anything shonky. That's still to come.  The marae, if you recall, was managed by Takutai Tarsh Kemp, who was also a Māori Party candidate, and she went on to win the electorate by a handful of votes.  What this report does find is proof, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that even when you stack the public service full of people the way the Labour Government did, they are still incompetent.  The head of Stats NZ is going. He won't be reappointed. Each of the departments looked into —Stats NZ, Health New Zealand, and the Ministry of Health— have all been found hopelessly wanting.  It was a combination of not really having any oversight on information that may, or may not, be protected and that may, or may not, be inappropriately used, plus when concerns were raised still doing nothing about it.  "High trust models" were in place. Remember the golden Ardern and Hipkins days of high trust models?  It basically confirms the Public Service Commissioner's findings last week that the public service isn't fit for purpose. It has too many meetings, there are too many departments, we need a few gotten rid of, and if you designed it today it wouldn’t be like it is.  There are no safeguards, no regard for privacy, and the issues around privacy in the report shows it's just a litany of uselessness.  Remember the alleged skullduggerous part of whether the Māori Party used some of this intel to help their election campaign? That outcome is still to surface.  It's bad enough as it is. If they get pinged, it’s a full-blown scandal.  At least one head has rolled, but you can't make this stuff up. It's gliding on, it's worse than most would have thought and it's not even over.  The worst may well still be to come. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another large cut to the Official Cash Rate's on the cards today.  Economists and markets are almost certain the Reserve Bank will slash the OCR by 50-basis points.  That would take the cash rate from its current 4.25% to 3.75%.  BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Mike Hosking that things are tracking as the Reserve Bank expected when they last met in November of last year.  He says that in that meeting, the Reserve Bank essentially said they would cut 50 points unless something threw them wildly off track, and he doesn’t believe that’s happened.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's controversy over a New Zealand MP taking part in an anti-government protest in the Cook Islands.  Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has taken part in a rally against Mark Brown's government over its new strategic partnership with China.  The deal will see the countries cooperate more on trade, investment, and tourism, with China providing a $4 million grant for future projects.  Labour’s Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking it’s not something she would do, but different things do it for different people.  She says that if she wants do go and do that and she’s not breaking the law, then alright.   National’s Mark Mitchell agreed, saying that if he was travelling on personal business he wouldn’t join a protest or interfere with the internal matters, but Ngarewa-Packer has chosen to inject herself into this situation, and that’s up to her.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 19th of February, a few questions are asked: What will the Reserve Bank do with the OCR? How did the peace talks between Russia and the US in Riyadh go? And what are the findings of the shocking report into the public service?  The IPCA want a law change so police can better deal with protests that get out of hand.   Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk Debbie Ngarewa-Packer in Rarotonga and the Brian Roche report 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 push for government agencies to raise the bar when handling public data.   The Public Service Commission's revealed multiple failures by Stats New Zealand, Health New Zealand, and the Ministry of Health, with regard to safeguarding data.    It comes after allegations surfaced last June about a potential misuse of Census and Covid vaccine data by providers at Manurewa Marae.  Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche told Mike Hosking that there’s a broader issue.  He says the model that’s been used is very good and the people who work in it are amazing, but the model is no longer fit for purpose.  "We live in a world that’s changing dramatically, we’ve got the adoption of technology and all of those things, and we need to sort of face into that and get ahead of the curve.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamish Kerr has claimed another title.  The Olympic gold medallist has been awarded Sportsman of the Year at the Halberg Awards.   The high jumper beat out some tough competition for the title, including two other gold medallists Finn Butcher and Hayden Wilde.  Kerr told Mike Hosking that it was cool to see not only New Zealand Olympians at the event, but also crickets, and footballers.  “Such an amazing range of sports, all represented.”  He believes that sport unites the country, saying that the attitude Kiwis took towards the Olympics was really felt overseas.  “I felt proud to be a Kiwi out there, you know, watching all my fellow competitors or compatriots compete – it was so special.”   A lot of people are still connected to sport, and athletics in particular, and he thinks the athletics success in Paris has started to bring people back into it.  “I’ve done a couple of comps since, just domestically, and you know, just the reaction from the people coming down wanting to meet not only me, but all the other Olympians has been, has been so, so cool to see.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a potential new era in European security.  The US has got Russia to the table to reach three key agreements, including reinstating ambassadors to each other's countries during high-level talks in Saudi Arabia.  Neither Ukraine nor Europe were invited.  Senior Russian expert at Britain's Chatham House think tank, Keir Giles told Mike Hosking these are historic moments.  He says it's a huge upset to the assumptions under-pinning Euro-Atlantic security and the United States' place in the world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers is crediting the coalition government for a surge in farmer confidence.  Confidence within the sector has reached its highest level in more than a decade, jumping from a dismal -66% in July last year to 2%.  Federated Farmers President Wayne Langford told Mike Hosking while the last few years have been tough for farming families, favourable farming rules have seen things turn around.  He says announcements around emissions pricing, freshwater farm plans, and on-farm costs is helping the sector.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association says clarification around protest laws are long overdue.   An Independent Police Conduct Authority report makes several recommendations for laws which would protect protestor rights and ensure public safety.   One law would let police and local authorities set conditions in advance about how a protest may be carried out.   Police Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking that will be helpful for police and protesters alike.   He says that would set clear guidelines for behaviour.  Cahill says Destiny Church is a good example of a group which often steps over the line.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How fascinating is the Daman Kumar case?  How would you like to be Chris Penk, the minister in charge of making the call as to whether to deport people?  In a way this is a singular example of what the Americans deal with millions of times over.  There seems to be no dispute 18-year-old Daman's parents are overstayers.  Daman was born here and New Zealand is his home. So does he get deported and do his parents get deported?  If you follow the law the answer seems simple - yes they do.  It's not Daman's fault his parents broke the law. And that’s the birthers debate in America.  The illegals come across the border, they have a child, the child is an illegal and yet it is not their fault. It is their home, it is the only country they know, a Democratic administration gives you leniency and a Republican one not so much.  There are, as there always are, questions around how you can be here as an overstayer for so many years.  Also, I assume these are decent people. If they were criminals or reprobates the decisions would be a lot easier.  So a family who work, contribute to the country, call it their own and want to stay. There's no shortage of emotion in the argument.  I am sure part of their issue is at some point they technically became overstayers and they feared getting caught after a week, or a month, or a year. So do you come clean and tidy your affairs up, plead for leniency and hope for the best, or do you try your luck?  Surely in doing what they did, they must have known the game at some point, for some reason, would be up?  Or maybe after 8, 9,15, or 21 years, maybe they put it to one side. Maybe they would never be found out.  So, what to do? Section 378 of the Immigration Act says the minister can, apparently, do anything he likes.  It's easy to say "let them stay", but then you set a precedent. That’s the trouble with power jobs and big decisions - they're hardly ever simple.  It may well be the hardest thing Penk ever does, unless he lets them stay.  That would be easier, and make you feel good – probably with minimal push back. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They call it a once-in-a-generation crisis summit. Keir Starmer will be there. Emmanuel Macron called it. Olaf Scholz is ropeable over the JD Vance comments. The JD Vance comments that has put Europe into meltdown were a very good example of what is good, but also what is bad, about Trump. His suggestion that Europe should really be worried not about Russia or the Chinese, but the pressure from within, is actually quite a good point. All he was saying was for all those freaking out about the move throughout Europe to the so-called far right, ask yourself why. What is it you are not hearing, or seeing, or accepting, that is leading to these outcomes electorally? So far, so good. Then he went and gave Romania as an example of a presidential race and that is fairly widely accepted as being a jack up backed by Russia. So he starts with a good point and then messes it up with a shonky follow up, which is not dissimilar to his boss, who quite rightly pointed out that what was going on in Gaza for years hasn’t, and isn't, working. But then he talks about the Riviera and something akin to an upper east side condo opportunity. Anyway, the upshot is the same - Ukraine can be at the peace talk table but ultimately Europe can't. Cue the melt down. This is where the laziness and complacency of Europe intersects with the financial might of America. When you have funded the war, a war that is going nowhere, you call the shots. Europe has watched, for three years now, a conflict funded to a fraction of the extent the Americans did. That means you give up a form of legitimacy. When your were brow-beaten by the Americans into actually forking out for NATO to the tune you said you would, but didn’t, you have lost credibility. So when a big power mad, egomaniac arrives in the White House, guess what? You're going to be called out, shut out and forced to finally wake up to your complacency. It'll all work out fine of course. This is what Trump does - he pitches the absurd, then backpedals. But tell that to Macron, Starmer and co. They are wetting their pants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graham Norton is hopping off screens and onto the stage.  He’s embarking on a three-city tour of New Zealand this year, performing nine shows across Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland.   ‘An Evening with Graham Norton’ will delve into some of his biggest TV highlights and memorable moments, Norton sharing tales from behind the scenes and legendary red sofa.  The original tour dates sold out fast - three new dates being added to ensure Kiwi audiences could get their fix. Norton told Mike Hosking it’s always nerve wracking to organise live events and tours.  “Most of the stuff I do, it’s quite a passive thing to consume,” he said.  “This, you’ve got to actively, you know, go online, pick up a phone, you’ve got to reach into your wallet, you’ve got to get actual cash – it’s a much bigger commitment.”  “I’m really pleased that people have decided to come out.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 18th of February, France is hosting an emergency summit for European leaders as the talks between Russia and the US loom.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon answers questions about Ukraine, the public service, and just what it is our retail crime group is doing, if anything.  Friend of the show Graham Norton steps away from the big red chair to talk to Mike about his upcoming NZ tour.  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 an unclear picture of what New Zealand's losing from people moving overseas.  About 70 thousand Kiwis left the country last year. Of those, 38% were people aged 18 to 30.   New Zealand had a net migration gain of 27,000 migrants in 2024, just a fraction of the 128,000 gained in 2023.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking while there's clear data on the people arriving, it's not the same story for departures.   He says there's no strong evidence of what skills are leaving, only anecdotes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European leaders appear alarmed by the speed the US has taken on its Russia plans.  France is hosting an emergency summit with European and NATO leaders to discuss the situation.  US and Russian officials are en route to Saudi Arabia for their own talks - Russia says Europe will have no role in these discussions.  Former BBC Foreign Correspondent Paul Wood told Mike Hosking the meeting in Saudi Arabia is wider than a Ukraine peace deal.  He says this is about the US resetting its relationship with Russia, but Europe is worried about the implications it will have on its security.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.