The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Solicitor General says she wants to be clear the Prosecution Guidelines aren't intended to favour Māori.   Una Jagose has updated the wording of the guidelines.  It follows public backlash to previous advice to prosecutors, suggesting they think carefully about particular decisions when a person is Māori.  Jagose told Heather du Plessis Allan the wording was unclear, and she wants no confusion about the intent.  She says when you're dealing with an individual, it should be based on their circumstances and background, not whether they're part of a particular group.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow will see this year’s ‘Come Together’ tour come to an end.  The group behind the tour has spanned four years, playing 11 different albums and songs from Kiwis’ favourite artists – leaving behind tens of thousands of happy fans.  It’s been a roaring success yet again, with the likes of Jon Toogood, Diane Swann, and Fur Patrol’s Julia Deans taking to the stage to perform.  Deans told Heather du Plessis-Allan the tour has been “pure joy”.  “Hanging out with a good bunch of people and singing – amazing.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think we can all have a guess at why the Government announced the ferry decision two weeks before Christmas.  Because this is embarrassing, isn’t it?  What have they been doing for the last year?  How do you go a year after cancelling the mega ferries and still have nothing to show for it?  No deal. No ferries. No price tag.  Not even any detail on how much it's costing to break the deal on the mega ferries.  All we’ve got is rumours and if those rumours are right, then we are going to spend more than twice what those two mega ferries were going to cost to buy two smaller ferries.  Those mega ferries were $550m. The medium sized ferries will apparently cost $900m, plus a $300m break fee for the mega ferries.  That’s $1.2b.  We’d have been better off keeping the big boys, onselling them and using the money to buy the little ones.  And don’t expect anything anytime soon. It won't be until the second half of next year before we actually know what’s happening.  Time is of the essence because our existing ferries are running on hopes and prayers and masking tape.  We’ve had one floating without power in the Cook Strait, another run aground on a sandy beach and various other mishaps.  Now, I don’t think the mega ferries were the solution.  But I’m starting to feel like this deal, whatever it is, could be even worse. I’m starting to think this might make the mega ferries look like value for money.  And that's not a great outcome from National and Nicola Willis, who’ve told us they’re great at striking deals and managing money.  Because this does not look like that at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 12th of December, what do industries think of the Government's lacklustre ferry announcement of an announcement?  You don't want to miss Heather's interview with newly minted Minister of Rail Winston Peters as they spar over the ferry costs and timelines.  Julia Deans of Fur Patrol fame talks ahead of her final show with the Come Together 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.

The Drug Foundation wants urgent action, with meth and cocaine consumption reaching record levels.  Police wastewater testing between June and September reveals levels of both drugs were at the highest volumes recorded since the programme began six years ago.  Chief Executive Sarah Helm says harm reduction, addiction and acute healthcare services all need to be prepared for an increase in need.  She told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’ve been hearing anecdotally that there hasn’t been a growth in the number of people consuming the drugs – meaning there’s potentially a small number of people consuming a lot more of it.   Helm says they’re really concerned we’ll be seeing a very acute harm, with hospitalisations, psychosis, heart health issues, and a growth in addiction.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's optimism from the Agriculture and Forestry Minister on the future of food and fibre exports.  The Ministry for Primary Industries projects exports will reach just under $57 billion by June, and over $58 billion the following year.  Horticulture exports are expected to rise 12%, with dairy forecast to grow by 10%.  Minister Todd McClay told Heather du Plessis-Allan he sees a positive future with China.  He says its market will be a key reason why dairy exports are forecast to increase.  Meat and wool revenues are also expected to rise slightly to $11.4 billion as demand strengthens.  McClay told du Plessis-Allan that wool's commodity price is starting to increase and there's new users.  He says the Indian Parliament only has New Zealand wool in its buildings, which shows there's a good role for wool but there's a lot of work to do.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The newly appointed Minister for Rail Winston Peters has said very little about the Government's ferry plans, mostly sparring with Newstalk ZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan over her questions.  “We inherited, coming back into government in 2023, an unholy mess where the costs were blowing out to $3.2 billion," Peters told her.  “And then you had all the other uncertainties as well. That was not the project they were charged with doing when I was last Minister of Railways.  “So this was a circumstance which took some time to unravel. But here we are set to go now, and very shortly we’ll announce what the long-term future will be.  “But what we want is efficient, effective transport systems in this country. And the ferry operations in the Cook Strait are critical to that,” he said.  Peters said he was not trying to “better” any deal put up by Finance Minister Nicola Willis, as questioned by du Plessis-Allan.  “No, no … for the third time, no,” Peters said.  “Probably some claimed insiders have been telling you that, but it’s not true.  “The wider it gets reported, it just carries on. We’ve got to do better.”   Peters said rushing out the Government’s plans would “set the bottom price from where the shipbuilders will start increasing their profits - and we’re not going to start making those silly mistakes”.  “I just told you that three times and now I’m telling you a fourth time.  “You’ll have plenty of time under the Official Information Act in the future to find out whether what I'm saying is true. And when you do, can you please go on the programme and say, ‘I’m so sorry, I maligned Winston’.”  The Government has announced their plans to procure replacements to replace the aging Interislander fleet. Photo / Mark Mitchell Peters said: “I admit it’s taken too long. But we’ve been in the job less than one day, give us some time and we’ll show you what we can do.  “What you’ve got to do [as a Government] is find out from all sources what is the best option at the best price for the greatest level of efficiency with the greatest longevity.”  Peters said the break fee was confidential “for a whole lot of reasons”.  “Do you know anything about commercial practice? That’s why it’s confidential. Which law school did you go to?  “This is embarrassing for the country, you’re quite right. The darned boats were only 20% of the costs.”  Peters sparred with du Plessis Allan several times.  “You’re telling me it’s embarrassing? Of course, it is. I’m here to fix it and I’m going to fix it,” he told her.  Peters said he had “no idea” about Act leader David Seymour’s comments about the ferries.  “Who said that was true?” Peters said in response to du Plessis Allan’s questions.  “You know, I’ve never seen so much rudeness. Somebody is trying to explain to you about a critical issue that costs so much to the taxpayer and you’re interrupting. Here’s the point: It’ll cost way, way less than [iRex], and that, I’m certain.”  He said the final decision would come “just as soon as we can responsibly make it”.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microsoft says its new New Zealand facility will create thousands of jobs and pump money into the economy.  The tech giant's today opening its first "hyperscale" data centre in Auckland's Westgate to power cloud-based software and AI tools.  It will ensure local organisations' data can be stored, processed and backed up locally, addressing sovereignty issues for the Government and banks.  Managing Director Vanessa Sorensen told Heather du Plessis-Allan they plan to train up 100,000 people over the next two years.  She says it's going to supercharge the country's digital transformation and enhance data residency, security and compliance.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s little faith from some in the freight industry that new Cook Strait ferries will be delivered on time.  The Government's announced its intention to buy two new ferries for the Cook Strait crossing but is being criticised for refusing to reveal the cost.  The first stage of the procurement process is set to finish in March, with the vessels sailing by 2029.   But Mainfreight Managing Director Don Braid told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's not sold, and expected more information.  He expects the March deadline to come and go, and says delays seem typical of this government.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It looks like NZ Post might finally pull a trigger they haven’t pulled yet and stop delivering mail to some letterboxes.  It's kind of been on the cards for some time, but up until now the proposal has mostly been to not deliver to new houses.  Now, what they're talking about is not delivering to existing houses, houses that already have letterboxes and have been getting mail in them for years.  So, no more mail. Instead it will be replaced with clusters of boxes where we have to go get our mail.  According to the plan they would cut out 5% of letterboxes every year, so presumably within 20 years it’s all done and we have no more mail arriving in any letterboxes.  Look, I’m surprised.  I'm pleasantly surprised they are prepared to be as bold as this, because this has got to be done.  Letters are a luxury that cost us a lot of money.  This is what we have to understand. It’s not free.  NZ Post lost $14m in the last financial year and it lost $56m the year before.  That’s money the taxpayer could be spending on something more worthwhile.  Most things you can get on email now, things like your power bill, water bill and rates bill.  Some things still come in the mail, like credits cards and the registration for your car. But that can be switched to courier, and sometimes already are.  I get that there are communities that will be hit harder than others if the mail stops arriving, especially the elderly and rural communities.  But frankly it’ll be a schlep for everyone to have to wander down to the cluster letterbox in town to retrieve the mail items. But at least we’ll all be in it together.  The writing has been on the wall for ages.  The trend on letters has only been in one direction. It’s not a surprise it’s coming to this.  It’s just a pleasant surprise NZ Post has got the courage to actually start doing it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are a few wrinkles in the possible appointment of the next New Zealand Rugby Chairperson.  David Kirk is rumoured to be up for the position, the businessman synonymous with New Zealand rugby.  Although being based in Sydney might be a small issue, the larger wrinkle is the Silver Lake deal – a deal that saw the relationship between NZR and the Players’ Association fall to an all-time low.  As Chairperson, Kirk would be in charge of implementing the deal his faction fought against.  Former NZ Rugby CEO David Moffett told Heather du Plessis-Allan he has no issues with this.   He says Kirk is a smart guy, and what’s more, he’s been very successful in business and very successful on the rugby field.  Moffett believes he’d do a great job as Chairperson.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supporters of greyhound racing are already devising a plan to challenge the Government's ban on the industry.   The Racing Minister's announced plans to wind it down over 20 months, giving time to re-home almost 3000 racing dogs.   Legislation has passed in the house under urgency today to prevent the greyhounds being killed as a result.   Greyhound Racing NZ Chief Executive Edward Rennell told Heather du Plessis-Allan that there’s a lot of misinformation out there regarding greyhound racing.  He says they owe it to the 1054 people employed by the industry to outline the steps they’ve taken regarding animal welfare as they believe they have appropriate standards in place.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11th of December, the new Cook Strait ferry plan will be announced today, and Heather du Plessis-Allan got some thoughts ahead of time.   Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has some genius numbers around a capital gains tax that might be ever so slightly off... by 20 times more than we've ever looked at.  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell spar over ferries, police numbers, and accountability 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.

There's a hold-up for the Government's latest crackdown on boy racers.  Police Minister Mark Mitchell had said he'd introduce legislation this year giving police new powers to seize vehicles from boy racers following a string of illegal meetups.  But that will no longer happen.  Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan the law change wasn't as simple as he thought it would be.  He says there's still complexity to work through, but it's at the front of the queue for next year.  Labour’s Ginny Andersen says that between this and the delay in training new police, there seems to be a pattern where Mitchell promises big things and doesn’t follow through.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transport operators are waiting with bated breath for the Cook Strait ferry announcement expected today.  It's understood the Government will finally share plans for the future of the Interislander service after cancelling the previous project.  While Transporting New Zealand's Billy Clemens won't speculate on the Government's plans, he told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's hopeful it will ensure the longevity for the vital service.  He says there must be a competitive market.  There are also hopes rail is a key aspect of the looming announcement after the Government scrapped plans for rail-enabled mega-ferries a year ago.  Rail compatible means carriages can be transferred on and off, rather than trains themselves.   Clemens du Plessis-Allan that operators need a reliable way to transport rail.  He says rail compatibility would still allow for flexibility but would cost less to build than the previous rail enabled ferries.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Climate Change Minister says their latest plan could get us to our net zero 2050 target six years early.  The Government's released its second Emissions Reduction Plan.  Key policies include planting trees on Crown-owned land and introducing both a network of 10,000 EV charging points and agricultural emissions pricing by 2030.  Simon Watts told Heather du Plessis-Allan this gives us a path to hit the goal as early as 2044.  He says we need a plan that's practical and achievable, and they've been very conservative in some of their estimates.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a particular focus on increasing the number of doctors in Health NZ's three-year Workforce Plan.  The plan looks at changing the way it delivers care and boosting training, overseas recruitment and retention of workers.   It shows New Zealand needs more than 5000 doctors in the next decade.  Chief executive Margie Apa told Heather du Plessis-Allan they recognise more work is needed to recruit doctors.  She says there's a lot that leave the country early in their careers, so Health NZ's looking at making advanced employment offers so they know they can come home.  Only half of this year’s nursing graduates recieved a job offer.  Apa says they're looking at other ways to create employment opportunities.  She says it could mean giving graduates temporary experience for a year or two.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A possible motive has been revealed for the man who allegedly gunned down a major health insurance CEO. New York prosecutors have charged 26-year-old Luigi Mangione with murdering Brian Thompson last week. He was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald's yesterday, reportedly carrying a firearm and a hand-written document. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allal it was critical of the healthcare industry. He says Mangione wrote about how these "parasites had it coming" and apologised for any trauma, but said it had to be done. Arnold says it was a virtual confession, with the accused saying the note would only be read if he was killed or captured. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns that bank's environmental goals will hurt petrol stations.   Federated Farmers says it's been told by small petrol stations that banks will stop lending to them, and all existing debt will need to be paid by 2030.   Spokesperson Richard McIntyre says it's because of commitments to the Net-Zero Banking Alliance.   He told Heather du Plessis-Allan it doesn't seem like they're going after the big players.  Richard McIntyre says they're worried about small communities losing their petrol stations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both the US and UK leaders say they're committed to promoting a peaceful formation of a new government in Syria.   Rebels are in control of the country and former President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia.   UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC his diplomats will be engaging intensively with allies in the region.   He says there are no tears for Assad but there needs to be a peaceful transition.    UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the UK Government has announced that applications for asylum from Syria are going to be put on hold, and they’re considering sending some back.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday a long running court case came to an end – at least for now. BNZ has won permission to shut down Gloriavale’s bank accounts. Now I actually feel quite uncomfortable about this. I’m no fan of Gloriavale – I’d like to see the place close and the people there realise how weird their situation is. So I should, on the face of it, like what BNZ is doing because it will effectively, probably, shut down Gloriavale. Because without a bank, how can Gloriavale continue? No one else will bank them – they’ve tried, no other bank will take them. This is why they took the court case, to try to force BNZ to keep their bank accounts open, because without it, they basically can’t do business anymore. They can’t do anything really, because in a modern world you can’t survive without a bank account. It’s how you get paid, how you pay your power bills, how you get a mortgage to buy a house, how you order things from overseas. But I still don’t think this is the right thing, because of the precedent this sets. Banks can shut your account if they don’t like what you’re doing —doesn’t have to be criminal— and there’s too much of this moral policing already. Australian banks here are imposing penalties on our dairy farmers who they don’t think are cutting emissions by enough. Kiwibank’s pledged to stop banking coal mining businesses. BNZ won’t let a couple of women running a sex toy shop open bank accounts because they sell sex toys. There is a massive debunking scandal playing out in the US where even Melania Trump reckons her account was shut down after the Jan 6th riots. And to be fair to banks, it’s not as if this is new.  Remember they wouldn’t let women take out mortgages unless a male relative said it was okay as recently as the 1980s. I get that it’s a bank’s right to stop doing business with whoever it wants to, I just don’t like the bank’s reason.   Because if it’s Gloriavale today, a couple of girls selling sex toys tomorrow, who comes next? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cassie Henderson first reached Kiwi ears at age 14, when she made it all the way to the X-Factor quarterfinal.  Fast forward 11 years and it’s been a big year for the Kiwi singer, returning to the music scene in a big way.  Henderson quit her job last year in favour of pursuing music full time.  She’s released a couple of EPs, and her latest, ‘The Yellow Chapter’, marks the midpoint of Henderson’s ‘The Chronicles of a Heart Broken’ trilogy.  The lead single ‘Seconds to Midnight’ has dominated the airwaves, holding the #1 position for nine consecutive weeks.  Henderson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that while she was able to juggle both her career in marketing and her music, the progress she made after quitting her job was extreme in comparison.   “I think I can do both, and I enjoy both,” she said.  “But I think I reached a point where I was like, I don’t want the rest of my life to be a marketing manager or a marketing assistant.”  “I need to chase this story.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 10th of December, Heather du Plessis-Allan is running the show and is joined by an investment banker to see whether the Government’s intentions for Kiwibank will make it competitive with the bigger banks.  The Prime Minister talks Kiwibank, what the ferry announcement will, or won't, be and whether the polls show he's out of touch with National voters.  Kiwi singer Cassie Henderson has just wrapped up her headlining tour and joins Heather to talk her new EP ahead of the festival season.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a recommendation schools put clearer relationship and sexuality education in place.  An Education Review Office report has found too much inconsistency in what students are learning.  It calls on secondary schools to increase sex-ed teaching and tell parents what will be taught, rather than consulting them.  It also found young people are being exposed to risks, particularly online.  Education evaluation centre lead Ruth Shinoda says the curriculum should be revised.  She told Heather du Plessis-Allan that schools should be required to inform and explain to parents what they’re going to teach, as they found that parents are more comfortable with the curriculum when they’re better informed.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An investment banker says the most sensible thing for Kiwibank to do is join the banking oligopoly.  A Commerce Commission report on banking found the sector isn't competitive enough, as it's being dominated by the big four Australian players.   The Government's announced its intentions to find investors to deliver Kiwibank up to $500 million dollars to drive competition.  Financial markets expert Andrew Body told Heather du Plessis-Allan he doesn't think it'll become a disruptor.  He says that Kiwibank has been around for 23-odd years, and hasn’t been a maverick in that time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employers are in favour of ACT's plan to allow them to withhold pay for workers on partial strikes.  Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden wants to reverse a previous Government move which prevented pay being docked if workers continued to do some work during a strike.  Currently pay can only be withheld during a full strike.  Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Heather du Plessis Allan the current rules aren't working.  He says they campaigned against the 2018 change out of fear it would lead to more strikes, and it has.  McDonald says workers have the right to withhold their labour, so employers should have the right to withhold their pay.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says the argument for stopping bootcamps is ridiculous.   Police found two bootcamp teens who'd absconded when they responded to an alleged carjacking in Hamilton over the weekend.   One evaded Oranga Tamariki staff at the tangi of another participant who'd died in a crash and fled.  Christopher Luxon told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's a defeatist and negative mindset to throw the towel in now.   He says they're trying to change the life of even one of the 10 teens, one where they don't go down a path of gang life, violence, jail time, and welfare dependency.  Luxon’s given his assurance new Cook Strait ferries will be cheaper than previous plans.  The Government's expected to announce the future of Interislander’s fleet this week, a year after cancelling the previous government's project, citing cost blowouts.  Luxon told du Plessis-Allan that despite confirming it wouldn't be $3 billion, he can't give any detail on the looming announcement.  He says like a number of initiatives under the last Government, the previous ferry project started at one billion but ballooned to $3.2 billion.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's chief executive says it's a matter of when, not if, they return to London.   The airline faces another two to three years of disruption waiting for new aircraft and the completion of maintenance on existing ones.  The disruptions already cost the airline up to $150 million a year.  Greg Foran told Heather du Plessis-Allan they've been given spots at Gatwick Airport.   He says it got them excited initially, but they haven't got any planes.   Greg Foran says he expects to get those planes at the start of 2026.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga is considering a pretty creative solution to satisfying the anti fluoride crowd, by setting up a fluoride free tap on the outskirts of town. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the resolution is about giving people options.  Drysdale says council meetings have hosted a 'couple of hundred' people which indicates there is a very vocal group of people passionate about this issue.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bashar al Assad has reportedly fled to Moscow. Russian state media is reporting that he and his family have been granted asylum after the rebels took the Capital of Damascus. Sky News Middle East correspondent Alistair Buckle joins the show and says we need to be concerned about what comes next. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The two teenagers who ran away from the Government's military bootcamps last week have been arrested. That is after allegedly stealing a car, running from the cops, and one individual trying then to carjack another car with a machete. But Former CEO of Business New Zealand Phil O'Reilly was on the welfare expert advisory group and says the boot camps do and will work.  O'Reilly told Heather du Plessis-Allan the government needs to support participants reintegration into society.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Biden says the White House is on alert from Islamic State resurgence. U.S correspondent Richard Arnold joins the show and says Trump is taking a ‘hands off approach’ regarding Syria. In an interview with NBC, Trump reveals he will likely pardon those jailed for the January 6 Capitol attack in Washington D.C. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby CEO talks about the controversial TJ Perenara haka which saw a nod to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the split it caused in the country.  Will Scott Robertson be able to pick some overseas players?  Will the New Zealand Rugby, SKY Broadcast deal be signed by the end of the year?  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After refusing to call the Melbourne synagogue fire an act of terrorism, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese finally did declare the firebombing an act of terror and has come under widespread criticism.  Polls are showing Albanese is trailing significantly behind Peter Dutton. He holds the lowest score since polls began in 2008.  A weeks-long Woolworths strike that began in November over low pay, has come to an end.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price joins the show to discuss this and more.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Monday the 9th of December, are the bootcamps being handled well enough and can OT handle it after a couple of kids absconded?   NZR CEO Mark Robinson is in for the final time this year to talk how 2024 went and how the books look. Andrew Saville and Guy Heveldt talk the Blacks Caps debacle, Liam Lawson and whether he has done enough for next year and Auckland FC. 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.

I do not buy the argument, which seems to have taken hold, that the boot camps trial has to be shut down immediately because two kids escaped and got arrested after allegedly stealing a car. If you haven't caught up on this, what’s happened is that those two boot camp kids who ran away after the tangi last week have now been found... because they’ve been arrested. They allegedly hooked up with each other, found another couple of mates, went and nicked a car, ran from the cops and when the cops busted them one legged it with a machete (allegedly), tried to carjack another vehicle and then the police then apparently found knives and balaclavas. As a result Labour and the Greens are losing their minds, calling on the Government to end the boot camp trial immediately. But why? If anything this tells me how badly we need the boot camps to continue, because these are obviously very bad kids. You don’t put a balaclava in your car unless you’ve got some pretty dark plans. This is already after you’ve committed two crimes that carry a maximum sentence of ten years each, which is why you’re in the boot camp already. The boot camps haven’t turned these kids into criminals. They already are criminals. Which is why they’re in the boot camps. Ask yourself this - if we shut down the boot camps, what’s the alternative? Jail? Letting them roam free, in which case they keep on committing these kinds of crimes? I don’t see these two going on the run as a failure of the boot camp trial. I see it as a reason to keep doing the boot camp trial. Because how much do these kids need intervention if they are prepared to allegedly run around in a stolen car with balaclavas, knives and a machete?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It looks like kiwis with mortgages are hedging their bets for interest rates to keep falling. In the month of October alone 90% of mortgage holders were on very short term rates. David Cunningham of Squirrel Mortgages & Investments joins the show to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A higher than forecasted jobs report has been undergone in the U.S. The year’s economy created 227,000 non-farm jobs in November, which is above estimates of 214,000. Retailers continue to come to the party with earnings reports. Shares in Lululemon soared 16% on stronger than expected sales. The eurozone economy expanded by 0.4% in the third quarter, doubling the previous quarter’s growth rate. The ECB, however, still looks set to cut rates again later this week and with some challenges across the economy. Greg Smith of Devon Funds Management joins Early Edition to discuss 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.    Yoon Suk Yeol: 2/10  What the hell was that about?    Joe Biden: 0/10  A liar and inexcusable, with any amount of damage not just to his reputation but to the party for Lord knows how long.    Labour and AUKUS: 4/10  Having run with it in Government, nothing changes in between, and now it's off with no real explanation as to why.    Notre Dame: 8/10  Five years and look at it! That is a restoration.    Zelenskyy: 6/10  The first sign of concession. This thing will be negotiated away by this time next year.    Eden Park: 9/10  More events! Gosh, who would have thought that was a good idea?    Fonterra: 9/10  Come on! $10! And I am not sure there isn't more where that came from.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We paid our last school fee last week.  One more term and the high school years at our house are over.  One of the great insights we have been lucky enough to have over the years is in having five kids you see a lot of school and schools.  We have pretty much touched every part of the New Zealand education system.  We have been to private school, public and integrated, single sex, and co-ed. We have been to primary, intermediate, and high school.  We have been to good schools, ordinary schools, and exceptional schools.  The overarching view is several-fold.  1. Principals make or break a place.  We have seen a school who's reputation had been good, suffered badly when the principal left and the replacement wasn't seen as particularly good, only to see it markedly improve when a new one came along with a fresh focus and a firm determination.  2. Private school buys you options.  In things like extra help and facilities, money buys choice and expertise.  3. Teachers vary dramatically.  In all schools we have seen a selection of everything, from lazy to brilliant, from effective to hopeless.  4. All kids are different.  This is possibly the most enlightening thing of all. A school isn't a one-stop shop. We had kids at a school you might have thought would do it all. For one child it was brilliant and for another it was a mistake.  5. A lot of it is down to the child.  I am convinced a child who is determined will succeed in any school. A brilliant kid who can't be bothered, won't.  6. Parents have to be engaged.  Schools have become a whipping boy and a social welfare department. They are expected to take on any kid, with any problem, from any home and fix them. That attitude is criminal and too often it's led by shocking parenting.  7. There is too much wastage.  If you take the stuff out of a day that isn't needed, you'd be at school I reckon about two hours a day. We can do way better.  8. I am not sure it's all that different in 2024 from when I was there in '81.  Good teachers are rare, most schools are fine, and most kids would rather play sport. It's essentially like life – you get out of it what you put in.  The only major difference is you pay a shed load more now, than you used to. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC’s CEO is blown away by the team’s success.  The Black Knights have won their first five A-League games without conceding a goal, and now sit at the top of the table.  Saturday will see them clash against the Wellington Phoenix once more, this time at Mt Smart Stadium.  CEO Nick Becker told Mike Hosking that coach Steve Corica has done a great job pulling together a squad of young guys who want to go out there and play for each other.  He says it’s a cohesive unit, and you see it when they fight for every ball.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 6th of December, has scrutiny revealed some broken promises from the Government regarding the police and prison numbers? Police Minister Mark Mitchell fronts up.  The Prime Minister joined Mike in studio as we bring back the infamous gift exchange at the end of the year.    For the final time of the year Mike, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk Christmas plans, work Christmas parties, and Spotify Wrapped 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.

For the final time this year, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed their plans for the holiday season, the tragic state of public sector Christmas parties, and the best stats from their Spotify Wrapped.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hints of a potential motive in the shooting of a top US executive in New York.  UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in the back in a premeditated attack on his way to a conference in Manhattan yesterday.  Police have been investigating nearby hostels, while it's also reported the bullets had the words "deny" "deflect" and "depose" inscribed on them.  US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking they seem to reference ways health insurance companies seek to avoid paying patients' claims.  He says UnitedHealthcare has come in for fierce criticism at times from both patients and lawmakers for denying claims.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's US election victory has been a big factor in Bitcoin hitting record numbers.  The cryptocurrency has hit US$100 thousand in value – the highest trading price in its history.  Bitcoin has grown by 70% since the start of the year, buoyed by political campaigns and an increased confidence in digital assets.  Easy Crypto chief commercial officer Paul Quickenden told Mike Hosking the rise has transcended geopolitics.  He says Trump has openly said he wants the US to be the world's crypto-capital, and both the UK and China want to get involved.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2024 is coming to a close and with it the Coalition Government’s first year in power.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking for the last time this year to reflect on his first year as Prime Minister.  In response to the reports that say New Zealand faces an investment gap with a growing population, Luxon says that it's a marvellous set of challenges. "The last 30 years, what we've had is a productivity disease," Luxon said.  He said countries with similar populations are wealthier than New Zealand.  "I've studied this for about 20 years and it comes down to about five things, it's education, science, technology, innovation. What you're seeing at Fonterra, they're really adding a lot of value to their product services, it's definitely infrastructure..."  Luxon said as a country we are bad at attracting foreign investment. Hosking asked Luxon if he thinks people "truly understand how troubled this country is."  "No," Luxon responded, referencing the past six years of previous government policy. "We run the country like it's 1975," Luxon said.  Hosking said the mentality in the country is "the government will wipe my bum."  There needed to be a "better quality economic engine" in place for New Zealand to be able to fund its public services better, Luxon said.  In regards to his first year as Prime Minister, Luxon said it's been a great 12 months, but you don't really have time to digest it while you're in it. Hosking said his criticism of Luxon was that he hasn't gone hard enough, but the Prime Minister says problems are often more complex than they seem from the outside. "You can get very lost in it if you don't have great clarity," he said.  "This Spotify wrapped of yours, are you a fraud?" Hosking asked, referencing that Luxon had previously said he was a country music fan and there was a lack of country music on his list of most listened-to songs and artists.  "That was quite an accusation..." Luxon responded.  Luxon defended himself by saying Post Malone and Dua Lipa have created a country song together and is one of his favourites.  He called Post Malones new album the "best album of the year."  He gave a shout-out to "Day of the Jackal," a TV series he was enjoying and joked with Hosking that they were supporting TVNZ+ by doing so.  While the Prime Minister was in, Hosking gave him a Christmas gift that was "one of one" and a "prototype."  It was a book titled "The Complete Guide to Surviving a Mike Hosking Interview."  "That is genius," Luxon said.  Luxon gave Hosking a Christmas card with a family photo on it and some "furikake seasoning," a Japanese seasoning typically made with toasted sesame seeds and nori.  "People like me, who are men of the people, just use salt, I mean I come from a very humble background.  "This is what really posh people do," Luxon said.  "Absolutely love it," Hosking said in response to the gift.  Luxon also gave Hosking a "special energy Voost" that was described as "posh Berrocca."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister is adamant his government will deliver on its promise of 500 new cops by the end of next year.  New police commissioner Richard Chambers warned yesterday they're unlikely to meet those numbers until 2026.  But Minister Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking they're going to get as close to the target as they can.  He says that they’re not dropping standards, and though they always knew the target of 10,711 officers trained by November 2025 was ambitious, they remain committed to it.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a view the benefits of facial recognition tech in supermarkets outweighs potential risks.  Data analyst firm Scarlatti has found a trial of the new technology at 25 Foodstuffs North Island supermarkets reduced harm by 16%.  Security were alerted to offenders early, and could intervene to prevent harm from escalating.  Scarlatti Director and Trial Evaluator Adam Barker told Mike Hosking there was a balance to be struck around privacy impacts.  He says they found the 16% reduction in harm was more than enough to justify the use of the tech in the views of the public.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An interesting, but good, move on forestry and farming.  It is another example of practical thinking and application in an area that relied, to be frank, on laziness to solve a problem.  Ever since we became obsessed with climate change and we became obsessed with things that might or might address climate change, the low hanging fruit has been trees and carbon markets.  Carbon markets, as we have seen yet again this year, don't work. The government has mucked with the rules, changed the prices, freaked the market out, and all the credits that go up for sale by and large don’t get sold.  They all pile into the next auction and don’t get sold until they get to the fourth auction of the year where, after they aren't sold again, they then get dumped.  Dumped as in they never actually existed in the first place. It’s a mad, invented idea that only works if people believe it works.  So far they don’t.  Then we plant trees. Why? Because it's easy.  So a paddock of trees - or a paddock of sheep, or crops, or cows.  In a country where we already build too many houses on productive land, planting trees on that sort of land is criminal and stupid.  What this country does is feed the world. Our ability on quality in many areas is unmatched, and we get the price return for it.  But, and here is where the old freedom of movement thing comes in, if you have 100 hectares and you want to sell it and the person who wants to plant trees is offering more than the bloke next door who wants to expand his farm and keep sheep, you are now potentially limited by a government that has decided for you what you do with your property.  That’s always a tricky area.  Ultimately though governments must act in these circumstances on behalf of the nation and if we weren't so reliant on food production, if we were a tech centre, or a space centre, or an oil centre of a strategic global base like Singapore or Dubai, it might be different.  But land is our calling card and one day we will work out trees aren't the answer to climate change.  But by the time we work that out re-converting wont be possible, so in that sense this decision has saved us from ourselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Superstar Luke Combs is winging his way to New Zealand next month, and his opener isn’t someone to sneeze at.  Country-pop singer Jordan Davis has had multiple number one hits, two platinum albums, and won multiple awards at the Country Music Awards.   He has a significant fanbase in the US, and Kiwi audiences will be able to get a taste of him live.  Davis told Mike Hosking that visiting New Zealand has definitely been on the bucket list for a long time.  “I thought it would just be me travelling to see the beautiful country that I’ve seen growing up, but now, being able to mesh that with going over and working some is awesome.”  The two first toured together about two or three years ago, Davis revealed, and after headlining a tour of his own, he agreed to do another stadium tour with Combs this past year.   “I think Luke knows that I’ll jump at any chance to get out and play shows with him,” Davis said.  “I love him to death, and he’s been really good to me, so I’m excited to continue playing music with him.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.