The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Parliament is back to business today and straight into it with oral submissions for the Treaty Principles Bill.  Today's speakers, including Andrew Little, Denis O'Reilly and David Seymour, have 10 minutes each to speak.  Political commentator Karl Christensen talks to Ryan Bridge about what to expect, and how the contentious topic will be handled over the coming weeks.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of dairy is climbing for consumers - the Global Dairy Trade auction seeing a 1.4% across the board.  Why are the prices continuing to trend up?  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen discusses this with Ryan Bridge.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California's secretary of state has approved an effort to gather signatures for a vote in 2028 on whether the state should leave the US and become an independent country.  It comes as Donald Trump is not slowing down on his presidential orders and proposals.  The NFL's final playoffs are underway in preparation for the Superbowl next week. Who is the team to watch?  US Correspondent Richard Arnold talks to Ryan Bridge about the major US news, including the fallout of Trump's first week in office, and his claims around the conflict in Gaza. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States has stood out as the only major economy experiencing significant expansion amid Global PMIs.  The economic health indicator was a mixed bag for manufacturing and service sectors.  Meanwhile, luxury brand Burberry has soared 10% on its quarterly update.  And back home, why are things are looking up for the red meat sector?  Devon Funds Management representative Greg Smith joins the show to talk all things business.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve reached the pointy end of the Australian Open.  Aryna Sabalenka will meet American Madison Keys in the final of the Australian tennis Open women's draw on Saturday, Keys eliminating Iga Swiatek in dramatic circumstances.  The men’s semifinals play out this evening, their championship taking place Sunday.  Australian Open Commentator Craig Gabriel told Ryan Bridge that it was an extraordinary clash between Swiatek and Keys, with Swiatek the favourite to continue through to the finals.  Keys saved a match point, Gabriel said, and the game went the complete other way than expected.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oscars nominations have come out and guess what? Wicked the Musical with Ariana Grande is on the list for Best Picture.   It's two hours and 40 minutes long. It doesn't have an ending because there's two parts. So you get half a story, and it takes half your life to watch. We should not be encouraging this type of time wasting. Cinemas are not comfortable places. I've got a bad back, I've got a low tolerance for people bursting into song – sitting in a cinema seat for almost 3 hours, listening to Ariana Grande singing her feelings is like, well, it's like being held in a small torture chamber.   In three hours you can achieve many things. You can fly to Australia, you could run a marathon, hell, you can even get an operation in three hours. My grandma's knee replacement she had done recently took less than three hours. Actually, I would rather get my knee replaced than listen and watch Wicked. Because it's a two-parter, you could actually get both knees done.   And it's not just Wicked that's dragging on - Dune. Did you see that the sci-fi space thriller that’s approximately 600 hours in length?   And I know what you're thinking: If you don't like a movie, Ryan, just don't go and see it. Ah. I never wanted to see Dune – my partner did. And as a married man, as you will know if you're married, some things you do even though you don't want to, and directors arrogant, self-indulgent Hollywood types, don't think about us.  They just think about themselves. They just think about this amazing emotional movie that they've created, inspired piece of art that they'll happily dump on the world's cinemas and expect everybody else to love.   The Brutalist. That's also on the list – three and a half hours long, nominated for Best Picture. Poke me in the eyes, Brutalist by name and brutalist by nature. I estimate half of cinemas are filled with people who don't want to be there, trapped in their own little torture chambers, battling through musicals and romcoms and war biopics, all for the sake of their marriage or to please a friend.   Our attention spans are far too short for this now. We have TikTok, we have Instagram, we have small brains, we have Twitter. What used to be a novel is now 140 characters. People abbreviate their speech because we can't be arsed with full sentences.   Hollywood and today's Oscars nods have totally missed the public mood. I propose a new category: Best Picture in under 90 Minutes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 is underway, and Trish Sherson and Tim Wilson joined Ryan Bridge to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed the growing lengths of films, Donald Trump’s first week back in the Oval Office, and whether New Zealand has a culture of saying ‘no’.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s encouraging Jobseeker data for the long-term.   Just over 33,000 people cancelled their benefits after finding work in the six months to December, up 22% annually.   The Government's also looking at more changes, including non-financial sanctions on jobseekers.   Former WINZ boss Christine Rankin told Ryan Bridge that young people cannot be left to get into the habit of relying on the benefit without taking action, which the Minister and department have done well to mitigate.   She says the benefit is designed to help you get through a really tough time, it’s not to pay you for the rest of your life in style.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 24th of January, Resources Minister Shane Jones tells Ryan Bridge the Government wants to open up conservation and stewardship land for mining.  The Government is establishing a new agency to attract a foreign investment - but an expert tells us there's much more to do to make New Zealand attractive again.  The Oscar nominations are out, but Ryan has something to say about the growing show-time of movies.  While Wrapping the Week, Tim Wilson and Trish Sherson discuss whether New Zealand has a growing culture of saying ‘no’.  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 belief a new agency focused on driving up foreign investment is well overdue.  The Government is creating Invest New Zealand to attract overseas investors into infrastructure and other key sectors.  It aims to streamline overseas investment by providing tailored support.  Queen City Law Managing Director Marcus Beveridge told Ryan Bridge it was what New Zealand Trade and Enterprise was always meant to do.  He says if they do adopt an all of government approach, it could put the country back up to where it should be in terms of OECD rankings.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour is making it clear the country can't just wait around for change.  The ACT party leader is delivering his State of the Nation address in Auckland today.  Our newsroom understands he will use his speech to ask whether New Zealand should move towards privatisation in the health and education sectors.   Seymour told Ryan Bridge it's time to be asking the bigger questions.  He says the government owns $570 billion worth of assets and yet can't afford the core infrastructure to build more homes for the next generation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The largest snow sports event in the southern hemisphere is no more.  The Winter Games have been held annually in Queenstown and Wanaka over the last 15 years.  But organisers have announced it can no longer continue in its current format, due to escalating costs.   Snow Sports NZ Chief Executive, Nic Cavanagh told Ryan Bridge it shows sport isn't immune to the current economic woes.  He says everyone in the industry is finding it incredibly challenging to raise commercial partnerships and sponsorships.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Jones says Kiwis need to get over themselves as he looks to open mining on Department of Conservation land.  The Prime Minister yesterday defended his intention to grow the mining sector.  Resources Minister Shane Jones told Ryan Bridge if we want to boost the economy, we need to utilise conservation land.  He says the DOC estate is large and suitable for mining.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So we have an inflation number, which is better than not knowing, but it doesn’t tell us much. 2.2 percent for the year to December, no change from the quarter before it and crucially non-tradable inflation, the stuff we should have more control over domestically is sticky at 4.5 percent. Two main problems here, one for us and one for the Government. If the exchange rate keeps tanking, the stuff we buy from the rest of the world - like fuel and food - will get more expensive. And if that stuff gets more expensive, you know what that means, more inflation. Add that to your sticky domestic number and you may have a problem. If that happens, you watch the Reserve Bank get the jitters and hit pause on rate cuts. And then we all get the jitters and pull back on spending. Then we're riding this seemingly never-ending rollercoaster ride that is the cost of living crisis. The gift from Labour that keeps on giving. The other problem in these numbers is for the Government. At the election they promised rents would come down once they delivered landlord interest deductibility relief. I agree with them doing that - it was mad that Labour took it away. But they were wrong to claim it would bring rents down when rents are, by-and-large, dictated by supply and demand. How much the market is willing to pay for a 3-bedroom place in Mount Victoria is what the market is willing to pay. So now 80 percent deductibility has kicked in and guess what? Rents are up 4.2 percent in yesterday’s numbers. So not exactly what was promised. Now, to be fair, they’ll be hoping once the full landlord deduction kicks in and it’s given more time it may help. But it would only be at the margins. It is not and won’t be the main driver of slashing rents - and yesterday’s numbers proved that. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A strong relationship is being forged between Italy and the United States.  Donald Trump has called Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a “fantastic woman”, and says she’s taken Europe "by storm”.  Meloni was the only European leader present at Trump’s inauguration as President, and had also visited him at his Mar a Lago retreat in Florida a couple of weeks ago.   Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Ryan Bridge that she's positioning herself as the “go to” leader of Europe.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Kiwi actress is making waves on international screens.  Luciane Buchanan began her rise to fame in her teens, but it was the last few years where her career really took off.  The 31 year old was cast in Netflix and Apple TV+ shows in 2022, but her lead role in Netflix’s ‘The Night Agent’ made her a household name.  ‘The Night Agent’ was the most watched show on Netflix around the world in 2023, reaching number 1 in 87 countries.  Buchanan told Ryan Bridge that the sheer number of people watching the show kind of freaked her out, as totalled up, there’s been over 100,000 years worth of viewing for season one.  “It’s a little bit overwhelming, but it’s also exciting to be a part of something that a lot of people enjoyed, so I can’t complain.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Toyota Aqua has held onto its title for the third year in a row.  The hatchback is New Zealand’s most stolen car, making up 8% of all stolen vehicle claims in 2024.  New figures released by AMI today show the company received almost 12,000 vehicle claims last year, including those related to attempted vehicle theft.    Driven Deputy Editor David Linklater told Ryan Bridge that it’s likely down to numbers.  He says that they’re a hugely popular used import, so there’s tens of thousands of them on the road.  Linklater says they’re quite anonymous, very familiar cars that aren’t really noticed on the street.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 23rd of January, Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich tells Ryan Bridge the OCR and mortgage rates will continue to drop after yesterday's inflation number.  We get expert analysis on Donald Trump's threat of tariffs and sanctions against Russia and Vladimir Putin unless a deal is done to end the war in Ukraine.  Ryan finds out why Canterbury is leading the way in new home builds.  And the second season of Netflix's The Night Agent drops today - Ryan speaks to the Kiwi star, Luciane Buchanan.  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.

Economic growth and recovery is expected to be front of mind as the Prime Minister prepares to address business leaders in Auckland today.  Christopher Luxon will share his State of the Nation speech, outlining what he sees as the country's challenges and priorities for the year ahead.  Tim Hurdle is a former National Party senior adviser and told Ryan Bridge it will be all about the economy.  He expects Luxon to outline what they've done so far and hopefully provide more certainty on their plan for the year ahead.  Political commentator Josie Pagani says the government needs to better articulate how we grow.  She says the Government doesn't want to spend more, doesn't have an industrial policy, and isn't keen on picking winners and interfering in the market, so it needs today to outline their theory of growth.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's scepticism over whether European countries would be willing to provide more security in Ukraine.  US President Donald Trump has warned of imposing high levels of sanctions, taxes and tariffs on Russia to try to force a ceasefire deal.  Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskky says any deal would need at least 200,000 peacekeepers on the border.  But Keir Giles —a Russian expert with international think tank Chatham House— told Ryan Bridge countries are worried about how much taking an interest in their own defence would cost them.  He says that's been one of the main concerns in Europe with Trump's re-election, and his promise he may not meet the US's NATO commitments when called upon.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest inflation rate is giving confidence to cut interest rates.   Stats NZ figures show the inflation rate for the year to December hasn't changed, sticking at 2.2%, well within the Reserve Bank's target band.   Kiwibank Chief Executive Steve Jurkovich told Ryan Bridge their two-year mortgage rate is expected to come down half a percent over the next few months.   He says it'll vary by term, but he thinks we will see rates around 5%.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no surprise from the Christchurch Mayor that construction is booming in Canterbury.  The region's councils consented about 6,500 homes in the year to November – a fifth of the country's new builds.  The number of consents in Christchurch was also triple Wellington's.  Phil Mauger told Ryan Bridge there's been a billion-dollars worth of new homes built in Christchurch – half being units, townhouses, or apartments.  He says they're aiming for 20-thousand more people in the central city.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a push for the Government to focus on increasing tourist numbers to maximise economic growth.  Nicola Willis —the minister now charged with driving the growth agenda— is considering visa changes to pull more tourists through the door.  She wants to see Chinese visitor numbers back to pre-Covid levels. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges wouldn't be drawn on whether increasing the international visitor levy last year was a good idea.  He told Ryan Bridge the sector has real issues, and if the Government's looking to get the economy back on track, visa issues are a start.  Bridges told Ryan Bridge incentivising airlines could be the answer.  He says there's nearly as many flights coming in from China as the US.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent UK health trend is growing in popularity for Kiwis.  Zebra striping means alternating between alcohol and a no or low-alcohol drink while socialising.  Independent consumer research found that 55% of Kiwi respondents said they've drunk low-alcohol beverages in the past year.  Alcohol Beverages Council Executive Director Virginia Nicholls told Ryan Bridge the growth of these drinks is being driven by a trend of moderation.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 22nd of January, the latest inflation data is coming out today, so how will that shape us for 2025?  Marco Rubio's former chief of staff Matt Terrill gives his take on the first 24 hours of Donald Trump as well as Rubio being sworn in as the new Secretary of State.  Ginny Andersen flies solo on Politics Wednesday, discussing the cost of living, the latest political poll, and the Treaty Principles Bill submissions.   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.

Labour has eked ahead in the polls as the cost of living crisis bites.  The latest Taxpayers' Union Curia poll has Labour overtaking National, the latter falling to 29.6%, against Labour's four percentage point jump, to 30.9%.  Ginny Andersen told Ryan Bridge that it’s an indication the economy is biting.  She says that New Zealanders aren’t really getting what they voted for, and that’s coming through in the polls.   Health is the other big ticket issue impacting the polls, Andersen says, which is why Luxon is trying to head it off by putting Simeon Brown in charge of the portfolio.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dairy sector's upbeat heading into the new year.  Dairy prices are up 1.4% at the latest Global Dairy Trade auction, while Fonterra's still predicting farmgate milk prices to reach a record $10.50 midpoint this year.  New Zealand's milk production in 2024 was also the highest in five years.  Fonterra co-operative council chair, John Stevenson told Ryan Bridge it's looking really positive from an on-farm perspective.  He says supplementary feed supplies, silage, and crops have had a good start to summer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Cabinet's awaiting confirmation to drive home Donald Trump's vision for America.  Trump's four year presidential term has officially begun, and he's already signed scores of executive actions concerning immigration, diversity protections, and the environment.  The first of his Cabinet nominees, Marco Rubio has also been confirmed as Secretary of State.   Rubio's former chief of staff Matt Terrill told Ryan Bridge Rubio has his hands full with the complex foreign policy environment, but there's no one better equipped for the job.   He says Rubio's served on the Foreign Relations and Senate Intel committees, and he knows these world leaders and the issues facing the US and the world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are teacher shortages across a range of subjects in secondary school, as there generally are at the start of each year.   More than 400 principal and teaching roles are currently being advertised in the Education Gazette.   In 2024 there were almost 1600 vacancies, a similar number to recent comparable years.   Secondary Principals' Council Chair Kate Gainsford told Ryan Bridge schools are employing a lot of teachers from overseas.   She says it's a worldwide problem, but we also need to be building up a local pool of teachers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cautious optimism from economists ahead of the latest inflation numbers.  Stats NZ will deliver its latest inflation update on the year to December at 10.45 this morning.  Many economists expect it to be slightly down, but ANZ predicts it will remain unchanged and BNZ is forecasting a slight rise.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge we need to still be cautious as domestic inflation remains relatively high.  He says for inflation to stay around 2% the domestic rate needs to come down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's outrage over Donald Trump's decision to release convicted Capitol rioters from prison.   The new President has signed off a flurry of executive orders following his inauguration, many sparking national and global concern.  Trump's issued pardons and commutations to more than a thousand felons involved in the attacks to disrupt the transfer of power on January 6th, 2021.   US correspondent Richard Arnold told Ryan Bridge that includes those convicted of assaulting police officers, many of whom are feeling betrayed.   He says Trump's taken to calling those tried and convicted of crimes, 'hostages', and has often played a recording of them singing The Stars and Stripes Forever from prison.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald J. Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.  Behind the pomp and ceremony are lessons for politicians on the left here and around the world.  Labelling your opponent a racist, a nazi, an extremist, a homophobe, a sexist, anti-trans, a threat to democracy, a tyrant, and sexist won’t win you an election.  Biden, and then Harris, threw the kitchen sink of threats about Trump at the public and none of it stuck.  The Obama's, the Pelosi's and the Clinton's of American politics did their best to paint Trump as a dystopian dictator, hell-bent on crucifying immigrants and minorities.  And what happened? They lost. He won.  A clean sweep of the battlegrounds.  The House. The Senate. The electoral college. The popular vote.  And around half of Latino voters, the highest ever for a Republican, even higher than George W. Bush in 2004.  Record numbers of minorities voted for Trump.  His election was of course run against a backdrop of a tough economy and inflation hitting punters hard. Plus, Joe Biden was, well, literally stumbling to the finish line, struggling to walk and talk.  But the fact remains voters picked the guy who’d been labelled all these awful things because they trusted him to turn the economy around, and some also to stop the free speech moderators and pronoun police.  So, what’s the lesson here? For Hipkins it doesn’t matter how many times you call Seymour and/or Luxon a racist - it won’t get you back for the greasy benches.  Labour and its allies are gearing up for a fresh onslaught of attacks on race as the Treaty Bill goes to select committee.  But here’s the thing - most Kiwis aren’t listening. Look at the polls.  The Ipsos issues monitor from late last year showed that. Inflation, health, economy, crime, housing, poverty etc were the big issues. Race relations? 15th on 6%.  Those in the left would do better —and we’d all benefit from this— if they’d stop the name-calling and start coming up with serious, credible, alternative economic plans to get this country firing again.  Labour was supposed to be a party for the workers. They’ve let provincial New Zealand down badly with economic mismanagement and energy policies that may have suited a speech at UNGA in New York, but certainly not the good people of Ruapehu.  And that’s the lesson Trump is giving the left today. The recipe used over the past decade of window dressing, performative politics, identity politics, virtue signalling, and demonising your opponents no longer works on the people who matter most.  The voters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bic Runga is one of New Zealand’s iconic performers – dazzling audiences since the release of her first single in 1996.   She went on to reach international fame, as well as winning the most New Zealand Music Awards by an individual ever.   Runga is currently on the road as part of the Greenstone Summer Concert Tour, performing alongside Cold Chisel, Icehouse, and Everclear.  The first show of the tour was this past weekend in Queenstown, and Runga told Ryan Bridge that she’s having ‘such a good time’ on the road.  “It was really cool to meet these guys on the road,” she said of the other performers.  “They’re all legends and, y'know, they’re all lovely.”  Runga has brought her family along on this tour, and she says that it’s definitely a military operation trying to keep everyone organised.  “I’m trying to get on stage and someone’s asking me where their sock is.”  “It’s cool to have them, but there’s... it’s just an extra layer of stuff to, y'know, find and wash,” Runga told Bridge with a laugh.  Most people stream music nowadays, but despite having close to half a million monthly streams on Spotify, Runga says that it’s not the main way artists make their money.  “Streaming is a bit stacked up against you,” she said.  “It has been harder and harder for musicians to make money out of things like that, but, y'know, I guess that’s why we tour."  “You have to really love doing it, y’know, I still do it because it’s super fun and I can’t do anything else.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 21st of January, it's Inauguration Day for Trump and The Spectator’s Amber Duke joined out of Washington D.C. to give the latest.    The Prime Minister is back in the hot seat for his regular Tuesday interview and talks about how he wants to get this struggling economy of ours humming.  Kiwi singer Bic Runga is touring with the Greenstone Summer Tour, joining for a chat and giving a hint towards future music projects.  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.

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.  In his speech he said that "America's decline is over" and the "golden age of America begins right now".  He says America will not be intimidated, will not be broke, and will not fail in becoming a free, sovereign and independent nation, with a colour-blind and merit-based society.  The returning US President is pledging to be a "peace maker and unifier" while building strongest military ever seen.  He says their power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent and totally unpredictable.  Trump says the US will pursue its manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.  Washington Editor of the Spectator, Amber Duke told Ryan Bridge his speech was really ahistorical in how detailed and specific he was about his policy priorities on his first day of office.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's water infrastructure system is leaking at a far higher rate than global leaders.  Otago University research shows 21% of piped water is being lost.  In comparison, the Netherlands loses 5% and Germany 6%.  The leaks are also wasting around $122 million each year.  Professor of Public Health Nick Wilson told Ryan Bridge that New Zealand has a network of very aging pipes that aren’t being fixed in the same way they do in Europe.  He says that leaking and breaking pipes are actually a concern from a public health perspective, as defects can increase the risk of disease outbreaks.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Job applications remain at historic highs, far outweighing the number of jobs being advertised.  SEEK's revealed job ads dropped 2% in December and are down 22% on 2023.  While the number of applications per ad also dropped 2%, they remain 32% higher than in 2023.   Country Manager Rob Clark told Ryan Bridge that since June they’ve seen job ads decline by just 1%, but certainly at the start of 2024 they saw a pretty significant decline.  He says the feeling is that we’ve hit the bottom and are bouncing along it, but they’re not seeing a ton of green shoots at the moment.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says he wants Nicola Willis to drive economic growth across all ministries in her new role.  The Finance Minister has been given the Economic Growth portfolio, formerly known as Economic Development.  Willis will look over education, infrastructure, science and research, less regulation and stronger international connections within the role.  Christopher Luxon told Ryan Bridge she'll continue to manage the country's finances, and ensure the budget is working.   Meanwhile, incoming Health Minister Simeon Brown has been meeting with Health Commissioner Lester Levy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Company liquidations are at a 10 year high.   Data from the Companies Office shows there were 2,500 liquidations last year – the highest since 2014.   Company receiverships are also the highest they've been since 2012, at 186.   BWA Insolvency's principal Bryan Williams told Ryan Bridge he doesn't think it's as bad as the Global Financial Crisis.  He says how the geopolitical environment will change and impact New Zealanders may alter things.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville joined Ryan Bridge to discuss the Sail GP in Auckland over the weekend, Auckland FC's win against Melbourne, Daniel Hillier at the Dubai Classic and Novak Djokovic's tiff with an Australian Open reporter.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New hate speech laws have been strengthened in New South Wales after the latest antisemitic attack in Sydney.  How will these laws be implemented?  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton have made unofficial campaign launches without a date announced for the election.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price joins the show to discuss the news happening across the ditch.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early indications suggest it has been a strong weekend for Auckland businesses following three major events.  More than 25,000 people attended the inaugural Auckland League of Sail GP.  What did the event do for Auckland city?  Tataki Auckland Unlimited CEO Nick Hill joins the show to debrief on the weekend of sailing.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simeon Brown is making his priorities clear as he prepares to take over as Health Minister. The portfolio has moved from Dr Shane Reti to Brown, moving Reti out of his fourth place in the National Party rankings.  Brown indicated the targets bought in by Reti show things are beginning to stabilise but said "we really need to focus on delivery."  He joins the show to discuss what he will bring to his new role.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has given TikTok the all-clear to continue operating in the US, despite a federal ban. The Chinese based-social media platform "went dark" yesterday and was removed from app stores, but says it's now restoring access following Trump's announcement. The incoming US President says he wants to do a deal to see it half-owned by a US company, to allay security concerns.  Reporter from the technology website The Information joins the show to discuss the could-be American owners of the app, and the details that need to be ironed out for a deal to take place.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three hostages are returning home after a 15-month-long capture, as a ceasefire is bought to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The hostage-prisoner exchange is the first phase of the ceasefire, which is expected to last six weeks. Hope for a complete withdrawal rests in the success of the first phase, International Geopolitical Analyst Geoffrey Miller said.  He joins the show to discuss whether the ceasefire will sustain.  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer has served up the busiest summer ever for some Kiwi bed and breakfast hosts.  Modern accommodation has taken off in recent years, with the likes of Airbnb promising ease and comfort to customers. But Bed and Breakfast Association President Ann-Marie Johnson says traditional is the way to go.  "It's an opportunity to meet real Kiwi's, learn more about our way of life and customs," she said.  What have tourists said about New Zealand's b&b's this summer?  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday the 20th of December, the terrible economic news continues to get worse as our GDP dropped badly and we are officially back in recession.  Liam Lawson has finally been officially given the seat that the F1 world knew was already his at Red Bull so commentator and former McLaren race team member Bob McMurray shares his thoughts.  Trish Sherson and Tim Wilson wraps the year for the final segment of 2024.  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.

Luxon's Government has reshuffled cabinet, including the economic growth development portfolio that saw Nicola Willis take over Melissa Lee's role.  EMA head of advocacy, finance and strategy joins the show to discuss what these changes mean for the Government.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As he prepares for his inauguration, Donald Trump can't make up his mind on the ruling to ban Chinese app TikTok.  The soon-to-be President has said he will sign an executive order to stall the of the app after it was removed from Apple and Google stores.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold discusses what Trump will do when he is sworn in in less than 24 hours, and the bumpy start for the first hostages release in the Middle East ceasefire.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby joined Mike Hosking to wrap the biggest news stories from the week. Mike's got an update on the coffee kiosk and what on earth happened to Tim Wilson? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.