The Mike Hosking Breakfast

"110% real": New season of 'Nadia's Farm' shows the realities of Royalburn Station  It's been about five years since Nadia Lim and Carlos Bagrie took over Royalburn Station, their endeavours growing the 485-hectare farm into the agricultural powerhouse it's become.  Founded in 1887, Royalburn Station has a lengthy history filled with grains; barley, wheat, sunflower seeds, peas, and clover seeds quickly becoming the backbone of Lim and Bagrie’s business.  When they bought Royalburn in 2019 neither of them had any experience with running a farm. Bagerie may have grown up on a southland sheep farm but he’s a marketer by trade, and while growing up in dense cities influenced Lim’s cooking, it left little space for farmwork.  Needless to say, it was a learning experience for both of them.  “What I’ve learned is that you’ve got to be someone that’s okay with not being in control, because things never, ever go your way,” Lim told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking.  “That’s probably one of the biggest skills you kind of need to have if you’re gonna go into farming.”  Royalburn Station sits on the Crown Terrace between Arrowtown and Wanaka, surrounded by mountains, a view Lim describes as ‘paradise’.  485-hectares is quite a significant amount of land but all of it is in use, Royalburn Station even having its own abattoir.  “You don’t need one,” Bagrie said. “But if you want the very best meat, you kind of want one.”  The pair’s vision for their farm is to create the most beautiful farm in the world, a quality that goes deeper than aesthetics as they aim to be a leader in regenerative, diverse, and ethical food production. ‘The very best’ in every area they produce.   “We actually won the New Zealand Food Producers Award last year for our lamb,” Lim revealed.  Moving down from Auckland, they weren’t met with the kindest reception, rumours and gossip going around calling them ‘pretend farmers’.  “But I think now people get it that actually, it is a proper working farm.”  Bagrie and Lim have diversified the farm quite significantly over the years, producing not only grains and lamb, but also honey, free range eggs, and produce from their organic market garden.  They’ve found success with their model but according to Bagrie, it’s not a model that would work for everyone, their location highly influencing their success.  “I think out model works because of, I mean, to be really frank, because of our ability to be able to supply those restaurants and have those direct relationships.”  Building an agricultural powerhouse is not an easy task, but they’ve now settled into something of a rhythm.  “We’ve been doing so many new things, this year is all just going to be about not doing anything new, just solidifying what we’ve got,” Lim told Hosking with a laugh.  Diversifying to the extent they have has a certain amount of risk, as if they’re not careful they can spread their production too thin.  “You’ll see when you watch the show, there is a lot of simplification happening.”  The show in question is the second season of Nadia’s Farm, the first episode having premiered last night. While reality TV tends to be dramatized for entertainment purposes, Lim said that this show is 100% real.  “I’ve done quite a bit of TV now and this show is like, unlike any other show I’ve ever done.”  “There’s no scripting, like no makeup, no team. We just go out there and film it,” Lim revealed.  “It’s as natural, and organic, and unpanned as it gets.”  Bagrie and Lim don’t want to shy away from the reality of farm life in this show, showing both the pleasantries and the nitty gritty.  “I feel like a lot of the problems we’ve run into now with how food gets to your plate, and a lot of, a lot of it has become taboo and people don’t want to talk about it or know about it.”  “The more you hide, the worse that knowledge gap becomes.”  ‘Nadia’s Farm’ is out now on ThreeNow and Three.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paddy Gower has slammed “keyboard warriors” claiming the media is getting what it deserves for going “woke” amid mass job losses.   TV3 journalist and TV host Patrick Gower spoke to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking this morning following yesterday’s Newshub meeting where the closure of Newshub was confirmed.  Hosking asked Gower what he would say to those who say “you go woke, you go broke” and claim the media was bribed by the former Labour government.  “Get stuffed, and actually go away and, to use the term they use, do your own research,” Gower fired back.  Gower agreed the Public Interest Journalism fund had “branding issues” for media organisations because the public didn’t understand where the money was going.  “But at the end of the day, I’m not going to sit here and listen to sort of people like that say that kind of thing after I’ve slaved away my bloody life alongside my colleagues, 25 years in my case, putting damn good news out there.  “While we’ve got a trust problem, we need to address it and explain things that we’re doing properly.  “When it comes to the sort of Facebook keyboard warriors, I ain’t got no time for that, Mike.  “I’m about the 250 people who lost a job yesterday and actually the millions of other Kiwis that I know that trust me and trust my colleagues.”  Patrick Gower and colleagues on their way to learn Newshub's fate. Photo / Alex Burton  Gower told Hosking he didn’t know how many of the up to 300 people losing their jobs would remain in media.  “Who knows?  “I mean, even for myself, I’ve got no bloody idea what I’ll do next.”  Gower said he hoped a lot of his colleagues would remain in the field, but recognised it was a difficult time for the industry in New Zealand.  “It’s that simple, mate, not everybody can survive.  “But we’ve got to be optimistic, we can’t kind of give in.  “I can say for myself, I’m determined to get back out there.”  Hosking asked Gower how many of the employees likely saw the closure coming.  “It was always a possibility when we came in under the big company, particularly Warner Brothers Discovery when they’d merged ... some sort of shutdown was always possible.  “I’ve survived a couple myself in the last 14 years or we’ve been very, very close.  “So it was always on the cards.”  The state of the economy and the recession have had a huge impact on the media industry, Gower admitted.  “We often talk about the big structural problems that are behind all of this, but, hey, let’s face it, the economy has absolutely tanked, every single dollar virtually has dropped out of the advertising market.  “People are really struggling, [advertising] is the first thing that goes when a business is struggling, everybody knows that.  “That has just put insane pressure on all media companies.”  Gower said he hadn’t seen “anything” broadcasting minister Melissa Lee had done so far for the industry.  “I haven’t seen anything they’ve done, but at the same time, the media doesn’t need a bailout.  “So if anyone’s talking about some sort of cash bailout, we don’t need that.  “The media does need to be able to survive commercially. There are ways that we can do that.”  Gower said there are issues that both Governments, current and former, have not addressed that could have helped the media.  “There are massive structural problems out there that I just don’t think the Government’s got their head around.  “Paying these Kordia fees, television companies, paying fees to another government organisation for something that we don’t really need anymore is just plain nuts.  “It is crazy, that is literally jobs going out the door every time they pay those fees.”  Gower confirmed his show Paddy Gower Has Issues was not funded by NZ on Air, so wouldn’t be funded by TV3′s new model.  “There’s got to be other ways to do television programmes ... we’ve got to find commercially successful ways of doing this stuff. Stuff where things get paid for by viewers again. We’ve got to find a way back to that.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking beyond the finish line: Dame Lisa Carrington discusses her success, writing endeavours  Arguably New Zealand’s greatest ever Olympian, Dame Lisa Carrington is the best in the canoe sprint game.  She’s brought home a staggering total of nine medals across four Olympic Games, eight of them gold, and one bronze, dominating the water.  Despite her massive success, Carrington doesn’t believe this is the best she’s capable of, telling Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that you have to be able to look beyond the finish line or gold medal and set yourself other goals.  “If I thought that winning a gold medal was my best, I would’ve stopped in London. I would’ve stopped after Rio, I would’ve stopped after Tokyo.”  Carrington has been competing for over a decade now, but it’s taken her up until this year’s Games to have 100% joy and satisfaction in racing.  “I think a lot of the time I’ve raced in the past, and it’s been out of just needing to win, just because that’s the expectation on me,” she told Hosking.  “But for Paris, I’ve managed to get to a place where I was like, you know what, I’m just gonna do my best.”  And doing her best panned out, with Carrington netting a total of three gold medals in the 2024 Games.  Photo / Jason Oxenham There comes a point in every successful athlete's career where the question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next?   Carrington is currently at the top of her game and has no plans on stopping here, but when it comes to the next steps, she’s unsure whether she wants to leave while on top or not.   “Being in the position I am, you know, being the fastest I’ve ever been, strongest, whatever, it is hard to think ‘Oh maybe I’ll stop now,’” Carrington said.  “Because well, what else is there?”   Every competition is different, each Olympic Games different again from the last, and when it comes to the next steps, Carrington thinks it would need to be a different challenge once more.  And when it comes to new and different challenges, Carrington has fulfilled a goal she’s had since Tokyo: writing a children's book.  Lisa Carrington Chases a Champion is aimed at 4-9 year olds, and details the journey of eight year old Lisa having a goal, the journey of achieving it, and the challenges along the way.  “There's so many little messages in there from, you know, about... a little bit about discipline or having a plan, but also that, you know, there are challenges, and you have to keep turning up.”  It’s the first of what Carrington hopes to be a series, with her leaving the ending open for another journey.  “Too many lessons to learn and relearn.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking once more to Wrap the Week that was.  They talked Mike’s ventures in wood and metalwork in school, the Repair Shop, and Tim regaled listeners with an expert piano performance.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"An insane blessing": Luke Combs on his country music stardom, chances of a NZ tour  Luke Combs is a country music megastar.  The 34-year-old is one of the biggest names in the world right now, consistently battling it out against Morgan Wallen for the number one spot.   He’s broken records, gone platinum, and earned a range of awards, including three Grammy nominations.   It all started when he dropped out of college to pursue his musical career, moving to Nashville and making it big.  Combs told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that he got really lucky in having his career take off the way it did.  “Yes, I worked really hard at it, but there’s a ton of luck involved as well,” he said.  “I don't know how it never dawned on me until, until I picked the guitar up. Like, man, I could really, you know, maybe there's a chance that this could be what my life is, is gonna be.”  While he doesn’t take his success for granted, fame was never quite what Combs was after.  “I never put any pressure on myself to be a certain way or achieve certain things,” he told Hosking.  “Anything beyond just being able to be happy and have a good life was always more than I had ever asked for.”   “To have ended up here is an insane blessing.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I never stop": Jerry Seinfeld discusses NZ tour, comedy career  One of the most iconic names in comedy, Jerry Seinfeld is no stranger to audiences.  He’s been performing since the late 1970’s, creating and starring in the semi-fictionalised sitcom of his own life —Seinfeld— which became the most watched sitcom in American television by its third season.  Seinfeld is returning to New Zealand, bringing his comedy tour to kiwi stages, and while for most tours are sporadic the comedian revealed that he’s always on the road.  “I’m always touring,” he told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking.  “I never stop.”  He compared it to muscle memory, saying that stopping would have him lose the sharpness of his comedy.  “You can do this because if you stop and think about it too much, it doesn’t look possible. How could I walk out there onto that stage and not come back for an hour?”  Despite his status as a comic legend, Seinfeld doesn’t view himself the same way, revealing that most comedians are driven by doubt.  “It is a tricky, a little balance beam to do your dance on.”  Unlike many other comedians Seinfeld’s show doesn’t have a name, and he told Hosking that that’s for the younger people.  “I did a sitcom so I don’t have to do that,” he said.  “I hope you like it, but if you don’t, that’s fine too.”  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking might just be David Walliams’ biggest fan — and he couldn’t believe it when the comedian surprised him in the studio this morning.  Walliams, who is in Auckland for his An Audience with David Walliams tour, sneaked into the Newstalk ZB studio on Friday before his first show, catching Hosking unawares while singing (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing.  When he spotted Walliams, the broadcaster was gobsmacked. “No fricking way, how exciting is that! This is magnificent.”  “Hello mate, I’ve missed you. I worry about you in those tight jeans, a man of your age,” Walliams joked.  Walliams met Hosking and his wife, Kate Hawkesby, in London last year, joking with the radio host, “I remember Kate, but not you ... still married?”  He revealed the surprise had been in the works for some time “because you have a really huge crush on me, and it would be exciting for you”.  “Yes, I do,” Hosking confirmed.  When asked how the tour was going so far, Walliams said his shows in Australia had been “fantastic”.  “I’ve been so popular in Auckland that we added this show tonight,” he said.  David Walliams paid a surprise visit to the Newstalk ZB studio. Photo / Michael Craig “I’ve got my funny stories that I’ve thought about what they are and I’m telling them ... but at the same time, the audiences have been so great in Australia, and I’m sure they’ll be even better in New Zealand, they sort of give you permission to kind of push it further and further and just be spontaneous,” the comedian told Hosking.  “It’s really restored my faith in performing comedy. Like, oh yeah, when we all get together in a room, what we really want is a laugh and it’s spontaneous, I’ve been saying some pretty rude things.”  Hosking confessed spontaneity was Hawkesby’s worry because she didn’t want to be embarrassed from their front-row seats.  Walliams jokingly replied that shouldn’t be an issue for the radio host. “You look like the kind of man that’d like attention.”  “No, I don’t want to be part of it, I just want to enjoy your talent,” Hosking responded.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been forced to wear a Highlanders jersey this morning after the team beat the Crusaders on the weekend.  Luxon —a die-hard Crusaders fan— had a bet with Newstalk ZB producer Sam Carran over the outcome of Saturday’s game.  He was a good sport at the NZME offices this morning, laughing as he donned the jersey - but he told ZB’s Mike Hosking to expect a “shocking interview”.  He said Carran was “the nicest man in the country” on the outside but inside was “Machiavellian”.  Luxon said he had warned Carran he was a size XL but the producer had given him an XS jersey.  Luxon last week maintained the Crusaders would turn around their losing form against the Highlanders, but it wasn’t to be.  Waitangi Tribunal appeal  Luxon told Hosking the Government is still considering whether to appeal the Court of Appeal’s judgement, which sided with the Waitangi Tribunal over its summons of Children’s Minister Karen Chhour.  ”We only got the judgement yesterday. So it’s a pretty big judgement and we need to work our way through it, and then take advice on whether we will appeal it and what we’ll do next.  ”The key issue was that “we don’t believe section 7AA is the right thing. We think the primacy of a child is important over above their cultural needs”.  Some of the information the Waitangi Tribunal had asked for was from Cabinet discussions, which was “frustrating”, he said.  The Government was trying to act in the spirit of “probity” - “making sure that the different branches of government are respectful of each other”.  Fast Tracking  Regarding Monday’s announcement about new the regional roading programme, Luxon said the Government was “very up for bringing in private capital” for public-private partnerships.  The Fast-Track consenting process would be critical for many of the projects, and the planned National Infrastructure Agency would deal with financing and funding - working out whether private, domestic or international capital was most appropriate for each project.  New Zealand also needed to become more attractive for foreign capital, Luxon said - adding that NZ was ranked second-least attractive in the OECD in that respect, just ahead of Mexico.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon’s made the right call not going to Waitangi next year.  He's probably going to cop it from the press gallery for being a wuss but most of us have been around long enough to see the logic in this.  We know by now that Waitangi is volatile and unpredictable at the best of times. You can cop a dildo in the face for doing nothing.  So imagine how intense it will be next year with the Treaty Principles bill debate in full swing and the select committee progress already underway.  Already Willie Jackson has warned the Prime Minister about his safety if he goes up there because apparently Māori are angry.  And as Willie Jackson says, "you just never know".  It’s hardly as if Luxon is being made to feel welcome.  He’s apparently been told he’s allowed to come on the 6th but not on the 4th because he’s not welcome at the big meeting the National Iwi Chairs Forum hosts every year.  He’s had a letter from the hikoi organisers telling him he’s not welcome at Waitangi at all.  Luxon loses nothing by giving it a miss. I doubt very much he’ll win votes by going.  But he could actually lose votes by going and standing there like a piñata, taking a verbal bashing over a bill that’s actually not his.  He’s better off leaving the defending to the guy who’s actually responsible for the bill, David Seymour, who says he is going.  So Luxon I think can say he’s done enough, he's been there two years in a row already, he’s shown respect and defended his corner and he’s not being made to feel welcome.  He’s been threatened.  Right-minded people will absolutely, I think, understand why he may not want to go and why he frankly shouldn't. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s an expectation that weakness in the last economic quarter is behind the country's slump.  Stats NZ reports gross domestic product dropped 1% in the September quarter.   We're now in our deepest recession since the Covid-driven slump of 2020.   Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the grind the country has been experiencing throughout the year is now showing up a bit more fully than in the last GDP numbers.  He says one thing that stood out was the recognition of the cutbacks in the public sector, which weren’t being fully captured in the figures from three months ago.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 20th of December, the terrible economic news continues to get worse with the significant GDP drop and New Zealand is officially back in a recession.   Liam Lawson has finally been given the Red Bull seat the F1 world knew was already his, so commentator and former McLaren race team member Bob McMurray joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to share his thoughts.  Trish Sherson and Tim Wilson joined Heather to Wrap the Year in the final segment of 2024.  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.

With Christmas just around the corner, Trish Sherson and Tim Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Year.   They discussed Liam Lawson, drinking, and revealed their politicians of the year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Red Bull have given Liam Lawson his Formula 1 wings.  Lawson will take the Red Bull team's second seat for 2025 following the departure of Sergio Perez.  The Kiwi driver has raced 11 times across the previous two seasons as an emergency or mid-season replacement.  F1 Commentator Bob McMurray told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the task in front of Lawson is massive.  He says he’ll be expected to match —or better— a four-time world champion in a team he’s moulded around himself. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashburton's incoming second bridge is being viewed as an economic lifeline for the South Island.  Work on the project will begin in 2026.  The Government will pay for its construction while the district council will foot the bill for the joining road.  Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson says the current bridge has been washed away multiple times.  She told Heather du Plessis-Allan that significant volumes of freight pass through Ashburton daily.  Watson says it goes up to the Christchurch Airport and Lyttelton Port, so a bridge closure makes things difficult for businesses.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A potential US government shutdown is on the cards as Donald Trump calls on Republican lawmakers to reject a cross-party funding bill.   The incoming president's urging Congress to scrap the deal and pass a streamlined bill.  His intervention follows heavy criticism of the bill by tech billionaire Elon Musk.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan the deadline for an agreement is tomorrow night.  He says so far they won't have the bi-partisan vote numbers by that time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's uncertainty if the Reserve Bank will change tack following the revelation of New Zealand's deep recession.  Stats NZ figures out yesterday show GDP fell 1% in the three months to September.  It’s also revised the preceding quarter down to 1.1% contraction.  Former Reserve Bank Economist Michael Reddell says it did achieve its goal of bringing inflation under control.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan he doubts they'll ramp up the size of OCR cuts next year in response to the recession.  Reddell says it's more likely they'll go ahead with a 50 basis point cut, then tail them off next year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand's falling behind in its target to lift childhood vaccination rates.  The agency's quarterly performance report to the end of September shows immunisation rates for children at 24 months has fallen.  There was also a reduction in the number of people being seen in less than four months by a specialist.  Stays in emergency departments are shorter as more newborns are enrolled with GPs.  Chief executive Margie Apa told Heather du Plessis-Allan they're keeping a close eye on declining vaccination rates.  She says they've learned through covid it can be really helpful to get trusted people in the community.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A proposed law change will prohibit universities from adopting positions on issues that aren't related to their core role and functions.   They'll be required to actively promote an environment where ideas can be challenged, controversial issues discussed, and diverse opinions expressed.   Universities will have to adopt a statement on freedom of speech and report annually on it.   Former Victoria University dean and NZ Initiative senior fellow Michael Johnston told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's not a silver bullet to solve the culture problem at universities, but is necessary.   He says problems on campuses are in part a result of a political bias pretty strongly to the left.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most surprising things about that judge allegedly yelling at Winston Peters in the Northern Club is that she is still in her job.  I want to be clear; I don’t want her to lose her job over this, and I don’t even want to be seen to be calling for her head.  I’m just pointing out that she should lose her job.  Because what happened was actually quite serious. We are talking about a judge yelling, not denied, at the deputy Prime Minister, the second most senior politician in the country.  She also accused him, again not denied, of lying in front of a room of people.  Now, you flip that around and imagine it’s a senior minister doing the same, yelling at very senior judges and saying they’re lying in front of a room full of people.  Tell me, does that minister keep their job?  No way. They go.  There’s no way that would be tolerated because no Government would want to be seen to tolerate that kind of behaviour, and it’s got to be the same for the judiciary. They cannot be seen to tolerate verbal attacks on ministers of Government.  Particularly right now. Maybe a few years ago it wouldn't have mattered quite as much.  But right now, there is actually considerable tension between the judiciary and the Government to the point it's actually boiling over at times.  We’ve got courts and lawyers taking cracks at Parliament and that Parliament passing multiple laws to reign in judges.  We’ve got accusations of the Waitangi Tribunal overreaching, Shane Jones making comments about so-called "activist judges" and there is a real concern that comity, which is the mutual respect between the two, is breaking down.  This is so fundamental to a democracy likes ours working.  It is so bad for the judiciary to be perceived to be this hostile towards the current Government.  I can’t see how Ema Aitken keeps her job. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Kiwis will know the name Mark Hadlow.  The NZ Order of Merit recipient is best known internationally for his roles in King Kong and the Hobbit, but he has his fingers in many pies.  In 2017, Hadlow had a one man show called MAMIL (Middle Aged Man in Lycra), exploring the male midlife crisis and the way many of them turn to road cycling.  The show received rave reviews, touring the country for eight years.   Seven years on, Hadlow has created a sequel – GOMIL, standing for Grumpy Old Man in Lycra, premiering in Christchurch in early 2025.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it was great being back in the saddle – literally.   “The show opens with a big sequence, so it’s really interesting getting back on the Pinarello again,” he said.  “Oh goodness me, that was fun.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As always, there are winners and losers in High Performance Sport’s latest funding round.  In the lead up to the LA Olympics in 2028, the organisation has allocated $163 million to 36 different sports.  Rowing, yachting, athletics, cycling, and canoeing all got a funding boost, while sports like hockey, equestrian, and men’s sevens are worse off.  Director Steve Tew says past performance was key when making the decision.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan they really need to hone in on the sports, athletes, and teams that are tracking towards a top eight or podium in LA.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 19th of December, Heather du Plessis-Allan asks just how bad is our Q3 GDP will be, and whether we’ll slip back into a technical recession?  High Performance Sport NZ has decided who they're dishing out the funding to – so who are the winners and losers?  Kiwi actor and NZ Order of Merit recipient Mark Hadlow is bringing back his stage show 'Middle Aged Man in Lycra', by doing a sequel - ‘Grumpy Old Man in Lycra’.  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.

An economist says the third quarter was tough in pretty much every sector, for the New Zealand economy.  The major banks are all predicting between 0.2% to 0.4% contraction when Stats NZ releases the GDP data for the third quarter just before 11am today.  It'll likely mean our third technical recession in two years.  ASB's Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Heather du Plessis-Allan the agriculture and forestry sector were essentially the only positive performers.  He says construction, retail, and manufacturing all felt the pressure, with electricity struggles also taking place during this quarter.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s uncertainty around whether a large gas supplier staying in New Zealand will benefit the sector in the long run.  One of New Zealand's largest gas suppliers, OMV, will stay in the country.  Its executive board's decided not to sell 100% of its shares.  Enerlytica Director John Kidd told Heather du Plessis-Allan the sector needs continual re-investment.  He says the real question is if they keep investing, given they tried not to be the owner of the assets.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is defending its budgeting for the torture redress of Lake Alice survivors.  It's set aside more than $22 million for eligible survivors who were tortured at the psychiatric hospital in the 1970s.  They'll be able to choose between a one-off $150 thousand payment or apply for independently assessed redress.  Lead coordination minister Erica Stanford told Heather du Plessis-Allan it was a hard call to settle on $150 thousand.  She says there's no precedent for this situation anywhere in the world – other countries have paid out for torture in very different circumstance and the victims were adults.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 17-year old female student is the suspect in a school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin.  One teacher and a teen student have died, and six people were injured at the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.  Police say the suspect was found dead.  CNN reports this is the US's 83rd school shooting this year, overtaking last year's record 82.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan that evidence suggests the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.   He says the family is said to be cooperating, and the girl left behind a note.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We knew the Government books were going to be bad, but not this bad.  No way we’re getting to the surplus we expected in 2028. That is now so far away it’s not even in Treasury’s forecast period anymore.  It’s some time, who knows when, in the 2030's.  We’ll have to borrow another $20b in debt to tide us over for the next four years. That’ll push our interest payments over $10b every year.  So we’ll be spending more on our debt interest than we spend on Defence, Corrections, Police, and Customs combined.  Now, this is not the current Government's fault. This is a recession caused by Adrian Orr and the Reserve Bank to deal with Labour’s overspending.  But National are not doing what they need to.  They need to be cutting way harder than they are.  There is a measure we use to look at how much the Government is adding to, or reducing from, economic growth.  It’s called public consumption.  They were supposed to cut that by 1.4% this year. They cut it by 0.2%.  That’s basically no cut.  Next year it's supposed to cut by 2.2%. Now, it's by another 0.2%, which is to say they’re actually not cutting much at all.  We still pay the wages of 14,000 more public servants than we did in 2018. They’ve only cut one public agency, which is the Productivity Commission.  Nicola Willis spent more in her last budget than Grant Robertson ever did.  National keeps saying they can’t cut more because they don’t want austerity, but we are so far from austerity it’s not funny.  We are spending more and hiring more public servants than five years ago.  The trouble with that is we’re in a recession, which we weren’t five years ago.  National needs to treat this like the economic trainwreck it is and cut their cloth accordingly.  They might not be responsible for the mess we’re in, but they are responsible for fixing it and so far, they’re really not fixing it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 18th of December, the Government books are in a shocking state, so Heather du Plessis-Allan asked Nicola Willis how much is on the last Government, and how much is on her.  Did you hear the one about the judge, the doctor, and NZ First at the Northern Club? Trust us, it's a doozy.  For the final time this year Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk the books, political scandals, and what they're getting each other for Christmas 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.

Businesses hope to employ more migrants after changes to work visas.   The Government's updating the Accredited Employer Work Visa in March, removing the median wage threshold and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower skill roles.   They'll also reduce the minimum threshold for how many domestic workers must be employed.  BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s a step in the right direction.  She says there are a lot of areas where businesses can’t get the skills and experience they need, and the changes Stanford is making will be react welcomed.  Rich says the median wage threshold was too high, and wound up being an artificial proxy for skill and experience.  She says in some cases it resulted in offshore applicants being paid more than their Kiwi counterparts, creating a bit of friction.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's suggested the Government's dealing with an economic hangover.  The half year economic and fiscal update, opening the Government's books, signals a surplus is further away than previously thought.  Politicians are clashing on what the numbers signal.  Speaking to Heather du Plessis-Allan, Labour's Ginny Andersen's accusing the Government of austerity, as public sector jobs have faced the chop.  She says that hits our local bars, restaurants, and businesses and slows the economy.  National party Minister Mark Mitchell told du Plessis-Allan Kiwis dodged a bullet when changing the Government and they inherited an awful economy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission has issued a draft decision to reduce fees for businesses accepting card payments.  It's proposing an estimated reduction of around $260 million a year where costs are handed down from banks to process payments.  The commission revealed in July that businesses incur $1 billion in fees to provide card payments.  Chair Dr John Small told Heather du Plessis-Allan a few will be annoyed by it, but it's important they strike a balance.  He says they've consulted widely on it and believe they're at a point where they can simplify these rates and bring them down.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A promise the Government's eyeing-up growth as the light at the end of the economic tunnel.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis is vowing to keep cutting what she sees as wasteful spending.  The half year economic and fiscal update suggests books will remain in the red for longer than predicted.  Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's going to be challenging, and the Government's making significant trade-offs.  She says we're looking to a path of growth with inflation under control and interest rates dropping.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a view growth is coming, despite a grim outlook for the New Zealand economy.  The half year economic and fiscal update shows a surplus is not expected until at least 2029.  Cost savings which have led to job cuts and re-prioritisation in the public sector this year are set to continue.   Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale told Heather du Plessis-Allan there are green shoots of economic activity.  He says unemployment's not as bad as it was, and wages are growing, both of which will help with our growth.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s hopes a review into early childhood education will better clarify regulation for the sector.  It's made 15 recommendations to simplify and modernise regulation, to help better provide safe, high-quality care and education.  Regulation Minister David Seymour says one major issue is the overlapping of multiple agencies on the same matters.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan the plan is to have one regulator and one rule, so providers can get on with educating.  Seymour says how that plays out is for next year, but it's clear they needed to identify what needs to happen.  The ACT Leader is also suggesting the Government's cuts should be more significant.  The half year economic and fiscal update shows the Government's books are in a worse state than expected in May's Budget.  A surplus is not expected for a number of years.  Seymour told du Plessis-Allan there's a natural tension, as the Prime Minister wants to avoid what he sees as austerity.  He says he'd like to go faster, but believes the current Government's better than the alternative.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Andrew seems to be standing on increasingly thin ice.  The UK has upheld a ban of an alleged Chinese spy who formed an "unusual degree of trust" with Prince Andrew.  The British Home Office banned the man on national security grounds in March 2023, believing the relationship could be used for political interference.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he keeps getting himself into trouble.  He thinks it's inevitable that King Charles will cut his brother out of royal proceedings altogether.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even people who think councils do a fantastic job must by now understand why the Government is going to have to pass law to get councils to focus on doing their jobs.  It has been clear to councils for about four months now that the Government wanted them to drop the distractions and just do their work.  Yet, councils just can’t help themselves.  Even last week Tauranga City Council voted to install unelected Māori representatives on the council, who will not improve ratepayers lives at all but will cost them money.  Hastings Council did the same thing three months ago with the youth councillors. No extra benefit for ratepayers, but extra cost.  Wellington City Council is today going to debate whether they should submit their feels to the Government on the Treaty Principles Bill.  That's not their job.  A bunch of other councils have done that too.  These guys up and down the country show no sign that they understand they are supposed to be cutting out unnecessary spending and focusing their minds on doing their actual jobs.  So it’s come to this – the Government announcing yesterday it will pass legalisation to force them to do their jobs.  The four wellbeing pillars that task councils with looking after economic wellbeing, social wellbeing, cultural wellbeing, and environmental wellbeing will be scrapped.  That was a bad idea from the last Labour Government anyway, which was so broad and meaningless it gave councils an excuse to expand their meddling into pretty much anything, because everything is a wellbeing.  Councils will be forced to report clearly and simply, and publicly, on what they’re spending money on and what they’re charging ratepayers.  Hopefully getting out the big stick will mean the excuses are cut, distractions are dropped, and these guys focus their minds on doing more work for less cost to ratepayers.  Because hoping they get the message and do it voluntarily hasn’t worked. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hospitality sector is optimistic about the coming season.  On average, restaurant revenue was down 6% in the second quarter, improving markedly in quarter 3 to only 1%.  Although Christmas started late, trading has picked up lately.   Chef Josh Emett told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they had although September and October were down, they had a really positive August and the last six weeks have been really solid.  He says they’re hoping for one of those lovely, bumper summers with no cyclones.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 17th of December, the Government are reining in local councils, telling them to get back to basics and stop wasting taxpayer's money.    It's the Prime Minister's final interview for the year on Breakfast and Heather du Plessis-Allan has some questions for him to answer about the ferries and the Government books.  Celebrity chef Josh Emett talks how the hospitality industry is faring, and what their hopes for the summer.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's defending the Government effectively delaying a Cook Strait ferry decision.  Christopher Luxon appears to have let slip the Government's signed off two rail-compatible ferries, unless a better proposal is on the table within the next few months.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan the ferries need to be replaced in 2029, meaning the procurement decision doesn't need to be made by the end of March.  Luxon says they have a proposal for two rail-compatible ferries as a default.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a bleak outlook for domestic wine production, with a two-decade low forecast.  Estimates suggest New Zealand's output will be down 21% this year.  Director-General of International Organisation of Vine and Wine, John Barker says it's largely due to frost damage in Marlborough.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan other climate issues contributed to a low wine output from the Southern Hemisphere.  Barker says the Northern Hemisphere will be likely worse because of a small harvest from France.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mayor doubts removing wellbeing measures from the Local Government Act will change much.   The Government's removing references to social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being in a push to get councils to focus on core services.   Council performance will be benchmarked and a yearly report published.   Local Government New Zealand Vice President Campbell Barry told Heather du Plessis Allan the four wellbeing pillars have come and gone two or three times in 14 years.   He says exercises like benchmarking and looking at how they can be more transparent makes more sense, and will make a tangible difference.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's an expectation the Government's surplus will be pushed back a year or so.  The state of the Government's books will be unveiled today, as Treasury release its half yearly economic and fiscal update early this afternoon.  May's budget laid out expectations for further cost savings across government departments across years to come.  Former Treasury Director Bryce Wilkinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's looking for signs of cutting 'wasteful' public spending.  He says slow productivity growth is not helping income grow.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a concern many people may not fully understand the risk of recreationally using pharmaceuticals.  The 2024 New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey of more than 10,000 people shows more than a quarter of respondents use the drugs for non-medical reasons.  It's also found a quarter of recent psychedelics users did so for therapeutic purposes.  Author Chris Wilkins told Heather du Plessis-Allan many people believe, just because the drugs are pharmaceutical, it means there's a lower risk.  He says many are similar to illegal drugs and are particularly more risky if mixed.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At this time of year it’s traditional for political commentators to pick their politician of the year. And interestingly, the NZ Herald this past weekend went for Simeon Brown. Now, I think Simeon’s right up there. There’s a reason he’s called Golden Balls. But I don’t think he’s the one. I think that honour has got to go to Erica Stanford and it’s not even a competition as far as I’m concerned. No disrespect to Simeon Brown, because he is fixing up a bunch of stuff that needs fixing up like speed limits, potholes, Wellington City Council, speed bumps, Transpower etc. And he’s done it without causing days of drama. He’s decisive and rarely makes mistakes. You get the impression he’s absolutely not taking BS from public officials behind the scenes. But that's all regular running-a-Government stuff. Erica Stanford though, has done something pretty special - she banned phones in schools. Now, I have a feeling this is going to sound silly to some people as my reason for picking her as the politician of the year. But that will only be if you don’t realise how distracting and addictive those phones were being in school time and how much they were hurting kids’ grades and social skills and ability to just be kids, like we were. Remember how we ridiculed her when she did it? Now, you find me a teacher who doesn’t think it’s a wild success. This is so important that international experts who study the impact of phones on kids say this is one of about four things we must do to help kids out, and she’s done it. She didn’t have to be begged. She didn’t have to be cajoled. She just did it. Watch the impact it will have on a generation of kids. As far as I’m concerned, no politician has made a call this significant for a group this important, all year. So never mind any of the other stuff she’s done, like the State Abuse Inquiry, for the phone ban alone she’s the MVP of 2024. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The five remaining members of the Australian“Bali Nine” drug ring have returned home after 19 years in jail in Indonesia, the Australian Government said Sunday. Indonesian police arrested the nine Australians in 2005, convicting them of attempting to smuggle more than 8kg of heroin off the holiday island of Bali. In a case that drew global attention to Indonesia’s unforgiving drug laws, two of the gang would eventually be executed by firing squad, while others served hefty prison sentences. “The Australian Government can confirm that Australian citizens, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj have returned to Australia,” Canberra said in a statement. “The men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.” Accused ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in 2015 despite repeated pleas from the Australian Government. Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died of cancer in 2018, months before Renae Lawrence was released after her sentence was commuted. Australia’s Government expressed “deep appreciation” for the Indonesian Government’s co-operation to let the remaining men return on humanitarian grounds. It did not give further details on the agreement, including whether they would need to continue to serve their sentences following their return home. Heroin-lined suitcase The Government said it had consistently advocated for the men and provided consular support to them and their families during their incarceration. It asked the media to respect their privacy. Muslim-majority Indonesia has some of the world’s toughest drug laws, including the death penalty for traffickers. It is not uncommon for foreigners to be arrested for drug offences in Bali, which attracts millions of visitors to its palm-fringed beaches every year. The release of the Australians follows weeks of speculation that a deal for their return was in the works. In November, a senior Indonesian minister said Jakarta aimed to return prisoners from Australia, France and the Philippines by the end of this year. Earlier this month, Indonesia signed an agreement with the Philippines for the return of mother-of-two Mary Jane Veloso, who was arrested in 2010 after the suitcase she was carrying was found to be lined with 2.6kg of heroin. Her supporters claim she was duped by an international drug syndicate, and in 2015, she narrowly escaped execution after her suspected recruiter was arrested. - Agence France-Presse LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC has just named their first fan representative group, a council of eight people, linking supporters directly to management. It's an A-League-wide initiative with every club set to have one. The group will meet at least four times a year, with the chair meeting with the A-League's fan representative group from the 12 other clubs. Inaugural chairman Tim Adams joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Saville and Guy Heveldt joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss the Black Caps getting on top of England in the dead-rubber third test in Hamilton, Auckland FC’s losing their winning run after drawing 2-2 against Melbourne City, the delay on Liam Lawson’s F1 future, the NRL’s Papua New Guinea expansion and China, and everyone’s holiday plans. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Monday the 16th of December, the Minister for Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour has a plan to run it better, cheaper and more successfully. All our court judges perks have been revealed - business class travel, school uniforms for the kids, flying their partner out to wherever they are among others. In this time of needing to cut back are we all on board with this? For the last time of the year, Guy and Sav are in the commentary box talking the cricket, Auckland FC and holiday plans. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's drone-mania in the US, after many mysterious sightings in New Jersey and the East Coast over the last month. Associated Press reports there's been sightings in multiple states, including at a military research and manufacturing facility and at President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course. Homeland Security and the FBI both say there's no evidence the sightings pose a national security threat. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis Allan many local officials aren't convinced. He says the New York Governor's been calling for further investigations and rolling out drone detection technology. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grocery supplier costs to supermarkets have gone up again. In the year to November, prices rose 2.1 percent according to Infometrics and Foodstuff's monthly index. The report makes clear there's still some stubborn cost pressures in the system. Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.