The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A suggestion Police charge out their time when working large events. It comes from Maungakiekie MP Greg Fleming, who says officers have told him about the amount of time they spend policing events. He says the law change would only focus on large events and charge around one dollar per ticket on an hourly basis. Fleming told Heather du Plessis-Allan it'd be a big win for Police. “Number one, most importantly, it would keep our local bobbies actually on the front line. Secondly, it would allow off-duty officers to earn some overtime.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A retired district court judge is defending taxpayer-funded perks her former colleagues receive. The Post reports benefits for first appointments, or if a district court judge is required to move, include new carpets and curtains, and new school uniforms for children. They also get business-class flights, annual Koru membership and allowances for spouses while on work-related travel. Retired district court judge Rosemary Riddell told Heather du Plessis Allan it's reasonable. “Judges in many cases have to move from one end of the country to the other, so I don’t see anything unusual in that.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes further negotiations with India eventuate in a successful trade deal. New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay's travelling to India today – meeting with his Indian political counterpart and business leaders to boost relations between the countries. He's already visited a number of times in the past year. India New Zealand Business Council Chair Bharat Chawla told Heather du Plessis-Allan this is a positive direction. He says this is good momentum - and the minister's going again and again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new plan in the fight against family and sexual violence, looks at making sure spending is making a true change – and outcomes are measured. The Government's announced a second action plan as part of a 25-year national strategy. Focus areas include expanding prevention, strengthening workforces, cross-government agency collaboration and taking action on sexual violence. Minister for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour told Heather du Plessis Allan including a sexual violence focus is important. “Because that’s a scourge on our society that we don’t talk about often enough, that causes real harm and long-term issues for people in this country.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It looks like we were never really in with a chance to get a second team alongside the warriors in the NRL, were we?  Because it was always going to go to Papua New Guinea.  Because it wasn’t a rugby league decision in the end, it was a political decision.  It turns out, and they’ve been pretty explicit about it, that giving PNG the NRL team is to keep them out of military and security deals with China, and if they sign any deal like that, they lose the team.  That's why the Australian Government is giving them $600 million to fund the team.  This is obviously great for regional geopolitical manoeuvrings to cut China’s lunch but I very much doubt this is going to be good for the NRL.  Do you actually think this team’s going to be any good?  Who’s going to want to join a team based in Port Moresby, which has one of the highest crime rates in the world?  There's probably not a lot of players, which is probably why this team is getting a tax exemption, so players get to keep more of their pay packets to make it more attractive to join the team.  It’s also definitely why the team are building a gated compound for their players.  So are fans ever going to travel to PNG to watch games there?  Are they even going to bother watching this team’s games if they perform as expected? It remains to be seen, but you can probably hazard a guess.  So sure, smart political move to cut China’s lunch, but the NRL doesn't exist to cut China’s lunch.  It exists for the fans to enjoy.  And you can’t say this is great for the fans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 13th of December, Solicitor-General Una Jagose joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to talk the updated prosecution guidelines, and how she made the mistake in the first place.  Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche discussed his new working from home guidelines for civil servants.  Tim Wilson and Kerre Woodham Wrap the Week and discuss whether it's appropriate to give your kids' teachers a present for Christmas.  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 week has come to an end, so Tim Wilson and Kerre Woodham joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed the ferry announcement, mess in the studio, and whether it’s appropriate to give your kid's teacher a present for Christmas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sigh of relief for businesses at Auckland's Wynyard Quarter.   The footbridge between the Viaduct Harbour and Quarter has reopened to pedestrians this morning.   It had been closed for repairs since March.  The Conservatory owner Tricky Hartley told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's been an extremely tough nine months.  He says business has been down 60% since the bridge closed, making the tough winter period even tougher.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s hopes a major new review of ACC will take a long-term view.  ACC Minister Matt Doocey has ordered a six month review into the agency after it reported a $7.2 billion deficit and a drop in the rehabilitation rates.  Levies for earners and businesses are set to increase 5% each year for the next three years.  Lawyer and researcher Warren Forster told Heather du Plessis-Allan the scheme has been failing for years.  He says the Government needs to look at how ACC can better get people back into work.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Papua New Guinea will have an NRL team from 2028.  Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape have officially confirmed the expansion to media in Sydney.  They'll be the first-non-Australian-based club since the Auckland Warriors were established in 1995.  Although neither leader have divulged details of the discussion, a Pacific diplomatic source confirmed there’s a commitment from PNG to not enter into security or military arrangements with China.  Australian Sports Columnist Peter Fitzsimmons told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it’s a clever way to do it, as the level of enthusiasm people in Papua New Guinea have for NRL is like nothing he’s ever come across.  He says it’s a very interesting decision.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Commissioner says civil servants aren't banned from working from home, but more oversight is needed.  Sir Brian Roche has released new official guidance confirming working remotely is not an entitlement.  That's prompted legal action from the Public Service Association.  The Commissioner told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's important to have clear rules to stop public servants working from home by default.  He says flexibility is still a hallmark, but it is now by the approval of the employer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government wants people to be able to invest their KiwiSaver funds more in local businesses.  Most Kiwisaver funds are currently invested overseas markets.  Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly has announced plans to loosen the rules to allow for more investment in private assets, infrastructure projects, and environmental projects.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan it will unlock capital to support the local economy, and it won't be a free-for-all.  Bayly says the choice of assets would still be determined by the KiwiSaver provider.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.