The Mike Hosking Breakfast

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. Migration: 3/10 We are still leaving in record numbers. Young New Zealanders deciding this ain’t the place for them. It is a startling and ongoing indictment. Oil: 6/10 That’s a good thing too. Between the price and the dollar, it's trended in the right direction. Fill your boots. The NFL season: 8/10 Continues to get bigger globally every year. I'm obsessed with it. It is elite sport at its best. The IRD: 3/10 Taking our stuff and flicking it off to big tech without asking us is dumb and rude and needs stopping. Australian rules: 3/10 Governments pretending they can solve problems that haven't been solved anywhere is wasteful. If Australia successfully bans kids from social media I'll eat Rawiri Waititi's hat. Donald Trump: 2/10 He is his own worst enemy. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it possible one of the great mistakes of the modern era has been made around our cities? There are increasing areas of life in which the theory, the promise, or the dream is not only not coming to pass, but it's possible it never will The EV industry globally is in a major state of flux. Any number of large producers have not only promised to stop selling engines by 2030-ish, they’ve now realised that’s not real so have had to back track. But they've also realised that all the money they didn’t spend on the next generation of engines has been lost and they now have to fill the gap. Renewables are in a similar place. Larry Ellison this week told investors AI is so crazy when it comes to power consumption that they are building a data centre that will be run by three small nuclear reactors. The world largely doesn’t have such reactors right now and it certainly doesn’t have the renewable capability to run data centres. Then to downtown New Zealand. Reform of city centres was predicated on several theories; essentially, we wanted to save the planet while living like Europe. What we have ended up with is downtown Auckland, downtown Tauranga, and downtown Wellington all, if not destroyed, certainly in a state no one is proud of. As the bike lanes, bus lanes, and lack of parking has taken its toll, the businesses have closed, people have gone home to never come back, the malls have popped up in suburbia, and the CBD is shot to pieces. We weren't Europe, aren't Europe, and never will be Europe. Do we live in an age where the concept of the illusion, of what could be, is driven by the bandwagon of the day? Something the ideologues leap on board, with no real insight as to what might actually be required for it to come to pass? It's driven by good intention but appalling planning, urged on by NGO's and the like who need a buzz phrase or agenda to keep pushing to maintain relevance and, often, funding. People who want to be on the perceived right side of the hot new trend, and it all comes at a huge cost. These so-called downtown areas of tomorrow. Just when is tomorrow? When is Wellington going to be the pedestrian magnet, the cobbled hub? When does Auckland wear itself out with all the new outlets opening in Queen Street? When does Tauranga cut its umpteenth ribbon on the mecca that is the revitalised CBD, drawing fans from near and far? Or was it simply a good picture on a whiteboard that will never in fact happen? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time ever, civilians have stepped out into space. Billionaire Jared Isaacman and company crew trainer Sarah Gillis have achieved the first commercial spacewalk outside their SpaceX capsule while in orbit. The pair were testing new spacesuits, designed to be low-cost and easy-to-manufacture for future missions flying to the Moon or Mars. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that the mission is likely to have tallied into the hundreds of millions of dollars. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the end of the week and Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson have once again joined Mike Hosking to take a look back on the week that was. The first civilians have set foot in space, but they had to pay for the privilege. How much would you be prepared to pay for a private spacewalk? They also discussed their sporting exploits, the nine month cruise, and the Presidential Debate. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Amazon MGM Studios production is coming to Aotearoa, with Auckland announced as the primary shooting location for the star-studded project. The Wrecking Crew will be directed by award-winning film-maker Ángel Manuel Soto and feature an impressive cast including Aquaman’s Jason Momoa, Guardians of the Galaxy’s Dave Bautista, and New Zealand’s own Temuera Morrison and Frankie Adams. Philippa Mossman, Head of International Attraction and Marketing for the NZ Film Commission, told Mike Hosking the Commission does everything they can to incentivise filming in New Zealand. She said the productions offer significant benefits in the short periods of time they film, including the huge injection of foreign money into the country, region, or community, that’s spent on workers or businesses. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 13th of September, we had the health targets, now we've got the plan to achieve them. Health Minister Shane Reti rang in with the details. A world first study on vaping that debunks all those who say it's a good alternative and isn't targeted at young adults. Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson get asked how much money they'd be prepared to pay for a private spacewalk as they Wrap the Week. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If at first you don’t succeed, try again. A common sentiment, but particularly relevant for athletes, and one Hamish Kerr is familiar with. The Olympic high jump gold medallist told Mike Hosking that his first attempt at the Fosbury flop left him with a bloody nose, as he hit his nose against his knee on the way over. Kerr’s come a long way since that first jump, and now his goal is to leap 2.4 meters – four centimetres higher than his medal winning 2.36 meters. “For me it’s just about getting stronger and faster and that’s something we really worked on this year,” he told Hosking. “Probably the most we’ve done of that in my whole career, and that’s, that’s why I’ve done so well.” The world record is 2.45 meters, and if he continues the way he does, Kerr thinks the goal is within reach. “If I have another four years of that, then there’s no reason why I wouldn’t be getting better.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s concern youth vaping could be creating a new generation of smokers. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health research reveals Aussie teens who pick up vaping are five times more likely to start smoking. It found the link was strongest for those at the younger end of the age range, with 12-year-olds 29 times more likely. Co-Author Becky Freeman told Mike Hosking the focus has been on cessation for ex-smokers for too long. She says 14-year-olds aren't using vaping to quit smoking, they're using it because they're curious. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister says while they'd always like to spend more on health, the spending level is enough to deliver a high quality service. Dr Shane Reti has laid out his plans for delivering on health targets set in March. It includes more community infusion centres, more beds and operating theatres in public hospitals and greater use of private hospitals. Reti told Mike Hosking it also includes discharging patients seven days a week. He used the example of someone with an abscess who needs an intravenous push of antibiotics on a Saturday, if they're not in a facility that can discharge on a Saturday, they may wait until Monday. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we enter yet another round of the superannuation debate, I note it was led off last week by a group that wanted what they termed a “top up“, i.e. a pay rise for those who couldn’t save. You can see how fraught that concept is from the get go. Why couldn’t you save? You had 40 years. Actually, that’s another aspect of this whole mess that’s changed. Do you have 40 years? Or 50 years? People work longer so surely a chance to save more? Superannuation fits an almost unique category of topics that is so entrenched it won't change. It’s a futile exercise. A few bring it up, only to be beaten down by the time-honoured belief that, for whatever reason, if you get to 65 you are owed something by the state if you paid your taxes. Of course, your taxes have been well and truly spent. For most people, whatever you handed over is long gone and in that is one of the great sadnesses of the New Zealand economic story. We have very few net creditors, but a lot of net debtors. People who actually pay more to the system than take from it are rare indeed. When I started work in 1982, I took out a scheme whereby if you put a few dollars a week aside you would become a millionaire by the time you got to 60. I had completely forgotten about it, mainly because I stopped paying because I worked out it was bollocks. I was reminded the other night when a text came through from an old girlfriend who had, when we were together, taken out her own but had stuck with it. 40 years later she was to collect $106,000. Not quite a millionaire and not really a stunning return on investment. But what I had worked out all those years ago was the Government were not to be part of my retirement. Why would they be? Governments let you down. Governments change rules and have their own interests at heart, not yours. So I sorted myself. Am I lucky? Not really. Did I work hard? Yes. Do I care what the retirement age is? No. Do I care what the rules are? No. That’s the value of charting your own course and not being beholden to overlords. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briscoes' endless sales are continuing to pay off. The group, which also includes Rebel Sport, made a net profit of $33 million in the half year to July. Their success stems from their long-time merchandise proposition of getting famous brand names and putting them out at the right price, the group’s Managing Director says. Rod Duke told Mike Hosking that the proposition just seems to resonate with customers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 12th of September, did the Trump vs Harris debate move the needle? Marco Rubio's main man Matt Terrill gives us his thoughts. Mike has been trying to convince Kate to buy a house on Highlands in Cromwell. Turns out the owner wants him to buy it too! Buckle up - we fact check the 34+ false claims from the debate. Our favourite talk show host Graham Norton is back on the show to talk the new season and writing his fifth book. 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.

Graham Norton has been rather busy lately. When he’s not hosting his number one show, a new season of which will be airing shortly, he’s continuing his budding career as an author. His latest novel is called ‘Frankie’, a decades-sweeping story about love, bravery, and what it means to live a significant life. This novel required some research to ensure the accuracy of the world, which Norton wasn’t entirely sure he’d enjoy. “Would it be a bit like homework? And turns out, I did enjoy it,” he told Mike Hosking. “I think the key part was that I was writing about worlds that I was interested in.” “To do kind of the deep dive reading, I found it all fascinating.” Since the two last talked, Norton had quit working in radio, something he’d done for 13 years, focusing more on his writing. “To have my weekends back, I’m just seeing it as the evolution of Graham Norton not doing anything at the weekend,” he told Hosking. “Maybe there’s a bit of, I’m taking the books more seriously. I think I’m getting better.” ‘Frankie’ is Norton’s fifth novel, and the one he enjoyed writing the most, he revealed. The novel also seems to be landing with readers in a different way. “Some seem more enthused about this book than they have others.” “We’ll see what happens.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Chris Bishop says he is considering updating the guiding principles for transgender athletes participating in sports, after more than 50 Olympians and high-profile sports identities signed a letter challenging the Government to ban male advantage from women’s sports. The group, including gold medal winners Barbara Kendall and Joseph Sullivan, accuses Sport New Zealand’s guidelines of disregarding the rights of female athletes. It argues the guidelines allow males who identify as female to compete in women’s sports without any explanation or transition. They believe that accepting self-identification as the sole criterion for inclusion goes against scientific evidence and disrespects female athletes. Yesterday, Bishop was presented the letter by former Olympic cyclist Gary Anderson, professional ironman athlete Candice Riley, and Save Women’s Sport Australasia co-founder Ro Edge. “I think they make some fair points and we are considering updating the guidelines,” Bishop told the Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning. “The major point I think they make which I think has some merit to it is that the guidelines don’t say anything at the moment about fairness. “It’s a document-based, all-around inclusion, and that’s really important because we want everyone, no matter their gender or how they identify to be able to participate in community sport – that is really important. We’ve also got to get the balance right between making sure that people feel like they can participate but also that there’s fairness in the sports and safety for people participating as well. “I think the document could be updated to better reflect what I think the community expects from that so just having to think about that and once we’ve got a position on that, we’ll we’ll take it forward.” In June, the Herald revealed that following a comprehensive survey of 63 taxpayer-funded New Zealand national sports, 18 (29 per cent) of sporting codes have a transgender inclusion policy in place. Of those, 11 used Sport NZ’s guidance to develop their policy. Some 45 (71 per cent) organisations did not have a policy, but 21 of those were developing one. At the recreational level, boxing and Triathlon NZ have open categories in which anyone, including transgender people, can participate. Setting age and stage conditions for the inclusion of transgender people in the gender they identify with is another approach. NZ Rugby League has a policy that at age 13 and over participants must compete in the gender they are assigned at birth. Other sports such as netball require participants, at certain levels, to have either undertaken hormone therapy, testosterone levels below a stated level, or provide a document confirming their legal gender. Bishop emphasised the guidelines were simply that and weren’t mandatory. “Some sports are doing this quite well and are grappling with it. Others are sort of yet to kind of turn their mind to it, particularly comprehensively, and the guidelines will help in doing that,” he told Hosking. “They’re just, it’s meant to be just helpful guidance for sports to use as they navigate through this issue.” Asked whether Sport NZ shared Bishop’s views, the minister told Hosking it was a government department that reported to him and was required to give effect to government policy – if he asks them to update the guidelines, they will have to. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a win for the consumer, with gift cards being given a new lease on life. Parliament has passed a private member's bill —originally put forward by National's Melissa Lee— requiring gift cards to have a minimum expiry date of three years. Consumer NZ's Jessica Walker says one in four gift cardholders end up stuck with a card they can't use. She told Mike Hosking this change brings much need consistency and clarity. Walker says three to six month expiry dates is pretty much allowing the retailers to have money for nothing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A poor gas outlook is seen as the main suspect for further job losses in manufacturing. The country's largest gas user Methanex is proposing to move from two plants to one for the foreseeable future. It comes after Winstone pulp confirmed plans to shut two mills to more than 200 workers earlier this week. Former president and CEO of Methanex, Bruce Aitken told Mike Hosking we lack a long term, coherent energy strategy. He says if you want to build power stations or wind farms, they take many years in planning and construction. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister is today set to provide more detail about how his five targets for the health system will be achieved. Minister Shane Reti has been briefed by officials on how the targets might be manipulated and advised on potential mitigations. College of GPs Medical Director Luke Bradford told Mike Hosking that without the tools to make the targets achievable, people look at other options. He says one of the ways to manage waiting lists is just to accept fewer people onto them, which isn't the idea of the target. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a view that Kamala Harris needs to up the ante on issues like inflation and the economy to sway more voters. The Vice President and former President Donald Trump battled fiercely over the economy, abortion, and foreign policy in yesterday's debate. There's since been heavy consensus that Harris won the day. However, former chief of staff of Republican Marco Rubio, Matt Terrill told Mike Hosking Harris didn't accomplish what she needed to. He says the economy's the number one issue voters care about, and polling shows Trump increased favourability on it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The King and Queen will be packing in a lot during a trip down under next month as they head to Australia and Samoa. A New Zealand stop was cancelled on doctor's advice, following the King revealing his cancer diagnosis in February. Australian correspondent Kieran Gilbert told Mike Hosking many of the couple's appearances will reflect their personal interests. He says they will meet community leaders, volunteers, and pioneers in cancer research. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cock up that the Inland Revenue Department has engineered gives us a good insight into how the public service is run. They hand my information, and yours, over to Google and Facebook etc, and they do this so they can better tailor their advertising. Even at this point there are a couple of large red flags. Firstly, I would argue there is a patriotic duty for all Government funded agencies to at least pause and ask themselves, given the relationship with social media and the local media and ripping off of locally created content and making money from it, whether the Government should be throwing more money at them, while at the same time allegedly trying to cut some sort of revenue deal where the international players come to the table and actually pay for the content they are ripping off. Secondly, and more importantly, the info the IRD have has been gained by compulsion. We have no choice but to hand over our details to them. At what point did they gain the right to on sell them to another party, far less an international one? An international one that, as the record shows in multiple jurisdictions, has not a lot of interest in behaving in a way that doesn’t attract an outsized amount of attention to their ways of doing business. From America to Europe to Britain - how many times have these players been called before committees and tribunals and inquires to answer questions about their practices, records, business approach, revenue generation and general omnipresence in people's lives? IRD will tell you our details are safe and the names, ages and serial numbers are confidential. They have been 'hashed', I think the term is. That’s where they take letters and turn them into numbers and keys. But have they? Are they really? Now people, especially those on social media, give a lot of themselves away without often even realising it. But the IRD are different. We had no choice. We weren't asked. We didn’t give permission. That needs to be addressed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A relatively new player in the New Zealand power market has hit out at the Electricity Authority and Government amid the power crisis. Octopus Energy says that the closure of Winstone Pulp is a sign that urgent change is needed. They believe the Government’s decision to scrap the Lake Onslow reservoir project has discouraged electricity investment. COO Margaret Cooney told Mike Hosking it could have helped tackle the issue of competition in New Zealand's electricity market. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's scepticism around how Wellington City Council can support struggling businesses. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau is looking at how the council can help Golden Mile businesses. A number of sites in central Wellington have announced closures in recent weeks, many blaming transport changes, public sector cuts, and people working from home. Guardians of the Golden Mile Spokesperson Barry Wilson told Mike Hosking the city is in deep trouble, and small bits of help will do nothing. He says there's too much disruption, reckless spending, and road cones. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National’s Mark Mitchell and Labour’s Ginny Andersen are back with Mike Hosking to dig into some of the biggest political stories of the week thus far. Labour's Ōhāriu MP Greg O'Connor thinks Wellington’s Queens Wharf is a great place for a swim, would they risk it? Also on the agenda was the Ministry of Education’s viral TikTok, and the ever-continuing problem that is our power supply as two North Island mills close their doors. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11th of September, Winstone has shut its doors and power prices are to blame, they say. So what are the Government going to do? The debate that will be seen around the world is on today between Trump and Harris. Former special assistant to George W. Bush, Scott Jennings shares his thoughts. What is happening with the Ministry of Education TikTok page? They've posted an image of a dolphin to try and get kids back to school, so Mike had to get to the bottom of it. Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell try and spot Greg O'Connor in the Wellington harbour and talk power prices and Winstone 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.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will be in the same room for the first time today. The pair are going head-to-head in a widely anticipated debate, just under two months out from the election. Several polls show there's only a few points either way in many states. Former Special Adviser to George W Bush, Scott Jennings told Mike Hosking Harris will have pressure to explain how she's changed her position on some policies. He says how she handles those flip flops is going to tell us a lot about her political skill. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new mode of transport could see travellers moving above gridlock traffic. Whoosh is a mix between an Uber and urban gondola, able to travel at 50 kilometres an hour on cables. It's been quietly developed in Christchurch over the last five years and will be first rolled out in Queenstown next year. CEO Chris Allington told Mike Hosking it's a cost-effective infrastructure, as installing cables are around $5 million a kilometre. He says an urban road is about a $20 million per kilometre, while in Auckland, it costs more than $100 million. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's doubts a social media ban would prevent youth from accessing the online platforms. Australia is exploring a ban and has launched an authentication trial, but it's unknown how it will be enforced. Our Prime Minister has expressed interest in the idea. But Social media expert Katie Brown told Mike Hosking a ban wouldn't stop kids lying about their age, as generations have done before. She says young people will find a way to get on to the platforms they want to be on. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Jones says "structural change" to the energy sector is definitely on the agenda following the closure of two central North Island mills. Winstone Pulp has confirmed it’s closing its two mills near Ohakune, with 230 people set to lose their jobs. Jones says the Government can't control factors like global commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, and global shipping logistics. But the Regional Development and Associate Energy Minister told Mike Hosking the power of large "gentailers" needs to be broken up to make energy prices more competitive. He says the aluminium sector is looking towards importing, there's uncertainty for corn growers, and the country's biggest gas user Methanex has been facing issues. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes will be on Kamala Harris and Donald Trump as they come face to face for the first time this afternoon. The first —and possibly only debate— will be broadcast out of Philadelphia, the biggest city in the battleground swing state of Pennsylvania. US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the polls show there's only a few points either way in many states. He says it will be a crucial debate, with no live audience, no notes, microphones will be muted when it's not a candidate's turn to speak, and only mediators will ask questions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Princess of Wales has announced she's completed chemotherapy, calling it a relief. In a personal video released by Kensington Palace, Catherine says her focus is on staying cancer free, and she has a long path ahead to full recovery. She also says she'll undertake more public engagements in the coming months. UK correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking the video has gone down well. He says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has wished her all the best and is glad she's through her chemo, and all people would likely think the same. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There aren’t many people with their finger on the global pulse like CNN’s Richard Quest. The host of ‘Quest Means Business’, Richard Quest consistently at the top of the game when it comes to analysing the global economy, international business and tourism. New Zealand’s not the only country having issues in this sphere, and Quest joined Mike Hosking to give his insight into the seething geopolitical ocean. When it comes to the global economy in the wake of the 2020 Covid pandemic, Quest believes we’re just about fine. “Some countries will grow more than others, but you know, the fact that we have proven we can get rid of inflation?” In Quest’s opinion, the biggest concerns have to be the war in Ukraine, the expansion of the war in the Middle East, the conflict in the Taiwan Straits, and the conflicts with China. “Those have the serious potential to just completely, literally, blow us out of the water.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 10th of September, the Government wants to ban gang patches in private homes, can it work? Or is it something that police won't have the resources to deal with? The Prime Minister is back from South Korea and Malaysia and talks AUKUS, the health sector pushing back against the Government with race-based policies, and what we got out his trip. CNN anchor and host Richard Quest gives his expertise on the worldwide economy, the current state of the wars, and the tourism sector. 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 are calls for counselling services to be embedded across all primary schools as a pilot initiative shows clear gains. An Education Review Office report reveals 8 in 10 students report better mental health after receiving support from the Counselling in Schools programme. It also finds improvements to school attendance, behaviour and learning. Otago-based Mirror Services director Deb Fraser says the programme allows children to speak with someone who has the skills and knowledge to help them. She says support from the wider community and family is still important, but there are times where professional intervention is required. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon says his visit to Malaysia and South Korea last week was a success. The Prime Minister says it was an important chance to build connections with investors, like South Korean pension funds. He told Mike Hosking that in one of their five pension funds, who he spoke to, they have $2.5 billion dollars to invest. Luxon says they'd love to invest it in a four-lane highway from Auckland to Whangārei, but they didn't know about it. He also believes the public service is getting on board with what the Government's trying to do. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has stepped in to scrap a policy prioritising young Māori and Pasifika people for some healthcare services in Hawke's Bay. Luxon says he's not sure why they had this criteria, and says it's good to see Reti sorting it. He told Hosking the public service has had to adjust to a new Government, with targets, action plans, and reviews for ministers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Justice Minister's defending a gang patch ban in people's homes, planned to be rolled out to repeat offenders. A clause allowing courts to ban gang insignia in the homes of repeat offenders was added last month after submissions were made at the Select Committee stage. The bill's expected to pass this month. The law society says it's alarming it was introduced after the consultation process had ended. Paul Goldsmith told Mike Hosking there are escalating consequences for those convicted three times. He says we need to give police the tools to deal with a small section of society causing mayhem. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The troubled Treaty Principles Bill would appear to have virtually zero chance of survival. David Seymour says Cabinet discussed the Bill yesterday and made a few tweaks. Former Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson told Mike Hosking he thinks the bill will die a natural death. Asked whether it's possible Seymour could persuade people, he simply responded, "get a life". Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has repeated this morning National MPs won't support the bill past the first reading. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Saville and Guy Heveldt joined Mike Hosking to discuss the fanfare over Tasman Makos getting their mitts on the Ranfurly Shield, the AFL preliminary finals, the NFL getting back underway and the weekend’s Rugby Championship including the All Blacks’ 18-12 loss to the Springboks and Argentina thrashing Australia 67-27. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are gearing up for this weeks’ presidential debate. This will be the first time the pair have come face to face. US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking a CNN Poll of Polls finds a tight race with no clear leader ahead of the televised showdown. “In almost all of these places – Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Michigan, Arizona, Georgia – the margin’s about a point either way.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 9 September. 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.

Last year was the first time in 20 years that there were fewer cafes than the year before. If that isn't a reality check on the state of our economy, then nothing is. Yes, we are starting to see some light. There is some confidence here and an interest rate cut there. But the tail end, well I hope it’s the tail end, of what is likely three recessions in two years has taken a catastrophic chunk out of our economy. I read a piece on an international site over the weekend about the quote-unquote, "economic refugees who are fleeing New Zealand in record numbers". The most depressing stories about this country are the ones written by offshore operators. We only make the news for exceptional stuff; exceptionally good or, in this case, exceptionally bad. Let's do a piece on a basketcase. Who can we find? Good old New Zealand. Pandoro announced Friday they are closing in Wellington. They aren't the first obviously. There has been a growing business lately on stories about closing hospitality in the capital. The owner was interesting. It seems it’s a mix of Covid as people went home and not everyone came back, but also of cycleways and bus lanes killing traffic and road cones and construction closing roads and therefore access. Obviously, the economy is in there too. So the question then becomes, just how badly do you want to hobble your city's prospects? In Wellington they are laying them off left, right and centre as well. So a lot of people at home, a lot of people losing their jobs, a lot of places you can't get to and an economy going backwards. Good luck selling ciabatta. On the hospitality scene, a lot of people come and go, as they always have, just like construction. But when the names are a bit well known that always catches you a bit, doesn’t it? Smith & Caughey's, or in Wellington's case you've got Kirkcaldie & Stains and Pandoro, they're names that have been around, survived a lot and seen hard times. Yet this time they can't do it. What's that tell you about how badly this place has been wrecked? So badly, that we make international headlines for it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School students are back in Tauranga for the annual AIMS Games. More than 390 schools are set to take part, with nearly 13,000 athletes and 24,000 visitors expected. AIMS Games Tournament Director Kelly Schischka told Mike Hosking it's a good boost for local businesses. "Last year, estimated figures were just under 75,000 bed nights for the city over the course of the week, and $6.5 million bumped into the economy.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tough times have got even tougher for the All Blacks after Sunday’s 18-12 loss to the Springboks. It's officially back-to-back losses to the Boks in the Rugby Championship, and also four South African defeats on the trot. But the All Blacks can be hopeful of better times ahead – with the Wallabies up next, fresh off a 67-27 thrashing by Argentina. Former All Black lock Ian Jones joined Mike Hosking to dissect the defeat. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tax expert believes we need to have an honest discussion around key tax settings. Labour leader Chris Hipkins has opened up a debate around tax – suggesting all options are back on the party's table looking to the 2026 campaign – as the population grows older. Dentons Kensington Swan partner and tax expert Bruce Bernacchi told Mike Hosking this has been a political football for too long. “But in terms of things like means testing, entitlement ages and basic design settings – we need bipartisan support on that.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long Covid looks to be impacting more than just our health - but our wallets too. New research suggests the illness is costing the country $2 billion a year in lost productivity - not including health costs. The figure comes from analysis across the ditch suggesting it's likely costing Australia 0.5 percent of its GDP. Auckland University health economist Paula Lorgelly told Mike Hosking it reinforces the need to wear a mask and isolate to stop the spread. “Let’s try and avoid giving it to somebody and therefore lessening the chance of giving somebody what may be a lifelong debilitating illness.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police say a recent spate of homicides appear to be down to the usual issues of organised crime, gangs and family harm. Since the start of August, Police have launched 11 homicide investigations. One has since been deemed not a homicide and has been referred to the coroner. Police Assistant Commissioner for Auckland and Northland Sam Hoyle told Mike Hosking it's very rare someone is murdered by a complete stranger. “There’s relationships – whether they’re through organised crime, familial relationships, neighbours – it is almost unheard of where a complete stranger is killed in a New Zealand context.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bleak outlook for the meat export industry with jobs and plants likely to go from next year. Affco is predicting the loss of hundreds of meat processing jobs due to the country's shrinking livestock numbers. The industry's forecasting 1 million fewer lambs to be available for processing next season. Federated Farmers meat and wool industry group chair Toby Williams told Mike Hosking there's a couple of factors contributing to low lamb numbers. “There’s a slowdown in China who aren’t taking as much sheep meat as they were. We’ve also got Australia – Australia's slaughtering record numbers of lambs at the moment, so there’s just too much sheep meat in the world.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. Toast: 2/10 A sad example of how you lose the plot when you are down a rabbit hole. At $30b a year, health's problem is not cooked bread. So stop saying dumb things. The Grand Tour: 8/10 It's out this time next week. I've seen it - it's worth it. The All Blacks: 4/10 A ten-point lead should never be surrendered. The TMO: 1/10 If it's that inept, if it gets that in the way of a good game, then what's the point? Road funding: 7/10 Because we love roads. All roads, big roads, wide roads, roads that allow us to get places and go vroom-vroom. Spring: 8/10 How good? A warm winter and longer days now daylight saving is coming. Life is good. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The process isn't over, but the Hawke’s Bay District Council was the latest yesterday to confirm a decision they had made earlier to introduce a Māori seat to their operation. Under the new law passed by Wellington, if you had done that you need to either drop the seat at next year's local body elections or take it to a vote. They have voted to take it to a vote. A lot of councils have done the same thing. I think in totality this is a good thing. Having race-based seats is wrong. But at the very least you have to give your constituents a say, which has been the crime quite rightly identified and corrected by the Government. Part of the argument put forward in Hawke’s Bay, as I'm sure it has been in various council meetings, is Māori voices are under threat. Now, the trouble with that is it simply isn't true and never has been. In that misrepresentation of the facts is the beauty of democracy. Democracy is alive and well in this country. It's just sadly one of those things we take for granted. Part of the democratic process is anyone can stand, anyone can have their voices heard, and it's far from being under threat The fascinating bit now, once all the decisions on elections are made, is how many votes for seats will there be, and will anyone be able to get a majority to actually earn a seat? If every single vote votes 'no', what has that told us about the entire Māori seat exercise? Could it be in certain areas, maybe Northland, Gisborne and possibly Hawke’s Bay, that a campaign can be successfully run to get enough numbers over the line, and if that happens does that spur others on? Could it be that the democratic exercise of actually voting leads to a growth in the number of Māori seats? Imagine that. Success by election, growth by democracy and a voice heard and acted upon in a positive way. Surely the prospect of that potential is far more satisfying, and satisfactory legally, than the gerrymandered mess we have had up until now? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I have uncovered a scandal’ teases Newstalk ZB Mike Hosking, as he reveals a tale of sabotage allegedly involving his RNZ rivals. But RNZ says there has been a genuine misunderstanding. -- Minister of Tourism Matt Doocey tapped the numbers into his phone to speak to Newstalk ZB host Mike Hosking. A voice on the other end of the line answered. Doocey introduced himself, explaining he was calling for the pre-arranged interview with Hosking – the pair were scheduled to speak on Thursday morning about the proposed new levy on overseas visitors and tourism’s contribution to GDP. According to Hosking, the person on the other end of the line allegedly responded along the lines of that there was no longer an interview. The minister’s office confirmed this morning he was told by the person on the other end of the line that the interview was not happening. Tourism Minister Matt Doocey. Photo / Mark Mitchell According to Hosking – who was relaying the tale of events to his listeners this morning – Doocey thought that was unusual, hung up and carried on with his day. Meanwhile, Hosking’s producer at Newstalk ZB was wondering where the minister had got to and why he hadn’t called in, as had been arranged. It turns out, Doocey had been given the wrong number by his office – a staff member had mistakenly written down a studio number for RNZ instead of Newstalk ZB. You can see where this might be heading. “I have uncovered a scandal that involves the state broadcaster, Radio New Zealand ...! Something nefarious, underhand and possibly dastardly has been uncovered,” Hosking teased his listeners this morning. But RNZ has said it appears there has been “a genuine misunderstanding”. Hosking explained that after Doocey’s no-show over the phone, his producer chased the minister down. “Here’s a bit of insight into how the radio industry works. Matt Doocey was due to ring in, Matt Doocey is nowhere to be seen at about five minutes past seven,” said Hosking. “What’s happened to Matt Doocey? We start chasing him down. “It turns out the person in his office had written down the wrong number for him. “So obviously, [that’s] immediate incompetence that needs to be dealt with forthwith. Do the basics brilliantly, I thought was the National Party. It’s not.” Mike Hosking also interviewed Lisa Carringtion this week. Photo / Jason Oxenham Hosking’s team eventually tracked down the minister and conducted the interview. Off air, they were digging deeper – who did that phone number belong to? Yes, as it turned out, RNZ. “So Matt Doocey, minister of the crown rang up the state broadcaster as funded by you and I through our tax money and said ‘Matt Doocey reporting for the Mike Hosking Breakfast’,” said Hosking. “To which point they said, ‘You no longer have an interview with the Mike Hosking Breakfast.” But RNZ denies that specific response was used. An RNZ spokeswoman said: “Having spoken to the staff member who received the call, this appears to have been a genuine misunderstanding. “On receiving the call, they explained that we had interviewed the Minister the day before and there was no interview scheduled that morning. The staff member did not mention Newstalk or Mike Hosking.” Hosking had several questions on his show earlier. “One, do I secretly admire them for being so quickwitted that the first thing they do is instead of going, ‘Oh, you’ve probably got the wrong number’, or ‘Whoops, you’ve rung Radio New Zealand, sorry’, they say, ‘You no longer have an interview with Mike Hosking Breakfast’? “That’s quite sharp to be honest, [it’s] probably worth looking into employing that person, whoever they were, because there are some people here who aren’t remotely that sharp. “Second, is it underhand? “Third, is that just competition and that’s life? And would we have done the same thing if we were alert enough to do the same thing? “Fourth, is it just pure, straight up and down sabotage?” Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money is the topic of the day in the US Election. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have both revealed their economic policy. Trump has announced that should he return to office, he’ll appoint Elon Musk to head of a Government Efficiency Commission, tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government. Kamala Harris on the other hand, is talking about sharply increasing incentives for new small businesses and easing the tax burden on the middle class, to try close some of the gap between the rich and poor in the United States. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.