The Mike Hosking Breakfast

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22nd of August, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown talks whether the Government would really put a cap on council spending. Is our police force racist? Police Minister Mark Mitchell doesn't think so and says police only deal with those doing the crime. So, what does the Commissioner Andrew Coster think? Team NZ boss Grant Dalton gives us a detailed insight into the team and preparations as the 37th America's Cup gets underway tonight. 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 volume of many goods going through our ports is continuing to decline as the economic downturn continues. Port of Auckland has announced a 22% increase in annual underlying profit, allowing it to return a $40 million dividend back to Auckland Council. But that's largely due to a 3% increase in container volumes and 10% increase in full containers. Chief Executive Roger Gray told Mike Hosking there has been a strong decline in construction materials coming in, including cement and steel. He says car imports are down almost 10%, with almost no electric vehicles coming into the country now. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls for less screen time and more conversations with children before they begin school. The Education Review Office research reveals too many children are starting school without knowing how to read and write. More than two-thirds of parents report their child had language difficulties before they started school last year. Head of ERO’s Education Evaluation Centre Ruth Shinoda told Mike Hosking that parents need to limit device use to boost learning. She says language is developed by talking to children, and they need to know words before learning to read and write them at school. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An advocate says there needs to be a major shakeup of the rules around heritage buildings. Local Government New Zealand President Sam Broughton says current legislation means it's hard to take action on vacant buildings. A remit has been passed at the Local Government New Zealand conference in Wellington, asking for stronger powers. Lower Hutt's Voluntary Heritage Group Convenor Phil Barry told Mike Hosking heritage rules are too tight. He says once a building is on the list, even if it becomes run down, it's almost impossible to get it removed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police say gaps in how they treat people are often explained by things outside of their control. They commissioned a three-year inquiry which has revealed ongoing inequities in treatment of people based on their race, sexuality, gender, and mental health. It's offered 40 recommendations. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking it found there's different outcomes for people they deal with, depending on their background. He says the report also finds many of the gaps are explained by things upstream of Police, like drug, alcohol, and mental health issues. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Minister's outlining his expectation to councils ahead of day two of the local government conference. Local Government New Zealand is meeting in Wellington, and yesterday received a broadside from the Prime Minister instructing them to tighten their belts. Minister Simeon Brown is expected to make an announcement today on potential deals between central and local government. But Brown told Mike Hosking it won't be a silver bullet, and councils still need to be better with their spending. He says like central government, councils need to cut their budgets, to give residents rates relief. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big report day for big issues. Report Number One: The ComCom and the business of banking. The market doesn’t work, more banks would help, how to get more banks? How to get less regulation, how to get better deals for the customer? Firstly, don’t hold your breath. The ComCom has looked into power and petrol and banking – not a lot changes. Nicola Willis didn’t help yesterday morning when she said in response to a perfectly legitimate question about lending practices, that a bank CEO had said they “weight farms differently from houses in terms of risk”, Willis said well they can tell that to the select committee. Which as far as I could work out means nothing, given I'm sure they will. Then when asked about the banking lobby being powerful, she said “they may be powerful but democracy is more powerful”. Once again, it means nothing. What she was avoiding was the question ‘will you legislate’, and she was avoiding that because she is not legislating. The same way the previous government made a lot of noise about supermarkets and petrol but were never going to legislate either. Instead, what we got was a sign on the footpath showing the 98 price and a Grocery Commissioner who so far is limited to press releases. Here is your trouble: we have a lot of banks, we just don't use them. We can switch banks, we chose not to. Yes, the rules the Reserve Bank has in place to make banks hold money could be changed, some of the regulation could be changed, but will it materially fix the market? No. This, as I always say, is not to defend banks. Banks are highly profitable. Their margins are higher here than Australia. But the mistake that is made almost every time, whether its banks, supermarkets, petrol stations, or telcos, is the hype never plays out in reality. The jawboning gets the headlines, the action fades into obscurity. Let's talk in a year, and you can show me how fundamentally different the New Zealand banking scene is. Or not. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden reflected on his legacy and laid a case against Donald Trump in a rousing address. The President's speech ended the first day of the Democratic National Convention where Kamala Harris will accept the presidential nomination. Biden says crime has fallen under his presidency - and will continue to fall when a prosecutor is elected President, ahead of a convicted felon. Biden says Harris will be a President the nation can be proud of - and will put her stamp on America's future. In the same vein, Hillary Clinton declared that 'the future is here', saying that Harris has the character, experience, and vision to lead the nation forward. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that while Donald Trump has been reviving his old tune of American carnage and saying that America is a nation in decline, that wasn’t the vibe last night. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21st of August, the banks respond to the Commerce Commission report saying there isn't enough competition in the sector. Do they agree? We found Darleen Tana and pulled them from the naughty corner of Parliament to ask why they still deserves to stay on as an MP after turning down the Green's proposal to resign. Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk about whether there is corruption in politics and why warnings for crimes are shooting up 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.

The Government has stepped in after it was revealed police have intentionally not been enforcing a law banning smoking and vaping in cars carrying children. NZME can reveal not a single fine has been issued since the law came into force in 2021, with police saying fines are punitive and unlikely to work. It can also be revealed police never carried out the necessary system upgrades to issue fines, despite Parliament delaying the law coming into force for 18 months to allow for the updates. The law was passed by the Labour-led coalition in 2020 with support from National. It allowed officers to use their discretion to issue $50 spot fines. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking that the Police’s advice to the Police Minister at the time the law was passed was that the system couldn’t sustain the change. He said that Police are now making the changes to the systems so that fines can be issued. Labour’s Ginny Andersen said that from her understanding, while they knew the Police couldn’t implement it immediately there was a plan to do so over time that the Government was happy with. She said she’s pleased that Mitchell is enforcing it and taking a stand, as the current Government has been very permissive around smoking by letting Smoke Free go. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The largest investor of struggling Canterbury milk processor, Synlait, will increase its ownership if its planned equity raise gets approval. China's Bright Dairy's committing to pay 60 cents per share for $185 million of stock to lift its stake of the company to 65.3%. Board chair George Adams says it's critical for Synlait's future - after it told the Australian securities exchange more than half of its 280 suppliers want to leave in June. Adams told Mike Hosking the farmers' cessation notices were a message to the business as they take two years to take effect. He says he's thrilled for their group of loyal farmers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darleen Tana has made their choice to remain in Parliament. They have declined the Green Party’s request to resign, leaving the Party to deliberate over whether or not to enact the waka jumping legislation. Tana revealed to Mike Hosking that they’re surprised the report into the allegations of migrant exploitation in their husband’s business hasn’t already been leaked. They said that it’s very clear that they don’t recognize the findings of the report, and while others can read it and come to a conclusion, it doesn’t necessarily represent what actually happened. Tana told Mike Hosking that direct evidence was not taken into account in the full investigation, saying that they’ve heard the words “witch hunt” be used in relation to the situation. They said that it’s very clear upon looking back on how everything happened that the decision to get them to resign was premeditated. Tana says their husband's staff shouldn't have gone public with their allegations of exploitation. The now independent MP told Hosking the workers should be leaving it up to the Employment Relations Authority to resolve the dispute. Tana says the authority is the appropriate place to deal with that, rather than going public to the media because the owner of the business is married to an MP. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association says officers' workloads are big enough without enforcing smoking and vaping bans. Newstalk ZB has revealed in the four years since a law banning smoking and vaping in cars with children was passed, no one has been fined or summonsed to court. Association President Chris Cahill says there are much more important things for police to focus on. He told Mike Hosking police are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Cahill believes as soon as police start enforcing fines, there would be immediate questions about equity and whether the fines were given out fairly. He said officers already have to deal with breath testing, retail crime, beat work and fighting the gangs. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ANZ's chief executive believes New Zealand's banking system is competitive. The Commerce Commission's market study found there's little competition between the big four banks, and they take high profits by international standards. It recommends open banking and giving Kiwibank access to more capital, to better compete and become a disruptor. Antonia Watson told Mike Hosking they don't agree with the ComCom's characterisation of the sector. She says their staff are fighting every day to win and retain customers, so back themselves that it's a competitive industry. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine’s President is keeping pressure on Western allies as they struggle to defend two key positions against Russia. In an evening address over the weekend, Zelenskyy said that there is a need for faster delivery of supplies from their partners, aiming the address to the United States, United Kingdom, and France in particular. France Correspondence Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that it’s likely Zelenskyy is hoping that placing more pressure on Russia will ease the pressure in the Donbas region of Ukraine. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, one poll tells us something by not really moving and another poll tells us something by being badly misrepresented. The TV1 news numbers last night show that essentially the Government is travelling well, most parties are stable, the Greens are down a bit, but its all, so far, within the margin of error. Nothing really has changed. What that tells you is broadly a couple of things. The first is at this stage of the electoral cycle people don’t pay as much attention as they will be in 18 months' time. The second is the Government, with its level of support, is doing basically what they said they would, and most people are happy. The other poll was on race relations. TV1 promoted the fact only 10% think the Government is improving them, but 46% think they are damaging them. What they didn’t give the appropriate prominence to was the fact 37% think it's not making any difference. In other words, despite all the noise and hot air being drummed up by radicals and the media, most of us aren't engaged because nothing really is changing. If you take the 37% who see no change and the 10% who see an improvement you have 47%, which is in fact more people thinking things are either neutral or better, as opposed to the 46% who think they are worse. This of course ties into why the Government numbers overall haven't moved and their support remains strong. The so-called drama around Māori policy is not actually politically damaging. You will note the numbers weren't presented that way by the state-run broadcaster. A good question might be: why not? What moves needles is the economy and on that we might be in for an improvement. If we are, what you will then see is the polling numbers most definitely shift in the Government's favour. Māori relations have been tested and testy my entire life. The previous Government bent over backwards for Māori, their beliefs, needs and causes, and look where it got them. The current Government have read things right. Outcomes are what count, whether in race relations or the economy. The numbers broadly show they are on the right side of both. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rescuers are scrambling to search for six people, including British tech mogul Mike Lynch, who are missing after a tornado capsized a super yacht off the coast of Sicily. There were 22 aboard when the yacht sank, 15 have been rescued, including a New Zealand citizen. One person is confirmed dead. UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking the ship’s mast was snapped in half when the storm hit, which caused the yacht to lose balance and capsize. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of New Zealand’s country music faves is making her return to New Zealand. Tami Neilson, a multi-award winner and friend of the great Willie Nelson, has announced a new mini tour of the country: Neilson Sings Nelson. She’ll be performing all of her favourites from the Willie Nelson songbook, with the endorsement of Nelson himself: “Tami’s the real deal and does my songs a great honour.” The tour coincides with the release of her new album of the same title, recorded at Nelson’s Pedernales Studio in Texas, featuring her brothers Jay and Todd on the backing vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. Neilson told Mike Hosking that meeting and performing with Nelson is still something of a ‘pinch me’ moment. “I still check my phone every once in a while to see if it still exists in the world, and kind of expect to wake I from this dream that I did a duet with him.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concern over falling birth rates after new figures show it's the lowest since World War II. Stats NZ says the national fertility rate was 1.5 births per woman, down from 1.60. Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking New Zealand is following the trends of other western nations, with many European countries recording far lower birth rates. He says it means around 500-1000 fewer births in New Zealand each year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a battle of the banks after last week's Official Cash Rate cut. Most banks dropped their advertised retail loan rates within minutes of last Wednesday's Reserve Bank announcement. ANZ and Co-Operative Bank have now dropped their rates even further. Co-Operative Chief Executive Mark Wilkshire told Mike Hosking things are getting competitive. He says it's good news for homeowners out there, with rates coming down quite quickly. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former US Treasurer says he hasn't seen this level of support for the Democrats since Barack Obama's presidential campaign. The Democratic National Convention starts in Chicago today. It's where Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz will accept their presidential and vice presidential nominations. Former Democratic National Committee Treasurer Bill Derrough told Mike Hosking that Harris has some serious momentum. He says there's tremendous energy, and a feeling like they haven't felt since 2008 with Barack Obama, maybe even greater than that. Derrough says there’s still some sadness around Biden stepping down, but it’s worked out for the best. He says it couldn't have come together in a better way, supporting Harris and Walz, and making a symbolic handover at the first day of the Convention. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 20th of August, the Democrats National Convention is getting underway, so will they see the same enthusiastic scenes as the Republicans? The Prime Minister dances his way around questions about what the Government will do with Kiwibank and talks about race relations. Tami Neilson has been recording songs with the great Willie Nelson for her new 'Neilson Sings Nelson' tour, so we had to get her back on the show. 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 hope that employment numbers could be a sign of economic growth. Seek job ads are up 3% for the month, with retail and government jobs increasing. Seek Country Manager Rob Clark told Mike Hosking there's still an overall downward trend, but it's promising. He says after five months of declining ads, it shows people are getting ready for more spending, with retail, hospitality, and tourism, gearing up for the summer period. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon says the Government will be acting on the Commerce Commission's final report on the banking sector. The watchdog's final report is due out about 8.30am. In its draft report, published in May, it found the sector was lacking competition, and recommended changes to allow Kiwibank to grow bigger and to allow smaller banks to compete better. The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking that Finance Minister Nicola Willis has a plan on how to respond to the final report. And education was a focus for Luxon in yesterday's address at the annual coronation celebrations for the Kīngitanga. In a heated powhiri at Ngaruawahia's Turangawaewae Marae, kaumatua and party leaders addressed Government policies affecting Māori, and in the ACT Party's absence, its Treaty Principles Bill loomed large. The Prime Minister wants Māori to excel economically in New Zealand, which starts with education. He says this should be a country where Māori are better educated and can access better paying jobs, and can have faster access to medical help when they need it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​For a Government looking to save money, it beggars belief that they haven't had a decent look at the Waitangi Tribunal. Yet again they strike, this time with a report that condemns the Treaty Principles Bill. They condemn it and want it abolished. The trouble is, there is no such thing. The tribunal is like a court. Fortunately it doesn’t have the same powers as a court, and indeed, as a result of reports like this you can surely argue it is nowadays little more than an advocacy service for the aggrieved, as opposed to a tribunal or court that should be taken seriously. They intervene so much now that they border on being little more than state-funded whingers. As a tribunal of any serious standing, how can you issue a report into a bill that doesn’t exist? There is no bill. There are no clauses. As we sit here today what we have is an idea and an election commitment. Nothing has yet been written or taken to Cabinet, far less been signed off by Cabinet. It does not exist. So what the tribunal are saying is "we don’t like the idea". Courts and tribunals should deal with fact. They have no fact. They should deal with evidence. They have no evidence. It's like saying it was Mrs Johnson in the library with the candlestick. I assume David Seymour is Mrs Johnson, Parliament is the library - but they have no candlestick. They have, as they would see it, no crime. Not only isn't there a bill, when there is a bill, guess what? You get to have a say. At a select committee everyone gets to have a say. Dare I suggest Maori get to have a say. That is called democracy, which ironically is a corner stone of what may or may not turn out to be the Treaty Principles Bill. David Seymour generously welcomed the report as part of the wider discussion he wants to have. But as a taxpayer I am over a grouping who clearly has passed their use by date for historic issues and have moved onto the grievance gravy train. It is clear they hate the Government. They may as well write another report simply saying so. At least it would once and for all expose the agenda that’s really driving them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claims better regulation is needed to combat workplace safety. A report's found you're twice as likely to die at work in New Zealand, than in Australia. It says workplace deaths, injuries, and health issues cost the country nearly five billion dollars last year. The Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum’s Francois Barton told Mike Hosking we could learn from Australia's approach to heath and safety. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government hopes increased breath testing will make people think twice about drink-driving. It's aiming to conduct 3.3 million breath tests a year, with 65-percent at the highest risk times and places. 1.3 billion dollars is being funnelled into the initiative over three years. Transport Minister Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking this funds Police to keep our roads safe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns the Waikato's central location will continue to make it a popular location for boy racer "meets". It comes after four police vehicles were rammed, after a gathering on the northern reaches of Hamilton turned hostile over the weekend. Police have released images of a ute involved, and are seeking two people of interest. Waikato District Mayor Jacqui Church told Mike Hosking some of the cars involved are coming from as far away as Taupo and Whangarei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 19th of August, $1.3b is being spent to up the amount our police drug and drink test our drivers. Do we have the resource for that? Mike becomes fascinated about the wattage he's putting out on his stationary bike and whether or not he's an above average biker. The Warriors push for the playoffs is over, so what to do about them? Guy Heveldt and Andrew Saville try to break it down on the Commentary Box. 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.

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. Adrian Orr: 3/10 Adrian isn't my hero of the week. He did what he should have done, but the way he did it yet again reminds us that the Covid experiment and the economic carnage that went with it is the result of people who could have done a vastly better job. Elon Musk: 4/10 When your reputation is already hurting the value of your car company, interviewing a mate on your other company platform, only for that to not work either, isn't a good look. Kamala Harris: 7/10 It's been a week of evidence that, to this point at least, shows the “switch out” has worked. People are engaged, the polls have closed, and the momentum is hers. Crime: 2/10 41,000 up to 50,000 retail incidents. For all the noise, promises and headlines I'm pretty sure the stats show it's going the wrong way. The crime committee set up to reverse the retail crime stats: 2/10 Despite the promise the first ideas were weeks away, weeks later they haven't even met. The All Blacks: 6/10 They will win well, because that’s what they do, and more than 25,000 will watch it. I hope. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are looking to right last week’s wrongs as they face off against Argentina in this weekend’s rematch. The side had their first loss under the new management of Scott Robertson, going down 30-38 in Wellington. They’ll be playing in Eden Park, the first time they’ve faced Argentina in Auckland since the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal. All Black starting flanker Ethan Blackadder told Mike Hosking they had a good honest review on Monday and picked up their laps and cracked on with it ahead of this weekend’s game. He said that they’re really excited for Saturday because it’s an opportunity to turn it around. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined the show once more to Wrap the Week alongside Mike Hosking. They discussed the ingredients of Pringles, and Tim egged them on as Kate explained the Sink Conundrum plaguing their household. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Balancing directors' safety and accountability is the goal of the Commerce Minister's shake up of the Companies Act. Andrew Bayly is looking to make it harder to "phoenix", in which assets are transferred from indebted companies to new ones, leaving the former to face insolvency. He says they want to make it easier to catch directors doing the wrong thing, which will be done by assigning every director a unique digital number. Another measure is allowing directors to take their home addresses off the companies register. Andrew Bayly says there's a perception of risk, especially among female directors, and they will instead be able to list a more work-related address such as an office, or a related entity like a lawyer or an accountant. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two doctors are among those accused of taking advantage of Matthew Perry's drug addiction before his death. The Friends star died in his hot tub last October from the acute effects of ketamine and subsequent drowning. Five people are facing charges, including two doctors for falsely prescribing, selling, or injecting Ketamine to Perry. Sky News reports court documents reveal doctor Salvador Plasencia wrote in a text: "I wonder how much this moron will pay". US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the doctors could face life in prison if convicted. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 16th of August, Kim Dotcom's extradition notice has been signed. So how long will this drag out, again, in the courts? Ethan Blackadder talks coming off a loss against Argentina and keeping the Eden Park fortress winning streak alive. Kate explains the sink conundrum at their home, while Tim eggs them both on, 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.

Rumours have been circulating that the Saudi-backed LIV Golf is teeing up an event in Christchurch, possibly as early as next year. The Herald understands LIV Golf has been looking at the possibility of bringing a high-profile tournament to Christchurch Golf Club to New Zealand’s second oldest club. Christchurch Golf Club general manager Mike Hadley confirmed to the Herald that LIV Golf officials have “visited” the course but as yet, “there’s been no follow-up”. Jeff Latch, Golf NZ CEO, told Mike Hosking that the LIV event in Adelaide has really taken off, with LIV arguing that it’s probably their best event around the world. He said they understand they’re looking to move that event from April to February, and while they’re down in the Southern Hemisphere, there’s potential for there to be New Zealand events adjacent to the Australian events. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new short-term worker visa's proving popular within the wine growing industry. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford's creating a new subcategory of the Specific Purpose Work Visa to help employers in upcoming seasonal peaks. She says the roles can't last longer than nine months and exclude jobs usually covered by the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme like fruit pickers. New Zealand Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan says these changes will make a big difference and are very welcome. He says last year they had about 400 of these workers who carry out very specialist roles, and without them they just wouldn't be able to process the grapes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim Dotcom may have his work cut out if he wants to stay in New Zealand. The tech mogul's been fighting to remain here for more than a decade, but time may be up with Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith signing an extradition order. It means he'll likely stand trial in the US. Barrister Clive Elliott KC told Mike Hosking a judicial review is the next step, which will look into the minister's decision. He says the court has looked at all sorts of angles, and believes Goldsmith is entitled to say Dotcom has had his day in court and should be handed over due to US treaty obligations. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure is on Christopher Luxon over 501s as he meets with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Canberra. In 2022, former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had convinced Albanese of a common-sense approach to the topic. But that stance changed in June, when a new directive made the safety of Australians the top priority in deportation decisions. Newstalk ZB's political editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking Luxon needs to look like he's doing something. He says we're not pleased with this policy, but Australians think it's absolutely fine - and Albanese is always going to bow to domestic pressure. Walls said it’s likely not much will change. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of Brits are out of work and not looking for more. Official figures show that inactivity is sitting at 9.41 million, or 22.2% of the working age population, which is up 350,000 from 2023. UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking that while some of those people are students and people taking early retirement, there’s still a residue of 4-5 million people who either haven’t gone back to work or haven’t started. He said that he suspects several things are to blame for this: an influx of foreign-born workers, mental illness and ill health, and a lack of incentive and benefits to being in the workforce. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The great crime out of Adrian Orr's move is you can't trust him. A central bank is supposed to get the economy and he and his committee clearly don’t. Don’t get me wrong - what he did was the right thing. A lot of people think it was the right thing. But he is supposed to land it softly and he crashed it. Having crashed it, he still denied he crashed it until it clearly became so bleeding obvious that he did what he did yesterday. The cuts that weren't coming until next year are here now. You only do what he did because you overcooked it in the first place. Brad Olsen of Infometrics was wrong, but he was wrong for the right reasons. He said heads should roll and on that he is spot on. You don’t run a commentary that says one thing then do another. Their defence will be "things change", but that has always been the Orr weak point. He likes to position himself as some sort of completely removed observer, devoid of any influence in the economy at all. "Things have come to a grinding halt? How did that happen?" Last time he talked he saw one thing and told us how it was going to play out. He was wrong. But to the Olsen point, and indeed my point, was - aren't we supposed to believe him? When non-tradeable inflation is 5.4%, is that the same as 0-3%? No, it isn't. When unemployment is 4.6% and not 5.5%, has that metric fallen to where it is supposed to have? No, it hasn’t. But that doesn’t matter now, apparently. "Forget everything I said, I've decided to cut." That's how the Governor plays it. The inescapable truth is he cocked it up. He tried to right it, overcorrected, pretended he didn’t until it was too late, the rhetoric didn’t match the reality, and we got to yesterday. The result? We'll take it. The quality of the journey? Bollocks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supercars is back this weekend, wheels hitting the tracks in Tasmania. Kiwi driver Matt Payne is coming off a successful run, doing no worse than 4th in all of them, and making it to the top of the podium in the second Townsville race. He joined Mike Hosking ahead of this weekend’s race, telling him that hopefully they can continue that success and finish the year out strong. Payne admitted that the track in Tasmania isn’t his favourite, preferring slightly longer tracks, but he’s really looking forward to the weekend and aiming to flip last year’s results around to a positive note. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The demand for electric vehicles has continued its decline. Last year importers across the country were scrambling to meet demand, and Auckland City Electric Vehicles was awaiting one of their largest shipments. Since the axing of the clean car discount, BMI Research figures suggest that the total decline in EV sales will fall by nearly 11 thousand vehicles this year. Auckland City Electric Vehicles CEO Greg Larsen told Mike Hosking that every manufacturer is going down the EV track, and he thinks they may have gone too fast. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 15th of August, why is Health NZ doing presentations on frontline cuts when the Government and the Health Commissioner say there will be no frontline cuts? Sabotage? Resistance? Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr has a spirited chat after dropping the OCR to 5.25% with no real warning. Kiwi Supercars driver Matt Payne is in the form of his life and Mike was keen to chat ahead of the weekend's racing in Tasmania. 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.

Most banks have cut their advertised rates following yesterday's OCR decision. The Reserve Bank cut the Official Cash Rate by 25-basis points, going from 2.5% to 2.25%. Kiwibank was the first to move. Chief Executive Steve Jurkovich told Mike Hosking it's a positive sign of things to come, with their team now forecasting a steady period of cuts from now to June 2027. He said that people are unlikely to get carried away with the cuts, rushing out and buying new houses, cars, or technology. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is defending his change of tune on the Official Cash Rate. He's cut the OCR to 5.25%. Some economists are criticising the suddenness of the change of direction, with Brad Olsen calling on the central bank to take accountability for radically changing its forecast without a radical change in circumstances. But Orr told Mike Hosking the situation has changed since his last Monetary Policy Statement, three months ago. He says plenty of time and information has changed since May, and the Reserve Bank has communicated that in its Monetary Policy Review in July. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand is adamant frontline roles are safe from cuts. The health agency has been tasked with reining in the sector's budget and a commissioner replaced the board last month after concerns of serious overspending. Staff have been told to dismiss a presentation suggesting job cuts could come from hundreds of doctors and more than a thousand nurses. Commissioner Lester Levy told Mike Hosking Health NZ Chief Executive Margie Apa should've shut this down. He says this behaviour's unacceptable at all levels, and says she needs to sort the consequences. Levy says it's deeply concerning someone even thought about this. He says its either resistance, reluctance, or sabotage. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Immigration Minister says she's making needed changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme. The cap on seasonal workers will increase by 1,250 to 20,750, and the pause on accommodation cost increases will be lifted. Employers will be able to average out workers' minimum 30 hours a week over four weeks and need to pay experienced staff only 10% above the minimum wage. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking the sector needs more workers. She says if the horticulture industry is going to double its exports it's going to need them, and that's why country Timor Leste is now included in the programme. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison testified yesterday via video link in a defamation case Senator Linda Reynolds brought against her former staffer, Brittany Higgins. Senator Reynolds is suing Ms Higgins over social media posts made last year, which she claims greatly injured her character and reputation and caused her distress and embarrassment. Mr Morrison stood by his previous criticism of Senator Reynolds for calling Ms Higgins a "lying cow", deeming the comment unacceptable. Morrison criticized Labor for "weaponizing" Brittany Higgins's rape allegation, saying he was concerned it endangered his former defence minister's life. Steve Price, Australian Correspondent, told Mike Hosking the former Prime Minister was getting interrupted by the judge. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My least favourite data dump yesterday. Firstly tourism – which yet again reminds me how, when I was asking well in excess of a year ago where the hell all the people were, no one seemed to care or hear me Fast forward 18 months, with the numbers stuck at about 80% of what they were 5 years ago, the industry I read now is “worried". Why weren't they worried when I was worried? Why does it take so many so long to wake up to what's staring at them? But they aren't as bad as the migration figures, also out yesterday. We are still leaving the country in record numbers. Overall, we are gaining people, but the people are coming from China, India, Fiji, and the Philippines. Which is not being racist, but it is questioning just what sort of skills they are bringing and how great is the cultural balance being affected by us leaving and them arriving. The reason I hate the departure numbers so much is severalfold: 1. They are mainly the young. Not good for our future. 2. It isn't stopping. Having people scarper isn't new but having them scraper continually for such a long period is. Places like Wellington are being hollowed out as the young leave, but the arrivals land in places like Auckland. So overall we are not replacing like with like. But the thing that irks me most is the credibility issue. We look like crap. We look like a bad party. We look like Nigel-no-mates. Our rep is rubbish. New Zealanders look around month, after month, after month, and say, you know what? I don't want to be here anymore. I don’t like it here; I like it over there. Over there is mainly Australia, and I have never liked losing to Australia. I don’t mind people leaving, I don’t mind competing. It’s a free and open world. But I think that is part of the issue. Are we competing? Are we competitive? What do we have to offer, what's compelling about New Zealand in 2024? Numbers don’t lie. Immigration is often driven by the wanderlust of youth – this is more than wanderlust. This is dislike, this is no future, this is despair. We are bleeding people and talent. Of all the damage Labour did to this country, forcing its young people out might historically be shown to be the most ruinous thing of all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.