The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The week has come to an end which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was.   They discussed cars, some of the guests that featured on the Breakfast show this week, and the unstable geopolitical environment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of running a farm is surging.  ANZ's latest Agri Insights report, which used data from more than four thousand farms over five years, found costs across the board were 27% higher than before Covid.  It was driven largely by increased labour and input costs, such as fertiliser.  Lincoln University’s Dr Jacqueline Rowarth told Mike Hosking that the farmers who buy retail and sell wholesale are the ones feeling the pinch.   She says there are some sectors who, although their land may have cost more in the beginning, are getting better returns per hectare, and the gap between the top farmers and the average ones has increased.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Rod Drury believes it's New Zealand's time to step up and make a big difference in the world.  The Xero founder has been crowned the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.  The judges noted in the ceremony last night his driving innovation, empowerment of Kiwi tech leaders, and his venture philanthropy.  He's involved in multiple projects including pushing for expansion of renewable power and electrified transport.  Drury told Mike Hosking the world is scary, and Kiwis need to stick together and use our values to contribute to the world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Better Police visibility and increased community engagement are being credited for a drop in crime victimisation.  About 28% of Kiwis experienced crime last year – the lowest rate since the Victims of Crime survey began in 2018.  Numbers of people assaulted and robbed were down 33 thousand.  Assistant Commissioner Jeanette Park told Mike Hosking officers can feel the change on the ground.  She says teams have been using their initiative, talking to people, and the morale is high, which all drives results.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is looking into ‘doing something simple’ to get cash into Kiwis' wallets as fuel prices increase, refined oil proving a challenge.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking they need to balance the cost of living with the books.  “We need to be conscious of debt and borrowing.  “We need to look at working people in the low to middle income specifically and ask ‘what’s the way we could provide targeted relief’ without a blanket solution.”  Willis said cutting wider costs like fuel excise tax could drive inflation up.  “We are looking at doing something simple to get cash into bank accounts on time. Cash provides people flexibility.”  She said her desire is for no paperwork to be involved.  “I’m sorting advice from Treasury and IRD as we speak but I have a plan in front of me ready to go.”  Willis said the challenge now is getting refined oil, with government in conversation with fuel suppliers.  “We have shipment locked in for several weeks, but we are looking ahead to future challenges of how to actually source diesel, jet fuel and other things out of refineries.  “This could create a limitation in the future.”    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does the Talbot Mills poll out yesterday blow wide open the overt and corrupt actions of the parts of the media that went to town last week, and the week before, on the Prime Minister?  Does the Talbot Mills poll out yesterday with National on 32% also build on evidence that they are not 28%, nor were they ever 28%, therefore there was never a need to go to town last week, and the week before, on the Prime Minister?  As we count the number of polls, and I have at least six, if not seven, that have National well into the 30's vs the one that has National at 28%, can we conclude the 28% was an outlier, should have been seen as one and, therefore, treated as such?  Given large swathes of the media didn’t treat it as such, we can very confidently say those parts of the media showed an unprofessional bias against the Government.  Can we also say that if the polls continue to show National in the 30's (and not the 20's) and polls continue to show as yesterday's does a hung Parliament (at worst) but more realistically, based on the Māori Party assumption, a re-elected Government, that rolling a leader of a party destined for a second term is not actually a realistic prospect, or anywhere close?    The less realistic it is the more absurd their agenda-driven, brain explosion looks.  Hipkins too was asked this week whether his leadership is safe. Safe from what? Furious ex-wives?  Is that the problem? The political media only have a grab bag of questions around the same theme – are you quitting? Are you safe? Is a coup brewing? Are you going home to consider your options?  The problem with so many of them being as inexperienced as they are, is they lack any form of institutional knowledge and, as such, haven't really seen proper political drama. A rogue poll and a rogue ex aren't it.  Mix that with the fact they are overtly biased against the Government and all you need is one ropy poll at 28% and it's Operation Epic Fury: Gallery style.  In a world where news cycles turn at an increasing rate of knots this crime, and it is a crime committed by those charged with political coverage, deserves ongoing attention simply because it's election year.  Yesterday's poll starts to expose very clearly that the Government has two oppositions – one made up of Labour, the Greens, and the Māori Party, and the other made up of a decent chunk of the media, some of whom are funded by the taxpayer.  If that doesn’t worry you in election year, nothing does.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British pop legend Robbie Williams is coming to entertain New Zealand this November. The artist behind Angels, Rock DJ, and Let Me Entertain You has confirmed two New Zealand shows for his BRITPOP world tour, opening at Eden Park on November 24.  He'll follow it up at the new Christchurch Te Kaha Stadium on the 28th, becoming the first international artist to perform there.  BRITPOP is the 16th album of Williams’ solo career and its success saw him surpass the Beatles, becoming the artist with the most number one albums in UK chart history.   “I’ve had 16 number one albums, which feels mind-bendingly incredible,” he told Mike Hosking.  “But because I’d had 15 number ones, you know, I think there was an exhale that there was a 16th number one, and I think the panic and the worry was, what if it isn’t, what if I don’t get to experience that again?”  “I suppose the intoxication is not in the experiencing 16 number ones, it’s the exhale at not being number two.”   Williams has been performing since 1990, first as a member of Take That, and then launching his solo career in 1996, and despite his awards and success, there’s something pushing him onwards.   “The hole is unfillable, but still I persevere,” he told Hosking.   “I’m not quite sure 100% of what it is that I’m running from and what it is that needs to be, you know this hole that needs to be filled, but what I am enjoying now is the journey.”  Speaking of the journey, Williams is heading back on the road later this year for the BRITPOP tour, and he takes the responsibility of performing “incredibly seriously”.  “Every show is the most important show – the next show is always the most important show.”  “I don't wanna let me down and I don’t wanna let my audience down.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 19th of March, the GDP figure for the December quarter will be announced today – 12 days out from the end of Q1. While it might be positive, the conflict in the Middle East looms over it.   An exclusive chat with outgoing Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell, who talked about his next moves, the future of the dairy giant, and the rumours about NZR.  And British superstar Robbie Williams joined for a chat about music, performing, and his New Zealand 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.

There's potential for the immigration system to become bogged down in bureaucracy as the Government pushes a harder line stance.   It's proposed a series of reforms, involving a greater use of deportation and harsher penalties for migrant exploitation.  NZ Immigration Law Principal Lawyer Aaron Martin says by making more people potentially liable for deportation, we'll likely see the number of cases and investigations going up.   He told Mike Hosking one issue that hasn’t really been explored is the low threshold of offending that makes someone liable for deportation, which needs to be reviewed.  Martin says that an incident a citizen would be fined for would see someone on a visa put through the expensive exercise of deportation liability investigations, and potentially appeals, which ties up taxpayer resources.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italy’s Government is holding emergency talks tonight to introduce legislation to hold down fuel prices, potentially introducing fines for speculators, Italy correspondent Jo McKenna says.  She told Mike Hosking the Government is concerned with gas up and diesel prices up around two euros a litre.  “I don't think it's translated fully yet into the economy, but we will see some trickle down or some impact in the next couple of months for sure.”  Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had aligned herself with other European nations, endorsing a statement from Canada, the UK, France, and Germany saying they were gravely concerned about US President Donald Trump’s activities in the Middle East and calling for peace talks.  The far-right Meloni was initially pro-Trump, but one newspaper was now calling their relationship “The Big Freeze”, McKenna said.  “She’s very prudent. She's worried about this impact on the war on her popularity here in Italy.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists are predicting promising economic results from the last quarter ahead of the ongoing ripple effects caused by war in the Middle East. GDP data for the December quarter is being released just before 11 this morning. Both Westpac and ASB are anticipating 0.4% quarterly growth. ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Mike Hosking exports have largely been the driver.  But Tuffley says recovery has been uneven, pointing to a weaker construction sector.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scrapping rugby fees for kids is boosting grassroots participation.   Counties Manukau was first to fund junior fees three years ago, with Nelson and Wellington's Newland clubs following suit.  The interest from a million-dollar grant from NZ Rugby's Silver Lake deal covers junior fees for five of Counties Manukau's 16 clubs.   Head of Community Matt Megaw told Mike Hosking they're seeing good numbers.   He says rugby is on a steady incline in their area, despite there being lots for kids to do these days.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The departing Fonterra boss says he was never meant to be in the role as long as he has been.  Chief executive Miles Hurrell has announced he will step down as the dairy giant completes a significant shift in strategy.  That includes the sale of its global consumer brands —including Anchor and Mainland— to French dairy giant Lactalis.  Miles Hurrell told Mike Hosking getting over the line was a big part of his departure.  He says last year, he could see that sale would get over the line in quarter one, which meant they had a clear strategy in place and he could leave.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defence Minister Judith Collins says it’s vital New Zealand's able to look after a vast area, stretching from Antarctica to Tonga.  The Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces have laid out their plans for a combat-capable ANZAC force by 2035. Defence Minister Judith Collins told Mike Hosking it makes absolute sense for us to be closer with Australia.  She says it's not as though our two countries will be a threat to anybody, but it means we can make use of our assets and people in a much more clever way.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I suppose the ultimate question is, what do you want in a leader, or more specifically, the Prime Minister?  Chris Hipkins is immersed in a growing mess around social media and an angry ex-wife.  Hand on heart, if it hadn't been sent to me I would not have asked, because I genuinely don’t care.  I still subscribe to the broad idea that personal lives are off limits, unless you decide they're fair game.  Social media has changed all the rules. Did the post of me at the pub or the charity run give you clearance to troll through every detail?  Does a political figure asking for your vote entitle you to know everything about them and, if so, where is the line? And is the line not different for each and every one of us?  Equally, it has a chilling effect. For everything that may be/could be said about you that isn't true (or is said with malice with a bit of added spice that isn't strictly true but designed to damage) it must put people off public office, there but for the grace of God.  Who needs that grief? No one is squeaky clean.  If the Parliament is supposed to be representative, I suppose you could argue Hipkins and his ex represent a large slice of the New Zealand countryside; married, divorced, things got messy – that's life experience.  You could argue she's toxic. You could argue he's a prick. You could argue a lot of stuff, which is why it is probably best left, given it doesn’t cross the threshold of requiring the authorities.  In others’ words it's domestic, it's not illegal, it's not involving police, or authorities, or courts, or charges, or investigations. It's she said, he said.  I would love to know (and AI will tell us one day) how many have reacted to the allegations strongly because they hate Hipkins and want him taken down, versus how many reacted strongly because of the accusations in isolation, versus how many haven't reacted at all, versus how many have reacted against her for seeking revenge, versus how many have gone out of their way to track down the comments because they are nosey.  What a mix – public life, social media, gossip, innuendo, anger, broken hearts, revenge, toxicity, and sticky beak-ery.  Who would be an MP? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politicians from across the spectrum are steering clear of discussing claims made by Chris Hipkins' ex.  The Labour leaders' denied allegations made by his ex-wife in a now deleted private Facebook post.  None indicate unlawful conduct.  Labour's Ginny Anderson told Mike Hosking it's sad, and as a mother her first thoughts are with the children.   National's Mark Mitchell says he understands the public interest, but he's staying right out of it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British pop legend Robbie Williams offers his thoughts on the increasing scale of live performances and concerts as part of an interview with Mike Hosking. Catch the full-length chat here. Robbie Williams is coming to entertain New Zealand this November.  He’s confirmed one show in Auckland and another in Christchurch for his BRITPOP world tour, and he’ll be the first international artist to perform at Christchurch’s new Te Kaha Stadium.   Musicians have been putting more and more effort into their performances and concerts of late – ramping up the visuals and touring much more frequently.   Williams reckons the reason why is that all artists “shat themselves” when the experimental experiential market “fell to shit” as a result of Covid.  “I reckon it did something to all of our psyches,” he told Mike Hosking.  “We realised on a conscious or subconscious level that this could all be taken away at any moment, and we shall never ever take this for granted again.  “I think everybody came out of the traps going, quick, do something! And I don’t think that we’ve caught up with the fact that were alright right now – we can maybe chill.”   “I don’t think I’ve worked as hard in the last four or five years as I’ve done since I was in ‘Take That’, since I was in the boyband.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 18th of March, we talk food prices, geothermal investment, and chat with the legendary Robbie Williams.  The debate around private versus public life is back after Chris Hipkins responded to allegations from his ex-wife yesterday.   And Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss Chris Hipkins and leadership, plus Mark's wedding this weekend 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.

Should a politician’s private life impact their political career?  Labour Leader Chris Hipkins’ ex-wife Jade Paul made allegations against him on a private Facebook post on Sunday, none of which allege unlawful conduct.   They've since been deleted.  Political Commentator Grant Duncan told Mike Hosking whether or not the allegations would move a vote depends on the person.   He says that some people separate someone’s private life from their suitability for a particular role, while others will draw a direct line between their conduct in their private life and their suitability for public office.  “That’s the question of trust, the trustworthiness and the consistency between their party values and what they do in private.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is aiming to bolster our geothermal supply. It announced $50 million in new funding, with $23 million has been committed so far – including two $10 million loans for new plants near Rotoma and Kawerau.  The aim is to cut upfront risk whilst doubling generation by 2040. Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge told Mike Hosking that New Zealand is a world leader in geothermal, and if we can maintain that edge, that’s a good thing.  He says what excites them is the potential growth in the electricity market, which could supply new industries and attract new investment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure is mounting for the country to retain Chinese students.  A new NZ China Council report shows they make up 35% of international enrolments, contributing $3.6 billion a year.  But competition is intensifying, with around 14 countries now vying for the market.  Chair John McKinnon told Mike Hosking New Zealand has a strong story to sell.  He says the quality of our education and being in an attractive, safe country are big draw cards.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cost increases from the war in Iran haven’t hit supermarket shelves yet, Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin says. The latest food price index, published on Tuesday, showed food costs up 4.5% in the year to February, largely driven by red meat, but those increases came prior to the first attack on Iran on February 28th. Quin told Mike Hosking Foodstuffs was trying to anticipate what the conflict would mean for New Zealand food prices. "We are definitely seeing… dramatic increases in the cost of diesel, which is all about our supply chain fleet. And we're seeing our suppliers start to tell us that they really are seeing component costs like plastics start to increase pretty rapidly," he said. The good news was that supply was not a risk. "Our supply comes down through around the bottom of South Africa rather than coming through the Straits of Hormuz. So we are not concerned about having products on shelf. What we are keeping a very careful eye on is what is happening to cost. "The company's own truck fleet, which moves product from warehouses to Foodstuffs stores, would see a multi-million dollar impact from diesel prices in the next few months. "We're absorbing that at this point to try and do everything we can to have it minimise the impact on New Zealanders on shelf. But there is, if this continues, it is going to be very difficult to suppress.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economic impact of property investors is being quantified for the first time.  A report commissioned by the Property Investors Federation estimates the sector added $24.8 billion to GDP last year.  It also links investors to about 126 thousand jobs nationwide – about 5% of the workforce.  Advocacy Manager Matt Ball told Mike Hosking the lack of data has been damaging to the sector.  He says it leads to bad policy which leads to bad outcomes, so they're trying to change that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How long can you pedal an invention?  On Friday March 6th the poll is out. It's bad for National and the media has concocted the idea that as a result of these numbers and the previous Monday's press conference about the war, that things have got so bad for the Prime Minister he is “considering his position over the weekend”.  They have also concluded numbers are being crunched, pressure is mounting and pressure is building for him to resign.  By the Monday, on this programme, March 9th it is clear no such thing has happened. No numbers are crunched and no considering of positions has been undertaken.  Is that the end of the story? No, it is not. It bubbles on for the rest of the week with literally nothing happening apart from the reiteration of what we already know not to be true.  By Thursday last week the NZ Herald runs an editorial declaring he has survived the week.  Survived from what? Their invention of a problem?  On Friday, Peter Dunne writes a piece that calls the media invented nonsense out.  On Saturday, Bruce Cotterill adds TVNZ woes to the list, but also points to the abject absurdity of the previous Monday's blitzkrieg at the airport as said Prime Minister and various Cabinet members arrive in Wellington to a pack of screeching journalists still refusing to believe that the story is entirely of their invention.  Then yesterday, March 16th, ten calendar days since the invention, Radio NZ were to have two talking heads discussing how the Prime Minister survived the pressure and the pending consideration of his position.  Assuming today there is no more, surely that has to be a record for continuing coverage of a pile of bollocks. Which leads to the question: how dangerous are our media when they invent a story and run with it? And then having had it dispelled, continue to run with it?  New week and there's a new story. The aforementioned Prime Minister ahead of his Pacific trip asked for a title, said the Samoan Prime Minister.  "Not true," said the Prime Minister's office, yet they still ran with it until Monday when the Samoan Government said it's not true.  How many times do you have to say a story isn't true before it isn't a story?  Is it true to say if a story that isn't true is still run as a story, we most definably have an agenda here? A bias? A level of dishonesty?  Given that, do they wonder why their reputations are in tatters?  Do they even care? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK says it won't be drawn into a wider war in the Middle East as Donald Trump urges allies to keep shipping lanes open.  The US President wants nations to help police the strait after Iran used drones, missiles, and mines to shut the key channel, used by tankers carrying a fifth of the world’s oil and gas.  Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain will work toward a fast resolution that brings security and stability, and he wants to see an end to the war as soon as possible, as it becomes more dangerous the longer it drags on.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking that Starmer’s position is roughly in line with what the nation is thinking.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our favourite tool shops is now a century old.  2026 marks 100 years for the tool company Stihl, which has been in New Zealand for over 40 years.  It’s been family-run since its inception – founded by Andreas Stihl in 1926 and passed on to his son, Hans Peter Stihl, before his grandson Dr Nikolas Stihl took the reins.   He’s the Chair of the Advisory Board and Supervisory Board and told Mike Hosking that remaining a family-run model has been better for them in the long run.   “Family-run businesses, they simply can take strategic decisions better than publicly owned companies,” Stihl says.  “We don’t report to any boards outside of the family ... we are independent, and in the long run, at least for us, that has been a lot better.”   With a turnover of €5.5 billion, equivalent to nearly $11 billion, 20 thousand employees, and manufacturing in eight countries around the world, Stihl is still continuing to grow.  “We keep on growing,” Stihl told Hosking.  “We’ve grown last year, and that wasn’t easy because of the world economy, but we did.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 17th of March, Finance Minister Nicola Willis breaks down the fuel situation and its impact on our economy.   Another big win has brought Wētā FX’s Oscar count to eight – Matt Aitken joined Hosking to chat about the win.   The man in charge of the century-old Stihl company, Dr Nikolas Stihl, is in the country, and joined to discuss one of the greatest business stories in the world.   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.

A big Hollywood celebration for the Wētā FX team last night after another Oscar win.   Wellington's Wētā FX won Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards in LA yesterday for their work on James Cameron's blockbuster Avatar: Fire and Ash.   It brings their total Oscar count to eight.   Head of Visual Effects Matt Aitken told Mike Hosking it's an acknowledgement of the team's dedication.   He says they thought it was the best work ever done in visual effects, but you never know how it's going to go on the night.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister's unveiled an overhaul of the health system.  It will see workforce, budget, service delivery, and recruitment decisions made at the local level from July.  Simeon Brown says it's a significant change but isn't a return to the old district health board system.   He told Mike Hosking the Government's also committing $25 million towards a new winter health plan.  Brown says New Zealand has a growing and aging population, so the investment is needed to ensure the country is prepared for winter.  The plan will deliver hundreds of extra staff, 71 extra hospital beds, and up to 567 short-stay aged-care beds over the peak winter period.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New alcohol legislation could go further.   The Bill put to Parliament yesterday includes a raft of changes to bar licences, aiming to cut red tape and bureaucracy.   But Alcohol Beverages Council Executive Director Virginia Nicholls told Mike Hosking changes should also limit the number of district licensing committees.   With 67 committees currently around the country, she says it's hard to create consistency.   She says it's a reflection of out-of-date rules, that doesn't acknowledge a difference between a good and bad license holder.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra's preparing to recruit a new boss after the resignation of current CEO Miles Hurrell.  Hurrell's given six months' notice to allow for a smooth transition.  The board and management regularly discuss succession plans and they'll be running a robust process to appoint a new CEO.  Co-Operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking it's unclear if Hurrell's replacement will come from inside or outside the organisation, but farmers have high expectations.  He says Hurrell has built a strong team around them, but they'll be plenty of interest from outside Fonterra as well.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An electric vehicle provider saw an uptake in electric and hybrid car sales over the weekend as fuel prices continue to soar.  BYD General Manager Warren Wilmot told Mike Hosking the number of fully electric and hybrid BYD cars bought on Saturday quadrupled their usual sale.  “We sold 80 on Saturday as opposed to the usual 20 to 25 we sell on a Saturday.  “Our Australian friends did even better they sold 902.”  Wilmot told Hosking a lot of people had already done their research and were sitting on the fence about whether to buy one, and that they “took the opportunity now.”  “Higher fuel prices aren’t great for anyone; you know the cost will go up for us too for shipment and other things.”    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has emphasised there’s a range of scenarios for inflation amidst the global oil crisis – not just the worst-case scenario of 3.7% outlined yesterday.  “We don't know what's going to happen with factors that are outside of our control,” she told Mike Hosking.  “We don't know how long the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed. We don't know whether Asian refineries will be able to access alternative supplies of oil in sufficient quantities, and we don't know whether importers will be able to access alternative supplies of refined products. So we're preparing for all of those scenarios.”  The Government remained "hopeful" there was enough cover, refineries could keep producing enough fuel and importers could bring in the quantities New Zealand needed.  Treasury would be the first to acknowledge their forecasts were “guessing games”, but "we have to plan for what could be around the corner so that if bad things happen, we're ready".  Hosking pointed out other countries were taking action to relieve mounting costs, including heating oil relief in the UK overnight.  But Willis said the UK and Europe’s energy and electricity prices were much more affected by events in the Middle East than New Zealand, which relies largely on hydro and renewables.  Our Government is closely monitoring the international response to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz.  Donald Trump is calling on several allies to send warships and other support to secure the strait.  Japan and Australia say they currently have no plans to send naval ships and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer say neither will Britain be drawn into a wider war.  But Willis told Mike Hosking there will be much to play out in the days ahead.  She says they do want to see the Strait of Hormuz reopened, and it will be up to all countries to decide whether and what role they plan.  "We haven’t been asked to participate in any particular efforts in the Strait.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia Correspondent Steve Price joined Mike Hosking to talk about the latest news out of Australia.  One Nation have reached 24% in the latest poll, just five points away from Labour.  Price said, "if you'd told me a year ago that they were gonna be sitting right now with a primary vote of 24%, I would've said you're crazy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold joined Mike Hosking to chat the latest in US news including the US attack of Kharg Island and the increased security measures at today's Oscars. "They have police dogs and SWAT teams, anti-drone technology, even sharpshooters on patrol," he said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 16th of March, we enter week three of the war and get the analysis from on oil and fuel prices. The Prime Minister calls in from Samoa to confirm he didn't ask for a title and tells us what we're getting out of the trip. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk Liam Lawson's brilliant weekend, the Warriors brilliant weekend and the Crusaders not so brilliant weekend re the media ban. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oscars arrive at noon (NZT) today with One Battle After Another as the front runner for Best Picture, with a chance of 76.3%, but Sinners is being eyed for a possible underdog win.  Jessie Buckley is the favourite for Best Actress after already taking home the Critics Choice, SAG, and Golden Globe for her role in Hamnet. Variety's Chief Film Critic Peter Debruge joined Mike Hosking to chat his expectations for the event.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking for their weekly catch up to chat fuel security, his visit to the Pacific, and Trump's calls for aid in the Strait of Hormuz.  Luxon told Hosking he is 'confident' in New Zealand's fuel imports as most of our supply comes from South Korea and Singapore.  "We've got very good cover and stocks," he said.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yet another “advice ignored” story. The trouble with advice is it's not automatically right and more often than not the media seems to think it counts for something, hence their obsession with coverage. The latest example is Paul Goldsmith ignored advice around move-on orders. The media plays these advice stories up because it suits their increasingly obvious bias against the Government. But when you read the advice it’s a mixture of the vague, wrong and made up. The best part is the bit that says evidence of a growing public disorder problem is limited. Are they serious? They obviously work from home and looked out their kitchen window at morning tea time and didn’t see any disturbances. Is there a person who has walked down Queen Street in Auckland, Courtenay Place in Wellington or their environs and not seen the trouble and upset the wonks can't see? They go on - police data showing prosecutions for such offences has declined in recent years. I repeat, are they serious? Why do you reckon that is? Just because you didn’t prosecute doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. They also, in a very political way, go on to lump all homeless or rough sleepers into the same category. The media does the same thing. It makes the very obvious and deliberate mistake of assuming all homeless or rough sleepers are the same. And like anyone else, they are not. The move-on orders are not about anyone and everyone. They are about the ones who cause trouble, who abuse the shopper or stop the proprietor getting into their business. As far as I can see, the aforementioned isn't actually mentioned in the advice. At some point the wonks might want to ask about rights. As much as you might want to argue for the right for a drug-crazed lunatic to be able to say what they want and do what they want, where they want, you might like to wonder if a punter should be able to go about their business unhindered. Out here in the real world the answer is, yes. Hence the Government move-on move reads the mood of the community, and is welcome, and will be effective, and, like the ram-raids and shop smashing's, will be dealt with. The question left is if that’s the quality of advice ministers get, I see some reasonably large and obvious savings to be made.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have good news on housing.  1) It's still a buyers' market.  2) A good chunk of the buyers are first timers.  It’s the debate we should at least acknowledge has been, for now, partially solved.  Not long back we were where Australia currently is; young people couldn't afford a house and, with plenty of emotion, it was suggested they never would.  That wasn’t actually factually true then and it most certainly isn't now.  What is helping is two things:  1) The slow rise of prices as we move out of the recessions and into recovery. The capacity for the wider economy to grow without major house price increases is actually a good debate, or question, but one for another day.  2) Lending. There is a lot of it for first timers.  Money attached to small deposits is booming. The reason that is happening is because the Reserve Bank loosened the debt-to-income rules as well as the LVR's.  So, with less than 20% you can get into a home.  Australia has a better system. The Government backs some people into homes with 5%. It's income related and in Australia there is an attached argument around price increases, given they aren't building houses and immigration is booming.  But here we don’t have those problems, sadly. But of the two problems young people face (one being the deposit and the other being the price of a house and therefore the mortgage) it’s the deposit that is the biggest hurdle.  20% of $800,000 grand is $160,000. Saving that sort of money is ruinous to dreams, so the sooner we get past that as a hurdle the better.  A mortgage can be managed. But what is most important about all of this is the indisputable truth that housing is a Kiwi dream, if not an obsession. A house is a retirement plan and the arguments around putting your money elsewhere and spreading the basket falls largely, rightly or wrongly, on deaf ears.  If I had my way 5% would be the key, 10% max. If young people have been locked out of housing, it's not the price that’s been the killer, it's been the deposit.  The Reserve Bank rules have been, yet again, another of their mistakes. These news stats are hopefully partial rectification. 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.    The Warriors: 8/10  Come on! Let's start with the good news – we're one from one. A thrashing against a good side and another home game tonight.    Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: 6/10  She's back. Whether she likes being back is another thing, but good on her for fighting her corner and exposing her crappy little party.    The Covid report: 6/10  Told us what we already knew and changes nothing. Listen to Hipkins. You reckon he knows how to say sorry?    Oil: 1/10  If you ever wanted proof over how far off we are in renewables, check our reaction to $120 a barrel.    Trump: 2/10  It's over, it's not over, we need to win more, we've only just got started, I could end it today, I could end it in an hour. He redefines mental.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My observations on week two of the war.  I'm as convinced as ever I was that this thing is over in the four week-ish window they said it would be.  If true, it means we should not have spent the week guessing when it will be over because we have already been told.  If I worry about anything it's miscalculation. The trouble with the miscalculation is we don’t really know if it is or not because most of what we hear is from the President and his Secretary of War, both of whom are cartoonish in their persona.  To say out loud he was surprised at the size of the Iranian navy is shocking. To say out loud, and both have, that they were surprised Arab states got attacked is even more shocking.  But then this was a bloke yesterday travelling through middle America telling the crowds at a rally that prices were coming down, so my faint hope is even though he is completely detached from reality, the people in the uniforms aren't.  I have no doubt Iran is fairly flattened and their ability to do a lot going forward that would bother the Western world is now severely limited.  But I also know oil isn't flowing and my equal bet is more people are worried about oil than they are about Iran.  That’s why this war, polls show, has no buy-in. We don’t care and we never did. Mind you, we may have been saved from ourselves of course because we would care if the Iranians ever really got nuclear weapons.  So if this thing ends within a month or so and oil is back to $68 a barrel, all in all, it will have been worth it.  It also shows beyond a shadow of doubt that renewables are nowhere near the answer, given when the Strait of Hormuz got closed, we didn’t all turn on our windmills.  But at the end of week two what I know is this: the economy is everything.  Economics is everything and this war will end not because Iran has been beaten, but because oil is king, petrol drives economies and Americans are voting later this year. And if they can't afford the bills because their President got sucked in by Israel, he's toast.  And as mad as Trump is, he's no idiot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Members of the International Energy Agency have unanimously agree to release 400 million barrels of oil reserves to help combat steep oil prices arising from the conflict in the Middle East.  It equates to about four-days' worth and is the largest ever release of reserves in the agency's history.  The US is releasing 172 million barrels from their Strategic Petroleum Reserve, beginning next week.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the move will result in a 40% decrease in the US’ oil backstop.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Friday, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was. With the ongoing uncertainty surrounding oil prices, the Government is considering heading back to the Muldoon-era and instituting car-less days if all else fails, so Tim, Kate, and Mike took a look back at what those days were like. And should you watch something just to see how bad it is? Mike is gobsmacked the Melania documentary was ever made, and thinks everyone needs to watch it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An energy industry lobby group is warning the decline in domestic gas supply is a sign of a shrinking economy.  PwC research —commissioned by Gas Industry Co— suggests the gas market must contract sharply as domestic supply falls, potentially leading to business closures, job losses, and higher energy costs.  The research assumes the Maui field will stop producing in 2027.  Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie told Mike Hosking modelling suggests the economic impact will be significant.  He says a report for MBIE found that without LNG terminals and with the loss of domestic supply, New Zealand's GDP will be about 0.1% lower in 2035.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 13th of March, is the Government really considering car-less days because of the fuel instability? What are the other options? Nicola Willis discussed the details.  Richie Barnett unpacked the Warriors' performance against the Roosters and looked ahead to tonight’s clash against the Raiders.  And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talked the days of car-less cars, the Melania documentary, and whether you should watch something just to see how bad it is as they Wrapped 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.

The Warriors are in for a challenge as they aim to go two for two in the NRL season.   They stunned the Roosters in their opening clash, claiming victory 42-18 at Mt Smart Stadium.   The Warriors are back at Mount Smart tonight, this time for a clash against the Raiders.  Former Kiwis Captain Richie Barnett told Mike Hosking the Roosters were ill-disciplined – they didn’t give respect to the Warriors, and they got caned in all areas of the game.  But the Raiders are a different side, and he says their ruck speed is the best in the game – if you control that, you control the game.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive new power user could put extra pressure on the South Island’s electricity system.  Datagrid has just received resource consent for a $3 billion, 78 thousand square metre data centre north of Invercargill.  About 1,200 jobs will work on the construction and about 50 people will staff the facility.  It will be the second-largest power user in the country behind the nearby Tiwai Aluminium Smelter.  Auckland University computer science lecturer Ulrich Speidel told Mike Hosking it's going to shift the power balance in the South Island quite a bit.  He says in terms of power use, that’s about 70% of what Christchurch consumes, and you can’t just add major power users without eventually running into generation limits.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tourism surge is putting pressure on Christchurch’s hotel capacity.  Hotels reached 96.4% occupancy last month – the highest February in a decade, and well above the national average.  ChristchurchNZ credits events like the Electric Avenue music festival and increased airline capacity.  Head of Destination Kath Low told Mike Hosking more hotels are needed, with several developments in the pipeline.  She says a Sheraton Hotel is opening next year in the former Noah's Hotel building, which will add 240 rooms.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government admits its walking a fine line between being prepared and causing panic.  It's considering a raft of possible measures like car-less days, limits on petrol sales, and the introduction of fuel coupons if oil prices continue to rise.  Iran's threatening to keep the critical Strait of Hormuz closed for the foreseeable future.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking New Zealand's still in a good place right now, with a secure 50-day fuel supply.  She says they're proactive in case the situation changes, further down the track.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.