The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Jetstar's hoping to bring down fares by expanding its New Zealand operations. It will fly directly against rival Air New Zealand with new flights between Auckland and the Sunshine Coast's Maroochydore, Christchurch and Cairns. An eighth aircraft in New Zealand will help add 240,000 new seats each year. Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully told Mike Hosking “This is the biggest expansion for Jetstar in over ten years.” Tully said “It’s a fantastic example of when we work together as an industry – we can really put more low fares into the market.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Community Beat Teams have been announced - 63 additional police staff will be deployed across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It's alongside Operation Safer Streets, which will see an extra 21 officers redeployed in Auckland's CBD from July - to target anti-social behaviour. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking “We’ve had visibility as a key priority for a long time.” Coster said recruitment has turned in a positive direction in the last few months. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saturday’s match is one the Warriors will want to forget. The side was annihilated in NRL's round 16 by the bottom-of-the-table Titans 66-6 in the Gold Coast. They conceded 11 tries to Te Maire Martin's one. Former Kiwi and league commentator Richie Barnett told Mike Hosking “Around 70% of the crowd were Kiwis – basically a home game, but it was awkward to watch.” Barnett said “I don’t understand how a side can show so much effort in the past couple of years – and show up and get destroyed.” He said "Every facet of the game was poor." LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Children's Minister is hoping the military-style academies will incentivise Judges to sentence youth offenders. The Government's introducing a label for teens aged 14-17 with multiple offences: ‘Young Serious Offender’. It's also looking at establishing a new military style academy - currently in the pilot stage. Minister for Children Karen Chhour told Mike Hosking “It’s still at the discretion of the judge – but what we can do is send a clear message to the judiciary that the public’s had enough.” Chhour said “I have every confidence that this will give these young people some hope for a better future.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maritime NZ and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are investigating the Aratere incident – putting the future of the Cook Strait connection under spotlight. The Interislander ferry Aratere ran aground on Friday night - after more than 24 hours it was successfully re-floated on Saturday night. Associate Finance Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking “It feels like we’re a nation in decline - the question is are we going to tweak it, or change it?” Semyour said you’ve got to ask whether private enterprise should be contracted or take it over completely. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 24th of June, Associate Finance Minister David Seymour talks our ferries and Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announces more cops on the beat. Our infrastructure is a mess. Ferries, trains, planes, transmission towers. Boy this Government have a lot to try and solve and the tens of billions they don't have that are needed to solve it. Guy and Sav regretfully have to cover the woeful Warriors in the Commentary Box. And Mike gives out a prize for what is the most exciting upcoming sporting event. 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 US election is edging closer – with the first debate between President Joe Biden and rival, Donald Trump, is only one week away. Both will formally become their parties' 2024 candidates – and this will be the first of at least two debates before the 5 November election. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking it's the first time the two have been in the same room since October 2020 – when Biden told Trump, “Will you just shut up, man?” Arnold said “The debate took the political process down to a new low.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's being warned it must invest in New Zealand's ageing infrastructure. It comes after a week of infrastructure woes, with the Defence Force plane breaking down, a toppled power pylon wiping out power to Northland, and the Aratere Interislander ferry running aground on Friday. Infrastructure NZ Policy Director, Michelle McCormick, told Mike Hosking “I think it’s terrible for New Zealand’s reputation.” McCormick said “I think it’s right across our infrastructure sectors - I think it's symptomatic of our ongoing lack of investment in maintenance.” She said "It's not politically that exciting - but we need to look after what we have." LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has been very low in New Zealand – but it’s finding life in the United States services sector. JMI Wealth Director Andrew Kelleher told Mike Hosking “We’ve had some pretty poor data recently.” Kelleher said “It’s another set of statistics reminiscent of the GFC – that's the space we’re in.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here is the real problem with a ferry running aground. It comes in the same week the plane didn’t work and the same week a transmission tower fell over. It's pathetic. This country is on its knees and it's embarrassing. As we said last week, the upside is it might just be so embarrassing we actually now get around to doing something about it. KiwiRail need an investigation into how they have run the business. Sadly, I note Helen Clark yet again weighed in via social media with another one of her petty barbs about cancelling the ferry contract. What we need are adults. Read the papers that have been released publicly between KiwiRail and Grant Robertson. Even he was aghast at the blowout in the ferry budget, despite KiwiRail over and over again reassuring him their latest estimate was the final figure, until it wasn’t. When Grant Robertson is aghast at a blowout you know it's gargantuan. So this is as much on KiwiRail as it is on any Government. But you can only embarrass yourself so much and so often before that becomes part of the country's psyche. A recession is one thing and its outworking has an effect on us all both psychically and psychologically. But you want to, in some way, feel there is something about this place that is decent and proper and rewarding. You want to feel good about your country. The Prime Minister can't travel the world promoting business and saying we are open when the planes don’t fly and the ferry runs into stuff and the power is out because towers fall over. We must do better. We have to wake up to the fact this country has, in too many respects, been run into the ground. It looks increasingly third world. The fear is the battle between the size of those who care and those who don’t is not that obvious. The fact we can be in this mess and all former Prime Ministers can do is snipe is an increasing worry. We are reaping what we sowed. If this doesn’t strike you as an emergency, we are in deeper trouble than I thought. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

United States and Israel relations are further unravelling after the latest move by Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli Prime Minister's released a video where he's attempting to remove the block on a US bomb shipment that was introduced last month. He says during World War II, Churchill told the US "give us the tools and we'll do the job". He's now telling the US give us the tools and we'll finish the job a lot faster. The White House has pushed back saying it doesn't know what Netanyahu's talking about. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that it's denying reports it's since cancelled a meeting with Israeli officials. He said that the White House says they’re trying to work out the calendar on that, which means they are seeking to paper over differences. 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. C-listers: 7/10 Burn of the week. I love people who call it like it is. Granny flats: 7/10 A common sense policy and we need more of it. GDP: 8/10 Come on! We beat Australia! Can't you feeeell the growth? Surely this makes us a rockstar economy again? Surely? Right? The Defence Force plane: 3/10 The outworkings of numerous Governments that lacked back bone and never understood basic investment. Sail GP in Christchurch: 4/10 They said they wouldn't be back, and they won't be. When a dolphin beats growth, tourism, marketing and income it explains a lot about the malaise. Janet Dickson: 6/10 Good luck to her. Real estate agents get what her argument is, but I suspect she will lose in court. Eden Park: 8/10 A Super Rugby game sold out. About damn time. Joseph Parker: 8/10 Warm vibes from me. A really nice guy who sits comfortably these days in his own skin. It's been awesome to watch the journey over the last decade. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think hard before you jump. That was a quote from the Reserve Bank economist Paul Conway in a speech this week, as he tried to explain monetary policy, inflation and our general mess of an economy. The comment was, in part, an answer to a question about whether the approach the bank had taken to the economy was the reason why so many New Zealanders were leaving. "Think hard before you jump." The prognosis he went on to say was good. He is right, to an extent. It always comes right. This country, in fact this planet, is in a mess right now. But it hasn’t, and it won't be, that way forever. History is instructive. The "leaving New Zealand" debate has been had for decades. We have been in a hole many times before. Young people have hated the place dozens of times over. Half of Australia is filled with aggrieved Kiwis who bailed first chance they got. But I detect a slight difference this time. A lot of people ask, or say, that they don’t know if the Government can fix it this time around. That explains the current polling around confidence. Post election confidence went up because we had acted and we had lanced the Labour boil. But then reality came back for a visit. The books were worse than they thought, there were hidden dramas, fiscal cliffs, the economy got really ugly, and things started to bite. Whether this Government can turn that around is still an open question eight months on from the vote. Plus, it's winter and it's always worse in winter. For what it's worth, I don’t have a shadow of a doubt the Reserve Bank has made it worse than it needs to be. But I was around for Robert Muldoon and he was a calamity of historic proportions. It took Roger Douglas, and a series of deeply traumatic decisions, to right that ship. But he did it. This lot, with fortitude, gonads and no fear, can probably repeat the trick. But, as we have seen this week in surveys in Australia, they are just as unhappy. The millionaires in Britain are bailing in record numbers. Lots of people have lots of grievances. We are not alone. It doesn’t make our plight any less stressful. But we aren't the only basket case in town. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Threats of war are firing between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah, sparking fears of a wider Middle East conflict. Israel's military says operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon have been approved. Meanwhile, Hezbollah says it would invade northern Israel should a war break out. Otago University Professor of Peace Studies Richard Jackson told Mike Hosking that it's unlikely Israel could take on both Hamas and Hezbollah, as the latter is a much bigger opponent. He says since the 2006 war Hezbollah's been massively re-arming and it has a lot more sophisticated weapons. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington is gearing up for a weekend of indulgence with a huge chocolate festival in town. Chockstock is coming to the Harbourside Function Centre with chocolate tasting sessions starting this evening and wrapping up Sunday afternoon. More than 25 chocolate makers will feature in the exhibition. Co-Founder Luke Owen-Smith told Mike Hosking that the craft chocolate industry's growing. He says there are three times the chocolate makers there were a few years ago. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kingsland is set to be buzzing as the Super Rugby Final kicks off in a sold out Eden Park. The Blues are playing the Chiefs tomorrow from 7pm, taking the home field advantage. Blues Coach Vern Cotter told Mike Hosking that the recovery of Patrick Tuipulotu was a good boost for the team. He said that he’s instrumental in putting everything in place, and gives the boys around him confidence. Cotter told Hosking that he knows the Chiefs are reasonably confident coming to Eden Park, but it is their home ground, and the Blues are proud to play there. “It will be a good battle.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 21st of June, Finance Minister Nicola Willis reacts to the surprise GDP increase and the Blues and Chiefs coaches talk their prep ahead of the final. The Transpower CEO tries, and fails, to explain what happened in Northland and when the power will be restored. Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson play the ‘family friendly’ game of what NZ city is the happiest. 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.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking once more to Wrap the Week that was. They discussed new music, the Northland power outage, and played a family friendly game of ‘which New Zealand city is happiest?’ LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It all comes down to Saturday, as the Chiefs face the Blues in the Super Rugby Final. They’re playing before a sold-out Eden Park, kick-off at 7:05pm. Chiefs Coach Clayton McMillan told Mike Hosking that while they lost their way a bit in the middle of the season, it was a reflection of them acknowledging some shifts they needed to make in their game, and then they got it going right at the end of the season. He said that the Blues are probably the form team in terms of consistency, very direct, very powerful, and they need to go up there confident in their own ability and give it everything they’ve got. McMillan said playing the Blues a few weeks ago gave them a feel for where they could make some shifts in the game, and they took on some good lessons from the loss. “We’ll put them under just as much pressure as they’ll put us under.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly 100,000 people spent the day without electricity in Northland after a transmission tower linking the region to the rest of the country collapsed. Power was restored to most of the region yesterday evening, but consumers were asked to conserve electricity and warned their hot water cylinders would remain off while the amount of energy getting into the area was limited. The tower was undergoing maintenance work when it fell yesterday morning but questions remain on the cause of the collapse. The country’s grid provider Transpower issued a grid emergency notice. It was the second such notice issued this year after there was a shortage of generation during a cold snap in May and a solar storm two days later. Transpower says they don't yet know why a transmission tower toppled over at Glorit, northwest of Auckland, causing a widespread power outage in Northland. NorthPower says supply's been restored to most of the very north of the country while Top Energy's showing 61 customers in Bay of Islands still without. But hot water controls are in place, further outages are possible today, and people are urged to conserve power. Transpower chief executive Alison Andrew told Mike Hosking that they haven't done a debrief with the crew on-site at the tower. She says at the moment they are focussed on restoration, and there will be an investigation, but speculation is unhelpful. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sign-off for a huge Government funding boost for Pharmac - which would allow for greater access to potential life-changing drugs for cancer patients - could come as soon as Monday. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed she would announce a policy “very shortly”, but wouldn't confirm the exact timing. Willis was speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking this morning, following reporting by The Post that an announcement of a $600 million boost for drug funding is imminent. That money could allow National to keep its pre-election promise to fund life-saving cancer treatments, while also giving Pharmac more money for other drugs. Willis told Hosking no announcement would be made today. But she did not deny, when asked, that an announcement about drug funding would be made next week following Cabinet sign-off on Monday. “We’ve been working very hard on this policy and we’re going to make an announcement very shortly,” she told Hosking. She did not specify whether the $600m figure was accurate. Willis’ comments come after the Government has been accused of breaking an election promise to fund 13 cancer-specific medicines, after this year’s Budget did not include funding for the policy. Health Minister Shane Reti has promised the drugs will still be funded and delivered this year. That apparently put Reti at odds with Pharmac Minister David Seymour who this week said he could not guarantee funding for the specific 13 drugs listed in the National Party’s election policy, partly because that would threaten Pharmac’s negotiating ability. However, an additional $600m would represent an almost 40 per cent increase in Pharmac’s budget, which could give the drug-buying agency the freedom to buy the 13 cancer medicines along with other medications, maintaining its independence. Health advocacy group Patient Voice Aotearoa described the pending policy as “excellent news, not only for terminally-ill cancer patients, but for many of the 330,000 New Zealanders who are waiting for one or more of the 90 medicines on Pharmac’s Options for Investment List”. “Today’s news will put a significant dent in Pharmac’s waiting list of medicines that they want to fund,” chair Malcolm Mulholland said. “This is worth celebrating. I hope that today’s news signals the end of New Zealand being the only country in the world with a waiting list of medicines. “Having patients wait for years for a medicine not only leads to poorer health outcomes but is inhumane. It should be to our eternal shame that successive Governments underfunded Pharmac for over two decades which resulted in an ever-growing waiting list of medicines, and consequently, lives either being cut short or living in pain and misery.” The policy, campaigned on by National ahead of the 2023 election, promised to fund 13 cancer treatments which were unavailable in New Zealand. The list of drugs had been identified in a 2022 Cancer Control Agency report. Some experts and advocates, including those in that report, have questioned whether other or more modern drugs would be more effective. The Budget this year didn’t include funding for the policy, prompting widespread criticism and forcing the Government to come up with a solution to honour the commitment. No timeline has been offered regarding an announcement on the future of the policy, except that it would be implemented by the end of the year. Reti, a National MP, earlier this week admitted the Government had poorly communicated the policy’s future but he stood by his party’s policy, guaranteeing the same 13 drugs would be funded. “We had made a commitment to these people and they saw themselves in this policy and so we’re going to deliver that policy.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stonehenge being vandalised has been labelled as shameful. A pair of UK Just Stop Oil protestors have sprayed the ancient monument with orange paint a day before summer solstice celebrations start. They've been arrested on suspicion of damaging the prehistoric structure. UK correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking that the activists said they've made a point to the next Prime Minister to stop reliance on fossil fuels. But he says it's resulted in the desecration of a national treasure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Cricket Players Association boss Heath Mills is adamant athletes will keep having to choose between club and country until the global calendar is aligned. Kane Williamson has joined a growing list in turning down a central contract to pursue the overseas T20 dollar but will still be available to a large extent for the Black Caps across all formats. Mills says each national board and T20 league design their own schedules independently, rather than collaborating. He told Mike Hosking that until they come together and agree on a programme that makes sense, then players are going to have to make these sort of decisions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday saw the beginning of New Zealand’s largest business events trade show. ‘Meetings’ connects overseas investors to domestic industries, highlighting what we have on offer in New Zealand. Over 1000 business events professionals are gathering in Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre over the next few days. Business Events Industry Aotearoa CEO Lisa Hopkins told Mike Hosking that New Zealand is in a really strong position to do very well. She said that overseas investors understand that New Zealand is open for business and when they visit, they aren’t just coming into Rotorua, but rather visiting other parts of the country and getting a really strong sense of what we have to offer. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the fringes of the Prime Minister's Japan trip are two stories. The first is the plane that needs replacing and the second is C-listers. I very much doubt whether anyone who matters in Japan really shifted their thinking about New Zealand over such frippery. The plane is the more serious story, and needs addressing, and if any good comes out of a bad situation it might just be that things have got so comical, so third world, that we might actually get around to addressing the problem. Clearly no Government has had the gonads to make the call, given the politics, remembering of course the 757's are not about VIP's but mainly about troops. But our plight, or at least the image of our plight, is now so pathetic that we may well just acquiesce and accept that we need to actually show a bit of leadership and sort it out. We may as well do the Interislanders at the same time. But, to story number two. C-listers and tag-alongs. The Prime Minister was making a point that bypassed too many of those who cover him. Too many of them don’t get it, or more importantly, don’t want to get it. You only had to watch his press conference in full in Japan on Tuesday to see it. There are some in the press gallery that are children. Was Luxon blunt? Yes. Was he wrong? No. Was he indelicate. Maybe. And that’s the price you pay for unsophisticated coverage, of which there is far too much. His point was specific, in the sense these missions need people who have an interest in the market you are in, can do business in the market you're in, are already in the market you're in and can convert into tangible results the trip they have just taken. In other words, it's not a meet and greet. It's not options and ideas, it's not blue sky and thought bubbles. It's cutting deals, doing business and banking the cheques. That was his point and in fact, if you listen to his words he made that point. So therefore, he was right to double down when questioned by the clickbaiters and it was based on experience because he had been on these jaunts in another life. The credit he deserves is based around his determination to do the miles, hold the meetings and put this country back on the map. When it comes to business, he is a serious player looking for results. His punishment is he's followed about by people who don’t get that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 20th of June, what are we expecting from the GDP number for Q1? And just how much trouble are the Government in after yet another failed ETS auction? Is professional cricket in NZ facing a turning point when you have captain Kane Williamson turning down a central contract to play T20 overseas? Joseph Parker is back in a big way. Two huge wins and now he's turning into a promoter as well. He joined Mike Hosking in studio to compare biceps. 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.

Kiwi heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is branching out. He’s moving into the promotion business, partnering up with Duco Boxing and Dazn for a multi-fight partnership, headlined by David Nyika. It’s Parker’s first time as a promoter, working alongside his longtime friend and manager David Higgins. He told Mike Hosking that Nyika has achieved a lot as an amateur, has a great work ethic, height and reach, and he reckons they’re very fortunate to be working with talent like him. Parker’s shift to promotions is not unexpected, as in the years since Higgins became his manager, he taught him about the business side of things. “I’ve always shown interest in, you know, the sponsorship, the venue, the tickets, the corporates, and now he’s given me the opportunity to do this event together.” He said it's a view to life beyond the ring, but also a chance to give back to others in the sport. “I want to help other fighters and give them the same opportunity I was given from David Higgins to reach the top.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's keeping possible changes to the electric vehicle scheme on the downlow. Some in the sector are frustrated only a handful of groups have been consulted but Simeon Brown says this isn't the case. The Transport Minister had attempted and failed to urgently repeal the Clean Car Standard on Budget night. Now the legislation's before the House. Brown told Mike Hosking that it's better this is resolved by a minister as opposed to Parliament or the public. He says the standard has to be flexible and respond to market conditions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Climate Minister promises he's focused on a 'credible' carbon credit market after yesterday's auction came up empty. Not one unit was bought out of 3.5 million available. Questions have been raised about the price of the credits and the gap between demand and supply. Minister Simon Watts told Mike Hosking that the Government's working on its emissions reduction plan alongside the trading scheme. He says they've been working hard to send a signal to the market on what the Government's intent is. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Banks are split over what today's GDP figures will show. Stats NZ will release the data for the first quarter of the year this morning. Westpac, BNZ, and Westpac are picking a small contraction, while ANZ and ASB are picking a small expansion. Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Mike Hosking that everyone's in a similar range, slightly above or slightly below zero. He says it's when we've had strong population growth which should provide a baseline of growth, but it seems we're going backwards in per person terms. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boeing's CEO has never spoken to any of the whistleblowers accusing the company of safety issues. The aerospace manufacturer is being questioned in the US Senate over incidents and allegations the company has had this year. Ex-employees allege the company has been cutting corners, hiding evidence from regulators, and skipping safety inspections. Committee member Ron Johnson began the questioning of CEO Dave Calhoun by asking if he'd spoken to any of the whistleblowers. When Calhoun replied he had not, Johnson suggested it might be a good idea. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that a short time ago Calhoun made an assertation that they’re committed to making sure every employee feels empowered to speak up if they have a problem. He said that there is a striking difference of opinion, as the Head of the Senate Panel says the recent whistleblower had pressure exerted on him to stay silent. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The irony is growing greater by the day. What to do with China? The Premier has been in New Zealand and Australia this past week. We rolled out the red carpet, they announced a visa deal for travellers and they also wanted us to put our differences aside. The differences were more pronounced in Australia. When Scott Morrison asked for an inquiry into the origins of Covid the Chinese went nuts, hit the tariff lever and punished Australia for a number of years on beef, and barley, and wine. Those tariffs have only just been unwound. The reason is because they didn’t work. China is basically a bully, and their bullying got called out. Meantime in Europe, NATO are openly discussing tariffs against them for supporting the war in Ukraine. They have also thrown tariffs at them because they gerrymander international markets in EVs and solar panels. The Chinese have made so many of them they are basically dumping them. Australia, wisely, has reduced their trading reliance on China. It was once 40% of everything they did, it's now 25%. What about us? Can we say the same thing? No we cannot. We are trapped. We have become so embedded we must now pretend a whole bunch of stuff that is happening doesn’t matter. China supports Russia, it does business with them, it hosts Putin, it buys its oil, are we outraged? No. Certainly not publicly. Once upon a time it was the Uyghurs, now we’ve got a whole damn war, and yet we pretend we can separate all of these things out. China is increasingly in the pacific, so Luxon and Peters circle the place with handouts, and handshakes, and talk of long-established friendships in the belief that mates beats money. Small clue, it doesn’t. Europe is looking to slap sanctions. We are looking to grow business. Someone isn't on the right side of this. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Super Rugby will be ending with a roar, Eden Park packed full of fans. Tickets for the final between the Blues and the Chiefs have sold out, 44,000 people expected to fill the stands as they play. Blues CEO Andrew Hore told Mike Hosking that they’re absolutely delighted with the viewership of the competition, with TV broadcast watchers increasing once again. He said there was 750,000 watches for the Blues v Crusaders for example, and a record number for the Crusaders v Moana Pasifika. Hore said that along with those numbers, they’re very happy with the over 20,000 stadium watchers they’ve had in other games, even if they didn’t sell out Eden Park. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 19th of June, the Chief District Court Judge discussed the plan to speed up our court processes, and there was a big boom for the Super Rugby final as tickets sold out. The most ironic story ever to come out of the Greens and their push for cycleways to take away parking. Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk more security for MPs and scrutiny week. And just wait until you hear why Ginny has to park on the footpath! 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 former Cabinet Minister is unconvinced parliamentary security staff should have the power to arrest. Speaker Gerry Brownlee suggests a security boost is needed for Members of Parliament and is expecting advice on the relationship between Parliament's own security and Police. Threats to MPs have increased in recent years. Political commentator Peter Dunne told Mike Hosking that you have to draw a line between protecting privacy and the public's right to have access. He doesn't like the idea of security staff being able to detain as arrest powers are traditionally for Police, but there could be some upgrading. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politicians are speaking out about safety concerns as a potential boost to Parliament security is being looked at. Speaker Gerry Brownlee is seeking advice on giving Parliamentary security guards arrest powers. Corrections and Police Minister Mark Mitchell says he had an incident where a person made serious threats to him. He told Mike Hosking that the safety of staff should always be at the forefront, and so there is no cap on the investment they have to make to keep them safe. Labour MP Ginny Andersen says it's important discussions like these are taking place. She says with recent instances of security issues being raised, it seems like a good thing that Brownlee is taking this seriously and taking some steps. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boeing's upper management is being singled out as the main reason for its continued problems. The aerospace manufacturer's CEO is being questioned in the US Senate over safety issues and allegations the company has faced this year. Ex-employees allege the company has been cutting corners, hiding evidence from regulators, and skipping safety inspections. Aviation researcher Boyd Group International President Mike Boyd told Mike Hosking that Boeing has stopped investing in its planes. He says the problem is the upper management is more worried about the stock price than managing the company. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state of New Zealand's transport is becoming embarrassing according to a public transit advocate. The business case for two new Interislander ferries suggests maintenance costs for the current fleet will continue to rise and could soon reach $65 million a year. Plans for new ships were called off by the Government due to ballooning costs. Public Transport Users' Association National Coordinator Jon Reeves told Mike Hosking that he hopes it can be re-negotiated. He says a $100 million penalty fee would still be worth it to start building ships. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reform lies ahead for the Public Works Act as the Government aims to bring its rules up to pace with the 21st century. The Government's appointed an independent panel to carry out an eight-week review and advise where the Act can address the unjustifiable costs, delays, and uncertainty of infrastructure projects. Minister for Land Information Chris Penk is hoping to speed up the process of buying and selling land for fair compensation. He told Mike Hosking that it's not in the interest of landowners to be caught in limbo with the Crown, meanwhile people are denied roads, schools, etcetera. Penk says everyone wins if we reduce some of the unnecessary process we have at the moment. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chief District Court Judge says there's a definite commitment across the justice sector to reducing court delays. He wants to introduce timeframe goals based on the seriousness of the crime. For the least serious category which can only result in fines or community sentences the aim is six months. Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu told Mike Hosking that they'll be looking to make best use of resources they currently have. He says there's been a lot of work happening to maximise that. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reform UK has launched their manifesto for the general election. A YouGov poll has placed Reform ahead of the Tories by one percent, Reform sitting at 19% and the Tories at 18%. UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking that it's a second resurrection for leader Nigel Farage. He said that national polls are suggesting the parties are neck and neck, and if the trajectory is right at the moment, it may translate into Reform getting four or five seats in Parliament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If a mistake was made during the coalition talks by National it was acquiescing to the NZ First demand that they keep people from offshore buying houses here. National had an elegant solution; anything under a couple of million was out of bounds, leaving that market for first home buyers. Then, the big end of town was open to the open market. Not only was it a mistake, for no real gain, it comes as somewhat ironic that the Prime Minister, quite rightly, is working as hard as any Prime Minister I have seen. He's running up hundreds of thousands of kilometres around the world spruiking our openness, when in fact we aren't quite as open as we could be. Here is a couple of simple truths - we need the world, and badly. We need its investment, its brain power, its heft in labour, its ideas and the growth that all of that brings. At the moment we are watching New Zealanders leave while seeing Indians and Filipinos arrive. Coming here and setting up shop here would be easier if you could feel welcome and have a chance to get a piece of the action. As far as offshore is concerned. it is limited to Australians, Singaporeans and expats. The rest of the world is locked out. As a result, the top end of the housing market is flat as a pancake. Read the piece in OneRoof, "million-dollar agents urge rethink of foreign buyer ban". Money is being left on the table. Yes, they have a self-interest. But most of us don’t. Most of us really just want what's best for the country and locking people out isn't smart business. On the street around the corner from me I can show you four houses for sale worth in excess of $20 million each. They are not selling, nor most likely will they, because those aren't the houses we generally buy. They are houses for Americans, Europeans and Chinese, where 50p buys a Kiwi dollar and where billions aren't as rare as they are here. Whether it's tourism, start up money, IPO's, the sharemarket, our housing market or immigration, this country has lost its fizz. It's competing in a world of countries where the bright and the brilliant are in big demand. We cannot afford to hobble ourselves, and here is a simple truth. Most of them want a house. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Dixon, McLaughlan and Armstrong fly the flag well for New Zealand in IndyCar, we've also got van Gisbergen in winning form in NASCAR, and Liam Lawson waiting for his time in F1. Closer to home we have the next big superstar, according to a number of analysts in the NZ racing scene. His name is Tom Bewley and won this year’s Toyota 86 Championship at only 16 years old. This weekend he made his debut at the Porsche GT3, taking pole after being sick for the first practice session, and ended up finishing his debut in second place. Bewley told Mike Hosking that seeing so many Kiwis succeeding in motorsports definitely encouraged him to chase his dream, but you have to stick to your own track and make it at your own pace. He said that you can't compare yourself to other people and how fast they’re going and where they’re heading to and what they’re racing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 18th of June, the Government is changing the rules to make it easier to build small dwellings, and public sector CEO's better watch out because performance-based pay is coming. In other news, Mike can't understand why you'd buy food on a short domestic flight. 16-year-old Tom Bewley is our next big thing in motorsport. He will be one to watch, joining the show for a chat. 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 Finance Minister is warning of tough times ahead. NZIER is now forecasting slower than expected economic growth of 0.2% in the year to March this year and 0.6% in the year to March next year. Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking that New Zealand has some tough months ahead of it. She claims the last government "mismanaged" the economy. Willis is also confident the Government will get to the bottom of data misuse allegations. King's Council lawyer Michael Heron's been appointed to lead the public sector inquiry into the accusations made against Te Pati Māori. He's been given scope to look at a range of government agencies and third parties linked to the claims. She told Hosking that it's important the facts of what's gone down are cleared up and out on the table. She says the public service commission's been instructed to use its power to ensure the government agencies have taken all the right steps to protect New Zealander's personal data. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a bit of mixed messaging surrounding the granny flat proposal, but it's mostly being received well. The Government's new discussion document proposes allowing small structures up to 60 square metres to be built without resource consents. It's part of efforts to make it easier and more affordable for families to live the way that suits them. Combined Building Supplies Chairperson Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking that it's unclear if an engineer's report is still required. But, he says, assuming the granny flats still need to meet the building code, there shouldn't be too much to be concerned about. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Performance-based pay is on the horizon for Chief Executives of public sector agencies. Departments are moving to another phase of cost-savings after the Budget confirmed spending reductions. Finance and Public Service Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed pay boosts will be tied to progress but she's not expecting any bonuses to be paid out for at least a year. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking that this has the potential to incentivise change. He says it's reflective of the directive to give results that stack up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economy could be slowing down more than expected. NZIER is revising down its forecasts for annual average GDP growth to 0.2% in the year to March this year and 0.6% in the year to March next year. It says high interest rates are continuing to dampen demand. But Principal Economist Christina Leung told Mike Hosking that strong migration growth should ensure the economy starts growing again. She says migration is expected to support demand across a range of areas, particularly when it comes to construction. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was Simon Upton watching the vote in Europe last week? As an outsized group of young people in places like Germany and Italy voted for the right, if not the far right, and didn’t vote for the Greens, despite the Greens being the alleged “go to” team for the young ones, Upton was speaking at the Environmental Defence Society conference. If you don't know, Upton is the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Here is what he said; "There is a danger that we all get into a bubble of clear-sighted, righteous agreement and if only other people had sufficient political will and shared our views we would be well on our way to the promised land." He added, "we can close polluting industries or shun them. But in most cases we will simply import the goods. Under certain conditions we must be willing to entertain environmentally damaging activities like mining." He said, "calling for green growth isn't the easy economic and environmental win some people imagine as it will continually trade one environmental issue for another. Any change, even a clean, green one, will be costly "Degrowth wont be an easy sell. Barring something of a spiritual awakening, the reality is we are likely to continue to worship at the church of consumption. Simon Upton, where have you been all my life? It's probably why I quite liked him as a Health Minister many National Party years ago. But there is your wake up call. There is your reality check from a bloke who's job it is to spruik the climate and environment. And the value of his point was laid out in Europe last week. If you bludgeon people - you lose. If you lie to them about the perfection of transition - you lose. If you leave a gap where the lights can't be turned on, on renewables - you lose. If you pretend EV's are the answer but ignore the mining aspect of batteries - you lose. If you close down oil and gas with no consultation - you lose. If you thrash farmers by telling them to have fewer cows and drown them in red tape - you lose. In Europe last week, they lost. The theory around renewables and the climate story of late might have smashed into reality and a general fatigue by most of us over the zealous BS that is pedalled at all costs. The kids in Europe got it. The Environment Commissioner clearly gets it. I hope those at that conference, once they picked themselves off the floor, got it. How about the Chloe's and Jacinda's of this world start waking up a bit and reading the room too. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Saville and Guy Heveldt joined Mike Hosking to discuss Super Rugby semi-finals, the Warriors' loss to the Storm, the US Open and the beginning of the European Football Championship 2024. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.