The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Question six, the House of Parliament Question Time.   Winston Peters to Simeon Brown. The mandate for 12 to 17 year olds and the double dose of the vaccine – seek it out, it’s a fascinating exchange.  Tuesday, Chris Hipkins and Ayesha Verral denied the concerns raised by the Ministry of Health ever reached their desks.  Peters presented evidence it did, and even after it did it took a very long time for anything to be done about it.  So a couple of issues out of that. Firstly, it is potentially a misleading of the House – a very serious issue. More importantly, a misleading of us.  There is little more egregious for a number of New Zealanders out of the Covid experience than the vaccine issue.  Sadly, a lot of the noise around it was tin hat material driven by Ouija board thinking, but some of it, not much, but some of it was real.  The risks became a lightning rod. All vaccines carry risk, but concerns were raised about rushed development. And then making that risk higher, mandating of that rushed development into the arms of New Zealanders.  Also making this complicated is the line between politics and health, politics and expertise.  The government has a right to ignore advice – they do it all the time. But can you ignore health advice – an area you are not expert in?  Part of what Peters raised, that may well be a longer term issue, is legal. Is there a case to be heard, whereby a government knew of a problem around a vaccine and yet did nothing with that knowledge until later. Meantime any number of young people were exposed to a risk they didn’t have to be.  Associated with the stance is the broader, but not legal aspect of this. If that is the sort of approach a government can take, then how does that dovetail with the overarching view that governments want vaccine rates in the high 90s – in other words, they want public trust.  A lot of the Covid response and report is about interpretation and ideology. This appears much more specific, worrying, and potentially dishonest. Watch this space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italy’s Prime Minister has joined other EU leaders in criticising the US-Israeli war on Iran.  They’ve reportedly bombed nearly ten thousand civilian sites, killing well over a thousand in Iran and hundreds more in Lebanon.  Giorgia Meloni described the conflict as part of a growing and dangerous trend of interventions that fall “outside the scope of international law”.  Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking Meloni is walking a tightrope between not wanting to be too openly critical of Donald Trump, but also being mindful of the polls.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a successful summer circuit in New Zealand, Kiwi shot-putter Tom Walsh is gearing up for a year of international competitions.  The Diamond League is only a few weeks away and the Commonwealth Games are set for July through to August in Glasgow.  But Walsh told Mike Hosking that despite performing well over the summer, his results weren’t quite what he wanted them to be, distance-wise.  “This is kind of the part where you’ve really got to trust what you’re doing,” Walsh said.  “Sometimes you’ve kind of got to, y’know, take a few hits early season to help you line up later in the season when, when things really count.”  “The Commonwealth Games is what we’re really working towards, and sometimes you’ve got to step back, and remind yourself of that.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 12th of March, the Government is offering a pay rise to non-union primary teachers as the union’s negotiations continue.   Air NZ CEO Nikhil Ravishankar discussed the price hikes and how long they’ll last, fuel issues, and whether the airline is panicking or not.   Kiwi shot-putter Tom Walsh is back after dominating the summer circuit in New Zealand and talks his KPIs and prep ahead of the Diamond League season and the Commonwealth Games.  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 exercise industry is making gains.  New data shows the industry is defying economic headwinds, with 96% of adults —around 2.67 million people— exercising.  Nearly a million are regularly using structured facilities like gyms and studios, making up 26% of adults – up from 22% in 2024.  Exercise NZ CEO Richard Beddie told Mike Hosking whereas traditional sport is on a decline worldwide, recreational fitness such as the gym, dance, and martial arts are growing.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keeping the Marsden Point refinery open would not have helped the current fuel supply situation, as the crude oil it refined would have come from the same choke points as overseas refineries, a senior economic advisor says.  It follows Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones’ statement yesterday that the closure of Marsden Point under Labour had “fatally wounded” New Zealand’s fuel security.  But according to a 2025 fuel security study for the Government, keeping the privately-owned Marsden Point open would have been the mostly costly resilience option, and would only have bought a little more resilience, Heuser Whittington partner Andreas Heuser told Mike Hosking this morning.  “There are much better resilience options such as increasing the tankage in New Zealand, and our transition to EVs will also help us.”  Heuser was confident New Zealand currently had the right settings in place, although it may need to look at updating the minimum stockholding requirements for diesel.  However, if the situation became more serious and led to rationing, the Petroleum Demand Restraint Act 1981 may need updating to reflect that New Zealand no longer had a domestic refinery.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heinz Wattie's says it's just not viable to continue selling frozen vegetables, Gregg's Coffee, and several dips.   It's proposing to close manufacturing facilities in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, packing operations in Hastings, and cut 350 jobs.   Managing Director Andrew Donegan says the past five years have been tough for the company.   He told Mike Hosking it includes big increases in the price of gas, energy, diesel, and coffee.   Donegan says it's meant an almost 40% increase in the cost of producing a ton of vegetables.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unprecedented jet fuel prices are set to cause extensive Air New Zealand flight cancellations, affecting tens of thousands of people.  The airline expects to consolidate 1,100 flights over the next six to eight weeks – impacting about 44 thousand passengers.  It expects to start notifying affected customers from today.  Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar told Mike Hosking at this stage, they're planning to cut frequencies, rather than entire routes.  He says they're in daily —if not hourly— contact with their fuel suppliers and working with the Government on a coordinated response.  They've already had to raise fares to help cover the rising costs, but Ravishankar told Hosking every airline is dealing with similar issues.  He says the airlines have the same or similar playbook for dealing with fuel price shocks like this.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister says they'll continue to work with unionised primary teachers, despite offering pay rises to the rest.   About ten thousand non-union primary teachers have the option to accept pay offers from today after the union's rejected three recent deals.  Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking a third of the workforce are being held up, and deserve a pay rise.   She says they'll continue to sort a deal with union in good faith.   NZEI's Liam Rutherford says the move is a deliberate breach of good faith and undermines teachers' collective bargaining.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some simple observations on part two of the Covid Inquiry.  1) It's cheaper than the British equivalent finished last week that cost over half a billion dollars.  2) It says pretty much what you thought it would.  3) I'm convinced it’s a waste of time because a pandemic response is about the ideology and Government of the day, not medical process.  4) Why do I say that? Read the report. It says numerous times good advice was ignored.  5) Did the Labour Government, broadly, cock it up? Yes.  6) Badly? Yes.  7) The report says, at its heart, people tried hard. They wanted to do the right thing.  8) Is that an acceptable answer? Sort of. But wanting to do well isn't the same as actually doing well.  9) It's hard to work out what's worse – the medical cock-ups or the financial ones.  10) Grant Robertson and his economic vandalism come out of it probably as bad as Jacinda Ardern and her megalomania.  11) They were too slow, I would argue because they were lazy. They sat in Opposition for nine years not expecting to get to Government, they weren't sharp or ready, so not only did Winston hand them a lifeline, they got a pandemic. They never stood a chance. They weren't match fit.  12) It's as much our fault as anyone. A party that gets about 30% support in an MMP election got 50% in 2020. Too many of us loved being told how to wipe our bums and too many of us were too lazy to think and work out where it was all heading.  13) The tide turned and (given any response whether it be a pandemic, war, or just plain policy is reliant on public goodwill) once it did turn Labour were done for.  14) The fact Ardern can't live in the country tells you very clearly how badly the tide turned.  15) I am no more confident today that we are any more ready for a pandemic, although if we can take anything from the report;  16) It’s the recommendation that public debt needs to drop so we can be more ready for an unpredictable world. War, anyone?  17) Neither of the reports were really needed. We are the experts because we lived through it. Some of us still bear the scars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White House says the conflict with Iran will end when Donald Trump decides it will end.  The US President says the mission is almost complete, but the US is "going to go further".  US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says US strikes are ramping up today, the Iranian regime is "totally and decisively defeated", and Iran's leaders are "desperate and scrambling".  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Trump’s giving mixed messages about the timeline of the conflict.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven Iranian football players have now been granted asylum in Australia.  Five players from the women’s team, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, slipped away from the team hotel under the cover of darkness to claim sanctuary from Australian officials, the Australian Government announced.  At least two more members of the team applied to stay later in the day, according to reports.   Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking that those who wanted to return left the country last night, catching a flight to Sydney, then to Kuala Lumpur.   Where they go from now, he says, is uncertain, as commercial flights obviously can’t enter Iranian airspace at the moment.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are spending less time on hold to customer service call centres.  Research from AI platform ServiceNow estimates New Zealanders spent 22 million hours waiting on hold last year – two million less than the year before.  It says banks and retailers have the fastest resolution time of 2.4 days on average, while government and manufacturing lag behind at 6.5 days.  ServiceNow Country Manager Kate Tulp told Mike Hosking the improvements are being driven by AI.  She says 72% of New Zealanders say that they're willing to embrace AI and actually want to use self-service first.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11th of March, we dig into the findings of the Covid Inquiry, and look at just how long Air NZ’s prices will be raised, considering fuel prices have mostly been corrected.   Former Covid Minister Chris Hipkins explains his position on the inquiry.    And on Politics Wednesday, Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk the Covid inquiry and Mark's house in Bali – you'll never believe what he paid for it.    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.

Yesterday saw the release of the results of the second phase of the Inquiry into New Zealand’s Covid-19 response.  Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss the inquiry’s findings – the mistakes, the lockdowns, and the lack of communication.  Plus, Mike is fascinated by Mark’s house in Bali.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing affordability in New Zealand has improved to its best level in almost a decade, according to new data from Cotality.  Lower property values, rising wages and easing mortgage rates have helped reduce pressure on buyers.  Cotality NZ’s Housing Affordability report, covering Q4 in 2025, shows the national value-to-income ratio fell to 7.2 – the lowest level since a brief period in 2019 and before that 2016.  Mortgage servicing costs have improved, with repayments accounting for 42% of gross median household income, down from a peak of 56% in late 2023.  Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson told Mike Hosking that the housing market isn’t cheap and getting into it is not easy, but it’s easier than it’s been for quite some time.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former Covid Response Minister admits some pandemic decisions were mishandled.  The second phase of the Covid inquiry has found New Zealand’s overall response was effective, but the Government went too far with some restrictions and moved too slowly in some areas.  It's recommending new pandemic legislation before future outbreaks and stronger financial reporting.  Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking he recognises his mistakes, in hindsight.  He says he'd would've made decisions about the Auckland lockdown and the roll-out of RAT testing differently.  But he’s defending their Covid spending, saying the inquiry raises questions about what was included as ‘Covid spending’.   Hipkins told Hosking that the category was too broad, and could’ve been broken down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister is highlighting the importance of the Covid-19 Inquiry.   The Royal Commission's second phase report's found overall, New Zealand responded well, but highlighted concerns including the length of Auckland's lockdown.   Health Minister Simeon Brown says it shows the previous Government extended the Auckland lockdown, in spite of official advice saying it was safe to lift.  He told Mike Hosking the report highlights that, as well as the Government’s overspending, causing many of the challenges New Zealand is facing today in terms of inflation and the economy.  Brown says this report was needed, as the previous administration didn’t want to the hard questions to be answered, and the reality is that the lockdowns and their economic impact were significant for New Zealanders.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some people could be put off travel as surging jet fuel costs push up airfares.  Air New Zealand's increasing its domestic fares by $10, its short-haul fares by $20, and its long-haul fares by $90.  Air Chathams is raising its standard fare by $20.  Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director Cath O'Brien told Mike Hosking while it's a little early to say what will happen, it's likely demand will drop.  She says the increase in the price to travel, coupled with the challenge of travelling to certain places, could see people change their plans.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luxon - 1, media - 0.  After no small effort on the media's part to drum up a crisis on a bad poll, there's two important points and we can put this whole nonsense to bed.  1) Luxon doesn’t have a coup brewing. Despite all the detractors' best efforts, there is no one counting numbers. The nearest they have managed to get is Chris Bishop, who was more interested in being in India over the weekend than lining up a new job for the new week.  Also, we don’t vote for Prime Ministers. They are not presidents. We vote for parties and policies and results. If you like National you don’t not vote National because the leader isn't to your taste.  2) The revelation from the Curia poll, that on one hand they tried to tell you how unpopular Luxon was with a net negative rating of -19. It turns out Bishop is about as bad on -14. Erica Stanford is -16. Everyone is underwater.  Chuck in Winston, Seymour, and Hipkins, you'll see no one is in positive territory and that tells you a couple of things as well. We live in an era where likeability is irrelevant because we hate everyone.  Post-Covid we have never got over the funk, so as much as you want to bang on about Luxon not connecting, according to the numbers, no one connects.  It's all over the world. Trump is underwater, Starmer is underwater, Albanese is underwater and Macron is underwater.  Chris Minns who runs New South Wales is popular currently because of his handling of Bondi. Apart from that pick a politician because we hate them all.  In the likeability numbers, the likes of which we see in the TV1 poll, if Hipkins was 50% and Luxon was 20% then that's an issue. But they aren't. They both have been stuck at about 20% forever and all the others are below that.  That's why none of this matters. In the past the polls have shown an answer, a suitor, a name that drives a bit of fizz. We have no such names.  Now, you can debate the merits or otherwise of great leaders with great personalities, or lack of them. But we are where we are and none of the current lot will go down as Churchill's, to paraphrase Trump. And Churchill, by the way, for a lot of the time wasn’t popular either.  So let's see this nonsense for what it is: we are voting on the economy, not show-men. There is no coup, this is but one poll. Mountain versus molehill. A waste of time.  Let's all try and do a lot better. There is too much at stake. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK and France are sending more defence assets to the Middle East as the conflict's death toll ticks over 1700.   Iran has appointed the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader, signalling a defiance to the US and Israel.   Many of the deaths so far have occurred within Iran and Lebanon, with Israel ramping up its strikes.    French President Emmanuel Macron says his country will deploy 10 warships and an aircraft carrier to nearby waters as a defensive measure.  France Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that Macron is saying what most other European leaders are saying – they are there to protect their interests, assets, and citizens.   She says they’re defending their assets and allies in the area, but they’re not getting involved in the wider conflict.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our best up and coming country music talents is being recognised across the ditch.  Zac Griffith is a self-taught musician from Tapawera, near Nelson, and his rise started at the Gold Guitar Awards, which he won in 2023 at the age of 18.   He joined Kaylee Bell on tour last year, and got a co-sign from Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson.   Griffith told Mike Hosking that Bell has been a big influence and cheerleader for him.  “She really has boosted my confidence, especially with taking me on that tour that she did last year,” he explained.   “It’s, you know, getting the praise from people that you look up to – people that are doing what you want to be doing.”  Griffith had won a handful of country music awards before taking home the Gold Guitar, but it was that award that reinforced his path in music.   “Winning that really was, was a testament to me, and was, yeah the thing that made me go, okay, I must be doing alright.”  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 10th of March, we look at the share market and what will happen to prices at the pump after oil prices spiked.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses the potential for the Government to scrap the fuel tax next year, plus inflation pressures from the war.  And Kiwi country up-and-comer Zac Griffith performs his new single and details his self-taught rise in the country scene.  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.

New research suggests daily multivitamins could slow biological ageing.  A clinical trial in the US found slower changes in the DNA based epigenetic clocks of older adults who take multivitamins.   It suggests that simple nutritional interventions could potentially influence the body’s ageing process.  Professor at Massey University’s Centre for Public Health Research and Nutrition, Lisa Te Morenga told Mike Hosking it’s not a magic pill.  She says the effects so far are quite tiny, and there’s no evidence yet that multivitamins actually help you live longer, it's just changing things they believe are associated with living longer.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is actively monitoring the impact international fuel prices are having on the price we're being asked to pay at the pump.  Crude oil prices have topped US$100 a barrel for the first time in three years, and our petrol prices surged another 14 cents in the weekend.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking that they’re conscious that the price at the pump impacts not only most New Zealanders, but also freight costs and other costs across the economy.  But she says they need to understand what the bigger picture looks like before they overreact, as any money they throw at the problem is money they will need to borrow.   “We need to be prudent about New Zealand’s fiscal position.”  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mussel farmers are warning that plans to discharge partially treated sewage into the ocean to deal with Christchurch's Bromley stink, could wipe out aqua culture. The City Council's planning to dump 30% of partially treated wastewater into the ocean to ease pressure on the poorly operating treatment plant.   Two thousand tonnes of green lipped mussels come from eight Aroma New Zealand farms in Banks Peninsula annually.   Company director Ben Winters told Mike Hosking chlorine and sewage don't need to go to sea.   He warns if plans go ahead, it could be a national disaster.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More people have been filling up at petrol stations as prices climb.   The Waitomo Group says there's been a 15-20% increase in demand in the past week.  Chief Executive Simon Parham says pump prices have gone up from about 10 to 20 cents a litre.   He told Mike Hosking it's because they buy their product on a weekly basis.   Parham says with short sharp shocks it's very hard to avoid price increases.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some positive signs from international markets overnight.  American and European markets tumbled on Friday due to ongoing concerns about the Middle East conflict.  Asia-Pacific markets followed suit yesterday, with the NZX 50 dropping 3.1%.  Craigs Investment Partners Investment Director Mark Lister told Mike Hosking trading overnight has been more subdued.  He says oil prices got up to about $120 a barrel and are now back in the 90s, and the US, UK, and Europe markets are down again, but only slightly.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 9th of March, we look at week two of the war and whether it's about to start hitting retail prices. The Prime Minister joins and talks his eventful weekend after the bad poll, plus whether we are looking at repatriation flights in the Middle East. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk the F1, Auckland FC, Rennie vs Joseph and the might Warriors! 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.

Staying the course when things are tough is a skill. I think you either have it or you don’t. Chris Luxon will not get rolled, but he may quit. That would be a mistake of epic proportions. What would drive me, if I was him, would be rational thought. 1) This election is not about personality, it's about economic management. On that the Government are tracking well. 2) The internal polling within the National Party is fine. It does not reflect the Curia poll that the media made so much of. The unfortunate thing about Friday's pre-hyped release is it came at the same time Luxon had had a bad week on the war. That week by the way, was nowhere near as bad as some made it out to be. But the two events came together for a good week-end headline. 3) This would be the bit that would focus my mind - it's only Hipkins. Seriously, you're only lining up Labour as an opponent. On the economy. The people who wrecked the place two and a bit years ago are asking the voter to come back and do a bit more of it. You don’t believe me? Read Thomas Coughlan's piece with Barbara Edmonds. 4) Even if you take the poll seriously, which you shouldn’t. There is a one seat shift, so it's within a margin of error. 5) The economy will save you. You campaigned on a turnaround and the turnaround is real. Given we are voting on economics, the National leader is not a deal-breaker. If you are voting on interest rates and jobs, does Chris Bishop or Erica Stanford really change your view of your lot? They are good people and good talents, but they aren't game-changers and they won't get you a job any more than Luxon will. 6) Having done the hard yards, why quit now? The prize is just down the road and with a second term perceptions change. 7) The coalition as an operation is a success. Three parties have, and do, work well together. It's MMP in action. The alternative? Hipkins talking about a minority Government, a Green Party and extremism and a Māori Party that will not be back in anywhere near the numbers they have now. It's not a combo. This must all sit heavily with Luxon. How could it not? But that is what leadership is about. That is what you chased and bought into. If you think you will fail you will automatically be successful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A surge in enrolments has Auckland University's campus buzzing. Total semester one enrolments have topped 47,000, up 8% from the same time last year. Undergraduate numbers are driving much of the growth rising 10%, which is nearly three thousand more students. Deputy Vice Chancellor of Education Sarah Young told Mike Hosking that several factors are driving the increase. She says more students go to university when unemployment is high, while they've put a lot of work into attracting international students. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been another assurance from Chris Luxon that he isn't going anywhere. A Taxpayers' Union Curia poll shows National on just 28.4%, behind Labour on 34.4%. This has sparked speculation about Luxon's future as leader. On Friday, Luxon says told Newstalk ZB he wasn't considering his position. Today, Luxon told Mike Hosking that hasn't changed at all over the weekend. He says the only future he's been considering is the future of New Zealand's kids and grandkids, and how the Government to set the country up for better success. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Fonterra dairy farmers are planning to invest their upcoming capital return back into their farms. The dairy co-op's been given the green light by regulators to sell its consumer brands to France dairy giant Lactalis for $4.22 billion. Farmers will get back two-dollars a share, possibly by the middle of next month. Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking that farmers will be trying to make the most of the money they receive. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conflict in Iran won't just affect petrol.  Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says prices in her domain haven't increased yet, but they will soon.  She says it's been forecast that the conflict could add half a percent to inflation.  Young told Mike Hosking that it will affect everything that needs to be delivered, whether they be by road, sea or air.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of barrels remain stuck behind the blocked the Strait of Hormuz.  The price of crude oil has increased 35% since last week.  Generate Investment Specialist Greg Smith told Mike Hosking that only a few ships are being getting through.  He says Chinese ships are getting through as Iran still needs them for revenue.  The Commerce Commission says international conflicts will affect prices but it expects retailers to keep prices competitive.  It says it will call out any behaviour which impacts New Zealanders' ability to get a fair price. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The primary teachers' union is doing my head in.  This country needs fewer people like them and more people wanting to get on with it, get ahead, dream big, be bold, work harder and generally look at life in a more upbeat way.  The latest problem for the union is they want facilitated bargaining. I bet they do.  Unlike just about everyone else union based who has signed a deal, the primary teachers lot think they are so special and so different that the fact they can't reach a deal like everyone else must be someone else's fault.  My line, and it's always been this way, is have a structure, a couple of cracks, a bit of back and forward, a best and final offer and then if you can't agree go to compulsory arbitration. Not facilitated. Make it compulsory.  You argue your case, the decision is made and that's the end of that.  These cases we have seen of late all go on for literally months, and all end up literally the same. In the recent cases everyone has got about 2% this year and 2% next. That is not a result that required that amount of angst and anger and walk outs and placards and TV news stories with moaning unionists talking about unfairness and shortages.  What the unions have never quite gripped is social licence.  The broad idea of unions representing the most vulnerable of workers is not a bad one.  But like so many of these things, it's turned into an industry where hundreds of people on large salaries rely on division and upset to have a job.  Happy workers do not make happy unionists and teachers especially are not vulnerable. Cleaners are vulnerable. Teachers are largely on six figure salaries.  On a bang for buck basis unions don’t pull their weight. They are not worth it. Stalling is not a productive tactic, and placards are last centuries technique.  Compulsory arbitration – I dare them to give it a go. It's short, it's sharp, it ticks a box and we can all move on.  But why would you want to solve an issue quickly when your very existence relies on the opposite? 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 war: 6/10  As much as you want to give a war a number, this is not World War III, it is not going to last four years. It most likely won't last four weeks.    Helen Clark: 2/10  Everything that is wrong with ideological jibber-jabber. From Hipkins to Starmer to Clark, their theory is less relevant in this modern chaotic world than ever.    Dairy: 9/10  Honestly, is it now close to being ridiculous? Five auctions from five. The protein surge is real and we are making bank.    Bill “I saw nothing” Clinton: 4/10  Overshadowed by his wife who looks as feisty as ever and, all things considered, came out of it pretty well – almost as though they were called as a political stunt.    Dave Rennie: 7/10  Got there at last. How low-key was that? Is it possible we just aren't as invested as we once were in All Black rugby?    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where are we at with the war?  Ambrose Evans-Pritchard makes a very compelling case that this thing is over in four weeks because that’s about when the petrol reserves in America get drained. The Strait is closed, no LNG is getting through, Trump cannot tolerate $100 a barrel and so he will capitulate.  China can hold out. The Iranians, if they have kept a bunch of attack drones back, can hold out too, then go for some fuel sites in Arab states. You see his theory? It's not to be dismissed.  But that’s not the only scenario. Bluster aside, and there is plenty of that from the White House, it does seem, as far as these things go, to be going well.  The navy is gone, commercial planes are slowly flying again, Israel seems devastatingly effective in Lebanon, and the Kurds are in place with CIA-supplied weaponry, ready to jump the border.  Whether the people rise up, when that happens, I have no idea, which could lead you to believe that what we end up with is not a complete transition but more a half-baked mess with vacuums and disorder. But a country that looks radically different to what it looked like a year ago, and with a decimated ability to be a nuclear threat, could be sold by Trump as a win.  Of course, the people could rise, alongside the Kurds, storm the barracks, get the Shah's son ensconced and it's what, loosely, you would call a complete victory, which would be historic if you’ve followed the story of American interventionism.  The cold, hard truth though is Trump in election year cannot afford to lose. So as make-shift and spontaneous as this may appear to some, he is not an idiot and never underestimate his passion for self-preservation.   It's why, by the way, for those who worry, Russia and China are nowhere to be seen for their Iranian friends.  Self-interest is the greatest weapon and motivator of all.  If this works though, as in the Iranian regime we have known with its killing and evil is wiped off the face of the Earth, then everyone from Macron to Starmer to Clark to Hipkins will be working hard to explain why sitting around for decades gasbagging about how unacceptable it is and yet achieving nothing, is somehow a more effective strategy than actually taking the problem and solving it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has told a US news outlet he wants to be involved in picking Iran's next leader.   He's told Axios that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son is a lightweight and unacceptable to him.   Meanwhile, the death toll in Iran has risen to 1200, multiple Gulf countries are continuing to intercept missiles, and in Azerbaijan, an airport and a school were hit by Iranian drones.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Iran is firing fewer drones and missiles as the US and Israeli forces expand their control of the air and sea.  He says the Pentagon says they’re finding and destroying Iran’s mobile missile launchers.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems you really can’t beat locally grown produce.  Recent numbers show farmers’ markets around the country now support over a thousand food producers – attracting more than 50 thousand shoppers every week.  Tony Cato, owner of Pirongia Mountain Vegetables, told Mike Hosking that the industry’s been doing nothing but growing.  They’ve been in the markets for nearly twenty years, he says, and especially after Covid they’ve seen an increase in customers wanting to know exactly where their food comes from.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 6th of March, will New Zealand pull the trigger on a youth social media ban at the select committee’s recommendation?   Could New Zealand become a powerhouse when it comes to medicinal cannabis? David Seymour thinks so.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson go down memory lane as they Wrap the Week. Well, Mike and Tim do anyway.  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.

Friday has come once more, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was.  They discussed the Warriors’ upcoming clash against the Roosters, those stuck in the Middle East, and took a trip down memory lane.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new initiative to tackle the ballooning Jobseeker numbers.  The Ministry of Social Development is pairing with the Chambers of Commerce to form ChamberWorks, in hopes of plugging a gap in the market.  Data from December shows over 223 thousand people on the benefit, and the programme intends to connect employers with pre-screened, work-ready candidates.   Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking many unemployed people are fairly recently out of work, are highly skilled and experienced, and absolutely ready to get back into the workforce.    He says the connections the Chambers of Commerce have puts them in a good position to be the glue between MSD and businesses seeking good employees.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer spending has increased in February, signalling a positive recovery within the retail sector.  Worldline NZ’s payments network shows spending reached more than $3.6 billion, up 2.2% on February last year.  The Auckland and Northland regions saw a lift of 2.8% year on year – the most growth the area has seen in a single month in nearly two years.  Infometrics Principal Economist Nick Brunsdon told Mike Hosking consumer confidence is continuing to grow.  He says December saw a 4.9% in retail trade, so it's all pointing in the same direction.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour has explained what we're missing out on by not investing in the medicinal cannabis industry.  The ACT Leader's looking at further improvements to speed up processing for exports of the plant, which he believes could one day rival the wine industry.   He's open to improving regulation domestically as well.  David Seymour told Mike Hosking they want to simplify the process it takes to get a licence.  He says regardless of what people might think of the plant, there's a market for it, it's worth several hundred million dollars to the economy, and creates jobs.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The City of Sails is set to be humming this weekend.  Auckland's hosting a plethora of events, as the Warriors take on the Roosters today, the Blues face the Crusaders tomorrow, and Round the Bays kicks off Sunday.  The city's newest golf tournament will also run across the weekend.  New Zealand Events Association General Manager Elaine Linnell told Mike Hosking they’ll be able to see and feel the financial impact of the weekend after the fact.  She says with events like this, hotels are full, restaurants are booked – it's busy, and it flows through every part of the city.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s confidence a Parliamentary inquiry into online safety is on the right track.  A Select Committee endorses a social media ban for under 16s and calls for an online regulator and tougher controls on harmful apps and algorithms.  National's lead MP on the committee, Carl Bates, says some recommendations mirror moves overseas, while others are unique to New Zealand.  He told Mike Hosking transparency around algorithms hasn't been done elsewhere.  Bates says the committee recommends the Government explore it before putting any measures in place.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it 1-1?  The Prime Minister dug himself a hole over Iran.  Barbara Edmonds dug herself a hole in the NZ Herald.  As far as holes go, I regard the Luxon hole as slightly less problematic, given the war is not in our direct purview and there is nothing we can do about it.  But it does display the ongoing issue the Prime Minister appears to have with many New Zealanders: he doesn’t look like he is confident and he doesn’t tell it like it is.  In a world where people who tell it like it is generally succeed, he is still playing 'Mr Nice Guy' and getting trapped by a media pack who love the smell of blood.  Edmonds is a real worry. She too, is nice. So nice, she told us quite openly getting a surplus isn't happening anytime soon and she doesn’t have a clue how to pay for the most expensive promise they have made – restoring pay equity.  You can argue around the dual mandate for the Reserve Bank but that’s wonk's territory. Dollars and cents are real and it's our back pocket that is affected.  A sad outworking of MMP is we have an increasing number of inexperienced players in the game of running the joint.  Luxon knows business, which ties into the economy, which is why things are starting to turn for us. This Government has done a decent job on it.  He is an amateur on foreign policy. You only had to listen to Winston Peters yesterday on this show to know that people who have been there, done that, have seen the world change therefore, can explain it.  And Winston doesn’t take crap from juniors, which is what too much of the Press Gallery is made up of. The nuance and sophistication of reporting is largely gone and replaced by clickbaiters and Luxon, being too nice a guy and too inexperienced in certain areas, walks right into it.  Barbara on the other hand is entitled to her views. But this is why Labour won't win the election. She has clearly learned nothing from watching Grant Robertson butcher the place and because that was only three years ago the memories of the voters are still sharp.  So in a guns at dawn, Luxon wins because foreign policy jibber-jabber isn't as serious as economic sabotage and incompetence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says it's special relationship with the US is not dead.   US President Donald Trump yesterday described the UK's war effort as disappointing and Starmer was 'no Winston Churchill'.  US and Israeli forces have bombed more than 2000 targets and killed close to 800 people in Iran since first launching attacks on Saturday.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking it’s difficult for Starmer because this is the one area where he was successful in treading the line between keeping Trump on side and staying sane, and that’s now gone.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 5th of March, our exports are booming but at the same time, the risk of an extremist attack on NZ soil is rising, NZSIS is warning.  NZ Rugby Chair David Kirk pops into studio after Dave Rennie was named as the new All Blacks coach.  Warriors Coach Andrew Webster explains why it's our year as we kick off our NRL season against the Roosters Friday night.  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.