The Mike Hosking Breakfast

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. The brain gain: 8/10 Uplifting story of the week. The return of New Zealanders from Australia and Australian's from Australia. The tide is turning, the mood has shifted, the numbers don’t lie. In the great New Zealand vs Australia-off, NZ is back baby. Conservation land: 2/10 Sooooo depressing. The lies, the BS, the spin, the bollocks and the lack of maturity. It's been a shocking, misguided, and deliberately so, debate. More adults please. The Greens and their math: 1/10 Being useless at numbers should disqualify you automatically from running anything. Keir Starmer: 4/10 "Mediocrity in a suit" they said. He didn’t have a plan and was toast in two years. British politics is amazing. The Hurricanes: 8/10 An excellent example of sport at its finest. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Channel Nine has confirmed Today show host Karl Stefanovic will be leaving the network - effective immediately.  It's decided to cut ties with its breakfast show presenter, following the release of an interview with British anti-immigration and Far-Right 'activist' Tommy Robinson. The almost hour-long episode of The Karl Stefanovic Show, which is run independently of Nine, was published on Tuesday night, but was pulled down almost immediately. Australian correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking the Today show opened up this morning saying Stefanovic has gone and won't be back. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a bad week for maturity. Trump suggesting Meloni begged for a photo op is all that is petty and pathetic about a bloke who has bigger fish to fry. Simeon Brown treating his business partners with verbal contempt by calling them children is not the crime of the century, but it's also not good conduct from people running countries. But it all pales against the astonishing nonsense peddled, mainly on social media, by those opposed to these so-called conservation changes. Now, this is not about whether those changes are half decent or not. Personally, having read it all, it's hardly the end of the world and a lot of it may well lead to better, smarter outcomes for the estate. But I came to that conclusion by informing myself, which will be of great upset to the peddlers of the lies because it became clear fairly quickly they were not interested in the truth. For them it was more about the alarmism that a misleading headline can produce. Social media gets blamed for a lot and it's true that there is tsunamis of nonsense on it. But it, at all times, remains our responsibility to sift through and work out what's real and what isn't. But sadly that is theory, not reality, and that's why the conservation scrap got so out of control. Because people too often on their feed see a headline and swallow it hook, line and tramping path. There will always be, especially around contentious issues, some fizz or hyperbole and a little colourful theorising. But this week has been a joke. Between the Greens and Forest & Bird and their other worm-loving mates, they're saying the Coromandel is for sale, billionaires are buying Mt Cook and you'll be charged to enter the South Island. All I ask is we try harder. Defend your corner, argue your case, point out the pitfalls, problems and failings. But don’t make it up. Don’t put it out there in a way you know will be misinterpreted and run with. Those behind this week's campaign of bollocks know people are busy and know they have limited time to consume detail so prey on that for political advantage. It's our responsibility to be properly informed but it is those who run the place's job to do it on a level playing field. Hysteria and lies and deliberate manipulation should be crimes. But given they are not, all we can hope for is a better version of adults.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Whites are facing a do-or-die situation in their next match against Belgium.  A victory would keep the knockout hopes alive, but a tie or a defeat would mean the team is heading home.  Jason Pine told Mike Hosking that it's a difficult challenge ahead, with Belgium ranked 10th in the World. But this tournament is no stranger to upsets.  'At this World Cup already, Mike, as I know that you will have seen, some of the big guns haven't had it all their own way.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National is pledging low-interest loans to help Kiwis install solar panels at home.  The policy would create a 'home energy' fund, which would be backed by a $7million investment. Homeowners would repay the loans through their rates over 10 years.  The policy would also scrap consent requirements for most rooftop installations.  Director of Lightforce Solar John Harman told Mike Hosking that this could be the start of an 'electric revolution'.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday the 26th of June, Trade Minister Todd McClay is yet again having to respond to Winston's claims about the India FTA, and we have good news on the economy. Tama Potaka explains why he's flipped on the clauses in the Conservation Amendment Bill. Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk, quite frankly, a lot of nonsense and it's a lot of fun. Plus Kate's disdain for political opinions on social media. 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 Government has backed down on it's plan to enable the sale of conservation land.  They've decided to remove the 'Disposal and Exchange' provisions from the bill.  Conservation Minister Tama Potaka told Mike Hosking that, 'There's no intention to sell off huge swathes of the conservation estate, but clearly that intention didn't materialise in the words. That's on me.'  He said the Government is working with Forest and Bird, NGOs and Iwis to make sure the intentions and details of the bill suit all parties.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tourism heavy-hitter says the Government's new Tourism Policy Statement may sound dull to some, but is extremely important. It's set out goals for the sector, and detailed how it plans to get there over the next decade.  The statement's made up of eight policy objectives - including striving for tourism that works for all regions, and delivering hig quality visitor experiences. Tourism Industry Aotearoa CEO Rebecca Ingram told Mike Hosking this is huge for the sector. She says tourism's a 46-billion-dollar industry, which creates one in nine jobs, and this is their first ever policy view. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Signs the economic fallout from the Iran conflict may be shorter-lived than feared. Westpac economists are forecasting brighter outlooks for inflation, interest rates and the wider economy, as fuel price concerns ease. They expect GDP growth to reach two percent this year, while inflation is forecast to peak this quarter before declining. Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking the oil market has been more resilient than many expected. He says headline inflation globally isn't rising as quickly, and the urgency central banks previously felt to raise rates is no longer there. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister's rejecting accusations National's gone behind India's back, to impose restrictive immigration settings explicitly for Indians. Winston Peters raised the claims during the first reading of the India trade deal in Parliament yesterday - it passed last night.  The New Zealand First leader says officials chose not to announce the new criteria - for fear of  India's reaction.  Todd McClay told Mike Hosking it feels like Peters is playing games - and it's time for him to move on.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The only winner out of political polls is the media for the simple reason it gives them a chance to pontificate and clickbait.  "Luxon fronts media after bad poll”.  Why is that the headline as opposed to "Hipkins answers questions after poll collapse"?  Let's do some simple math: there are about 53% of voters who are broadly centre-right. Pollsters will tell you this to be true.  If you accept NZ First are doing well, their highest number is 15% so take that off your 53%, you are down to 38%.  Take a chunk off for ACT, they seem to be about 7-9% so let's call it 8%, and you're at 30%, which is where National roughly are.  The numbers make perfect sense. It's not a "bad poll", it's simple math.  If there is one “real” story in any given poll, especially this week's one, it's that the main parties of Labour and National are sharing a shrinking slice of the vote, which if you like MMP is what is supposed to happen.  The Greens, ACT and NZ First have established themselves as a permanent presence. We should be celebrating this, not because of specific policy, but because we voted for a system that spreads the vote and provides greater representation.  That’s what we wanted so that is good news.  Also, you've got Opportunity at 4%. I don’t think they'll get there, but if I'm wrong and they get the 5% and they go on to become the newest member of the permanent club, that is further support that will bleed away from the major players.  The media coverage discusses none of this because I suspect they haven't thought about it, or indeed they may not even understand it.  A lot of Europe with proportional systems have Governments led by parties who won the election with a vote in the 20's, if not low 20's. That is proportional representation.  Here's the next big question: it's been ruled out by the Greens, but not Labour, so why not cut the head of Opportunity an electorate deal in Mt Albert?  Mt Albert is tight. Helen White won it by a whisker. Opportunity could split the vote and hand the place to the Nats, or Labour could David Seymour it and Epsom her into Parliament and thus create a brand-new coalition partner.  That’s the really interesting part of the polls and machinations. But no, the media just want "Luxon fronts media after bad poll".  They are stuck in the 90's. This is a way more gripping story than they are telling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Borderline is looking like the next big thing.  The Kiwi pop band was formed in Auckland, and is made up of childhood friends Ben Glanfield, Jackson Boswell, Matthew McFadden, and Max Harries.   Momentum has been building since the released of their debut single, ‘Spinning’, in 2023, but the pace has really picked up in the last year or so.   Last year saw them become the first Kiwi act to sign with global powerhouse Empire, tour in North America, and open for Teddy Swims, and then this year they took home the People’s Choice Award at the Aotearoa Music Awards.  And now they’re set to drop their debut album, the self-titled ‘Borderline’.  “We’ve always set out to be good,” Boswell, the drummer and backing vocalist for the band, told Mike Hosking.  “We always kind of wanted to do this as our career and for the rest of our lives and to be the biggest band in the world, and we’ve kind of just been working towards that every day.”  “I think there was no other option for us. Whatever we ended up doing when we grew up ... it was going to be around music,” Glanfield, the lead singer and guitarist, told Hosking.  “We put all our eggs in one basket because it’s the only basket we wanted the eggs in.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby's adamant there was no choice but to reject rescue plans for the financially-strapped Moana Pasifika.  Moana is officially out of the 2027 Super Rugby season – although there is hope they will be back in the future.  The franchise fizzles out, owing millions on a loan from the Government through Sport New Zealand.  Chief financial officer Chris Kinraid told Mike Hosking they made all efforts to save Moana Pasifika, but in the end they had a pretty strict criteria.  He says they were looking for proposals that had the cash to support the franchise and a sustainable and viable business plan, and both those criteria weren’t met.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 25th of June, it's Brooke van Velden v Winston Peters regarding the health and safety overhaul – plus the visa waiver for Chinese and Pacific tourists is going gangbusters.  NZ Rugby's Chief Financial Officer talks through why they ultimately turned down the Moana Pasifika revival bid.  Borderline are a Kiwi band with a big future ahead, and with their debut album out tomorrow, we had to get them on for a song and 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.

Christchurch’s new stadium has put its stamp on the city, pumping $21 million into the economy in just 60 days.   One NZ Stadium was forecast to generate $50 million in a year.  The project was also completed six weeks early and $26 million under budget.  Venues Otautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare told Mike Hosking they’re absolutely flying – it’s well beyond what they had forecast.  She says things will flatten off a bit now that Super Rugby Pacific is over, but they have a really strong event pipeline, so those numbers are going to continue.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our relationship with China takes centre stage in Auckland this morning.   The 12th annual China Business Summit brings together business and political leaders to explore areas for cooperation amid deepening global uncertainty.  New Zealand exported nearly $20 billion worth of goods to China last year.   Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking political leaders have been shifting this country closer to our security partners, but they still have to maintain New Zealand's commercial interests.   He says in contrast to the climate of uncertainty surrounding US President Donald Trump, his tariffs, and the war, China has positioned itself as a predictable and reliable partner.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The use of air conditioning is becoming a concern in parts of Europe as a searing heatwave continues to grip much of the continent.  Italy, the UK, and Spain are among nations sweltering in extreme heat, with temperatures soaring past 40 degrees in some regions.  Severe red heat alerts have been issued for most of France and parts of Italy as temperatures break historical records.  EU correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking many people aren't used to using air conditioning for economic reasons.  She says there have also seen some energy blackouts in the Milan, Naples, and Turin over the last few days, due to a spike in air conditioning use.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourists are spending up large as a visa waiver trial yields results.   Chinese and Pacific travellers have injected around $215 million into the economy over the last six months after visa changes eased access to New Zealand.  These tourists can skip applying for a visitor visa if they already hold an Australian one, as part of a 12-month trial launched in November.  Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told Mike Hosking it's bringing huge benefits and should be made permanent.  She says Chinese tourists spend around $6,000 each on average when they visit.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Heart of the City board member says the organisation's lost its focus.  Six of the Auckland city-centre business association's seven voting members have quit after months of turmoil which saw its chief executive temporarily stood down.   Its board says the organisation isn't compliant with its own constitution and recommends Auckland Council withhold funding and consider an audit.  Murray Crane told Mike Hosking Heart of the City's no longer effective.  He believes it's become very bureaucratic and members are dealing with a lot of things they shouldn't have to.  Crane says it comes at a stressful time for Auckland businesses, and if times were good and businesses were humming, the organisation would work really well.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Workplace Relations Minister says changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act are on track, despite mixed signals from New Zealand First.  Leader Winston Peters says he’s obliged to vote for the bill under the coalition agreement but is vowing to get rid of it next term.   He told protesters yesterday —including families of Pike River victims— he wishes he didn't have to vote for the legislation.  Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking Peters knows what the deal is, and the changes have been discussed over the past two years.  She says it's gone through the select committee process and the policy's been signed off, so isn't sure why criticism has reared its head.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let me ask you this: if fast-track is the answer, then why do we still have the Port of Tauranga problems?  Surely I don’t need to go through the fine detail of what is one of this country's most embarrassing modern travesties.  It's a story in which a successful business wants to expand so they can be more successful, and yet can't because the court process is never-ending.  The latest chapter of course involves local Māori wanting compensation.  It's not like this business is in nuclear waste or mine tailings. It's simply part of our main way of making money – exports. Selling things to the world.  If ever there was a case for an overarching “let's stop the BS and time wasting" law, the Port of Tauranga saga is it.  It's hard to know who is at fault more; those who started the scrap, i.e. local Māori, or those who allow it to drag, i.e. the judicial process.  But can you not mount a case that if a business cannot be allowed to be a business because they are hindered by argument and the process that allows the argument, at some point a line has to be drawn and an overarching authority (presumably the Government) comes in to settle the matter once and for all?  Arbitration is a possibility, including compulsory arbitration. I have for years argued for it in union disputes, especially the ones like teachers and nurses who are constantly scrapping with stop-work meetings and protests and days off.  State your case, claim/counter claim, if you're stuck then enter the referee and the call is made.  If fast-track was the solution it's patently evident in this case it isn't working and the port are in the fast-track process, having failed in the non-fast-track process. So all the processes and they are still no further ahead.  In my system the arbitrator would ask is this legal? Is this societally acceptable and is it beneficial for the country? I would ask that at 8.30am when the hearing starts and I reckon we'd be done by morning tea.  If an exporting nation can't expand to export more, how broken and backward are we? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest stories of the week thus far.  They discussed the Greens’ tax plan, the truth around the alleged selling off of conservation land, and Chris Bishop’s yoga classes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A think-tank is calling on ACC to make rehabilitation its priority ahead of paperwork.   The Accident Compensation Corporation's claims pool stopped growing in April after once increasing 15% annually.   A New Zealand Initiative report says there's evidence to suggest it could be achieving this by cutting back on rehabilitation outcomes.   Executive Director Oliver Hartwich told Mike Hosking that currently a person is considered rehabilitated if ACC hasn’t paid them for five weeks – but this isn’t a real measure.  He says the real measure of success isn’t whether they get them off the books, it’s whether they restore them to health and bring them back into the labour market.  The problem, Hartwich says, is that some people don’t return to work at all, so we have to make sure they don’t linger on ACC, and that it doesn’t become another form of welfare.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 24th of June, Five Eyes is warning that the threat AI poses to security could arrive in a matter of months.   Just wait until you hear the latest stats around ACC and whether we are actually being rehabbed or not.  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk the Greens’ tax plans, the truth around the alleged conservation land sell-off, and Chris Bishop's yoga classes 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.

Questions have been raised over how a single fibre cable, chewed through by rats, was enough to shut down an entire Christchurch secondary school.  Hillmorton High School has reopened today after asking students to learn from home for two days because of the damage.  The school lost WiFi, phone lines, CCTV, and access to the student management system.  Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken told Mike Hosking while the circumstances are bizarre, schools can't operate safely when critical systems go down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister says it's a complex task to unclog the issue of ED wait times.  Progress is being made on the Government's health targets, with all five areas improving year on year in the March quarter.   However some progress is incremental, with EDs seeing a 0.2% rise to 74.4% of patients being admitted, discharged, or transferred within six hours.   Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking there's no single solution.  He says it needs to be made easier to see a GP, which they've done with a big uplift in funding and more after hour care like the new centre in South Auckland.  The Health Minister says they're looking to keep using private hospitals as much as they can to reduce wait times.  Brown says Health New Zealand's looking at longer term contracts with providers to get more delivery and better value for money.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bleak attitude towards the employment market could be creeping close to the new normal.  A Westpac-McDermott Miller survey for the June quarter shows confidence fell to an all-time low across both public and private sector employees.   A net 60% of respondents believe it's hard to find a job – up from 46% last quarter.  The Employers and Manufacturers Association's Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking the Iran war's hit people hard, but businesses are having to get on with things.  He says if a peace deal doesn't stick, there are concerns for the next couple of quarters.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a suggestion Donald Trump's out of character treatment of new AI models shows how great the security threat is.  Five Eyes agencies have issued a warning for business and government leaders that Artificial Intelligence could overwhelm defences within months, not years.  The rare call to action comes after the Trump administration ordered AI giant Anthropic to suspend use of its most advanced models by foreign nationals.  University of Buckingham Emeritus Professor Anthony Glees told Mike Hosking normally the President is very keen to export US tech.  He says he's not doing it this time because this AI could bring all kinds of institutions close to collapse.  Glees told Hosking software is being developed to find any defence vulnerabilities, and says once breached, rogue actors can wreak havoc on infrastructure, business and health services.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Other banks are expected to follow suit as ANZ drops its mortgage rates from today.  Its standard one-year fixed home loan rate's dropping by 14 basis points to 5.25%, while the two and three-year rates will be cut by 20 basis points.  The move comes after Westpac cut its longer-term home loan rates last week.  Loan Market CEO Bruce Patten told Mike Hosking banks are all a bit quiet at the moment.  The mortgage advisor says they had a really busy period before Christmas and then the Iran war kicked off in February, so he thinks the move is an attempt to stir up business.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, how to handle the avalanche of ideas that are starting to tumble our way even though we are still five months away from the election?  The nuances of MMP mean the vast majority of what is promoted on the campaign trail will never see the light of day.  This is a great advantage to small parties and those in Opposition.  The simple thing to do is hear it all, debate it all, and work it out for ourselves. Trouble with that is you get fatigue and you get confusion.  What's in, what’s out, what might be in, what could be in. What will never happen, no matter how badly you want it.  “Buy in” in this country is bad enough as it is. With the divisive nature —not to mention complete BS— of social media, people are already hopelessly confused as to what is real and what is not.  The social media fanaticism currently of those telling you the entire conservation estate is to be sold is a good case in point – I personally know people who believe it, even though it isn't true.  Making it slightly more complex is the lack of bottom lines. No one has one. There isn't a policy that a party will die on a hill for.  So they can plead and promise, cajole and arm twist, it still —no matter what the idea— might not ever get to be a “thing”.   Therefore, what do you vote on?  The Greens and their envy taxes – never happening. The purchase by the State of the Bank of New Zealand – never happening.   The Nats and compulsory Super – personally I doubt it will ever get up. It might, but probably won’t.   So what is it we are voting for?   Well most of the stuff Labour says so far will happen if they win – bus rides, scans, doctors visits, and more tax on houses. The Greens won’t stop that, so at least you know where you are at.  Or from the Government’s side – basically the status quo. Same parties, same policies, surely it will be the same rough coalition deal unless ACT or NZ First surge and have greater leverage. My guess is that won't happen.   But if we air all ideas, we will get flummoxed, confused, and bored. And also disappointed when it it doesn’t eventuate.  So we need to pick our subjects, pick our topics with care, and not get bogged down by electoral fantasy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What will be the legacy of Sir Keir Starmer? Will he have one?  He's already stepped down as leader of the British Labour Party and says a successor will be in place by Parliament's return in September at the latest.    It comes after more than 90 Labour MPs called for the Prime Minister to resign after the party's poor results in recent polls.  UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking that Starmer has no legacy – the Labour Party had no message and no plan.  He says they waited 14 years to get into government, and there was no plan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coach Andrew Webster is pleased with the Warriors NRL season to date.  They’re sitting second on the table more than halfway into the season, following their win over the Cowboys at a sold-out One NZ Stadium.  Webster told Mike Hosking that they’re very ambitious, and while they have fallen short on a few occasions, they’ve made improvements compared to where they were this time last year.  He says they just need to fix those moments so they can go on and try and be the team they want to be.  But the Warriors will continue their charge without in form prop Jackson Ford for the foreseeable future.  The 28 year old suffered a pectoral muscle injury during Sunday's win, and was spotted in a sling post-match.  Webster told Mike Hosking that worst case, he’ll be out until the finals, and best case he’ll be out for four to six weeks – they're just waiting on the scans to find out.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 23rd of June, Sir Keir Starmer has officially announced his resignation as the UK Prime Minister, with a transition of power expected by September.  The All Blacks’ new captain Ardie Savea talks about stepping into the role and expectations for the upcoming series.  Warriors Coach Andrew Webster finds his team at second on the ladder at just over the midway point, so we'll see whether he's on Mike's "this is our year" train!  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.

People are shopping for fruit and veggies over meat as more start weight loss drugs.  A report from fresh produce group United Fresh has identified a shift in grocery patterns, with more opting for fresh produce rather than processed foods.   Berries, avocados, and kiwifruit have had the biggest growth in value.  President Jerry Prendergast told Mike Hosking they're not bad things for people to eat.  He says people are looking for fresh produce as a lighter alternative, instead of heavy protein they may have eaten in the past.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health officials are warning a heatwave across Europe is a danger to life as temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius.   France's Health Department has issued a red danger alert, advising people to take extreme caution outside.   Two children —aged two and four— have been found dead in a sweltering car in France.   France Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking the temperature is not going down.   She says they say it will get worse, and they could even see the highest temperature on record for France.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New All Black captain Ardie Savea denies he's worse off from having skipped Super Rugby to play a season in Japan.  Savea returns to lead the national side for the upcoming Nations Championship tests after returning from Kobe in Japan.  He told Mike Hosking that there’s a perception that Japan isn’t that great of a team, but they have world class coaches and players mixed in with local players.  Savea says you’ve got to be playing high-quality games, and while you can define what that means, he doesn’t know – what he does know is that Japan has been great.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A snap election in the UK could be on the cards if newly elected MP Andy Burnham proves to be Labour's lifeline.  UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced his plans to resign as Prime Minister and the leader of the Labour Party.  It makes way for Burnham, who has now returned to Parliament as MP for Makerfield, and is considered a shoo-in to replace Starmer.  UK Political Commentator Adam Boulton told Mike Hosking a snap election could be considered if Burnham's leadership results in a turnaround in Labour's fortunes in the polls.  He says most of the time it's running a fairly distant second to Reform UK, if not third place alongside the Conservatives.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fresh push for a nationwide bed tax has been launched by Regional Tourism New Zealand.   Its proposal would see a small, user-pays tax for stays at hotels and Airbnbs, with the money going toward events and tourism infrastructure.   The plan has the backing of several mayors including those of Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown.   Regional Tourism New Zealand Chair Andrew Wilson Mike Hosking that none of them want to see tourism growth curtailed, which means any charge needs to be modest.  He says part of the reason they’re calling for a single national approach is so guardrails can be put in place to make sure the charge remains modest over time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More small and medium businesses are looking to trim the fat after years of constant pressure.  MyHR data shows in the first three months of the year, the hospitality industry recorded 191% more restructures than in the previous quarter.  Financial and insurance sectors had their highest levels of restructuring in two years.  MyHR spokesperson Sylvie Thrush Marsh told Mike Hosking businesses aren't always turning to redundancies.  She says some may be dropping a shift or trimming hours to save jobs.  Thrush Marsh says it's reaching a crunch point for a lot of businesses – there's been high interest rates for most of 2023 and 2024, with tariffs and the Strait of Hormuz closure.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 22nd of June, the Government has revealed their compulsory KiwiSaver plans and Mike isn't sure he wants the Government getting even more involved in it. The Prime Minister speaks on the new policy and the argy-bargy between National and the coalition partners. Jason Pine in Vancouver and Andrew Saville talk the All Whites chances against Egypt, the Warriors game in Christchurch and the Hurricanes thrashing. 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 most uplifting part of the news weekend (apart from the Warriors) was the Stuff story quoting the head of an Australian investment firm confirming what is clearly already underway. Which is either New Zealanders returning to New Zealand, or Australians seeing our country as a better option than theirs. What's particularly uplifting, according to Ed Carlson who runs TrueBridge Capital, is the people coming are the bright and go-getters. It cannot be overstated what a gargantuan cock-up the last Australian budget was. Although it was delivered at the start of last month, the fallout has been unrelenting and culminated last Thursday in a humiliating series of backdowns around capital gains taxes and who pays them. It is, if they want to look and learn, a salutary lesson for the New Zealand Labour Party that taxing success is a direct pathway to political ruin. It's an age old lesson - capital and brain power moves to where it's best treated. And the reason it does that is because it can. Most of us don’t mind paying our fair share. But all of us have a subliminal line where when the unfairness encroaches, we do something about it. Some adjust their tax position and some move countries. Do not underestimate the narrative behind all of this. How uplifting is it to contemplate the idea that we are actually starting to outperform Australia in terms of attractiveness. Can I also be a little blunt and suggest that no small number of Kiwis that left for Australia in the mad post-Covid flight out, might well have been at the less useful end of the spectrum and may well be languishing in places like Queensland wondering why the largesse from the state isn't quite what they thought it might be? If they come from Australia and they bring money and ideas and entrepreneurialism, we are off to the races. A country that is a magnet is a country going places. Last week's GDP showed us the tide has turned. This current war period will hurt, but for the rest of the year I think we are good to go. Clearly, according to Ed, I'm not the only one who sees it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine join Mike Hosking to review the Weekend's sport.  On the table today: The Warriors hopes for the title continue after another victory. The All Whites face Egypt, desperate for a win.  And the Black Caps have beat England in a thrilling match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's blasting the Greens' wealth tax, saying it would make Kiwis poorer and drive away investment. The party's proposing a 2.5% tax on net assets above 10 million dollars, excluding the family home - alongside income tax cuts for people earning under %160,000 dollars. Chris Luxon says National's focused on growing the economy, while Labour has an 18-billion-dollar hole in its plans. He told Mike Hosking that Labour would have to cover it through higher taxes or more debt, while their partner is coming out with financial lunacy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Whites' second match at the world cup kicks off today, as they take on Egypt.  After a feisty 2-2 draw with Iran, hopes for the All Whites are high. However, Egypt's formidable winger Mo Salah poses the biggest threat to the All Whites' back line.  Former All Whites Coach Ricki Herbert told Mike Hosking that a win against Egypt would send the All Whites through to the knockout stages.  'This probably is our best shot now to grab that 3 points, and that will take us straight through to the next group.'  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A series of headlines in the UK press claims Keir Starmer's position as Prime Minister is no longer tenable, with Starmer expected to set out a timetable for his departure in the coming hours. It will make him the shortest serving Labour Prime Minister in the UK's history. King’s College London Professor Anand Menon says it seems clear that a new leader is in store. The just-departed mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham, has returned to Parliament via a by-election, and is expected to take over Labour's leadership and hence become Prime Minister.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Kiwisaver promise could help address a gender savings gap. The party is committing to raise minimum contributions and make employers contribute for staff over 65,  if re-elected in November. It would also make Kiwisaver compulsory - promising a $1500 boost for every newborn.  Milford Asset Management's General Manager of KiwiSaver, Murray Harris told Mike Hosking that staff on paid parental leave will also get contributions. He says on average female balances are 25% lower than male, because they usually raise the children and miss out on contributions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doubts New Zealand could avoid the problems other countries faced with wealth taxes. The Greens are proposing a 2.5% tax on net assets above 10 million dollars, excluding the family home. The package also includes income tax cuts for those earning under $160,000. Dentons tax partner Bruce Bernacchi says several European countries abandoned similar taxes, after wealth and investment flowed offshore. He says it would be a giant leap backwards for our economy, which is doing well at the moment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A warning Kiwisaver will still only remain a foundation not a complete retirement plan, despite promised boosts. National announced yesterday it will make the scheme compulsory - giving every new-born a $1500 boost, if re-elected in November.  It's also promising to raise minimum contributions, make employers contribute for staff over 65, and for staff on paid parental leave.  Generate Investment Specialist Greg Smith told Mike Hosking that long-term outcomes will be driven by decades of regular contributions. He says Massey University research shows an average metropolitan couple needs around one million dollars for a comfortable retirement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Donald Trump celebrated his 80th this week, I read the stat that he is not alone in still having work to go to.  The retirement age in America is 67, but the percentage of those still in work past that age has quadrupled since the 80s.  So, a couple of things come out of that:  It’s often presented as a need as opposed to a want, and I think, increasingly, that isn’t the case.  It is presented as some sort of oddity. In other words, the reportage of the facts and changing stats reflects another time, not the current one.  And the current one is this: people work because we have discovered it’s good for you.  It’s like exercise, which we have also discovered in recent decades, and turned into an industry. People like to do what’s good for them, so they keep doing it.  The narrative is based on the idea that work is a chore and needs to be done to earn money to pay for living. In many cases, it is no such thing. It is about connection and challenge, about fun. In Trump’s case, it is about power.  It’s why Rod Stewart still performs – he doesn’t have to; he wants to.  Trump wants to rule the world. That doesn’t stop at 67.  Further, I think —and this is probably part of the changing landscape as well— young people aren’t what they once were, and as such, experience is increasingly valued. Older people are not the burden they were once seen as; in fact, they are increasingly not even seen as old.  Old, to me, is 80+. Generally, something cognitive happens post-80s. You can be 67, 71, or 78 and be sprightly, fit, cohesive, and effective – in the workplace or not.  But post-80s, for many, something metaphysical tends to unfold.  In the ensuing period, the idea that you stop work in your mid-60s to play bowls or golf for up to 30 years is absurd.  Further, this trend will increase because today’s 80-year-olds come from a generation of little exercise, little attention to diet, and not a lot of medical advancement.  Someone who is 20 today will crack 100 with increasing regularity, and, as night follows day, more will want the enjoyment and challenge of work.  And I’ll tell you this for nothing: it will be a good day when it’s reported as perfectly normal, as opposed to some emerging trend. 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.    Fieldays: 8/10  Massive crowds, good mood, lots of money changing hands. Rural NZ is booming.    NZ Inc: 7/10  Actually a pretty good week economically. Spending was up, food inflation wasn’t anywhere near as bad as they thought, and GDP showed we were actually on our way.    Our mood: 3/10  The evidence did not support the misery. We don’t have to be hopped up, but the score of 80 does not dovetail with the hard data. Give yourself an uppercut.    Immigration and MBIE: 1/10  As bad as it gets — a shocking betrayal, horrific damage to the public service rep. And even if jail time isn’t required, you can’t run a country if you are being deceived by crooks.    The Iran Deal: 3/10  Trump has achieved nothing. We are all glad it’s over, and it’ll feel good paying $2-something for petrol. But we were doing that before Trump thought Iraq was easy.    Travel: 7/10  I’ve been around the world in the past fortnight — and it’s an amazing place. Well, the bits I saw are. But it’s also troubled, overcrowded, and expensive. NZ looks pretty damn good to me.    Lewis Hamilton: 8/10  He is the driver of his generation, and a thrill to watch. He lived his dream this week — a victory in a Ferrari. We should all be lucky enough to live our dreams.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.