The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Confidence is building that New Zealand will get a second NRL league team. 

The Christchurch City Council’s been working directly with the governing body for almost two years on requirements for a 20th team. 

New documents show a consultant has helped build a proposal, which is happening alongside the private Southern Orca bid. 

Chair Sir Graham Lowe told Mike Hosking he’s confident New Zealand will get the franchise. 

He says the Warriors have done a great job marketing us, and Christchurch’s One NZ Stadium is as good as any stadiu...

Millionaires and wealthy foreigners continue to eye up moves to New Zealand through the golden visa scheme. 

The new programme has seen more than 700 applications in the past 14 months, up more than 115 in the previous setting. 

More than 270 applications were from the US, with most of the interest coming from California. 

New Zealand Immigration CEO David Cooper told Mike Hosking uncertainty and concern about the future are key drivers for Americans. 

He says the way the US has been playing out the various wars is making people think about finding a seco...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 11th of August, Local Government Minister Simon Watts explains what's next for the councils who haven't submitted any sort of plan for amalgamation. 

Sir Graham Lowe updates us on the Southern Orcas NRL bid and the council getting involved as it gains steam. 

And Tiana Miti debuts her new music and discusses the Nashville connection. 

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A property developer says smelly sewage could spoil a controversial North Auckland housing development.  

The fast-track panel has approved a controversial 12-hundred home Delmore development near Ōrewa.  

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says it's amateur, pathetic, and stupid. 

There's concern about a lack of infrastructure to support the development, with Watercare saying it won't be able to connect any pipes until at least 2033.  

Property Developer David Whitburn, who's not involved with the project, told Mike Hosking having to truck the waste out would be awful for residents and those nearby.  

He say...

The housing market appears to still be in favour of first-home buyers, with more than half of loans this year done at 20% equity. 

Cotality data shows up to 60% of recent lending has been on a two-year fixed rate, up from less than 20% in November last year. 

In June, around 16% of lending went to owner-occupiers with less than a 20% deposit. 

Cotality chief economist Kelvin Davidson told Mike Hosking house prices have fallen so low, the risk of negative equity has pretty much disappeared. 

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Household energy bills are expected to keep rising, but the increases should be much lower than previous years. 

Electricity gentailer Contact Energy's reported a 62% rise in underlying profit, due in part to higher renewable energy production. 

Chief Executive Mike Fuge says power prices for businesses have been starting to fall. 

But he told Mike Hosking power prices for consumers will keep rising as increases in lines and transmission charges will offset any reduction in their prices. 

He says energy bills will continue to rise, but the good news is that will be a...

The Government is focusing council reform efforts on those who are willing to amalgamate. 

It will be looking at 18 proposals put forward under its Head Start programme. 

Local Government Minister Simon Watts says work will start now, and they'll make final decisions early next year.  

He told Mike Hosking the plans for those who haven't participated will come later down the track. 

Watts says there will be a back stop for them, but work won't start on those until next year. 

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I hope if you read it or caught it over the weekend you enjoyed  the coverage of Newstalk ZB's 100th birthday.

I can tell you for nothing it is an honour and a joy to be a small part of what has become this country's greatest radio success story.

Although it has taken various iterations over the years, from a fledgling operation limited in hours by the Government through to the publicly listed operation it is today, there are very, very few companies in this country that have stood the test of time and been a...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 10th of August, Steven Joyce answers questions about whether National has credibility issues calling for Budget responsibility while increasing spending.

The Prime Minister talks what new taxes they might be looking at and council amalgamation and what councils are holding out.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville discuss the Warriors, David Nyika's win and how long Canterbury will now hold the Ranfurly Shield for.

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Andrew Saville and Jason Pine join Mike Hosking to review the weekend's sport. 

On the table today: The Warriors have pulled off a dominant display over the Panthers, beating them 28 - 12.

Canterbury have stolen the Ranfurly Shield from Otago.

And the NBL saw some thrilling games over the weekend. 

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The Warriors strengthened their push for the top with a decisive win over the Panthers 28-12. 

The NRL's top four are now log-jammed as the battle for a top two spot ramps up ahead of the finals. 

The Panthers and Roosters sit level on 36 points, the Warriors on 34 and the Sharks have 32. 

Warriors CEO Cameron George said he's 'incredibly proud' of the team and the fans. 

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National's brushing off concerns it has a reputational problem over debt - as it lays out new fiscal responsibility rules.

The party's promising a surplus by 2028/29 and Government spending below 30% of GDP - while ruling out new taxes on working people and small businesses.

Leader Chris Luxon told Mike Hosking that there's a choice between austerity and stimulation, but he believes it's years of government stimulus that has the country in its current mess.

He says they've plotted a third way, prioritising discipline around spending.

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The US has labelled demands from Iran to end the war as 'ridiculous'. 

Iran is demanding the US to end its blockade of the oil channel, pay Iran damages for the war, unfreeze Iranian assets and lift all sanctions on Tehran. 

US Correspondent Richard Arnold says that Vice President JD Vance had reported struggles in the peace talks just hours before Iran made their demands. 

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National's under pressure to come clean on what new taxes it could be considering.

The party's unveiled its budget responsibility rules, promising to deliver a surplus and rein in spending.

But finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis has only ruled out higher taxes on working people, leaving the door open to other tax increases.

Former Finance Minister Steve Joyce told Mike Hosking that bed and fuel taxes are the most likely options.

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In the first episode of the 100 Years of ZB Podcast, Mike Hosking takes you through the birth of the iconic 1ZB in 1926. 

The episode takes you through the history of the station from 1926 until the beginning of 1987. You'll hear snippets from the iconic names  - like Phil Shone, Aunt Daisy, Selwyn Toogood, Merv Smith and Marina (Jocelyn Parr). 

Mike Hosking will also take you back in time to the famous moments from the 1ZB Theatre in Auckland - and the radio dramas that made the station an unmissable listen. 

You'll also hear how 1ZB c...

Perhaps the Labour Party's small target election year strategy has started to unravel as one of their MPs, Helen White, told us all of her desire for house prices to fall.

She wants them to come down.

They have already come down of course, through a series of events that included her last Government's approach to the economy.

The booming inflation they created, the bulging debt from all the spending and the general fiscal waste that saw interest rates spike, the country failing to collect the migrant numbers it had previously had, as...

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. 

Netball's gold medal: 8/10 

The story of the Games and for Noeline, a gargantuan middle finger to the fools who ran the sport and did what they did to her. 

The Commonwealth Games: 6/10 

It seemed a success, but it also seemed an open question as to its need, or real interest. 

The Strait of Hormuz: 2/10 

We seem to be there...

Is Luxon's MMP vote a stroke of genius to avoid an otherwise problematic week? 

His apology for Rotorua was a cluster, the Māorification issues that haven't been resolved despite all the talk, the Corrections massages, MBIE, Treasury love-ins, the Justice Department cock-up on the Harrison bloke, and the unemployment rate to the upside – it's all looked like very bad news. 

But then out of nowhere, "let's have a look at the entire way we elect Governments". 

It makes sense to the extent we are going to vote on four-year terms anyway. 

But h...

It’s Friday, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was. 

They discuss Christopher Luxon’s comments around a MMP referendum, ZB’s upcoming 100th anniversary, Joseph Parker, and some surprising breaking news for Mike. 

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The All Blacks begin their first tour of South Africa for 30 years in Cape Town against the Stormers, a team they have never played in their modern form. 

Dave Rennie named an experimental side for the test, with Patrick Tuipulotu as the captain and Siale Lauaki and Josh Jacomb scheduled to debut off the bench. 

And an illness has forced a late change to the team, Anton Segner replacing Wallace Sititi as openside flanker while Peter Lakai moves to number eight. 

Newstalk ZB’s Voice of Rugby Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that Renni...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 7th of August, the Prime Minister has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons with his call for a referendum on MMP. 

We get the exclusive from Joseph Parker as the UK Anti-Doping agency releases the reason he was cleared of his drugs charges. 

And while Wrapping the Week, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss Luxon's MMP comment, 100 years of ZB, and some surprising breaking news for Mike! 

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Luke Metcalf has been summoned from the selection wilderness into the Warriors ahead of tonight's match against NRL league leaders Penrith. 

He'll start at halfback in what will be his first game since round five, after incumbent Te Maire Martin was ruled out with a hamstring strain. 

Metcalf has played two NRL games this season, both in the five-eighth role and both in defeats. 

Former Kiwis captain Richie Barnett told Mike Hosking it’s unknown at the moment what impact the late change will have. 

“Is it an opportunity or a challeng...

There are concerns scrapping the Investment Boost could do more harm than good. 

Labour's promising to up the GST threshold, lift the asset write-off, and make big businesses pay small suppliers in 15 days.  

It'll axe the National's $6.6 billion scheme to pay for it – calling it untargeted.  

Small Business NZ Founder Paul Wicks told Mike Hosking this policy could be very useful, with three practical ideas.

But he says changes to the Investment Boost may create larger problems elsewhere.  

Wicks is also sceptical about the blanket rule for paying small suppli...

The UK Anti-Doping Agency have determined Joseph Parker's nutritionist was the reason traces of cocaine were found in a positive anti-doping test last year. 

He's free to fight again after serving a three-month suspension and has denied knowingly taken banned substances. 

A statement from UKAD says Parker's nutritionist was a regular user of the drug leading up to the sample being taken. 

Parker told Mike Hosking that he noticed the nutritionist was dealing with a few issues while on the training camp, and advised him to stop. 

But he said his food...

The Trade Minister's defending a decision to scrap offshore staffing aimed at attracting golden visa money.  

Government agency Invest NZ is making tweaks to its roadshow approach to attracting investors, and has cut its US and Europe-based staff. 

The Active Investor Plus Visa lets big spenders invest a minimum of $5 million in New Zealand in exchange for a pathway to residency.  

Trade Minister Todd McClay told Mike Hosking the private sector is already attracting people by itself. 

He says law and investment firms are talking to their own clients and directing it...

Is the Prime Minister fed up with his coalition partners? 

Christopher Luxon told Kerre Woodham yesterday he's open to another vote on MMP, if re-elected.  

The system allows more representation in Parliament for smaller parties and was upheld in a 2011 referendum. 

Political commentator and former Cabinet Minister Peter Dunne told Mike Hosking Luxon's clearly frustrated. 

Dunne says he thought he'd be leading a strong National government, supported by others, instead of the three-way coalition he signed up for. 

Luxon’s also being described as having loose lips. 

Dunne to...

I'm trying to work out in this council amalgamation back and forward, how many who aren't amalgamating are genuinely stuck, versus how many are simply sticking it up the Government because they don't like them and/or they don’t like being told what to do? 

Councils are the bane of our lives. We are over council-ed, we are overrated and we should be immeasurably grateful to the central government who are capping rates and reducing the number of these groups. 

The deadline to submit your plan is this weekend. 

As always there are a...

A major milestone for ZB, as the station celebrates its centenary on Sunday. 

It’s grown from fragile beginnings filled with government regulations and restrictions on broadcasting hours into the commercial juggernaut of today. 

Leighton Smith spent 33 years behind the ZB mic, hosting the weekday morning programme until his retirement in 2018.  

He joined Mike Hosking to reminisce on the years he spent on the station and watching it grow from 1ZB into Newstalk ZB. 

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New Zealand's professional netball ranks could be about to undergo the biggest shake-up in a generation. 

A private investor described as "a high net-worth family with sporting links" is in talks to take over the ANZ Premiership licence. 

Any new model would see a franchise league established for the 2028 season, not next year. 

Former Netball New Zealand chair Don Mackinnon says the move is timely in the current sporting landscape. 

He told Mike Hosking that the traditional federated model that moves through club, school, province, and international has served New Zealand spor...

Politicians are being urged to pay more attention to our exercise workforce as a way of easing health system demand. 

ExerciseNZ's proposing all parties consider compulsory registration for exercise professionals, removing the fringe benefit tax from employer-supported exercise, and using exercise professionals to help with ACC rehabilitation.  

CEO Richard Beddie says they also want any future government to make one-hour daily school exercise mandatory. 

He says physical inactivity costs the public health system $600 million a year. 

Beddie told Mike Hosking GLP-1s are helping to address obesity, but they don’t addres...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 6th of August, we look at the unemployment rate – is 5.6% the peak? 

Paul Goldsmith is reviewing the Justice Department after another four employees were found to be on paid leave while facing criminal charges or misconduct investigations – one for more than 25 weeks. 

Newstalk ZB legend Leighton Smith reminisces on the past with ZB set to turn 100 over the weekend. 

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The Employers and Manufacturers Association says businesses are forging ahead despite a sluggish economy. 

The unemployment rate rose to 5.6% in June – the highest level in 11 years. 

Economists point to the war in Iran as one factor behind the rise, creating uncertainty and making businesses cautious about hiring. 

EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking he’s hopeful we’ve reached the peak – there’s good things happening under the surface, so hopefully soon we can start turning the other way.  

He says there was quite a sharp dip in confidence whe...

David Seymour says a decision to broaden diabetes medication met his expectations.  

Pharmac's widening access for several medicines for type two diabetes from September, helping to lower blood sugar and reduce kidney complications.  

The Associate Health Minister says more than 30 thousand people will benefit by removing ethnicity from the question.  

Seymour told Mike Hosking he wrote a letter to the board of what he expected. 

He says they need to be the best organisation in the world and forget embedding the Treaty. 

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Strong returns for sheep and beef farmers could be helping slow the rush to convert farmland into forestry. 

A new Beef + Lamb NZ report shows 30 thousand hectares of farmland was sold for forestry last year – less than half the 2021/22 peak. 

Chair Kate Acland says it's pleasing to see only 1,300 hectares converted in the first three months of this year. 

But she told Mike Hosking that number will probably rise as foreign investment offers flow in. 

She says we have to think about what we want the country to look like in 50 years...

A possibility some Ministry of Justice staffers could lose their jobs as a rapid review's launched. 

It comes after former Lotto host Russell Harrison was kept on the payroll for five years after he was arrested on money laundering charges, just days into starting his ministry job in 2021. 

Documents obtained by the Taxpayers Union reveal four other ministry employees are on leave while facing the courts or misconduct investigations. 

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith told Mike Hosking consequences are on the cards. 

He says there needs to be accountability, as people need to h...

Scoffs at the latest cost-saving measures by Jetstar, as it's set to bring in charges for overhead carry-ons. 

From February, all passengers will be able to bring one small under-seat bag weighing up to 10kg, but they'll have to fork out an extra $23 for any overhead luggage. 

Jetstar says customers were stressing out looking for room in overhead lockers. 

Australian Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking he isn't buying it. 

He says it's ridiculous that under a normal ticket, you can only get on the plane and stick something under your seat...

I think we can turn off the alarms and stand down the cavalry. 

The changes to enrolment for this year's election have not turned out to be the cataclysmic disaster the misery merchants claimed it was going to be. 

There are a number of rule changes passed late last year. The most significant one is when you enrol. 

Previously you could enrol on the day. That now is changed to 12 days before election day – in this year's vote that’s October 25th. 

It's important to point out enrolling on the day has not...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 5th of August, we preview the latest unemployment figures and discuss the now-halted prison massage plan.  

Sarah Kennedy from Calocurb gives us the lowdown on the price of the GLP-1s in this country, access, and how far behind we are the rest of the world. 

And Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell spar on the social media bill, the prison massage plan, and Luxon's business comments on Politics Wednesday. 

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Donald Trump continues to lash out over the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. 

The US President's turned his attack on Attorney for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro – claiming she choked and folded like an umbrella in moving to drop charges over the pool's restoration.  

After initially charging four people with vandalism, the Justice Department found damage to the $14 million lining instead came from a flawed, rushed contractor installation. 

US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the damage was due to the incompetence of Trump's "pool guy" from Florida. 

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Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to dig into the biggest stories of the week so far. 

Labour has received more details on National’s social media ban bill – how are they feeling about it now? 

They also discussed the now-paused plan to roll Rongoa Māori health services to all prisons, including traditional massages, and Christopher Luxon’s comments to Rotorua business owners.  

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