The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Whenever there’s success at the top level of international rugby in New Zealand, more often than not there is one specific name involved. 

Known as the ‘Scrum Doctor’, Mike Cron was an assistant coach for the All Blacks for more than 200 games, winning the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. 

He then came out of retirement in 2022 to join the Black Ferns, helping them win a world title as well, before shifting over to join the Wall...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15th of July, the Government has revealed their plan to dissolve Te Pukenga and return 10 polytechs to regional governance. 

The Blues are exploring whether they should move their home games away from Eden Park. Heather's onboard and details what she thinks the issues are. 

Legendary All Blacks coach Mike Cron has a new book out, so we get the lowdown from one of...

The Blues are weighing up their future at the hallowed turf of Eden Park, with their contract coming to an end. 

The Super Rugby franchise have asked for public feedback on moving their home games to Mount Smart Stadium for the 2026 season.  

CEO Andrew Hore told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’ve seen an increase in broadcast numbers, but they’ve seen a much smaller increase in crowds over the last three years and they wan...

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology is welcoming the dissolution of Te Pukenga. 

From next year, ten of the formally 16 polytechnics across the country will be re-established into standalone institutes after being clumped into one governing body. 

NMIT Executive Director Olivia Hall told Heather du Plessis-Allan the organisation runs quite a tight stopping and starting of programmes, and has been very lean on all s...

There's concern the US President's given Russia too much breathing room in his ultimatum. 

Donald Trump says the Kremlin has 50 days to reach a ceasefire deal for Ukraine or they'll introduce secondary tariffs of 100%. 

He's also confirmed plans to sell billions of dollars of US weapons to Ukraine, through NATO. 

International relations professor Robert Patman told Heather du Plessis-Allan Vladimir Putin will likely ...

An expected uptick in the country's avocado production as the global market value smashes past $30 billion. 

A Rabobank report reveals our avocado industry saw a strong recovery last year after crop losses in 2023, due to Cyclone Gabrielle. 

NZ Avocado's forecasting a production increase of around two-million trays for the 2024/25 season, compared to the last.  

NZ Avocado CEO Brad Siebert told Heather du Plessis-All...

The Minster of Education says it's the teachers who have made the difference to improving NCEA literacy and numeracy pass rates.  

Small improvements were seen last year with 57% of NCEA students achieving the numeracy standard, 61% achieving the reading standard, and 55% achieving the writing standard. 

Erica Stanford told Heather Du Plessis-Allan she knows there's a long way to go but it's the schools, principals, and t...

The Minister for Auckland's keeping positive despite a mixed annual State of the City report. 

The third annual report shows the city rates strongly in sustainability, resilience, and culture, but is falling when it comes to prosperity, skills, and innovation development.  

Minister Simeon Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan Auckland's at a good turning point.  

He says it will be a great year with the City Rail Link...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 14th of July, the Government has revealed their plan to double our international student sector to be worth $7.2b in 10 years.

The Prime Minister is back from holiday in time to get a grilling from Heather on road cones, the economy and who he wants to win the Tamaki Makaurau by-election.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville covers off the All Blacks, the cheeky South Africans...

Christopher Luxon says all options are on the table when it comes to increasing competition in the grocery sector. 

He hopes that more overseas operators - like Walmart – will expand their operations to New Zealand.  

The Prime Minister told Heather du Plessis-Allan Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis is doing everything to establish new operators in the supermarket industry. 

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Bullying, unmet special needs education, and system pressure appear to be some of the likely causes of a rise in homeschooling rates.   

The Ministry of Education’s data shows 11,400 children had an exemption from school, favouring home education last year - twice that of 2001. 

National Council of Home Educators government liaison Cynthia Hancox told Heather du Plessis-Allan resources are stretched, teachers ar...

One of the world’s largest military exercises is underway in Australia. 

Operation Talisman Sabre involves 35,000 military personnel from 19 different countries including NZ, the US and the UK. 

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Tuatini says a large exercise with Australia is an important operation for the NZ military to take part in.  

He told Heather duPlessis-Allan that this exercise, ‘finishes off our training and allows us...

The Government has its eyes on boosting international student numbers. 

It's looking at extending "in study" work rights with the hope of doubling the sector’s economic contribution to 7.2 billion dollars by 2034. 

Universities New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Whelan says it won't get us back to the highest numbers seen back in 2016.  

He says it will make sure international education gets to a level where it's maki...

The ball is now in the Government's court following calls for bold action to fix a broken energy market.  

 An open letter, signed by several influential groups including Consumer NZ and Auckland Business Chamber, has been sent to the Prime Minister.  

Major Electricity Users' Group Executive Director Karen Boyes told Heather du Plessis-Allan an independent review is also now with Energy Minister Simon Watts.  

...

Winner of the week has got to be NZ First. 

In the latest Taxpayer's Union Curia poll, they are the third biggest party now, overtaking Act and the Greens. 

If you’ve been watching the polls lately that’s not a surprise. This has been coming for a while. 

National has been up and down, Act has been pretty flat, but NZ First has just been heading up most of the year. 

There are a bunch of reasons for this. 

...

All Blacks utility back Damian McKenzie has responded to scrutiny around the side's ability to secure possession off contestable kicks ahead of tomorrow's second test against France in Wellington. 

Les Bleus peppered New Zealand's back three in the air at Dunedin last week to good effect. 

McKenzie —who played almost all of the game at fullback after Sevu Reece came from the field with a head knock— told Heather du Plessi...

Many Kiwis are studying or training in skills that aren't needed in the job market. 

That's the warning from Business NZ as the Government reviews New Zealand's vocational education system. 

The lobby groups say graduates are being held back from gaining employment because they've trained in the wrong area. 

They're calling for an industry-led vocational system, with more focus on work-based training and relevant, up...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 11th of July, the Government is creating an anti-scam alliance to try keep New Zealanders from falling victim. 

Damian McKenzie comes off the bench to tell us how the All Blacks will perform much better against the French this weekend. 

Tim Wilson and Trish Sherson join Heather to Wrap the Week that was, talking lizards, moa, and whether it's better to be smart or...