The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Country Superstar Luke Combs is winging his way to New Zealand next month, and his opener isn’t someone to sneeze at. 

Country-pop singer Jordan Davis has had multiple number one hits, two platinum albums, and won multiple awards at the Country Music Awards.  

He has a significant fanbase in the US, and Kiwi audiences will be able to get a taste of him live. 

Davis told Mike Hosking that visiting New Zealand has defi...

The days of having your flight delayed by fog could soon be over. 

Every year, the airline industry loses a collective $13 billion as flights are delayed or cancelled due to foggy conditions.  

Pyper Vision is aiming to solve this problem, with new technology that predicts fog and prevents delays. 

Founder Emily Blythe told Mike Hosking that they’ve built an initial model that can predict fog more accurately than tra...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 5th of December, the farmers are happy with the changes to the farm to forest conversion rules and the plans the government is considering for methane emissions.  

Mike evaluates all the public sector’s Christmas parties for this year, so if you value an end of year do, he has the place for you.  

Country music star Jordan Davis is winging his way to NZ next mon...

The Citizen's Advice Bureau says it isn't a surprise that MSD incorrectly processed 1-in-4 benefit entitlements.  

The Ministry of Social Development's revealed its accuracy has slipped over the past few years, largely due to system and resource challenges.  

CAB Deputy Chief Executive Andrew Hubbard says the stat stacks up with inconsistencies it's hearing from clients.  

He told Mike Hosking it creates stress for t...

The French government has collapsed. 

Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted in a no-confidence vote just three months after he was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron. 

Newstalk ZB's Paris correspondent Catherine Field says the right and the Government are warning the no confidence vote will result in chaos, and plunge France into the "unknown". 

Field says it's the first time since 1962 that a French prim...

There's hopes new legislation will protect the most productive farmland.  

The rule change will stop Category 1 to 5 land being converted into forestry.  

Those with category 6 land will only be allowed to convert 15 thousand hectares.  

Federated Farmers forestry spokesperson Toby Williams told Mike Hosking that it restores the balance between farming and production forestry, and makes sure they’re playing on an eve...

Auckland University's keen to work with Immigration New Zealand in a bid to boost international enrolments. 

Data shows enrolments are up year-on-year but lag around 7% behind pre-Covid levels. 

Auckland University Vice Chancellor Dawn Freshwater told Mike Hosking there's already some work going on in terms of automation and support for international applications. 

She says visa processing times are critical. 

L...

The Government's paying little attention to global action around climate change.  

A coalition-appointed panel's suggesting New Zealand weaken its current 2050 climate target of up to 47% less emissions than 2017. 

It's offered a new target of just 15%. 

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay told Mike Hosking the rest of the world needs to step up, but we only need to focus on New Zealand.  

He says we don't need to ...

There’s more trouble with Donald Trump’s cabinet picks. 

Allegations have come out about Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nomination for Secretary of Defense. 

Reports reveal that he was twice ousted from military organisations he led for financial mismanagement and improper behaviour, as well as allegations of sexual assault from 2017. 

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that in an email following Hegseth’s divo...

From our “it worked fine, even though many didn’t think it would” file, there are two things to mention. 

Thing number one is the benefit sanctions the handwringers argued were unfair and not nice. 

It turns out virtually no one has hit red. Remember it was the green, orange, red system? All the Government ever asked in introducing them was for you to do your bit. 

You are not sanctioned for not having a job. You are...

New AI technology is giving farmers an insight into the eating quality of their lamb and beef. 

Alliance group-shareholders can now use Meat Eating Quality technology to analyse the tenderness, juiciness and flavour of meat. 

Chief executive Willie Wiese told Mike Hosking the tool predicts the performance of livestock using genetics. 

He says they've tested and validated the outcomes of the predictions against chemis...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 4th of December, our health debt is coming down, but Health NZ Commissioner Lester Levy says there is more work to be done. 

We finally get some good news on tourism - international visitor numbers and spending is up, so is the industry seeing the benefits? 

For the last time of the year Mike, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen cover off the big topics on Politic...

In the final Politics Wednesday of 2024, Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell joined Mike Hosking to dig into this week’s biggest political stories.  

With just one sitting session left for the year, Parliament has shifted its focus to examining Government agencies for this year’s Scrutiny Week.  

Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking that it’s important to hold people accountable – if people are saying things ...

Tourism operators are reaping the benefits of a boost in international visitor spending, but believe there's more work to do. 

International visitor spending has risen by 30% in the year to September. 

It's grown to just under $11 billion. 

Tourism Holdings Chief Executive Grant Webster told Mike Hosking it's around 85% of pre-Covid levels, and they have to focus on growth. 

He says that there have been some bar...

The Transport Minister says changes to Auckland Transport have been a long time coming.  

Auckland Transport will have its right to make decisions about policy, planning, and strategy taken away.  

A new regional transport committee will be formed with the goal of creating a 30-year transport plan.  

Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking AT took the news well.  

He's spoken with the Chief Executive who's keen to help m...

There’s confidence All Black Sevu Reece was not given special treatment after charges against him ended in a discharge without conviction. 

The 27-year-old Crusader crashed a car into a garage door after being asked to leave the post-Christchurch Cup Day party last year. 

Reece initially pleaded not guilty before admitting a reduced charge of wilful damage yesterday. 

Rugby Players' Association chief executive Rob Ni...

Health Commissioner Lester Levy says a lower health deficit than expected is a sign of progress.  

Health New Zealand's revealed a $1.1 billion deficit – well short of the $1.76 billion it initially reported. 

The Opposition's accused the Government of manufacturing a crisis to justify its cuts.  

Levy told Mike Hosking he's confident Health New Zealand will be at zero deficit in three years, assuming nothing unexpec...

Wool sector advocates are disappointed with housing agency Kainga Ora for saying no to pricey wool carpets.

A prior directive suggested Kainga Ora should choose wool over synthetic fibres for carpets, but the state landlord has chosen the latter as it's around 34% cheaper.  

Bremworth Chief Executive Greg Smith told Mike Hosking they were not asked to participate in the procurement process. 

He says nylon and wool are oft...

France’s Government seems to be on the brink of collapse. 

It looks likely to fall apart later this week after far-right and left-wing parties said they will vote for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier.  

The move comes after Barnier pushed through the 2025 social security budget without a vote.  

France Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that even if Barnier wins this vote, it’...