The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Is there anybody who doesn’t know the name Bob Geldof? 

Along with the Sex Pistols and the Clash, Geldof and the Boomtown Rats are attributed with changing the face of music. 

A significant part is due to the Live Aid concert and Geldof’s activism – which is part of the reason he’s made his way to our shores. 

Geldof has a couple of dates lined up in New Zealand, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Live Aid and t...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 27th of March, the banks are continuing to call for capital rules to be eased. But Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews is warning against it. 

We get reactions to the new sentencing and drug driving testing laws coming into place. 

Fonterra's CEO Miles Hurrell defends the proposal to sell of the company's consumer brands, like Anchor. 

And the ...

Fonterra’s elaborating on the details of their consumer brand sell-off. 

The conundrum comes off the back of a monster half year result in which operating profit rose to 16%. 

The planned divestment could see brands like Anchor and Mainland sold off. 

CEO Miles Hurrell told Mike Hosking the key for any good business is knowing what you’re good at.  

He says that over the years, the returns as an ingredients busi...

Liam Lawson's future at Red Bull in Formula 1 remains gridlocked by speculation. 

Reports suggest Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda will swap with Lawson for the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend, joining defending world champion teammate Max Verstappen. 

Lawson's opportunities have been slim on unfamiliar tracks in a new car thus far, one of which was in the wet at Melbourne. 

Formula 1 Journalist Chris Medland told M...

There's confidence roadside drug testing won't pick up prescription drugs. 

Legislation giving police powers to do random saliva tests has passed its third and final reading in Parliament. 

Police should be ready to use tests late this year. 

Transport Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking there will be two tests at the roadside. 

He says it will be testing for cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana. 

LISTEN ABO...

The Law Association is calling the recent passing of sentencing law changes a great example of democracy in action.

The new law caps the sentence discounts judges can apply at 40% and adds new aggravating factors.

Law Association Vice President Julie-Anne Kincade told Mike Hosking issues raised —such as the wish to see the sentencing reduction proposals softened— were taken on board.

She says many select committee submitters shared...

A careful balancing act on how far banks should have to go to prepare for a rainy day. 

Parliament's Finance Select Committee is currently seeking feedback on whether the Reserve Bank's capital requirements for banks should be changed. 

The current rules are stringent and costly. 

Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Mike Hosking we also can't go too far the other way. 

She says if a bank fails,...

Lindsay McKenzie is still busy at work. 

You will have forgotten the name because like so much news these days, it's hot stuff until it isn't. 

Lindsay is the bloke that was appointed to watch over Wellington Council because of their dysfunction. 

He has just written his second report. His first report seemed sort of sympathetic. Yes, they were a mess, but they were decent people sort of thing. 

His second repor...

Labour's admitted the gang patch ban hasn't turned out as badly as they feared. 

The Deputy Police Commissioner has confirmed staff are pleasantly surprised at the ban's effectiveness, saying it's brought more control to the situation.  

It comes as Gisborne police are given more powers to deal with gangs.  

Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking the fact it's gone well is a good thing. 

She...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday the 26th of March, the national stadium debate is continuing to drag on - and Rugby World Cup CEO Martin Snedden is calling for some action. 

The government has written to Labour and the Greens asking for cross party support for its RMA reform - Mike asks Chris Hipkins whether Labour will get on board. 

And Mike loves the idea of people needing a qualification ...

Employment confidence has bottomed out. 

The Westpac-McDermott Miller index shows it's slipped to a level not seen since the post-2020 Covid lockdowns. 

It's fallen in four of 11 regions —including Auckland— which dominated the national average. 

EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking business is still doing it hard, directly impacting the ability to hire and expand. 

He says more than 60% of firms...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says compromises will need to be made in reforming the Resource Management Act. 

The Government's replacing the Act with a new planning framework, including rules around land development and environment protections. 

It's seeking cross-party support. 

Hipkins told Mike Hosking the country's administration can't keep putting infrastructure projects on hold. 

He says that if there are p...

A leading Australian economist says more focus needs to be put on productivity to pull Australia out of a deficit. 

The federal Budget announced yesterday included tax cuts and cost of living relief for households. 

HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham told Mike Hosking with big spending measures announced in the lead up to the election, deficits to the tens of billions are forecast for years to come. 

He says the best ...

There's a belief the bigger problem with Auckland's stadiums is not having the right sized venues.  

Councillors are set to vote tomorrow on whether to back Eden Park 2-point-1 or build a new Quay Park site. 

The latter project can be scaled down to 20-thousand for smaller events, from 50-thousand for big ones. 

But Rugby World Cup 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden told Mike Hosking they can't keep putting smaller ...

The Police Deputy Commissioner says staff are pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness of banning gang patches.  

Rival gang tensions in Gisborne mean officers have just been given extra powers to search and impound vehicles and seize weapons, following eight incidents in a week.  

Tania Kura told Mike Hosking the gang patch ban has been really good for them. 

She says it's brought more control to the situation, wit...

French actor Gérard Depardieu's gone on trial – charged with sexually assaulting two women on a film shoot four years ago. 

About 20 other women have also accused the 76-year-old of improper behaviour, but this is the first case to come to court. 

He's the highest-profile figure to face accusations in the French response to the Me Too movement. 

Paris Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking his has been a lon...

June 2026 is not far off. 

In fact, it's next year and next year is election year. 

By that time, it is being reported, the interest on our national debt will be $11b. 

Do you see how this works? 

Not long ago the warnings were issued that it might reach $10b and at the time, it was pointed out that that is multiple times more than the Police budget. 

That's just in interest. Once we pay the $10b our debt d...

It’s been 17 years since Pete Murray last graced Kiwi stages. 

The 3x number one album selling Australian singer-songwriter has announced a 55 date tour in Australia – including four stops in New Zealand. 

He’ll be in the country next month, bringing just himself and his guitar.

Murray told Mike Hosking that although he last performed here 17 years ago, he’s made the journey across the ditch much more recently.

“Loved New...