The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Uncertainty about whether Donald Trump's claims of progress in Iran talks have any credibility.  

The US President has called off today's planned strikes, despite earlier vowing to drop even bigger bombs.  

He now claims both sides have agreed to the final points of a deal – something Iran's not confirming. 

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan Trump is calling it a “transaction&r...

AI could soon be doing your shopping, as Visa launches a new feature with ChatGPT. 

AI agents can recommend products based on prompts and now complete purchases on a user's behalf – with confirmation. 

Gorilla Technology Futurist Paul Spain told Heather du Plessis-Allan the aim is to have it working autonomously on an ongoing basis. 

He says it can order groceries, know your shopping list, and make it happen.&n...

The deck is stacked with Kiwi teams rolling into the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals. 

The Chiefs are taking on the Crusaders in Hamilton tonight, followed by the Hurricanes and “lucky loser” Blues’ clash in Wellington tomorrow. 

Though many believe the outcome of the tournament is predictable, NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster is pushing back against the sentiment. 

He told Heather du Plessis-Allan this...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Friday 12th of June, there's renewed hope for a deal to end the Iran war. But a former US General is warning against getting too excited. 

Heather asks Wellington's Deputy Mayor whether the council will cancel the Golden Mile following the damning review into the project. 

NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster talks the all-New Zealand Super Rugby se...

The Infrastructure Commission warns planning needs to start now for how energy infrastructure will power a larger, low-carbon economy.  

Its latest report estimates $2 to $5 billion will need to be spent per year over the next 30 years on electricity. 

General Manager of Strategy Peter Nunns says generation from sources like wind, solar, and geothermal will need to expand to meet demand.  

He told Heather du Plessis-...

A push for the Wellington City Council to rethink its city centre as costs for the Golden Mile project spiral. 

It's now forecast to cost $220 million, up from $139 million, with an independent review warning further blowouts are possible. 

The project would deliver major pedestrian, cycling, and public transport upgrades. 

Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty told Heather du Plessis-Allan the council needs to look at doing some...

A proposed boost to rural policing is being seen as a positive move, but farmers say more action's still needed. 

The ACT Party's promising funding for an extra 100 thousand patrol hours in rural communities. 

It also wants tougher penalties for armed poachers and livestock thieves, and the expansion of 111 texting for farmers with patchy mobile coverage. 

Federated Farmers spokesperson Karl Dean told Heather du Ples...

There’s scepticism about whether Donald Trump's talk of a breakthrough with Iran is genuine.  

The US President's calling off scheduled strikes hours after threatening to cause even more severe damage. 

He says the final points of a peace deal have been agreed by both sides. 

Iranian officials are yet to confirm and are instead pointing out previous contradictions in Trump's statements. 

Former US General ...

So that was what we waited months for, eh? 

Labour’s cheaper public transport policy. 

A policy so predictable that we actually did predict it four hours before it was released. 

And it was predictable because it’s not a new idea. It’s an idea they took from 2022, dusted it off, and tried running out again with the tiniest of tweaks. 

Being predictable is a problem because it’s not intere...

A second night of disorder is unfolding in Northern Ireland's Belfast, with rioters hurling objects at police.  

Hundreds of masked protesters set cars and buildings alight in a violent, anti-immigration display yesterday following a Sudanese refugee allegedly stabbing a man. 

Local officials are condemning the violence and anti-immigrant rhetoric that’s circling. 

UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Heather du Pl...

Alan Davies is getting everything out into the open and bringing his new tour to Kiwi stages. 

The British comedian is best known for his regular spot on the long-running panel show QI and his portrayal of the titular role in Jonathan Creek. 

And now he’s returning to New Zealand’s shores for the first time in a decade – with ten performances of his new stand-up show over the span of two weeks. 

&ls...

Security measures and ticket prices for this year’s FIFA World Cup may be dampening the spirit of the event. 

The expanded tournament features 48 teams and is being hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. 

But the combined paranoia of FIFA and the US Government has resulted in intense security – NZ Herald Sport Journalist Michael Burgess describing it as “way over the top”. 

The t...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Thursday 10th of June, Heather challenges Labour's Tangi Utikere on the party's costings for its cheaper public transport policy. 

We find out whether the current housing downturn will cause records, and when the market might return to its 2021 peaks. 

Famed British comedian Alan Davies is bringing his unique comedy to New Zealand with his n...

First-home buyers appear to be making the most of the ongoing housing downturn. 

New Zealand's close to its longest downturn in prices in modern history – nearing five years. 

Auckland house prices are 22% below their peak, while Wellington's down 28%. 

Opes Partners economist Ed McKnight told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's playing in some buyers' favour. 

He says we've got the highest share of homes being ...

Downtown Auckland could be set for a mini revival, with plans for a new $350 million building. 

Developer Cooper and Company is replacing Britomart's retail Pavilions with a nine-storey office and retail tower, to be completed in 2029. 

Founder Peter Cooper told Heather du Plessis Allan the central city's in a slump but has come back before. 

He says it needs a pleasurable environment that makes people want to come i...

Achievement and attendance gains are being celebrated at some charter schools for disengaged students. 

Annual reports show four of the seven that opened last year met Government attendance or achievement targets. 

Associate Education Minister David Seymour says Christchurch's Mastery School is the standout performer, despite missing achievement targets. 

He told Heather du Plessis-Allan it was established for studen...

Labour's pushing back on the suggestion its numbers don't add up for a proposed cap on bus and train fares. 

The party's promising to cap fares at $20 a week in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and $10 elsewhere.

It's estimated to cost $65 million a year – the funding coming from the Land Transport Fund.

Transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere told Heather du Plessis-Allan the amount's calculated by looking at curren...

I don’t love the idea of the LNG terminal. Never have, probably never will. 

But I’m fast coming around to the idea that there is no solution to our energy problem that we’re going to love. 

Our electricity system—our wider energy situation—is so broken now that whatever we do to try to fix it is going to have to be so drastic or expensive, it’s going to hurt. 

For the LNG terminal...