The Mike Hosking Breakfast

It's the impossible inquiry isn't it?

Do we want a Royal Commission into Covid? Of course we do.

Are there aspects we found to be wanting, if not completely cocked up? Of course there were.

But are they going to look at them in the sort of detail we want or need? Is the Government really going to learn anything?

Remember it won’t be 'this Government' and in that is the crux of all of this.

Would a different Governme...

A new Kiwi startup wants employers to put their parental leave policies on its new register.

Crayon is creating a database of verified parental leave policies for parents to easily access.

Employees traditionally have to be at the same employer for 12 months or more to be eligible for full parental leave benefits

Founder Stephanie Pow says the goal is to create transparency.

She says it's not about naming and shaming, but makin...

The man tasked with heading the Royal Commission of Inquiry into our Covid response says they'll be doing their best to deliver an independent report.

It kicks off February and will look at vaccine mandates, border closures, quarantine and community care - among other matters.

A report is due mid-2024.

Australian-based epidemiologist Tony Blakely will chair it, alongside former National party minister Hekia Parata and former Tr...

National is on track to form a coalition government with ACT at next year’s election.

A 1News Kantar poll shows National's support up one percent to 38 percent - and Act up two points to 11 percent.

Meanwhile, Labour has slid a point to 33 percent - while the Green Party is holding steady on nine percent.

Act Leader David Seymour says he believes Labour is out of touch with what the public want.

He says the Government isn't...

A business leader doubts the Royal Commission of Inquiry into our Covid response has the right scope.

It kicks off February and will look at vaccine mandates, border closures, quarantine and community care.

A report is due mid-2024.

Australian-based epidemiologist Tony Blakely will chair it, alongside former National party minister Hekia Parata and former Treasury secretary John Whitehead.

Business NZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope told...

When James Michael Grimes fell overboard from a Carnival cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico, he said the sheer will to live, along with strength from God, kept him alive as he miraculously swam for what he believes was more than 15 hours.

Grimes, 28, who described himself as an "average guy" who likes hunting, fishing and being outdoors, was rescued late on Thanksgiving Day and told CNN he is "blessed to be here."

Th...

Former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has confirmed that she was advised on Friday that her former staffer Brittany Higgins intends to file a compensation claim — that could climb as high as $3 million.

News.com.au revealed over the weekend that Ms Higgins’ legal team had entered negotiations over a bombshell multimillion-dollar personal injury claim.

It’s believed the claim includes $2.5 million for future economic loss, past eco...

Making it big in the US market is what every Kiwi-founded company dreams of — but for Monday Hair Care it has become their reality.

The Kiwi company has just renewed its contract to sell its hair care products in Costco USA.

After an initial three-month trial from its start in January, Monday became the number one hair care brand in Costco USA.

Monday Hair Care co-founder Jaimee Lupton joined Mike Hosking.

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What is it we are supposed to make of the revelation that the Prime Minister, having told us she didn’t know about her party's attempt to entrench aspects of the Three Waters law, turned out to be in the very meeting where it was discussed?

A couple of simple questions.

Firstly, where is the media on this? The story had scant coverage - why is that? Is it not a story? Can the media who ignored it, which is most of them, serious...

Belief a shortage of capacity across the entire bus and coach sector will impact tourism.

The Bus and Coach Association says there are shortages of coaches, operators, and drivers.

Association Chief Executive Ben McFadgen says tourism operators are struggling to keep up with such high demand from the return of overseas travel.

He told Mike Hosking it's time for the Government to intervene.

“Despite the fact we keep saying to th...

Tech giants could be forced to the bargaining table to pay for local news content.

The Government is drawing up legislation to make companies like Google and Meta pay local news producers for their content.

They're encouraged to strike their own voluntary deals, as NZME - owner of Newstalk ZB and the Herald - already has.

If no agreement is found, the Government will set bargaining terms.

Technology commentator Bill Bennett tol...

The Government is backing its decision to fund 46 councils with $350 million in public transport upgrades.

The package covers almost 400 new or upgraded bus stops, nearly 250 kilometres of cycleways and some 120 school improvements.

Transport Minister Michael Wood says the projects will help meet future needs caused by population growth and climate change.

He told Mike Hosking the upgrades are essential for getting people off the r...

House prices have fallen by an average of $90,000 in parts of New Zealand after a turbulent year in the property market.

That meant homeowners who bought at the height of the property boom in late 2021 could find themselves with mortgages larger than the value of their home, especially in Auckland and Wellington.

But there were also some positives: the fall in prices was allowing more first-home buyers onto the property ladder.

The...

Pharmac says it's pleased to be ready to consult on a drug the cystic fibrosis community's been after for a long time.

A provisional agreement's been made between Pharmac and Vertex to fund the drug Trikafta for those with the condition aged six and over.

The drug buying agency estimated it could give those people up to 27 more years of full health when compared with supportive care.

Pharmac Operations Director Lisa Wil...

The Reserve Bank's Governor of Australia Philip Lowe reminded me of Eugenie Sage this week.

Or maybe it was the other way round? Either way, it’s about power and influence.

The Sage defence of the cluster that has been this astonishing attempt to upend democracy in this country with the entrenchment debacle is all the evidence you need to know that not all people in power, should be.

Her rationale and I use that word extremely ...

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.

The Police: 7/10

The adjustment to pursuits is a reminder that under Andrew Coster they’ve got it wrong and they’ve got it wrong because of Government direction.

Fog cannons: 2/10

An astonishingly blatant failure to address real harm. They're not even here until next year. It looked like bungled panic.

E...

The Government has a challenge in front of it over what to do about the plight of the Ruapehu ski fields.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is in voluntary administration, carrying debt of $45 million. 

The Government isn't throwing anymore lifelines, leaving the business that runs the Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields staring down the barrel of liquidation.

The company's demise would cost taxpayers up to $100 million because all infrastru...

Our country's Kiwifruit pickers may soon have a robotic friend to help them out.

Waikato University engineers have developed an e-bin which rolls alongside workers.

They can drop the fruit into the bin, where it will be safely caught and stored in a net, instead of having to lug heavy bags on their backs.

Waikato University Engineering Lecturer Nick Pickering says it will make the job more accessible.

He says it shows the utili...