The Mike Hosking Breakfast

So we have Golden Bay Cement and we have New Zealand Steel. 

In their own way, both companies that make things we need as a country and would struggle without. 

One of them said they would close because of the ETS cost of producing cement locally, and the other is now making steel with its renewable powered electric furnace. 

Neither paid for their improvements. We did. 

Is this good business? 

In talking t...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 14th of August, tourism leaders are welcoming ACT’s proposed alternative to a bed tax, and there’s a dire new report on the state of our Super Rugby franchises.  

Netball NZ CEO Jennah Wootten has officially been in the job for three days and joined to discuss the latest pitch to save next year’s domestic competition. 

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilso...

The appetite for New Zealand’s golden visa continues to grow. 

Since the rules were relaxed last April, $4.845 billion has either been committed or added to the investment pipeline – from more than 700 applications.  

InvestNZ is also changing tack – refining its overseas roadshow to create a more targeted approach. 

CEO Robert Wall told Mike Hosking the Active Investor Plus programme is simply abou...

A Super Rugby team owner believes a damning report into the competition's viability is further proof a new financial structure is needed. 

A Deloitte document claims no franchise would have been profitable on a stand-alone basis since 2019, without New Zealand Rugby funding. 

Hurricanes co-owner Malcolm Gillies has been an advocate for privatisation, telling Mike Hosking they must adapt. 

He says they’re outgro...

Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennah Wootton is conscious of rushing a decision which could define her tenure. 

She's officially started in the role as of Wednesday as the sport grapples to salvage its domestic competition.  

The Herald reports Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray have pitched a professional competition to bridge the gap to a fully privatised 2028 league. 

Wootton told Mike Hosking time is crucial as ...

A new report finds the funding of aged residential care is not keeping up with the cost of providing it.  

The Westpac NZ report investigates what challenges and opportunities service providers could face in the future.  

It finds, with an aging population, people will require more complex and costly care.   

Westpac economist Paul Clark told Mike Hosking the biggest cost is labour, which made up around 70% of o...

ACT's alternative to a bed tax is being welcomed by tourism leaders.  

The party's promising one dollar be given to local councils for each guest night in their area, funded through GST and levies already paid by tourists. 

It's estimated the dividend would give councils more than $40 million annually.  

Hotel Council Aotearoa strategic director James Doolan told Mike Hosking ACT is the first party to acknowledge the...

Not for the first time have too many people read what happened yesterday completely incorrectly. 

"It was over", they told us. "The numbers were done", they told us. "Tuesday night was it", they told us. 

"There wasn’t a caucus meeting required". Wrong. 

"Mark Mitchell was Erica Stanford's deputy". Wrong. 

"The idea that Luxon could do this twice was impossible". Wrong. 

One of the great sadnesses of ...

The UK is facing one of its strangest by-elections in modern history. 

Tomorrow will see Clacton constituents vote for their MP – Nigel Farage attempting to defend the seat he stood down from last month. 

The race is currently between the Reform UK Leader and satirical candidate Count Binface, with polls putting Farage around 70% and Binface around 30%. 

UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking those resul...

New Zealand’s elite snow sports scene is being recognised, with it set to host superstar Shaun White’s latest competition. 

The Snow League is in its second season, and this year will see the introduction of the World Challenge – a first of its kind event hosted at Cardrona in the South Island. 

The event is made up of four teams of athletes from around the world —North America, Europe, Asia-Pacifi...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 13th of August, Minister Mark Mitchell gives us the inside word on the leadership coup. 

The latest threat report from the NZSIS paints us in a more vulnerable position than a year ago – Director-General Andrew Hampton discusses the details. 

Fin Melville Ives details his recovery from his horrific crash at the Winter Olympics and the new snow sport event ...

Auckland wants to put its best foot forward as a cruise destination. 

Auckland Unlimited and the city's port have unveiled a 10 year plan focused on strengthening areas like visitor experience, infrastructure, and the environment. 

This comes after the country lost around 250 port calls last season compared to the previous season, and is set to lose about 20 this summer. 

Auckland Unlimited Destination Director Annie...

Time's ticking for National to rebuild itself as a united front after putting Christopher Luxon's leadership to the test a second time. 

The Prime Minister survived a confidence vote launched by Chris Penk - at yesterday's three hour caucus meeting in Wellington. 

He's now dumped Penk from his ministerial portfolios and the former Defence Minister has announced he'll quit politics in November. 

Political Commentator ...

The Security Intelligence Service warns our national security challenges are intensifying as geopolitical tensions heat up. 

Its report finds public and private sectors are being targeted by foreign states attempting to access our critical assets. 

It also suggests Chinese military intelligence has been using job sites to target current and former government officials holding secrets.   

SIS Director-General And...

ExportNZ is sounding the alarm about the costly obstacles faced by exporters. 

Its report says at least 83% of our exports are affected by non-tariff barriers, resulting in more than $9 billion a year in costs. 

It finds on average, Kiwi products face nine separate non-tariff barriers across the markets they enter. 

Executive Director Joshua Tan told Mike Hosking it's also about having the right settings at home.&nbs...

Mark Mitchell is sorry about the whole situation the National party caucus found itself in. 

Christopher Luxon stared down yesterday's challenge to his leadership, coming from Chris Penk. 

He's paid the political price, being stripped of his portfolios, before announcing last night he won't run for re-election in November.  

Senior colleague Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking Penk's challenge was a surprise.  

He s...

Kiwibank is being forced to follow the big banks’ lead. 

Its one-year special rate has risen 20 basis points to 4.95%, and its two-year also increased 20 points to 5.39%. 

The increase is motivated by the bank’s desire to remain competitive as wholesale borrowing costs continue to rise. 

CEO Steve Jurkovich told Mike Hosking wholesale rates have been hard to deal with, but they don’t think the Offic...

The All Blacks have blitzed the Sharks 54-nil at a soaked Durban to go two wins from two matches on their rugby tour of South Africa. 

New Zealand ran in eight tries, six of which came in the second half. 

Former All Black Sir John Kirwan believes the side is making progress in preparing for how to shut down the Springboks in the first test on Sunday week.  

He told Mike Hosking they’re breaking down how the So...