The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A 71-year-old man remains in police custody in Slovakia, accused of attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico. 

Fico was airlifted to the hospital after being shot in the stomach, arm, and leg. 

Christopher Luxon's joining other world leaders in condemning the attack, saying it's shocking and nothing justifies such horrific violence in our democratic systems. 

Newstalk ZB E...

Some influencers are losing millions of social media followers in protest of their silence on the Israel-Gaza conflict. 

#Blockout2024 began after the Met Gala, as celebrities used their platforms to share the luxurious affair amid worldwide protests. 

Taylor Swift has lost more than 300,000 and Kim Kardashian has lost more than 3 million since the event. 

Gorilla Technology Chief Exe...

The Housing Minister's asking questions of Kainga Ora over revelations the Dunedin holiday park it owns has sat empty for four years. 

The Crown housing agency bought Aaron Lodge in Kaikorai Valley for more than $4 million, intended to become a social housing development. 

But it's remained vacant, covered in weeds and temporary fencing. 

Chris Bishop told Andrew Dickens that it's a '...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 16th of May, Andrew Dickens is once more filling in for Mike Hosking. Both the Police Association and Minister Mark Mitchell joined to discuss NSW's increased push to steal our cops to their shores. 

The Brits are both shocked and in awe of King Charles fi...

Kiwi country-pop singer Miranda Easten has been finding international success. 

Her debut single ‘Cowboy Lullaby’ reached 16 on the official Top 40 Country Music Chart in Australia, and she also featured on Compass FM’s ‘Voices of Country’ compilation album. 

Easten is currently working on her second album, ‘Concrete and Honey, which is due for release in July. 

She told Andrew Dicken...

New Zealand can't match what Australia's putting on the table for police officers.  

New South Wales is 1500 officers short and has announced it'll fast-track New Zealand officers, shorten training, and allow experienced cops to keep their rank. 

Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Andrew Dickens that they've been doing this for decades.  

However, he said, we can’t compete with Austra...

There’s want for changes to police officers pay conditions to combat New South Wales' poaching attempts. 

The state is 1500 officers short and has announced it'll fast-track New Zealand officers, shorten training, and allow experienced cops to keep their rank. 

Police Association President Chris Cahill told Andrew Dickens that while we can't compete on wages, there are issues we can address....

Regional economies are slowing to Covid times. 

Latest figures from Infometrics show economic activity has increased just 0.2% over a year, the slowest growth since the first lockdown. 

Since last year, fewer people are planning to build in the regions, with consents falling by around 25%, and the Tasman District falling almost 60%. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told And...

Australia's treasurer says the number one priority of his Budget is easing the cost of living.  

Jim Chalmers is reporting a $9.3 billion surplus for this year but anticipates deficits for the next two years.  

He's outlined benefits like energy relief for all households and increased rent assistance for welfare recipients. 

Australian Correspondent Steve Price told Andrew Dickens tha...

Changes to the Christchurch Call are being welcomed by the Muslim community. 

The initiative's becoming a charitable foundation and will no longer rely on taxpayer funding. 

It will continue its mission to reduce online extremism but is no longer linked to the governments of New Zealand or France, which founded it in 2019. 

The Federation of Islamic Associations NZ chair Abdur Razzaq ...

New Zealand wool is having its time in the limelight as it features in a documentary on the world's largest public broadcaster. 

Germany's national channel will play the 8-minute documentary which has the potential to reach around 60% of the country. 

The crew is filming at wool carpet manufacturer Bremworth and will travel to other processing plants and farms around New Zealand. 

Bre...

There have been several major announcements made of late, most notably the reintroduction of charter schools and the creation of the National Gang Unit. 

National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen joined Andrew Dickens on Politics Wednesday to dig into the announcements. 

Mark Mitchell said that the Labour Government left them with a real mess.

He told Andrew Dickens that they're like an arsonist returning to the scene...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 15th of May, Andrew Dickens filled in for Mike Hosking. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster spoke on the new gang taskforce and what they want the unit to achieve. 

Charter schools are back and they're a contentious issue, can they be done well? Alwyn Poole has set up a couple and explained how it needs to be done. 

Ginny Andersen and Mark...

Netball fans will have easy access to games as Netball New Zealand confirms a partnership with TVNZ. 

The 12-month contract secures free-to-air coverage of next year’s ANZ Premiership Saturday matches. 

The sport will also be broadcast on Sky next year, as the existing broadcasting partnership is extended by a year. 

Netball NZ CEO Jennie Wyllie told Andrew Dickens that ideally they’d...

It's heating up within the New York Court room as Donald Trump's lawyers grill his former fixer. 

Michael Cohen was an attorney for the ex-president from 2006 to 2018 and the prosecution's last witness in the hush money trial. 

He's told the prosecutors he allegedly paid adult star Stormy Daniels on behalf of Trump, to ensure the story would not come out before the 2016 election. 

US ...

A founder of two charter schools says the model could work. 

The Coalition's putting aside more than $150 million in the Budget for 15 new charter schools and converting 35 state schools. 

Head of Innovative Education Consultants, Alwyn Poole, told Andrew Dickens they saw improvement in the past and students would spend four years in their middle schools. 

He says 88% of Māori and Pas...

Police officers are set to spend less time on mental health-related callouts as a new gang crackdown gets under way. 

The Police Minister, and Commissioner, have suggested mental health callouts are 'draining' resources. 

The pair announced a new specialist gang unit would be set up, confirming some officers would be re-prioritised and some more would be hired. 

Police Commissioner An...

A recruitment agency's worried at the type of New Zealander packing their bags and moving overseas. 

Stats NZ says New Zealand saw a net migration loss of more than 52,000 citizens in the year ending March.  

People aged 18 to 30 accounted for 39% of the departures.  

Robert Walters Commercial Director Stuart Nash told Andrew Dickens that his concerns aren't about young people packing...

King Charles has handed down one of his titles after more than thirty years. 

He handed down the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to William, saying that he was “tinged with sadness” after so many years of holding the title. 

His younger son, who served in the Air Corps twice in Afghanistan, spending three and a half years of his life in service, was passed over. 

UK Co...