The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Ukraine and Russia are set for the first direct talks since the war began. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is personally attending the talks in the coming hours in Turkey. 

The Kremlin's sending a delegation, and has confirmed it will not include Russian President Vladimir Putin, instead being led by Vladimir Medinsky. 

Former Australian Major General Mick Ryan told Mike Hosking Ukraine is likely to remain p...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 15th of May, Privileges Committee Chair Judith Collins is on to discuss the punishment suggested for the three Te Pati Māori MPs. 

Will the meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin in Turkey happen? Former Australian Major General Mick Ryan gives his thoughts on how it will go, if Putin will turn up, and how much of a role the US plays. 

Auckland FC owner Bill Foley ...

Auckland FC owner Bill Foley's revelling in his side's inaugural A-League football season success. 

The Black Knights won the Premier's Plate for finishing top of the regular standings. 

They begin their two-leg semi-final with Melbourne Victory away on Saturday, before the home fixture on May 24. 

Foley told Mike Hosking the business model he's used at Bournemouth in the Premier League, and the Golden Knights in hoc...

Net migration is expected to stay low, with global affairs keeping many people where they are.  

Stats NZ data shows there was a net migration gain of only 26 thousand in the year to March, down from more than 100 thousand the year before. 

It says the fall is mainly due to fewer migrant couples arriving, with a slight increase in departures.  

Massey University Sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking a big quest...

The presidents of Russia and the US are both down as “maybes” for attending the peace talk with Ukraine, due to start later today. 

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy is personally attending the talks in Turkey and the Kremlin's sending a delegation – it remains unclear whether it'll include Vladimir Putin. 

Donald Trump says he might turn up if the circumstances are right.  

Former Foreign Minister Sir Don McKinnon told ...

Doubts over the PSA's arguments on work from home policies. 

The union's heading to the Employment Relations Authority after mediation didn't resolve differences with the Government on the issue. 

The PSA claims a move to get more workers in the office will have a big impact on women. 

Employment Law specialist Jennifer Mills told Mike Hosking she doubts the authority will side with the PSA. 

She doesn't believe...

• Judith Collins calls for “civility” in Parliament after suspending three MPs and attacks on female MPs.
• Collins praised Act MP Brooke van Velden for standing up for herself after using the c-word.
• Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi face 21-day suspensions without pay.

Parliament Privileges Committee chair Judith Collins is calling for “civility” in the House after the decision to suspend th...

The newly elected pope's preparing to deliver his inaugural mass this Sunday. 

A number of world leaders are expected to attend, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance. 

Newstalk ZB's Jo McKenna is in Italy and told Mike Hosking Pope Leo has been very active in his first week of his papacy. 

She says he's made a number of unscheduled visits around Rome, repeating his message ...

Here is another example of the way the pay equity game is played by the media. 

If you choose not to call a minister the c-word, you run a headline like this - "Ministers set to take big pay rises right after wiping 33 pay equity claims". 

That’s the headline in Newsroom. It is dishonest in its inference. 

It's emotive and it misrepresents what is happening. In that is the Government's battle to try and convince the ...

Sussan Ley has become the first woman to lead Australia's Liberal Party.   

She's been deputy for three years and has been appointed leader in a tight ballot, edging out Treasury spokesperson Angus Taylor.  

It comes after former leader Peter Dutton lost his seat in the recent election.  

Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking Ley's switched on, as a qualified commercial airline pilot.  

LIST...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 14th of May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is on after announcing the first Super Fund withdrawal will come years earlier than expected. 

The Government is planning on investing $140 million into improving school attendance – Associate Education Minister David Seymour elaborates.  

Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss Jevon McSkimming, missing the new 500 ...

Netball officials are at the whim of the Commonwealth Games scheduling as they explore player eligibility options. 

Pressure is mounting on the New Zealand governing body to allow overseas-based athletes to feature for the Silver Ferns. 

The players' association has suggested moving the domestic tournament before or after the Australian competition, so their members can compete in both. 

Netball New Zealand boss Jenn...

A planned $3 billion inland port in Otago hopes to support soaring freight volumes in the region. 

Construction of the Milburn Quadrant, north of Milton, is expected to start within two years. 

It comes as forecasts predict freight volumes from Central and South Otago are expected to grow 30-40% over the next decade.  

Project Developer Mark Johnston told Mike Hosking the development will include a 55-hectare inland ...

The Government's conceded it'll likely miss its November target for 500 new police. 

Under the National-NZ First coalition agreement, it aimed to reach the recruitment target within its first two years in office. 

Police bosses say they've been facing challenges, with more trainees failing training and more people leaving the force. 

Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking they're not going to get hung up on ...

Fears social media is exposing more young people to drug use. 

The latest Drug Trends Survey reveals apps like Facebook and Snapchat are used to arrange sales, and drugs are also marketed on gaming apps. 

It finds there's been an overall rise in the use of social media purchasing for all drug types, particularly cannabis and MDMA.  

SHORE and Whariki Research Centre Professor Chris Wilkins told Mike Hosking the marke...

A significant funding boost for attendance services across the country. 

The Government's investing $140 million into improving school attendance over the next four years, in Budget 2025. 

It includes $123 million on a new attendance service, with more data monitoring than currently exists. 

Associate Education Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking a lot of the funding will go towards more people in these roles.&n...

The Warehouse is pushing for potential 'right to repair' legislation to hold overseas manufacturers accountable. 

The retailer's among companies taking part in the select committee process for the Right to Repair Amendment Bill. 

It aims to reduce waste, create a repair workforce, and cut costs for consumers. 

Warehouse Group Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing GM Phil Cumming told Mike Hosking the Commerce Commissio...

• Finance Minister Nicola Willis says changes to KiwiSaver will be revealed at next week’s Budget.
• The NZ Super Fund will cover only 20% of future Superannuation costs, with withdrawals starting in 2028.
• The fund will continue growing despite withdrawals, but Superannuation costs are expected to reach $29 billion annually.

There will be changes to KiwiSaver announced at next week’s Budget, with the Super Fund only expected...

The social media ban is like the pay equity debate. 

It's not hard to drum up a lot of emotion and it's not hard to find people who would argue passionately for it. 

So in this sense, perhaps unlike the pay equity debate, the Government is on the right side of this. 

For the record, my gut says the pay equity debate is somewhat of a risk, but is more beltway and union-based than many think, and won't ultimately damag...