The Mike Hosking Breakfast

There’s trouble brewing in Nelson over a council bylaw banning advertising flags outside shops.  

The bylaw was adopted in November of 2024, limiting retailers to a single sandwich board display, which must be placed against the curb. 

'Coffee on Queen’ has been threatened with a $500 fine and forced to remove their flag, which co-owner Matt Redwood says attracts $200-$300 in revenue from foot traffic.  

Redwood told...

Today on Politics Wednesday, the Covid Inquiry is still at the top of mind for many. 

Chris Hipkins, Dame Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson, and Ayesha Verrall have declined to publicly answer questions for the Royal Commission's second Covid Inquiry. 

Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell delved into the situation, as well as touching on Trevor Mallard’s ousting from the role of Ambassador to Ireland. 

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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of August, the Reserve Bank has a call to make today – they're expected to cut the OCR by 25 points, but what comes next? 

Trade Minister Todd McClay joins us out of Saudi Arabia before his flight to the US in which he’ll continue to try lower our tariff rate.  

Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss the Covid Inquiry and Winston Peters’ exclusion, and T...

The Trade Minister says his trip to the US is all about ensuring our trade tariffs don't shift around too much.  

Todd McClay says the 15% duty on New Zealand goods isn't likely to be removed, as Donald Trump is imposing them on all countries that have a trade surplus with the US.  

He'll be passing on the message that tariffs harm New Zealand.  

McClay told Mike Hosking he'll also be asking about future plans for ta...

The Blues are poised to head across town to Mt Smart for two Super Rugby games next year. 

They're reportedly still planning to play most of their games at their usual Eden Park base, but are looking closely across town. 

Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner told Mike Hosking that having the right event in the right venue is important. 

He says the Blues negotiations probably highlight the need for a broader conversation regar...

There are tentative signs of recovery, as a troubled construction sector looks to turn the corner. 

A new report shows the sector generated $94 billion in revenue in the year to March, down slightly from $99 billion the year prior. 

Despite this, the report shows residential consents have levelled off, government infrastructure projects are restarting, and falling interest rates are supporting mortgage activity. 

Com...

A lack of surprise from the Education Minister over poor writing achievement in schools. 

New data shows only a quarter of Year 8 students achieved their curriculum writing level last year.  

The Government's launching a new digital tool for students sitting below the standard and introducing more professional development in literacy.  

Education Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking the figures are the results o...

A senior economist says he'd like to see a series of OCR cuts. 

The Reserve Bank will announce its decision at 2pm today.  

Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr is expecting to see a 25 basis point cut.  

He told Mike Hosking after a cut today, he'd like to see two more to get the OCR to 2.5%.  

Kerr says that sort of stimulation is what we need to pull us out of recession. 

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A trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the United States is looking likely. 

US President Donald Trump's been meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House today, following talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Saturday. 

Zelenskyy and Trump are now meeting with other leaders, including Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.&...

If Grant Robertson thinks the Covid inquiry is a "show trial", then what is about to unfold at the High Court as of the end of this month can't be far behind. 

A bunch of unions are taking the Government to court over pay equity. 

They are having several stabs at it – the Bill of Rights is in play and the democratic process is up for debate. 

One of the things the unions claim may happen if they win, is a select comm...

It’s been an incredible rise for Kiwi Supercars driver Ryan Wood. 

Racing for Walkinshaw Andretti United last year, he helped the team to 3rd in the Teams Championship —their highest finish since 2016— and was widely considered the best rookie on the grid. 

This year has already seen him claim a win in race 14, with multiple podium appearances under his belt, as well as a host of Top 10 finishes.  

Wood told Mike Hos...

Times are challenging for the global honey sector.  

Oversupply, inflated prices, and global volatility continue to drive sector woes.  

Apiculture NZ CEO Karin Kos told Mike Hosking both domestic and export factors are contributing. 

In 2019, New Zealand had a record 1 million hives and 10,000 beekeepers, but now there’s under 500,000 hives and 7,600 beekeepers, she says.  

At the same time, Kos told Hosking, t...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 19th of August, eyes are on the White House as Zelenskyy and EU leaders meet for peace talks. Our White House Correspondent is on the scene. 

Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge defends their big profit rise while the country faces rising energy costs. 

Kiwi Supercars driver Ryan Wood is having a stellar second season so far, so we catch up with him during the mini brea...

One of the country’s major electricity companies is defending their increased profits amid rising energy prices.  

Contact Energy’s full year net profit is up 41%, with revenue up 20%. 

Their underlying profit also climbed 17%, bolstered by a strong lift in geothermal generation as well as improved sales and customer numbers. 

CEO Mike Fuge told Mike Hosking the profits are the result of their investment in major pro...

The chef at the country's best restaurant says they're always improving to stay top of the game.  

From more than 300 contestants, Queenstown's fine dining hotspot Amisfield has once again been crowned 'Restaurant of the Year' at the Cuisine Good Food Awards. 

Executive Chef, Vaughan Mabee told Mike Hosking being in Central Otago helps them in many ways.  

He says the combination of their team and the area's amazing ...

Donald Trump's focussing on a peace deal rather than a ceasefire as talks with Ukraine's President get underway. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House for talks with Trump and several European leaders today.  

Trump also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and says he'll have a phone call with him after today's talks.  

Channel 9 US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi told Mike Hosking the meeting...

Taking some of the pressure off councils is expected to make them more willing to consent buildings.  

The Government will shift liability for building defects based on responsibility.  

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says councils will still have responsibility for their consenting.  

He told Mike Hosking liability will be decided by the courts.  

Penk says we could see some cases where the vario...

Financial results are coming in thick and fast. 

a2 Milk is reporting a 21% rise in profit alongside announcing it has bought the Yashili  plant in Pokeno. 

It's also sold its majority stake in the Mataura Valley plant in Gore to Open Country Dairy. 

Contact Energy's profit is up 13% after a surge in geothermal generation. 

Freightways' profit is up 12.9%. 

Chief executive Mark Troughear is putting it ...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 18th of August, we've got conflicting reports on the cost of food at the supermarket - but none of it helps the fact our country's debt is nearing $1trillion.

The Prime Minister says whether or not he would appear at a Royal Commission if called upon and how close we are with a deal with Winston Peters about foreigners being able to buy a home.

Jason Pine and Andrew Sav...