The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The overarching view of the British Covid inquiry is that lockdown did not need to happen.

Their inquiry is different to our two For a start, the key players turned up. Boris Johnson and co got grilled.

Ardern and Hipkins and co never did because they refused.

It still seems to me an astonishing act of arrogance that the same people who made such profound decisions on our lives refused to participate in a public way at the official...

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville join Mike Hosking this morning to discuss the weekend's sports.

On the table today: Auckland FC were not at their best as they struggled to a draw against Brisbane Roar.

The All Blacks have ended their northern tour on a positive after defeating Wales, but failed to secure their 'grand slam tour'.

And both McLaren's were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix as the title race heats up. 

LISTE...

Christchurch has been added to the list of cities hosting games for next year's Rugby League World Cup. 

The city joins Australia and Papua New Guinea as hosts for the event, and although the addition is a surprise for fans, it has been in the works for a while. 

New Zealand Rugby League CEO Greg Peters told Mike Hosking that, 'it's been on the cards for a little while now, obviously, with the opening of Te Kaha down ther...

Chris Luxon says he is confident that he will lead National in next year's general election. 

A hit in the polls raised questions about his leadership last week, and rumours spread that he would be replaced come next election. 

The Prime Minister has denied these rumours.

He told Mike Hosking that, 'It's quite hard to take this seriously because I've read all of this before the whole 4 years I've been in politics.'

LISTEN...

There are calls for shoppers to choose smaller businesses this black Friday, and holiday season.

Data from accounting service - Xero -  reveals shifting just 10% of consumer spending from big to small retailers, could bring $11billion into independent businesses.

That excludes spending like utilities, and transport.

Xero Country Manager Bridget Snelling says consumers must consider shopping locally for the benefits.

She says s...

A promise to increase Kiwisaver rates is being described as a fundamentally good move - even if there's more to do. 

National says it will lift default contributions to six percent by 2032 - matching Australia's 12-percent superannuation rate. 

Employer contributions would increase by half a percent each year - but not until 2029.

Milford Asset Management's KiwiSaver Head Murray Harris told Mike Hosking that although he b...

A push for NZTA to be given the same powers as Police - to impound unsafe trucks.

The trucking industry wants tougher rules, after an Auckland operator was jailed for manslaughter last year.

Ashik Ali kept his truck on the road despite it being banned, and its failed brakes caused it to roll away and fatally hit a road worker last year.

National Road Carriers Association chief executive Justin Tighe-Umbers told Mike Hosking that mo...

There is a growing idea in economic circles in America that young people might never own anything. 

It's based on the recent news that a new car average price cracked $50,000 for the first time. 

It was added to by Trump's idea that we have 50-year mortgages. 

In the US, 30 years is pretty standard, and they have the fixed interest rate that lasts decades. 

Here it's completely different. 

But all of it is ...

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. 

Uber: 3/10 

The Supreme Court may have read the law, which means the law needs changing, because what the four drivers wanted and won is not what the gig economy is all about. 

Ferries: 6/10 

Two ships, a big saving, and an improvement on what we have. Job done. 

Tory...

Would we be asking the questions of Police Commissioner Richard Chambers if we hadn't been dealing with McSkimming and Coster and Co.? 

From my dealings with Chambers, he is exactly the sort of person who the Police need leading them. 

He is one of those appointments that when it's made, you get it, unlike the Coster appointment. 

When it was made you saw Ardern's fingerprints all over it and history shows how that a...

Formula 1 is touching down in Vegas amid the bright lights of Sin City. 

Lando Norris is currently in the lead, holding a 24-point buffer over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. 

And Liam Lawson is preparing to roll the Formula 1 dice, unlikely to learn of his future before the season ends.   

F1 Journalist Mick Akers told Mike Hosking the event is tracking towards selling out, with an announcement likely to come a...

Turners Automotive seems to be continuing to defy the odds, both with the economy and the second-hand market. 

They’ve posted a record $21.9 million profit, up 13% for the six months to September.  

The company is on track for a full year result of around $600 million, before tax. 

CEO Todd Hunter told Mike Hosking the used car market is resilient and with their strong place in it, there’s plenty of opportunities for...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 21st of November, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith discusses the drop in victims of violent crime and how the campaign against gangs is going one year in.  

Winston Peters explains his changed stance on the Regulatory Standards Bill and what happens under MMP. 

And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson Wrap the Week, talking Winston and the media. 

Get the Mike Hosking...

George W. Bush has paid a fond farewell to his friend and former Vice President, Dick Cheney. 

The former Republican President has spoken at Cheney's funeral at Washington's National Cathedral. 

He was a divisive figure in American politics, both for his role as the driving force behind the Iraq War, and his scathing criticism of Donald Trump. 

But Bush has told Cheney's family, many Americans are grieving Cheney's d...

A revamped All Blacks side has been tasked with maintaining an almost 72-year unbeaten legacy against Wales on Sunday morning in Cardiff. 

Three players —captain and lock Scott Barrett, flanker Simon Parker and Will Jordan, who shifts to the right wing— remain in the run-on side from last week's loss to England. 

Ardie Savea and Codie Taylor are among the players rested...along with Cam Roigard and Beauden Barrett. 

...

There’s a belief that the delay in investigating the Pike River mine disaster will influence the Crown's decision on charging those responsible.  

Police believe they have sufficient evidence to lay manslaughter charges against officials involved. 

This week marks 15 years since the 29 men never came home from the West Coast mine.  

Criminal defence lawyer Nigel Hampton KC told Mike Hosking the investigation delay, t...

Winston Peters says the Coalition is doing just fine after his change of position on ACT's Regulatory Standards Bill. 

The NZ First Leader says next year he will campaign on getting rid of the legislation, despite supporting it just last week. 

ACT Leader David Seymour finds that worrying.  

But Peters told Mike Hosking he rejects any claim the Coalition is crumbling.  

He says their number one responsibility is...

The Justice Minister isn't resting on his laurels following optimistic new crime data.  

The Crime and Victims Survey shows there were 147 thousand victims of serious violent crime in the year to August.  

That’s 38 thousand fewer victims than when the coalition came into Government in 2023.  

Paul Goldsmith told Mike Hosking the outcome is a result of the Government going after gangs and the three-strikes law.  ...