The Mike Hosking Breakfast

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 13th of November, Public Services Commissioner Sir Brian Roche speaks on McSkimming, Coster, and what’s next for the investigation. 

Health Minister Simeon Brown discusses the rollout of 12-month prescriptions, private cancer patients gaining access to publicly funded medication, and the cutting of red tape around medical conferences.  

Acclaimed author John Gri...

John Grisham is back, but with a bit of a twist. 

His legal thrillers made him a bestselling author but his latest novel is a bit of a departure, a whodunnit murder mystery titled ‘The Widow’.  

Grisham writes his novels in a slightly unorthodox manner, starting with the end and looping back around. 

“I learned the hard way years ago,” he told Mike Hosking. 

“I wasn’t sure how to end the book, and so you keep wr...

A new festival is launching for the wine industry. 

Titled ‘Sauvignon 2027’, it will celebrate the innovation and diversity of New Zealand’s most iconic wine.  

It'll be welcoming global industry leaders and trade influencers to Marlborough in February. 

Chair Natalie Christensen told Mike Hosking that although Sauvignon Blanc is a popular wine around the world, there’s still lots to talk about and they want to get t...

A million dollar compensation deal with Watercare is only short-term relief for Auckland oyster farmers, who've lost income from a massive sewage spill in the Mahurangi River. 

The issue caused by a power surge at the Warkworth pump station has meant an almost month-long halt on harvesting. 

Watercare's now paid out one million dollars to Aquaculture New Zealand for distribution to 10 impacted oyster farmers. 

Mataka...

More convenience and savings are being offered for those on long-term treatments. 

From February, people will be able to receive 12-month prescriptions. 

Patients will still collect their repeats from the pharmacy but will no longer need to return to their doctor each time for a new script. 

Health Minister Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking this could save patients up to $105 per year in reduced GP fees. 

He says i...

Port of Auckland's pushing back against criticism of its move to raise fees. 

The port's increasing peak time fees from $130 per container to $180 next year, and $350 the following year. 

Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says it's one of several cost pressures facing businesses, alongside rising fuel excise taxes and soon-to-be-introduced congestion charges. 

Port boss Roger Gray told Mike Hosking...

The Public Service Commissioner is saying little on the details of Andrew Coster's ongoing employment after his involvement in the Jevon McSkimming scandal.  

A scathing IPCA report has found the former Police Commissioner was among those in senior police leadership who failed to properly address sex allegations against the then Deputy Police Commissioner.  

Coster is now head of the Social Investment Agency.  

His e...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 12th of November, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers responds to the damning IPCA report into the handling of complaints against Jevon McSkimming. 

Did we get anything out of the Arms Act announcement? 

Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen give their thoughts on the police and their culture and how much damage has been done to their reputation on Politics Wednesd...

It seemed like a thing, until it wasn’t. 

Guns are like fluoride and the MSM – they get people angsty. 

Out of the Christchurch mosque attack came the idea that gun law needed amending. The amending got another look when ACT came to power because they are libertarians and people with, broadly speaking, a common-sense view of the world. 

The idea that the more you restrict weaponry the less likely you are to have a ma...

Division within Democrats as US Senators approve the final version of a Bill that could end the weeks-long Government shutdown.  

The deal from a group of Democrats and GOP leaders will go to the House of Representatives, then will need signing into law by the President.  

Under the deal, the Government will reopen in exchange for a future vote on extending Affordable Care subsidies. 

Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley ...

Transporting New Zealand warns increases in Auckland port fees will be passed on to consumers.  

Fees per container at peak times will increase from $130 to $180 in January 2026.  

They'll then jump to $350 in January 2027.  

Transporting New Zealand CEO Dom Kalasih told Mike Hosking that it would be one thing if the port was seeing productivity gains from the increases, but they’re not. 

He says there comes a p...

The implementation of roadside drug testing is being hailed as a huge step in the right direction. 

From December, Police across Wellington can do random roadside saliva tests – screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine.  

They'll spread to cover the whole country by mid-next year. 

Drivers testing positive will need to do a second test that checks for 25 substances. 

Drug Detection Agency Chief...

A damning report into the handling of complaints against Jevon McSkimming reveals interference and cover-ups during the "Commissioner-appointment" process.  

The former Deputy Police Commissioner is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to having child sexual exploitation and bestiality material on his work devices. 

A watchdog report finds some of the nation's highest ranking officers ignored a young woman's anonymous ...

Auckland businesses are gearing up for a busy Wednesday next week - as hotel occupancy reaches 100%. 

Forty thousand are expected from Metallica fans alone, with the rock band set to perform at Eden Park. 

Meanwhile, nearly 3,800 international delegates are gathering at Aotea Centre for New Zealand's largest ever academic conference, celebrating Indigenous education over five days. 

Auckland Unlimited Destination Dir...

There’s a belief New Zealanders are no safer than they were before changes to the gun laws. 

A rewrite of the Arms Act simplifies rules for licensed owners for storage, repairs and visitor use, and adds harsher penalties. 

Gang members also won't be able to own a gun and semi-automatics will stay banned.  

Council of Licensed Firearms Owners spokesperson Hugh Devereux-Mack told Mike Hosking they were promised overwhe...

The Police Commissioner says he only became aware of an investigation into Jevon McSkimming two days before taking up the top job. 

The former Deputy Police Commissioner is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to having child sexual exploitation and bestiality material on his work devices. 

A watchdog report finds some of the nation's highest ranking officers ignored a young woman's anonymous complaints against McSkimm...

I'm trying to work out what the ratio would be. 

How much squeaky clean, beyond doubt, rock solid truth would the BBC need to deliver to offset the one gargantuan cock up that has seen the Director General and Head of News quit? 

Or in this day and age, where doubt and mistrust is so high, is it a futile exercise and the damage is permanent? 

Like all these stories you can dilute its seriousness – the Panorama progra...

The BBC's chairman has denied claims the BBC is trying to bury accusations of bias as Donald Trump threatens to sue the company. 

A leaked BBC memo suggests the Panorama programme edited Trump’s speech to imply he encouraged the Capitol Hill riots of January 2021. 

The US President is demanding a full retraction and is threatening to sue for nearly NZ$1.8 billion in damages. 

BBC director general Tim Davie and BBC Ne...

A Kiwi is at the helm of the latest movie in an iconic franchise. 

The first Predator film was released in 1987, and four films —and two Alien vs Predator films— and 38 years later, Kiwi-born Dimitrius Koloamatangi holds a starring role in ‘Predator: Badlands’.  

Auditioning for the role of Dek was a bit of a funny process, Koloamatangi revealed to Mike Hosking. 

“My character is obviously an alien, so he doesn’t rea...