The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Power companies are warning the road to fully renewable energy will be a bumpy one.  

The big four power companies will co-invest in an energy stockpile which will include 600-thousand tonnes of coal.  

Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton says power companies have a commitment to renewables.  

He told Mike Hosking Mercury has invested a billion dollars into geothermal and wind power, but there needs to be a backup....

A digital education expert is cautious of blanket adoption of artificial intelligence for exam marking.  

Education Minister Erica Stanford says AI is already partly used for marking and expects it could do almost all assessments by 2028.  

It comes as the Government plans to scrap NCEA for an entirely new qualification.  

Canterbury University Associate Professor Kathryn MacCullum told Mike Hosking AI comes with its...

The leader of the Reform UK Party has called for police to release more information about those charged with crimes. 

Nigel Farage believes details such as immigration status should be made public, saying it’s not in contempt of court for the British public to know the identity of those who have allegedly committed serious crimes. 

UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking it comes after the arrest of two men in conne...

Several interesting bits out of the NCEA changes for me. 

Firstly, the "New Zealand Certificate of Education” actually sounds like something, doesn’t it? The same way an “A” tells you something. 

The New Zealand Certificate or Advanced Certificate of Education is a “thing” you can get your head around, as in do you have one, or do you not? 

NCEA is an acronym. 

Under the changes you need to pass things. How wond...

Another Kiwi is plying their trade overseas, aiming to make it into top level racing. 

Rianna O’Meara-Hunt grew up karting alongside the likes of Liam Lawson and Matt Payne, winning her titles before deciding to focus on endurance racing.  

She was the first junior female to become an Australian State Karting Champion, the first female winner of the Rotax Max Challenge Rounds in NZ, and has won the NZ Super Kart Grand Pri...

A glass half-full mindset for All Blacks coach Scott Robertson after naming a group of six players as injury cover for the start of their Rugby Championship campaign. 

Uncapped trio Kyle Preston, Leroy Carter, and Tevita Mafileo, along with Finlay Christie, George Bower, and Josh Lord comprise the back-up unit in the 42-strong wider squad. 

Ahead of their tournament opener in Argentina next weekend, Robertson says injurie...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 5th of August, we talk to the vocational sector and Education Minister Erica Stanford about the NCEA overhaul. 

Should New Zealand On Air be using millions of our tax dollars to fund reality TV shows that aren't making money themselves? 

Rianna O'Meara-Hunt is a Kiwi name to watch in racing, and talks to us about her big push to get into the F1 Academy. 

Get...

New NZ On Air funding announcements provide some hope in a tough time for Kiwi made TV shows. 

Their latest non-fiction funding includes more than $1.3 million for Celebrity Treasure Island and $750 thousand for Country Calendar. 

Screen Producer's Association President Irene Gardiner told Mike Hosking with so little ad revenue, it's a high pressured, intense time for NZ on Air. 

She says the New Zealand version of T...

The Education Minister says balance of choice is a priority under its new qualification system.  

The Government is proposing to throw out NCEA for two certificates in Years 12 and 13.  

Level 1 will be replaced with a foundation test in numeracy and literacy.  

Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking that after Year 11, students are free to choose the subjects which engage them. 

She says the key difference will be wh...

Auckland house prices have held firm through a busy July. 

Real estate agency Barfoot & Thompson's revealed it sold 957 properties across the Auckland region last month – its highest July total in four years. 

More than 46% of sales sat at more than a million dollars and new listings rose more than 14%. 

Managing Director Peter Thompson says the market's holding steady and is ready to take-off when interest rates...

Excitement from the trades sector for a better pipeline for high school students.  

The Government is looking to phase out NCEA over five years – replaced with a foundation test in Year 11 and certificates in Years 12 and 13.  

It also wants to improve vocational pathways for students entering the workforce.   

Motor Trade Association Advocacy Head James McDowall told Mike Hosking NCEA is an absolute mess.  ...

There's disappointment Canterbury communities weren't consulted on a proposal to shut down rural Police stations. 

Police are looking to reduce personnel, disestablishing some rural roles in favour of larger 24/7 hubs based in Rolleston and Rangiora. 

Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green told Mike Hosking the community's heard about it via the media. 

She says their Police live in their area and kno...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 4th of August, could we have done anything to ensure we got 10% instead of a 15% tariff hit?

The Prime Minister joins Mike in studio to talk humanity, tariffs and when we are getting the NCEA announcement.

Andrew Kelleher and Jason Pine talk everything from a dismal Warriors team to a good Wallabies side to a good Liam Lawson race.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Sh...

The Prime Minister is hoping to refocus secondary schools on literacy and numeracy - like the Government's done with primary schools. 

A major announcement on the future of NCEA is expected in the coming moments. 

It's understood public consultation will be launched on proposed changes -- in which teachers and parents can give feedback.

Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking that the country needs an internationally competit...

Disappointment, at the lack of people putting their name forward for October's council elections.

Several people have been elected unopposed around the country.

They include three of Christchurch's 16 councillors, two of Auckland's 20 councillors, and five of Lower Hutt's 13 councillors.

Lower Hutt's outgoing mayor and the Vice President of Local Government New Zealand Campbell Barry says it's a less-than-ideal situation.

He says t...

A housing spokesperson warns homelessness is the worst it's been in several years. 

The Government is seeking urgent advice as communities report rises in rough sleeping across the nation. 

Auckland outreach providers alone reported a 90 percent spike in homelessness. 

Salvation Army Senior Policy Analyst Paul Barber says it could come from issues with both resourcing and delivery. 

He suggests a solution could ...

There was little this country could do to dodge the latest  tariff - this from a former trade minister

Donald Trump's raising tariffs on New Zealand goods to 15 percent, while keeping tariffs on Australian and British goods at 10-percent.

Tim Groser has dealt with the US extensively -- as our trade minister during the Barack Obama administration, and ambassador to the US during the first Trump administration.

He told Mike Hosk...

The direct line between Wellington and Washington will see material results on tackling crime in New Zealand.

The FBI has set up a Wellington based office - meaning it now has an office in each of the capitals of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

It will work on combating terrorism, organised crime, and foreign intelligence threats.

Assistant Police Commissioner Mike Pannett told Mike Hosking the FBI has specialist capabilities ...

We are being urged, again, to "break up with property". 

We are urged this way once every few years. 

It's based, not unreasonably, on the idea that we could take our money and make it work differently, if not more productively, than it does stuck in a house. 

The latest iteration comes from a bloke at Craigs Investment Partners, who suggests if you put $100 into a house, in 30 years it's worth $600. But if you had d...