The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Black smoke has billowed from Rome's Sistine Chapel, signalling a new pope's failed to be elected. 

The 133 cardinals will now reconvene tomorrow to choose a successor to Pope Francis. 

Jo McKenna, who's in St Peters' Square, told Mike Hosking they went up until about 9pm local time. 

She says many of the cardinals are elderly and have to come back in the morning. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener f...

It's expected twice-convicted double-murderer Mark Lundy will be slipped back into the community. 

He's been released from prison after more than 23 years for the murders of his wife Christine and 7-year-old daughter, Amber, in their Palmerston North home. 

The now 66-year-old has always maintained his innocence 

Criminal lawyer Steve Cullen told Mike Hosking where parolees are released is never made public. 

He...

The Finance Minister admits many Kiwis aren't getting as much work as they'd like to be. 

Unemployment has remained unchanged at 5.1% in the March quarter, despite most economists predicting a rise. 

However, 21% of employed people are now working part time. 

Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking the ongoing rise in the under-utilisation rate is a concern. 

She says it's clear that some people are going into part time...

Kristine Bartlett was, to many, a hero. 

She was a very likeable woman. She was a caregiver who argued her work was undervalued and she deserved more. 

The Labour Party who love “feels” and are not exactly unfamiliar with the unions leapt all over it and the Equal Pay Act 2022 was born. 

The downside was how to compare this so-called "underpaid work" like in nursing homes, where women dominate and a comparable profes...

135 cardinals from around the world will take their picks on who the new pope should be.  

They'll be locked in Rome's Sistine Chapel from tomorrow to decide who will replace Pope Francis.   

There's no timescale for how long it'll take, but the last two papal elections lasted for two days. 

Australian Catholic Journalist Mark O’Connor told Mike Hosking the cardinals know what they're looking for. 

He think...

There's acceptance banning social media for under 16s may be easier said than done.  

National has put forward a members’ bill to prevent under 16 year olds having social media accounts, with large corporations being responsible for technically regulating age verification.  

The author, Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd told Mike Hosking she knows anyone can use a fake age to set up a social media account, but if companies fail ...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 7th of May, Brooke van Velden talks improving the pay equity process and why it isn't, apparently, all about the Budget. 

And we've got a National bill that wants to ban social media for under 16s. Possible or not? 

Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk pay equity and the feasibility of the social media ban – and can we get through a whole segment without Mark ...

MPs across the political spectrum are fired up over the latest proposal to overhaul —under urgency— rules around pay equity.  

The proposed law, which would lift the threshold of pay equity claims of gender-discrimination, is expected to have its third reading this morning.  

Labour's Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking the Government was boasting about savings.   

She says the women in these jobs need to know thei...

An observation the recession hasn't been felt evenly. 

Stats NZ data out this morning could show unemployment has hit its highest point since 2016 during the March quarter – reaching around 5.2%. 

ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Mike Hosking she expects it will have bigger impacts on different age groups and communities. 

She says young people as well as Māori and Pacific communities have always been on a big...

The US President and Canadian Prime Minister have had some tough conversations today.  

Donald Trump and Mark Carney met at the White House and vowed to bring up tough points that are dividing their countries since Trump won office. 

On Trump's desire to make Canada America's 51st state, Carney stated the country is not for sale.  

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Donald Trump says the countries have...

The more vape stores near schools, the more young people vape.  

Fresh research from Auckland University shows almost half of schools across New Zealand are within a ten minute walk from a vape store 

The government passed a law in 2023 banning specialist vape shops from opening within 300 metres of schools, but the laws didn't apply to hundreds of existing suppliers. 

Study lead Ronan Payinda told Mike Hosking that ...

The Government says its new tough rules for pay equity claims will result in major taxpayer savings.  

The proposed law, which would lift the threshold of pay equity claims of gender-discrimination, is expected to have its third reading this morning.  

It's caused an uproar, with many women and union groups opposed to the idea.  

Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking she can't yet disclose ...

I always find it amusing when officialdom is confused, and they seem confused, as to why so many of our brightest minds have bailed and gone off overseas. 

This is the group of top achievers at NCEA level and the ones with international qualifications. 

More of them than ever have left the country. Officialdom here doesn’t know if they are enrolled offshore or, and here is the critical point, why they left. 

Fortunat...

Australia's recent election has sparked talks of the 'Trump effect' coming into play. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Party's had a landslide win, securing a historic second term.  

It's widely thought Trump's volatility influenced the outcome.  

Global Political Expert Nick Bryant told Mike Hosking it's become more apparent the country wanted to elect an authentically Australian Prime Minister, with the lan...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 6th of May, free trade negotiations are officially underway in India, and our film industry could be left reeling after Trump announced 100% tariffs on foreign films. 

Sir John Key is on to talk business growth in New Zealand, as well as everything else Mike throws at him. 

Nick Bryant is an expert in global politics and is on to talk to us about the recent elect...

New Zealand’s livestock numbers are on the decline.  

Latest figures from Stats NZ show a 21% drop in sheep numbers over the past 10 years – a total decline of 6.2 million sheep since 2014.  

The number of dairy cattle also fell 13% over the same period, coinciding with the increase in land being converted for forestry. 

Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard told Mike Hosking he believes the costs around RMA ...

Sir John Key does not believe US President Donald Trump intends to keep tariffs on most of the world.  

The former Prime Minister is speaking at the Ignite 25 Growth Summit business event in Auckland today.  

Key, who's supported Trump in the past, says the President is only focused on China in his new trade policies.  

He told Mike Hosking the stock, bond, and currency markets are not convinced that Trump is going t...

Tourism organisations from across the North Island are working to put a spotlight on it.  

Fifteen operators have teamed up and signed a Memorandum of Understanding. 

It aims to generate interest from key tourism markets particularly Australia, North America, and China. 

Auckland Unlimited Destination Director Annie Dundas told Mike Hosking both islands have different offerings, so tourism shouldn't be merged as one....

The film industry is being asked not to push the panic button. 

There's a lot of uncertainty after US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 100% tariff on films produced outside the US. 

In a post on Truth Social, he says the US film industry is ‘dying a very fast death’ as countries offer incentives to lure filmmaking away from Hollywood. 

Screen Production and Development Association President Irene Gardiner t...