The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Will the latest cut to the Official Cash Rate provide some much-needed stimulus to the business sector? 

The central bank's cut the OCR 25 basis points to 3% and is signalling more are possible. 

It's recognised unemployment is high, and businesses aren't producing as much as they could. 

Prospa Managing Director Adrienne Begbie told Mike Hosking that while some people were hoping for 50, a 25 basis point cut does he...

The White House is claiming plans are well underway for a meeting between Russia's President Vladimir Putin's and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. 

US President Donald Trump met with Zelenskyy and several foreign leaders earlier in the week, following his meeting with Putin in Alaska. 

Trump says he hopes Putin will move forward on ending the war in Ukraine but admits the Kremlin leader may not want to make a deal ...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 21st of August, New Zealand’s intelligence service warns that terrorist attacks are a realistic possibility in their latest threat assessment report. 

Acting Reserve Bank Governor Christian Hawkesby defends the latest cut to the OCR and explains their logic in holding in Q2.  

Former US Correspondent Nick Bryant gives his thoughts on the last two weeks of global...

Positive news for kiwifruit growers with expectations of strong returns this season.  

Zespri's forecasting record returns on a per-hectare basis —and improvements per-tray— for all but two categories.  

SunGold and Sweet Green remain within the indicative ranges from June. 

Chief executive Jason Te Brake says sales are tracking well across our key markets. 

He told Mike Hosking consumers continue to want health...

A plan's been laid out for potential dental reforms to address New Zealanders’ poor oral health. 

New Zealand Dental Association data shows one in three Kiwis have untreated tooth decay. 

Its policy roadmap for the next five years includes expanding community water fluoridation, introducing a sugary drink levy, and including oral care into our universal health coverage.  

Dental Policy Director Robin Whyman told Mike...

The Reserve Bank Governor is defending not going harder with cuts to the Official Cash Rate. 

The cash rate has been cut 25 basis points to 3%. 

But it's signalling more cuts than it was before, and has revealed two of the six Monetary Policy Committee members actually wanted a bigger cut. 

Christian Hawkesby told Mike Hosking he stands by the central bank's decisions. 

He says they're focused on their mandate o...

New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service is reiterating the public's role in the fight against threats. 

The organisation is keeping our threat level at low, meaning attacks are realistically possible.  

SIS Director-General Andrew Hampton told Mike Hosking they're worried about young people radicalising online, geo-strategic shifts, and espionage.   

He says key to their response is the public knowing what t...

Can I ask a question about parents? 

I watched Erica Stanford do a press conference yesterday at a school in Wellington while launching the writing action plan. 

While I was watching that I was reading a story about Nicola Willis, who it was suggested by people in London might be the next Prime Minister. 

She had gone to the New Zealand Society on her trip last week. She stood there in a tangerine suit and there had ...

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. 

...

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...