The Mike Hosking Breakfast

All quarters of the health service need funding, not just lip service.  

That's the message from the Nurses Society ahead of the Government's budget announcement today.  

National Director David Wills says our health system's been historically underfunded.  

Wills told Mike Hosking services can't be delivered without adequate funding.  

He says despite claiming to deliver increases, in real terms there was under...

A promise today's budget will deliver real growth for the economy. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hours away from unveiling her 'No BS Budget', claiming there'll be no frills or excess.  

The Government's been slowly teasing figures, concentrating on balancing the books through cuts and reprioritisation in spending. 

Business NZ CEO Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking the government knows its role in business recove...

There's a belief New Zealand's entering the early stages of an export-led recovery.  

Stats NZ data reveals it's at $1.4 billion in April, compared with a $12 million deficit last year. 

The dairy sector's been the big winner, up $601 million to $2.2 billion.  

Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking it's promising on the back of a tough three years in the sector.  

He says domestically people are...

Smith and Caughey's closure indicates what needs to change in Auckland's CBD 

The city's most iconic department store is closing its doors after 145-years, with the loss of almost 100 jobs. 

The closure comes down to increased competition, economic hardship, and the state of the central city.  

Heart of the City Chief Executive, Viv Beck told Mike Hosking it's a sign of fundamental flaws in the management of Auckland...

Zespri’s largest-ever crop has topped $5 billion in global sales  

After some challenging seasons, the kiwifruit company has exceeded their long-term goals by $500 million. 

The record season saw the sale of close to 221 million trays of Kiwifruit, compared to 164 million the previous year. 

Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake told Mike Hosking it comes after a decade of investing heavily in the brand. 

He says they've be...

Billions in spending has already been announced, and more to come for today's budget. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hours away from unveiling her second budget, and is promising no frills or excess.  

The Government's been slowly teasing figures, including a $600 million infrastructure investment into the country's rail network.  

Infrastructure New Zealand Policy Director Michelle McCormick told Mike Hosking th...

Chris Hipkins needs help. 

For the life of me I have no idea why he is wasting his time defending the Māori Party. 

He says their punishment is too harsh.  

Problem 1: Is he doing it because it’s seen as anti-Government? In other words, despite him saying he wasn't going to bark at any passing car, he barks at any passing car. 

Problem 2: This reinforces the general view that the Labour Party are soft on people ...

Australia's Liberal-National Coalition has called it quits after more than 60 years in partnership.

National's leader David Littleproud says the parties couldn't come to an agreement on policy after days of negotiations.  

Australian Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking the decision was unexpected, and is probably the destruction of the Liberal Party in Australia for a very long time. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystu...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21st of May, Privileges Committee Chair Judith Collins discusses the adjournment of the vote regarding the suspension of the Te Pati Māori MPs. 

Mike digs into what exactly it is that Winston Peters doesn't like about foreign business investors being allowed to buy houses that are priced out for the vast majority of New Zealanders. 

Mark Mitchell and Ginny Ande...

Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Mark Mitchell joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest political stories of the week so far.

Mike's got the register of Pecuniary Interests, which lists the gifts MPs received between February 1st of 2024 and January 31st 2025 - so the three of them discussed some of the entries on the list. 

They also discussed debate, or lack thereof, in the House, and what might else might...

Demand's strong for bricks and mortar retail, despite the growth of online shopping.  

JLL NZ's new report estimates almost 255-thousand square metres of new retail space is needed over the next five years to keep up with our growing population. 

It also finds customers prefer in-store shopping over e-commerce.  

Research and Strategic Consultancy head Chris Dibble told Mike Hosking a significant amount of the develo...

Z Energy's expanding its 'top up shops' in hopes of helping with competition in the grocery sector. 

The gas station chain is expanding its grocery offering as part of a diversification push. 

It will target customers looking for convenience between their large shops – for snacks or staples. 

Grocery Action Group Chair Sue Chetwin told Mike Hosking they'll have nothing fresh or frozen, which is where the competition ...

Hints the foreign buyer ban could be lifted, but not yet. 

OneRoof reports rumours have been swirling with some agents telling them politicians had told them a decision to reverse the 2018 Labour policy was imminent. 

Act leader David Seymour and New Zealand First MP Andy Foster were mentioned, but both deny any confirmed changes. 

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told Mike Hosking it will not be in tomorrow's bu...

There's a belief EDs could be diverting patients away with vouchers for urgent care clinic consultations, more than they are. 

It's believed Auckland's Waitakere Hospital is sending away around 25 patients a day with vouchers due to long wait lists. 

The Health District's total voucher spend jumped 60% between 2022 and last year. 

The Royal College of GPs' Medical Director, Luke Bradford told Mike Hosking there's pre...

The chair of the Privileges Committee wants Labour's Leader to apologise. 

Chris Hipkins told TVNZ Judith Collins had publicly condemned “uncivilised behaviour from indigenous people” in relation to Te Pati Māori's actions. 

Judith Collins told Mike Hosking she never said that. 

She says it’s entirely wrong for him to have said that, and she’s called on him to apologise and apparently he’s going to think about it. &n...

The debate around the Privileges Committee and their decision for the Māori Party MPs starts today. 

It's set to be a long-winded and largely pointless exercise. 

If you can be bothered, get a read on where each of the parties stand. 

Why? 

Because you will find that some parties don’t agree with the committee and think the so-called punishment is a bit hard. 

The Prime Minister was asked about this yesterd...

Donald Trump says the Vatican's 'very interested' in hosting negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. 

The US President's held two separate phone calls today, one with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the other with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

He says Ukraine and Russia will immediately start working towards a ceasefire, and more importantly, an end to war. 

Europe Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike...

Kiwis will be able to experience the drama as ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ returns for a second season.  

Nicole Kidman’s Masha Dmitrichenko has invited a new cast of characters to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps, pushing them to the brink over the course of a week.  

Annie Murphy and Murray Bartlett are among the cast, playing alongside Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Christine Baranski, Lucas England...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 20th of May, millions are being invested into rail and tax changes for foreign investors – where is the Government getting the funds from?  

Parliament is voting today on the punishment for the three Te Pati Māori MPs. 

White Lotus star Murray Bartlett and Schitt's Creek star Annie Murphy are on to talk their roles in the new season of Nicole Kidman's ‘Nine Perfe...