The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Latest figures show at least 144 kiwi Police left for Australia in the past year, but Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is not concerned. He told Mike Hosking that we have 'some of the best police officers in the world' and therefore it's no surprise other countries try to poach from us. Chambers also maintains that our Police numbers are in a good place. "I mean, there's a tremendous amount to be proud of is that we've got nearly 10,500 police officers now. We've never had that many, in this country before," he said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's hard to believe that superannuation is still a “thing”. The OECD report told us we need to bump the age. Nicola Willis told us Friday we have to do something. The Prime Minister then goes on Newstalk ZB and tells us they will campaign, again, on bumping up the age. We should not be here. In 1982 when I started work at the age of 16 it was very clearly in my mind that I had to sort my future financially, given the debate at the time was that superannuation is not affordable, and the state could not always be relied upon to be there for you. So if it was a debate in 1982, why is it still a debate in 2026, having achieved or solved nothing? The answer of course is because it has been political dynamite. No party really wants to risk losing votes over what has been seen as an entitlement. So first port of call, is it an entitlement or not? If it is, bump the age. There is no question that we live and work longer, therefore retirement is not what it was and it will continue to evolve. Or, my preference, make it a benefit. We see Labour's free doctor's policy as the money wasting joke it is. Why does a person like me on a good salary need a free doctor? I don't. Stop wasting money. So why not apply the same to retirement? Do you need it? If yes, you get some assistance. If no, then save the dollars for someone else. But some still argue it's the reward for a life's work. Is it? The reward for a life's work is money in the bank, some travel and no alarm. The country doesn't owe me anything. Equally, that farcical, old line about you having paid your taxes was never true. The taxes you paid have been spent every year. Almost every year we spend more than we earn. There are no savings, no surplus. Your taxes paid for healthcare and Government departments and roads and beneficiaries. Like so many of life's issues, when you complicate them and fiddle with them they remain unsolved. Kicking it down the road isn't a skill. It's a lack of backbone. At some point someone has to be honest enough to pull the pin. It's not 1968 and 65 years-old isn't old. This thing has been debated so long now it's become boring. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, had a historic win in the Farrar by-election in the weekend. The victorious One Nation candidate, David Farley, said "people just want change, it's as simple as that." At a victory party Hanson addressed supporters saying, "we're coming after those other seats". Australian correspondent Steve Price joined Mike Hosking to chat about the result. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 11th of May, are we worried about the amount of cops leaving to Australia? Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says we simply can't keep up with their pay. The Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking to talk fees free getting scrapped, superannuation and golden visa events. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk Auckland FC, the Phoenix women through to the final and Mike and Sav's big gripe at stadiums. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking in studio to discuss two major policy changes announced last week - abolishing fees free study, and raising the age of superannuation. Luxon said that although the changes may not be 'politically popular' they are important, and other party's aren't brave enough to agree. "I think they're being quite dishonest in terms of not facing up to the challenge that we've got and I think just chucking it down the road to the kids and grandkids isn't the right way," he said. "So, I get it's not politically popular, but actually we should have a bigger conversation and a debate about it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Independent Economist and Property Commentator Tony Alexander regularly surveys real estate agents. His latest survey found that 44% feel prices are falling in the area, 51% see fewer people that open homes, and 50% are seeing fewer investors. Alexander contributes this to a number of reasons including global conflict and job instability, but first-home buyers are remaining strong. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an investigation of all New Zealand private schools the NZ Herald found that more colleges than ever are charging $30,000-plus in tuition fees with an average 4.2% tuition rise this year, the smallest increase in three years. Independent Schools of New Zealand CEO Guy Pascoe told Mike Hosking the jump in fees can be attributed to rising cost of living, but that hasn't impacted tuition numbers. "We still see pretty strong demand across our schools," he said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the war in Ukraine was nearing an end on the first day of a United States-brokered ceasefire, despite mutual accusations of violations. Editor of New Voice of Ukraine Euan McDonald told Mike Hosking, "Putin makes these statements occasionally but, what we haven't seen really, is any major change in the situation. "So there's not really any evidence that the war could be coming to an end. In fact, it actually seems to be escalating a bit." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest cab off the rank in things Australia is doing that we suggested we might, is some sort of deal with tech around local news. Australia led off the batting with the social media ban that has been picked up and run with all over the world. It doesn't necessarily work, but people in various jurisdictions feel good enough about it and it may well be that enough people are affected for it to be judged some sort of success. We of course are yet to do anything, almost as though we don't want to. It seemed odd to me that we hail the school phone ban but can't take the social media step. Anyway, tech needs to do deals with local Australian media or face a tax. Not that it's called a tax. It's a "charge" and the charge will be spread about local media to help offset all the money big tech is hoovering up from taking their work and monetising it through ads. This won't work either of course. In fact, it will work even less than the social media ban has worked, but you clearly can't tell Albanese that. He also runs the risk of infuriating Trump, who is pro-American tech and companies in the firing line like Meta are of course, American. In the meantime, in Canada, who tried to do something similar, they have gone without Meta, or at least without news on Meta, for a while now. Because that's the standard play book; tax us, we're off. And as one piece I read this week said, the sky hasn't fallen in. I assume that if enough countries try to tax, even Meta might balk. But we are clearly a long way from that and it's entirely possible Meta and their ilk are so big they don't care. Fun fact – less than 1% of posts on Facebook in Australia contain a URL from a domestic news site. That's a lot of regulatory hassle for no real engagement, so what do they care? I have always favoured government intervention when it actually achieves something. The cold, hard reality in this modern world is a single government can't contain, constrain, or manipulate a global tech giant – so why turn yourself inside out trying? No, it's not fair, but it's life. Canada have achieved nothing. Australia will learn the same thing. Maybe the fact we have done nothing is smarter than many realise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. The Warriors: 7/10 There is a roll-on here, a real consistency, and two more easy points this weekend. Food scrap bins: 2/10 They're not used, they're made of plastic, they blow all over the neighbourhood. The 40% shows a bad idea is a bad idea, whether it's on the whiteboard or on your street corner. Citizenship tests: 6/10 A lot of ideology floating about the place this week. Does answering a question mean you are something, or subscribe to something, or believe in something? Or did you just tell the people what they wanted to hear? Cuisine Awards: 2/10 What a bunch of pompous toffs. No one defends Vaughan Mabee if what is said is true, but Cuisine rates food and menus and dining experiences, not whether fry pan genius extends to being a prat. The Met Gala: 7/10 Hate Jeff Bezos all you want, but it's about fundraising and it raises a lot of funds. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why now Sean? I had Covid vibes when I read Sean Sweeney's thinking about the CRL. It was Covid vibes because during that period I cannot tell you how many people I know and regularly dealt with, whether it was people in the media or people from business, who said one thing about the Government and their handling of lockdowns and the economy in private, and something completely different in public. So Sean, having left the CRL to head to Ireland, has now left Ireland but has stopped by long enough to tell us we don't scope our price major projects that well. Who knew? The CRL, at well over $5 billion, is a gargantuan waste of money. Yes, it will improve things and on paper it makes sense because it joins up some rail lines so you can go around and around. But like most things in life, convenience, improvement, or efficiency comes at a cost. What's a terrific idea at $50 is a waste at $200. And for something that started out about $2 billion and will come in at about $6 billion, the CRL has reached the stage where no one really wants to accept responsibility any more for the price and delays, because it got embarrassing a long time ago and tipped over into "well let's just make the most of it and hope it works". It won't of course. Not to the extent they dreamed, because what they dream of is New York and London, and we have never been that and never will be. Anyway, part of where Sean is right is ideology blinds common sense. Too many people want a say and before you know it, everything is a combination of delayed and expensive. Yes, the fast-track RMA reform will help. Less legal action will help. Fewer opportunities for review will help. And God forbid, cross party support would help. But what would also help is some backbone – people who say what they believe, whether it gets them attention, or into trouble, or not. There are too many pussies in places of influence. Too many spineless, scaredy cats who want the job, or the title, or the reputation, or the pay-packet, and just grin and bear it, or defend it, or lie about it, and babble nonsensical rubbish instead of being honest. As much as I appreciate Sean telling it like it is, and he's right and possibly someone in charge might take notice, what I would appreciate more was the same commentary before he filed the resignation letter and scarpered. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chaotic scenes in Australia as three women linked to Islamic State return home to face crimes against humanity and terror charges. The women travelled with their partners to the Middle East more than a decade ago, and they say they wanted to come home for their Australian children. They may face court as early as today. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking a scuffle broke out at Melbourne Airport last night involving men wearing masks waiting for the women. He says their children face a tough time readjusting, as they will have seen things no child should ever see. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran's expected to respond to the US's proposal to end the conflict sometime today. Yesterday, Axios reported a one-page 14-point memorandum of understanding was being discussed to formally end the war. The memo aims to set up negotiations for limiting Iran's nuclear capabilities, releasing billions-of-dollars in frozen assets, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. US Correspondent Simon Marks told Mike Hosking the reported content of the memo sounds very similar to the previous deal with Iran that was criticised by Donald Trump. In the meantime, the US has confirmed it has struck Iranian targets. US Central Command saying its forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks which included missiles, drones and small boats. It says it responded with defence strikes against the inbound threats and targeted missile and drone launch sites, along with command and control locations. Iran is accusing the US of violating the ceasefire and targeting an Iranian oil tanker moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Its state broadcaster reports aerial attacks were carried out along the coast and Iran immediately responded by attacking US military vessels. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday has come which means it's time for Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson to help Mike Hosking Wrap the Week. They got an update on Mike's fountain project, the weather, and Kate and Tim listened in as Mike extended a special invitation to one of the show's youngest fans. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A couple of weeks ago, Mike received a gift and a lovely note from one of his youngest fans – 10-year-old Freddie. In all his decades of being on the air, he thought it was the first time he's ever been sent a gift from someone so young. And, it was excellently decorated by Freddie's 7-year-old sister, Harriet. The show is now a big fan of Freddie, so they decided to give him a call and extend a special invitation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Crusaders are back in their brand-new stadium. After christening the One NZ Stadium with a 35-20 victory over the Waratahs during Super Round, tonight's clash will see them go head-to-head with the Blues. Over 73 thousand fans walked through the stadium during its opening weekend, and it looks like it will be packed out tonight, tickets expected to sell out. Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge told Mike Hosking they expect to keep selling-out based on demand to date, which will be great for the club. He says moving into the new stadium is a sea change for them, and it'll have a very positive result. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 8th of May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses the OECD report on the future impact of our current Superannuation settings. NZR Chairman David Kirk answers questions about the new CEO, new President, and the economic state of rugby in this country. And on Wrapping the Week, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson listen in as Mike calls a young fan with a special invite! Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby's global search for a new chief executive has led them back to their own offices. Steve Lancaster has been confirmed as the new boss of NZR. The former Crusader has been serving as the interim CEO for the last six months, having stepped up from his role as general manager of community rugby. Chairman David Kirk told Mike Hosking that originally they didn't have a strong understanding of the executive talent, so they thought they had to go global to find a new CEO. However, he says, when Lancaster was executing the interim role, it became more obvious to them that he was highly capable in a broader role than they had suspected. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

City Rail Link cost concerns are re-igniting calls for a shake up to the way we approach infrastructure. The project's former boss Sean Sweeney claims the build could've been completed at half the estimated $5.5 billion. It sparked Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to announce a full review of the project after it's opened later this year. Civil Contractors New Zealand CEO Alan Pollard told Mike Hosking Sweeney's views line up with broader over-spending concerns. He says we have a tendency to favour bespoke design, whereas having a catalogue of standard designs would be much more efficient. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Conservation Minister says there's huge opportunity for conservation land to generate the country more money. A bill's been lodged, promising major reforms aimed at speeding up the DOC sign-off process for concessions on conservation land. It would also see overseas visitors charged to visit certain sites – estimated to raise around $60 million a year to go to conservation. Tama Potaka told Mike Hosking he's confident visitors are prepared to pay. He says they've just started charging for a few carparks and made about $1.5 million for DOC. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says the Government's going to have to do something about Superannuation. An OECD report warns if current policy settings continue, we could be spending 5% more of our GDP on health, long-term care, and pensions by 2060. Minister Nicola Willis says the cost for superannuation is going up billions of dollars, while there are fewer workers for every pensioner. She told Mike Hosking the cost is also rising as a proportion of taxes. Willis says it will soon account for 20%, and every dollar spent isn't available for education, health, and infrastructure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I do worry about Paul Goldsmith's ability to make a decision. The BSA and its abolition is a “done by morning tea, let's move onto the important stuff” sort of thing. And yet he seems to have been waxing and waning and pontificating for the past two years of Government. At last, he has got there. The Broadcasting Standards Authority is over and thank the good Lord for that. It was from another time: pre-streaming, pre-international, no borders broadcasting. It caught the few originals left in a weird, old net that made no sense. And that's on top of the fact they had next to no complaints given no one can be bothered and most of the industry is professionally run anyway. The NZ Media Council will apparently take over duties, which I'm sort of torn over. I think we need someone who corrects mistakes. A decision this week over a story on the Interislander found the numbers used in the story on costings was wrong. Winston Peters complained, he was right, they needed to correct the record. The point in that example is he went to the company who published and they rejected his argument. You would like to think they were better than that, hence the need for the council. But those sorts of examples aside, what these quasi-courts end up doing is adjudicating on nuance and argument based on the moaning of some bored loser in suburbia, who would probably be better off watching less TV or reading less news and writing fewer letters. I do worry about the council. The current lot appear all lawyers and consultants, with not a single proper broadcaster. They do, they tell me, have some industry people who offer advice. But let me tell you this; unless you have driven a three-hour live radio programme or a live TV show with its varying unpredictables, you have no idea of the pressure that unfolds literally instantly, therefore the potential for verbal carnage. And yet that's the sort of thing they pass judgement on. Anyway, the BSA – been there, done that. It made no difference. It was an idea past its time. And it will not be missed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fans eagerly awaiting the release of Mel Parsons' new album will be able to experience it live, the Kiwi singer taking it on tour. Earlier this morning she announced a seven-date tour for her upcoming album ‘Castle Hill', named for the remote Southern Alps town in which it was recorded. The album is due out in August, but half a dozen singles have already been released, including Post High Slide, Brick By Brick', and her latest release, ‘Grain by Grain'. “It's just kind of the way that people are releasing these days,” Parsons told Mike Hosking. “With the way, y'know, the way that Spotify and the streaming side of things works, is that you just sort of start teasing them out ... that's the way we've done it for this record.” And to celebrate the official release, Parsons is bringing 'Castle Hill' to life on stage with a full live band, performing in Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, and Palmerston North. Parsons is no stranger to touring and is frequently on the road. “On the one hand, it's my job, but also I, genuinely it's my favourite part of the whole thing,” she told Hosking. “I don't think it's being in front of people, but I think it's, it's what that opportunity gives you – being on stage is this very, very special chance to just connect with people.” “I'm not particularly woo-woo Mike, but it's a bit of an energy, kind of, transfer, y'know like, what you give out, it comes around,” Parsons said. “It's a very, very special, unique feeling, performing live.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh conflict between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV. Trump launched another attack on the Pope, suggesting he believes it's okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, and claiming his stance is endangering people. The Pope made no such claims and responded to the attack by saying the mission of the church is to preach the Gospel and to preach peace, and people were free to criticise him for it. Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking Pope Leo said he's never supported nuclear weapons, and those criticising should do it with the truth. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 7th of May, EMA's Alan McDonald discusses the unexpected drop in the unemployment rate, while UVisa Director Tobias Tohill gives his thoughts on what the new citizenship test should look like. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is back from Singapore, discussing infrastructure, the fuel deal, and the results of a poll on the Government's handling of the fuel crisis. Kiwi singer Mel Parsons is back after exactly two years to sing us a song as she announces a NZ tour for her upcoming album. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employers are remaining cautious as the Iran war continues to push up fuel prices and slow economic growth. Unemployment dipped slightly to 5.3% in the March quarter. Employers and Manufacturers Association Advocacy Head Alan McDonald says businesses he's talked to aren't yet looking to shed staff. He told Mike Hosking that they can see it's going to get better when the conflict ends, and they want those good people around to help the business get going again. Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury, are all facing a rising unemployment rate, and it's surging in Bay of Plenty. Auckland's rate climbed again to 6.6% and in Bay of Plenty it skyrocketed to 7.1%. McDonald says both regions rely more on industries doing it tough, but those industries also tend to soak up more employees when they're doing well. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch's Mayor doesn't think previously red zoned land has been tainted by its past. The City Council's agreed to engage with interested parties, including social housing providers, iwi, and private developers. It's identified more than 10 hectares of land, split across 11 parts of the quake damaged zone, suitable for housing. Phil Mauger told Mike Hosking work will be needed on the foundations, but it's suitable to live on. He says 15 years ago red zoned land was defined by a ball point pen by someone in Wellington – now we know a lot more and there are some little pockets that could be used. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says we have serious work to do on our infrastructure compared to Singapore. He's returned from the country this week, where a deal was formally signed to ensure trade keeps flowing during disruptions – securing fuel for New Zealand and food for Singapore. This comes as the former boss of Auckland's City Rail Link claims the project could have cost 50% less – ballooning to an estimated 5.5 billion dollars. Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking he agrees with this. He says that we spend money on infrastructure but have a very poor return on it, and we need to get much better and more strategic about our planning. And when it comes to the Government's plans for a citizenship test, the Prime Minister says he could take it or leave it. It's planning to test applicants from late next year, requiring they pass 15 out of 20 multi-choice questions – including questions on New Zealand's laws and political system. Luxon told Hosking it's pretty similar to what the UK and Australia have been doing for years. He says it's probably not a bad thing that new Kiwis are aware of pretty basic stuff around things like women's rights and freedom of speech. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An immigration advisor says we should learn from other countries as to what makes a good citizenship test. The Government's planning to impose a test from late next year. Applicants will have to pass 15 of 20 multi-choice questions on our history, politics, and laws. UVisa Director Tobias Tohill told Mike Hosking he hopes they're paying attention to how this is approached elsewhere, as more than just general questions are needed. He says countries like Switzerland look at whether the person understands how the country works and is involved in the community. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it will be up to audiences to decide if they care whether broadcasters self-regulate. It's shutting down the Broadcasting Standards Authority, sayings it's past its use-by date in the online age. The Media and Communications Minister expects the Media Council will become the primary regulator for journalism. Paul Goldsmith told Mike Hosking he doesn't have to opt-in. He says it's voluntary and broadcasters can explain their decision to join or not to their audience. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a year of wacky polls and debate, we have this morning probably the maddest result of all. Horizon research has either asked a leading or confusing question, or they have a misrepresentative group of people. Or the people who answered have other things in mind when they answered because the poll is about the fuel crisis. Now the fuel "crisis", such as it is, has not actually been a crisis. You might argue in price it has, but it's peaked and the fears of $200 a barrel never happened and never came close. The major worry, which lasted mainly in the minds of the thick and bewildered, was supply. Would we run out? Now that really would have been a crisis. But here is the reality – we didn't run out. We were never going to run out and surely by now with the myriad of updates on storage and tankers it is abundantly clear we will be fine. Yet, here is your poll: 24% have no confidence at all in the Government to manage what they have already managed. 32% have not very much confidence. So collectively that's 56%. How is it possible to say you don't have confidence in an event that is already sorted? Unless, and here is where the poll might be an example of something to be wary of closer to the election, by “manage” do the 56% mean they wanted tax off, wanted a handout, wanted a price cap? So in not doing that to a larger extent than they did, is that failing to manage a crisis? The poll does not tell us this, mainly because it didn't ask. Is the crisis about supply of petrol or the cost of it? And if it is about the cost of it, you not only have to ask about that, you then presumably have to follow up with a "what sort of support did you want?" type question. "How much would have been acceptable?" We know from Australia that they have handed out a fortune in freebies and people love them. There was one poll here that asked, "would you like a handout even if it meant a smaller Government tax take or a bigger debt pile" and the vast majority said yes please. So my view of this Government handling of the so-called "crisis" is they have done an exemplary job and one that has been recognised globally. But I didn't want free money. If this poll truly represents the average New Zealand view of debt and the economy and political responsibility, then the Government is toast and we are on our way to third world status. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Politics Wednesday, and Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell are back to bicker and banter their way through the biggest political stories of the week so far. They discussed the new Horizon poll that showed the majority of Kiwis have little confidence in the Government's ability to handle the fuel crisis and dug into how Andersen says Labour would've mitigated cost of living pressures. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's possible this year's running of the iconic annual Bluff Oyster Festival may be the last. Only half of the four-thousand tickets to the event, taking place on May 23, have been sold. Normally it's a sell out by now. Festival chair John Edminstin told Mike Hosking there were early fears about an oyster shortage, but that's eased. He says unless there's a freak storm in the next couple of weeks, there'll be five boats fishing for oysters right up until the festival opening. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 6th of May, we have new unemployment data out today and the Government is giving local councils an amalgamation ultimation. Tracy Atiga and Kanaloa Rugby have a plan to save Moana Pasifika – a plan that's allegedly being blocked by the current group. And Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen bicker and banter their way through another Politics Wednesday. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ceasefire between Iran and the United States seems to be on unstable grounds, the two sides making opposing claims about the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump claims they have full control of the key shipping route, while Iran is warning that any ships trying to pass through without approval will be fired at. Iran rejects claims ships have transited the Strait under US protection and also denies reports it attacked the UAE yesterday. US Correspondent Nick Harper told Mike Hosking it all seems to be a little risky at this stage. Aside from the US' claims, he says there have been a smattering of ships moving through the Strait over the last ten weeks – largely from countries friendly with Iran. "There's not exactly this wholesale unblocking of hundreds and hundreds of ships once again being able to pass through, so just a few here and there, not lots at this stage." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Pacific rugby consortium claims politics within the sport are preventing a bid to save Moana Pasifika. The Super Rugby franchise is being disbanded at the end of the season by the current owners. However, Kanaloa Rugby claims to have the finances and plans to keep the side afloat. Chief executive Tracy Atiga told Mike Hosking that Moana boss Debbie Sorensen is preventing the bid going further. She says they would like to see their offer in the hands of the company's directors – there's a lot of risk to them regarding money owed to the Government, which is something that shouldn't just be pushed to the side. “If you've got a, a consortium like us that have been around for 22 years, you know, you should be at least agreeing to meet with that group.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're spending more on fuel, crowding out most other areas. ANZ card data from April shows spending at the pump jumped 0.9% on top of March's 20% hike shortly after the Iran war began. Spending on retail, public transport, car dealerships, and the normally recession-proof health and beauty sector all took a hit. There was an unusually large drop at supermarkets too – 1.4%. First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Mike Hosking they've seen a decisive shift in how we grocery shop. He says people are opting for different brands and being smart with their money. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RMA Minister says councils have already signalled they'd like to join forces with neighbours. The Government's announced a fast-track amalgamation process, asking councils to submit proposals for merging with neighbours to form unitary authorities. They have three months to submit a rough plan. Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking there's quite a lot of momentum behind it already. He says they've had quite a lot of councillors, mayors, and people on local government land express interest in getting on with it and amalgamating, so they're giving them the opportunity. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis struggling to find work aren't alone in it. Stats NZ data due out this morning is expected to show unemployment's remained steady or risen slightly in the first three months of this year. It was already at a near-decade high in the previous quarter. ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Mike Hosking the jobs being created don't seem to be keeping pace with the number of people moving to New Zealand. He says they're expecting a marginal lift in jobs, but migration's also picking up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is quite possibly from our "hopeless causes" file. But can I at least try and make the plea that we have a look at the economic damage done by trigger-happy weather offices and compliant clickbait media when it comes to storm warnings? Cyclone Vaianu was the latest and is hopefully still fresh enough in our memories to remind us of a week's worth of hyperbole and headline nonsense that actually caused quite a lot of damage. Not storm damage, but economic damage. Spending in Northland was down 48%. Auckland down 46%. Waikato down 52% (that would have included the Supercars that got canned). Bay of Plenty down 68%. Gisborne down 51%. Hawkes Bay down 56%. Now obviously in the middle of a storm on that blowy, old Saturday and into Sunday you have already worked out you're not booking an outdoor table for lunch. But these figures will include the week building up to the event, the drama that started the previous Sunday, with the ever-present "keep an eye on this one" headlines, and as the week progressed, the alarmism grew. Not because alarmism was required, but because the weather wonks and the media feed off each other. The weather people love publicity and the media, especially digital, love potential clickbait. And nothing baits your click like pending metrological carnage. So in that prior Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, how many things got cancelled? Bookings killed? Trips binned? Decisions altered? That's the economic damage we can avoid. If you remember, it wasn't until Friday they actually knew what the weather, they thought, would do. They were still wrong. But at least by Friday they had confidence in the ensuing days. When so much of our potential economic activity got canned, they were still speculating and blabbering on about trampolines and holiday travel and telling you how to live your life. Somewhere along the line the weather people got carried away with their own self-importance and the media gee'd them up and what is a two-day storm turned into a week-long extravaganza. An orgy of verbal diarrhoea, amping and amping and amping. And, as the data shows, doing untold damage to regions that didn't really need it, as well as a storm. The forlorn hope? That this data sobers a few people up and maybe, just maybe, next time a few grown-ups drive the narrative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European leaders have been expressing their concerns over Donald Trump's "Project Freedom" as they met at a political summit in Armenia. Project Freedom began on Monday with the stated aim of getting stranded neutral commercial ships out of the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. But French president Emmanuel Macron overnight warned the US project lacked clarity and risked further tension, Europe correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking. Other European countries were also waking up to how they are affected by the war, despite their initial claims that it had nothing to do with them, Field said. “Europe's economies are being affected, its transport is being affected. So we're now seeing that Germany has started moving some of its defence assets into position and in particular it's started moving mine hunters into the Mediterranean ready to move to that area…when fighting stops.” Also attending the summit was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said a new world order would be rebuilt out of Europe, and it needed to think about how it could cooperate with nations beyond the EU. Carney's presence showed everyone was realising the US was not just a complicated partner, it was now seen as unpredictable, emphasising the need for unity, Field said. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Miami Grand Prix officially having run its course, it's time to assess the changes to the controversial Formula 1 regulations. Tweaks were made following backlash from the drivers, with the electric batteries impacting their ability to race effectively. Former Team Manager at Williams and former GM at Ferrari, Peter Windsor told Mike Hosking quite a few people spoke out against the new regulations when they were first implemented. “I think there was a lot wrong with them, but I think in Miami, we are 75% towards addressing most of the issues.” However, there are still flaws, and Windsor believes they're still keeping great drivers from doing as much with the car as they used to going into reasonably fast corners. “We're not seeing the best of a Charles Leclerc or a Max Verstappen yet, but we're getting there.” But he doesn't believe F1 will be able to iron out the flaws with the current regulations entirely, which is why people seem to be turning towards V8 engines for 2030. “I think the general feeling is that we went too far,” Windsor told Hosking. “We can make it work reasonably well, pretty well certainly by year two, probably year three, but it's still not where Formula 1 really wants to be.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.