The Mike Hosking Breakfast

I have learned a lot about kids and university, having had two attend and graduate and one still immersed in the experience. Here are the takeouts. Generally, you go for a reason. You have an idea of what you want to achieve and those who don't, flounder quickly. I have many examples of kids who enrolled because "that is what you do". Schools too often give university as a default. It has a snobbery about it as if successful people only go on to tertiary learning. It seems the wider lesson we have all learned is Jacinda Ardern's "next year is on me" was fatally flawed because funding the first year was literally a waste of money and even when it got put to the back end of study, it would seem the world hasn't been changed. So they are scrapping it. The reality is people on a path will incur debt in the belief that whatever it is they are studying will serve them well, provide challenge and enjoyment, and hopefully pay a wage that allows them to pay back the loan and get on with their lives. University has always been heavily subsidised anyway on the idea that we all benefit. But to suggest you study for anyone other than your own personal satisfaction and enhancement is farcical. So no more first year/last year artificiality. The money will be put elsewhere, perhaps into the more practical side of the workforce. Personally, I wouldn't mind it being saved. It's not like we actually have the money in the first place anyway. But the Winston Peters argument appears to be the trades, which makes it yet another of those debates that is constantly tinkered with and never really resolved. Is paying an employer to train a person any more or less wasteful, or artificial, than paying a university to train a doctor? We need doctors as much if not more than we need plumbers. Both are valuable, both are in short supply. The Peters argument will of course be driven by the immigration aspect of it all. If we don't train who we need, we bring them in and before you know it you have a "butter chicken tsunami". It's of course a government again picking winners and I would have thought we had already learned that lesson. Peters' other idea, if you remember back, was bonding students to regions, or indeed immigrants to regions. That didn't work either. The trick here is not to repeat past mistakes. And yet the budget is destined to include at least one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Chris Hipkins missing a gene? Does he have a self-destructive predilection? Or is he just a pillock by nature? He rolls into Auckland to tell the nation's biggest city and engine room in election year that she's all good and everyone has moved on from the lockdowns. His lockdowns. The home handyman from the Hutt, telling Auckland what's what. What an arrogant twat. He was in Auckland to build rapport, to patch up the damage, to scope the joint and to see what sort of chance his party has come November. Love or hate Auckland, elections are won and lost in the city. No one gets to Government without a good day in Auckland. Even for a small country it is true to say there are countries within countries, or cultures and vibes within cultures and vibes. It took me a while to get a grip on Wellington before I moved there. It's different to Christchurch. It's different to Dunedin, and Auckland is different to each of the other urban centres. I think Chris Bishop has found that out by suggesting his two million home debacle. He's from Wellington too. If you are too entrenched in Wellington, you don't get Auckland. Hipkins suggested the only people who ever ask him about lockdown these days is Newstalk ZB. 1) That's not true and yesterday was an example given the person who asked wasn't from Newstalk ZB. 2) Newstalk ZB is the biggest game in Auckland and by a long way. Dismissing the biggest radio player in Auckland, and the country, is about as stupid as saying Aucklanders have moved on from lockdown. Ultimately, it's another example of why I have said all year that this election is over before it starts. Labour will not win. The pain, suffering and incompetence of 2020-23 is still too raw, real and recent to forgive and forget. Making it worse is the fact the very same people who did the damage are still there waiting for another crack. Judging by yesterday, they've learned nothing, want to learn nothing and are as arrogant as last time. Hipkins may well realise that, come election night when he loses and inevitably has to resign given he will have lost twice. 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. "Next year's on me": 7/10 Got there at last. In a country with less than no money, why spend a fortune on an idea that didn't, doesn't, and won't, work. Sir Graham Henry: 8/10 This is an excellent idea, and Dave Rennie needs to be congratulated. Big brains and a lot of experience are not to be underestimated. The war: 4/10 For the first time, I think Trump is stuck. Yes, he can hold out but he doesn't have the political road. In the ebb and flow of this story, he is now the 'ebb'. The Australian Budget: 2/10 Based on a blatant lie. They said they wouldn't and they did. And they wonder why politicians are held in shocking regard. Keir Starmer: 1/10 Makes Albanese look straight up and down. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The leaders of the world's two most powerful countries haven't been able to agree on many things during their face-to-face talks in Beijing. US President Donald Trump says Chinese President Xi Jinping is offering to help in some way with America's war in Iran, without providing military assistance. But Xi's warned Trump the US and China could clash over Taiwan if they're not on the same page. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has responded, saying US policy on the issue of Taiwan is unchanged. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The end of the week has arrived, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back on the line to Wrap the Week that Was. They offered some viewing recommendations and discussed awards ceremonies and a significant date for one of the Breakfast team. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 15th of May, all eyes are on the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing, and Nikhil Ravishankar discusses a shocking forecast for Air NZ. All Blacks coach Dave Rennie gives his first one-on-one interview since taking up the role. And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk gifts and an anniversary for one of the team as they Wrap the Week. 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.

A concession from All Blacks coach Dave Rennie as he deliberates his first squad for July's Nations Championship series. He'll attend the Chiefs-Highlanders Super match in Hamilton tonight as the squeeze comes on for players to impress. A 34-strong group will be named for the tests against France, Ireland, and Italy, with a further 10 added for the tour of South Africa. Rennie told Mike Hosking the depth of talent is scarcer than the recent past. He says that in their heyday, the All Blacks would've had six or seven players featuring in the World XV, and they probably haven't got that number at the moment. However, Rennie says there is an enormous amount of talent in New Zealand, and their job is going to be to work with the Super Rugby coaches and staff to bring that through. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major roll out of the Government's new curriculum's been delayed for some subjects following months of pressure from the education sector. The new curriculum for science and social sciences will be phased in across two years, beginning at the start of 2027. The new health and physical education, the arts, technology, and languages curriculum will also begin to be rolled out in 2029. Education Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking science and social sciences are just as important as maths and literacy. She says the reason Social Sciences have been prioritised is that it's so knowledge rich, which is so important for young people. Stanford told Hosking students can't afford to go back to the old curriculum. She says parents are stopping her in the street and say they're noticing a difference – achievement is improving and results are turning around. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have agreed they want to build a stable relationship, but their competing priorities could get in the way. Trump claims Xi is offering to help in some way with America's war in Iran, without providing military assistance. Sky News Australia correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says Trump sees an opportunity for China to help. But Kearsley told Mike Hosking Trump doesn't want to ask for Xi's help with Iran, because Xi will want him to change his position on Taiwan in return. He says Trump's not going to want to budge on Taiwan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's woes are expected to last for as long as the war in Iran continues. The national carrier's revealed its looking at staff redundancies and more flight reductions due to the surging cost of jet fuel. It's now forecasting a full-year pre-tax loss of up to $390 million. Nikhil Ravishankar told Mike Hosking run rates won't get worse, but fluctuating jet fuel prices will keep weighing on the airline's financial results. He says fuel dropping from $200 to $150 is helpful, but it's not down enough considering normal prices are around $85. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bit of buzz around Kiwibank as it potentially looks to have another crack at getting bigger, and by getting bigger, then becomes better able to take on the so-called "big four". This is business and it's politics. Asset sales are back on the agenda, especially for the National and ACT parties. NZ First, not so much. So it may well be one of those things that gets tossed around as an idea, but in the reality of an MMP environment, it goes nowhere. Making the Kiwibank story slightly unique is its role in the overall banking atmosphere of New Zealand and whether a bigger bank would solve any of the perceived competition problems we have. People we know are prepared to change banks. Last year when there was a free for all on cashbacks for borrowing, people were moving freely like the wind. So the idea that there isn't competition doesn't appear to be true. But I'm in a minority given everyone from the Commerce Commission to the Finance Minister argues otherwise. I also detect more broadly that asset sales are not, as a topic, as edgy as they once were. If you go back to the 80's and Labour under Douglas and Prebble, asset sales were dynamite and not all of them went well, which didn't help the pro-sales argument. But the cold hard-ish reality here, 40 years on, is there isn't a lot left to sell. Some chunks of power companies are worth serious money. We have an airline, a TV network, a radio network, some farms – it's all got a moderately piecemeal vibe to it. Kiwibank should be able to raise the sort of money it needs, and it should be allowed to grow. Is the counter to a partial sale that we like a small, restricted bank that hasn't been allowed to be all it could be just so we can say we are anti-asset sales? In Kiwibank's case you are holding back growth. In TVNZ's case it's about ideology, i.e. should the state run a TV station given the place isn't worth anything to sell? And in say the case of Genesis, it's about serious coin we could badly use elsewhere. If this idea goes anywhere this election year, you would hope we are less hung up on ideology and more attuned to the nuances of the debate than we have been in the past. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qantas and Jetstar have announced their biggest-ever investment in New Zealand. Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson says the Qantas Group wants to work with our Government to achieve more routes, access, and affordability. She says Jetstar's undergoing it's biggest-ever expansion in New Zealand and has added more than 800-thousand trans-Tasman seats over the past 12 months. Hudson acknowledges the airline's had to hike fares and cut some flights due to rising jet fuel prices, but says committing to New Zealand is important. Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully told Mike Hosking their biggest challenge is the fuel price, so they have to manage their business and stay focused on how they can mitigate that. She says the reason she, Hudson, and other executives are in the country is to reaffirm their commitment to offering great value to travelling New Zealanders. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 14th of May, we get a couple of interesting insights into business in this country when it comes to governance and brick and mortar retailers. Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses her ever shrinking Budget operating allowance. And CEO of Jetstar Steph Tully unpacks the recent claim they're committed to New Zealand while also cutting routes and flights due to current jet fuel prices. 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.

A big day for New Zealand football. The All Whites squad for next month's FIFA World Cup is set to be announced this morning. 36 players will be selected, each set to receive at least $250,000, and New Zealand Football is guaranteed US$10 million just for qualifying. CEO Andrew Pragnell told Mike Hosking it's a massive amount of money, and a good chunk rightfully goes to the players, it's a welcome contribution for the organisation. He says they're probably the most international sport in regards to the number of teams they operate, and since they're travelling around the world constantly, it's quickly spent. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Kiwis still prefer to shop locally and in person. A survey of about 500 people by retail management platform Lightspeed has found almost eight in ten prefer shopping in store, rather than online. About four in ten shop at independent local stores. Lightspeed Managing Director Nicole Buisson told Mike Hosking consumers very much want the convenience of online shopping, but also the human connection or the ability to go and touch and feel a product in real life. An example of this, she says, is when people check the availability of a product online before going into the store. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it won't punish genuine mistakes with its planned new crackdown on misleading pricing. A bill's been introduced to Parliament that would increase the maximum penalty for misleading prices from $600 thousand to $5 million. The Commerce Commission estimates such prices are costing New Zealanders tens-of-millions-of-dollars a year. Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer told Mike Hosking there's always room for error. But he says there's also some businesses who treat the current penalty for misleading pricing as the cost of doing business. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says the Budget "lolly scrambles" are well and truly a thing of the past. The Government's cut its operating allowance by another $300 million to $2.1 billion. Nicola Willis says Government ministers have been looking carefully for savings. She told Mike Hosking they're having to be very careful about the choices they make. Willis says they need to look for investments that drive growth, living standards, and affordability. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research suggests nearly 100 of our CEO's are backing their businesses but not New Zealand. The Pivot and Pace survey found many CEOs are growing frustrated with the country's lack of long-term thinking. Many are saying three-year political cycles and a lack of cross-party agreement are holding the country back. Founding Partner of Pivot & Pace Kendall Langston told Mike Hosking there are other countries with visions longer than two political cycles. He says CEOs aren't wanting Government involvement – rather a runway and guaranteed resilience to create some confidence in the direction they're heading. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So given the original Māori Party was formed in 2004, would we call it a success? A party for Māori. What have they achieved? Have they done more damage than good? Do we differentiate between Māori and "Māori". By that I mean Māori who aren't as angsty as some and are perfectly happy on the general roll. Is the Māori movement generally just for the agitators? And as such, you have people with very specific agendas, and those agendas are almost certain to clash. I have no doubt the Māori Party in their current iteration will implode this election. I think everyone does. I have little doubt Labour will scoop most of the support back up. The same Labour Party that got trounced last election because the Māori Party 2.0 was the repository of so much hope and promise. The history of Māori roll voting is mad. They were Labour forever, until they went with NZ First, and then Labour, until Māori Party Part One came along, and then Labour, and then NZ First, until the Māori Party Part Two came along. Is the Māori vote a cheap date-type affair? Flash a bit of bling, say something random, and you can reel them in. How else to explain the wild gyrations in direction? On a broader question, just what exactly have the Māori seats delivered, specifically, ever, under any party, for anyone? Is the mistake the race bit? Pita Sharples is not Rawiri Waititi. Tariana Turia is not Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, or Dover Samuels, or Tu Wylie, or Tuku Morgan. But because they all happen to be Māori they should all, apparently, be the same. Is that the mistake? Race is first, second and third. Ideas, policies and visions come a long way down the list. After you have all arrived as Māori you suddenly realise you don't actually have a lot in common and as a result you fall out. Because that is the undeniable outworking of the Māori vote and the Māori parties. The vote swings wildly, and quality and delivery even more wildly, then you get someone like Kapa-Kingi who is but another sad chapter we have seen before. It all ends the same way, in a great big shambolic mess. So 20 years and counting – what's the point? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Migration and housing supply are emerging as key issues, following the Australian Government's latest Budget. The Labor Government is raising taxes on investment properties and some trust funds to pay for a $250 tax break for working Australians. Its expected 35 thousand fewer homes will be built, despite net migration remained at 300 thousand people per year. Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking a federal surplus isn't expected until 2036 and gross debt will likely hit $1 trillion this year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Metcalf is poised to leave the Warriors. The NRL club have agreed to a request from Metcalf's management to talk with other clubs. It's unclear whether they would allow an immediate release for the halfback, who only re-signed until 2028 late last year. Metcalf has been unable to regain his halfback role since returning from injury with Tanah Boyd impressing in his absence and retaining the jersey. Former Kiwis and Queensland Maroons Head Coach Sir Graham Lowe told Mike Hosking the situation highlights how the Warriors have grown. He says Metcalf is a brilliant player and a game-breaker, but Boyd's unlocked the whole team and is a key to their performance. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen are back with Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest political stories of the week thus far. They discussed the 24 year political career of Judith Collins, who is resigning from Parliament and taking up a new role with the Law Commission. They also discussed Mariameno Kapa-Kingi's split from Te Pāti Māori to form her own party and what this may mean for Labour and the Māori seats – plus, the former Labour staffer linked to the troll social media account. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Competition in New Zealand's economy isn't as strong as it could be. New Commerce Commission analysis of 22 years of Stats NZ data shows average business concentration has dipped slightly. However, smaller businesses are still struggling to gain traction against larger firms. Commission Chair John Small says weak competition in essential sectors is also weakening the rest of economy. He told Mike Hosking that while the size of New Zealand does have an impact on the amount of competition we have capacity for, we can still do a lot better than we are. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 13th of May, Trade Minister Todd McClay attempts to reassure farmers as Trump and the US look into various new tariffs. Judith Collins reflects on 24 years in Parliament and her valedictory speech. And on Politics Wednesday, Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss Collins' career, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi's new party, and the Māori seats for Labour – plus the Labour staffer linked to the troll social media account. 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.

One of the country's smallest districts could face its highest rates rise this year. Waitaki District Councillors have voted to consult on a rates rise of up to 45% to address the council's deficit. It's also consulting on lower rates rises of 19% or 27%, which would leave the council still in the red. Waitaki Mayor Mel Tavendale told Mike Hosking she'd prefer a lower rates rise, but that wouldn't solve the council's issues. She says the council has a $14 million deficit and just 12 thousand ratepayers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's on his way to Beijing for the first visit by a US President to China in almost a decade. It will include a face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The US President's travelling with the bosses of Boeing and Apple, and Tesla's Elon Musk. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Trump will be trying to convince China to put more pressure on Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's unclear if the Australian Government's latest tax breaks for workers will make much of a difference. The Labor Government's raising taxes on investment properties and some trust funds to pay for a $250 tax break. It will apply to 13 million Australians and come into effect in 2028. 9News Chief Political Editor Charles Croucher told Mike Hosking it's on top of similar tax breaks coming this year and next year. He says it's giving some relief to that tax-bracket but it's a pittance compared to current inflation and interest rates. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judith Collins says she has no regrets about spending the last 24 years in Parliament. The senior National MP has delivered her valedictory speech as she prepares to move on, to head the Law Commission. Collins has held numerous ministerial portfolios in her time in politics and led National to the 2020 election. She told Mike Hosking she's grateful for everything she's been able to do. Collins says it's been an interesting career, and she never held a portfolio she got bored with. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister says he'll be making the case against further US tariffs on New Zealand lamb. Todd McClay says he expects the US Government to launch an investigation into our lamb exports in the coming weeks. It could result in extra tariffs being imposed to protect the US sheep meat sector. McClay told Mike Hosking he and his officials will be reminding their US counterparts of the mutual benefits of the trade. He says lamb consumption and lamb prices in the US have gone up as a result of New Zealand's marketing efforts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I wonder if it's time to ask the question – is Chlöe Swarbrick a bit useless? In the Herald's vast poll churn that produces the chances of the current Government being re-elected at about 88%, is the real revelation that the Greens have been going backwards since the last election? The trouble appears twofold; 1) The falls have been slow. Almost so small and slow you most probably didn't notice them. 2) Chlöe is a media favourite, so no one is really scrutinising her as to whether she's any good. Now, yes, Marama Davidson is a leader as well and I suppose you can blame her as much as you can Chlöe. But to my eye and mind it's Chlöe who is the head leader, despite their best PC intentions to spread the load, or blame. She is also not in Government, so you tend to get, if not a free ride, certainly an easier one. Now obviously I'm not a Green voter so none of this personally matters to me. But I'm all about continual improvement and the Greens are not on a path of any such thing. Under Swarbrick they have drifted. They have not grown. They are not the environmental party they once were under Fitzsimons or Donald. They are essentially angry socialists who campaign for the homeless and downtrodden. They are virtue signallers. She came to prominence because she was young. She was possibly seen as the future. To give her her dues, she has run a good ground game in Auckland Central and won her electorate and that may be her strength – a good local MP. Because she is not a good leader. If the Greens are to excel, they need to be better managed. Obviously, the Tana, Doyle, Kerekere, and Ghahraman shambles adds to the sense the place is a mess. But it's all unfolded under Swarbrick. The good news is if they want to recognise it, they can fix it. Certainly if this had all played out as part of a coalition you would have thought she would have been ejected a long time back. Saving her partially of course is the lack of talent behind her. Do you honestly see Genter or Menendez-March as saviours, or yet more of the same ill-disciplined verbal rabble? When you pare it back, look at the noise versus the outcomes and include the inescapable numbers, she has failed as a leader. So is she a bit useless? Yes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 25 years of Westlife. The globally renowned Irish boyband formed in 1998, splitting up in 2012 before reuniting once more in 2018. They have over three billion streams, 36 number one albums worldwide, and have sold 55 million records and more than six million concert tickets. And now they're coming to New Zealand as part of their 25th Anniversary World Tour – performing on our shores for the first time in 20 years. “This tour is shaping up to be the biggest tour we've ever done,” lead singer Shane Filan told Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 12th of May, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi is creating her own political party, so what does that mean for Labour, Te Pāti Māori, and the left bloc? The Bank of Mum and Dad has apparently never been more important, nor as expected, among first-home buyers. And Shane Filan of Westlife talks 25 years of the boy band and coming to NZ next year as part of their world tour. 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 League's chief executive-elect is eager to embrace the sport's pinnacle events when she takes charge in July. Andrea Nelson steps into the role ahead of the men's and women's World Cups in October and November across New Zealand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea, and November's wheelchair tournament in Wollongong. She's replacing Greg Peters, who stepped down after eight years in the role. Nelson told Mike Hosking the sport is in great health, so it's an incredible opportunity and great honour to come in at this point to lead it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost half of first-home buyers in New Zealand expect help from the Bank of Mum and Dad, according to a new report. OneChoice's Kiwi Housing Trends survey of more than 500 Kiwis found that 48% needed financial assistance from family to get onto the property ladder. But of those who did receive support from their parents, 70% said they were worried about the pressure it placed on them. Opes Partners' Ed McKnight told Mike Hosking first-home buyers are really keen to get onto the ladder right now, as houses are more affordable than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic. The main thing he's been seeing, he says, is parents getting a loan against their paid-off house and passing it along to their kids to use as a deposit – in many cases the kids are taking responsibility for paying off that loan as well. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China could soon overtake Japan as our largest source of car imports. A new report from the Motor Trade Association shows sales of new Chinese models is doubling each year. That's due in part to more sales of electric vehicles, which are forecast to make up half of all new light vehicle registrations by 2035. MTA CEO Lee Marshall told Mike Hosking as long as price talks, it'll start to influence where cars are coming from. He says price is a loud consideration in the value equation, and although it's by no means the only one, it'll continue to talk. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Tai Tokerau is shaping up to be an electorate to watch this election. MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi is splitting from Te Pāti Māori to form her own party after months of ructions between her and the party's leaders. She'll run in her electorate under a party of the same name. Former Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell told Mike Hosking she could win the seat as she has a foothold in an electorate already. But he says history is typically against smaller parties – particularly those wrapped around a single individual. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Jones says while Kiwis may be concerned about fuel prices, they don't need to worry about fuel supply. The Government's updated its fuel response plan, so fuel is only restricted under phase four. At that phase, emergency services, health services, schools and courts would get uncapped priority access, while others would need to limit their fuel use. The Associate Energy Minster told Mike Hosking that at this stage, there is bugger all to worry about beyond price. However, he says the Government wanted to show businesses and other stakeholders that it was being proactive. “In the event we do strike a dangerous patch, then we've got additional fuel [at Marsden Point] that can be made available on a staggered managed basis. So it gives the confidence to the lifeline of the economy, the users of diesel, that it's actually here.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A growing number of British Labour MPs are calling for Sir Keir Starmer to resign, but no one is formally challenging his leadership. More than 65 MPs are publicly calling for him to resign or set out a timetable for departure. Four have quit as ministerial aides. But Kings College Professor of European Politics Anand Menon told Mike Hosking no one knows who will be the Prime Minister when this is over. He says it's deeply destructive and shows a lack of decisiveness amongst senior MPs, with none of them willing to throw their hat in the ring. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.