The Mike Hosking Breakfast

You know what I've learned never to do? Predict that this year's Football World Cup is going to be a flop. Because it never is. This year, there are problems anywhere you care to look. A single ticket is so pricey it'll take you three months to pay off. Security is ridiculous. Parking costs 300 American dollars. Water costs 10 NZ dollars. Everything is a rip-off. Then there's the politics. The US won't let the African referee in. Iran doesn't want to be there – and they're in our first-up match. And structurally? It's messy. It's too hot. There are too many teams. Three host nations is a logistical nightmare. So maybe this is it. Maybe this is the year it all implodes for FIFA. But I suspect it isn't. I suspect this World Cup will go off – just like they always do. Just like the one without beer in Qatar. Just like the one clouded by corruption in Russia. Just like the one where everyone feared pickpockets would steal everything in Brazil. In the end, despite all the noise, despite everyone hating FIFA and their decisions, the World Cup always works. And the reason is simple. Fans want to see the stars, and this is where they see the stars. More importantly, this is where they see those stars playing for their country, not a club in Europe. Hate FIFA as much as you want, but that part still matters. Because we don't have many global moments left where the world comes together. And a tournament built around the world's most popular game, featuring the world's biggest stars, is still a massive attraction. So yes, there are problems. But I suspect this will be a success, despite the predictions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uncertainty about whether Donald Trump's claims of progress in Iran talks have any credibility. The US President has called off today's planned strikes, despite earlier vowing to drop even bigger bombs. He now claims both sides have agreed to the final points of a deal – something Iran's not confirming. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan Trump is calling it a “transaction” as opposed to a deal, and no details, nor the time or place of signing, have been announced. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday has arrived, which means Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed Uber Eats, the situation with Ben Stokes, and the FIFA World Cup which has just kicked off. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI could soon be doing your shopping, as Visa launches a new feature with ChatGPT. AI agents can recommend products based on prompts and now complete purchases on a user's behalf – with confirmation. Gorilla Technology Futurist Paul Spain told Heather du Plessis-Allan the aim is to have it working autonomously on an ongoing basis. He says it can order groceries, know your shopping list, and make it happen. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The deck is stacked with Kiwi teams rolling into the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals. The Chiefs are taking on the Crusaders in Hamilton tonight, followed by the Hurricanes and “lucky loser” Blues' clash in Wellington tomorrow. Though many believe the outcome of the tournament is predictable, NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster is pushing back against the sentiment. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan this is the first time in thirty years four New Zealand teams have been in the semi-finals. “Every year it throws us something new, and this year, I actually, as an All Blacks fan, I feel pretty excited that we've got four teams in the semis.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Friday 12th of June, there's renewed hope for a deal to end the Iran war. But a former US General is warning against getting too excited. Heather asks Wellington's Deputy Mayor whether the council will cancel the Golden Mile following the damning review into the project. NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster talks the all-New Zealand Super Rugby semi-finals and the strength of the competition in general. And Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson talk Uber Eats, Ben Stokes, and the Football World Cup 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.

The Infrastructure Commission warns planning needs to start now for how energy infrastructure will power a larger, low-carbon economy. Its latest report estimates $2 to $5 billion will need to be spent per year over the next 30 years on electricity. General Manager of Strategy Peter Nunns says generation from sources like wind, solar, and geothermal will need to expand to meet demand. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan there's a gap at the moment in terms of energy, which is contributing to high and volatile prices. According to the Climate Commission, electricity use will rise about 60% over the next generation, Nunns says, so generation, transmission, and distribution will all need to increase to match it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push for the Wellington City Council to rethink its city centre as costs for the Golden Mile project spiral. It's now forecast to cost $220 million, up from $139 million, with an independent review warning further blowouts are possible. The project would deliver major pedestrian, cycling, and public transport upgrades. Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty told Heather du Plessis-Allan the council needs to look at doing something different. He says it can't sustain these costs, particularly in a rates-capping environment. McNulty says councillors will consider the latest review before making a final decision next week. He says they can choose to end the project but still rejuvenate nightlife hub Courtney Place in other ways. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A proposed boost to rural policing is being seen as a positive move, but farmers say more action's still needed. The ACT Party's promising funding for an extra 100 thousand patrol hours in rural communities. It also wants tougher penalties for armed poachers and livestock thieves, and the expansion of 111 texting for farmers with patchy mobile coverage. Federated Farmers spokesperson Karl Dean told Heather du Plessis-Allan rural connectivity is worse than five years ago, following the 3G shutdown. A big concern, he says, is that some crime never gets reported – like fuel theft. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's scepticism about whether Donald Trump's talk of a breakthrough with Iran is genuine. The US President's calling off scheduled strikes hours after threatening to cause even more severe damage. He says the final points of a peace deal have been agreed by both sides. Iranian officials are yet to confirm and are instead pointing out previous contradictions in Trump's statements. Former US General Randy Manner told Heather du Plessis-Allan he just doesn't believe Trump. He says Trump's done this almost three dozen times over the past few months, so the President doesn't have much credibility left. Manner says Trump's well aware that Iran retains strategic power via the Strait of Hormuz – they can hold the entire world hostage at any time, due to the nuclear threat. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So that was what we waited months for, eh? Labour's cheaper public transport policy. A policy so predictable that we actually did predict it four hours before it was released. And it was predictable because it's not a new idea. It's an idea they took from 2022, dusted it off, and tried running out again with the tiniest of tweaks. Being predictable is a problem because it's not interesting. It means it won't get cut-through. It's not a policy that creates the kind of buzz they need after months of policy drought. You know what else is a problem? Their maths. There is no way this is going to cost $65 million a year and save 1.3 million public transport users an average of $1,200 a year. $1,200 times 1.3 million users is $1.6 billion. They're either fibbing about the cost, or they're fibbing about the benefit. I think it's a bit of both. What's worse for me, though, is that this policy suggests Labour may not have any ideas other than spending money. It's what they do every single time there's an election or a crisis. Cost of living crisis post-Covid? Hand out $350. Child poverty? Give mums of newborns $70 a week for a few weeks. Want to win an election? Make a year of university free. That doesn't grow the economy. It doesn't actually fix the fundamental problems we have, like high inflation or low wages. It just throws money at the symptom—stretched budgets—and grows the debt. It's not running a country. Spending money is the easiest thing in the world to do. You and I could run the place tomorrow if that was the extent of the thinking required. I'm disappointed this is what Labour made us all wait months for. They've got another five months. They need to do more than this with future policy announcements if they want a proper chance at the election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A second night of disorder is unfolding in Northern Ireland's Belfast, with rioters hurling objects at police. Hundreds of masked protesters set cars and buildings alight in a violent, anti-immigration display yesterday following a Sudanese refugee allegedly stabbing a man. Local officials are condemning the violence and anti-immigrant rhetoric that's circling. UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Heather du Plessis-Allan that police had to use a water cannon to try and disperse protestors, who were trying to get at a hotel used to house migrants and asylum seekers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Davies is getting everything out into the open and bringing his new tour to Kiwi stages. The British comedian is best known for his regular spot on the long-running panel show QI and his portrayal of the titular role in Jonathan Creek. And now he's returning to New Zealand's shores for the first time in a decade – with ten performances of his new stand-up show over the span of two weeks. ‘Think Ahead' was written alongside the second volume of his memoir —White Male Stand-Up— which deals with the ongoing impacts of childhood abuse, the death of his mother, and navigating the world of comedy and television. “I started to work up, kind of alongside it, ideas for a stand-up show, and really wanting to talk about all the more difficult things I've experienced in that form,” he told Heather du Plessis-Allan. “Thinking, well, I've been doing this for 35 years, I'm able to turn my hand to it.” Davis knows he's not alone in his experiences, that there are people in the audience who've experienced similar things and are sitting there in silence – just as he did. “Let's get it out in the open.” “I try and be as funny as possible, and present a full version of who I am, really, and it's, I think it's really paying off, the response is really good, it's been very gratifying, I didn't know how it would go,” he told du Plessis-Allan. “I just think it's the best show I've ever done.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Security measures and ticket prices for this year's FIFA World Cup may be dampening the spirit of the event. The expanded tournament features 48 teams and is being hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. But the combined paranoia of FIFA and the US Government has resulted in intense security – NZ Herald Sport Journalist Michael Burgess describing it as “way over the top”. The tournament has also been mired by high ticket prices, with resale tickets being sold for thousands of dollars, and tickets for the finals costing over $15 thousand dollars. Burgess told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it will still be a great tournament – the stadiums will be pretty full, and it'll look great on television. But he says what FIFA and the United States have done has taken the heart and soul out of what's normally a celebration of sport, football, and the international community. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Thursday 10th of June, Heather challenges Labour's Tangi Utikere on the party's costings for its cheaper public transport policy. We find out whether the current housing downturn will cause records, and when the market might return to its 2021 peaks. Famed British comedian Alan Davies is bringing his unique comedy to New Zealand with his new tour ‘Think Ahead'. And Heather gets a vibe from the United States the day before the FIFA World Cup kicks off. 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.

First-home buyers appear to be making the most of the ongoing housing downturn. New Zealand's close to its longest downturn in prices in modern history – nearing five years. Auckland house prices are 22% below their peak, while Wellington's down 28%. Opes Partners economist Ed McKnight told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's playing in some buyers' favour. He says we've got the highest share of homes being bought by first-home buyers since records began in 2005. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Downtown Auckland could be set for a mini revival, with plans for a new $350 million building. Developer Cooper and Company is replacing Britomart's retail Pavilions with a nine-storey office and retail tower, to be completed in 2029. Founder Peter Cooper told Heather du Plessis Allan the central city's in a slump but has come back before. He says it needs a pleasurable environment that makes people want to come in for work and leisure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Achievement and attendance gains are being celebrated at some charter schools for disengaged students. Annual reports show four of the seven that opened last year met Government attendance or achievement targets. Associate Education Minister David Seymour says Christchurch's Mastery School is the standout performer, despite missing achievement targets. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan it was established for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, and they're close to ticking boxes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's pushing back on the suggestion its numbers don't add up for a proposed cap on bus and train fares. The party's promising to cap fares at $20 a week in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and $10 elsewhere. It's estimated to cost $65 million a year – the funding coming from the Land Transport Fund. Transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere told Heather du Plessis-Allan the amount's calculated by looking at current public transport numbers. He says there are people who only take monthly or weekly trips, and the overall goal is to help households doing it tough. Utikere says regular commuters could save about $1,200 a year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don't love the idea of the LNG terminal. Never have, probably never will. But I'm fast coming around to the idea that there is no solution to our energy problem that we're going to love. Our electricity system—our wider energy situation—is so broken now that whatever we do to try to fix it is going to have to be so drastic or expensive, it's going to hurt. For the LNG terminal, the problem is the cost for what is really a short-term band-aid. We're running out of gas fast. The entire country is. It means we all have to get off gas. But that won't happen overnight. It'll take years, so we'll probably run out before we've all switched to alternatives like electricity. Hence the terminal – it will tide us over with gas until we're all off it. A billion dollars plus to get us through a few years? That's pricey. But not doing it—losing the Pan Pacs of this world—that's much more costly. That's a billion dollars, year after year after year, in lost revenue, income, and tax. And this terminal is going to help Pan Pac stay here. That company is the last big pulp mill that hasn't upped sticks. Maybe they do in the end, but the LNG terminal will keep them here for longer. Yes, the LNG terminal decision hasn't gone well for the Government. It's going to divide opinion, if it hasn't already. They've already had to backtrack on the gas levy that they spent weeks defending. It's hardly going to look climate-friendly to the townie swing voter. But it's a tough call that probably needed to be made. And we've got more of these coming, because the LNG terminal won't fix our energy system completely. It's an expensive solution for a short-term fix – but at least it is a fix. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nasa has named the astronauts who'll blast off in the next Artemis mission, with a view to eventually returning humans to the Moon. The crew of four will launch on the Orion spacecraft next year from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Originally a crewed Moon landing, Artemis III will instead fly in low Earth orbit and test special manoeuvres and dock with prototype lunar landers. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan the first crewed lunar landing is now the Artemis IV, set for 2028. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more Kiwis are choosing to order in instead of eating out. Uber Eats is booming – its revenue growing 23% last year to $367.3 million. The service now reaches more than 84% of the country, covering 178 locations. Celebrity chef and health advocate Simon Gault told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's about convenience, and people are time poor. He says it's a bit like getting room service in a hotel – convenient and easy, but always more expensive, and it's what people are prepared to pay for. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's fresh criticism of Labour's selection process, while the party itself continues to brush off concerns. Police are reviewing whether new Labour candidate Rakesh Naidoo shared any sensitive information with the party while deciding whether to stand. His bid for Parliament was announced on Monday after two months of discussions with Labour, but he only informed his manager last week. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan Richard Chambers is responsible for maintaining neutrality. He says the Police Commissioner should have put a plan in place to manage the perception of neutrality but was never given a chance by Labour. But Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen insists Naidoo followed the correct process. She told du Plessis-Allan it's surprising and unusual for the Commissioner to make public comments before any review's taken place. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Wednesday the 9th of June, we hear from an expert why the Government's proposed LNG terminal shouldn't go ahead. We go to Waikato to celebrate the opening of Fieldays for 2026. Heather dives into the changing perceptions New Zealanders have towards Asia. And on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen go toe-to-toe over the appointment of Rakesh Naidoo to the Labour list. 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.

Global instability is reshaping our relationships with major powers and pushing us closer to Asian countries. The Asia New Zealand Foundation's new survey of members finds Japan is viewed as our most trusted partner in the region, followed by Singapore. The US is now seen as a bigger threat than China – with trust in both about the same. Asia New Zealand Foundation CEO Suzannah Jessep told Heather du Plessis-Allan threat perceptions are quite elastic – it rose during the first Trump presidency, dipped during Biden, and have risen sharply this year. She says New Zealanders are reacting to what they see and experience, and during the survey period there was a sense of the US breaking the rules, impacting our economy and security. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Greens are calling for a beefed-up Privacy Commissioner to tackle major breaches. The party's campaigning on plans for the Commissioner to apply for penalties of up to $500 thousand for breaches by individuals, and $10 million for corporations. Any penalty would have to go before the courts. Greens Co-Leader Marama Davidson says the Manage My Health hack showed the need to close the gap allowing companies to treat New Zealanders' data as an afterthought. She told Heather du Plessis-Allan the proposal would see penalties match those given for breaches of the Commerce Act – bringing privacy protection up to where it should already be. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's all go at Hamilton's Mystery Creek, with Fieldays kicking off today. About 100 thousand people are expected to flock through the gates over the next four days to view the latest agriculture tech and innovation. There are more than 1000 exhibitors and delegations travelling from key markets, including Europe, Latin America, and China. National Fieldays Society CEO Richard Lindroos told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's a testament to the strength of agribusiness and people's eagerness to engage and connect. He says Fieldays this week is the place to be. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LNG is being thrown back into the mix, and an energy coalition is urging leaders not to forget about renewables. The Government's pressing on with plans to build an LNG import facility in Taranaki and dumping a proposed power bill levy to pay for it. It also plans to enforce stronger dry year supply requirements and penalties for gentailers. Smart Energy Alliance spokesperson Andrew Eagles told Heather du Plessis-Allan we're in a much better position than in 2024, when there was a shortage of generation. He says we don't need really expensive, old technology to be brought in, as there are already other solutions available. And in terms of the fines, Eagles told du Plessis-Allan it's clear our big energy companies need incentives. He says they'll now take a $10 million hit if they get things wrong, which changes the dynamic. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A move allowing click and collect prescriptions is being dubbed a sensible call. The Government's looking at introducing e-lockers for medication pick-ups, via Associate Health Minister Casey Costello's Medical Products Bill. Ministry of Health officials say it would benefit those who struggle to get to pharmacies during opening hours. Mangawhai Pharmacy Director Lanny Wong told Heather du Plessis-Allan such lockers are common overseas. She says a trial was attempted in 2023, but MedSafe shut it down because legislation wouldn't allow for it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, I can't imagine Labour's woken up feeling awesome this morning about how that reset is going. What do you think? This is a reset – you do realise that. After months of saying nothing, having no new policy and generating headlines for Ayesha Verrall singing weird songs about ducks, they started this week with a classic reset move. They got themselves a story in the Herald on Monday, claiming Nicola Willis tried to hide secret spending in the Budget. Then they followed it up really quickly with a list announcement, unveiling the policeman candidate. And then tomorrow they were supposed to have their big, substantive policy announcement – something they haven't done in months. It was meant to be this run of good news. Unfortunately for them, it's gone a little bit pear-shaped, hasn't it? The “secret money” has turned out to actually just be an accounting provision. The list announcement got derailed by Greg O'Connor taking a crack at them. Then the new guy for one of the Māori seats revealed there's some tax relief policy coming – which he wasn't supposed to say. Then Chippy got busted for using his government KiwiSaver to buy a bach, and the policeman didn't tell his bosses early enough that he was off to join the Labour Party. All of this is not a good look for Labour, because they can hardly expect to convince voters they're ready to govern if they can't even get 24 hours' worth of announcements to go to plan without being derailed by four or five different issues. But to be fair to Labour, the last 24–48 hours is really not the end of the world. A lot of this is pretty beltway stuff – at least the parts involving the policeman are. In five months' time, when the election rolls around, no one but the biggest political nerds in this country will remember any of it. Five months gives them plenty of time to fix all of this, but they really do have to get on and fix it, because this is the same problem, just repeated – the same problem as the Ayesha Verrall duck-song situation. It looks like a party unable to get its act together and just do one thing properly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Brown is set trade the bottle green and gold of the Springboks for the much more familiar black of home. The current South Africa attack coach has signed on as an All Blacks assistant coach for the two years after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks will still face Brown as South Africa's current attack coach during the Greatest Rivalry tour this year, and in a likely World Cup quarterfinal next year if both teams win their pool. Former Highlander and Māori All Black Joey Wheeler told Heather du Plessis-Allan that bringing, arguably, one of our most innovative and creative coaches back into New Zealand rugby is a master stroke by NZR. He says regardless of who the head coach will be following the Rugby World Cup, knowing Brown, he'll be able to work with anyone. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Tuesday 9th of June, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins defends the process behind the appointment of Rakesh Naidoo to the party's list. Heather also challenges Hipkins on the generous superannuation scheme for MPs. Former Highlander Joey Wheeler talks what Tony Brown will bring to the All Blacks when he joins as an Assistant Coach in 2028. As we cross the 100 day mark of the Iran war, Middle East expert Jeffrey Pryce talks us through what Donald Trump's options are and how this war might end. 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 research paints a gloomier picture for business leaders. The latest 2degrees Shaping Business Report suggests optimism about post-pandemic recovery has fallen away. It says leaders are now shifting from recovery mode to simply playing the hand they've got. Chief Business Officer Andrew Fairgray told Heather du Plessis-Allan people were looking for a return to normalcy in the years since Covid, but with all the volatility, businesses are starting to realise they need to control their own outcomes. But he says there are still some signs of positivity and moving forward, just in the new normal. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A foreign policy analyst says Iran coming to Hezbollah's aid could have been a symbolic gesture, to help break something loose in negotiations. Iran fired missiles into Israel in retaliation for Israeli forces striking Beirut, which then responded in turn by blowing up Iranian targets. Donald Trump appealed to both sides to pause the shooting, but the threat of further violence remains. Analyst Jeffrey Pryce told Heather du Plessis-Allan Iran's approaching this in a measured way. He says it launched a salvo, which didn't have much effect, something it's done before to send a political message. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's debate over the future of the country's nearly 2000 remaining phone booths. Spark's planning to use the aging payphones for free calling, wifi, phone charging, and for digital advertising. But Auckland Council wants a share of the return due to the booths being on public footpaths. Spark Chief Brand Officer Leela Ashford told Heather du Plessis-Allan there are lots of little costs that go into running the booths. She says it's all on Spark and their partner, and if they have to split revenue with councils and roading authorities, the business case falls over very quickly. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doubts a senior police officer gave his employer enough notice about plans to run for the Labour Party. Commissioner Richard Chambers says he only learned of Rakesh Naidoo's candidacy on Sunday afternoon, and his position is now untenable. Labour says Naidoo told a supervisor of his intentions last Thursday and followed all appropriate steps. But political commentator Grant Duncan told Heather du Plessis-Allan that may not have been enough notice. He says Police should've been able to steer Naidoo towards low-level operational duties, and there are also questions around leave. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour Leader is disappointed by how things are playing out for the senior police officer who's chosen to run for Parliament. Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo —the Police's national partnerships manager— has been revealed as the 13th ranked candidate on Labour's list. Commissioner Richard Chambers says he only learned of Naidoo's candidacy on Sunday afternoon, and his position is now untenable. Chris Hipkins told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he's disappointed for Naidoo, who's done everything right. He says he acted with the utmost integrity through the process, and has worked very hard to preserve the political independence of the police. Hipkins also says Labour won't be making any announcement about tax this week. The party leader revealed his candidate list yesterday. Newcomer Kingi Kiriona suggested Labour could be releasing policy on tax relief in the coming days. But Hipkins told du-Plessis Allan Kiriona misspoke, and the policy is actually about cost-of-living relief. While he can't reveal the details just yet, he can confirm it will have an impact on households. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An uptick in cheap aluminium extrusion imports could be hurting local manufacturers. The Government's looking into global safeguards after imports of products, like those made here, surged 30% in the first four months of the year compared to last year. Aluminium Extruders Association chief executive Nick Collins told Heather du Plessis-Allan the US and the EU have tariffs in place. He says we need something in the range of 15–25%, so local manufacturers are on a level playing field. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has quietly set aside $1 billion from next year's Budget but is refusing to say where it'll go. It amounts to 22 million dollars in 2027/28, before ramping up over a four-year period. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen told Heather du Plessis-Allan that this is not a common occurance. "That is just a little bit of an odd approach," he said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Currently a record number of Kiwis are donating plasma, but it is still not enough. More than 25,000 people donated last year, but another 4000 are needed just to meet demand. NZ Blood Service CEO Sam Cliffe joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss the importance of plasma donations. "Plasma is one of those amazing things that can be made into 11 life-saving products, and we manufacture it into a whole load of different products which can be used to treat kids with immunodeficiency disorders, to clotting disorders, to cancer, liver disease, a whole range of things." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it just me, or did anyone else notice what a contrast it was watching Christopher Luxon cracking jokes with Anthony Albanese, compared to what it was like when Jacinda Ardern visited Australia? For all her kindness and communication when she was Prime Minister, she would use those trips to Australia to give then–Prime Minister Scott Morrison a tongue-lashing—usually over the 501 deportees, which was pointless because the Aussies weren't going to change their minds. This weekend, though, was a bit of a love-in. And that's despite the fact that we've done something that could genuinely have upset the Aussies. Because Nicola Willis has probably gone a bit too hard, having cracks at them for their capital gains tax changes in their budget—which they're very sensitive about, because they're copping huge blowback. And yet…it was no drama. Albanese wrote it off as cheekiness. And then, instead of yet another trans-Tasman drama, he was cracking jokes with Luxon about Kiwi immigrants. They were taking turns going first with the questions, and they were affirming each other—welcoming closer ties, strengthening shared resilience. It's turning into a bit of a cliché thing to say now, but Luxon is in his element overseas. He sounded every bit the statesman—someone who has thought deeply about the degrading state of international affairs and what New Zealand needs to do to weather the coming storm. And I thought, as I listened to him pitch how kick-ass Australia and New Zealand are going to be, that he was doing a better job of selling Australasia to the world than the Prime Minister of Australia was. He's a big-ideas guy—selling his country and his region and getting on with people is his party trick. Isn't that a better strategy, when you think about it, than always fighting with your only ally? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 8th of June with Heather du Plessis-Allan, we get to the bottom of the "secret spending" from the Budget. The Prime Minister reckons it's not all that exciting. Christopher Luxon also talks his Australia trip and whether the government is going to go further in stopping unelected members voting on local councils. Heather also finds out why only four percent of eligible people are donating plasma. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the Super Rugby playoffs and Heather's netball experience on the Commentary Box. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.