Podcasts about Mike Hosking

The story that keeps getting my goat this week has been the accusation that New Zealanders take too many holidays over the Christmas-January period. It's burbled along since the weekend. Business owners, economists, Simon Bridges, and talkback callers all alleging that the country closes down for a month and that's killing our productivity. But there's no proof of that and the allegations seem little better than reckons. Let's remember that the rest of the Christian world are also off for Christmas-New Year, so we're not losing competitiveness over that week. And the northern hemisphere closes down for August while we're working our butts off. Maybe some of the people moaning about the summer break have lost track of reality for most New Zealand workers. The minimum statuary leave for most New Zealanders is 4 weeks after a year of employment. 20 precious days that week out over 12 months. There are four big school holiday periods that parents need to think about. For most New Zealanders, a big summer holiday might last until the second week of January and the longer you take over summer the longer you have to work over the rest of the year. Only a few people casually skive off for January. The successful business owners who have managers in place. The semi retired. And the superstars whose success during the year grants them privilege - I'm looking at you Mike Hosking. And the other group are the lawyers, partly because courts close down. But while judges have nice summer holidays they're only allowed a week in Spring during the rest of the year. So the lawyers bugger off to their beautiful baches. And that's why lawyers were the most concerned at the dropping of the new Resource Management system this week with a 6 week submission period. It means they're going to have to work all summer. Like the rest of us. And that's why they're grumpy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Tis the season for the annual swapping of gifts between the Prime Minister and broadcaster Mike Hosking. For Prime Minister Christopher Luxon the festive season has begun with meal tray tables bearing the longtime broadcaster's face, after the pair exchanged gifts in a Christmas tradition that dates back several years. As for Hosking, he'll leave the Newstalk ZB studio today with a bespoke calendar with a range of dates highlighted, from sports events to Parliament's Question Time and random world elections. “I get a lot of unsolicited advice when I'm in Parliament during question time. So, I've marked out in green all the times that you can give me that unsolicited advice,” Luxon said. “And then the other two big interests in your life are obviously F1 and the Warriors games, so they're all mapped out there on the planner. And then sometimes you love to give a bit of esoteric advice to the listeners around sort of the Cameroonian election that might be taking place. So, down this side, I've just given you a list of random world elections.” Luxon also gave the broadcaster two wine glass rubber lanyards, briefly alarming Hosking as he unwrapped his gift, which was “only for you and [wife] Kate”, Luxon said. “Oh my Lord, what is it?” Hosking replied before the Prime Minister revealed the lanyards were bought at Ikea after the Swedish giant opened its first New Zealand store in Auckland yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Newstalk ZB host Mike Hosking after the pair exchanged Christmas gifts on the Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning. Photo / Cameron Pitney “I was the first person in the country to make a physical purchase in the store at Ikea. And I bought Mike ... wine glass lanyard[s], because as he ponders his estate ... him and Kate go wandering around and they often have a glass of wine in hand. “As you've got older, I don't want you to trip and fall, because that'd be a real problem.” You can listen here to the exchange. The tray tables were inspired by a comment Luxon made this year about him and wife Amanda eating dinner on their laps while watching Netflix. “Stop eating dinner on your knee, it's not healthy”, Hosking scolded the Prime Minister. “All I ask of you when you're sitting with that on your lap looking at me … is not to spill your food.” The Prime Minister described the trays as having “lovely wood surrounds” and the image of Hosking as being “very wistful”. “It's ponderous and thoughtful,” Hosking said. “The question I'm asking you with my eyes is, ‘Do you really think you'll win the election next year?'” The Government has been struggling in the polls as economic challenges continue, with Luxon himself the subject of ongoing speculation that his leadership may face a challenge from within his own party. But the Prime Minister's response was to the point. “Oh hell yeah, don't you worry about that.” ‘The Complete Guide to Surviving a Mike Hosking Interview' Last year, after Luxon's first full year in the top job, Hosking gave the Prime Minister a gift he described as “one of one” and a “prototype”. It was a book titled “The Complete Guide to Surviving a Mike Hosking Interview”, which Luxon described as “genius”. Luxon gave Hosking a Christmas card with a family photo on it and some “furikake seasoning,” a Japanese seasoning typically made with toasted sesame seeds and nori. “People like me, who are men of the people, just use salt, I mean, I come from a very humble background,” Luxon said. “This is what really posh people do.” “Absolutely love it,” Hosking said in response to the gift. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast with host Mike Hosking in October. Photo / Mike Hosking Luxon also gave Hosking a “special energy Voost” that was described as “posh Berrocca”. Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also exchanged gifts with Hosking during her time leading the country. This included in 2018 a framed photo given to Hosking of the pair riding Lime scooters together and, in exchange, a T-shirt with a picture of Hosking holding a vacuum cleaner. Broadcaster Mike Hosking proudly wearing his Christmas gift from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - a T-shirt immortalising a verbal stoush between the pair. Photo / Supplied The following year Ardern – who in 2021 would cancel her regular weekly interview on the Mike Hosking Breakfast – gave the broadcaster a T-shirt showing the pair mid-verbal stoush and with the slogan “I heart Tuesdays”. “This could go wrong,” Hosking then said as he prepared to give Ardern her gift, a miniature “one-off Mike Hosking vacuum cleaner”. “And I don't want you to think it's a sexist gift either because … no one loves to vacuum more than me.” Broadcaster Mike Hosking gifts Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern a miniature vacuum cleaner in their annual gift exchange in 2019. In 2020, Ardern pranked Hosking by gifting him a Labour billboard featuring the ZB host alongside the Prime Minister herself, a present she said Hosking will grow to love as the years roll on. “Do you want me on board? Have you seen my magnetism as a vote-getter?” Hosking joked. Ardern then unwrapped two presents from Hosking, one for daughter Neve and one for herself. Hosking gave Neve a Mickey Mouse soft toy with Neve's name engraved before pranking Ardern back with his own gift to her, a series of face masks with his face printed on the front. “When I first opened it, I briefly worried it was a g-string,” Ardern said. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister's pleased to see secondary school teachers vote yes for their new collective agreement. PPTA members have accepted the Government's offer, which includes a 4.6% pay increase over two years and a million dollar a year fund for professional development. Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking it's a good resolution and she's happy for teachers. She says they've worked hard to raise achievement and close the equity gap, and they deserve the pay rises they're getting over the next two years. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Retirement Commissioner's unfazed at the prospect of a potential retirement village price rise. The Government's announced changes to the Retirement Villages Act 2003, aiming to ease the experience of elderly people and their families. Changes include ensuring money is paid back within a year after a resident leaves. Commissioner Jane Wrightson told Mike Hosking it's been a five-year process with painstaking consultation and assessment, and the Government has done a very careful balancing act, going straight through the middle of most of the disputes. She says that both parties, the operators and the residents, are pleased about some things and not so pleased about others, which suggests the changes are mostly right. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the final time this year, Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed the gift exchange that happened earlier on the show and Mike's reaction to the Prime Minister's interesting gift. Plus, they got into the price of postage, shopping, and good service. LISTEN ABOVE 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. Consumers: 7/10 Confidence at a 6-month high. School lunches: 3/10 This is the stupidest story of the week. Four days it lasted – we've become myopic. We fixate on triviality. It's got a small village idiot vibe to it, don't you reckon? Social media ban: 6/10 Mainly for effort, because it's not real, it's not practical – it's got idealism all over it. Pete Hegseth: 3/10 Between the narco boats and the Signal report, what odds are you running that he doesn't make Christmas? Rates caps: 7/10 Move of the week from the central government. If local government just stopped whining for a moment and asked themselves who the architects of the mess actually are and why, they might not have as much to moan about. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A welcome boost to New Zealand's premium meat sector, with strong growth expected this season. Headwaters Farmers —who produce Lumina Lamb— are forecasting returns of $23.50 per lamb, up 60% on last year. It also reports successful expansion into the Middle East. Headwaters and Lumina Chief Executive Steve Brown told Mike Hosking these markets attract premium pricing. He says they also want to take on producers in the UK market and show them what quality lamb looks like. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Song Sung Blue', a story of hope amidst a tragic love story. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as Mike and Claire Sardina, aka Lightning and Thunder, a duo Neil Diamond tribute act that got major attention in Milwaukee. The film is based off a documentary about the couple with the same name, that was released in 2008. Before working together on this project, Jackman and Hudson didn't really know one another – meeting a few times but not in any great detail. But for a movie like this, where the relationship between the two leads is the basis of the film, that can be a risk. “On day one, Kate said to me, you know, if we don't work, this movie doesn't work,” Jackman told Mike Hosking. “And she was right, but I had a lot of confidence.” “I had a strong sense that it was gonna be great, but I didn't know it was gonna be this great or this easy.” For Hudson, things clicked into place when the two kissed for the first time. “It's like we've been kissing each other for years,” she said. One review described the role as Jackman's most ambitious yet, a sentiment the actor agreed with. “I think it combines a lot of different things that I do, but in many ways it was asking things of me that I hadn't done before.” Hudson agreed, comparing it to asking a baseball player if they want to play in the major leagues. “It's scary, but I want that.” “I love hard work, and I like work that gives me a little of the, you know, the butterflies.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a view that Government funding for major events is a smart investment. The first round of events in its $70 million package has been unveiled, including the first ever concert at Christchurch's One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha next May. Other events include Linkin Park in Auckland and the Ultra Music Festival in Wellington. Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill told Mike Hosking this funding is designed to make existing events bigger. For example, he says, the Readers and Writers Festival in Auckland is a fantastic event, but could they use the funding to make it more international? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view the Government has to get a handle on debt, with forecasts showing the economy's now finally recovering. BusinessNZ's Planning Forecast projects the GDP will grow at just under 3% per year to 2027. But it warns that an ageing population's set to drive superannuation and healthcare costs to unsustainable levels, consuming all income tax revenue by the late 2040s. Chief Economist John Pask told Mike Hosking we're not getting back to surplus until 2028/29, and even that's touch and go. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new partnership deal in the ski industry aims to tap into the booming Chinese market. NZSki and Sunac-BonSki have signed on, giving New Zealand direct access to 13.5 million active skiers in China. NZSki CEO Paul Anderson told Mike Hosking while the New Zealanders and Australians make up the bulk of skiers, they've seen an increasing number of Chinese visitors to ski areas – particularly Queenstown. He says they're no longer the traditional bus tours of groups that came through from China, but high spending free independent travellers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief support for first-time principals is falling short. Newstalk ZB analysis has found 970 principals quit in the past three years – one in five within their first year. Retirements jumped 26% over the same period. Secondary Principals' Council Chair Kate Gainsford told Mike Hosking other countries have solid systems to prepare principals, but we don't. She says part of the role teachers can get used to while they're middle and senior leaders, but part can't be learnt until you're actually in the role. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economic impact of international students is surging. New Stats NZ data shows education-related travel exports jumped to $4.52 billion in the year to September, up from $3.6 billion the previous year. Education New Zealand wants to increase that figure to $7.2 billion by 2034. Chief Executive Amanda Malu told Mike Hosking growth is across all sectors and there's still room to expand. She says universities have higher enrolments than they've ever had, schools are growing, and private training has grown 33%. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Secretary of Defence is facing scrutiny for potentially having committed a war crime. Pete Hegseth is facing scrutiny over a strike he ordered on a boat in the Caribbean Sea suspected of smuggling drugs. The Washington Post reported last week that Hegseth authorised a highly unusual second strike to kill all survivors on the boat – reports Hegseth has denied. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Hegseth has previously railed against the Geneva Convention and the legal rules of engagement. In his book, Arnold says, Hegseth shares an anecdote in which he tells the soldiers in his platoon to ignore such legal advice. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The success story keeps rolling for Kiwi company AF Drinks. The alcohol-free brand has just secured nationwide distribution in the UK with supermarket giant Morrisons. It follows on from their US expansion, with them now stocked in over 4000 stores including Target, Walmart, and Sprouts. Founder Lisa King told Mike Hosking there's been a huge trend towards alcohol moderation. She says that a lot of people are still drinking alcohol, but they're moderating it and choosing to drink less or drink non-alcoholic versions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the year nearing its end, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking for the final Politics Wednesday of 2025. They discussed Scrutiny Week, Labour's decision to chase the Māori seats and what's ahead as we enter an election year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence from the Police Commissioner that New Zealanders don't see police any differently in the wake of the McSkimming scandal. Richard Chambers has announced four new targets, which include restoring public trust and confidence to 80%. It follows the IPCA's recent and scathing report into how serious allegations against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming were addressed. Chambers told Mike Hosking people understand the blame lies with former leaders. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour's shrugging off food poisoning concerns at a Christchurch school, saying its principal is often complaining about Government policies. Haeata Community Campus recalled all lunches yesterday after discovering some boxes contained rancid and "dead" looking food. Some children had already eaten their lunch. Minister-in-charge Seymour told Mike Hosking a previous batch has likely been re-served to students. He says they're keeping an open mind while looking into how meals from last week got in front of children this week. The School Lunch Collective, Ministry of Education and MPI are all investigating. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's an expectation a rates cap will prove challenging and require teaming up with central Government. The Government's proposing to stop rates increases at 4% a year, excluding water and other non-rates revenue. Councils wanting to go beyond this will need approval from a government-appointed regulator. Nelson Mayor Nick Smith told Mike Hosking he's not surprised councils have been targeted by the Government as it aims to reduce costs across the board. But he says delivery will require the Government to work with them to get costs down, especially in the construction sector. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view more New Zealanders are adapting to get on the property ladder to overcome economic woes. Kiwibank's Annual State of Home Ownership Index finds 57% of non-owners feel locked out of the market, improving by 6%. It notes 60% still find the cost of living the biggest obstacle to owning a house. Chief Executive Steve Jurkovich told Mike Hosking more people are open to exploring different pathways to ownership. For example, he says, people are exploring co-owning, getting together with their parents and grandparents to try buy a house. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An assurance a council rates cap will only target unnecessary costs, not community services or infrastructure. By 2029, councils wanting to increase rates by more than 4% will need approval from a government-appointed regulator. Water rates are excluded from the cap. Local Government Minister Simon Watts told Mike Hosking this will be an education process for councils. He says there's a lot of fat in the system and councils need to ensure cash has to be going into essential areas. Watts says he will work with the industry, not against them. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netball stakeholders attempting to overthrow the national governing body say issues extend beyond the Silver Ferns coaching saga. The Waikato Bay of Plenty Zone has called a Special General Meeting for Sunday to declare its intention for the board and chief executive to be replaced. Tauranga Netball Centre board chair Nicola Compton says Dame Noeline Taurua's treatment is one of three major concerns. She told Mike Hosking the other two are the uncertainty surrounding the ANZ Premiership after next year and the mishandling of the television rights deal. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coach Rob Walter is comfortable with how the Black Caps are tracking heading into the three-test series against the West Indies, beginning today at Hagley Oval. New Zealand is fresh from overcoming the West Indies by a combined 6 games to one in the two white ball series. While Walter was pleased to get the results, he reckons the Black Caps can still improve as a cohesive group. He told Mike Hosking they're not expecting the West Indies to be a pushover. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although he's best known for his comedy, David Walliams has a growing portfolio of children's literature. He's sold more than 60 million copies worldwide and has just released his 44th book ‘Santa & Son', just in time for Christmas. He released his first children's book in 2008, and even after 17 years and nearly 50 books, Walliams still finds writing to be a challenging task. “You're constantly scared, you think, oh my god, I'm gonna run out of ideas, or you think, oh god, this is too similar to something I've already done,” he told Mike Hosking. “The thing I try and do is move as far away as I can from something I've just done, because the thing is you just don't want to repeat yourself.” A lot of his earlier works were set contemporary Britain and revolved around schools, and after a while he found he'd run out of ways to make a teacher character work. “I can't think of any more traits that would make teachers funny,” he told Hosking. “So I thought I just have to move away from that and find different stories.” “I sort of have to make it difficult for myself just so I don't end up going down the same path.” When it comes to success, Walliams explains that he's not competitive in any major way. “I don't see other people who do what I do as sort of foes or anything,” he said. “But of course I want my book to be well-received, I want kids to enjoy it, I want it to make people happy.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump's working to force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro out of office. Trump's warned airlines and travellers to avoid the country on social media - and says land strikes on Venezuela could come 'very soon'. The Trump administration has pinned illegal migration and drug trafficking on Venezuela's Government - amid a crackdown on the issue. Foreign Policy Institute Senior Fellow Jeffrey Price told Mike Hosking that it's hard to tell what the strategy is from here, but it's clear Trump wants Maduro gone. He says it's not clear how he'll do this - but the US is willing to do it with force. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon says banks need to be passing on their OCR cuts to customers - and customers should be switching banks if they don't. Mortgage rates have been falling significantly, following recent OCR cuts. But the Reserve Bank says the banks still have room to move, to be cutting the rates further. The Prime Minister says [told Mike Hosking] banks should be competing for customers, and customers should be trying to get the best deal they can. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Minister is pleased to see councils joining forces under the new water infrastructure model. The Department of Internal Affairs expects councils to spend nearly 48-billion dollars on Local Water Done Well over the next decade. The reforms could create more than 40 water entities, with some councils joining multi-council-controlled organisations. Simon Watts told Mike Hosking that 38 councils have already combined to form 12 entities. But he says it's never been about the number of entities - the critical part is whether it's financially sustainable. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Repeatedly low wheat prices are driving more farmers to turn to dairy. The Canterbury Regional Council says up to 25-thousand more dairy cows could be added to the region this year - with 32 new farms given the green light. Federated Farmers' confidence survey in July found 81 percent of dairy farmers surveyed were making a profit, compared to just 40 percent of arable. National Dairy Chair Karl Dean told Mike Hosking that dairy has a more consistent cash flow. He says arable farmers are the ones with the land to convert. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville join Mike Hosking this morning to discuss the weekend's sports. On the table today: Auckland FC suffered a loss at home amid monsoon-like rains. Should the game have been called off? The F1 Driver's Championship is headed to the final race of the season, with three contenders for the title. And the V8 Supercars Championship has changed up their format, but is it too confusing? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's assurance an inquiry into the Tom Phillips saga is important for the public, but also his children. Phillips was on the run with his kids for nearly four years, ending only when he died in September in a Police shootout. An inquiry's been confirmed to look at whether Government agencies took all practicable steps for the children's safety and welfare. Attorney-General Judith Collins told Mike Hosking we want to get this done so the children can better understand what unfolded. She says once they grow up it'd be helpful for them to know that some people tried very hard to for them. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More details are emerging around the background of the Afghan national who allegedly shot two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC. Both soldiers remain critically injured after yesterday's shooting, while the suspect's in custody. The FBI says the shooter had worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and had immigrated to the US in 2021. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking the suspect was reportedly troubled by his work with a CIA paramilitary force in Afghanistan. Arnold says the group was also accused of civilian killings. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good news for the retail sector as sales increase across the country. Stats NZ data shows the total volume of sales increased 1.9% in the September quarter, equalling more than $470 million. The growth was driven by motor vehicles and electronic goods, which saw the biggest boost this quarter. Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Mike Hosking the start of a new Government year may play a role in the rising numbers. She says leases may expire and people may need new vehicles, which happens in the third quarter. LISTEN ABOVE 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. Education: 8/10 The maths trial results this week were a tangible example of the simple truth that if you concentrate on something and work hard, you will win. The All Blacks: 6/10 They did better than the critics seem to suggest. Rugby has changed but the attitude on expectation and winning hasn't. This isn't 1986. Regional councils: 8/10 Bold call, good call. We will be better off for the call. Ginny Andersen and steak: 6/10 Who had her down as a surreptitious food stealer? Rachel Reeves: 2/10 Have a look at her work on taxes and ask yourself how far-removed Barbara Edmonds is - or isn't. Surrender by Thursday: 4/10 Wasn't that yet another harebrained thought bubble by a bloke who looks increasingly unhinged, or tired, or old, or mad. Or possibly all of those things. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The week has come to an end, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to wrap it all up. Mike ordered a new 85-inch TV and its installation has thrown the house into a bit of disarray. Kate's been looking at the price of salmon, and they discuss the legacy and impact of Simon Dallow as he signs off as 6pm newsreader for the last time tonight. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mortgage advisor is joining the Finance Minister in urging banks to slash home loan rates. Nicola Willis is asking them to pass on “as much as possible” in the wake of the Reserve Bank cutting the Official Cash Rate to 2.25%. She says the banks have a stake in the economy, and passing the cuts on will make a significant difference. Loan Market Mortgage Advisor Bruce Patten told Mike Hosking the banks are holding onto some really good margins at the moment. He says he'd like to see them pass them on before Christmas – everyone needs it, so someone needs to make the move. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's move to shift e-scooter users from the sidewalk to bike lanes is being hailed as a win for common-sense. ACC statistics for e-scooter injuries this year are close to surpassing $14 million. There were also more than two thousand claims for e-scooter related injuries in the first half of this year. Flamingo Scooters Co-Creator Jacksen Love told Mike Hosking it clears up confusion. He says bike lanes are clearly a lot safer than the road and helps keep footpaths clear for pedestrians. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A shift in climate has opened the door to grow more coffee in the Far North. Industry specialists have gathered near Kaikohe for the annual Coffee Producers Association conference. New Zealand currently has about a dozen growers and more than seven thousand trees, with goals to scale-up production. Association Chair Peter Sheppard told Mike Hosking we're in a zone where the climate has become warm enough to make the industry viable. He says there's huge potential in New Zealand, and they're at the beginning of a really exciting journey. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the country's most famous singer-songwriters is back with an entirely new album. It's a new chapter for Bic Runga, who's sixth studio album, ‘Red Sunset', is releasing in February next year, with a tour following in March. It's her first album in 15 years to feature all-original material. “It's a bit of a reinvention,” Runga told Mike Hosking. “That's never easy to do, but it's either reinvent or just repeat yourself, so, y'know, I really kind of wanted to try something else.” The album was recorded in an Airbnb in Paris earlier this year, where Runga and her family were holidaying. “We rented a house with a piano, and really knocked the record out.” “I wanted it to have some of that vibe and just remembering my life before, y'know, the kids and stuff,” she told Hosking. “It was just sort of a nostalgic trip, I suppose.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't bank on any further cuts to the Official Cash Rate. The Reserve Bank's dropped the cash rate 25 basis points to 2.25%. It expects to see inflation ease and the economy recover. Kiwibank Chief Executive Steve Jurkovich told Mike Hosking this could very well be the bottom of the current OCR cycle. He says there's lots of talk about green shoots in the economy, although much of this has been in farming. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A suggestion most Northland businesses are ready to move on rather than seek compensation over widespread power outages. In June last year, an inexperienced worker removed nuts from three of a pylon's legs causing it to fall over cutting power to almost the entire region. The opt-out class action against Transpower and its lines maintenance contractor is being backed by Australian financing firm Omni Bridgeway. North Chamber Chief Executive Leah McKerrow told Mike Hosking local businesses are ready to move on, if it's been learnt from. She says businesses would rather see investment in energy resilience and roading rather than try to take on a government-owned entity. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A public policy think tank is pushing the Government to take advantage of social impact bonds. The model means the Government only pays providers when they achieve results for a particular problem. It had previously been used for the Genesis Youth Trust, which reduced youth reoffending by 30%. Maxim Institute Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour told Mike Hosking the beauty of social impact bonds is that it allows highly flexible and customisable interventions. He says you can target the people who are most vulnerable, not just the easy options. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank Governor is leaving the job tomorrow with no major regrets about the pace of OCR cuts. The cash rate's dropped 25 basis points to 2.25%. Forward-projections suggest this will be the end of the current cycle of OCR cuts, with inflation expected to ease and the economy expected to recover in the new year. Governor Christian Hawkesby told Mike Hosking they've been responding to circumstances. He says they've been dealing with a stall in economic recovery while focusing on their mandate of controlling inflation. Hawkesby says it's hard to say exactly why New Zealand's recovery has stalled more than other countries, telling Hosking there isn't one clear reason for the downturn this year. He says it's a bit of a puzzle, with tariffs and cautiousness both playing a role, and that's why last month's cut was needed to kickstart the economy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The intentional killing of women and girls is now its own crime in Italy. Lawmakers unanimously backed a bill making femicide a specific crime punishable by life imprisonment. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the measure a tool to "defend the freedom and dignity of every woman". Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking it looks very much like a symbolic gesture. She says she's not sure how you would prove the murder of someone is related to their gender, as opposed to some other factor. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine and the US are signalling they're nearing a proposal to end the war as Russia maintains its uncompromising position. Ukrainian and US officials have negotiated details of a proposed 28-point peace plan in Switzerland. A US official's told reporters Ukraine has agreed to a peace deal, but there were still some minor details to be sorted out. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking it appears several key issues have still been set aside, including the new territorial boundaries, the size of an ongoing Ukrainian military, and the proposed ban on NATO troops inside Ukraine. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of cases of amputation and vision loss could be prevented thanks to diabetes monitoring technology. Continuous Glucose Monitors, or CGMs, have been funded for Type 1 diabetes since last October. New data from CGM producer Dexcom finds lifetime use of the devices could prevent up to 70 thousand diabetes-related complications and save the country $50 thousand a day. Diabetes New Zealand Chief Executive Heather Verry told Mike Hosking funding should be expanded to all diabetes patients. She says Pharmac is only funding for Type 1, and at $200 a month, these devices are unaffordable for everyone else. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank's set to slash the Official Cash rate today but the big question is whether today's cut will be the last. The final OCR decision of the year is set down for 2pm. Most economists expect the cash rate to be cut 25 basis points – from 2.5% to 2.25%. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr told Mike Hosking the main message seems to be that we're getting pretty close to the bottom. He says interest rates are at stimulatory levels and they're looking to see if that will entice some investment. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says regional councils add layers of confusion, as he looks to scrap them. Consultation's open on the proposal which would see the councils abolished and replaced with boards made up of local Mayors. Boards would be required to put plans in place around re-organising services and infrastructure, which will be checked over and ticked off for financial sustainability. Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking there's enormous levels of complexity which people don't understand. He says in Wellington for example, the regional council runs the buses, but the city councils decide the road closures and where the bus stops are. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Red tape continues to tie up New Zealand's agriculture and horticultural sectors. Animal and Plant Health NZ's annual survey finds nearly half its members feel regulatory performance has worsened, despite recommendations put forward by the Ministry for Regulation earlier this year. Chief executive Liz Shackleton told Mike Hosking despite reassurance from regulators, the day-to-day process is not getting easier. She says farmers and growers face a raft of challenges and don't have the right tools for the job. She says it's a real handbrake on economic growth, and we're missing out on better environmental outcomes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are now spending a reported $1.8 billion a year on their pets. Insurance, food, grooming, and daycare make up the bulk of the spending, with luxuries and niche businesses playing a part as well. Dog Zen founder and animal behaviourist Mark Vette told Mike Hosking over time the relationship between pets and their owners has become more like that of a surrogate parent-child relationship, which drives people to spend more. But he says there's definitely been a push for those who have the money to spend it on “wants” instead of “needs”. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The job market remains in a tough spot despite modest improvements. The latest Seek NZ Employment Report finds job ad volumes have risen 1% for the fourth consecutive month and 7% year-on-year. The growth is seen across most regions and industries. Country manager Rob Clark says we're heading in the right direction. He told Mike Hosking that hospitality and tourism is important over the summer, but they've also seen some good progress in other industries, such as IT and construction. IT is now up 15% year-on-year, he says, and construction is up almost 30% now. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.