The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Hegseth's comments shouldn't upset New Zealand 01.06.2026 1min

I don't think anyone should be offended by Pete Hegseth saying that New Zealand is freeloading off the American military.   This is not a controversial thing at all to say. The Australians have been privately complaining about us sponging off them for decades – they've urged us to lift our spend to 2% of GDP for decades.   We have kept our spending at only 1%, or thereabouts, for decades.   Wayne Mapp, the former Defence Minister, probably said the quiet bit out loud when he said yesterday that we don't need to lift our spending any higher than it is because we have so much water between us and everyone else that it makes us basically the safest nation on Earth. Which is A, probably what most of us think anyway about why we don't need to spend more, and B, an unbelievably short-sighted thing to say.   We know the world is heating up out there, right? From Ukraine to Iran to Taiwan. We know Xi wants to take Taiwan. Some reckon it's going to happen in months, not years, worst case scenario. We also know that we don't know what that sets off in our part of the world.   Now Mapp is right in what he's implying. An invasion of New Zealand is not really a concern, but shipping routes are, aren't they? Just look at what's going on with the Strait of Hormuz – imagine that's us trying to get our food out and our fuel in.   We would not be able to keep a shipping route open by ourselves. We would need Australia or the States, and they are not going to help us if we're not prepared to help as well. Our gear is getting old, our frigates need replacing, they're old tech anyway. A billion dollar frigate can be sunk by a $300 drone nowadays, so we're going to need drones and we're going to need lots of them.   We can't look around the world in 2026, as our only ally, Australia, spends more on defence, and as NATO lifts its spending, and see China making inroads into the Pacific and think we don't need to up our dollars as well. Of course we do.   Say what you like about the shortcomings and the errors of the Trump administration, and there are plenty, but there is one thing they have been right about and have actually managed to start fixing, and that is that Western countries need to spend more on defence, and that includes us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rod Liddle: UK Correspondent on the latest batch of Mandelson files, rifts in the Labour Party 01.06.2026 4min

The latest batch of files relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment to be released is reflecting poorly on the UK’s Labour Party.   More than 1,500 pages of messages, emails, and other correspondence was released, and among them was criticism of Sir Keir Starmer by both Mandelson and other ministers.  In May 2025, Mandelson told Minister Pat McFadden that Starmer “lacks verve”, and the same month, cabinet minister Pat McFadden criticised government policy on public spending and welfare, saying “every meeting I have is 'who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others."  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the files are uniquely embarrassing to the Labour Party.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commentary Box: Jason Pine and Andrew Saville discuss the Warriors v Panthers, Super Rugby Pacific, Tim Payne 01.06.2026 11min

Returning after the long weekend, Jason Pine and Andrew Saville joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to recap this weekend's sporting events. On today's agenda:  The Warriors fell short against the Panthers, the game ending with a tight 20-18 score in favour of the Australian team. Is it a good idea to rest your star players? The decision saw the Hurricanes lose to the Crusaders, but the Chiefs still claimed victory over the Blues. NZ Rugby is denying claims they're blocking Fehi Fineanganofo's move to the UK to instead have him join Dave Rennie's All Blacks squad. And Tim Payne has overtaken the All Blacks in terms of Instagram followers after an endorsement from an Argentine influencer saw his fame skyrocket. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 02 June 2026 01.06.2026 1h 30min

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 2nd of June with Heather du Plessis-Allan, the number of times school staff are having to physically restrain students has risen.  The Prime Minister joins on a Tuesday to respond to Pete Hegseth's "freeloading" comments and discusses what they're going to do with superannuation in this year's election.  Jason Pine and Andrew Saville take us through the long weekend of sport, including the game of the NRL season so far between the Warriors and Panthers.  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.

Luci Ellis: Westpac Group Chief Economist compares economic outlooks, unpacks whether NZ will become Australia's tax haven 01.06.2026 5min

The chief economist of one of the largest banks across the Tasman is quashing talk of New Zealand becoming Australia's tax haven.  A recent Australian newspaper declared the country's recent capital gains tax changes had lifted our appeal to local property investors due to our lack of capital gains, stamp duty, or land tax.   Westpac Group's Luci Ellis told Heather du Plessis-Allan there won't be as many concessions for new purchases of existing homes for rent, but negative gearing is still an option on new builds.   She says while some Aussies might find a New Zealand property attractive, if what they're motivated by is the tax concessions, they can still buy a new build in Australia.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anhar Khanbhai: Wise's Travel Spending Expert on the number of Kiwis going over-budget when overseas 01.06.2026 2min

A reminder to watch our spending while overseas.  A survey by money transfer company Wise has found almost half of respondents say they spend in the moment and worry later, and a similar number say money doesn’t feel ‘real’ overseas.  More than four in ten say they go over-budget.  Wise's travel spending expert Anhar Khanbhai told Heather du Plessis-Allan that over-spending becomes really easy as a result of the complexities of managing money overseas and the use of bank-issued cards.  She says those cards are really expensive, having both a foreign transaction fee and using inflated exchanged rates. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Woods: Amnesty International NZ Movement Building & Advocacy Director on the cross-sector call for digital accountability from platforms like Facebook and TikTok 01.06.2026 2min

Amnesty International says it's entirely possible for New Zealand to take on big tech.  Several media companies, industry groups and other organisations have signed an Amnesty open letter, calling for a stronger crack down on digital platforms like TikTok and Facebook.  They're calling for an independent regulator to manage risks like fraud, extremist content, and misinformation.  Amnesty International NZ Movement Building & Advocacy Director Lisa Woods told Heather du Plessis-Allan we already hold other big companies to account.  She says they want big tech platforms to face requirements such as a duty of care, to identify and reduce risks, and explain how their systems work.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister on accusations NZ's freeloading off the US military, Budget 2026, 01.06.2026 10min

“We choose our defence spending and no one else,” the Prime Minister says as the United States continues to pressure other nations, including New Zealand, to increase military spending. Speaking with Heather du Plessis-Allan on Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking Breakfast, Christoper Luxon has backed New Zealand’s defence spending. Luxon denied New Zealand is “freeloading” off America after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth fired comments at New Zealand over the weekend. “We choose our defence spending and no one else,” Luxon said. “I’m damn proud we’re doubling [the budget] it’s been run down over 30 years and it’s a big job building it back.” He said spending 2.5% of the country’s GDP on defence was “a start and a good place for us to get to” in wake of recent conflict. Luxon confirmed New Zealand is going to maintain its nuclear-free position. “It’s [nuclear-free] one of the best things we’ve done. “I’m very proud and it isn’t changing while I’m prime minister. Period.” Over the long weekend, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue defence and security conference that New Zealand was “freeloading” off the US military. The claim came in response to a question from Kiwi journalist Anna Fifield, after Hegseth said allies that “refuse to stand up and carry their weight for our collective defence will face a clear shift in how we do business”. At the Singapore conference, Hegseth said he expected allied governments to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence. Last week’s Budget outlined how New Zealand will boost defence spending to just over 2% of GDP over eight years. Fifield asked Hegseth if that meant New Zealand was considered a “free rider”. Hegseth said 2% of GDP was not enough, so “2% is freeloading” – though he also said New Zealand and the US’ relationship had been “a very fruitful one for a very long time”. Allies couldn’t just say: “‘Oh, we’ve been friends for a long time, so let’s work together’,” Hegseth said. “It’s: ‘We’ve been friends for a long time so you better have the same visibility as we do, because if we don’t, our alliance is meaningless’.” Hegseth also said he didn’t have anything against New Zealand and was looking forward to working with New Zealand’s Defence Minister and ”enhancing capabilities". Defence Minister Chris Penk was in the audience. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pat Newman: Te Tai Tokerau Principals' Association Spokesperson on the rise in use of physical restraint on children 01.06.2026 3min

Schools are calling for greater access to specialist support amid a rise in the use of physical restraint.  Ministry of Education data shows the number of restraint incidents has risen from about 2,600 a year to about 3,000 a year since 2018.  Pat Newman —spokesperson for Northland's Te Tai Tokerau Principals' Association— says schools are dealing with increasingly complex needs.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan they're seeing more children affected by trauma and abuse than ever before.  Newman says the number that classrooms are dealing with is unknown, but it's huge.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark the Week: 'Horse-faced duck' gave a look behind the scenes at Labour 28.05.2026 2min

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.    The Budget: 6/10  The days of drama are gone. It reflected the state of the place; one with prospects but difficult days ahead and discipline required.    Horse-faced duck: 1/10  You literally can't make this stuff up. A behind the scenes reality of what will be asking for your vote in a few short months.    Stuff: 2/10  Their coverage of our acknowledgement to the MP Joseph Mooney over outing him in the Luxon drama was wrong. They said we apologised. We did not apologise, Stuff literally made that up. It's sloppy, unnecessary and lazy.    The moon base: 6/10  Because it sounds cool, but the timeline of 2032 is six years away. You can't build a kilometre of tarmac in six years, far less house yourself on the moon.    The Ferrari Luce: 1/10  It's inexplicable.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike's Minute: My thoughts on the Budget 28.05.2026 1min

I asked for the surplus to arrive sooner than previously forecast and, as though she was listening this time yesterday, the first words out of Nicola Willis' mouth were it will be a year ahead of schedule.  You can't ask for more than that.  That’s not an election year lolly, but I'm increasingly of the belief that a growing number of New Zealanders have got the message.  A growing number of us have been shaken into the cold, hard reality that $9 billion a year in debt servicing is absurd and it can't continue.  We need to cut our cloth and that, in many respects, was what yesterday was about.  It's probably brave in election year to run things this tight. But it's also the adult thing to do.  So the message, politically, is stark. If you want free stuff the current Government aren't really for you. If you want grown-ups paying for life as they earn it then this may be the lot that gets your vote.  I do worry about health. Yes, health was a big, multibillion dollar winner and the hardware, the facilities and the equipment need a spruce up and, yes, bits and parts are squeezed.  But the health bill for five million people seems amazing to me and not in a good way. There has to be savings to be had there.    $17,000 for every house is not right. I didn’t use my $17,000 last year, so someone did.  The roads improvements in the tricky bits of the country I like. Build them properly and deal to the future – don’t patch it up.  We already know about education. A revolution is on and we will all be better for it.  You know I'm a trades fan. There were big wins for good, old fashioned, but increasingly important, jobs. Not every kid wants a BA and even if they did get one, it doesn’t mean a job is waiting. The world will always want a sparky or a mechanic.  There were the basics, the rational and the logic. There was a good message about three parties doing collegial work. There were wins for each of them, all mixed up with the overarching message that the madness, fiscally, has stopped and the reality has arrived.  But, big picture, get it right. This is a place that has its best days ahead of it.  I liked it. It's an easy 7/10. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the latest draft plan for an extension to the ceasefire between Iran and the US 28.05.2026 3min

Donald Trump's yet to sign-off on a tentative agreement between the US and Iran.   US sources report negotiators from both sides have reached a deal to extend the ceasefire for 60 days, begin nuclear talks, and open the Strait of Hormuz.   It's understood neither of the nation's leaders have approved the agreement.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that according to both Trump and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the President’s not going to take a bad deal.   Bessent says there are several red lines, including Iran turning over its highly enriched uranium, and allowing free transit through the Strait.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wrapping the Week with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson: Dame Lynda Topp's Budget criticism, holidays, and Oura Rings 28.05.2026 11min

After a busy week, Friday has finally arrived which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was.  They discussed Dame Lynda Topp’s criticism of the Budget at last night’s Aotearoa Music Awards, Mike and Kate’s upcoming holiday, and Oura Rings.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Barnett: Former Kiwis Captain previews the NRL clash between the Warriors and Panthers 28.05.2026 3min

This weekend will be a test to see if this is truly the Warriors’ year.  Sydney is hosting the top of the table clash between the number two Warriors and the number one Penrith Panthers.  The Panthers have won ten of the last eleven clashes against the Kiwi side, but they’re also backing up after State of Origin.   Former Kiwis Captain Richie Barnett told Mike Hosking the Warriors need to get out there and show them what they’ve done this season.  He says they’ve proven over the last five or six games that they’re a premier side in the competition, so they need to start performing like it and seal the deal.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 29 May 2026 28.05.2026 1h 30min

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 29th of May, we got the trades’ reaction to the Budget and an economist’s thoughts on what the books might look like in a couple years’ time.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Winston Peters both relay their wins from Budget Day.  And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss Mike's holiday, the Music Awards, and Oura Rings.  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.

Campbell Parker: Dairy NZ CEO on the new dairy season, wide milk price range 28.05.2026 2min

It’s an uncertain future for farmers, with global events making it harder to predict the milk price.   Fonterra's midpoint payout forecast for the current season is $9.70.   It's slightly up for next season, at $9.75, but it's signalling that could be as low as $8 or as high as $11.   Dairy NZ Chief Executive Campbell Parker told Mike Hosking the gap is mirroring the current volatility, with the top end of last year about $10.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan McDonald: Employers and Manufacturers' Association Head of Advocacy on the focus on trades in Budget 2026 28.05.2026 2min

There’s a view the Government's restoring the balance between university and vocational pathways.  The Budget doubles Trades Academy places from 10,000 to 20,000 over four years, giving more secondary students access to training while at school.  Employers and Manufacturers' Association Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking it’s a full-circle moment – recognising how vital trades are in a tech-driven economy.  He says AI can't build houses, and so many young people are coming into the workforce not ready.  McDonald says the new Industry Skills Boards will help direct training to where demand is, as part of their role is to work with businesses and polytechs to ensure current and future gaps are filled.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on Budget 2026, return to surplus coming a year earlier than expected 28.05.2026 2min

Most households may not see any immediate direct benefit from the Budget.  It shows a return to surplus in the 2028/29 financial year, a year sooner than previously forecast. The forecast uses the OBEGALx measure, which excludes ACC.     Infometrics Economist Brad Olsen says it might be a tad optimistic, given the state of the world, but we could maybe use some optimism.  The Budget includes significant investment in education and training, which Olsen says should boost productivity.  He told Mike Hosking it's an unusual Budget for an election year.  Olsen says most households won't see anything directly, as the money's going on structural things that should make the economy stronger in the long run.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the reaction to Budget 2026, the levy on banks 28.05.2026 5min

Finance Minister Nicola Willis hopes her Budget will convince voters to re-elect the Government in November.  It includes significant investment in infrastructure and health.  It also shows a return to surplus in the 2028/29 financial year – a year sooner than previously forecast. The forecast uses the OBEGALx measure, which excludes ACC.   Willis told Mike Hosking her message is simple.  She says the Opposition would borrow and spend more, which would put the country's future at risk.  The Finance Minister is also defending the new 1% levy on banks, insurers, and other financial market participants, which would be used to regulate the sector.  Willis yesterday directed banks not to pass on the cost of the levy to their customers, saying they’re the most profitable companies in the country and do very well for themselves.  Asked by Hosking why she didn’t increase tax on high-earning individuals like himself using the same logic, Willis said she didn’t want him “flying off overseas”.  She says that the idea that taxing high-earners more and they’ll be more inclined to invest in New Zealand doesn’t make sense, but when it comes to banks, it’s a tiny, tiny levy relative to their bottom line.   The move brings New Zealand into line with other countries like Australia and the UK, Willis says.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters: Minister for Rail and Foreign Affairs on what he got across the line in the Budget, the situation in the Middle East 28.05.2026 5min

Over $1 billion allocated for KiwiRail's planned network investments in the Budget means “all the things we want to upgrade are going to happen”, Rail Minister Winston Peters says.  He told Mike Hosking they have not asked for more than they should get.  Peters says it’s based on the fact that it’s a business or industry that’s been turned around rapidly where it’s going to make a greater profit.  The Rail Minister says getting that funding was a “great thrill” but it was common sense to fund rail, which was 2.5 times more fuel efficient than road transport.  And on the subject of the Middle East, Peters says the Iranian regime 'somewhat' knows what it's doing.   US sources report US and Iranian negotiators have agreed to a deal which would extend their ceasefire for 60 days, begin nuclear talks, and open the Strait of Hormuz.  It's understood the new agreement hasn't yet been approved by the leadership of either country.  The Foreign Minister spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister on Wednesday.  Peters told Hosking Abbas Araghchi laid out details in the memorandum of understanding.   He says all the details were included except denuclearisation.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.