The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Epizódy

• 
  Mike's Minute: AI isn't going to wipe us out 15.09.2026 2min

  I'm pretty sure AI isn't going to wipe us out.  AI is another of those technologies or gains we make that has the capability to do a lot if left unchecked.  But the key to all of this, as it has been with so many things before from the musket to the nuclear weapon, is self-interest.  Ultimately, we don’t actually have any desire to wipe ourselves out, given if we did, we would have and could have a long time ago.  I suspect the AI alarmism is driven by the fact people, especially the media, love to spread alarm and a lot of us don’t actually know much about AI.  If someone tells us an army is coming and it's a robot army and there is nothing we can do about it, then a lot of us not applying logic or knowing any better will freak out.  This bloke Jacob Coxon seems to the casual observer to be a couple of things:  1) 27-years-old. It's never really a good thing to believe everything a 27-year-old spouts.  2) A bloke with quite a keen interest in TV appearances. He was doing the circuit over the weekend and in my experience people who like being interviewed frequently have ulterior motives.  This isn't to say he hasn’t seen a lot of weird stuff at the office and it's not to say he isn't freaked out by its potential. But it is to say he is working in a field of an extraordinarily exploratory nature and therefore the possibilities are vast, both good and bad.  Rock and roll was the end of it. Video was going to kill the radio star, and Bob Dylan sang about the times a-changing over 60 years ago.  The nuclear free Pacific was needed to avoid oblivion, Covid was a problem, toss in a depression or two, any number of wars and their potential escalation, China was going to take over Taiwan, North Korea was going to pull the trigger, the Bay of Pigs was going to be cataclysmic – how many do you want?  How many times do we have to do the ol' "it’s the end" dance before we realise it isn't?  And a 27-year-old hasn’t seen something no one has ever seen before.  He's probably done us a favour in at least waking a few more people up to what is a very transformative time. But it's not end times.  You will be able to try out the CRL before it's over. So, as you were. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Pollies: National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen on the Tom Phillips inquiry, public meetings 15.09.2026 9min

  The Police Minister says we can't lose sight of the good work police did during the Tom Phillips case, even if there could have been improvement.   An inquiry has suggested the Phillips children could've been found earlier, and there were communication failures between Police and Oranga Tamariki.  Mark Mitchell says the police were dealt a tough hand in having to search in such a difficult area.   He told Mike Hosking alongside improvements, the Phillips children remain the priority.  Mitchell says he doesn't know where they are, but he knows they're being well looked after.   Labour's Ginny Andersen told Hosking the report has exposed issues with the agencies, including hesitancy to act on reports from members of the public.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Full Show Podcast: 16 September 2026 15.09.2026 1h 29min

  On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 16th of September, the Police and the Government respond to the Tom Phillips report that revealed some glaring failures.  Supercars champ Chaz Mostert is in the country and the studio after it was announced the Race of Champions is coming to Wellington next year.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk the Phillips report, angst on the campaign trail, and Ginny getting kicked out of the House for the first time on Politics Wednesday.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Chaz Mostert: Supercars driver for Walkinshaw TWG Racing on the Race of Champions heading to Wellington 15.09.2026 10min

  Wellington's central city stadium will be converted into a motorsport track this summer to play host to some world-leading drivers.  The international Race of Champions event debuts in New Zealand on January 9th and 10th.  Formula 1's Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas, Supercars' Chaz Mostert, and rally driver Hayden Paddon are confirmed on the starting grid.  Mostert told Mike Hosking the drivers think it's such an awesome event, and are so honoured to be invited.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Campbell Parker: DairyNZ CEO on farmers being warned to prepare for higher tighter margins as El Niño threatens higher costs 15.09.2026 2min

  Dairy farmers are preparing for summer of extreme weather patterns.  New Zealand's set to be hit by a strong El Niño system, which raises the prospect of extreme heat, floods, drought, and disruptive weather.  Farmers are being urged to prepare for tighter margins and potential feed shortages, with DairyNZ modelling showing it could push working expenses to $6.78 per kilogram, and the breakeven milk price to $9.07.  DairyNZ CEO Campbell Parker told Mike Hosking the sector remains strong heading into summer, with a lot of debt paid down over the past few seasons due to good milk prices.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Jill Rogers: Deputy Police Commissioner on the findings of the Tom Phillips inquiry, missed opportunities to recover the children 15.09.2026 3min

  An admission of failures —and missed opportunities— over the long disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children.  A four-year hunt for the fugitives ended in gunfire last September when Police killed Phillips.  An inquiry's exposed numerous failures by Police and Oranga Tamariki and a lack of information sharing.  Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers told Mike Hosking they ultimately achieved what they set out to do, which was recover the children.  However, she says four years in the bush was absolutely too long, and she can't deny that the conditions the children were kept in were inhumane.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Steve Watson: Immigration NZ Compliance and Investigations General Manager on the over 19,000 people estimated to have overstayed their visas 15.09.2026 5min

  Immigration New Zealand is targeting unlawful employers as it tackles more than 19,000 visa overstayers.  More than 6,500 visas have expired since 2023 without the holders leaving New Zealand shores.   Americans topped the list of overstayers, followed by people from Tonga, China, the UK, and India.  Compliance and Investigations General Manager Steve Watson told Mike Hosking employment is a major drawcard for people who overstay.  He says Immigration NZ is focusing on employers who unlawfully hire migrants, which can lead to exploitation.  But Watson says they're not entirely sure yet why so many Americans have overstayed in the last three years, with the count sitting at 925.  He says Americans don't rank highly in immigration's four priority areas —criminality, character, exhausted appeals, or employment— so more work is needed to work out what is going on with that group.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Louise Upston: Social Development Minister on the results of the inquiry into the Tom Phillips case, lack of information sharing 15.09.2026 3min

  Fear from our public agencies may have contributed to failure in the Tom Phillips case.   Phillips was shot dead by police a year ago after being on the run for four years with his children.   An inquiry has found public agencies missed opportunities to find the children earlier, and criticised Police and Oranga Tamariki for their lack of information sharing.  Social Development Minister Louise Upston told Mike Hosking it needs to be reiterated that information can be shared if a child is in danger.   She says they may have been scared of getting in trouble or worried that information wasn't kept safe.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Mike's Minute: We are moving forward into real-world education 14.09.2026 2min

  I read that nearly a third of students who would have passed NCEA Level 2 under the current system will struggle under the new one.  BERL have done research that suggests 15,000 students have followed pathways that may be harder to replicate.  I'm not sure what the point of this research is.  They also claim the changes come at a cost of $50 million, most of which goes into relief teachers to cover staff working on changes.  The narrative is sort of presented as one of potential trouble, or a bleak future for kids that won't cope.  Here is what I know as a parent of five, who all dealt with NCEA at various levels – it’s a joke. Not all of it, but a lot of it.  The sad truth is that if 15,000 are not going to be able to carry on the way they were under this new system, I say not a moment too soon.  NCEA was, without putting too fine a point on it, a piss-take.  On paper the idea you could pick from a myriad of nice-to-haves, anything you want that didn’t need to be relevant to the real world or your chances at a job, was fun. You could piece together your eclectic selection of hobby topics and before you knew it, you had your credits.  This was a farce. In theory it's fantastic. In reality it was a rort to game the system.  When BERL say replicate the old system, this is what they mean; subjects no one cares about, or is getting work in, or subjects you may be interested in as a night class at polytech. None of it was designed to set you up for life.  It was designed to produce a factory of success stories so schools could say look at our pass rate.  You weren't passing anything of note.  So the next problem is when students turn up to real subjects, with real expectations, and they struggle. That will show up in figures.  It will show up in fails. Oh, I used that word that can't be used in education – "fail", "did not achieve", "not passed".  But that is how countries who succeed do it. They educate their kids in real-world subjects at real-world rates because, guess what, they are going out into the real world.  Our foray into educational fantasy was always going to end in tears. Between Covid and 25 years of NCEA we have sold a generation of kids short, if not down the river.  Sure, lots did fine. But that’s always the way.  Good kids never fail. It's the rest who didn’t know better, or who took the mickey, that will, and are, paying the price. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Doug Steel: BNZ Senior Economist on the services sector expanding in the BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index 14.09.2026 4min

  More signs of life in the economy, as the services sector expands for a third straight month.   The BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index rose to 51.2 in August – it's strongest result since September 2023.  New orders and business rose to 55.2, while retail climbed above 50 for the first time since January.   BNZ Senior Economist Doug Steel told Mike Hosking the new orders number is the bright spot on the survey and gives them hope that recovery is going to broaden.  He says exports are a pretty big driver of things picking up, especially primary exports, which is then driving activity in areas like transport and storage.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Shaun White: Highly decorated snowboarder on bringing the Snow League to NZ, upcoming second season 14.09.2026 10min

  One of the greatest snow sport athletes of all time is heading to our shores this week.  Shaun White is launching his new Snow League World Challenge at Cardrona this weekend, the event preceding the league's second season.  The highly decorated snowboarder told Mike Hosking he's been coming to New Zealand for a long time, and so naturally, he had to bring the league here.   "It's actually one of my favourite places to go," White said.  "So when I was thinking about bringing my event, the Snow League, y'know, around the world, I was like, we have to stop in New Zealand."  Snow League is something White's dreamed of doing since he was competing himself, and says it's been nice to be able to use his voice in the sport to make it better for everyone else.   "I definitely don't think we're where we want to be – we're growing still, we're trying new things, and that's why we're so excited to come to New Zealand," he told Hosking.  "But the future is looking bright."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Full Show Podcast: 15 September 2026 14.09.2026 1h 29min

  On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15th of September, we've got good news across the board with tourism numbers passing pre-Covid levels, net migration doubling, and the services sector seeing the strongest result in more than two years.  Is the UK about to split up? Leaders of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have met to discuss their right to seek independence.  The G.O.A.T snowboarder and arguably the greatest snow sports athlete, Shaun White is winging his way here to launch his new competition in Cardrona.  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.
• 
  Anand Menon: King's College European Politics and Foreign Affairs Professor on the leaders of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland pushing for independence from UK 14.09.2026 5min

  There's a view friction will linger in the United Kingdom as the leaders from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland want out.   The three first ministers have signed an agreement overnight, declaring no Westminister government has the right to block democracy.  It's the first time they've shared the stance since the UK devolution began, with Scotland and Northern Ireland calling for referendums.   King's College European Politics and Foreign Affairs Professor Anand Menon told Mike Hosking these political parties benefit when there's tension with London.   He expects the rumbling of discontent to continue as long as this persists, as the leaders opt for political gains.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  John Stevenson: Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair on global milk production growth slowing 14.09.2026 2min

  High prices and challenging conditions are fuelling uncertainty in the global dairy market.   Rabobank's latest report shows global milk production growth has slowed to 1.4% year-on-year – its weakest since early 2025.  Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking overseas weather patterns have constrained feed supply, and now the super El Niño could be upon us.   He says farmers are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best, but a prolonged dry spell would certainly hit New Zealand's milk production.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Tobias Tohill: UVisa Immigration Advisor on net migration hitting highest level in two years at 20,300 14.09.2026 3min

  Fewer New Zealanders are leaving for Australia as our net migration hits the highest level in two years.  The number of people moving here outnumbered those who left by more than 20 thousand in the year to July.   There was a net migration loss of more than 28 thousand to Australia last year – an improvement from about 31 thousand the year before.   UVisa Immigration Adviser Tobias Tohill told Mike Hosking it's an encouraging sign.  He says while departures are similar elsewhere, the ones to Australia have fallen below the long-time average.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Hamish Firth: Mt Hobson Group Urban Planning Specialist on the Government amending the fast-track system 14.09.2026 2min

  An expert says planning laws often need to be tweaked after they've passed.  The Housing Minister will announce details of amendments to the fast-track system later this morning after multiple council complaints about fast-tracked housing developments.   Mt Hobson Group Urban Planning Specialist Hamish Firth says the fast-track system was well intentioned and has helped build things like new quarries.  But he told Mike Hosking it's a system which needs to shift.   Firth suggests they might not have expected so many housing developments to be included.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Louise Upston: Tourism Minister on July visitor numbers surpassing pre-Covid levels 14.09.2026 3min

  A sigh of relief from the Tourism Minister after July visitor numbers surpassed pre-Covid levels.  Stats NZ data shows 256,600 overseas visitors arrived in July – more than half of them from Australia.  That's 0.4% higher than July 2019.  Minister Louise Upston told Mike Hosking it shows a strong government focus on tourism can help drive demand.  She says one in nine New Zealanders is employed in tourism and hospitality, so growing tourism is critical for growing economic opportunities.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Mike's Minute: It's still our year 13.09.2026 1min

  It's hard to know where to start. The referee obviously didn’t help. Three captain's challenges and three times we were right and he wasn’t. That’s before you get to the reports and sin bins and general pokey-nosery that he seemed to delight in. The NRL has long had quality issues with officiating, and Saturday didn’t help the reputation. The two points decision near the start surprised me, but that’s why Webster is coach and I'm not. He had clearly worked out all points were worth their weight in gold and given they were all, sort of, in front of the posts it worked well for us. In fact a lot of the game worked out well for us. We had an early lead, a lead at halftime and a lead with a gap that gave you a sense we simply had to ride it out. Until we didn’t, and the whole thing turned. In that, as much as it might hurt to admit, was one of the great comebacks of the season. A side that was on the wrong end of most of the night rallies in a way the best sides can. The Dolphins were awesome. In the end they deserved it. It wasn’t so much us capitulating as them being exceptional. It's why the record was 50/50 going in. There is something about them and us that just makes it a coin toss. It ended the wrong way Saturday but it could easily be different next time. The record is now 5-4, or 2-1 for the season, in favour of the Dolphins. If you want glass half-full I've got two things for you; 1) I like the idea of not having a week off. I like the idea of the rhythm of a season. 2) It’s the Knights. We will beat the Knights and we will make the preliminary final. So in that sense there isn't a lot to worry about. We get more football and presumably a full Eden Park and $1.5 million more for the NRL bottom line. So two games until the final, three for the title. It's still real, it's still alive. It's still our year.         LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Steve Price: Australian correspondent on One Nation looking to bring down the number of international students 13.09.2026 7min

  One Nation has outlined their latest bid to bring down migration numbers over the next three years. The party has vowed to bring down temporary migrant population by 750,000 over this timeframe, with a focus on international students and the families of skilled workers.  Australian correspondent Steve Price says immigration is a big issue for Australia, but employers have raised concerns about what this announcement could mean for their temporary workers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Commentary Box: Andrew Saville and Jason Pine discuss the All Blacks' loss and the Warriors' upcoming clash against the Knights 13.09.2026 11min

  Andrew Saville and Jason Pine joined Mike Hosking to review all the big sporting events of the weekend, including the All Blacks' defeat to the Springboks in Baltimore and whether the Warriors can shake off their weekend loss and beat the Knights.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.