The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Simon Watts made the right call - but it should go further 02.06.2026 2dk

Credit to Simon Watts.  Some time ago he told me he was going to do something to stop councils like the Far North District Council.  They put ten iwi representatives, not elected by ratepayers, on a committee with six councillors who were elected, with full voting rights, thereby outnumbering the elected folk.  I sent him a text two weeks ago asking him when I should check back in with him to see what he was going to do.  He responded. Asked me to give him two weeks.  Two weeks ran out yesterday.  Yesterday is when he announced that he would be changing the law to take those voting rights away from unelected representatives on councils.  This has become something of a race relations issue because the greatest number of unelected members that get attention are Māori, iwi reps, and mana whenua reps.  But it’s actually more than that.  It also involves youth representatives, under 18's who haven’t even learned to live in their own houses and pay their own power bills, who are given permission by councils to vote on council issues without being elected.  And yes, it is about race relations and trying to stop the spread of this strangely fashionable idea that one ethnicity gets special treatment.  But it is also about a fundamental of democracy – you choose who governs you.  Ratepayers are being bled for money at rates none of us would’ve thought were possible ten years ago.  For our entire lives that has come with the right to then also vote for the people who we best trust to spend that money, even if that is a low bar.  Somehow in the last few years that has started to change, and councils have told us how much to pay and then also who will govern.  That needed to stop.  Yesterday’s decision is welcome. But I’d like it to go further.  I’d like all unelected representatives now removed from councils because, in many cases, they are a cost.  They are paid, sometimes, the same as elected representatives and they are unnecessary in an age where advice and input is easier to find than ever.  But given the likely kickback this will get from the handwringers, good on Simon Watts for making the right call.  And on deadline too. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 03 June 2026 02.06.2026 1sa 30dk

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast with Heather du Plessis-Allan for Wednesday 3rd of June, Local Government Minister Simon Watts unpacks the decision for council voting to be restricted to elected members.  New tourism stats show we are becoming a luxury travel haven.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk the Budget, the ban on non-elected council representatives voting, and New Zealand's nuclear stance 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.

Jaimee Lupton: Gingernut's Angels Founder on the foundation's efforts to remove the financial barrier to IVF and fertility treatments 02.06.2026 3dk

A Kiwi foundation is helping combat infertility around New Zealand.  Gingernut’s Angels, founded by Jaimee Lupton, was created with the goal of removing the financial barrier to starting a family. It has raised more than $3.5 million and funded 197 grants to help families access IVF and fertility treatments since it was founded in 2024.   Lupton told Heather du Plessis-Allan that a single round of IVF can cost from $30 thousand to $50 thousand, which is just out of reach for so many families.  She says it look them five rounds and $250 thousand just to get their daughter.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pollies: National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen on Budget 2026, NZ's nuclear stance, and the ban on non-elected council members voting 02.06.2026 10dk

Labour is labelling the Government’s overhaul of council voting rights a distraction.  A Bill amendment will strip voting rights from unelected members —including iwi and youth representatives— on council committees.  It comes after the Far North District Council moved to expand its Māori liaison committee.  Labour's Ginny Andersen told Heather du Plessis-Allan the issue is not a priority for New Zealanders.  She says people are far more worried about paying their bills and being able to cope everyday.  National’s Mark Mitchell disagrees, saying that stance shows how out of touch Labour really is.  He told du Plessis-Allan that most Kiwis are pretty proud of our democracy, and he doesn’t think they want unelected people going onto committees and making decisions.  Mitchell says it’s always prudent to have unelected people with special skillsets and backgrounds advising, but not voting, and he thinks most Kiwis would agree.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

René de Monchy: Tourism NZ CEO on the increased spending by international tourists, focus on the luxury market 02.06.2026 3dk

New Zealand's cementing itself as a premium tourism destination.  Market data from Grand View Research estimates our luxury travel market brought in more than $8 million last year and could double by 2033.  Luxury Travel specialist Southern Crossings says overseas couples on their honeymoon for instance, consistently spend about the equivalent of a Central Auckland house deposit.  Tourism New Zealand CEO René de Monchy told Heather du Plessis-Allan says we have amazing luxury offerings.  He says coming out of Covid, people are really valuing experiences and that translates into their behaviour.  “So people are saying after a few years locked up, that’s not a natural way to be. Travel is important, experiences are important, and they’re willing to spend the money to do it.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kris Faafoi: Insurance Council CEO on the call to replace the Fire and Emergency Levy with a Community Protection Levy 02.06.2026 2dk

Insurers have found an answer for councils looking for more climate resilience funding.  The Insurance Council is proposing replacing the insurance-linked Fire and Emergency levy with a new Community Protection Levy.  It would see firefighters Crown-funded and allow up to $700 million a year to be redirected into climate resilience and risk reduction projects.  Chief Executive Kris Faafoi told Heather du Plessis-Allan there are councils around the country worried about the risks their communities face and have plenty of projects lined up, but no real pathway to funding.   He says this is their submission to central government to make sure they can get on top of the problem to reduce risk and make insurance accessible in the long run.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Carnegie: Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO on the expressions of interest in the Government's gas exploration fund 02.06.2026 2dk

A new lease on life for the gas industry, with the Government's $200 million exploration fund already catching the eye of private companies.   Newstalk ZB can reveal there have been 11 expressions of interest since January.   Resources Minister Shane Jones expects the bulk of approved projects to be based in Taranaki.  Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's a vote of confidence in the sector, and particularly the region.  He says it counters the myth there's no natural gas and shows there are still people looking seriously at opportunities.  Carnegie says we simply can't wait until the gas shortage becomes even more severe for homes and businesses before starting to rebuild our supply.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kent Duston: Banking Reform Coalition Convener on Heartland striking a deal to purchase TSB and form a new banking entity 02.06.2026 3dk

A banking expert says a TSB–Heartland Bank merger may not transform the market but could still be a good thing for Kiwis.   Heartland has struck a deal to buy TSB for $620 million and form a new entity by the end of the year, pending consultation and regulatory approval.  Banking Reform Coalition Convener Kent Duston told Heather du Plessis-Allan the banks' regional focus is a point of difference.   He says compared to the big Aussie banks, both have a great reputation for good customer service and doing things well.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Watts: Local Government Minister on the move to restrict council voting to elected members 02.06.2026 5dk

The Local Government Minister says most councils will be affected by the Government’s overhaul of committee voting rights.  A Bill amendment will strip voting rights from unelected members —including iwi and youth representatives— on council committees.  Simon Watts told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's open to further changes down the track, but acknowledges some unelected members still bring value to local decision-making.  He says there are emergency management committees that have specific expertise, for example.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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 4dk

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 11dk

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 1sa 30dk

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 5dk

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 2dk

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 2dk

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 10dk

“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 3dk

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 2dk

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 1dk

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.