The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Surely it's only one more day before Chris Hipkins gets to, just maybe, put the gangs in the rear-view mirror. In his new found assessment that handing millions to the Mongrel Mob when last in government was "a mistake", he reveals the real issue he faces this election campaign; Time. The gap between what he did and what he now promises to do is too short. That is roughly why most governments get two terms. Generally, governments lose elections, Oppositions don’t win them. The reason they lose them is we are sick of the incumbents and that feeling generally lasts longer than three years. For Hipkins, and for that matter Sepuloni, Andersen, Verrall, Tinetti, Edmonds, and Co, to be back so soon after an historically implosive burst of Labour-style ideology was always going to be a test of the punter's resolve. Which is why I have been moderately critical of this Government's lack of focus on that period in which we were literally sold down a fiscal river through sheer incompetence. It has rectified itself this…

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21st of October, we discuss the record high number of arrests and charges for retail crime, plus we wrap the final leader's debate. Speaker Gerry Brownlee talks rising threats on MPs following the attack on Helen Haines in Australia. And on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk MP security and campaigning with just two and a half weeks to go. 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.

Today on Politics Wednesday, National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen discuss the latest from the election campaign. Plus, they discuss the rising number of threats towards MPs and the attack on an Australian politician. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A world-first facility opening in Christchurch could bring cutting-edge cancer treatment closer to home for Kiwi patients. BioOra will manufacture CAR-T therapies at the central site, using patients' own genetically modified cells to fight cancer. It could eventually treat 150 patients a year, reducing the need for overseas treatment, which can cost more than a million dollars. Chief Executive John Robson told Mike Hosking the facility has sophisticated set of laboratories. He says there's six in total, with four of them being 'super clean rooms,' where staff will be genetically modifying cells for patients. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our gaming sector is continuing to flourish, and one game developer believes there's no reason it can't keep growing with investment. New Zealand First wants to lift funding for the Centre of Digital Excellence by 2028 and to improve the studio rebate. That includes increasing the claimable amount from $3 million to $10 million. RocketWerkz Games Chief Operating Officer Stephen Knightly told Mike Hosking it's closing the gap that Australia continues to have over our industry. He says Australia is fighting for tech jobs and creative jobs and believes New Zealand's naive if it doesn't fight back. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Speaker of the House says there was no choice but to act as threats against MPs see a massive increase. RNZ reports the Parliament Security Information, Risk and Advisory Service deployed 81 times after handling 216 requests for advice or support between September 28 and October 18. Parliamentary Service says its security offering has grown and it's working closely with Police. Speaker Gerry Brownlee told Mike Hosking there's been a particular increase in threats towards women. He says the nature of threats have also changed from being a bit of personal abuse about appearance to serious threats of physical violence. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association is highlighting that retail crime is falling amidst rising related charges. Annual Ministry of Justice data to June shows record-high finalised charges for theft from a retail premises at over 21,000 – more than triple that of four years ago. Convictions also reached nearly 18,000, also more than tripling over the same period. Police Association President Steve Watt told Mike Hosking it goes to show the hard work Police are putting in. He says as convictions have risen, they're seeing decreases in the number of instances of retail crime. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's being described as incapable of delivering the Government's objectives. An annual report shows 40% of MBIE's major capital projects failed to meet time, budget, or scope targets, including the $50 million Biometric Capability update. Regulation Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking a line in the report says the ministry has discharged its responsibilities. He says the reason the ministry's become such a confection of different objectives and projects is the fact it answers to 23 different ministers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only good thing about Oriini Kaipara and her gang video, which spent the better part of the day front and centre, starting with us yesterday morning as we played you the cringe-inducing audio, to be followed by the rest of the media, was that Oriini is from the Māori Party, not the Greens. If it had been Marama, it would have been well and truly over. Not that Marama wouldn't agree with her any, it's just we don't have the video. There she is for all to see, geeing them up, offering help and mana, seemingly some concern they haven't got some state houses as well. Now this isn't an issue for the Māori Party given who they are. This may well, within their circles, be a grist of the mill, if not good news. What makes this really, really bad is 1, it's still new several days after the original event, and 2, Labour are the real victims here. If a video appears, and it has a Green MP in it, then Labour will have no choice but to cut them off completely with the very obvious consequences. As it stands, Labour must…

Crimson Education is continuing to expand. Founded by Jamie Beaton, the company began as an elite university admissions consultancy, and has expanded into tutoring, schools, and is now moving into the charter school space. They've also received backing from the board of Kip McGrath to take over the company, adding it to their network. "What we're seeing is kids' math and English is actually going backwards in most of the Western world," Beaton told Mike Hosking. "So we see it as a great opportunity to support kids who really have these critical gaps." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dairy Companies Association has laid out its priorities for the next government. The five points include biosecurity, bipartisan infrastructure and energy, streamlined food regulation, and food and nutrition policy based on science and clear labelling. It also calls for an ambitious trade agenda, saying 43% of global dairy consumption remains outside of our FTA coverage. Chair Guy Roper told Mike Hosking demand for our high value product is growing. He says they want new trade agreements advanced in places like Bangladesh and Nigeria, where dairy is in favour. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canterbury University students have built a robot that could smash both the human and robotic world records for solving a Rubik’s Cube. Four engineering students spent about a year developing the robot that can solve a 4x4 Rubik’s Cube in under 10 seconds. They’re now awaiting confirmation from Guinness World Records. Student Maz Cameron told Mike Hosking it took a full year of hard work, so it was really exciting to have it culminate in that record attempt with so many people there to support it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 20th of October, we look at Kainga Ora's savings with Chris Bishop and get a review of our Super Fund's performance. Special Trade Envoy Nathan Guy discusses the benefits of our India FTA as it officially comes into force. Crimson Education CEO and founder Jamie Beaton talks the future of his incredible company after acquiring Kip McGrath. 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.

Security and safety concerns are ramping up for politicians right across Australia. MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a car in regional Victoria. She was struck while loading her car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, north-east of Melbourne. Our Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says violence has absolutely no place in politics. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking threats are piling in against politicians right across the spectrum. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local Police have announced a curfew in parts of central Paris following violent protests across France. In Nice a curfew has been put in place specifically for young people, with restrictions also in force in northern cities, including Lille. It comes as widespread looting takes place across the country, with burnt out cars and shattered glass lining streets and more than two thousand businesses thought to be impacted. Newstalk ZB's Catherine Field told Mike Hosking there are questions as to how police have been caught so off guard, and why they weren't monitoring social media. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both major parties are backing tougher rules on children's social media use, with questions now turning to how they'll be enforced. Labour's promising an under-16 social media ban will go before a select committee within 100 days if elected, while National introduced its own bill to Parliament in August. Makes Sense campaign co-founder Holly Brooker told Mike Hosking the focus now needs to be on how our small country can hold tech giants to account. She says international collaboration with like-minded countries is pivotal. Brooker says countries like the UK and Australia have formalised an agreement and now share research with each other. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's enthusiasm from the agriculture sector about the India Free Trade Agreement coming into effect today. It unlocks access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers, with 57% of exports to the world's most populous nation now tariff-free. The number of tariff-free exports would rise to 82% over time, with the next round of cuts due from next year. Special Agricultural Trade Envoy Nathan Guy told Mike Hosking we can provide for both the half of the Indian population who eat meat and the half who are vegetarian. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's Superannuation Fund has been outperforming expectations. The 25-year-old Super Fund is now worth $94.35 billion, excluding tax, including $9.3 billion earned in the past reporting year. Super Fund Co-Chief Investment Officer Will Goodwin says it's widely regarded as the best-performing sovereign wealth fund in the world over the past 20 years. He told Mike Hosking that opens up opportunities. Goodwin says it gives them the ability to have partnerships and conversations they wouldn't normally have access to, given the size of the fund. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Housing Minister says he's proud of Kainga Ora for surpassing its savings target. The housing agency's latest annual report shows operating costs were reduced by $191 million – well above the $27 million goal. Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking the biggest change is debt, which is now $9.5 billion lower than the $29 billion forecast. He says reducing the cost of building these houses has helped, assuring that while they're not flash, they're still warm and dry. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 19 October. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Opportunity's polices is to stop you from using your KiwiSaver for first home purchases. The big question around that policy is - did you know that? Everyone, and I mean everyone, I have talked to that is even contemplating supporting Opportunity can't name a single one of their policies out side of land tax and universal incomes, which ironically, although they were the ideas that got them to prominence, didn’t actually make the so-called "bottom line" reveal. The main reason so far I have heard for Opportunity support is "something new". It's as simple as that. They are something new, like trainers in a different colour. You're a bit bored with the status quo so new should be good. I could go on for hours about how triggering that is for me. But back to the KiwiSaver. What else do they want? You don’t have a clue. Oh and while I'm at it, can you name anyone standing for them outside the leader? Have you seen anyone outside the leader at all? Is she the spokesperson for literally everything and does…

Christopher Luxon isn't worried that removing the right to silence in exceptional cases would clash with the Bill of Rights Act. Under the policy, people who witness a child's murder could face up to 10 years in prison, if they don't reveal to Police who was responsible. Luxon told Mike Hosking he expects law groups will warn it's a bill of rights issue. He says the same thing happened with the gang patch ban and other things like alcohol testing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi company Leaft Foods has made Time Magazine's top 300 inventions of 2026 for its protein drink made from lucerne leaves. The company developed a way to extract the protein Rubisco commercially, and demand is already outstripping supply. Ross Milne CEO of Leaft Foods told Mike Hosking the accomplishment had taken six years of work and investment. He says the company figured out how to extract the protein first and is now leading in the field. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A criminal defence lawyer warns a new National policy is tackling a very vexed area of law. The party is campaigning on removing the right to remain silent when a child under 12 is killed. The party suggests this is an exceptional circumstance that justifies breaching the Bill of Rights Act. Barrister John Munro told Mike Hosking there is likely a low number of cases where someone hasn't been convicted, because someone maintained their right to silence. He says there's probably the same number of cases where people with low IQ or under duress are being told to say things, when they don't want to. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACT party is promising to commit an extra $400 million over four years to boost GP numbers and appointments, with 35% of GPs intending to retire within five years. The party claims a $100 million annual boost could help increase patient numbers by at least 6%. Doctor Angus Chambers Chair of GenPro told Mike Hosking the investment could provide more capacity in the system for appointments and doctors. He says the doctor shortage will continue to be an issue due to mass retirement, a competition for workers amongst the hospital system, and the lure of Australia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least one person has been killed in an attack on oil facilities and data centres in Russia's St Petersburg. It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Moscow has targeted his country's energy sector 76 times since Donald Trump declared an energy ceasefire last week. Russia's defence ministry says it's shot down more than a thousand Ukrainian drones over the weekend. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Zelenskyy has defied the US leader with the biggest attack yet on Russia's second biggest city. He says Trump claims both sides had agreed to a ceasefire, but Russia had also been increasing strikes on Ukrainian power networks. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs has reported that its comparable grocery basket prices are only up 1.6% in the year to September, compared to a higher national food inflation of 2.4%. The low grocery prices have come despite a difficult period of increased fuel prices, a weakened New Zealand dollar, and the annual inflation rate sitting at 4.1% Foodstuffs New Zealand managing director Chris Quinn told Mike Hosking that Foodstuffs stores were pushing to get value on the shelf. He says while it is not a historically low number, compared to the last six years a rate below two was very good. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the White House, Katie Zacharia was a disaster. This perhaps wouldn’t matter so much if the President wasn’t about to get caned in the midterms. It might not matter so much if the job wasn’t so important. It might not matter so much if all the others had been as disastrous as Ms Zacharia. "Zachbot" is what one outlet called her. Outside of letting the world know the Greek grifter had been sacked, she said nothing, knew nothing and left. It's hard, and not hard, to see why she got the job. It's not hard because she is female and you could describe her as "pretty". That of course under normal circumstances is not something we should be dabbling in, but these aren't normal circumstances and the Trump job machine produces an overtly disproportionate number of quite pretty woman in public rolls. But it is hard, if you discount the looks bit, to see why a Scott Jennings didn’t get it. Jennings is a CNN regular for the Republican side of the equation. He has worked with both Bushes and with Mitt Romney. He is…

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 campaign: 6/10 Was this the week that we got debated out? One too many or two too many? And can you believe there are at least two more still to come? Gangs: 1/10 May turn out to be, if not a defining moment, certainly a moment some could look back on with regret. New Zealanders hate gangs and their criminal violence. Labour needed it like a hole in the head. Diesel: 2/10 As in the deal between Trump and Putin. It's about 10 days worth of domestic demand in America. Nothing Trump touches right now looks anything close to slick. The All Blacks: 9/10 As fast, fiery, and complete a performance as you would ever be lucky enough to see. Tourists: 8/10 Stats this week confirm we are officially back from Covid. Way too slow to get there, but the growth is real and it's on. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it too far-fetched to ask two things: 1) Whether the campaign turned dramatically against Labour yesterday. 2) If within a 24-hour period, whatever chance they might have thought they had is now blown to smithereens. The Greens want to fund gangs. They are unapologetic about hanging with gangs and they fail to accept the simple premise that this puts them so far outside what you would loosely call "mainstream New Zealand". It will most likely see whatever voters there are wavering between National and Labour scarper back to National. Then if that wasn’t bad enough, David Seymour of all people decides he can live with the Opportunity Party better than he can live with being in Opposition. Is it too big a stretch to ask whether this is not some unbelievable self-implosion by the Greens? Almost a self-sabotage attempt? Or is it more likely a group carried away by their perceived polling success that they can say and do anything they like and to hell with the consequences? It's certainly an insight into the…

The US President has backed down from plans to livestream the first US military execution in 65 years. The execution of Nidal Hasan is still going ahead in December, but Donald Trump now says many well-meaning people would rather not watch him die. The army psychiatrist killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009 and has been in a wheelchair since being shot during the incident. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking a former US Army Commander called the idea demeaning and says it would've brought the US into the dark ages. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The week has come to an end, which means it's time for Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson to help Mike Hosking Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed cancelled credit cards and wayward subscription services, and dug into the third week of the election campaign. Is the country over it already? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 16th of October, Health Minister Simeon Brown responds to the reports of delays in cancer treatments at Starship Hospital. We get the latest on our fuel prices from Z Energy, and Will Jordan tells us how the All Blacks plan to smash the Wallabies again. Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss the election campaign and whether the country is over it with three weeks left as they Wrap the Week. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Standards over silverware is the messaging from All Blacks camp in Sydney this weekend. Fullback Will Jordan says Tana Umaga has led the conversation of not letting their expectations slip despite already sealing away the Bledisloe Cup. Jordan says they're heading into their second test against the Wallabies with the same determination. He told Mike Hosking there isn't a cup on the line, but the All Blacks legacy always is, so every test is an important one. "We'll certainly treat it with full respect on Saturday." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's proof the economy is in a slow recovery mode, even if it can't be felt. Infometrics' latest economic forecast shows economic growth —recently measured at 1.7% per annum by Stats NZ— is expected to stay above 1.5% until mid-next year. It's predicted to accelerate to 2.2% by the end of 2027. Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan told Mike Hosking while there has been a level of sectorial and regional discrepancy, they've started to see more lines across the economy point in the right direction. He says manufacturing, residential and civil construction, and tourism activity are lifting as well, so it's not simply a farm driven exercise. Kiernan says it's still a bit patchy and fuel prices are having an impact, but they're not expecting the economy to start going backwards. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An independent grocery chain says many of the polices they're seeing this election won't help third players. Paddock to Pantry —which currently has two South Auckland stores and a website— has announced plans to open 20 more stores over the next five years. Business Manager John Kennerley says plans to break up the supermarket duopoly won't actually help independents expand. Instead, he told Mike Hosking, having access to low-interest loans and cheaper capital would allow them to grow faster. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Falling crude oil prices aren't translating to cheaper petrol at the pump. Dubai crude has dropped from about $210 a barrel in September to $192 currently. But MBIE data shows retail petrol prices have climbed from $3.15 to more than $3.50 at the same time. Z Energy Chief Executive Lindis Jones told Mike Hosking the biggest change has been the cost of refining crude oil and shipping fuel around the world. He says the global supply chains are still working, but they're more complex and expensive than before the Middle East conflict. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a cautiously optimistic outlook on the construction sector. The EBOSS 2026 Builder and Architect Sentiment report —based on a survey of thousands of builders, architects, and designers— shows the sector pipeline is slowly filling. Data finds there's around seven months forward work, with project starts jumping from -21 to +8. Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Mike Hosking it paints a picture of the economy turning. He says builders on the ground are seeing a slight uptick in their positivity and in their inquiries in the future. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister says talk of treatment delays at Starship hospital has been blown out of proportion. The Auckland children's hospital's confirmed about 20 chemotherapy cycles have been delayed by up to a week due to staffing shortages. Simeon Brown says all positions have been recruited for and they'll soon be filled. He told Mike Hosking these delays can happen even when the unit is fully staffed. Brown says the choice of words being used, including saying treatment has been suspended, is not true and is distressing to families. Sources within Starship told the Herald understaffing was causing severe pressure in the oncology ward, claiming they weren't allowed to replace people. But Brown told Hosking the empty roles are due to natural attrition. He claims they've fully recruited to fill all of them, with those people either in place or soon to be in place. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're still losing people to Australia, but not as badly as we were. Stats out yesterday tell the story. If I could pick a country right now, I would go with New Zealand and by some margin. I haven't always said that. Of course, most people go because they are going to go. If you want reasons to stay or go, and justify it to yourself, you can always find them. The same way, overall, the number of people moving to or from Australia will always be in their favour because they're a bigger country. They have more options. That's not about quality, it's about size. At the margins though, the point is it's slowing because the tide has turned. If you accept most western nations are right now in a quagmire of sorts, we, little old New Zealand, are doing quite well thank you. We are safe and isolated, we are robust and resilient, we are increasingly in favour by expats looking to return. As part of the overall migration numbers released yesterday, we still don’t have enough people. Our net gain is meagre, bordering…

Greg Johnson is headed back to New Zealand after the release of his new album, ready to take his music around the country. With 'Some Night, Somewhere' now out in the world, he's celebrating his 60th birthday in style with a career spanning tour that takes him right up the country. Johnson's tour takes him to a unique series of venues, ranging from intimate music venues like Nelson's Room Twenty5 to places like the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland. "It's one of those rare moments left in life now where people can actually sit and enjoy an experience together," Johnson told Mike Hosking. "So it's a range, you know, big, bigger theatres for the bigger cities. I'm not a huge theatre fan as much as I am clubs, but you can't always do clubs." "It's an experience." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 15th of October, we've put all the "best bits" of the leader's debate into a package for you, plus we have good news re: police recruitment. Labour leader Chris Hipkins discusses the debate, how his candidates are going in the Māori electorates, and the Greens and Te Pāti Māori's meeting with the Mongrel Mob. Kiwi musician Greg Johnson sings us a song ahead of his NZ tour. 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.

Former Kiwis captain Richie Barnett has rolled out the red carpet for the 17th edition of rugby league's World Cup starting tonight in Sydney. The 10-team men's tournament begins with defending champions Australia hosting New Zealand in Group A. Barnett told Mike Hosking the emergence of Samoa and Tonga as genuine contenders has been a coup for the international game. He says based on what they're seeing on paper, those two teams are incredible, as are the Kiwis, so he's very optimistic. He says it's going to be the best and most competitive World Cup he's ever seen. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says the legal test wasn't passed for safeguards for the aluminium sector amidst a flood of cheaper imports from China. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer declined a request for the measures to protect them. The sector says thousands of jobs are at risk, warning local production has slowed down 40%. Brewer told Mike Hosking there's been MBIE investigators looking into this. He says they spent 85 days pulling this report together, but found it didn't meet the threshold for him to sign it off. The Minister also says it's not imported products alone causing the heartache. Brewer told Hosking there's a range of factors including lower construction activity, rising production costs, and waning business and consumer confidence. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins is lambasting Greens and Te Pāti Māori for engaging with gangs. MPs from those parties met and posted photos with members of the Mongrel Mob in South Auckland this week, surrounded by patches. It's led to the Labour leader ruling out any MP from the Greens or Te Pāti Māori holding the Justice or Police portfolios in any government he leads. Hipkins told Mike Hosking he doesn't want to be seen alongside gangs, and he doesn't want any of his MPs alongside gangs – calling them a scourge on society. He says the move was "irresponsible" and validated gang activity. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's confidence police recruitment standards mean only the best candidates are getting through. New data shows 2026 will be one of the highest graduating years in the history of New Zealand Police. Around 730 recruits are expected to graduate – almost 50% more than the average over the past two decades. Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers told Mike Hosking Police aren't dropping standards just to pump out numbers. She says if recruits aren't right to be out on the street, they aren't getting there. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the rules of engagement in this election campaign? Prominence was given by media for a good chunk of yesterday to Kieran McAnulty's crack at Christopher Luxon and how Kiwi families were $6000 worse off under National. Now for a start, it isn't National, it’s the Government, and the Government is three parties. So McAnulty got his headline. If you don’t read past a headline, you never discover what a crock it all is. Should media give away such easy coverage, should any claim be able to be a headline no matter how absurd? $120 a week, Kieran goes on, swallowed up by higher prices. Higher prices for what? Food, petrol, power, rates, healthcare, and getting kids to school. Let's dissect this: food is not the Government's policy. They don’t regulate food, peripherally, and we have had the debate. They may, or may not have a bunch of settings around market participation, the Commerce Commission may or may not look at mergers and competition generally, but governments do not price food. Petrol? Petrol is…

Today on Politics Wednesday, National’s Mark Mitchell and Labour’s Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to break down the biggest stories of the week thus far. They discussed the latest education results, and whether political debates in their current form are still worth it, or if they’re just a waste of time. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 14th of October, we watched the multi-party debate so you didn't have to and have condensed it all into a handy three-minute package. Air New Zealand are on to talk about their punctuality, fuel, and ending the codeshare with Qantas. Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen debate all things education and whether debates in their standard form are still worth it, or are a waste of 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.

Our economy seems to be faring better than our neighbour across the Tasman. The International Monetary Fund has issued a stark outlook for the Australian economy, as it’s dealing with some of the worst inflation in the developed world. It’s forecasting GDP growth of just 1.6% next year, and the biggest rise in unemployment among developed economies – going from 4.4% to 4.7%. ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Mike Hosking in growth terms, particularly compared to Australia, we look great. She says we’re growing out of a hole, with 2.6% growth coming off a weak period, compared to their 2.1% off the back of a quite strong period of growth. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.