The Mike Hosking Breakfast

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.     Meteorological paranoia: 2/10   Between the MetService and the media, you would have thought Noah and his large ship were going to be needed, and yet...    Teachers: 6/10  God bless them, but it’s hardly a surprise when you see a drop in numbers, is it? Would you be a teacher?    Easter rules: 3/10   I'm not sure what’s worse, the shambles they’ve become, or the annual tedious debate about changing them… even though we never change them.    Hegseth: 4/10  Looks increasingly like a doofus, and I’m not sure he wasn’t a doofus to start with.    Canada: 7/10   Best election going right now – early voting at records, massive swing in the polls… could be one to remember.    Exports: 8/10  Good news story of the week. In March, this country hit it out of the park – that’s what we need more of.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Polls are funny things at the best of times, and despite plenty of evidence that they can be as wrong as they can be right, we still seem fascinated, if not obsessed, by them.  There are two races at the moment being heavily polled: Australia and Canada. Canada votes this Monday, Australia in a couple of weeks.  Canada is more interesting, if for no other reason than the incumbents were losing by so far it wasn’t funny, but are now leading.  The PM quit and the new bloke, Carney —who once ran the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England— is now chasing the top job.  On the surface, that change of leadership might have played a part in voters' minds – Trudeau was past his used-by date in a Jacinda Ardern “loved then hated” kind of way. More likely, south of the border, Trump got elected, tariffs became an issue, and Carney looks like the person who can better stand up to America.  Polling out yesterday says the Conservatives are closing as people refocus on local issues like housing and cost of living, but the gap is still 12 points. Which is an amazing swing given the gap was 20 points the other way until tariffs stole the headlines.  Meantime, in Australia it’s gone from a race where the incumbent would be lucky to survive, far less thrive. Where a hung parliament was probable, requiring any number of accommodations with Greens and Teals and Independents, given a minority was the best Albanese could hope for, to what increasingly looks like an easy romp home with a majority.  Marginal seat polling out yesterday shows Labor with a 3.5% swing in the past week. Another poll had 45% of voters saying they didn’t like Dutton’s personality, therefore wouldn’t vote for him.  Competence, cost of living, that apparently doesn’t count. You look at him, you don’t like him, he’s toast.  It hardly seems a sophisticated way to decide the future of your nation, but then that’s democracy, isn’t it?  One argument says Albo should win —first term governments don’t lose— haven’t since the 30s.  But Canada, if the polls are right, that would be a victory from the ashes. What happens in another country is so profound: the party that was getting thrashed has their fortunes completely reversed. That’s one for the history books. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Capping off another short week, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed the number of people taking leave for the period, the best brand of Easter eggs, and the fact that chatbots have queues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A groundbreaking new partnership for New Zealand Cricket, in an effort to keep the country's top players from joining other global T20 franchises.  New Zealand Cricket have joined forces with the financial backers of a new franchise in North America's Major League Cricket - a competition that has a value of at least $200 million.  The move could help keep leading players and coaches in the Black Caps set-up, instead of becoming global T20 freelancers.  CEO Scott Weenink told Mike Hosking they're taking a two-pronged approach.  He says this presents an opportunity to diversify their revenue streams into the most lucrative global sporting market, while also creating opportunities for their high performance staff and players.    The new team —which is yet to be formally named or have their location confirmed— will debut in the 2027 season.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it's reinstating confidence in the Emissions Trading Scheme.  It comes as the Climate Commission's calls for carbon credits to stay the same price, to maintain stability.  Climate Change Minister Simon Watts told Mike Hosking while some carbon credit auctions haven't taken off, things are improving on other years.  He says the previous Government was getting too involved and causing volatility, but he's turning things around.  He says the Commission's told the Government its changes are working well, and it can keep its hand off the tiller.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 24th of April, David Seymour defends his controversial slash-and-burn changes to the Early Childhood Education sector.   We also explore whether Donald Trump is preparing to retract his tariffs on China with insights from Doug Holtz-Eakin, a former economic adviser to Senator John McCain.   Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby wrap the short week with a fun discussion on the 'best' Easter eggs currently on the market.  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.

Telco companies and digital platforms need to step up to protect people from scams.  That's the message from the New Zealand Banking Association as they roll out a new suite of their own protective measures.  Chief Executive Roger Beaumont told Mike Hosking scammers prey on the vulnerable and cost New Zealanders billions every year.  He says while it's not the Bank's problem, they're putting in safeguards to reduce the risk of it happening.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The heath sector's welcoming more money in the pockets of new graduates.  The Government's expanded the existing scheme giving graduates bond payments to stay in the country.  Payments are up to $50 thousand over a period of three to five years.  Nurses' Society National Director David Willis told Mike Hosking it's needed.  Willis says it's designed to get workforce into hard-to-reach areas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising hopes of easing tensions in the trade war between the US and China.  Donald Trump's signalling a potential U-turn, saying the 145% tariffs on Chinese goods are "very high" and will "come down substantially".  But the two countries are yet to hold any formal trade talks.  Economist Doug Holtz-Eakin —a former adviser to John McCain— told Mike Hosking if Trump keeps waiting for Xi Jinping's call, he'll be waiting a long time.  He says China has no reason to come to the table, and intermediaries will need to get involved to get both sides talking.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regulation Minister David Seymour's accusing unions of 'fearmongering' about the review into early childhood education.  Cabinet's agreed to adopt 15 recommendations from a Ministry of Regulation review that found a number of settings were outdated.  Seymour says the unions made their mind up before the Government released its decision.  He told Mike Hosking there are just too many regulators, with multiple Ministries and local councils trying to enforce rules without any clarity.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.