The Mike Hosking Breakfast

An observation the recession hasn't been felt evenly.  Stats NZ data out this morning could show unemployment has hit its highest point since 2016 during the March quarter – reaching around 5.2%.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Mike Hosking she expects it will have bigger impacts on different age groups and communities.  She says young people as well as Māori and Pacific communities have always been on a bigger rollercoaster when it comes to the labour market.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US President and Canadian Prime Minister have had some tough conversations today.   Donald Trump and Mark Carney met at the White House and vowed to bring up tough points that are dividing their countries since Trump won office.  On Trump's desire to make Canada America's 51st state, Carney stated the country is not for sale.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Donald Trump says the countries have a good relationship, and love each other.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The more vape stores near schools, the more young people vape.   Fresh research from Auckland University shows almost half of schools across New Zealand are within a ten minute walk from a vape store  The government passed a law in 2023 banning specialist vape shops from opening within 300 metres of schools, but the laws didn't apply to hundreds of existing suppliers.  Study lead Ronan Payinda told Mike Hosking that walking past vape shops on the way to school increases the risk of vaping for those who have never done it before.  He says he's concerned this introduces a new generation to addictions that may last a lifetime.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says its new tough rules for pay equity claims will result in major taxpayer savings.   The proposed law, which would lift the threshold of pay equity claims of gender-discrimination, is expected to have its third reading this morning.   It's caused an uproar, with many women and union groups opposed to the idea.   Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking she can't yet disclose the exact financial impact.   However she says the Crown will save billions of dollars, if passed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I always find it amusing when officialdom is confused, and they seem confused, as to why so many of our brightest minds have bailed and gone off overseas.  This is the group of top achievers at NCEA level and the ones with international qualifications.  More of them than ever have left the country. Officialdom here doesn’t know if they are enrolled offshore or, and here is the critical point, why they left.  Fortunately, I can help. Well, at least a bit.  We had one leave the country to go off and study. We have a niece currently studying offshore and we also have a nephew who left, studied and graduated last year.  They were, or are, all bright and all got top marks, and here is officialdom's answer: all wanted to get the hell out of here.  Studying at an overseas university has become a “thing”.  In one way it is no different to the vast swathes of other New Zealanders who set records exiting in the past few years.  In simple terms, the brighter you are the more prospects you have. Part of your brain power and academic success will have led you to the realisation that there is a big world out there with a lot of opportunities and you want a slice of this action.  Anecdotally, as regards higher study post-secondary school, I can tell you the amount of Māori indoctrination at high school these days is not just absurd, but counter productive.  I know it isn't PC to say so and I know it's not scientifically fact-based. But I know what kids tell me and even in this current generation, which is far more willing and open to this type of bilingual Māori-based approach to learning, by the time you have had five years of it, you are done.  What they failed to grip when they went hell for leather, and this applies to broader life in New Zealand ranging from Māori names of Government departments to news greetings on the TV at night, is if you over-egg it, you get push back, which is where we are right now.  But I think there also must be some acceptance that as a small, insular country at the bottom of the world, when times are tough the world remains shiny and brains gets you access.  I would have once said that most come home.  But I look at our wider family and I'm not sure that’s actually true anymore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's recent election has sparked talks of the 'Trump effect' coming into play.  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Party's had a landslide win, securing a historic second term.   It's widely thought Trump's volatility influenced the outcome.   Global Political Expert Nick Bryant told Mike Hosking it's become more apparent the country wanted to elect an authentically Australian Prime Minister, with the landslide win's a rejection of Americanisation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 6th of May, free trade negotiations are officially underway in India, and our film industry could be left reeling after Trump announced 100% tariffs on foreign films.  Sir John Key is on to talk business growth in New Zealand, as well as everything else Mike throws at him.  Nick Bryant is an expert in global politics and is on to talk to us about the recent elections around the world and Trumpism.  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.

New Zealand’s livestock numbers are on the decline.   Latest figures from Stats NZ show a 21% drop in sheep numbers over the past 10 years – a total decline of 6.2 million sheep since 2014.   The number of dairy cattle also fell 13% over the same period, coinciding with the increase in land being converted for forestry.  Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard told Mike Hosking he believes the costs around RMA and other rules and regulations are partially responsible.  He says one farmer he visited gave up and converted entirely to forestry as dealing with the wetland rules and requirements were too hard and costly.   Hoggard hopes the work they’re doing around RMA will allow farmers to make smart decisions on their farms as opposed to giving up and planting trees.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir John Key does not believe US President Donald Trump intends to keep tariffs on most of the world.   The former Prime Minister is speaking at the Ignite 25 Growth Summit business event in Auckland today.   Key, who's supported Trump in the past, says the President is only focused on China in his new trade policies.   He told Mike Hosking the stock, bond, and currency markets are not convinced that Trump is going to leave them where they are.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism organisations from across the North Island are working to put a spotlight on it.   Fifteen operators have teamed up and signed a Memorandum of Understanding.  It aims to generate interest from key tourism markets particularly Australia, North America, and China.  Auckland Unlimited Destination Director Annie Dundas told Mike Hosking both islands have different offerings, so tourism shouldn't be merged as one.  She says they're getting back to just being the North, and are acknowledging how well the South Island has done.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.