The Mike Hosking Breakfast

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 17th of April, the Government has announced a $20b plan to upgrade our health infrastructure, so now we need some action.  The Commerce Commission has pushed KiwiRail to compensate the victims of cancelled Interislander ferries.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson wrap the short week, and we deal with Kate's first boomer moment.    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.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking a day earlier than usual, to wrap the short week before Easter.  They discussed Morgan Wallen and country music, the school holidays, and Kate has her first boomer moment.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission says it'll take KiwiRail to court if it doesn't compensate ferry customers.   The rail provider's agreed to pay those disrupted in three Interislander cancellations in early 2023.  KiwiRail had previously treated delays and cancellations from mechanical faults as out of their control, which the Commerce Commission argued misled customers.   The Commission's Vanessa Horne told Mike Hosking KiwiRail should've taken action on its own accord.   She says good businesses get ahead of the game to ensure customers are cared for.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new electricity gentailer is entering the market with a primary focus on large-scale solar.   Lodestone Energy says it will initially focus on commercial and industrial sectors, but may expand if the market allows.   It says it’s creating it fifth solar farm with plans for up to 20 more in the next few years.   Lodestone Managing Director Gary Holden told Mike Hosking it scatters them in less-visible places like substation areas and behind hedge rows.   He says it has a vision for every community to have its own solar farm and battery pack.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's tariffs are having ripple effects here and everywhere.  Infometrics is drastically reducing its GDP growth forecast from 2.6% to just 1%.  Many economists now expect the Reserve Bank to go further with OCR cuts than previously forecast, in spite of a likely rise in inflation.  Fonterra Chief Executive Miles Hurrell told Mike Hosking there will be some kind of global slowdown.  He says it will start in the US, where consumers are already feeling the impact of the tariffs, but any slowdown in the world's largest economy will ultimately be felt everywhere.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schools operating over their campus capacity are getting creative to cater for roll growth.  New data shows 17% of state schools had more students enrolled than their official classroom capacity last year.  Another 71% are operating at capacity.  Secondary Principals' Association president Vaughan Couillault told Mike Hosking packed schools typically put in more prefabs in the first instance.  He says they may also start to make classes bigger or use libraries and meeting rooms as classrooms.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister says their new $20 million health infrastructure plan is an answer to decades of under investment.  The list includes new projects and general maintenance, but has no timeline.  Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking the government will take time to engage with the private sector and see what they may be able to invest.  He says the plan won't be delivered overnight but gives a clear indication of what needs to be done.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Increased global trade barriers —like Donald Trump's tariffs— are continuing to slow down New Zealand's economic recovery.  Infometrics is drastically reducing its GDP growth forecast from 2.6% to just 1%.  Many economists now expect the Reserve Bank to go harder for longer with OCR cuts, despite a likely rise in inflation.  ASB Chief Executive Vittoria Shortt told Mike Hosking many businesses don't know how they'll be affected by the global uncertainty.  He says confidence had started to reappear but is now dampening as things start going on hold.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I wonder if we are doing ourselves more harm than good when it comes to our finances, if not our general mental health, with what seems to be an industry in polling and surveys.  The latest IPSOS work has over 40% of us not happy about money and a decent chunk of us "struggling". What is "struggling"? It's open to a lot of interpretation, isn't it?  Mood doesn’t necessarily deal in fact, and in that is part of the issue.  The facts are, on average, our wages are outpacing inflation. What that means is we are, on average, better off, but the surveys don't show this.  We are in a funk and have been since Covid.  The other part of the problem is the "average" bit. None of us are average, either in our expenditure or income. So, unless you see it, and feel it, and live it, average means nothing.  The age-old question as to whether the price of a basket of groceries is too expensive has been, and forever will be, answered the same – yes it is.  That’s not about maths, or income, or affordability. That’s about mindset.  If you have made up your mind food is too expensive, or you don’t trust the media, or Luxon doesn’t connect with regular people, then evidence comes secondary to mood and vibe and feels.  Is traffic too bad? Is the country on the right track? Do you deserve more income? Does the council waste your rates money? I can line up any number of questions and if I word them the right way I can virtually guarantee you an outcome.  Having then produced the results, I need a compliant media to regurgitate them for an easy headline.  It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. You feel life is too expensive, you feel you are struggling, you read that other people feel like you and so you say to yourself "see, I told you it's true. It's news, it must be true", and around and around we go.  Which is not to say these things don’t have some element of truth about them.  But it's like punching yourself in the head. If you keep doing it what are the chances you'll have a headache at the end of it all? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A gap in the tertiary system is being filled once more.  In 2023, Te Pukenga shut down MAINZ Music School, leaving a void for those wishing to study music.  Alumni of the former school include award-winning musicians, artists, and producers like Joel Little, Gin Wigmore, and Tory Kingi.  But as one door closes, another opens, and former staff are getting a new school up and running under the name ‘Let’s Go Music’.  Co-Director Mark Baynes told Mike Hosking the programme is designed for career musicians – the certification being a first step into the industry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.