The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A staggering victory for economist Mark Carney, who's set to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada's next Prime Minister.  The 59-year-old has an ample resume, having served as head of the banks of Canada and England.  He's indicated he'll hold his ground against Donald Trump as the US President holds the threat of more tariffs over Canada's head.   Globe & Mail Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife says he'll move quick on the election front - to keep up momentum and stop Conservative attack ads against him. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is defending his work as Prime Minister.  The latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll suggests Chris Hipkins has leap-frogged Luxon as preferred PM.  Labour's also ahead on 34.1%, with National trailing on 33.6%.  The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking they're putting through legislation to address a range of issues.  He says they're working harder than any government to fix what he says was a "mess" left by the last government.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's taking one of the largest ministerial delegations to India.  Christopher Luxon is heading to New Delhi and Mumbai on Saturday with a contingent of ministers and business leaders.  Prioritising a deal with the fast-growing economic giant was a coalition condition with NZ First.  India Business Delegation Lead Dame Therese Walsh told Mike Hosking businesses have a lot to learn about India.  She says it's a good chance to get in front of heads of industry and make ourselves visible, ensuring we really understand the opportunities that exist for New Zealand.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US is facing a budget battle.  House Republicans have unveiled a stopgap spending bill that would keep federal agencies funded and avoid a government shutdown.   The measure is backed by President Donald Trump, but some key Republicans in the House have refused to back similar measures in the past.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Trump has posted pleading for support, but it’s uncertain if he will get it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Hamilton bar is cutting off patrons under 20.  House on Hood announced last month it would return to being a "20+ bar" on Saturdays after 10pm.  It had dealt with five figure damages after lowering the age limit to 18+ for a year.  Owner John Lawrenson told Mike Hosking there’s a notable difference in the way 18 year olds drink, versus those over the age of 20.  He says that when someone’s 18, they’re still learning their limits and what is acceptable behaviour, and older demographics don’t necessarily want to be around people discovering alcohol for the first time.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Say whatever you want about Trump, but his demeanour and influence is genuinely global.  Peter Dutton has been accused of his "Trumpian" stance on everything from the public service to immigration, and now Winston Peters is all over DEI - diversity, equity and inclusion.  DEI is not new, and the New Zealand First move to change the rules in the public service could easily have been part of the Government deal.  But given it isn't, it’s a private members bill that will have to be drawn and even then, do they have the numbers?  That in and of itself is an interesting proposition. Act will be behind it, but what about National? Is DEI mainstream, or niche?  How many do they risk offending if they take a stance? It's got a touch of the "rock and a hard place" feel about it.  Part of the issue is the fraudulent behaviour of the corporates. If America is anything to go by, most of them will dump it as quick as for the simple reason that they never believed in it in the first place.  Apple are kind of holdouts, despite the shareholders telling them different.  It's actually very like BP and climate zero – everyone's on board until they realise it's all theory and the bottom line might actually count for something.  The fact the basic principal that the best person for the job has been largely ditched as we genuflect our way around a series of invented nonsense, speaks not to just how wayward we have become, but also to just how weak willed we are and how easily we can dispense with common sense in a desire to not be seen as out of step with the theory of the day.  Age, gender, height, sexuality, and left-handedness should have little, if anything, to do with your employment.  Skills, determination, dedication, and performance are your beginning, middle, and end.  Your results are your ticket to promotion, not your pronoun.  “Feels” are not a guiding principle in the workplace.  As always, humanity has allowed the pendulum to swing too far. For all the old ways we grew tired of, what replaced them has increasingly been proven to be farcical.  DEI only ever belonged on a white board, when someone uttered "come on, there are no bad ideas".  Except there were. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 10th of March, the Government is aiming to speed up land acquisitions for public infrastructure, and the Environment Court is on its way out.  A Hamilton bar has re-increased their age restriction to 20-years-old after too many 18-year-olds smashed up the place.  Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk the Black Caps loss, the squash, and some Super Rugby in the Commentary Box.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are positive signs of inflationary pressures easing in supermarkets.  Latest data from Infometrics and Foodstuffs shows suppliers charged supermarkets 1.8% more last month than the same month last year.  That's the lowest increase in more than three years.  Infometrics Chief Executive Brad Olsen says many fruit and vegetables have been getting cheaper, while dairy prices are driving costs increases.  He says chocolate, coffee, and noodles are also seeing jumps.  Olsen told Mike Hosking that it’s not perfect, but it’s in a much better position.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weekend was filled with sport, so Andrew Saville and Jason Pine joined Mike Hosking to dig into the action.  The Black Caps fell short of claiming the Champions Trophy and the Crusaders were the only New Zealand team to find success with a 43-19 win over the Reds. They also touched on the squash, among other sporting events.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Landowners could have less room to haggle over land deemed necessary for essential infrastructure work.  The Government's proposing changes to the Public Works Act to speed up the acquisition of land for major projects.  There'll be premium payments to private landowners and objections would no longer go through the Environment Court.  Dentons Kensington Swan public works expert Matthew Ockleston told Mike Hosking additional payments in the current legislation are low.  He says an increase of up to $150 thousand for an early sale and a recognition payment of $92 thousand will make a difference.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.