The Mike Hosking Breakfast

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 19th of February, a few questions are asked: What will the Reserve Bank do with the OCR? How did the peace talks between Russia and the US in Riyadh go? And what are the findings of the shocking report into the public service?  The IPCA want a law change so police can better deal with protests that get out of hand.   Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk Debbie Ngarewa-Packer in Rarotonga and the Brian Roche report 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.

A push for government agencies to raise the bar when handling public data.   The Public Service Commission's revealed multiple failures by Stats New Zealand, Health New Zealand, and the Ministry of Health, with regard to safeguarding data.    It comes after allegations surfaced last June about a potential misuse of Census and Covid vaccine data by providers at Manurewa Marae.  Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche told Mike Hosking that there’s a broader issue.  He says the model that’s been used is very good and the people who work in it are amazing, but the model is no longer fit for purpose.  "We live in a world that’s changing dramatically, we’ve got the adoption of technology and all of those things, and we need to sort of face into that and get ahead of the curve.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamish Kerr has claimed another title.  The Olympic gold medallist has been awarded Sportsman of the Year at the Halberg Awards.   The high jumper beat out some tough competition for the title, including two other gold medallists Finn Butcher and Hayden Wilde.  Kerr told Mike Hosking that it was cool to see not only New Zealand Olympians at the event, but also crickets, and footballers.  “Such an amazing range of sports, all represented.”  He believes that sport unites the country, saying that the attitude Kiwis took towards the Olympics was really felt overseas.  “I felt proud to be a Kiwi out there, you know, watching all my fellow competitors or compatriots compete – it was so special.”   A lot of people are still connected to sport, and athletics in particular, and he thinks the athletics success in Paris has started to bring people back into it.  “I’ve done a couple of comps since, just domestically, and you know, just the reaction from the people coming down wanting to meet not only me, but all the other Olympians has been, has been so, so cool to see.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a potential new era in European security.  The US has got Russia to the table to reach three key agreements, including reinstating ambassadors to each other's countries during high-level talks in Saudi Arabia.  Neither Ukraine nor Europe were invited.  Senior Russian expert at Britain's Chatham House think tank, Keir Giles told Mike Hosking these are historic moments.  He says it's a huge upset to the assumptions under-pinning Euro-Atlantic security and the United States' place in the world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers is crediting the coalition government for a surge in farmer confidence.  Confidence within the sector has reached its highest level in more than a decade, jumping from a dismal -66% in July last year to 2%.  Federated Farmers President Wayne Langford told Mike Hosking while the last few years have been tough for farming families, favourable farming rules have seen things turn around.  He says announcements around emissions pricing, freshwater farm plans, and on-farm costs is helping the sector.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association says clarification around protest laws are long overdue.   An Independent Police Conduct Authority report makes several recommendations for laws which would protect protestor rights and ensure public safety.   One law would let police and local authorities set conditions in advance about how a protest may be carried out.   Police Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking that will be helpful for police and protesters alike.   He says that would set clear guidelines for behaviour.  Cahill says Destiny Church is a good example of a group which often steps over the line.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How fascinating is the Daman Kumar case?  How would you like to be Chris Penk, the minister in charge of making the call as to whether to deport people?  In a way this is a singular example of what the Americans deal with millions of times over.  There seems to be no dispute 18-year-old Daman's parents are overstayers.  Daman was born here and New Zealand is his home. So does he get deported and do his parents get deported?  If you follow the law the answer seems simple - yes they do.  It's not Daman's fault his parents broke the law. And that’s the birthers debate in America.  The illegals come across the border, they have a child, the child is an illegal and yet it is not their fault. It is their home, it is the only country they know, a Democratic administration gives you leniency and a Republican one not so much.  There are, as there always are, questions around how you can be here as an overstayer for so many years.  Also, I assume these are decent people. If they were criminals or reprobates the decisions would be a lot easier.  So a family who work, contribute to the country, call it their own and want to stay. There's no shortage of emotion in the argument.  I am sure part of their issue is at some point they technically became overstayers and they feared getting caught after a week, or a month, or a year. So do you come clean and tidy your affairs up, plead for leniency and hope for the best, or do you try your luck?  Surely in doing what they did, they must have known the game at some point, for some reason, would be up?  Or maybe after 8, 9,15, or 21 years, maybe they put it to one side. Maybe they would never be found out.  So, what to do? Section 378 of the Immigration Act says the minister can, apparently, do anything he likes.  It's easy to say "let them stay", but then you set a precedent. That’s the trouble with power jobs and big decisions - they're hardly ever simple.  It may well be the hardest thing Penk ever does, unless he lets them stay.  That would be easier, and make you feel good – probably with minimal push back. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They call it a once-in-a-generation crisis summit. Keir Starmer will be there. Emmanuel Macron called it. Olaf Scholz is ropeable over the JD Vance comments. The JD Vance comments that has put Europe into meltdown were a very good example of what is good, but also what is bad, about Trump. His suggestion that Europe should really be worried not about Russia or the Chinese, but the pressure from within, is actually quite a good point. All he was saying was for all those freaking out about the move throughout Europe to the so-called far right, ask yourself why. What is it you are not hearing, or seeing, or accepting, that is leading to these outcomes electorally? So far, so good. Then he went and gave Romania as an example of a presidential race and that is fairly widely accepted as being a jack up backed by Russia. So he starts with a good point and then messes it up with a shonky follow up, which is not dissimilar to his boss, who quite rightly pointed out that what was going on in Gaza for years hasn’t, and isn't, working. But then he talks about the Riviera and something akin to an upper east side condo opportunity. Anyway, the upshot is the same - Ukraine can be at the peace talk table but ultimately Europe can't. Cue the melt down. This is where the laziness and complacency of Europe intersects with the financial might of America. When you have funded the war, a war that is going nowhere, you call the shots. Europe has watched, for three years now, a conflict funded to a fraction of the extent the Americans did. That means you give up a form of legitimacy. When your were brow-beaten by the Americans into actually forking out for NATO to the tune you said you would, but didn’t, you have lost credibility. So when a big power mad, egomaniac arrives in the White House, guess what? You're going to be called out, shut out and forced to finally wake up to your complacency. It'll all work out fine of course. This is what Trump does - he pitches the absurd, then backpedals. But tell that to Macron, Starmer and co. They are wetting their pants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graham Norton is hopping off screens and onto the stage.  He’s embarking on a three-city tour of New Zealand this year, performing nine shows across Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland.   ‘An Evening with Graham Norton’ will delve into some of his biggest TV highlights and memorable moments, Norton sharing tales from behind the scenes and legendary red sofa.  The original tour dates sold out fast - three new dates being added to ensure Kiwi audiences could get their fix. Norton told Mike Hosking it’s always nerve wracking to organise live events and tours.  “Most of the stuff I do, it’s quite a passive thing to consume,” he said.  “This, you’ve got to actively, you know, go online, pick up a phone, you’ve got to reach into your wallet, you’ve got to get actual cash – it’s a much bigger commitment.”  “I’m really pleased that people have decided to come out.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 18th of February, France is hosting an emergency summit for European leaders as the talks between Russia and the US loom.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon answers questions about Ukraine, the public service, and just what it is our retail crime group is doing, if anything.  Friend of the show Graham Norton steps away from the big red chair to talk to Mike about his upcoming 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.