The Mike Hosking Breakfast

There's an unclear picture of what New Zealand's losing from people moving overseas.  About 70 thousand Kiwis left the country last year. Of those, 38% were people aged 18 to 30.   New Zealand had a net migration gain of 27,000 migrants in 2024, just a fraction of the 128,000 gained in 2023.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking while there's clear data on the people arriving, it's not the same story for departures.   He says there's no strong evidence of what skills are leaving, only anecdotes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European leaders appear alarmed by the speed the US has taken on its Russia plans.  France is hosting an emergency summit with European and NATO leaders to discuss the situation.  US and Russian officials are en route to Saudi Arabia for their own talks - Russia says Europe will have no role in these discussions.  Former BBC Foreign Correspondent Paul Wood told Mike Hosking the meeting in Saudi Arabia is wider than a Ukraine peace deal.  He says this is about the US resetting its relationship with Russia, but Europe is worried about the implications it will have on its security.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia appears to be pleased with the position it's in.  US and Russian officials are en route to Saudi Arabia for talks, excluding Ukraine and Europe.  France is hosting an emergency summit with European and NATO leaders to discuss the situation.  BBC Senior Russia Reporter Olga Ivshina told Mike Hosking Russia is presenting itself like it has the upper hand in negotiations.  However, she says Ukraine's control over a part of Russia is an issue that bothers Vladimir Putin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's open to axing entire Government agencies, saying there's probably too many.  Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche says he's considering the idea of cutting whole departments and bringing others together.  Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking he wants more efficiency in the public sector and is open to departments being scrapped.  He says there are many small agencies that lack scale, and they need to be better focused on core business.  Luxon also says New Zealand needs to do more to keep on top of illegal immigration.   Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk is considering the case of Kiwi born 18-year-old Damen Kumar.  Kumar's parents have been living as overstayers for 24 years.   Luxon says he can't comment on the individual case, but he told Hosking people need to follow the immigration process.   He says illegal immigration is unfair for people who have followed the rules.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European leaders are scrambling to work out a security plan - without US support.  France is hosting an emergency summit regarding the war in Ukraine while US and Russian officials are en route to Saudi Arabia for their own talks to try to end the conflict.  Ukraine's Prime Minister is also in the Middle East, but won't be part of the talks.   Europe correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking it feels like the ground is shifting, but no one knows which way it's moving.  She says it's because there are so many confusing remarks and opinions coming out of the Trump administration.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're being told the potential for New Zealand's 'blue economy' to take off will depend on the Resource Management Act.  A new Westpac report says the marine economy could grow to $14 billion in 10 years by switching to more sustainable practices.   Aquaculture New Zealand Chief Executive Gary Hooper told Mike Hosking aquaculture was recognised for the part it could play, but has yet to flourish due to RMA restrictions.  He hopes the fast-track approval processes shortened time frames, certainties, and more nuanced approach could be the circuit breaker to unleash new opportunities.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education Minister Erica Stanford has said David Seymour overstepped the mark in his role as associate with his crackdown on teacher-only days last year.  The Minister said Seymour did not run the announcement past her before making it. Seymour disputes the overstep.  "We've got a set of rules which are very clear, and we work very well together, but of course there's always people who try and beat these things up," he said.  LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 17th of February, we've got a new tourism campaign to target Australia and was David Seymour told off by Erica Stanford over teacher only days? What would you pay for a pint? Is $16 too much, like a venue in Christchurch is charging. Andrew Saville and Mike talk some record breaking success for individual sports over the weekend and whether the first weekend of Super Rugby had any hype.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More polls are in for the upcoming Australian election.  A poll in The Australian says the swing to the coalition would be about 3% if an election was held next weekend.  If realised, Peter Dutton would have eight seats, where he needs 16.  Australian Correspondent Steve Price says all polls are indicating to a repeat of the Albanese government.  "I think, that Anthony Albanese is going to hang on by his fingernails and form a minority government," he said.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's tourism industry is encouraging Aussies to cross the ditch in a new campaign called 'Everyone Must Go.' How is the government working with Tourism New Zealand to make the campaign a success?  Why haven't Australians been travelling here?  Tourism New Zealand boss René de Monchy answers these questions and more with Mike Hosking.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.