The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Jannik Sinner has defended his Grand Slam title in Melbourne overnight, beating German Alexander Zverev. Saturday evening saw Madison Keys throw a spanner in the works to world number one Aryna Sabalenka's Grand Slam plan.  Tennis journalist David Worsley talks to Ryan Bridge about the dramatic scenes that unfolded across the ditch.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major clean up is happening today in Mangawhai after a severe tornado rolled through the Northland town.  Fire and Emergency Northland District Manager Wipari Henwood said emergency crews were not expecting the tornado.  "I've had a look at the MetService reports and there was nothing mentioning severe thunderstorms," he said. Henwood said the emergency was also understaffed.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament is back to business today and straight into it with oral submissions for the Treaty Principles Bill.  Today's speakers, including Andrew Little, Denis O'Reilly and David Seymour, have 10 minutes each to speak.  Political commentator Karl Christensen talks to Ryan Bridge about what to expect, and how the contentious topic will be handled over the coming weeks.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of dairy is climbing for consumers - the Global Dairy Trade auction seeing a 1.4% across the board.  Why are the prices continuing to trend up?  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen discusses this with Ryan Bridge.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California's secretary of state has approved an effort to gather signatures for a vote in 2028 on whether the state should leave the US and become an independent country.  It comes as Donald Trump is not slowing down on his presidential orders and proposals.  The NFL's final playoffs are underway in preparation for the Superbowl next week. Who is the team to watch?  US Correspondent Richard Arnold talks to Ryan Bridge about the major US news, including the fallout of Trump's first week in office, and his claims around the conflict in Gaza. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States has stood out as the only major economy experiencing significant expansion amid Global PMIs.  The economic health indicator was a mixed bag for manufacturing and service sectors.  Meanwhile, luxury brand Burberry has soared 10% on its quarterly update.  And back home, why are things are looking up for the red meat sector?  Devon Funds Management representative Greg Smith joins the show to talk all things business.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve reached the pointy end of the Australian Open.  Aryna Sabalenka will meet American Madison Keys in the final of the Australian tennis Open women's draw on Saturday, Keys eliminating Iga Swiatek in dramatic circumstances.  The men’s semifinals play out this evening, their championship taking place Sunday.  Australian Open Commentator Craig Gabriel told Ryan Bridge that it was an extraordinary clash between Swiatek and Keys, with Swiatek the favourite to continue through to the finals.  Keys saved a match point, Gabriel said, and the game went the complete other way than expected.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oscars nominations have come out and guess what? Wicked the Musical with Ariana Grande is on the list for Best Picture.   It's two hours and 40 minutes long. It doesn't have an ending because there's two parts. So you get half a story, and it takes half your life to watch. We should not be encouraging this type of time wasting. Cinemas are not comfortable places. I've got a bad back, I've got a low tolerance for people bursting into song – sitting in a cinema seat for almost 3 hours, listening to Ariana Grande singing her feelings is like, well, it's like being held in a small torture chamber.   In three hours you can achieve many things. You can fly to Australia, you could run a marathon, hell, you can even get an operation in three hours. My grandma's knee replacement she had done recently took less than three hours. Actually, I would rather get my knee replaced than listen and watch Wicked. Because it's a two-parter, you could actually get both knees done.   And it's not just Wicked that's dragging on - Dune. Did you see that the sci-fi space thriller that’s approximately 600 hours in length?   And I know what you're thinking: If you don't like a movie, Ryan, just don't go and see it. Ah. I never wanted to see Dune – my partner did. And as a married man, as you will know if you're married, some things you do even though you don't want to, and directors arrogant, self-indulgent Hollywood types, don't think about us.  They just think about themselves. They just think about this amazing emotional movie that they've created, inspired piece of art that they'll happily dump on the world's cinemas and expect everybody else to love.   The Brutalist. That's also on the list – three and a half hours long, nominated for Best Picture. Poke me in the eyes, Brutalist by name and brutalist by nature. I estimate half of cinemas are filled with people who don't want to be there, trapped in their own little torture chambers, battling through musicals and romcoms and war biopics, all for the sake of their marriage or to please a friend.   Our attention spans are far too short for this now. We have TikTok, we have Instagram, we have small brains, we have Twitter. What used to be a novel is now 140 characters. People abbreviate their speech because we can't be arsed with full sentences.   Hollywood and today's Oscars nods have totally missed the public mood. I propose a new category: Best Picture in under 90 Minutes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 is underway, and Trish Sherson and Tim Wilson joined Ryan Bridge to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed the growing lengths of films, Donald Trump’s first week back in the Oval Office, and whether New Zealand has a culture of saying ‘no’.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s encouraging Jobseeker data for the long-term.   Just over 33,000 people cancelled their benefits after finding work in the six months to December, up 22% annually.   The Government's also looking at more changes, including non-financial sanctions on jobseekers.   Former WINZ boss Christine Rankin told Ryan Bridge that young people cannot be left to get into the habit of relying on the benefit without taking action, which the Minister and department have done well to mitigate.   She says the benefit is designed to help you get through a really tough time, it’s not to pay you for the rest of your life in style.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.