The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The AA is onboard with the switch from petrol tax to electronic Road User Charges, but says there are a few issues to sort out.   The change is expected to come in by 2027.   Transport Policy Director Martin Glynn says it's likely there will be devices actually in vehicles to make the measurements.   He told Mike Hosking it will be easier to implement with modern cars.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stark reality of linear TV in New Zealand, if Irene Gardiner was right on yesterday's show, is fairly simple.  Here is how the calculation works: you make a product, you stick it on air, you get an audience, and you sell advertising based on that audience.  Some programs can never hope to get the sort of audience to pay for the cost of the show. Enter Government support or brand sponsorship – in other words, a financial support mechanism to make a show that would not have otherwise been made.  I made a show called ‘Sunday’ years back. It was on TV3 on the weekend off peak. It didn’t rate very well, but it was never going to, but it rated fairly well for what it was, which was a niche program talking about the arts.  It was made with NZ On Air money.  Now, does Treasure Island attract more viewers than that? Yes.  So if you are going to toss money at something why not that? You get more bang for buck.  But the money tree hasn’t got more money, so someone loses. Maybe it's an arts program.  The really scary thing is the calculation around peak time i.e. prime time.  This show makes money and quite a lot of it. Newstalk ZB is profitable. TVNZ and TV3 are not.  So what about pay-per-view? SkyTV is profitable, but they have sport.  What does TV3 or TVNZ have that you would pay for? Would you pay to watch Treasure Island? Of course you wouldn’t.  So prime time linear TV is not profitable because the advertising dollars have vanished to Google and TikTok and Meta.  That is not changing and that’s the problem, because all that's left is the taxpayer.  The big question is to what extent should the taxpayer fund your evening's entertainment? And when I say you, I mean those who are left watching the TV as opposed to YouTube or Netflix.  If linear TV can't make a buck at 7.30pm on a Wednesday, how long before the lights get switched off? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former US President Bill Clinton and wife Hillary have received subpoenas from a congressional committee to testify about Jeffrey Epstein.  The Republican committee chair has also called eight others, including former FBI directors James Comey and Robert Mueller.  The committee's looking for more information about the deceased sex offender after the Trump administration decided against releasing further files.  US Correspondent Charles Feldman told Mike Hosking we’re unlikely to see any great revelations come from this.  He says it doesn’t seem like there’s anything that will come out about Epstein that hasn’t already been leaked over the past few years – but that hasn’t stopped either the Republicans or Democrats from pursuing the files.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a busy start to the week and Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest topics thus far.  The Government is completely overhauling secondary school qualifications, aiming to completely replace NCEA over five years. Is this a sensible plan?  The criteria for Māori claiming Customary Marine Titles will be tightened as the Government forges ahead with the changes to the Marine and Coastal Area Act – is pushing forward the right decision?  And the National Party President has made some bold claims at the party conference – does she have a point?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s wine industry is facing some troubles.   The industry is facing hundreds of millions of dollars in extra tariffs, Donald Trump imposing a 15% rate on New Zealand while many competing markets will continue to face only 10%.  Along with this, there is an oversupply issue and declining global demand, with nearly 100,000 tonnes of fruit remaining unharvested this season alone.  Winegrowers NZ’s Charlotte Read told Mike Hosking that despite the challenging times, there is a very strong demand for New Zealand wines, which will continue to be sought after around the world.  She says they have no long term reason for concern.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 6th of August, we look forward to the unemployment figures due today, and the Government pushing ahead with the foreshore and seabed law.   Mike looks at our wine industry and all the grapes going unharvested. Are the golden days of Sauvignon Blanc over?   Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell cover some of the major announcements of the week 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.

Last year's recession is still being felt in the job market.  Stats NZ data —due out this morning— is expected to show unemployment reached a nine-year high of 5.3% in the June quarter.  The economy's been back in growth since the latter part of last year.  But ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking the economy has lost about 40,000 jobs since the late 2023 peak.  More full-time roles have been lost than part time, he explained, and the labour market is getting that much weaker.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Triathlon New Zealand's claimed hosting rights for pinnacle events in Tauranga over the next three years.  A World Triathlon Cup will take place in the Bay of Plenty next year, before a top-level Championship Series race in 2027 and the Series' Grand Final in 2028.  Triathlon NZ chief executive Pete de Wet says they could see upwards of 3000 Kiwis racing across age groups and the all-comers race in 2028.  He told Mike Hosking there’s a big interest in the sport from an age group perspective, and it’s great for the athletes to be able to compete at home instead of having to chump on a plane.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The minister responsible for the Marine and Coastal Area Act says the Government would have passed the bill even if the Supreme Court had agreed with a lower court's ruling against it.   The Government will proceed with the bill which will tighten criteria for Māori claiming Customary Marine Titles.   Justice and Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith told Mike Hosking he thinks the settings will be right after the legislation's passed.   He says they want Māori to be able to apply for the titles but there has to be a high bar.  Goldsmith says they want to move on this quickly, and he’s hoping to have the legislation introduced in October.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power companies are warning the road to fully renewable energy will be a bumpy one.   The big four power companies will co-invest in an energy stockpile which will include 600-thousand tonnes of coal.   Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton says power companies have a commitment to renewables.   He told Mike Hosking Mercury has invested a billion dollars into geothermal and wind power, but there needs to be a backup.   Hamilton says when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining, there needs to be a more solid source of energy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.