The Mike Hosking Breakfast

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 18th of December, the Government books are in a shocking state, so Heather du Plessis-Allan asked Nicola Willis how much is on the last Government, and how much is on her.  Did you hear the one about the judge, the doctor, and NZ First at the Northern Club? Trust us, it's a doozy.  For the final time this year Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk the books, political scandals, and what they're getting each other for Christmas 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.

Businesses hope to employ more migrants after changes to work visas.   The Government's updating the Accredited Employer Work Visa in March, removing the median wage threshold and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower skill roles.   They'll also reduce the minimum threshold for how many domestic workers must be employed.  BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s a step in the right direction.  She says there are a lot of areas where businesses can’t get the skills and experience they need, and the changes Stanford is making will be react welcomed.  Rich says the median wage threshold was too high, and wound up being an artificial proxy for skill and experience.  She says in some cases it resulted in offshore applicants being paid more than their Kiwi counterparts, creating a bit of friction.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's suggested the Government's dealing with an economic hangover.  The half year economic and fiscal update, opening the Government's books, signals a surplus is further away than previously thought.  Politicians are clashing on what the numbers signal.  Speaking to Heather du Plessis-Allan, Labour's Ginny Andersen's accusing the Government of austerity, as public sector jobs have faced the chop.  She says that hits our local bars, restaurants, and businesses and slows the economy.  National party Minister Mark Mitchell told du Plessis-Allan Kiwis dodged a bullet when changing the Government and they inherited an awful economy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission has issued a draft decision to reduce fees for businesses accepting card payments.  It's proposing an estimated reduction of around $260 million a year where costs are handed down from banks to process payments.  The commission revealed in July that businesses incur $1 billion in fees to provide card payments.  Chair Dr John Small told Heather du Plessis-Allan a few will be annoyed by it, but it's important they strike a balance.  He says they've consulted widely on it and believe they're at a point where they can simplify these rates and bring them down.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A promise the Government's eyeing-up growth as the light at the end of the economic tunnel.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis is vowing to keep cutting what she sees as wasteful spending.  The half year economic and fiscal update suggests books will remain in the red for longer than predicted.  Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's going to be challenging, and the Government's making significant trade-offs.  She says we're looking to a path of growth with inflation under control and interest rates dropping.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a view growth is coming, despite a grim outlook for the New Zealand economy.  The half year economic and fiscal update shows a surplus is not expected until at least 2029.  Cost savings which have led to job cuts and re-prioritisation in the public sector this year are set to continue.   Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale told Heather du Plessis-Allan there are green shoots of economic activity.  He says unemployment's not as bad as it was, and wages are growing, both of which will help with our growth.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regulation Minister David Seymour discusses a review aimed at streamlining early childhood education regulations. He advocates for a single regulator to simplify compliance and enhance educational quality. Additionally, he addresses the government's challenging fiscal state, calling for more significant cuts amid economic recovery debates. The conversation highlights tensions between austerity and necessary spending, particularly in response to rising healthcare costs and an aging population.

Prince Andrew seems to be standing on increasingly thin ice.  The UK has upheld a ban of an alleged Chinese spy who formed an "unusual degree of trust" with Prince Andrew.  The British Home Office banned the man on national security grounds in March 2023, believing the relationship could be used for political interference.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he keeps getting himself into trouble.  He thinks it's inevitable that King Charles will cut his brother out of royal proceedings altogether.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even people who think councils do a fantastic job must by now understand why the Government is going to have to pass law to get councils to focus on doing their jobs.  It has been clear to councils for about four months now that the Government wanted them to drop the distractions and just do their work.  Yet, councils just can’t help themselves.  Even last week Tauranga City Council voted to install unelected Māori representatives on the council, who will not improve ratepayers lives at all but will cost them money.  Hastings Council did the same thing three months ago with the youth councillors. No extra benefit for ratepayers, but extra cost.  Wellington City Council is today going to debate whether they should submit their feels to the Government on the Treaty Principles Bill.  That's not their job.  A bunch of other councils have done that too.  These guys up and down the country show no sign that they understand they are supposed to be cutting out unnecessary spending and focusing their minds on doing their actual jobs.  So it’s come to this – the Government announcing yesterday it will pass legalisation to force them to do their jobs.  The four wellbeing pillars that task councils with looking after economic wellbeing, social wellbeing, cultural wellbeing, and environmental wellbeing will be scrapped.  That was a bad idea from the last Labour Government anyway, which was so broad and meaningless it gave councils an excuse to expand their meddling into pretty much anything, because everything is a wellbeing.  Councils will be forced to report clearly and simply, and publicly, on what they’re spending money on and what they’re charging ratepayers.  Hopefully getting out the big stick will mean the excuses are cut, distractions are dropped, and these guys focus their minds on doing more work for less cost to ratepayers.  Because hoping they get the message and do it voluntarily hasn’t worked. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hospitality sector is optimistic about the coming season.  On average, restaurant revenue was down 6% in the second quarter, improving markedly in quarter 3 to only 1%.  Although Christmas started late, trading has picked up lately.   Chef Josh Emett told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they had although September and October were down, they had a really positive August and the last six weeks have been really solid.  He says they’re hoping for one of those lovely, bumper summers with no cyclones.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.