The Mike Hosking Breakfast

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15th of July, the Government has revealed their plan to dissolve Te Pukenga and return 10 polytechs to regional governance.  The Blues are exploring whether they should move their home games away from Eden Park. Heather's onboard and details what she thinks the issues are.  Legendary All Blacks coach Mike Cron has a new book out, so we get the lowdown from one of our best rugby minds right before he helps Australia take on the Lions this weekend.  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.

The Blues are weighing up their future at the hallowed turf of Eden Park, with their contract coming to an end.  The Super Rugby franchise have asked for public feedback on moving their home games to Mount Smart Stadium for the 2026 season.   CEO Andrew Hore told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’ve seen an increase in broadcast numbers, but they’ve seen a much smaller increase in crowds over the last three years and they want to accelerate that.  He says that moving from Eden Park may not be the answer, but it could be, and they’ve got to investigate all avenues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology is welcoming the dissolution of Te Pukenga.  From next year, ten of the formally 16 polytechnics across the country will be re-established into standalone institutes after being clumped into one governing body.  NMIT Executive Director Olivia Hall told Heather du Plessis-Allan the organisation runs quite a tight stopping and starting of programmes, and has been very lean on all support functions available.  She says the community and local industries are very clear on their expectations for the industry, which is to be standalone.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concern the US President's given Russia too much breathing room in his ultimatum.  Donald Trump says the Kremlin has 50 days to reach a ceasefire deal for Ukraine or they'll introduce secondary tariffs of 100%.  He's also confirmed plans to sell billions of dollars of US weapons to Ukraine, through NATO.  International relations professor Robert Patman told Heather du Plessis-Allan Vladimir Putin will likely use the time to stall.  He says he'll hang in there and hope the Europeans become demoralised and Trump changes his mind again.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An expected uptick in the country's avocado production as the global market value smashes past $30 billion.  A Rabobank report reveals our avocado industry saw a strong recovery last year after crop losses in 2023, due to Cyclone Gabrielle.  NZ Avocado's forecasting a production increase of around two-million trays for the 2024/25 season, compared to the last.   NZ Avocado CEO Brad Siebert told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’ve got all the ingredients for a better season ahead. He says New Zealand avocados are harvested for over 10 months of the year – a unique window compared to many of our offshore competitors.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minster of Education says it's the teachers who have made the difference to improving NCEA literacy and numeracy pass rates.   Small improvements were seen last year with 57% of NCEA students achieving the numeracy standard, 61% achieving the reading standard, and 55% achieving the writing standard.  Erica Stanford told Heather Du Plessis-Allan she knows there's a long way to go but it's the schools, principals, and teachers who have done the heavy lifting.   She says they've moved heaven and earth since this has become compulsory, and it's made the difference.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Auckland's keeping positive despite a mixed annual State of the City report.  The third annual report shows the city rates strongly in sustainability, resilience, and culture, but is falling when it comes to prosperity, skills, and innovation development.   Minister Simeon Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan Auckland's at a good turning point.   He says it will be a great year with the City Rail Link opening and the international convention centre bringing opportunities.   Brown says they're also addressing inherited challenges, with crime coming down.   He's also assuring that health workers and the government are working to ease hospital pressure, amid reports some Auckland ambulances were redirected from EDs. RNZ reports delays handing patients over to Auckland City and Middlemore Hospitals yesterday afternoon, with some assessed by phone or diverted to non-hospital clinics. Brown told du Plessis Allan patients with less severe symptoms are sent to after hours urgent care from time to time.  He says the reality is winter is a challenging time for the system, but they're continuing to focus on front line resources to make sure patients receive timely and quality care.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 14th of July, the Government has revealed their plan to double our international student sector to be worth $7.2b in 10 years. The Prime Minister is back from holiday in time to get a grilling from Heather on road cones, the economy and who he wants to win the Tamaki Makaurau by-election. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville covers off the All Blacks, the cheeky South Africans against Italy and the Warriors getting their season back on track. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon says all options are on the table when it comes to increasing competition in the grocery sector.  He hopes that more overseas operators - like Walmart – will expand their operations to New Zealand.   The Prime Minister told Heather du Plessis-Allan Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis is doing everything to establish new operators in the supermarket industry.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bullying, unmet special needs education, and system pressure appear to be some of the likely causes of a rise in homeschooling rates.    The Ministry of Education’s data shows 11,400 children had an exemption from school, favouring home education last year - twice that of 2001.  National Council of Home Educators government liaison Cynthia Hancox told Heather du Plessis-Allan resources are stretched, teachers are stressed, there are more children with additional needs, and the system isn't keeping up.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.