The Mike Hosking Breakfast

One of the world’s largest military exercises is underway in Australia.  Operation Talisman Sabre involves 35,000 military personnel from 19 different countries including NZ, the US and the UK.  Lieutenant Colonel Tim Tuatini says a large exercise with Australia is an important operation for the NZ military to take part in.   He told Heather duPlessis-Allan that this exercise, ‘finishes off our training and allows us to exercise our combat readiness.’   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has its eyes on boosting international student numbers.  It's looking at extending "in study" work rights with the hope of doubling the sector’s economic contribution to 7.2 billion dollars by 2034.  Universities New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Whelan says it won't get us back to the highest numbers seen back in 2016.   He says it will make sure international education gets to a level where it's making a significant contribution to the economy.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ball is now in the Government's court following calls for bold action to fix a broken energy market.    An open letter, signed by several influential groups including Consumer NZ and Auckland Business Chamber, has been sent to the Prime Minister.   Major Electricity Users' Group Executive Director Karen Boyes told Heather du Plessis-Allan an independent review is also now with Energy Minister Simon Watts.   She says there are lots of underlying issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible, such as increasing prices, market power issues, and the lack of an energy strategy.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winner of the week has got to be NZ First.  In the latest Taxpayer's Union Curia poll, they are the third biggest party now, overtaking Act and the Greens.  If you’ve been watching the polls lately that’s not a surprise. This has been coming for a while.  National has been up and down, Act has been pretty flat, but NZ First has just been heading up most of the year.  There are a bunch of reasons for this.  Winston is very statesman-like. He manages to disagree with his coalition partners without being quite as bratty as David Seymour can sometimes be.  NZ First are choosing their battles. They stayed out of the pay equity kerfuffle, so they didn’t cop the blowback.  But mainly, it’s because they’re being refreshingly blunt.  Shane Jones doesn’t care if the lizard-lovers get upset that he wants to dig a mine where the lizards are. He just says it.  Winston doesn’t care if Grey Lynn and Aro Valley are offended that he wants transwomen kept out of women’s sport. He just says it.  He doesn't care if wool carpets into state houses is likely a bad financial decision. He got it done.  This party is unashamedly appealing to a group of voters no one else really is, which is working class New Zealanders – people who see things simply and often more correctly than elites would care to imagine.  It’s the same thing playing out in the UK with the rise of the Reform Party. It’s the same reason Trump is back in the White House.  Of the three coalition parties NZ First is the only one hitting the same vein of voters.  Now, we’re still only talking about 10% and 10% doesn’t a major party make.  But it’s only been headed in one direction lately, and that tells you something. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Mike Hosking off on holiday, Heather du Plessis-Allan was joined by Tim Wilson and Trish Sherson to Wrap the Week that was.  They discussed the situation with the gold mine, lizards, and Department of Conservation, the company working to resurrect the moa, and ask the question of if it’s better to be smart or dumb.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks utility back Damian McKenzie has responded to scrutiny around the side's ability to secure possession off contestable kicks ahead of tomorrow's second test against France in Wellington.  Les Bleus peppered New Zealand's back three in the air at Dunedin last week to good effect.  McKenzie —who played almost all of the game at fullback after Sevu Reece came from the field with a head knock— told Heather du Plessis Allan the penalising of escort runners has made things trickier.  He says it’s definitely a skill they need to work on, but it’s not an easy one to nail.   However, McKenzie is confident they’ve got the kicking game to match France.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Kiwis are studying or training in skills that aren't needed in the job market.  That's the warning from Business NZ as the Government reviews New Zealand's vocational education system.  The lobby groups say graduates are being held back from gaining employment because they've trained in the wrong area.  They're calling for an industry-led vocational system, with more focus on work-based training and relevant, up-to-date skills.  Business NZ Education Specialist Rachel Simpson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that many of the current qualifications and programmes haven’t been changed in years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 11th of July, the Government is creating an anti-scam alliance to try keep New Zealanders from falling victim.  Damian McKenzie comes off the bench to tell us how the All Blacks will perform much better against the French this weekend.  Tim Wilson and Trish Sherson join Heather to Wrap the Week that was, talking lizards, moa, and whether it's better to be smart or dumb.  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.

Importing liquefied natural gas could potentially require one billion dollars in capital investment.  Major energy companies Clarus, Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, and Mercury have commissioned two studies looking into the option.  Data out last month shows New Zealand’s domestic gas supply is reducing faster and sooner than previously forecast.  Clarus chief executive Paul Goodeve says it would be expensive.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the most important thing is not what it costs, but the value it brings, and last winter we saw the cost of not having a stable fuel supply.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Privacy laws may need to be tweaked to allow for a new alliance to combat scams.  The Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has announced the Anti-Scam Alliance, which joins government, industry, and consumer groups.  The alliance establishes a formal structure for industries to share data about scams and shut them down in real-time.  Minister Scott Simpson told Heather du Plessis-Allan the Government is exploring ways to ensure all laws are complied with.  He also believes Facebook has a role to play in cracking down on scams.  Meta is involved in the alliance, and Simpson says Facebook should ensure scammers don't use their site.  He told du Plessis-Allan rules are in place to control advertising in print media but not in the digital world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.