The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The podcast dives into the shocking additional charges against Alan Jones, now totaling 26, involving various complainants from diverse backgrounds. Steve Price discusses the high-profile nature of the case and the surprising support Jones receives from notable Australians. The conversation also touches on the broader societal ramifications and legal challenges tied to such allegations. Additionally, listeners explore the heated debate over nuclear energy in Australia, a hot topic as the nation gears up for elections.

The discussion revolves around the Commerce Commission's dual role as consumer protector and regulator. They take on Starlink's misleading claims about texting anywhere in the country, showcasing the absence of flexible interpretation. Additionally, Foodstuffs plans to appeal a merger ruling, raising concerns about reduced competition in a market already criticized for high prices. The tension between corporate behavior and public frustration takes center stage, as industries like supermarkets, banks, and airlines face scrutiny.

Seasons are changing when it comes to secondary school sports.  In just over a year’s time, basketball is set to become the most popular sport, with participation jumping 61% since 2000.  However, there’s now concerns that New Zealand is 500 courts short to support the growing popularity.   School Sport NZ CEO Mike Summerell told Mike Hosking that while schools have great facilities they can only cater for the smaller games, and national competitions are maxing the current facilities out.  He says they also have to share the courts with other sports, and while they want the games to be played indoors, space is hard to come by.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of September, MPs want to change the standing orders in Parliament so that rules are followed and punishments are properly handed out. What can actually be changed?  The Prime Minister is back from APEC and joins the show for a chat the day after 42,000 people marched onto Parliament grounds.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss when it is and isn't appropriate to protest and break the rules in Parliament on Politics Wednesday.  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.

Ginny Andersen, a Member of the Labour Party known for her insights on parliamentary affairs, joins Mark Mitchell, a National Party member focused on leadership accountability. They dive into the controversies surrounding Te Pāti Māori's haka and the responses it sparked in Parliament. Andersen emphasizes the need to understand the protest's context, highlighting its resonance with many New Zealanders. Mitchell expresses skepticism about rules impacting Te Pāti Māori, indicating a deeper discussion on passion versus parliamentary decorum and the implications for national identity.

There's hopes New Zealand's efforts to stop smoking don't go up in smoke.   The latest New Zealand Health Survey shows daily smoking rates have remained steady over the past year.   They were just under 7%, which is down from 13% five years ago.   Auckland University health economist Paula Lorgelly told Mike Hosking we might be tripping at the finish line.  She says we're seeing more steady drops which could have continued if New Zealand had passed legislation the previous government introduced.  However, the survey found that 1 in 4 18-24 year olds are vaping, as Kiwis seemingly replace cigarettes with vapes.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, discusses the critical need for respectful debate in Parliament, emphasizing rules to prevent chaos. He addresses the Hikoi mō te Tiriti, attended by 42,000 protesters, and critiques the focus on the Treaty Principles Bill. Luxon highlights the importance of collaboration between iwi, government, and businesses to tackle pressing Māori community issues like education and housing. He also sheds light on the role of the Privileges Committee and the complexities surrounding treaty settlements, advocating for nuanced discussions.

Shane Jones says Parliament's standards are slipping.   The New Zealand First MP and David Seymour have both asked Speaker Gerry Brownlee to consider changes in light of Te Pati Māori's haka in the House last week.   Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke was 'named', suspended for a day, and had her pay docked for a day.   Jones told Mike Hosking the penalties have historically worked, but we live in a world of Tik Tok now.  He says we live in a world where, as a consequence of Jacinda Ardern and Trevor Mallard, the rules have been inverted.  “I mean, what the hell’s happening to New Zealand?”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions are being raised as to whether Aotearoa should take a page from the United States' book when it comes to our roads.  Concrete New Zealand-commissioned research shows road maintenance costs using the material are up to 62% lower than asphalt.  It also shows that, on average, concrete roads are 17% cheaper over 40 years.  Chief Executive, Rob Gaimster told Mike Hosking America has a good model, with half of their roads concrete.  He says New Zealand has a pothole crisis and is spending billions on roads but is still building in the same way.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The good news about the arrival of the protest is that after today, it's over.  This has been one of the more misrepresented activities in recent years.  It's hard to know what it is actually about, or whether those taking part even know what it's about.  Is it about the Treaty Principles Bill? Is it about a general attitude towards the Government and their Māori policies? Is it a PR stunt for the Māori Party?  And perhaps most importantly of all - what does it achieve?  The answer, of course, is nothing.  If it is about the bill, it dies after the select committee process and, even if it didn’t, although you are more than justified to protest, a protest doesn’t change the right of a Government to do what they promised they were going to do.  It's called democracy.  Democracy is slightly complicated by MMP, which may or may not produce what you thought it might. But democracy was what led to MMP in the first place because we voted for it.  The two winners out of this so far are the Māori Party, who have got a lot of attention and drummed up good numbers in various parts of the country for their campaign.  They have of course alienated themselves from many, but they don't care, and you were never voting for them anyway.  The other is David Seymour who, whether you agree with him or not, has argued coherently and eloquently.  Not performing so well includes the media who, yet again, have sided too often with the protest. I saw a reporter literally singing as part of her reportage. I saw a reporter dispute official figures from the police for the turn out, as though a dispute is fact.  Jenny Shipley talking of civil war was as astonishing as anything. At least Chris Finlayson, in weighing in, kept his head.  In a country with real and serious problems, a bill destined for the waste bin is not worth the energy this has been given.  Our priorities are all over the place. We have looked shabby, unhinged, violent, and low rent.  We are not living up to expectation, or our potential. This is not the country I grew up in, or indeed love.  It is a wayward place in desperate need of some serious leadership and even more discipline. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.