The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Republicans are celebrating after US President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" bill crossed the line.  Trump is expected to sign his sweeping domestic policy bill tomorrow as he celebrates the Fourth of July at the White House.  House Speaker Mike Johnson claims everything was a disaster under the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris administration.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking there was a lot of drama throughout the entire process, but eventually, Trump bullied the vast majority of House Republicans into signing onto the bill.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a survey out last week that broadly supported the Government’s moves around KiwiSaver, as in the 3% and 3% going to 4% and 4%.  But they wanted the Government to do something about the cut in contribution from the state.  Small hint – if you rely on the Government for any consistency around long term projects, forget it.  From the very beginning of KiwiSaver, the Government were always going to be the weak link.  When it comes to big picture stuff, dedication and focus from a government is a casualty of the three year political cycle. They were never going to be our friend on retirement savings.  The best advice I offer anyone, including our kids, is do it yourself. It's your life, your decision and your future, so do it yourself.  To show you how hopeless we are at saving in this country, figures released last week in America showed their KiwiSaver, what they call their 401k, hit a record high at 14.3%.  So while we are mucking around on 3-4% they are up to over 14%.  Here is the kicker – the industry says it really should 15% if you want to be comfortable.  A psychological step change is required and I'm not sure we will ever get there.  Whether its employer contributions that get offered instead of more pay, or whether it’s the Australian style compulsion, a lot of countries do it a lot of different ways and most of them have dealt with the age of retirement as well.  We basically are stuck with 65-years-old, and angst around even a debate about changing it, and far too many people who get to retirement and are stuck with a state-funded payout that has never been good and will not serve you well, if it's all you have to live off.  There is of course no reason for this to even be a problem. Lee Kuan Yew many years ago in Singapore took a third world country, told them to save, forced them to save, and now they are rich.  The answers are all there. Australia has it sorted, the Norway fund is famous, and even the Americans at 14.3% seem to have it solved.  We need to look and learn and then get our act together and apply a bit of basic discipline to our long-term futures that don’t rely on a government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that was.  The historic Cardrona Hotel has been put up for sale – is Mike personable enough to run a hotel?  Tim and Kate offer up some programming advice, and the three delve into various athletics and racquet sports.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central Otago's iconic Cardrona Hotel is up for sale through private negotiation.  The 162-year-old building sits between Wanaka and Queenstown.  It's on the market for the first time in more than a decade.  Co-owner Cade Thornton told Mike Hosking they'll be selling privately, with no real estate agents involved.  He says there's been expressions of interest throughout their ownership, from overseas parties and nationwide.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 4th of July, we cap off a week of crime announcements with some new trespass laws.  Codie Taylor joins the show ahead of the first All Blacks test of the year against France.  Tim and Katie give some programming advice and debate whether Mike would be any good as a police recruit wing patron as they Wrap the Week.  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 first All Blacks test of 2025 is upon us.  Saturday night will see a new team tackle an understrength French side in Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.  There were plenty of surprises in the team announcement, with four debutants in the 23 and some unexpected faces in the reserve line up.  Codie Taylor is playing hooker, and told Mike Hosking that although the French side is understrength, they have to respect and acknowledge their opposition.  However, he said, their main focus is on making sure they get things right, since this is their first crack playing as a team.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it’s letting shop owners take back control.  It's proposing legislation to double maximum trespassing fines and allow trespassing people for three years, from multiple sites.  Hospitality NZ’s Steve Armitage told Mike Hosking the law’s been outdated for some time.  He says that when it was introduced back in 1980, a $1000 fine was much more material than it is 45 years later – according to the World Bank, the purchasing power of $1000 in 1980 equates to about $50,000 today.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a clever new marketing ploy from a Wanaka fashion designer.  ‘The Precious Collaborative’ are selling $10,000 coats in order to subsidise New Zealand wool products in their store.  The profits of the coats are able to discount a once $700 item to under $200 – the aim to put quality NZ wool items within the average person’s reach.  Founder Claire O’Connell told Mike Hosking that by purchasing the coat, people are supporting so much within the country – from the strong wool industry right through to local production.  So far two people have bought the $10,000 coat, and O’Connell says that since then they’ve sold almost 100 garments, of which 85% were bought at the discounted price.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talks about a major update to a 15 year old agreement between Taupō’s council and the region's largest landowners have sparked controversy.   The 2009 Joint Management Agreement between the district council and Ngāti Tūwharetoa is being workshopped, and a draft agreement has been presented to the public.  Critics argue that no public mandate has been issued, and that ‘Treaty principles’ are embedding ‘co-governance’ directly into council operations.   Mayor David Trewavas told Mike Hosking the agreement has absolutely nothing to do with co-governance, and is instead about protecting Lake Taupō.  He says that when people actually look at and understand the deal, they’ll understand it’s about protecting the lake and ensuring it remains one of the cleanest in the world.  “It’s just all about the lake, nothing to do with co-governance at all.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support for the Government's move to change rigid insulation standards.  It's expected building code insulation requirements will be relaxed by year's end in a bid to cut construction costs.  The Government's called the changes "common sense", with building costs rising more than 40% since 2019.  Building Industry Federation CEO Julien Leys told Mike Hosking the current 'one size fits all' approach isn't working.  He says the rules force people to use an exact amount of insulation, meaning it's expensive and over the top.  The Government's also looking to make the Far North a separate 'climate zone', stating the region’s warmer climate allows for a more tailored approach.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.