The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A plan's been laid out for potential dental reforms to address New Zealanders’ poor oral health.  New Zealand Dental Association data shows one in three Kiwis have untreated tooth decay.  Its policy roadmap for the next five years includes expanding community water fluoridation, introducing a sugary drink levy, and including oral care into our universal health coverage.   Dental Policy Director Robin Whyman told Mike Hosking the big issue with the workforce shortage is distribution.  He says that big urban centres, particularly in Auckland, have very good coverage, but in provincial areas there’s a much lower number of dentists and as a result, rural New Zealanders can struggle to get access.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank Governor is defending not going harder with cuts to the Official Cash Rate.  The cash rate has been cut 25 basis points to 3%.  But it's signalling more cuts than it was before, and has revealed two of the six Monetary Policy Committee members actually wanted a bigger cut.  Christian Hawkesby told Mike Hosking he stands by the central bank's decisions.  He says they're focused on their mandate of controlling inflation over the medium term, but the recent slowdown has changed their outlook.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service is reiterating the public's role in the fight against threats.  The organisation is keeping our threat level at low, meaning attacks are realistically possible.   SIS Director-General Andrew Hampton told Mike Hosking they're worried about young people radicalising online, geo-strategic shifts, and espionage.    He says key to their response is the public knowing what to look out for and reporting it.  Concerning behaviours include someone showing interest in terrorist attacks, identifying with an extremist cause, and supporting violence to further it.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can I ask a question about parents?  I watched Erica Stanford do a press conference yesterday at a school in Wellington while launching the writing action plan.  While I was watching that I was reading a story about Nicola Willis, who it was suggested by people in London might be the next Prime Minister.  She had gone to the New Zealand Society on her trip last week. She stood there in a tangerine suit and there had been a buzz about the room as they wondered whether this was New Zealand's next Prime Minister.  It was a weird story, and it means nothing, but if it ever came down to it, I would take Stanford over Willis all day long.  She is a force of nature and if you ever want to see a minister in charge of detail, watch her in a classroom in front of cameras. You won't fail to be impressed.  The bad news though is part of the day involved the release of yet more data showing our kids in Year 3, 6, and 8 are in real trouble when it comes to maths and reading.  Only a small minority are where they should be. A small minority.  The claim at this stage by Stanford is what they have introduced, and are introducing, is the turnaround plan. It's the magic, the cure, and the panacea.  Not that it makes it better, but the numbers out yesterday were marked against some of the new standards, hence the massive failure rate.  This stuff is benchmarked internationally. Once, not long ago (maybe when I was at school), in a lot of stuff we led the world. Today we are so far from leading the world it makes you want to cry.  Stanford isn't crying. She speaks in a way that suggests she knows something the rest of us don’t, like she has seen the future and it is bright.  Or could it be she just hopes it is and is faking it till she makes it, because the gap between where our kids are and where they need to be is gargantuan?  So, back to the parents. Where are they?  Maths can be sort of tricky, if you want to find an excuse, but reading and writing isn't. A kid who can't read or write properly by high school is a reflection of their home life, as much as the school.  Schools take too much heat. Governments take too much heat.  If your kid can't write or read and your kid is 12 or 13, where have you been? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s trouble brewing in Nelson over a council bylaw banning advertising flags outside shops.   The bylaw was adopted in November of 2024, limiting retailers to a single sandwich board display, which must be placed against the curb.  'Coffee on Queen’ has been threatened with a $500 fine and forced to remove their flag, which co-owner Matt Redwood says attracts $200-$300 in revenue from foot traffic.   Redwood told Mike Hosking the rule is taking a lot of money out of businesses pockets.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Politics Wednesday, the Covid Inquiry is still at the top of mind for many.  Chris Hipkins, Dame Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson, and Ayesha Verrall have declined to publicly answer questions for the Royal Commission's second Covid Inquiry.  Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell delved into the situation, as well as touching on Trevor Mallard’s ousting from the role of Ambassador to Ireland.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of August, the Reserve Bank has a call to make today – they're expected to cut the OCR by 25 points, but what comes next?  Trade Minister Todd McClay joins us out of Saudi Arabia before his flight to the US in which he’ll continue to try lower our tariff rate.   Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss the Covid Inquiry and Winston Peters’ exclusion, and Trevor Mallard’s ousting as the Ambassador to Ireland 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.

The Trade Minister says his trip to the US is all about ensuring our trade tariffs don't shift around too much.   Todd McClay says the 15% duty on New Zealand goods isn't likely to be removed, as Donald Trump is imposing them on all countries that have a trade surplus with the US.   He'll be passing on the message that tariffs harm New Zealand.   McClay told Mike Hosking he'll also be asking about future plans for tariffs.   He says they want that certainty so they can properly manage their risk.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues are poised to head across town to Mt Smart for two Super Rugby games next year.  They're reportedly still planning to play most of their games at their usual Eden Park base, but are looking closely across town.  Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner told Mike Hosking that having the right event in the right venue is important.  He says the Blues negotiations probably highlight the need for a broader conversation regarding the Auckland stadium network, along with what’s best for Auckland when optimising and utilising the network.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are tentative signs of recovery, as a troubled construction sector looks to turn the corner.  A new report shows the sector generated $94 billion in revenue in the year to March, down slightly from $99 billion the year prior.  Despite this, the report shows residential consents have levelled off, government infrastructure projects are restarting, and falling interest rates are supporting mortgage activity.  Combined Building Supplies Co-Op CEO Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking the Government is doing everything it promised to do to help.  He says he couldn't even get in front of the Construction Minister in the last government, but this government actually listens.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.