The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A lack of surprise from the Education Minister over poor writing achievement in schools.  New data shows only a quarter of Year 8 students achieved their curriculum writing level last year.   The Government's launching a new digital tool for students sitting below the standard and introducing more professional development in literacy.   Education Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking the figures are the results of years of decline and a poor curriculum, which is now being changed.  She says there's teaching practices where students have to guess words.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A senior economist says he'd like to see a series of OCR cuts.  The Reserve Bank will announce its decision at 2pm today.   Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr is expecting to see a 25 basis point cut.   He told Mike Hosking after a cut today, he'd like to see two more to get the OCR to 2.5%.   Kerr says that sort of stimulation is what we need to pull us out of recession.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the United States is looking likely.  US President Donald Trump's been meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House today, following talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.  Zelenskyy and Trump are now meeting with other leaders, including Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.  UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking Starmer is saying he thinks they can make real progress to end the war.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If Grant Robertson thinks the Covid inquiry is a "show trial", then what is about to unfold at the High Court as of the end of this month can't be far behind.  A bunch of unions are taking the Government to court over pay equity.  They are having several stabs at it – the Bill of Rights is in play and the democratic process is up for debate.  One of the things the unions claim may happen if they win, is a select committee would have to hear submissions and a debate in Parliament would have to take place.  That’s the "show trial" part. Select committees hear from the people you would expect to hear from: broadly, it's people opposed to whatever change of law is in play.  And a debate in Parliament hears both sides, one for, one against, with the Government of the day prevailing, given it is they who have the numbers and indeed that is why they are the Government.  Which is essentially why court is a waste of time, remembering of course the Government is the ultimate court and if they want to pass a law, they can.  Making it complicated is the whole pay equity calculation is a mess. Secondary teachers, for example, were one of the many claimants putting an equity claim forward before the law was changed.  To my eye being a high school teacher is not an equity issue. Men do it, women do it, there are lots of them and they aren't paid on gender.  It's not a profession where 99% of them are women and because they are women, they are poorly paid.  High school teachers are paid quite well. You could equally argue they are not paid as well as they could be because the union insists on them all being paid the same based on time in the classroom. If they got paid on merit it would be a different world.  Kristine Bartlett's case became famous because we could all see the care industry was mainly female and the pay was poor. I would still argue the pay was poor because the work, although kind and worthy, is not of great numerical value.  If it was, rest homes would pay more, charge residents more and we'd happily foot the bill. But we don’t.  Anyway, the upshot is the best the unions can hope for is a court win. The win can then be used to beat the Government about the head as big, bad meanies.  But it will still not get them paid under an equity deal because the court is not the Government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been an incredible rise for Kiwi Supercars driver Ryan Wood.  Racing for Walkinshaw Andretti United last year, he helped the team to 3rd in the Teams Championship —their highest finish since 2016— and was widely considered the best rookie on the grid.  This year has already seen him claim a win in race 14, with multiple podium appearances under his belt, as well as a host of Top 10 finishes.   Wood told Mike Hosking he’s really happy with the improvements they’ve made over the last year since moving into the main game.  “It’s been a great year so far,” he said.  “Really excited for, obviously, the big races coming up, and it should be a huge challenge.”  “Hopefully we’re ready for it.”   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Times are challenging for the global honey sector.   Oversupply, inflated prices, and global volatility continue to drive sector woes.   Apiculture NZ CEO Karin Kos told Mike Hosking both domestic and export factors are contributing.  In 2019, New Zealand had a record 1 million hives and 10,000 beekeepers, but now there’s under 500,000 hives and 7,600 beekeepers, she says.   At the same time, Kos told Hosking, there was softening global demand post-Covid, particularly in some of our largest markets.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 19th of August, eyes are on the White House as Zelenskyy and EU leaders meet for peace talks. Our White House Correspondent is on the scene.  Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge defends their big profit rise while the country faces rising energy costs.  Kiwi Supercars driver Ryan Wood is having a stellar second season so far, so we catch up with him during the mini break of the year.  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.

One of the country’s major electricity companies is defending their increased profits amid rising energy prices.   Contact Energy’s full year net profit is up 41%, with revenue up 20%.  Their underlying profit also climbed 17%, bolstered by a strong lift in geothermal generation as well as improved sales and customer numbers.  CEO Mike Fuge told Mike Hosking the profits are the result of their investment in major projects that benefit the country, such as geothermal.  He says they’re actually investing more than what they earned in profit last year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chef at the country's best restaurant says they're always improving to stay top of the game.   From more than 300 contestants, Queenstown's fine dining hotspot Amisfield has once again been crowned 'Restaurant of the Year' at the Cuisine Good Food Awards.  Executive Chef, Vaughan Mabee told Mike Hosking being in Central Otago helps them in many ways.   He says the combination of their team and the area's amazing wine country, tourism, and product brings the success of the restaurant and vineyard.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's focussing on a peace deal rather than a ceasefire as talks with Ukraine's President get underway.  Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House for talks with Trump and several European leaders today.   Trump also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and says he'll have a phone call with him after today's talks.   Channel 9 US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi told Mike Hosking the meeting has been quite warm so far, with it appearing to be a room full of friends as opposed to heads of state.   She says that it’s a good thing for Europe, who has come into this supporting Zelenskyy, as they know the security of Ukraine will have ramifications on Europe.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.