The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Queenstown's benefiting from another influx of winter tourists.  Local operator Skyline has seen a 33% increase in international visitors to its luge, and a 21% rise in visitors to its gondolas.  Other operators are also reporting a similar increase.  Chief Operating Officer Danny Luke told Mike Hosking tourism is booming again.  He says the winter’s been vibrant and they’re seeing real growth at the moment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 12th of August, New Zealand is considering recognising a Palestinian state. Does it matter? Will it change the war? Former Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff weighs in.   Christchurch has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Super Round – NZR boss Mark Robinson discusses the decision.  Country music star Lainey Wilson is on her way to New Zealand for the first time next year, and chatted exclusively with Mike.  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.

From living in a trailer outside a recording studio to selling out 80 thousand capacity stadiums, Lainey Wilson has made it big.  For over a decade she’s been one of the biggest country music stars to come out of Nashville, with nine Country Music Association Awards under her belt, as well a Grammy.  Her career started in 2014 with the release of a self titled album, but it was with the release of her second album ‘Tougher’ in 2016 that kickstarted her career properly.   Since then, her success has only grown, and now she’s headed to New Zealand for the first time in 2026.  Despite Wilson’s current stardom, she had a rough start to her career.   The trailer she lived in had a lot of issues, from flooding and rotting floors to running out of propane and having to sleep in coats to stay warm.  “I was willing to put up with whatever I had to put up with to be able to do it,” Wilson told Mike Hosking.  “It didn’t even cross my mind that it was actually hard in the moment.”  Finding success in the music industry isn’t easy, but Wilson was determined, with a “weird sense of peace” in her heart, knowing that this is what she was supposed to do.  “I knew at nine years old that I was going to be in Nashville and that I was going to tell stories,” she said.  “So it was important for me to like, listen to that feeling and see it through.”  However, despite that gut feeling, she had no idea “telling stories” would look lead to nearly 30 awards, eight number 1 hits, and over 2.1 billion streams.  “It looks even better than I could have ever imagined.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officials are committing to just the one year of Super Round in Christchurch – for now.  Christchurch's new stadium will play host to five Super Rugby games over Anzac weekend 2026.  Super Round took a year out of the schedule this year after the Melbourne Rebels exited the competition.  NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson told Mike Hosking it has always been on the radar to give back to a region that loves its rugby and has been a massive supporter of the game at many levels.  He says they’re not ruling out the possibility of Christchurch hosting more rounds in the future.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it worth trying to grow rice in New Zealand?  As our appetite for the staple crop increases, ecologist Yuki Fukada has pointed out the complete lack of commercial rice production in the country.  We’re currently importing $95 million worth of rice from overseas – about 85,000 tons.   Lincoln University’s Dr Jacqueline Rowarth told Mike Hosking Fukada is looking at it in terms of volume, but she thinks we should be looking at value instead.  Rice is a $2 a kilo crop, Rowarth says, and if we can grow something of a higher value we should stick with that instead of replacing it with rice.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cinderella and Mickey Mouse are packing their bags and heading offshore as Disney Cruise Line confirms its exit from New Zealand.  The company operated its Disney Wonder ship across the Tasman since 2024 but will relocate to another part of the world from 2026.  Cruise Association Chief Executive Jacqui Lloyd told Mike Hosking the fees imposed on ships is playing a big role.  She says the costs imposed on ships in New Zealand and Australia is expensive.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a view businesses have been taken by surprise by surging gas prices.  Energy management company Optima and Business NZ's joint survey reveals gas prices have risen by more than 100% on average in the past five years.  Nearly half report it's led to them reducing operations, increased prices, or cutting staff.  Business NZ Energy Council Executive Director Tina Schirr told Mike Hosking they didn't know how quickly supply would dwindle.  She says they knew there'd be moderate reduction over the next few years, but didn't think it'd be this steep over the last two years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A critical decision lies before New Zealand on whether to recognise Palestinian statehood.  Australia's pledged to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, following suit with countries like France, Canada, and the UK.  Our Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed we will reach a formal decision next month. Former Foreign Minister Phil Goff told Mike Hosking the move would send a message to Israel its action is unacceptable, and would affirm the Palestinian people's rights to a homeland.   He says it supports a two state solution, which New Zealand backs and which Israel itself agreed to more than 30 years ago.  Goff says it's a measure we should take, but it won't resolve the appalling things happening to the Palestinian people.   He says New Zealand should be doing more to back up its words with action, as we tend to talk-the-talk without having the guts to do anything about it.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville join Mike Hosking this morning to discuss the weekend's sports. On the table today: Richie Mo'unga, why don't they bring him straight into the All Blacks? Is NZR tripping over it's own rules again? The Blackcaps thrashed Zimbabwe resulting in their largest test victory ever - 359 runs! And Shane Van Giserbergen is set for a contract extension, but are the details a bit too vague? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 11th of August, we've got more work visas to help out with seasonal work - but an immigration advisor says some of the rules around these ones could be a game changer. The Prime Minister is fresh off a visit with Anthony Albanese and joins Mike in studio as he asks if anything came out of it. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine console Mike on the Commentary Box after the Warriors loss and they discuss the life of Peter Lester.   Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.