The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Education Minister says balance of choice is a priority under its new qualification system.   The Government is proposing to throw out NCEA for two certificates in Years 12 and 13.   Level 1 will be replaced with a foundation test in numeracy and literacy.   Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking that after Year 11, students are free to choose the subjects which engage them.  She says the key difference will be when students study English, math, or physics, it will be against a world-leading benchmarked curriculum, and children in Invercargill will be learning the exact same thing as those in Auckland.   The Education Minister’s also looking at trimming down the variety of subjects available to students.  Stanford told Hosking they’re taking a look at the number of subjects and the amount of students taking each one.   But she still wants the option for children to take classes which excite them, like dance and drama.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland house prices have held firm through a busy July.  Real estate agency Barfoot & Thompson's revealed it sold 957 properties across the Auckland region last month – its highest July total in four years.  More than 46% of sales sat at more than a million dollars and new listings rose more than 14%.  Managing Director Peter Thompson says the market's holding steady and is ready to take-off when interest rates come down further.  He told Mike Hosking things are starting to move again with more first-time home buyers entering the market and more activity from developers as a result of the fast track legislation.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Excitement from the trades sector for a better pipeline for high school students.   The Government is looking to phase out NCEA over five years – replaced with a foundation test in Year 11 and certificates in Years 12 and 13.   It also wants to improve vocational pathways for students entering the workforce.    Motor Trade Association Advocacy Head James McDowall told Mike Hosking NCEA is an absolute mess.   He says it isn't effective when students only pick up occasional credits in vocational pathways.   McDowall also says NCEA has far too much flexibility – saying credits for changing a car's oil doesn't give someone the experience to be an automotive engineer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's disappointment Canterbury communities weren't consulted on a proposal to shut down rural Police stations.  Police are looking to reduce personnel, disestablishing some rural roles in favour of larger 24/7 hubs based in Rolleston and Rangiora.  Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green told Mike Hosking the community's heard about it via the media.  She says their Police live in their area and know their people, and if you lose that in a rural community it has a huge impact.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 4th of August, could we have done anything to ensure we got 10% instead of a 15% tariff hit? The Prime Minister joins Mike in studio to talk humanity, tariffs and when we are getting the NCEA announcement. Andrew Kelleher and Jason Pine talk everything from a dismal Warriors team to a good Wallabies side to a good Liam Lawson race. 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.

The Prime Minister is hoping to refocus secondary schools on literacy and numeracy - like the Government's done with primary schools.  A major announcement on the future of NCEA is expected in the coming moments.  It's understood public consultation will be launched on proposed changes -- in which teachers and parents can give feedback. Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking that the country needs an internationally competitive education system.   He says students can get through the current system without proficiency in the basics.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disappointment, at the lack of people putting their name forward for October's council elections. Several people have been elected unopposed around the country. They include three of Christchurch's 16 councillors, two of Auckland's 20 councillors, and five of Lower Hutt's 13 councillors. Lower Hutt's outgoing mayor and the Vice President of Local Government New Zealand Campbell Barry says it's a less-than-ideal situation. He says the environment may be putting many people off standing, but a high-profile mayoral race can help drive interest. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A housing spokesperson warns homelessness is the worst it's been in several years.  The Government is seeking urgent advice as communities report rises in rough sleeping across the nation.  Auckland outreach providers alone reported a 90 percent spike in homelessness.  Salvation Army Senior Policy Analyst Paul Barber says it could come from issues with both resourcing and delivery.  He suggests a solution could be re-investing the hundreds-of-millions of dollars taken out of emergency housing support.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was little this country could do to dodge the latest  tariff - this from a former trade minister Donald Trump's raising tariffs on New Zealand goods to 15 percent, while keeping tariffs on Australian and British goods at 10-percent. Tim Groser has dealt with the US extensively -- as our trade minister during the Barack Obama administration, and ambassador to the US during the first Trump administration. He told Mike Hosking current trade minister Todd McClay couldn't have prevented this, even if he'd camped outside the White House. Groser says our tariff rate rose, because New Zealand exports more goods to the US, than we import from the US. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The direct line between Wellington and Washington will see material results on tackling crime in New Zealand. The FBI has set up a Wellington based office - meaning it now has an office in each of the capitals of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. It will work on combating terrorism, organised crime, and foreign intelligence threats. Assistant Police Commissioner Mike Pannett told Mike Hosking the FBI has specialist capabilities and having a NZ presence is a testament to a longstanding partnership. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.