Podcast
The Mike Hosking Breakfast
Hosted by Newstalk ZB · EN
Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.
Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.
The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more.
The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.
Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.
The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more.
The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.
801episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Mike's Minute: Why all the angst around the Opportunity Party?
Yesterday00:02:13Tap to summarizeI have been surprised, and not surprised, by two aspects of the Opportunity Party. 1) I'm not surprised by the media's fascination, 2) I am surprised at the amount of angst shown by people increasingly alarmed at the prospect they may be heading for Parliament and some sort of influence. The media, and especially digital media, sadly require these days astonishing amounts of content for the constant churn appetite that they, ironically, have created and so a shiny new political party was always going to get plenty of attention. But I have never seen the angst this party has created among those who write, text, and talk to me. Small parties have come and gone; Social Credit, Values, the Alliance Party, various forms of the Māori Party, United – they've all had a burst of sunlight. United got the worm and flew for a while but even in its original guise as TOP, they never came close to the noise the Opportunity Party creates at the moment. Here is the good news —unless you are an actual fan of theirs— they will get a level of exposure that will ultimately see them combust. Even Helen Clark on social media yesterday called it fantasy dressed as policy. The leader of the party appeared on Q&A and got roasted. Every time she fronts, as articulate as Ms Wong may be, a new chink in the Opportunity armour is exposed. The latest is this mad board overruling elected MPs. Now, far from being frightening, this is all good stuff. This is democracy in action. There is nothing to be fearful of here. Knowledge is always power and in this case the knowledge is what leads to Opportunity most likely not getting across the 5%. This country is not up for upheaval. We don’t want, or vote for, upheaval. We vote for variations of what we get sick of, hence bits of National morph into NZ First or ACT, and bits of Labour turn into the Greens, or Alliance, or United. Opportunity is a lab experiment, hence the media interest and alarmism. They are not serious people. Helen Clark sees it, I see it, Luxon saw it when he ruled them out. By November 7th enough of the rest will see it as well. So relax. As you were. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Jon Toogood: Former Shihad frontman on his life, music career, and new book 'Home Again'
Yesterday00:13:01Tap to summarizeFormer Shihad frontman Jon Toogood is on a different sort of tour than he’s used to. He’s written a book, ‘Home Again’, that explores his 37 year career with a band that helped define New Zealand rock music. It’s filled with personal stories both from Toogood’s childhood and the years Shihad spent on the road – touring and performing around the world. While he’s not necessarily one to look backwards, Toogood found writing the book to be a cathartic experience. “I didn’t realise it, I mean it sounds preposterous, I didn’t realise how much my whole life was revolved around music,” he told Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Full Show Podcast: 18 August 2026
Yesterday01:30:05Tap to summarizeOn the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 18th of August, Stats NZ data shows our inflation is continuing to cool, and there’s finally some good news for the Port of Tauranga. Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced yet another report on a second Auckland Harbour crossing. Former Shihad frontman Jon Toogood is back on the show to chat about his new book about his time changing the rock landscape in this country. 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.
Transcribe →Denise Garland: Retail NZ Advocacy, Advice, and Communications Manager on retail spending increasing 3.5% in July compared to last year
Yesterday00:02:39Tap to summarizeRetailers are optimistic a bump in spending will stick around. Latest Stats NZ data on electronic card transactions shows July's core retail spending is up 3.5% compared to the same time last year. Retail NZ says it's an encouraging sign considering the winter months are typically slower for the sector. Communications Manager Denise Garland told Mike Hosking the FIFA World Cup was likely a big factor in the positive hospitality numbers. She says it’s been a rocky year for retail, but they’re seeing more people out and about and in cafes and restaurants, so there’s hope the bounce will continue. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Casey Costello: Associate Health Minister on the report calling for reform of the aged care system
Yesterday00:02:38Tap to summarizeThere’s confidence a proposed shake-up of our aged care system will fix the gaps. A Ministerial Advisory Group's made 40 recommendations, including more in-home care, a workforce strategy, and a national pathway for people needing support. It warns that without action the cost of care will almost double within a decade, and some areas could run out of beds. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello told Mike Hosking we don't have a care system, just fragmented parts of one. She says it's difficult to navigate the current system and the changes need to have people's health at the forefront. Costello told Hosking the recommendations are bold, and previously solutions have been missing from discussions, so she's pleased with the group's work. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Chris Bishop: Transport Minister on the Government continuing to explore options for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing in Auckland
Yesterday00:08:41Tap to summarizeThe Transport Minister's defending the more than $100 million already spent exploring a second Waitemata Harbour crossing. Cabinet's agreed to a new Crown-led case into the pros and cons of a bridge or tunnel, and will also investigate a Meola Reef crossing option. The Government's not ruling out tolls, or potential co-investment from Auckland Council. Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking the reality is that these things cost money. He says it's a multi-billion dollar project, and the consultancy work already done won't go to waste. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Leonard Sampson: Port of Tauranga CEO on receiving conditional fast-track approval for the Stella Passage development
Yesterday00:03:15Tap to summarizeKey extensions to Tauranga's wharf have been given the green light after a seven-year battle. A fast-track expert panel's issued a draft decision proposing to grant all approvals sought by Port of Tauranga. The development involves extending the Sulphur Point container berth by 385 metres and the Mount Maunganui wharves by 315 metres. Port Chief Executive Leonard Sampson told Mike Hosking it's been incredibly frustrating getting to this stage. He says in the scheme of things, it's minor upgrades to accommodate more container vessels. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Mark Smith: ASB Senior Economist on the data showing inflation is cooling as fuel prices drop
Yesterday00:03:40Tap to summarizeWhile further OCR hikes are probably on the way, inflation now appears to have turned a corner. Latest Stats NZ data shows diesel inflation's fallen to 34.8% and petrol inflation's fallen to 15.1%, with prices for both dropping for three consecutive months. Electricity inflation's back down to 9.5% and food inflation's now just 1.9%. ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking inflation appears to be falling from the peak reached last quarter. He says the numbers are very positive. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Full Show Podcast: 17 August 2026
2d ago01:30:05Tap to summarizeOn the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 17th of August, Act proposes to only hire people in the public sector on merit instead of race or gender and we celebrate updated tourism numbers and NZ Fashion Week. The Prime Minister joins the show for the first time since the attempted coup - and talks about whether there is more reform coming for the public sector. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk all being together at the ZB 100th birthday party on Friday night - and they talk a bit of sport too! 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.
Transcribe →Mike's Minute: Time to go back to the bigger picture for the election
2d ago00:02:16Tap to summarizeThis should be it for coup gate questioning of the Prime Minister. Bruce Cotterill's piece over the weekend in the NZ Herald I hope, and more importantly actually I think, represents a growing feeling in this country among middle New Zealand that the superficiality of what the media obsess in is not really what counts. And what counts is the record and, as Bruce very clearly lays out, the record is not a bad one - from crime, to education, to exports there is a very good story to be told. Perhaps, and the Government might want to work a bit harder on this, the only story this election outside the record of achievement is tax. One side want to tax us more. The side in Government doesn’t. It's that simple. In a country that has been through what we have for the past seven or so years, we are fed up with tax and the constant raiding of our pockets by people who have no other ideas than having you and I pay for everything. Anyway Luxon was at our Newstalk ZB 100th party on Friday night and everyone commented on his speech, which was kind, self deprecating and funny. "Why couldn’t we see more of that," they asked. My answer is the country is not a party and when you see the Prime Minister he isn't giving birthday speeches. It’s the old issue they have argued all along; meet the bloke and you like him but watch him in a 20 second news clip and he can look troubled. My guess from the mood in the room on Friday is it was the opposite of what you probably read over the weekend, which was "Luxon is done for", "National are mortally wounded". I think last Wednesday enhanced Luxon. It showed balls, it showed self-belief and it showed courage. Most of us like that stuff. In a caucus of 48 does he have some self-absorbed dickheads? Yes, but that’s not his fault. It's not a reason to be derailed. The big picture should never be interrupted .by the trials and tribulations of the small-thinker. By the time we vote this will be yet another non-event in a campaign full of things we thought were a big deal, until they weren't. If you're bullish, and I am, last Wednesday could be the making of him. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →