Thick fog and limited daylight is hampering efforts to find Iran's president, Ebrahim Raisi and other officials. The convoy of three helicopters was on its way back to Tehran, and one was forced to make a "hard landing" due to the bad weather and fog near the border with Azerbaijan. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking “They still haven't found the crash site.”  Arnold said “Raisi is known as the ‘Butcher of Tehran’, he brought in the execution of thousands of political...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 20th of May, we try and get some info as to how we will get the Kiwis home from New Caledonia from Defence Minister Judith Collins.    Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick gave her "State of the Climate" speech and answered questions about the Darleen Tana interview.    What a win for the Warriors! Season saver! Guy Heveldt and Andrew Saville join Mike in the Commentary Box to talk that, the rugby and Sid Going.  Get the Mike...

Hopes that business can be kept separate from geopolitics arise at today's China Business Summit in Auckland.  Key issues on the card include the Government's goal to double exports by value within 10 years, and the implications of expanding into other markets alongside China.  China Business Summit co-chair Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking “In China, it’s very interesting times.”  Bridges said “With China’s economy – critics say it’s in trouble, and supporters say it’s robust.”  LISTEN...

Top defence lawyers have called for changes to our courtrooms, arguing that it's biased in favour of the prosecution.  In a letter, the Defence Lawyers Association has outlined how it believes they're automatically disadvantaged.  Defence Lawyer Steve Cullen told Mike Hosking that there are some aspects worth looking into.  Cullen said “If you have the prosecutor sitting in front of the judge, and defence lawyer behind them – some people may think that gives priority. But jurors don’t...

China has reported data that suggests slower consumer growth, but industrial activity has remained consistent.   JMI Wealth Director Andrew Kelleher told Mike Hosking “There’s not been enough trickle-down to consumers and households.”  Kelleher said “Consumption is down in the doldrums – retail sales are problematic in New Zealand and around the world – in China they rose 2.3% in April, which is well below expectations.”  LISTEN ABOVE.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in serious condition, and still faces risks of complications but has stabilised.  Fico was shot five times at point-blank range last week, in an attack that sent shockwaves throughout Europe.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking “I suspect he’ll be in that hospital for a while yet.”  Grey said “The man charged has appeared in court over the weekend – the court ruled that he could be placed in custody before the trial.”  LISTEN...

The Warriors beat three-time defending champions Penrith Panthers 22-20, putting an end to their four-game losing streak.  The NRL is also seeing a surge in popularity - ten rounds into the season, and nearly 1.59 million New Zealanders have watched matches on Sky Sport and Sky Open.   Andrew Alderson told Mike Hosking “I think it’s a tremendous result.”  Alderson said “I think there's genuine belief there and they’re bringing those fans with them – justifiably.”  LISTEN ABOVE.    See...

New Zealand pet owners have added struggles during the cost-of-living crisis.   Latest Stats NZ figures show the price of pets and pet-related things have increased by a quarter in two years, while vet bills have also been rising sharply.   SPCA Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Alison Vaughn told Mike Hosking that although we want to spoil our pets, we need to be focusing on the basics when times are tough.   Vaughn said “The most important things are food and vet care – especially getting...

The NRL is pulling more and more eyes.  Ten rounds into the season, nearly 1.59 million New Zealanders have watched matches on Sky Sport and free-to-air on Sky Open.  This is an increase of 14% compared to last year.  Former Warriors Coach Frank Endacott told Mike Hosking that the increase says something for the game as a spectator sport.  He said that if you look at the way it’s progressed over the last couple of decades, the speed of the games is unbelievable.   LISTEN ABOVE  See...

Do you get the feeling the only moderately normal person in the Greens left the building a couple of weeks back, and he is sitting in his new corporate financing job feeling a new lease on life?  Surely as he read, as I did, the tale of Darleen Tana on full whack doing virtually nothing and his good mate Tory "let me bugger Wellington up" Whanau, he must be feeling just a bit guilty about hanging out with such a bunch of no-hopers.  This is not about politics. Politics is their wacky...

Australia's richest woman's causing a stir by demanding her portrait is removed from an exhibition.  Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira's art exhibition "Australia in Colour" is on display at the National Gallery of Australia.  Mining magnate Gina Rinehart doesn't like her painting and wants it taken down.  Australia correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking that while the portrait's not flattering, it's true to the style of the artist.  He says most of Vincent Namatjira's artworks are...

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.    The immigration statistics: 3/10  The record broken by Kiwis leaving this country is the number that should be chiseled on the Labour Government grave stone 2017-2023. "Here lies Labour. 52,500 couldn’t stand it any longer."    Charter schools: 7/10 Recognising that a union-based one-stop shop isn't for everyone.    The Waitangi Tribunal: 4/10  Why don’t they...

A kiwi company has figured out how to combine new AI technology with one of New Zealand’s biggest industries.  Livestock Visibility Solutions has created Flow, a software designed to streamline cow movement from the yard to the milking shed.  The program automates the backing gate system, allowing for greater efficiency.  CEO Richard Appleby told Mike Hosking that it can only be done by AI, as it reacts so quickly to what’s happening in the yard and needs to be able to adapt quickly.  He...

Australia is far outstripping New Zealand on the tourism front.  Data from Stats NZ shows that New Zealand had just over 340,000 visitors in March this year, up 74,200 compared to last year.  In comparison, Australia had more than 760,000, a 24.1% increase from March last year.  Tourism Minister Matt Doocey told Mike Hosking that we’re actually tracking pretty well when you look at the figures for the year ending March 2024.  He said that we’re sitting at about 82% of pre-Covid numbers,...

Donald Trump's lawyers continue to cross-examine his former fixer in court in a potential turning point of the hush money trial.  Michael Cohen was an attorney for the former-President from 2006 to 2018 and is the prosecution's last witness.  He's told the prosecutors he paid adult star Stormy Daniels on behalf of Trump to ensure the story would not come out before the 2016 election.  US correspondent, Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Cohen previously said he'd do just about anything...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 17th of May, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters talked about his trip in the Solomon Islands, the chaos in New Caledonia, and Putin meeting up with Xi.  Do we have a culture of workplace bullying in this country? The answer is yes according to the Human Rights Commission, and the comments come in thick and fast.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson Wrapped the Week, and we heard all about how terrible of a sick patient Mike Hosking...

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to wrap this week.  On the agenda today was bullying, pool, and fitness. Plus, Mike Hosking was off sick these last couple days and Kate revealed that he’s quite the ‘excruciating’ patient.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a belief that bullying's embedded in New Zealand culture.  A report from the Human Rights Commission and KPMG says the estimated cost of harassment and bullying to businesses is around $1.5 billion.  It says the cost to employers is about $1,600 for every worker affected.  Anti-Bullying Council Director James Hilford told Mike Hosking that bullying's rife across most industries.  He says in all the workplaces he's been in, his experience has shown it's part of the entire country's...

Hundreds of New Zealanders stranded in New Caledonia could start coming home tomorrow.  The French territory is in a state of emergency and its international airport remains closed.  There have been several days of violent unrest, sparked by controversial constitutional changes.  At least four people have died and hundreds more have been injured during fires, armed clashes and mass looting.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters told Mike Hosking that more than 200 Kiwis are currently there,...

An agricultural economics expert says Fonterra's change in strategy has come as a surprise.   The dairy giant has signalled its intent to divest brands including Anchor and Mainland, and overseas operations Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka.   It wants to focus on producing ingredients and selling those to consumers and other businesses.  Lincoln University agricultural economics professor Alan Renwick told Mike Hosking that the brands are likely to be bought by offshore companies....

Half the country’s junior doctors are walking off the job again today as they continue to fight pay and work conditions.  More than two thousand junior doctors with the Resident Doctors' Association are striking for 49 hours from today.  They haven't reached an agreement with Health New Zealand on pay and working conditions.  Dr Deborah Powell, National Secretary for the NZ Resident Doctors Association, told Andrew Dickens that the good news is that they’re still talking and working on...

A 71-year-old man remains in police custody in Slovakia, accused of attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico.  Fico was airlifted to the hospital after being shot in the stomach, arm, and leg.  Christopher Luxon's joining other world leaders in condemning the attack, saying it's shocking and nothing justifies such horrific violence in our democratic systems.  Newstalk ZB Europe correspondent Enda Brady —who made a documentary about Fico— told Andrew Dickens it's interesting the...

Some influencers are losing millions of social media followers in protest of their silence on the Israel-Gaza conflict.  #Blockout2024 began after the Met Gala, as celebrities used their platforms to share the luxurious affair amid worldwide protests.  Taylor Swift has lost more than 300,000 and Kim Kardashian has lost more than 3 million since the event.  Gorilla Technology Chief Executive Paul Spain told Andrew Dickens he's unsure of the difference it'll make.  He says the people...

The Housing Minister's asking questions of Kainga Ora over revelations the Dunedin holiday park it owns has sat empty for four years.  The Crown housing agency bought Aaron Lodge in Kaikorai Valley for more than $4 million, intended to become a social housing development.  But it's remained vacant, covered in weeds and temporary fencing.  Chris Bishop told Andrew Dickens that it's a 'pretty crazy' situation, particularly given our housing crisis.  He says while development does sometimes...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 16th of May, Andrew Dickens is once more filling in for Mike Hosking. Both the Police Association and Minister Mark Mitchell joined to discuss NSW's increased push to steal our cops to their shores.  The Brits are both shocked and in awe of King Charles first official portrait. Andrew gave his thoughts.  Christchurch country-pop singer Miranda Easten gave a world premiere of her new single ahead of her upcoming sophomore...