The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Government's scraped the bottom of the barrel to find more money for the upcoming Budget.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's promising an extra $400 million for maintaining and upgrading assets, on top of the already projected $3.6 billion.  He says he wants to prioritise growing the economy.  Infrastructure New Zealand Policy Director Michelle McCormick told Mike Hosking things are looking up after the investment summit earlier this year.  She says things are happening in the background, including creating a more positive investment environment.  McCormick says that while it's breadcrumbs, it's positive news.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Pope's experience around the globe has hoisted him above front-runners for the papacy.   69-year-old Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, is the first Pope to come from the United States.   While he was born in Chicago, he's also a naturalised Peruvian having lived there for about 20 years, and speaks English, Spanish, and Italian.  Newstalk ZB's Jo McKenna is at the Vatican and told Mike Hosking his history in Peru would've drawn support from South American cardinals.  She says he’s strongly pushing messages of connection, talking in his speech about peace and maintaining the message of Pope Francis of reaching out to all corners of the earth and creating an inclusive church.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's planning to increase ventilation requirements in new homes to address overheating in townhouses.  RNZ reports Auckland homeowners have complained of 30-degree temperatures overnight due to poorly ventilated buildings.  Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says changes are needed so people don't get cooked alive in their own house.  Property developer and investor David Whitburn told Mike Hosking the problem's driven by cost and design.  He says the building code has changed for insulation standards, while ventilation rules have stayed the same.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The looming impact of Donald Trump's tariffs on the film industry sparks a discussion on international trade missions. The New Zealand Film Commission is exploring partnerships in India, the UK, and France to attract more investment. Chief Executive Annie Murray highlights the rise in co-productions and the bustling business landscape. With Cannes on the horizon, they gear up for meetings to expand opportunities in the film sector.

Red meat exports are setting records.  The country's March export sales were $1.26 billion - a new high.  China's beef demand dropped 35% by volume and value compared to last March, due to their growing imports from South America.  Fed Farmers President Wayne Langford told Mike Hosking there's still room to expand.  He says there's work to do for farming marketing and trade teams to get deals across the line with Chinese red meat importers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An organised crime expert believes New Zealand's failure to curb criminal activity isn't due to a lack of trying.   A ministerial advisory group has released its second report criticising our response to modern crime and money laundering.   It shows the cash and assets seized by police is just 4.2% of the $1.6 billion in criminal profits each year.   Group Chair and top lawyer Steve Symon told Mike Hosking Police are doing an excellent job addressing the problem and just need more tools.   He says the number of seizures is fine by international standards, but not enough to properly disrupt operations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 8th of May, our unemployment numbers look to have peaked, and we have the latest report from the advisory group for organised crime.  Would you be happy if Mark Lundy moved into your neighbourhood? Should we know where a high-profile prisoner is reintegrating back into society?  Outgoing Air NZ CEO Greg Foran gives his first in-depth interview since announcing his resignation.  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.

Greg Foran knew his time with Air New Zealand was limited from the get go.  The outgoing CEO announced his resignation in March, planning to stay on until October.   He began at Air NZ in early 2020, replacing Christopher Luxon.  Foran told Mike Hosking he knew in the back of his mind he’d probably only do about five or six years with the company, as he has other things he’s keen to do.  He says it’s been one of the peak learning experiences he’s had, and he’s a far better leader today than he was before he took the job.  He also weighed in on the country's tourism numbers. He's been in Rotorua this week for the national tourism industry summit, TRENZ.   Foran told Hosking overseas visitor arrivals last year were only 87% of pre-Covid levels in 2019.   He believes by this time next year, numbers will be back over 100% compared to pre-Covid.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A $1.4 billion upgrade could be on the way for Transpower's Cook Strait electricity cable.   The 610 kilometre link is a transmission system connecting the North and South islands, installed in 1991.  The existing cables are likely to reach their end of life in the late 2030s.   Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie told Mike Hosking the Commerce Commission will need to review that.  He says they’ll need to ensure the numbers are robust and the programme executable.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black smoke has billowed from Rome's Sistine Chapel, signalling a new pope's failed to be elected.  The 133 cardinals will now reconvene tomorrow to choose a successor to Pope Francis.  Jo McKenna, who's in St Peters' Square, told Mike Hosking they went up until about 9pm local time.  She says many of the cardinals are elderly and have to come back in the morning.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.