The Mike Hosking Breakfast

If you ever want an example of why Chris Hipkins is not going to be the next Prime Minister, watch Question Time yesterday.  He has made a twofold mistake.  Mistake number one is being a Labour MP obsessed with esoteric, wonky subjects like United Nations treaties and charters.  The second mistake is being obsessed with making a global issue all about New Zealand, when in reality we have nothing to do with it.  The Prime Minister has kind of got trapped by it as well. The reality is the attack on Iran will affect us all, whether through petrol prices or possibly some inflationary issues and our ability to travel to Europe through Dubai.  Outside of that it is not our war, we did not start it, we are not participating in it, and we are a world away from it.  The Prime Minister and the Government can answer questions, as far as anyone can answer questions, on what it might mean for our economy, or our travel, or our petrol bill.  But what they can't do, and yet are being asked to do, is explain why the Americans did what they did and how that may or may not tie into the United Nations and various charters.  Luxon got bogged down in the legalities of it on Monday and walked back some of his comments about all actions to eliminate a regime being good actions.  But then Hipkins started banging on about the UN as though New Zealand is the boss of the UN, New Zealand was exclusively given details of the material the United States acted on and has insight that no other country has as to whether there is a so-called "imminent threat".  Labour, Hipkins, and the media do this every time. They try and place New Zealand, a tiny, insignificant country at the bottom of the world, into the centre of all global action as though we somehow affect it, can change it, explain it, participate in it or stop it.  Esoteric international law is of little interest to most of us on a daily basis. Arguing over United Nation's charters is the stuff of chardonnay and Thorndon and people far removed from regular New Zealander's lives and thought patterns.  It’s a dumb game trying to trap a government into saying random stuff in the hope they get a headline, or an apology, or a scalp.  This has nothing to do with us. Like the weather, it will affect us, but we don’t drive it, influence it, or even know a lot about it.  Also, for what it's worth, by arguing the way Labour does they are hopelessly out of step with your average New Zealander who I suspect, if you asked the simple question "is getting rid of the crazies in Iran a good idea", the answer would be yes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump says "just about everything" in Iran has "been knocked out".   He's spoken from the White House alongside the German Chancellor who is visiting.   New strikes have been targeting Iranian leadership after claims the first wave killed 48 of its highest ranking officials, including the Supreme Leader.   Trump says Iran now has no navy, air force, or air detection.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Trump has yet to make a formal statement to the American people, or the rest of the world, about what’s happening.  But, he says, the US President continues to indicate this could go on for weeks.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand’s reset just got a lot more urgent.  Things could deteriorate faster for the airline amid instability in the Middle East.   Morningstar Research is now forecasting a $125 million pre-tax loss this year following a $59 million loss in the first half of the year.  Forsyth Barr Head of Research Andy Bowley told Mike Hosking there’s little disagreement that the second half of the year will be similar or worse, the concerning aspect is how bad it could be.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen delve into the situation in the Middle East - what are the next steps for Kiwis stuck there? And Ginny explains Labour's firm stance on the illegality of the US and Israel's actions in Iran.  Plus, they discuss the Government's books and Labour's pledge to restore the pay equity scheme.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 4th of March, the tourism sector is a major force, with spending and jobs both rising.   Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters speaks on meeting Javier Milei in Argentina and his thoughts on the situation in Iran and criticism from Helen Clark and Phil Goff.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk about Kiwis stuck in the Middle East and balancing the books on Politics Wednesday.  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.

Australia’s highest-paying radio show has come to an explosive end.  Sydney’s Kyle and Jackie O Show has collapsed after Kyle Sandilands reamed out his co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson in a seven-minute-long exchange she later described as an attack.  It led to the program being taken off-air and Henderson quitting the show, and a 14-day suspension and potential contract termination for Sandilands.  Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking the company is probably going to be very happy they can get out of the $200 million contract.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A change in scale beckons for strength and conditioning guru Nic Gill as he trades the All Blacks for the NFL's Ravens.  Gill's leaving after 18 years in the role to take up a newly created position at the Baltimore franchise.  He told Mike Hosking that while his work will largely be the same, he'll operate in a money-is-no-obstacle environment.  Gill says the facilities are ridiculous and mindblowing – they have everything one could need, and not just one of them, they have ten.   He has told the Herald he wanted to announce his job change before the new All Blacks coach is appointed, but is willing to help NZR find a successor.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Severe weather hasn't put a dampener on the wine industry, who remains optimistic for the year's vintage.   Harvesting has begun in most of the country's hotspots, with Northland kicking off the season in late January.   It's the earliest harvest yet as the industry adapts to changing weather patterns.   New Zealand Winegrowers Chief Executive Philip Gregan it is early, but it’s a continuation of a trend they’ve seen in recent years.   He says there’s research currently under way to ensure the vines they use will continue to produce grapes with the same great flavours in a world with an earlier harvest.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has responded to critics of the Government's position on whether the United States and Israel have acted illegally by attacking Iran, saying the world is facing "new circumstances".  He told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking this morning that “serious international legal experts” should decide whether their actions were legal - not people who were “not qualified”, including former PM Helen Clark, who has called New Zealand's response "a disgrace".  “The rule of law on the streets of Auckland is the same as the rule of law internationally. To make it stand, somebody has to enforce it,” Peters said.  “Some countries are kicking back and saying no, we are dealing with a bunch of religious fanatics and they cannot be trusted.”  Peters denied he was backing America whether or not the country’s actions were legal.  “[Iran] have been financing proxies all around the world, even as far as Australia, in major terrorist activities. They've been doing it for decades.  "But all of a sudden now you've got a sort of a concertina of concern where some countries are saying enough, we are going to stop you right here, right now.  “And then all of a sudden all those geostrategic experts in history and what have you in foreign affairs are saying, oh, we should have the rule of law,” he said.  “Well, my point is you're not looking at the same circumstances now. It's not a matter of backing anybody or opposing anyone. We are facing new circumstances…and we have to look at them with new eyes.”  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism continues to be a major force in the economy.  Stats NZ says it shows tourism spending in New Zealand has hit $46.6 billion, up 3.3% on last year.  International visitors spent $18.1 billion – a 7% jump.  Tourism Industry Aotearoa CEO Rebecca Ingram told Mike Hosking this set of data runs until March 2025, and there’s been a tremendous amount of effort invested since then.  She says they’re anticipating that the data they get next year will be even better.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.