The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Government's hoping to send economic growth sky-high, announcing a 24/7 alternative runway for commercial airlines.  It's approved funding for Ohakea Air Force base, near Palmerston North, to run round-the-clock air traffic control so planes can divert there if needed.   Associate Transport Minister James Meager says this opens up an easier option for long-haul flights that may run low on fuel.   He told Mike Hosking Qatar Airways downgraded its services to New Zealand last year because of how much fuel its planes had to carry.   Meager also says they’re hoping regional airlines can refinance their debt and make some upgrades as loans are dished out.  Golden Bay Air will receive a government loan of around $1.1 million from a $30 million package.  Fund administrator, Kanoa, says it's working to fully allocate the rest of the funds quickly, processing loan applications from other airlines.  Meager told Hosking loans will be low-interest and paying them back will be a priority.   He says if these airlines can't make it work, they've got to find a way to ensure the country has reliable regional connectivity in the long run.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like the golden days for dairy farmers as they celebrate a record-breaking year.  Dairy NZ's annual state of the dairy nation report shows farmers produced an unprecedented 21 billion litres of milk in the 2024/2025 season.   The sector smashed export records – raking in more than $27 billion.  Dairy NZ Chief Executive Campbell Parker told Mike Hosking it reflects the good work farmers have done over a long time.  He says this injection into the economy can be invested back, meaning it's especially good for New Zealand.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A war of words between the banking sector and its regulator over how much New Zealanders want cash.   The Reserve Bank's proposing opening more branches and hubs to provide cash services, costing the sector $104 million a year.   It says cash continues to play an essential role for small businesses and communities.   But Banking Association Chief Executive Roger Beaumont told Mike Hosking customers are moving towards digital payment methods.   He says they're using apps or online banking, rather than going to punch in a pin at an ATM to buy an icecream from the dairy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marilyn Waring. Remember her?  Once an activist always an activist.  Marilyn took it upon herself to form her own select committee and she and a bunch of other MPs and interested parties opened their doors for submissions on pay equity and the changes the Government made that they didn’t like.  When doors like that get opened, people of like minds tend to wander through, and they sit around all agreeing with each other about how bad things are.  The ensuing report, which has just been released, tells you exactly what you would think it would.  The problem with pay equity is it's an unsolvable problem, unless you take on a North Korea/Cuba type view of the world and simply get the Government to make all the rules.  The simple truth of it is different jobs have different values.  Another truth is some women choose work that doesn’t pay as much as other work. Men do as well, but not as much.  Some of the work that doesn't pay as much is predominantly done by women.  The most famous case involved a woman called Kristine Bartlett and the aged care sector. Rightly or wrongly jobs of compassion and care tend to be done by females. I would argue that’s largely because they tend to be nicer people overall but that would probably lead to a charge of me being sexist, which I'm not.  What I am is a realist and you can see the issue. Should age care workers be paid more? Probably.  But if they were, who would foot the bill? The people paying the age care bills of course.  Could we artificially boost their pay? Well, that is where we got into dreadful trouble. They ended up comparing age care workers with mechanics and got a massive pay rise.  Trouble is it was always false. Mechanics are not age care workers any more than air stewards are. You can look for commonalities, twist logic all you want, but you either artificially mess with it, or you let the market be the market.  Most jobs have a rationale as to why they pay what they do and at all times, all jobs are open to all people, depending on desire and skill.  So essentially Marilyn and her mates have wasted their time.  Logic wins. The market wins. If you want more money, do a job that pays more of it, male or female. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s Prime Minister was evacuated from his official Canberra residence on Tuesday.  Anthony Albanese was moved from The Lodge to another location around 6pm, as the police investigated a bomb threat.  He was able to return once a search has been concluded, after 9pm.  Australia Correspondent Steve Price told Mike Hosking information is currently limited, but he’s never heard of an Australian Prime Minister being evacuated from an official residence.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Kiwi start-up's labours are bearing fruit.  ‘Forever Harvest’ has raised $1.2 million to grow fruit and nuts in a lab, all year round.  The project uses cellular agriculture, removing the need for orchards or soil and making production climate resistant.   Co-Founder Mick Riley told Mike Hosking they’re not looking to replace things like bulk cherries or bulk nectarines, but rather they’re creating a whole new kind of high value ingredient.  The products would be for commercial use, he says, as they’re not looking to compete in the consumer market.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Politics Wednesday, it’s a verbal brawl between Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen over the new move on orders for rough sleepers and beggars.   They discussed how effective such measures would be, whether or not they have anywhere else to go, and whether the wider public agrees with the orders.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 25th of February, MediMap’s Director explains what’s happening with the hack of their platform, plus we look at what would need to happen for Andrew to be removed from the line of succession.   Warriors CEO Cameron George speaks on co-captain Mitch Barnett’s departure at the end of the year and whether or not the Warriors are just seen as a stepping stone team.  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen bicker and argue about move on orders 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.

Legal cases against Lord Mandelson and former Prince Andrew are in the works as officials tread carefully to avoid prejudicing the proceedings.  The UK Government is hoping to release files on why former UK Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were appointed to their high-profile roles despite ties to Jeffrey Epstein.  Royal Correspondent Robert Hardman told Mike Hosking because of the ongoing legal case, no one wants to prejudice it.  He says generally the view is, regardless of the outcome of the legal process, Andrew has behaved so appallingly they don't want him anywhere near the throne.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another Australian is leaving the Warriors on compassionate grounds.  Co-captain Mitch Barnett is departing after the upcoming NRL season – a year ahead of his contract expiring.  Barnett has a child that requires medical support and he wants to be closer to family.  Warriors CEO Cameron George told Mike Hosking it’s unfortunate because he’s been such a great leader for the club.   He says the situation only come to light in the last month or so, and they’d even had some discussions about possibly extending his contract before this.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.