The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Intermittent fasting may not be the magic bullet for weight loss it appeared to be.   Researchers analysed 22 global trials and found no clear advantage over standard dietary advice.  Weight loss was broadly similar to traditional dieting, and there was no strong evidence of extra metabolic benefits.  Body Torque Gym Founder Alex Flint told Mike Hosking intermittent fasting is just a really good method for portion control, but it has a much better marketing department.   He says if you can stick to it, it’s a fantastic tool, but it’s not superior to regular calorie control methods and eating patterns.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 17th of February, Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge explains why power bills are still high while their profits rise 44%.  Hamish Kerr pops in after winning the Supreme Award at the Halbergs last night.  And former MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong discusses her new show with Kiwi chef Vaughan Mabee.    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.

This past weekend marks 144 years since the first shipment of frozen lamb left Port Chalmers for London.   It was instrumental in shaping in a food and fibre sector that’s become a backbone of the New Zealand economy – worth $60 billion.   The UK remains one of our most important, and premium, markets for lamb.   Kiwi Chef and NZ lamb ambassador Melanie Brown told Mike Hosking that like other New Zealand products, including wine, New Zealand lamb is a product people return to regularly.  She says they know they’re going to get consistency and quality, and you just cannot beat the quality story.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strong signs of economic turnaround from the latest half-year results.  Energy company Contact, courier company Freightways and dairy producer a2 Milk all announced results yesterday.  Contact's recorded a 44% rise in net profit and has gone into a trading halt while it begins a major capital raise to fund more renewable energy projects.  CEO Mike Fuge told Mike Hosking the primary reason for the increase in profits is the investments they’ve made and the acquisition of Manawa Energy.   He says it’s a fine balance – no one ever appreciates the power bill, but they also have to invest and build more generation to meet the growing demand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World champion high jumper Hamish Kerr has leapt clear of his fellow Halberg finalists, winning the Supreme Award.  He soared above sportswoman victor Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, the Black Ferns sevens team winners, and dominant para-athlete Danielle Aitchison.  Dame Valerie Adams and Richie McCaw have been inducted into the sports hall of fame.  Hamish Kerr's mentor James Sandilands took out the coach category.  Kerr told Mike Hosking it’s a great honour to be put on a trophy with a bunch of absolute Kiwi sporting legends.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes Auckland's new International Convention Centre will be a huge drawcard for international delegates.  A Business Events Industry Aotearoa report reveals the sector delivered $925 million for the economy last year.   It shows international delegates here for conferences spent $645 daily on average – higher than holiday visitors.  CEO Lisa Hopkins told Mike Hosking they’re in growth mode with the new convention centre coming online.   She says they now have a strong suite of convention centres across the country, which gives them a broader opportunity to take businesses of different sizes, different needs, and different requirements.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small wins for the retail sector, as confidence reaches a two-year high.  A report by Retail NZ shows almost 77% of retailers surveyed in the fourth quarter of last year are confident their business will survive the next 12 months.  The proportion of retailers with low confidence has almost halved since the third quarter of last year to just 6.6%.  Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Mike Hosking businesses are now focusing on making small gains on last year.  She says retailers have lowered their levels of stock as demand levels are lower, but they're now selling through it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 16th of February, Eden Park boss Nick Sautner got his wish and we can finally use Eden Park as a proper stadium - plus the worst kept secret, State of Origin is indeed coming to NZ. The Prime Minister responds to his coalition partner's ideas of getting rid of the Maori seats and dropping some MP's from Parliament, plus these cultural leave entitlements in the public sector. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville cover off the chaos of the SailGP, the beginning of Super Rugby and F1 testing. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am increasingly impressed by Iain Rennie, who is the Treasury boss. He seems to say a bunch of interesting and insightful stuff. Last year he warned about our growth rate, our debt and our inability to grow our way out of our troubles. He advocated for asset sales. This past week he was at the Waikato University Economic Forum where he talked about our problem of exporting our best and brightest. Ironically the latest migration stats came out at the same time. The worst might be behind us. Our net migration gain is still small, but the stampede out of the door by New Zealanders has petered out. At Waikato Rennie talked about how it is unique to this country that we export so many young people. His suggestion is the frontier companies aren't good enough and they don’t adapt or adopt or invest fast enough compared to other countries. The gap between the frontier companies and lagging firms isn't as big as it should be. In other words the rock stars don’t actually rock that much and if you are skilled and bright and determined, offshore seems the place to be. He also talked of confidence and that, to me, is what's missing in this country. Of our four kids who are actually working two are offshore. One other could be, but for now, isn't. We will never be a London or New York. But the fizz we had half a dozen years ago is gone. Immigrants have replaced our kids. We have been dumbed-down. Our brightest haven't been replaced with America's brightest or Europe's brightest, but from countries like India and the Phillippines. We are exporting scientists and doctors and bringing in nurses and baristas.   Immigration is awesome. I love immigration. But not if it's not of our choosing. We are being forced into it. The good news is this happened comparatively fast. Not long ago our net gain was over 100,000 people a year. We brought them in and the good ones didn’t leave. We can recapture all of that, but a mindset shift is needed. We need to want to be better. I'm not sure enough of us are of that mindset, hence Rennie's concern.     LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Foils suffered a nasty end to their home race this weekend. Their F50 Catamaran crashed into the French team, leaving Kiwi grinder Louis Sinclair with two broken legs. Race organisers then shifted to a split-fleet format for the remaining races over safety concerns.  AUT Sailing Professor Mark Orams told Mike Hosking that it's time for SailGP to 'crank up' the safety measures.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.