The Mike Hosking Breakfast

So tomorrow's the big day, isn't it? And it is, I think, not an overstatement to say that the eyes of the world, well, at least politicians around the world, are going to be on Australia and whether the social media ban will actually work. And that is still a live question, isn't it? We're less than 24 hours from the thing taking effect and none of us can totally say for sure that we know it's going to work.  For two reasons: one, it's the internet, so there's always a workaround out there. And two, it involves kids, and if there's a workaround, kids will find the workaround. I'm going to call it for you now: it's not going to work, if your definition of working is that 100% of children under 16 get kicked off and stay off until they're 16.   But I think it is possible that it is going to work if your definition is a little bit more flexible, which is that most kids get kicked off and stay off because their parents force them to do it. And I think that is the key thing here, like it always is, parents getting involved.   Talking about whether it works or not, actually I think kind of misses the point here, which is that this gives parents something that they haven't had yet, which is permission to keep their kids off social media. Because what parents have been finding is it's very hard to keep 14 year old Susie off social media, off Facebook, off Instagram, off TikTok, off Snapchat, because all Susie's friends are on it. And if Susie's not on it, then she becomes the weird kid, and nobody wants their kid to be the weird kid, right? So you relent and you let Susie on it.   This has the potential to flip all of that pressure around. Now everyone's off. Now the kid that's on it, little Johnny's on it, Susie comes home and says, oh Johnny's on TikTok, can I go on TikTok? You go, no, Johnny's a naughty kid from a family that has no rules, no boundaries, no discipline. Susie, you've got boundaries and discipline your parents care about, you stay off. It gives permission for the parents to be able to do that kind of thing.   And if you're a parent, you know peer pressure is massive, isn't it? Especially in the teenage years. The Aussie government's doing its bit by bringing us to this point. The tech companies are being dragged into doing their bit and ultimately this will live or die in Australia based on whether Australian parents do their bit and actually step up to the plate and parent properly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Working Class Man is back.  Celebrating the 40th anniversary of his landmark album, For The Working Class Man, Jimmy Barnes is bringing his most famous songs to our shores early next year.  The most successful artist in Australian chart history has long loved New Zealand because we showed his band, Cold Chisel, love right from the very beginning.  Cold Chisel headlined a Summer Concert Tour earlier this year, but 2026’s tour will be a solo venture for Barnes, as he plays the iconic album from start to finish, with a few additions from his chart-topping catalogue.  “It was such a, a record that was so pivotal in my life and career,” Barnes told Heather du Plessis-Allan.   “The songs on this record changed my life forever.”   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast with Heather du Plessis-Allan Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 9th of December, what will the RMA reform, set to be announced this afternoon, look like? And why are Chinese warships shadowing our Naval vessels?   Investor Malcolm Gillies has bought Wellington Rugby's 50% stake in the Hurricanes as he looks to turn the franchise around and stop them leaking money.  Aussie singer Jimmy Barnes joined for a chat about visiting New Zealand on his next tour, and Working Class Man turning 40.   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.

The debate over out long summer break is heating up.  An op-ed from businessman Toss Grimley claims New Zealand’s extended shutdown hurts productivity, a stance backed up by Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges.  Bridges says there’s a real perception the country “shuts down until March”, and that we’re seen more as “lifestylers” than serious businesspeople.   Massey University Professor of Innovation and Economics, Christoph Schumacher told Heather du Plessis-Allan that while our summer break is long compared to the rest of the world, the question shouldn’t be if it’s too long, but rather if we can afford it.  He says people do deserve breaks, but it needs to be structured a smarter way to keep productivity high.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A significant milestone for the country's wool sector, with an export deal signed.  Wool Source has had its first commercial export order confirmed.  The Wool Research Organisation company's signed a deal with a Japanese company, for eight tonnes of Kiwi products.  Chair Andrew Morrison told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’ve spent about seven years deconstructing strong wool down to a molecular level and finding applications for it.  He says this is the first shipment going into the personal care market, but they’re also looking into fire retardanty, packaging, and pigments.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Hurricanes board chair is determined to turn around the books of the struggling Super Rugby franchise.  Developer Malcolm Gillies has acquired the 50% stake in the club, offloaded by the Wellington Rugby Union to balance its own books.  The franchise has collectively lost $4 million in the past three seasons.  Gillies told Heather du Plessis Allan it's a good investment.  He says there’s a lot of untapped potential, but there’s certainly a lot of things to do.  Tony Philp, who recently departed as the club's general manager of rugby, will assume the interim CEO role.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auditors are calling out schools for questionable spending on overseas trips and travel.  The Auditor-General’s latest report flagged concerns with more than 170 school boards last year, many involving how principals used coaching and wellbeing funds.  Around a third were tied to travel.  Sector Manager for Schools, Jane Rogers told Heather du Plessis-Allan some boards allowed personal travel to be added onto work trips.  She says spending public money has to have a justifiable purpose, so they wouldn't expect it to be spent on personal travel.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New Zealand navy ship's been shadowed by seven Chinese warships in East Asian waters.   HMNZS Aotearoa was carrying out surveillance and deterrence activities last month to enforce the UN's sanctions against North Korea.    The Defence Force has confirmed the warships kept a safe distance throughout.  Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Heather du Plessis-Allan it indicates China firmly believes in its sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait.  He says a growing consciousness of military might means China's less tolerant of infringements on what it sees as its sovereign claim.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Contractors want one thing from the Government’s RMA overhaul: a simpler system.  Ministers are today announcing significant changes to consenting as part of a shake-up to the Resource Management Act.  It's expected to cut the need for consents in 46% of cases that currently need them.  Civil Contractors NZ CEO Alan Pollard told Heather du Plessis-Allan RMA is the biggest barrier to getting projects off the ground quickly.  He says the act is complicated, vague, and creates significant costs.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Correspondent Steve Price joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about a recent poll showing 70% of Australian parents are in support of this weeks social media ban. But, only 35% are confident that the platforms will effectively block children. And, Sports Minister Anika Wells is in more hot water after charging taxpayers more than $4000 in flights so her husband could join her at three cricket events. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.