The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Gold medal for Kelly Eckhold at Westpac. He called it, or at least suggested the hold we saw from the Reserve Bank wasn't as "home run" as many might have predicted. This, in a dry, old world of monetary policy, is little short of a blockbuster. I guess you could argue the 4-3 vote is a good indication of the wider view. The economy is far from firing. It's far from needing to be contained. So why hike? Well, because we have inflation above the target. The Bank's job is to keep inflation within the target. Technically, they are failing in that job. The dollar fell, which, like all economic matters, is good and bad. Fantastic for exporters. No good for the importers, and we do a lot of importing, including things like petrol. The hold argument is also about the reality of what you are achieving by holding. Does oil drop? Do rates drop? No, they don't. Do you squeeze already pressured budgets? Yes, you do. Part of their argument, perhaps the most fascinating part, is that they don't see price pressure. The…

Andy Burnham's Government has released its first budget. UK Chancellor John Healey set out their latest tax and spending measures, saying it's a budget built on fiscal discipline, for the working people of Britain. Economic growth is forecast at 1.2% this year, and remains under 2% right up to 2031. UK Correspondent Enda Brady agreed growth is anaemic, but told Mike Hosking the whole of Europe is having similar problems. He says the plan off the back of this budget seems to be getting people through winter. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Promising signs for small businesses, even in a shaky economy. A Xero Small Business Insights report shows sales rose 5.6% year-on-year in the September quarter. New Zealand out-performed all four other countries Xero tracks, with sales growth ahead of Australia, the UK, the US, and Canada. Xero Country Manager Bridget Snelling told Mike Hosking they'd like to see this momentum continuing into the next quarter, especially since we're heading into the busy festive period. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 29th of October, Reserve Bank Governor Dr Anna Breman explains why they decided to hold the Official Cash Rate. We go to Israel as their "pivotal" election hangs in the balance, with the question now being who will blink first and join up with the Arab parties to get the majority. It's the so-called "minor party" leaders show this morning, so Chlöe Swarbrick, David Seymour, and Winston Peters joined to give the lay of the land. 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.

Winston Peters says the 2026 election campaign is one of the worst he's ever seen. The New Zealand First Leader told Mike Hosking on the Leaders Breakfast people are sick and tired of it – the pettiness, the diversion, the misleading representation. He says if you ask people in the audience, as he did at public meeting in the Hutt Valley last night, if they're sick and tired of it, they all put their hands up. The party is also taking its campaign directly to the people, with Winston Peters arguing packed-out town halls are the best poll there is. NZ First's been drawing big crowds around the country in recent months, taking a different approach to many of its rivals. Peters told Hosking the mainstream media has dramatically changed, and claims it now takes sides politically in the worst way he's seen. He says there's only social media, or the old fashion way of meeting locals, to fight that. Peters expressed frustration New Zealand wasn’t an export “powerhouse”. Challenged on the relative success of New…

Israel's future governance is still up in the air, with parties on all sides falling short of the required 61 seats. With most votes counted, Benjamin Netanyahu's holding a narrow lead over rival Gadi Eisenkot, with 53 seats to 48. The Arab parties have surged to a record 19. ABC News Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran told Mike Hosking we could see parties from either bloc break away to form a coalition. He says there's already speculation of Netanyahu trying to form a unity government with Eisenkot, who's campaigned for most of the year for him to go. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT Leader David Seymour is cautiously confident the coalition could have speedier post-election negotiations this year, compared to 2023. National, ACT, and New Zealand First took 40-days to strike a deal after the last election. Both the Leaders of National and Labour have promised to try to finish negotiations by Christmas, but no firm promises have been made. Seymour told Mike Hosking on the Leaders Breakfast he can't speak for his colleagues in NZ First or National, but they have experience on side this time. He says himself and the other party leaders all know each other and have worked together. Seymour acknowledged compromise is necessary but says their proposal to remove tax from KiwiSaver is an important aspect of their policy platform. He also made it clear though that proposals by potential partners for compulsory KiwiSaver are a "non-starter". He didn’t express regret when asked about the level of reform the Government had been unable to progress, again pointing to the need for compromise. When…

The Reserve Bank is keeping a close eye on several factors as it weighs up whether to hike the Official Cash Rate before Christmas. The Monetary Policy Committee voted, four votes to three, to hold the cash rate yesterday. The shock decision has had an immediate impact on exchange rates, with the already weak Kiwi dollar seeing its biggest drop against the Aussie in almost a decade. Governor Anna Breman told Mike Hosking they're monitoring both weak household consumption here at home and uncertainty abroad. She says the geopolitical tensions are high, fuel prices are volatile, many countries have high debt levels, France is facing widespread protests, and there are risks from the AI investment boom. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greens Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick believes any dip in the polls as a result of the party’s association with gangs would have already been seen, but argues voters are more interested on other issues. Two polls this week show the Green Party holding its 14-16% vote share of recent months. The polling period of both polls captured in its final days the saga concerning last week’s resignation of Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni for campaigning at a gang event, which came after MPs from Te Pāti Māori and the Greens did the same. Swarbrick told Mike Hosking on the Leaders Breakfast she would have expected any impact to have been seen in polls this week, and believes voters were more interested in issues such as the cost of living. Asked about Labour leader Chris Hipkins ruling out many Green Party tax reform policies and ruling out giving the party some ministerial positions, Swarbrick insisted the relationship between the two parties was good and “collaborative”, noting she and co-leader Marama Davidson had regular…

The figures keep defying the reality. 68,000 votes were cast on Monday. That day was a problem according to the conspiracy theorists who suggested that not only had enrolling closed early, but the opening day of voting was a public holiday and for some reason voting on a day off may prove to be some sort of issue. At 68,000, that is more than in 2023. So what does that mean? Nothing. But you could suggest it's an early turnout, which means a bigger turnout by the time this is over. A bigger turnout would be welcome because we should all be interested in democracy and, more importantly, actually participating in democracy. It's one thing to enrol, and here is the real story that the conspiracy theorists might like to spend more energy on: enrolment is not as important as turnout. Being on a roll isn't as important as actually voting. Last time only 77% turned out. That’s not great. You need to well and truly crack 80% for a good day at the office. The conspiracy folk need to be careful because when this…

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 28th of October, we look at what the Reserve Bank is likely to do with the OCR today and how it might affect an election campaign. The Prime Minister pops in after the long weekend to talk early voting numbers, alleged voter suppression, and what the polls are saying. And on Politics Wednesday, Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk their electorates, the Fire and Emergency CEO's resignation and the confusion around whether Rakesh Naidoo is under investigation or not. 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.

It's Politics Wednesday, which means Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen are back with Mike Hosking to dig into the biggest stories of the week thus far. With the election just under two weeks away, they discussed how things are faring in their electorates and the ongoing drama around voter registrations. They also touched on the situation around Rakesh Naidoo and the resignation of Fire and Emergency's CEO. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank could have its hands full over the next few months, with inflation still stuck at elevated levels. Economists are predicting the Monetary Policy Committee will lift the official cash rate by 25 basis points at 2pm today. This would take it to 3%. ASB's Kim Mundy told Mike Hosking we could see further hikes in December and February. She says the Reserve Bank needs to get settings back to neutral levels sooner rather than later, because we're seeing signs that inflation's starting to stir. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amidst an already bad time for airlines, an analyst says Air New Zealand faces a unique set of challenges. Forsyth Barr expects the airline to lose $338 million before tax this financial year. Its passenger revenue is up 12% year-on-year, but fuel is costing it about $6.8 million a day. Forsyth Barr Head of Research Andy Bowley told Mike Hosking engine issues is one challenge, with another being sales. He says Kiwis make up half of their sales, and we've been in and out of recession for the last three years. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some say it's too hot, others too cold – a challenge for the operator of Christchurch's new covered stadium. Some areas of One NZ Stadium reached 32 degrees during Sunday's Rugby League matches and Monday's NPC final. Daytime fixtures could be scrapped in future to help players and fans cope with the heat. Venues Otautahi Chief Executive Caroline Harvie-Teare told Mike Hosking the stadium bowl is also retaining heat on colder days, with a 4.5 degree temperature variation around the venue on Monday. She says it's the variation which is the issue, with some complaining it was too cold at the weekend. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Christopher Luxon says it's great to see so many people already showing up to vote. Nearly 70 thousand people cast their ballots on day one of advance voting. That's slightly more than the same time at the last election. Luxon told Mike Hosking he's hoping that's a sign people are going to give his government another crack. He says people understand it's been a difficult three years, but that his plan just needs more time as it's starting to work. When it comes to the economy, the Prime Minister's blaming the conflict in the Middle East for headline inflation remaining stubbornly high. Economists are predicting the Reserve Bank's will lift the OCR by 25 basis points this afternoon, taking it to 3%. Inflation's running at 3.7%, outside the target band of 1–3%. Luxon told Hosking the war's pushed up oil prices around the world, and how you respond to it matters – you can't just get the money hose and spray cash around. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington City Missioner says Labour's rent-to-own scheme could help more people own a home. The party wants $100 of Kainga Ora tenants' weekly rent put towards a home deposit. Labour would also expand eligibility for 5% home deposits by increasing the income threshold to $300,000. Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge told Mike Hosking this could help make people's dreams of owning a home a reality. He says the issue for a lot of people isn't the amount of repayment whether it's rent or a mortgage, it's getting a deposit. Edridge told Hosking these types of schemes have worked in the past. He says his parents along with many other built their homes by capitalising their family benefit. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do they say about the truth always coming out? By Friday morning Kerrin Leoni was gone. She lied and she got caught with the photo and the video. Not only didn’t it pass the pub test, it didn’t pass the truth test. Campaigns almost always have things in them you never saw coming. For Labour it was a combination of dishonesty and their past. Law and order was not part of the vote of 2026, until it was. It was very much a part of 2023 because Labour was perceived to have failed abysmally on the subject. Law and order was, if not the number one issue, certainly in the top three and a major part of the law-and-order story was the perceived weakness Labour had around gangs. They ruled the streets, they paraded the patches, they sold the drugs and they abused the women. Labour opposed the new Government's gang patch ban, until they didn’t. Labour has been hoisted by their own petard. This started as a Greens/Māori Party mess that infected a third party. The initial issue was reputational. Could Labour be seen…

Subsidising access to GLP-1s through Pharmac would be a “win-win” for New Zealand, according to an Auckland University medical professor. New research has found more than 80% of healthcare spending in New Zealand goes into treating chronic and long-term conditions. A huge percentage of those conditions were tied to obesity, Professor of Molecular Medicine and Pathology Peter Shepherd told Mike Hosking. “We’ve now got these wonderful medications to reduce weight, and they’re showing massive effects long-term in terms of improved outcomes for heart disease, for Alzheimer’s, for diabetes…we need to start proactively funding some of these solutions.” Some 30-40,000 Kiwis were already paying for the medicines themselves. “But if we funded it more widely, it'll benefit not just those people who are suffering, but also the rest of us by reducing healthcare bills.” Illegal versions of the drugs cost around $100-$200 per month, and Shepherd predicted official medications would cost a similar amount once patents…

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 27th of October, it's the first of our special Leaders Breakfast shows for the election. Today it's two hours with Labour Leader Chris Hipkins, discussing everything from Kerrin Leoni to education, health, tax, and coalition partners. And ACT has released their manifesto, which talks about money for health and even more cuts that they say didn't go far enough this term. 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.

Chris Hipkins has confirmed the Finance portfolio's off the table for any potential coalition partners, as well as Police and Justice for Greens and Te Pāti Māori MPs. The Labour leader says everything else is up for discussion after the election. Hipkins told Mike Hosking on the Leaders Breakfast he wouldn't agree to increasing the size of Cabinet beyond the 20 Ministers it has now. He says he wouldn't want a Cabinet that's disproportionate towards the smaller parties. The Labour Leader is also spelling out the differences between his current lineup of potential ministers and his last government. Senior members of the party include Kieran McAnulty, Barbara Edmonds, and Ayesha Verrall. Hipkins told Hosking there's only about half a dozen in his party who were ministers when they became government in 2017. He says most weren't ministers until the very end of the last Labour Government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins says he has no regret over his level of involvement with the Covid inquiry. The Labour leader was criticised for not appearing at the public hearing when the Royal Commission was gathering evidence. Hipkins told Mike Hosking on the Leaders Breakfast he answered every question thrown at him. He also says the reviews of the Reserve Bank’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic were “largely fair”. An independent review of the bank’s response found that stimulus was kept in place for too long as the economy recovered, contributing to the wave of inflation that shook the economy after the pandemic. Hipkins says the reviews were in line with reviews of other central banks’ responses to the pandemic, but you could argue they got that a bit wrong. On an education note, the Labour Leader isn't budging on his vow to scrap charter schools, if elected. The Labour Leader has pledged to transition the existing ones into the public education system. Hipkins told Mike Hosking on the Leaders Breakfast they're being…

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins admits his party wasn't totally ready to govern in 2017. National won the largest share of the result in that election, but New Zealand First chose to go into government with Jacinda Ardern's Labour instead. Hipkins told Mike Hosking on the Leader's Breakfast because of the nature of the election, they weren't as ready as they could've been. He says he went home on election night thinking they'd be in Opposition, not expecting the coalition negotiations to go the way they did. But he says the party is tangibly different now, as they're much more focused in what they're promising in this election. Hipkins says one of the biggest criticism of the previous Labour Government was that they were trying to do too many things and thus weren't delivering them well. He told Hosking this election they're only promising things he knows he and the system can deliver on. The Labour Leader says they're more pragmatic than they used to be. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

An offer by the French Government to students has fallen short of demands as mass protests continue. More than 1300 people have been arrested over the weekend as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets. Police have fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in a number of cities including Paris, while barricades were set alight in Marseille. Europe Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking student leaders met with the Prime Minister today. She says they were offered concessions including classroom sizes and more vocational training, which wasn't seen as good enough. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins is certain their campaign hasn't been impacted by the controversy surrounding MPs visiting gang members. Former Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni resigned on Friday after fallout from her campaigning at a whanau event, attended by gang members. Hipkins told Mike Hosking on the Leaders Breakfast that having family members in gangs was not the main issue, her engagement was. He says we have to be able to say there is a pathway out from a gang upbringing, and Leoni could have been that role model. But Hipkins thinks Kiwis can see that he acted decisively when it came to dealing with the situation, saying he was more decisive on the issue than the National Party had been on equivalent issues. He says he sets high standards, and if people don't meet them, there are consequences. The Labour Leader has admitted he's frustrated the party can no longer contest all seven Māori electorate seats. Leoni is staying in the race, standing as an independent, but Hipkins says he doesn't think she'll…

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. Justin Bieber: 8/10 With 200 million followers, what he posted about us is worth its weight ten times over in gold, and is a very good reminder of what a special place we have here that's too often taken for granted. Dairy auction: 9/10 Not just up, but up a chunk. Could actually move the farmgate price. Just when you think it's all brilliant, it gets more brilliant. Our NZ Super Fund: 8/10 Another 14%+ return, but over the longer period it's consistently good and one of the best of its type in the world. That's what New Zealand is capable of. Gangs: 1/10 The Māori Party, the Greens and, by association, Labour still couldn’t shake it this week. Could have been the turning point. Liam Lawson: 8/10 If sources are right, he'll be confirmed this weekend for 2027, and is proof that if you work and deliver then all things are possible. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See…

So a good week for National and, by association, for the Government in general. There has been a shift with two weeks to go. The gang drama might just have put a nail in Labour's chances of government. Their polling is now in trouble. Their gap to National is now a problem. Thomas Coughlan's piece yesterday talking of the issues they have found with lack of enrolment in South Auckland seems to have induced an amount of panic within the party. Not a lot has gone right for them this week. As far as I can see, it's the combo for the Government. All three players are campaigning well. ACT are still my medal winners for the week. They remained disciplined, on message and haven't put a foot wrong. On each debate their leader, if he doesn’t win, is consistent and clear. Winston, although not as disciplined, turns up enough when it counts to remind you he is still a force. Luxon's week seems to have been about good news. He hung out with farmers and kids in areas where they are fairly blue. He may or may not have…

Ahead of the long weekend, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed the latest from the election campaigning, the aforementioned long weekend for Labour Day, and what makes a business successful. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Airport is forecasting a flat year ahead following its annual meeting. It maintained its underlying earnings forecast of between $290 million and $330 million for the 2027 financial year. It's despite positive signs for international travel, including a 35% boost in Argentinian visitors thanks to a new China-South America flight route. CEO Carrie Hurihanganui told Mike Hosking the positive growth in the international space is offset by the continued demand challenges in the domestic environment. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Formula 1 journalist believes it would take a perfect storm for Kimi Antonelli to secure his first Championship win. The 20 year old Mercedes racer holds a 102 point lead over teammate George Russell heading into this weekend's US Grand Prix in Austin. If he successful, he'd become the sport's youngest World Champion. Chris Medland told Mike Hosking even if Antonelli does win the race, he'd need Russell to finish no higher than ninth, and Lewis Hamilton to finish no higher than fifth to secure the title. He says the racer needs a lot of things to go his way, so it's more likely to happen next weekend in Mexico, or the week after in Brazil. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 23rd of October, ACT wants a charter school in every major town and Airbnb is changing some of its rules. Nicola Willis discusses the inflation number and how it might affect an election campaign. And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk the election, long weekends, and what makes a business successful as they Wrap the Week that Was. 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.

ACT wants charter schools in every major town. The Party's pledging if elected to lift enrolments to 10,000 by 2029 and increase conversions from state schools. The current 20 schools have about 2000 students. Leader David Seymour told Mike Hosking when it comes to demand for the schools, they've been overwhelmed. He says that each time they do a round, there will be 60 or 70 applicants who have prepared submissions, have their community on board, have novel ideas, and have people ready to go. "This is an idea whose time has come." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airbnb guests may soon be spared the cleaning chores that come with some stays. The platform's updated its rules for hosts, saying any checkout tasks must be reasonable and shouldn't require significant time or effort. That includes tasks typically done by a cleaner, such as washing dishes, stripping beds or taking out rubbish. Airbnb Superhost Ambassador Julie Wilson told Mike Hosking it's about simplifying rules and rephrasing some tasks as requests. She says some listings read like War and Peace, and no one wants to end their holiday with a working bee. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National and Labour are offering quite different solutions to persistently high inflation. Headline inflation's eased back to 3.7%, but some economists say it could reach as high as 4.7% by the end of the year. Labour's Barbara Edmonds says freezing the fuel tax would address the single biggest factor – surging fuel prices. But National's Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking National would address the other two major factors – rates and electricity. She says they will push ahead with rates caps and continue consenting new energy projects. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation appears to have become more embedded in the economy. Latest Stats NZ figures show the annual inflation rate's eased to 3.7%, down from 4.1% three months ago. The quarterly inflation rate's eased to 0.7%, but domestically-driven non-tradable inflation has risen due to the annual increase in council rates. Business NZ Chief Economist John Pask told Mike Hosking price rises are becoming more widespread. He says the Reserve Bank will be concerned to see inflation is no longer just about fuel and is becoming more generalised. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We now have a poll in all seven of the Māori seats, which gives us a chance to at least make some sort of observation. It's more than fair to suggest these polls are even ropier than the major polls, which have been all over the place at the best of times. They are smaller, have greater margins of error, and involve a group that at first blush doesn’t automatically represent the demography of the area polled. It has a "whoever answered the phone" vibe about it. Be that as it may, they give us really the only insight into what might happen. And what might happen is important because you could see multiple things: 1) The exit of a party from Parliament, 2) An overhang that shapes the next Government, 3) A party that once dominated the Māori landscape reduced through their own implosion to an insignificant rump. In seven polls we seem to have Labour well ahead in a couple, the Māori Party well ahead in a couple, and three that are too close to call. In one of the “too close to calls”, a Green candidate leads,…

Praise for Liam Lawson from one of Formula 1's most charismatic characters. Guenther Steiner is a former Team Principal for Haas, as well as the Former Managing Director and Technical Operations Director for what became Red Bull Racing. "When [Lawson] came in in the beginning ... he was very good straightaway, and then obviously he was moved to the big team, but, and then I wouldn't even say he struggled," Steiner told Mike Hosking. "He wasn't given a chance in my opinion," "I think nobody deserves anything, you have to work for it, and he worked for it, and he was successful." "So that's why he should be there." Steiner is on our shores this December for his live stage show, 'No Team Orders'. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22nd of October, we preview today's inflation rate, which will likely be either good or okay news for the Government. Labour leader Chris Hipkins goes through the debate fact check with Mike and discusses how the Māori seats will affect their prospects. Former F1 team manager for Haas, Guenther Steiner is on his way to country in December and joined us to give us the lowdown of what his show will involve. 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 sold-out sign is up for New Zealand's opening two T20 cricket matches against India in Christchurch, but that doesn't necessarily mean a home crowd given the local support for the visitors. The sides last met in March's World Cup final at Ahmedabad, won by India. Black Caps coach Rob Walter has outlined the series priorities for the five T20s, five ODIs, and two tests. He told Mike Hosking the test matches are part of the World Test Championships, so they're very important, while the T20s are part of the World Cup finals, so they'd like to get an edge on them in their own conditions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a positive picture to be found within the Mood of the Boardroom, says EMA's Head of Advocacy and Strategy. Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking that the underlying numbers are becoming more visible, which is beginning to give the business sector "a bit more confidence in a longer-term recovery". Manufacturing has been a quiet achiever while the residential construction sector is picking up, McDonald said. "The numbers for tourism have finally gone back to pre-Covid levels, so that's also a good story." However, hiring intentions within the boardroom were "still fairly flat", which was indicative of the caution surrounding the country's economic recovery, he said. "A lot of places have cut staff, or haven't cut, but haven't replaced. So they're running fairly lean anyway." Asked for a word to summarise the mood, McDonald said: "Cautiously optimistic on the back of some pretty sound numbers." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italy's cracking down on violent protests, deploying 500 troops to Milan following widespread unrest. The Government's also introduced a new offence for violent demonstrators, carrying up to five years in prison. Protestors have looted shops, set fires, and attacked police over rising living costs and high rents. Europe correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking protesters claim the violence was justified because the Government isn't taking care of people. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank will be looking under the hood of inflation numbers today as it weighs up interest rate hikes. Stats NZ is releasing its latest inflation data at 10.45 this morning. The central bank forecasts the numbers would fall to 3.9%, down from 4.1% last quarter. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking if the Reserve Bank sees core inflation rising, they'll be more inclined towards further OCR hikes. He says the indicators they've seen is that firms aren't trying to raise prices as the demand environment is constraining them. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins is standing firm that move-on orders criminalise homelessness. The Bill allowing Police to move on beggars, rough sleepers, or people acting disorderly from a public place take effect this Sunday. If they refuse or return within 24 hours of being moved on, they can be penalised with up to three months’ jail or a $2,000 fine. Stuff's fact check of Tuesday's leaders debate found National's Christopher Luxon was right saying it's not criminalising homelessness. Labour's Leader Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking it's a debatable point. He says it's not saying someone is criminal being homeless, but it's saying they can be treated like a criminal. Hipkins also responded to the ratings he was given by New Zealand's CEOs and business leaders at today's Mood of the Boardroom. Out of five, he was 2.7 for integrity and 2.5 for trustworthiness, which he told Hosking didn't 'particularly' bother him. He says CEOs are not his target audience, as he's more interested in the mood of the smoko room than the mood…

Surely it's only one more day before Chris Hipkins gets to, just maybe, put the gangs in the rear-view mirror. In his new found assessment that handing millions to the Mongrel Mob when last in government was "a mistake", he reveals the real issue he faces this election campaign; Time. The gap between what he did and what he now promises to do is too short. That is roughly why most governments get two terms. Generally, governments lose elections, Oppositions don’t win them. The reason they lose them is we are sick of the incumbents and that feeling generally lasts longer than three years. For Hipkins, and for that matter Sepuloni, Andersen, Verrall, Tinetti, Edmonds, and Co, to be back so soon after an historically implosive burst of Labour-style ideology was always going to be a test of the punter's resolve. Which is why I have been moderately critical of this Government's lack of focus on that period in which we were literally sold down a fiscal river through sheer incompetence. It has rectified itself this…

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21st of October, we discuss the record high number of arrests and charges for retail crime, plus we wrap the final leader's debate. Speaker Gerry Brownlee talks rising threats on MPs following the attack on Helen Haines in Australia. And on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk MP security and campaigning with just two and a half weeks to go. 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.

Today on Politics Wednesday, National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen discuss the latest from the election campaign. Plus, they discuss the rising number of threats towards MPs and the attack on an Australian politician. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A world-first facility opening in Christchurch could bring cutting-edge cancer treatment closer to home for Kiwi patients. BioOra will manufacture CAR-T therapies at the central site, using patients' own genetically modified cells to fight cancer. It could eventually treat 150 patients a year, reducing the need for overseas treatment, which can cost more than a million dollars. Chief Executive John Robson told Mike Hosking the facility has sophisticated set of laboratories. He says there's six in total, with four of them being 'super clean rooms,' where staff will be genetically modifying cells for patients. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our gaming sector is continuing to flourish, and one game developer believes there's no reason it can't keep growing with investment. New Zealand First wants to lift funding for the Centre of Digital Excellence by 2028 and to improve the studio rebate. That includes increasing the claimable amount from $3 million to $10 million. RocketWerkz Games Chief Operating Officer Stephen Knightly told Mike Hosking it's closing the gap that Australia continues to have over our industry. He says Australia is fighting for tech jobs and creative jobs and believes New Zealand's naive if it doesn't fight back. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Speaker of the House says there was no choice but to act as threats against MPs see a massive increase. RNZ reports the Parliament Security Information, Risk and Advisory Service deployed 81 times after handling 216 requests for advice or support between September 28 and October 18. Parliamentary Service says its security offering has grown and it's working closely with Police. Speaker Gerry Brownlee told Mike Hosking there's been a particular increase in threats towards women. He says the nature of threats have also changed from being a bit of personal abuse about appearance to serious threats of physical violence. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association is highlighting that retail crime is falling amidst rising related charges. Annual Ministry of Justice data to June shows record-high finalised charges for theft from a retail premises at over 21,000 – more than triple that of four years ago. Convictions also reached nearly 18,000, also more than tripling over the same period. Police Association President Steve Watt told Mike Hosking it goes to show the hard work Police are putting in. He says as convictions have risen, they're seeing decreases in the number of instances of retail crime. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.