On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 11th of August, Local Government Minister Simon Watts explains what's next for the councils who haven't submitted any sort of plan for amalgamation. 

Sir Graham Lowe updates us on the Southern Orcas NRL bid and the council getting involved as it gains steam. 

And Tiana Miti debuts her new music and discusses the Nashville connection. 

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 11th of August, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/simon-watts-local-government-minister-on-the-plans-for-council-reform-amalgamation/">Local Government Minister Simon Watts</a> explains what's next for the councils who haven't submitted any sort of plan for amalgamation.&nbsp;
Sir Graham Lowe updates us on the Southern Orcas NRL bid and the council getting involved as it gains steam.&nbsp;
And Tiana Miti debuts her new music and discusses the Nashville connection.&nbsp;
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more.

The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Full Show Podcast: 11 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/dc6ccfc2-d3b6-4520-9c58-b4a2015d6945/transcript

Was Hipkins ruling out NZ First really a decision, or an announcement, or even a story? 

Peters, of course, ruled Labour out a long time ago. 

I've been surprised by the number of people who text me telling me not to be so naïve. 

I'm told Peters is not to be trusted. I take Peters at his word though. He says a lot of random and increasingly clickbait-y stuff, but he doesn’t straight up and down deceive.  

So when you take Hipkins ruling out Peters and add it to Peters ruling out Hipkins, can we assume all the conspiracy theorists can now go focus on something new? 

The trouble now for Labour is the math. 

As the Herald's Poll of Polls very clearly shows, there is virtually no pathway to office under current numbers. 

It's also fair to suggest that as people digest the Opportunity Party, they either reject them because they're mad, or they bleed votes off Labour and possibly the Greens. It's just a reshuffling of the “higher tax and more socialism” brigade. 

Either way, it doesn’t grow the pie. 

Last week's poll is proof of it. Labour didn’t tumble the same way Opportunity didn't double their support. Hipkins is most likely right that the poll is rogue, which is why yet again, we don’t trust one-off polls. 

What the Government have in their favour is three solid, viable parties. 

The left have two – Labour and the Greens, and the third is a shadow of what it once was or could have been. If they're lucky, they may cobble together a seat or two electorally, but that'll be about it. 

With National on 30% and two parties at 8% or above, that's government. 

With Labour on 30% and even the Greens on 10%, they're still 10% short and the Māori Party don’t make up the difference. 

Even though it was never real, mathematically NZ First gave Labour the potential of the numbers and the threat of the possibility. 

So as we sit here in early August with 88 days to go, short of some level of upheaval, collapse or resurgence for the ages, Hipkins is like a shag on a rock. 

He's got him and one and a bit options. 

It's not a government. 

Was Hipkins ruling out NZ First really a decision, or an announcement, or even a story?&nbsp;
Peters, of course, ruled Labour out a long time ago.&nbsp;
I've been surprised by the number of people who text me telling me not to be so naïve.&nbsp;
I'm told Peters is not to be trusted. I take Peters at his word though. He says a lot of random and increasingly clickbait-y stuff, but he doesn’t straight up and down deceive. &nbsp;
So when you take Hipkins ruling out Peters and add it to Peters ruling out Hipkins, can we assume all the conspiracy theorists can now go focus on something new?&nbsp;
The trouble now for Labour is the math.&nbsp;
As the Herald's Poll of Polls very clearly shows, there is virtually no pathway to office under current numbers.&nbsp;
It's also fair to suggest that as people digest the Opportunity Party, they either reject them because they're mad, or they bleed votes off Labour and possibly the Greens. It's just a reshuffling of the “higher tax and more socialism” brigade.&nbsp;
Either way, it doesn’t grow the pie.&nbsp;
Last week's poll is proof of it. Labour didn’t tumble the same way Opportunity didn't double their support. Hipkins is most likely right that the poll is rogue, which is why yet again, we don’t trust one-off polls.&nbsp;
What the Government have in their favour is three solid, viable parties.&nbsp;
The left have two – Labour and the Greens, and the third is a shadow of what it once was or could have been. If they're lucky, they may cobble together a seat or two electorally, but that'll be about it.&nbsp;
With National on 30% and two parties at 8% or above, that's government.&nbsp;
With Labour on 30% and even the Greens on 10%, they're still 10% short and the Māori Party don’t make up the difference.&nbsp;
Even though it was never real, mathematically NZ First gave Labour the potential of the numbers and the threat of the possibility.&nbsp;
So as we sit here in early August with 88 days to go, short of some level of upheaval, collapse or resurgence for the ages, Hipkins is like a shag on a rock.&nbsp;
He's got him and one and a bit options.&nbsp;
It's not a government.&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: The left bloc don't have the numbers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9812e734-221b-4292-9cbc-b4a20177c183/transcript

Another new prospect from New Zealand’s country music scene. 

Brother and sister duo Tiana and Sonny Miti, known as MITI, released their first single in 2023, and have been on the grind since then, winning awards and performing on various stages. 

And their talent has been recognised – their newest work being mixed by none other than Taylor Swift’s Nashville engineer.  

The duo is working on an album, of which ‘Wasting More Time On You’ is the first single. 

“We generally hope it does well and connects with a lot of our viewers,” Tiana Miti told Mike Hosking. 

“The song is about, y’know, it’s a country heartbreak anthem, and we’ve gotten pretty good feedback so far about people relating to it.” 

“That’s all we pretty much ask for.” 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Another new prospect from New Zealand’s country music scene.&nbsp;
Brother and sister duo Tiana and Sonny Miti, known as MITI, released their first single in 2023, and have been on the grind since then, winning awards and performing on various stages.&nbsp;
And their talent has been recognised – their newest work being mixed by none other than Taylor Swift’s Nashville engineer. &nbsp;
The duo is working on an album, of which ‘Wasting More Time On You’ is the first single.&nbsp;
“We generally hope it does well and connects with a lot of our viewers,” Tiana Miti told Mike Hosking.&nbsp;
“The song is about, y’know, it’s a country heartbreak anthem, and we’ve gotten pretty good feedback so far about people relating to it.”&nbsp;
“That’s all we pretty much ask for.”&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Tiana Miti: Country music singer and one half of the MITI duo on their new single 'Wasting More Time On You'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7ee48c77-2baa-4d10-924e-b4a20175a60c/transcript

Confidence is building that New Zealand will get a second NRL league team. 

The Christchurch City Council’s been working directly with the governing body for almost two years on requirements for a 20th team. 

New documents show a consultant has helped build a proposal, which is happening alongside the private Southern Orca bid. 

Chair Sir Graham Lowe told Mike Hosking he’s confident New Zealand will get the franchise. 

He says the Warriors have done a great job marketing us, and Christchurch’s One NZ Stadium is as good as any stadium in the NRL, if not better. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Confidence is building that New Zealand will get a second NRL league team.&nbsp;
The Christchurch City Council’s been working directly with the governing body for almost two years on requirements for a 20th team.&nbsp;
New documents show a consultant has helped build a proposal, which is happening alongside the private Southern Orca bid.&nbsp;
Chair Sir Graham Lowe told Mike Hosking he’s confident New Zealand will get the franchise.&nbsp;
He says the Warriors have done a great job marketing us, and Christchurch’s One NZ Stadium is as good as any stadium in the NRL, if not better.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Sir Graham Lowe: Southern Orcas Chairman on the intensifying talks between NRL and Christchurch City Council over a 20th team

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bf663692-049c-417d-b81b-b4a20169a5f6/transcript

Full Show Podcast: 11 August 2026

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