New Zealand's small regional airlines say business is booming despite challenges in the sector. 

Air New Zealand has recently scrapped a number of smaller regional flights. 

But Barrier Air has been adding routes, saying they're observing strong patronage. 

Chief Executive Grant Bacon told Mike Hosking the industry is in poor condition, but they're happy with their performance. 

He says their flights are on average 70% full, with services paying their way for the carrier. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

New Zealand's small regional airlines say business is booming despite challenges in the sector.&nbsp;
Air New Zealand has recently scrapped a number of smaller regional flights.&nbsp;
But Barrier Air has been adding routes, saying they're observing strong patronage.&nbsp;
Chief Executive Grant Bacon told Mike Hosking the industry is in poor condition, but they're happy with their performance.&nbsp;
He says their flights are on average 70% full, with services paying their way for the carrier.&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

Grant Bacon: Barrier Air CEO says the business of regional flight services is booming despite challenges in the sector

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ffaf569d-59d5-4c11-9270-b2090138b1c3/transcript

I asked for the surplus to arrive sooner than previously forecast and, as though she was listening this time yesterday, the first words out of Nicola Willis' mouth were it will be a year ahead of schedule. 

You can't ask for more than that. 

That’s not an election year lolly, but I'm increasingly of the belief that a growing number of New Zealanders have got the message. 

A growing number of us have been shaken into the cold, hard reality that $9 billion a year in debt servicing is absurd and it can't continue. 

We need to cut our cloth and that, in many respects, was what yesterday was about. 

It's probably brave in election year to run things this tight. But it's also the adult thing to do. 

So the message, politically, is stark. If you want free stuff the current Government aren't really for you. If you want grown-ups paying for life as they earn it then this may be the lot that gets your vote. 

I do worry about health. Yes, health was a big, multibillion dollar winner and the hardware, the facilities and the equipment need a spruce up and, yes, bits and parts are squeezed. 

But the health bill for five million people seems amazing to me and not in a good way. There has to be savings to be had there.   

$17,000 for every house is not right. I didn’t use my $17,000 last year, so someone did. 

The roads improvements in the tricky bits of the country I like. Build them properly and deal to the future – don’t patch it up. 

We already know about education. A revolution is on and we will all be better for it. 

You know I'm a trades fan. There were big wins for good, old fashioned, but increasingly important, jobs. Not every kid wants a BA and even if they did get one, it doesn’t mean a job is waiting. The world will always want a sparky or a mechanic. 

There were the basics, the rational and the logic. There was a good message about three parties doing collegial work. There were wins for each of them, all mixed up with the overarching message that the madness, fiscally, has stopped and the reality has arrived. 

But, big picture, get it right. This is a place that has its best days ahead of it. 

I liked it. It's an easy 7/10. 

I asked for the surplus to arrive sooner than previously forecast and, as though she was listening this time yesterday, the first words out of Nicola Willis' mouth were it will be a year ahead of schedule.&nbsp;
You can't ask for more than that.&nbsp;
That’s not an election year lolly, but I'm increasingly of the belief that a growing number of New Zealanders have got the message.&nbsp;
A growing number of us have been shaken into the cold, hard reality that $9 billion a year in debt servicing is absurd and it can't continue.&nbsp;
We need to cut our cloth and that, in many respects, was what yesterday was about.&nbsp;
It's probably brave in election year to run things this tight. But it's also the adult thing to do.&nbsp;
So the message, politically, is stark. If you want free stuff the current Government aren't really for you. If you want grown-ups paying for life as they earn it then this may be the lot that gets your vote.&nbsp;
I do worry about health. Yes, health was a big, multibillion dollar winner and the hardware, the facilities and the equipment need a spruce up and, yes, bits and parts are squeezed.&nbsp;
But the health bill for five million people seems amazing to me and not in a good way. There has to be savings to be had there. &nbsp;&nbsp;
$17,000 for every house is not right. I didn’t use my $17,000 last year, so someone did.&nbsp;
The roads improvements in the tricky bits of the country I like. Build them properly and deal to the future – don’t patch it up.&nbsp;
We already know about education. A revolution is on and we will all be better for it.&nbsp;
You know I'm a trades fan. There were big wins for good, old fashioned, but increasingly important, jobs. Not every kid wants a BA and even if they did get one, it doesn’t mean a job is waiting. The world will always want a sparky or a mechanic.&nbsp;
There were the basics, the rational and the logic. There was a good message about three parties doing collegial work. There were wins for each of them, all mixed up with the overarching message that the madness, fiscally, has stopped and the reality has arrived.&nbsp;
But, big picture, get it right. This is a place that has its best days ahead of it.&nbsp;
I liked it. It's an easy 7/10.&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: My thoughts on the Budget

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/860d08c1-e782-4353-b233-b4580173793e/transcript

Donald Trump's yet to sign-off on a tentative agreement between the US and Iran.  

US sources report negotiators from both sides have reached a deal to extend the ceasefire for 60 days, begin nuclear talks, and open the Strait of Hormuz.  

It's understood neither of the nation's leaders have approved the agreement.  

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that according to both Trump and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the President’s not going to take a bad deal.  

Bessent says there are several red lines, including Iran turning over its highly enriched uranium, and allowing free transit through the Strait. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Donald Trump's yet to sign-off on a tentative agreement between the US and Iran. &nbsp;
US sources report negotiators from both sides have reached a deal to extend the ceasefire for 60 days, begin nuclear talks, and open the Strait of Hormuz. &nbsp;
It's understood neither of the nation's leaders have approved the agreement. &nbsp;
US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that according to both Trump and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the President’s not going to take a bad deal. &nbsp;
Bessent says there are several red lines, including Iran turning over its highly enriched uranium, and allowing free transit through the Strait.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the latest draft plan for an extension to the ceasefire between Iran and the US

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/036fba0b-a4ad-4bcc-bc8d-b45801727770/transcript

After a busy week, Friday has finally arrived which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was. 

They discussed Dame Lynda Topp’s criticism of the Budget at last night’s Aotearoa Music Awards, Mike and Kate’s upcoming holiday, and Oura Rings.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

After a busy week, Friday has finally arrived which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was.&nbsp;
They discussed Dame Lynda Topp’s criticism of the Budget at last night’s Aotearoa Music Awards, Mike and Kate’s upcoming holiday, and Oura Rings. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Wrapping the Week with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson: Dame Lynda Topp's Budget criticism, holidays, and Oura Rings

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/315ef6d2-2461-4af0-ae0e-b458016f65aa/transcript

Grant Bacon: Barrier Air CEO says the business of regional flight services is booming despite challenges in the sector

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