The number of complaints going to the Office of the Ombudsman is soaring to record heights.

Its annual report finds more than eight thousand Official information complaints - a 30 percent increase.

The office also received 278 protected disclosures under the whistleblower law - up 26 percent.

Chief Ombudsman John Allen told Mike Hosking OIAs are an attractive option for people trying to raise issues with the Government.

He says public confidence in Government generally is on the decline and people are under a huge amount of pressure with cost of living. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The number of complaints going to the Office of the Ombudsman is soaring to record heights.
Its annual report finds more than eight thousand Official information complaints - a 30 percent increase.
The office also received 278 protected disclosures under the whistleblower law - up 26 percent.
Chief Ombudsman John Allen told Mike Hosking OIAs are an attractive option for people trying to raise issues with the Government.
He says public confidence in Government generally is on the decline and people are under a huge amount of pressure with cost of living.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

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

John Allen: Chief Ombudsman comments on record-high number of complaints made against government

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6816ce3a-7dfb-4b86-82f9-b37d0146faac/transcript

"Such a joyful thing": Jimmy Carr talks comedy, upcoming NZ tour 

Jimmy Carr is well known for a couple of things, his controversial comedy and distinctive laugh chief among them.

And he’s bringing both to Kiwi audiences early next year, travelling right across the country, stopping in 13 different cities. 

He’s got a prolific career in standup, as well as being a household name in UK television, not only hosting an array of panel shows, but a regular guest on many of the rest. 

Carr has a busy schedule, and he told Mike Hosking that he works as much as he possibly can, as his work is such a joyful thing. 

“If I have a night off, what am I doing? I’m sitting at home having my tea,” he said. 

“If I come out and do a show, it’s such a joyful thing." 

“I also think I do have a propensity to get cancelled once in a while,” Carr confessed, the comedian having seen his fair share of controversies. 

“So you never know when your last one’s going to be.” 

When it comes to cancel culture, Carr is a big advocate for freedom of speech. 

“I’m not for everyone, and edgy jokes, there’s you know, limits of it, sometimes it’s not for everyone,” he told Hosking. 

“But the whole cancel culture thing, you go, well, as long as you don’t get cancelled by your own audience, I think you’re golden.” 

LISTEN ABOVE 

<h2>"Such a joyful thing": Jimmy Carr talks comedy, upcoming NZ tour&nbsp;</h2>
Jimmy Carr is well known for a couple of things, his controversial comedy and distinctive laugh chief among them.
And he’s bringing both to Kiwi audiences early next year, travelling right across the country, stopping in 13 different cities.&nbsp;
He’s got a prolific career in standup, as well as being a household name in UK television, not only hosting an array of panel shows, but a regular guest on many of the rest.&nbsp;
Carr has a busy schedule, and he told Mike Hosking that he works as much as he possibly can, as his work is such a joyful thing.&nbsp;
“If I have a night off, what am I doing? I’m sitting at home having my tea,” he said.&nbsp;
“If I come out and do a show, it’s such a joyful thing."&nbsp;
“I also think I do have a propensity to get cancelled once in a while,” Carr confessed, the comedian having seen his fair share of controversies.&nbsp;
“So you never know when your last one’s going to be.”&nbsp;
When it comes to cancel culture, Carr is a big advocate for freedom of speech.&nbsp;
“I’m not for everyone, and edgy jokes, there’s you know, limits of it, sometimes it’s not for everyone,” he told Hosking.&nbsp;
“But the whole cancel culture thing, you go, well, as long as you don’t get cancelled by your own audience, I think you’re golden.”&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Best of 2025: Jimmy Carr talks comedy, upcoming tour on the Mike Hosking Breakfast

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1cc6f3a5-e3e4-41c5-ab0f-b3c501419c27/transcript

Longevity: What's the secret to living longer, healthier lives? 

People are becoming increasingly more interested in living longer. 

Health, wellness, dieting, and fitness are more and more prominent on social media, and health monitoring technology are becoming increasingly popular. 

Cardiologist Dr Eric Topol has been researching longevity for decades, and is considered to be one of the top five voices on the subject. 

He’s just released his latest book, ‘Super Agers’, a detailed guide to living a longer, healthier life. 

Topol told Mike Hosking it’s not necessarily about living longer, but rather extending the years someone lives with intact health.  

He says living to 90 and being perfectly health throughout ought to be more important than trying to live to 110 and having many years of dementia, or profound frailty, or poor quality of life.  

Although there are revolutions happening in regards to anti-inflammatory and hormonal medications, Topol says it’s never going to be as simple as a pill. 

Things like lifestyle factors, environmental pollution, microplastics, and forever chemicals also need to be controlled, he explains. 

Listen to the full interview for a detailed explanation of health, longevity, and the new developments in the medical sector.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

<h2>Longevity: What's the secret to living longer, healthier lives?&nbsp;</h2>
People are becoming increasingly more interested in living longer.&nbsp;
Health, wellness, dieting, and fitness are more and more prominent on social media, and health monitoring technology are becoming increasingly popular.&nbsp;
Cardiologist Dr Eric Topol has been researching longevity for decades, and is considered to be one of the top five voices on the subject.&nbsp;
He’s just released his latest book, ‘Super Agers’, a detailed guide to living a longer, healthier life.&nbsp;
Topol told Mike Hosking it’s not necessarily about living longer, but rather extending the years someone lives with intact health. &nbsp;
He says living to 90 and being perfectly health throughout ought to be more important than trying to live to 110 and having many years of dementia, or profound frailty, or poor quality of life. &nbsp;
Although there are revolutions happening in regards to anti-inflammatory and hormonal medications, Topol says it’s never going to be as simple as a pill.&nbsp;
Things like lifestyle factors, environmental pollution, microplastics, and forever chemicals also need to be controlled, he explains.&nbsp;
Listen to the full interview for a detailed explanation of health, longevity, and the new developments in the medical sector. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Best of 2025: Eric Topol talks longevity on the Mike Hosking Breakfast

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9ac8a659-cd18-4464-8c32-b3c30141b62c/transcript

Is an iron deficiency holding you back? Dr Libby Weaver discusses 

A common deficiency could be holding you back. 

Iron is the most common nutritional deficiency, both globally and in New Zealand, and it plays a role in everything from energy to brain function and development, thyroid function, and anxiety prevention. 

Dr Libby Weaver is biochemist, nutritionist, and author, and her latest book ‘Fix Iron First’ delves into the role of iron in the body, and how a deficiency could be impacting your life. 

She joined Mike Hosking to discuss her research. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

<h2>Is an iron deficiency holding you back? Dr Libby Weaver discusses&nbsp;</h2>
A common deficiency could be holding you back.&nbsp;
Iron is the most common nutritional deficiency, both globally and in New Zealand, and it plays a role in everything from energy to brain function and development, thyroid function, and anxiety prevention.&nbsp;
Dr Libby Weaver is biochemist, nutritionist, and author, and her latest book ‘Fix Iron First’ delves into the role of iron in the body, and how a deficiency could be impacting your life.&nbsp;
She joined Mike Hosking to discuss her research.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Best of 2025: Dr Libby Weaver talks iron deficiencies on the Mike Hosking Breakfast

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e53b9d74-680b-4405-be27-b3c201419b17/transcript

John Allen: Chief Ombudsman comments on record-high number of complaints made against government

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