It's being argued the government has taxed beer to a point where people can't afford it as consumption levels plummet.  

Stats NZ data shows the volume of all alcoholic beverages made last year fell by 8.3%, with beer dropping by 10%.  

It follows the beer excise tax rising more than 20% in five years. 

Garage Project Brewery co-owner Jos Ruffell told Mike Hosking the multi-billion-dollar industry is feeling the pain of this bizarre tax.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

It's being argued the government has taxed beer to a point where people can't afford it as consumption levels plummet. &nbsp;
Stats NZ data shows the volume of all alcoholic beverages made last year fell by 8.3%, with beer dropping by 10%. &nbsp;
It follows the beer excise tax rising more than 20% in five years.&nbsp;
Garage Project Brewery co-owner Jos Ruffell told Mike Hosking the multi-billion-dollar industry is feeling the pain of this bizarre tax. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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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

Jos Ruffell: Garage Project Brewery Co-Owner blames government taxes for beer consumption falling by 10%

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/caea122d-ca16-4bf0-bb10-b3fc014b07b3/transcript

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 28 May.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 28 May. 
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 28 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6b638423-a9d6-4000-bc04-b457015d6efc/transcript

Is there a lifeline for Moana Pasifika? 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has hinted at “good news” for the embattled club, and is reportedly instructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to look into proposals. 

Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol told Mike Hosking that from a player’s perspective, the team hasn’t been set up for success, but they remain optimistic it can happen. 

He says there’s two to three key areas that need to be nailed for Moana Pasifika to be successful – it needs to be true to purpose, there needs to be a sense that it is owned by Pacific people, for Pacific people, and it has unique opportunities for commercialisation that need to be utilised well.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Is there a lifeline for Moana Pasifika?&nbsp;
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has hinted at “good news” for the embattled club, and is reportedly instructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to look into proposals.&nbsp;
Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol told Mike Hosking that from a player’s perspective, the team hasn’t been set up for success, but they remain optimistic it can happen.&nbsp;
He says there’s two to three key areas that need to be nailed for Moana Pasifika to be successful – it needs to be true to purpose, there needs to be a sense that it is owned by Pacific people, for Pacific people, and it has unique opportunities for commercialisation that need to be utilised well. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Rob Nichol: Rugby Players Association CEO on the potential lifeline for Moana Pasifika

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fa173001-5177-4c60-ab76-b4570157d86a/transcript

The Government's being criticised for rushing homeschooling legislation. 

It's backed down on proposed changes that would've increased the oversight of those who teach children at home after pushback from families. 

NZ Initiative Education Research Fellow Michael Johnson told Mike Hosking the state has the right to reassess how education is delivered. 

But he says the homeschooling community has the right to be upset. 

Johnson says it exists because it's a bit different from mainstream education, and you can't be too heavy handed with it.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Government's being criticised for rushing homeschooling legislation.&nbsp;
It's backed down on proposed changes that would've increased the oversight of those who teach children at home after pushback from families.&nbsp;
NZ Initiative Education Research Fellow Michael Johnson told Mike Hosking the state has the right to reassess how education is delivered.&nbsp;
But he says the homeschooling community has the right to be upset.&nbsp;
Johnson says it exists because it's a bit different from mainstream education, and you can't be too heavy handed with it. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Michael Johnston: NZ Initiative Education Research Fellow on the Government backing down on proposed homeschooling changes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e4d9d333-7143-4a38-b707-b4570151341a/transcript

Jos Ruffell: Garage Project Brewery Co-Owner blames government taxes for beer consumption falling by 10%

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