The Public Service Minister believes cuts within the sector aren't the slash and burn they're made out to be. 

The Government has reduced its contractor and consultant spending across the public service by more than half its target. 

It says spending has fallen $915 million, compared to its goal of $400 million, and frontline roles in the public service have also increased. 

Judith Collins told Mike Hosking redundancy costs from job cuts also need to be seen in the context of overall savings. 

She says some agencies immediately got rid of some jobs because they realised they were coping without them. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Public Service Minister believes cuts within the sector aren't the slash and burn they're made out to be.&nbsp;
The Government has reduced its contractor and consultant spending across the public service by more than half its target.&nbsp;
It says spending has fallen $915 million, compared to its goal of $400 million, and frontline roles in the public service have also increased.&nbsp;
Judith Collins told Mike Hosking redundancy costs from job cuts also need to be seen in the context of overall savings.&nbsp;
She says some agencies immediately got rid of some jobs because they realised they were coping without them.&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

Judith Collins: Public Service Minister on the reduction in contractor and consultant spending

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a395a003-6bda-4f0c-a10a-b371014fe9fd/transcript

The A-Team is back to Wrap the Week, with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joining Mike Hosking to discuss the week that was. 

They discussed Mike’s coffee woes, how being 60 differs to being 40, and a wayward delivery of cherries.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The A-Team is back to Wrap the Week, with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joining Mike Hosking to discuss the week that was.&nbsp;
They discussed Mike’s coffee woes, how being 60 differs to being 40, and a wayward delivery of cherries. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Best of 2025: Wrapping the Week - Coffee snobs and how 60 differs to 40

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a8045d19-8a25-4a0a-9bea-b3c80141934b/transcript

“Finding the balance”: Ed Sheeran talks fame and staying grounded, 2026 tour  

One of the world’s bestselling artists, Ed Sheeran is one of the most influential artists of his generation. 

He’s sold almost 200 million albums and is one of only a handful of artists on Spotify Billions Club with more than ten tracks with over one billion streams. 

Sheeran last toured New Zealand’s stages back in 2023, and he’s returning three years later, with 2026’s ‘Loop Tour’. 

Despite his global musical success, Ed Sheeran has a reputation for being down to earth and humble, shrugging off the trappings of stardom in favour of a much more grounded presence.  

He alternates between projects – huge stadium tours and local gigs, painting and podcasts, parenting and performing.  

While the most enjoyable period of his career was the first two years after the release of Plus in which the world opened up to him, Sheeran explains that nowadays he prioritises balance. 

“It's about finding the balance and not going nuts,” he told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking. 

“Not being like, I am just a popstar and that is all that I am, I think it’s really nice to be a dad, and also be a popstar, and have a balance of the two.”  

Stardom and fame can take its toll, some people becoming jaded and disconnected from the world around them, however, Sheeran believes that only happens if you live in a bubble. 

“I think you get jaded when things start getting very self-centred, and you think like, oh this is happening to me, and this is this, and this is that, and it’s very me, me, me, me, me.” 

Sheeran tries to keep himself grounded, surrounding himself with regular people, getting out into the world, and taking public transport at his wife’s strong encouragement.  

“I do remember playing shows where no one wants to come to them and releasing music that fell on deaf ears,” he told Hosking. 

“So I feel super grateful to be, you know, people are still interested in my music, people are still coming to the shows.” 

“I don’t think you can get jaded with that.” 

‘Loop Tour’ is Sheeran’s sixth major concert tour, and although he still performs in the occasional pub, stadium tours are on a completely different level.  

Although there’s definitely a pressure to match and even outperform his previous tours, Sheeran has faith in his music and what it means to his audience. 

“I know I can create special moments.” 

“I think that when you’re doing these shows, it’s an understanding that it’s not about me, it’s about the community and about the couples that are coming to the gig, the families that are coming to the gig, and what the songs mean to them.” 

LISTEN ABOVE 

<h2>“Finding the balance”: Ed Sheeran talks fame and staying grounded, 2026 tour &nbsp;</h2>
One of the world’s bestselling artists, Ed Sheeran is one of the most influential artists of his generation.&nbsp;
He’s sold almost 200 million albums and is one of only a handful of artists on Spotify Billions Club with more than ten tracks with over one billion streams.&nbsp;
Sheeran last toured New Zealand’s stages back in 2023, and he’s returning three years later, with 2026’s ‘Loop Tour’.&nbsp;
Despite his global musical success, Ed Sheeran has a reputation for being down to earth and humble, shrugging off the trappings of stardom in favour of a much more grounded presence. &nbsp;
He alternates between projects – huge stadium tours and local gigs, painting and podcasts, parenting and performing. &nbsp;
While the most enjoyable period of his career was the first two years after the release of Plus in which the world opened up to him, Sheeran explains that nowadays he prioritises balance.&nbsp;
“It's about finding the balance and not going nuts,” he told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking.&nbsp;
“Not being like, I am just a popstar and that is all that I am, I think it’s really nice to be a dad, and also be a popstar, and have a balance of the two.” &nbsp;
Stardom and fame can take its toll, some people becoming jaded and disconnected from the world around them, however, Sheeran believes that only happens if you live in a bubble.&nbsp;
“I think you get jaded when things start getting very self-centred, and you think like, oh this is happening to me, and this is this, and this is that, and it’s very me, me, me, me, me.”&nbsp;
Sheeran tries to keep himself grounded, surrounding himself with regular people, getting out into the world, and taking public transport at his wife’s strong encouragement. &nbsp;
“I do remember playing shows where no one wants to come to them and releasing music that fell on deaf ears,” he told Hosking.&nbsp;
“So I feel super grateful to be, you know, people are still interested in my music, people are still coming to the shows.”&nbsp;
“I don’t think you can get jaded with that.”&nbsp;

‘Loop Tour’ is Sheeran’s sixth major concert tour, and although he still performs in the occasional pub, stadium tours are on a completely different level. &nbsp;
Although there’s definitely a pressure to match and even outperform his previous tours, Sheeran has faith in his music and what it means to his audience.&nbsp;
“I know I can create special moments.”&nbsp;
“I think that when you’re doing these shows, it’s an understanding that it’s not about me, it’s about the community and about the couples that are coming to the gig, the families that are coming to the gig, and what the songs mean to them.”&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Best of 2025: Ed Sheeran talks his career, fame, and 2026 Loop Tour on the Mike Hosking Breakfast

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d1892d2d-ade7-45b1-bfc8-b3c7014188c4/transcript

"Everything to keep you guys safe": New CEO of Air NZ comments on mass cancellations

In the North Island, Red Wind Warnings are in place for Wellington and southern Wairarapa.

There are extensive public transport and flight cancellations.

Air New Zealand says it's already cancelled almost 100 flights today.

CEO Nikhil Ravishankar says told Mike Hosking that it will only operate flights if it's safe to do so.

LISTEN ABOVE

<h2>"Everything to keep you guys safe": New CEO of Air NZ comments on mass cancellations</h2>
In the North Island, Red Wind Warnings are in place for Wellington and southern Wairarapa.
There are extensive public transport and flight cancellations.
Air New Zealand says it's already cancelled almost 100 flights today.
CEO Nikhil Ravishankar says told Mike Hosking that it will only operate flights if it's safe to do so.
LISTEN ABOVE

Best of 2025: New Air NZ CEO Nikhil Ravishankar on the Mike Hosking Breakfast

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ac440b2e-8c9c-49e3-9f7b-b3c60141aec8/transcript

Judith Collins: Public Service Minister on the reduction in contractor and consultant spending

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