Kiwis are now spending a reported $1.8 billion a year on their pets. 

Insurance, food, grooming, and daycare make up the bulk of the spending, with luxuries and niche businesses playing a part as well.  

Dog Zen founder and animal behaviourist Mark Vette told Mike Hosking over time the relationship between pets and their owners has become more like that of a surrogate parent-child relationship, which drives people to spend more.  

But he says there’s definitely been a push for those who have the money to spend it on “wants” instead of “needs”.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Kiwis are now spending a reported $1.8 billion a year on their pets.&nbsp;
Insurance, food, grooming, and daycare make up the bulk of the spending, with luxuries and niche businesses playing a part as well. &nbsp;
Dog Zen founder and animal behaviourist Mark Vette told Mike Hosking over time the relationship between pets and their owners has become more like that of a surrogate parent-child relationship, which drives people to spend more. &nbsp;
But he says there’s definitely been a push for those who have the money to spend it on “wants” instead of “needs”. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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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

Mark Vette: Dog Zen founder and animal behaviourist on Kiwis spending $1.8 billion a year on their pets

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f393ca31-cda5-4b53-b966-b39f01474ea3/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

"A wild, unhinged romp": Annie Murphy and Murray Bartlett talk 'Nine Perfect Strangers' 

Kiwis will be able to experience the drama as ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ returns for a second season.  

Nicole Kidman’s Masha Dmitrichenko has invited a new cast of characters to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps, pushing them to the brink over the course of a week.  

Annie Murphy and Murray Bartlett are among the cast, playing alongside Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strong, Aras Aydin, and of course, Nicole Kidman. 

For Murphy, the ensemble nature was a huge draw, telling Mike Hosking she was thrilled by the prospect. 

“We were there for six months Munich, with a whole bunch of really talented, really theatre, dorky actors... I was thrilled.” 

Bartlett was also excited to be a part of the show, having watched and “devoured” the first season. 

Season 2 will be releasing on May 22nd worldwide on Amazon Prime. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

<h2>"A wild, unhinged romp": Annie Murphy and Murray Bartlett talk 'Nine Perfect Strangers'&nbsp;</h2>
Kiwis will be able to experience the drama as ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ returns for a second season. &nbsp;
Nicole Kidman’s Masha Dmitrichenko has invited a new cast of characters to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps, pushing them to the brink over the course of a week. &nbsp;
Annie Murphy and Murray Bartlett are among the cast, playing alongside Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strong, Aras Aydin, and of course, Nicole Kidman.&nbsp;
For Murphy, the ensemble nature was a huge draw, telling Mike Hosking she was thrilled by the prospect.&nbsp;
“We were there for six months Munich, with a whole bunch of really talented, really theatre, dorky actors... I was thrilled.”&nbsp;
Bartlett was also excited to be a part of the show, having watched and “devoured” the first season.&nbsp;
Season 2 will be releasing on May 22nd worldwide on Amazon Prime.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Best of 2025: Murray Bartlett and Annie Murphy talk 'Nine Perfect Strangers' on the Mike Hosking Breakfast

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/69c02953-ac31-41d9-af3a-b3c00141ae78/transcript

"Time to move": Mark Robinson unpacks resignation from NZ Rugby

Outgoing New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson believes he's leaving the game in a better place than he found it. 

He's confirmed he will leave the job at the end of the year, bringing to an end a six-year tenure that started just before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Robinson says he's proud of what's been achieved during a turbulent period. 

He told Mike Hosking that the next six months are critical for their role both domestically and internationally, with both their involvement in the establishment of international calendars and competitions as well as the opportunity they have to reset the financial model for the New Zealand game.  

Robinson likes to think those would both be signed off by the end of the year, and that in conjunction with his family moving over to Australia, makes him feel it’s time to move on. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

<h2>"Time to move": Mark Robinson unpacks resignation from NZ Rugby</h2>
Outgoing New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson believes he's leaving the game in a better place than he found it.&nbsp;
He's confirmed he will leave the job at the end of the year, bringing to an end a six-year tenure that started just before the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;
Robinson says he's proud of what's been achieved during a turbulent period.&nbsp;
He told Mike Hosking that the next six months are critical for their role both domestically and internationally, with both their involvement in the establishment of international calendars and competitions as well as the opportunity they have to reset the financial model for the New Zealand game. &nbsp;
Robinson likes to think those would both be signed off by the end of the year, and that in conjunction with his family moving over to Australia, makes him feel it’s time to move on.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Best of 2025: Mark Robinson unpacks resignation from NZ Rugby on the Mike Hosking Breakfast

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5ff165f7-975c-4305-9394-b3be01418c82/transcript

Mark Vette: Dog Zen founder and animal behaviourist on Kiwis spending $1.8 billion a year on their pets

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