The gap between the number of births and deaths is narrowing. 

Latest Stats NZ data shows there was about 15 hundred fewer births in the year ending in March, and 170 more deaths. 

The fertility rate has dropped from 1.58 births per woman to 1.53 and the infant mortality rate is also down.  

Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking at some point the number of births will equal the number of deaths. 

He says that's never happened before, except for during one-off events like the Black Death in Europe. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The gap between the number of births and deaths is narrowing.&nbsp;
Latest Stats NZ data shows there was about 15 hundred fewer births in the year ending in March, and 170 more deaths.&nbsp;
The fertility rate has dropped from 1.58 births per woman to 1.53 and the infant mortality rate is also down. &nbsp;
Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking at some point the number of births will equal the number of deaths.&nbsp;
He says that's never happened before, except for during one-off events like the Black Death in Europe.&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

Paul Spoonley: Massey University Sociologist on NZ's population increasing by 0.8% as the gap between birth and death rates narrow

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ee0615d9-c335-43ad-9f5d-b44e015b5bcf/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 19th of May, Education Minister Erica Stanford unpacks the $131 million education funding and Touch NZ CEO Joe Sprangers explains their new partnership with NZ Rugby. 

Immigration is turning into an election issue so we talk to sociologist Paul Spoonley as our population goes above 5.3 million and the gap between our birth and death rates narrow. 

Michael Kelly of House of Cards and Jack Ryan fame is on to talk the new Jack Ryan movie Ghost War. 

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 19th of May, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/erica-stanford-education-minister-on-the-131-million-investment-in-maths-reading-and-writing-education/">Education Minister Erica Stanford</a> unpacks the $131 million education funding and Touch NZ CEO Joe Sprangers explains their new partnership with NZ Rugby.&nbsp;
Immigration is turning into an election issue so we talk to <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/paul-spoonley-massey-university-sociologist-on-nzs-population-increasing-by-08-as-the-gap-between-birth-and-death-rates-narrow/">sociologist Paul Spoonley</a> as our population goes above 5.3 million and the gap between our birth and death rates narrow.&nbsp;
Michael Kelly of House of Cards and Jack Ryan fame is on to talk the new Jack Ryan movie Ghost War.&nbsp;
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 19 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/95adcddf-26ea-49d9-9d58-b44e015d6b48/transcript

Erica Stanford insists her curriculum reform adds sunlight and accountability to the sector.  

In a pre-Budget announcement, the Education Minister has announced $131 million to help improve students' reading, writing, and maths. 

It'll also include more professional development for teachers and school leaders in those areas. 

Stanford told Mike Hosking New Zealand's been in a black hole for some time. 

She says students aren't proficient in basic timetables, facts, or reading until they get to high school, and are struggling. 

She says we've been in the grip of a liberal education experiment that states assessing young people is bad for their mental health – which is ridiculous. 

Also in the announcement was a pledge to give schools more maths and literacy resources, and 36 extra maths intervention teachers.  

Stanford told Hosking more teachers are added every Budget, and she'd fund more if she could. 

She says they'll take small groups struggling with maths out of classes to get them where they need to be, and it's never been done before.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Erica Stanford insists her curriculum reform adds sunlight and accountability to the sector. &nbsp;
In a pre-Budget announcement, the Education Minister has announced $131 million to help improve students' reading, writing, and maths.&nbsp;
It'll also include more professional development for teachers and school leaders in those areas.&nbsp;
Stanford told Mike Hosking New Zealand's been in a black hole for some time.&nbsp;
She says students aren't proficient in basic timetables, facts, or reading until they get to high school, and are struggling.&nbsp;
She says we've been in the grip of a liberal education experiment that states assessing young people is bad for their mental health – which is ridiculous.&nbsp;
Also in the announcement was a pledge to give schools more maths and literacy resources, and 36 extra maths intervention teachers. &nbsp;
Stanford told Hosking more teachers are added every Budget, and she'd fund more if she could.&nbsp;
She says they'll take small groups struggling with maths out of classes to get them where they need to be, and it's never been done before. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Erica Stanford: Education Minister on the $131 million investment in maths, reading, and writing education

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3f0d827c-f831-4171-bbbb-b44e0155dc65/transcript

The services sector continues to contract. 

The latest Services Index rose 2.7 points to 48.9 – with anything below 50 signalling contraction. 

New orders was the only category in expansion, sitting at 51.2, while employment remained negative for the 29th consecutive month.  

BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Mike Hosking the figures are the result of the fuel situation due to the conflict in the Middle East.  

It’s a shame, she says, as we started the year in quite positive territory.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The services sector continues to contract.&nbsp;
The latest Services Index rose 2.7 points to 48.9 – with anything below 50 signalling contraction.&nbsp;
New orders was the only category in expansion, sitting at 51.2, while employment remained negative for the 29th consecutive month. &nbsp;
BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Mike Hosking the figures are the result of the fuel situation due to the conflict in the Middle East. &nbsp;
It’s a shame, she says, as we started the year in quite positive territory. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Catherine Beard: BusinessNZ Advocacy Director on the services sector continuing to contract in April

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5a4ba092-1558-4948-8618-b44e0151f920/transcript

Paul Spoonley: Massey University Sociologist on NZ's population increasing by 0.8% as the gap between birth and death rates narrow

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