Jeffery Pryce: John Hopkins Foreign Policy Institute Fellow says Trump calling off Iran strikes feels like groundhog day

Donald Trump has called off strikes against Iran, provided a deal is reached rapidly.  In a Truth Social post, the US President says he's been asked by Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to hold off, while the parameters of agreement are set.  He says that would include the reopening of the …

Paul Spoonley: Massey University Sociologist says NZ First's policy won't tackle falling birth rates

A sociologist believes New Zealand First's latest policy won't tackle falling birth rates.  The party's announced a Kiwi Kids Fund, which would give citizen families $5000 a year for the first three years of a child's life.  The grant would be limited to a family's first three children and would …

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on suspected hacking attack from Iran to seize control of US water infrastructure

The US was the victim of cybersecurity breaches over the weekend.  It's believed that Iranian hackers accessed computer systems monitoring water infrastructure in several US states, disabling alarms and decreasing water pressure in an attempt to contaminate the pipes with groundwater.  Although n…

Andrew King: President of Rural Schools Leadership Association welcomes funding changes from Education Minister

Hopes a $20million boost for local student teachers will make a real difference. Education Minister Erica Stanford's redirecting the funding from an under-used relocation grant for overseas early childhood teachers, to a programme paying student teachers to learn on the job. Rural School Leadersh…

Mike's Minute: Is the Comm Games still seen as elite?

Jeremiah Azu has entered what appears to be a growing debate at the Commonwealth Games.  He is a sprinter and is talking about respecting the flag, respecting the Commonwealth Games, and just generally making an effort and turning up.  Hamish Kerr has been allowed an easy run this week with his m…

Mark the Week: Parental leave was the political misstep of the week

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.    Our Covid response: 5/10  In totality it looks like a thing you do to score some points against the other guys, with no real sense there is any accountability and no real as…

Mike's Minute: The housing developments and fast-track conundrum

We can end the week by adding another example of angst and anger to the fast-track pile.  We have talked about Delmore and their 1200 houses north of Auckland, as well as Pegasus and their 1000 homes north of Christchurch.  The fast-track application was lodged this week, and now we have Ridgebur…

Wrapping the Week with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson: Political polls, Northern Expressway, Supermarket promotions, and Mike and Kate's fountain

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson to join Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was.  On today’s agenda was the newly inked deal for the Northern Expressway, the results of the latest Ipsos political poll, and the supermarket promotions going on at the moment.  Plus…

Willie Poching: Sky Sport Rugby League Analyst on the Warriors performance, upcoming Titans clash

The Warriors are on the Gold Coast this weekend, looking to bounce back against the Titans.   They just scraped past the Dragons earlier in the month before being thoroughly defeated by the Bulldogs – losing 18-6.  They’re currently sitting third on the ladder, but another loss could see them dro…

Full Show Podcast: 31 July 2026

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 30th of July, Mike couldn’t be more excited for the signing of our biggest-ever PPP deal for the new Northland Expressway.   Has Winston Peters crossed the line with his latest comments? Or is this just Winston in election year? Former S…