Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen are calling in from airports in Italy and Auckland to delve into the biggest topics of the week so far. 

Local body elections are looming – how can we raise the involvement rate? 

Plus, a raft of changes to both the earthquake-prone building system and the energy sector were announced in the last two days. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen are calling in from airports in Italy and Auckland to delve into the biggest topics of the week so far.&nbsp;
Local body elections are looming – how can we raise the involvement rate?&nbsp;
Plus, a raft of changes to both the earthquake-prone building system and the energy sector were announced in the last two days.&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

Pollies: Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk local body elections, electricity announcement, earthquake-prone building changes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/747f523b-dee6-49ea-bbd2-b368015d5e63/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

The Reserve Bank Governor is feeling good about her captain's call to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25%. 

Anna Breman made the final decision after the six-member Monetary Policy Committee she chairs was evenly split on whether to hike the rate. 

Breman says she understands the argument for hiking but told Mike Hosking she doesn't think now's the right time. 

She says financial markets have already tightened quite a lot, and the economy is slowing down, which will reduce pressure on inflation over the medium term. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Reserve Bank Governor is feeling good about her captain's call to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25%.&nbsp;
Anna Breman made the final decision after the six-member Monetary Policy Committee she chairs was evenly split on whether to hike the rate.&nbsp;
Breman says she understands the argument for hiking but told Mike Hosking she doesn't think now's the right time.&nbsp;
She says financial markets have already tightened quite a lot, and the economy is slowing down, which will reduce pressure on inflation over the medium term.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Anna Breman: Reserve Bank Governor unpacks the decision to hold the Official Cash Rate at 2.25%

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d21af37d-8e38-4fb5-9063-b457014c7caf/transcript

High hopes for today's Budget from health, infrastructure, education, and business leaders. 

College of GPs President Luke Bradford told Mike Hosking he's looking for some reallocation of health spending. 

He says we currently invest 6% of vote health in primary healthcare, compared to the OECD average of 14%.  

On the infrastructure side of things, Infrastructure NZ's Nick Leggett told Hosking he wants investment in new projects and maintenance of existing ones.  

He says we have to build some resilience into them so they don’t fail earlier, because that just ends up costing more money. 

Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken told Mike Hosking he has three things on his wishlist. 

He’d like to see an increase in operational funding for schools, a significant injection into senior secondary curriculum areas to support the implementation of the new qualification, and increasing vocational training places and support for those on that path. 

And finally, Business New Zealand Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking she's focused on economic indicators. 

She says they’re going to be looking to see when the country returns to surplus and how the new expenditure contributes to economic growth. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

High hopes for today's Budget from health, infrastructure, education, and business leaders.&nbsp;
College of GPs President Luke Bradford told Mike Hosking he's looking for some reallocation of health spending.&nbsp;
He says we currently invest 6% of vote health in primary healthcare, compared to the OECD average of 14%. &nbsp;
On the infrastructure side of things, Infrastructure NZ's Nick Leggett told Hosking he wants investment in new projects and maintenance of existing ones. &nbsp;
He says we have to build some resilience into them so they don’t fail earlier, because that just ends up costing more money.&nbsp;
Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken told Mike Hosking he has three things on his wishlist.&nbsp;
He’d like to see an increase in operational funding for schools, a significant injection into senior secondary curriculum areas to support the implementation of the new qualification, and increasing vocational training places and support for those on that path.&nbsp;
And finally, Business New Zealand Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking she's focused on economic indicators.&nbsp;
She says they’re going to be looking to see when the country returns to surplus and how the new expenditure contributes to economic growth.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Luke Bradford, Nick Leggett, Steve McCracken, and Katherine Rich: Industry Leaders' key hopes for Budget 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b67002f4-8928-4e23-b7bb-b45701458690/transcript

Pollies: Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk local body elections, electricity announcement, earthquake-prone building changes

In 1 playlist(s)

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips