Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to discuss the biggest topics of the week so far. 

They discussed the shoplifting directive issued to Police – will officers still be attending retail crime incidents if the value of the theft is less than $500?  

And why is Labour against the use of private hospitals to lower the public surgery backlog? 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to discuss the biggest topics of the week so far.&nbsp;
They discussed the shoplifting directive issued to Police – will officers still be attending retail crime incidents if the value of the theft is less than $500? &nbsp;
And why is Labour against the use of private hospitals to lower the public surgery backlog?&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: National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen talk retail crime, police, and private hospitals

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7f03b596-4234-467f-8bd9-b2ea0161eb63/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 7th of May, EMA’s Alan McDonald discusses the unexpected drop in the unemployment rate, while UVisa Director Tobias Tohill gives his thoughts on what the new citizenship test should look like.  

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is back from Singapore, discussing infrastructure, the fuel deal, and the results of a poll on the Government’s handling of the fuel crisis. 

Kiwi singer Mel Parsons is back after exactly two years to sing us a song as she announces a NZ tour for her upcoming album.   

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 Thursday 7th of May, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/alan-mcdonald-employers-and-manufacturers-association-advocacy-head-on-the-unemployment-rate-dipping-to-53-in-the-march-quarter/">EMA’s Alan McDonald</a> discusses the unexpected drop in the unemployment rate, while <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/tobias-tohill-uvisa-director-on-the-governments-plan-to-impose-a-citizenship-test-from-next-year/">UVisa Director Tobias Tohill</a> gives his thoughts on what the new citizenship test should look like. &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-discusses-the-infrastructure-costs-and-the-city-rail-link-citizenship-test/">Prime Minister Christopher Luxon</a> is back from Singapore, discussing infrastructure, the fuel deal, and the results of a poll on the Government’s handling of the fuel crisis.&nbsp;
Kiwi singer Mel Parsons is back after exactly two years to sing us a song as she announces a NZ tour for her upcoming album. &nbsp;&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: 07 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6f4d0346-8efd-4fe4-8f22-b442015c738d/transcript

Employers are remaining cautious as the Iran war continues to push up fuel prices and slow economic growth. 

Unemployment dipped slightly to 5.3% in the March quarter. 

Employers and Manufacturers Association Advocacy Head Alan McDonald says businesses he's talked to aren't yet looking to shed staff. 

He told Mike Hosking that they can see it’s going to get better when the conflict ends, and they want those good people around to help the business get going again. 

Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury, are all facing a rising unemployment rate, and it’s surging in Bay of Plenty. 

Auckland's rate climbed again to 6.6% and in Bay of Plenty it skyrocketed to 7.1%. 

McDonald says both regions rely more on industries doing it tough, but those industries also tend to soak up more employees when they're doing well. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Employers are remaining cautious as the Iran war continues to push up fuel prices and slow economic growth.&nbsp;
Unemployment dipped slightly to 5.3% in the March quarter.&nbsp;
Employers and Manufacturers Association Advocacy Head Alan McDonald says businesses he's talked to aren't yet looking to shed staff.&nbsp;
He told Mike Hosking that they can see it’s going to get better when the conflict ends, and they want those good people around to help the business get going again.&nbsp;
Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury, are all facing a rising unemployment rate, and it’s surging in Bay of Plenty.&nbsp;
Auckland's rate climbed again to 6.6% and in Bay of Plenty it skyrocketed to 7.1%.&nbsp;
McDonald says both regions rely more on industries doing it tough, but those industries also tend to soak up more employees when they're doing well.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Alan McDonald: Employers and Manufacturers Association Advocacy Head on the unemployment rate dipping to 5.3% in the March quarter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6881ff2d-29b0-4be8-924b-b442015d5243/transcript

Christchurch's Mayor doesn't think previously red zoned land has been tainted by its past.  

The City Council's agreed to engage with interested parties, including social housing providers, iwi, and private developers.  

It's identified more than 10 hectares of land, split across 11 parts of the quake damaged zone, suitable for housing. 

Phil Mauger told Mike Hosking work will be needed on the foundations, but it's suitable to live on.  

He says 15 years ago red zoned land was defined by a ball point pen by someone in Wellington – now we know a lot more and there are some little pockets that could be used. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Christchurch's Mayor doesn't think previously red zoned land has been tainted by its past. &nbsp;
The City Council's agreed to engage with interested parties, including social housing providers, iwi, and private developers. &nbsp;
It's identified more than 10 hectares of land, split across 11 parts of the quake damaged zone, suitable for housing.&nbsp;
Phil Mauger told Mike Hosking work will be needed on the foundations, but it's suitable to live on. &nbsp;
He says 15 years ago red zoned land was defined by a ball point pen by someone in Wellington – now we know a lot more and there are some little pockets that could be used.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on the areas of the red zone deemed suitable for housing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e8b5fba9-7bd5-4295-a92d-b4420158ec65/transcript

Pollies: National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen talk retail crime, police, and private hospitals

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