Latest figures show at least 144 kiwi Police left for Australia in the past year, but Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is not concerned. 

He told Mike Hosking that we have 'some of the best police officers in the world' and therefore it's no surprise other countries try to poach from us. 

Chambers also maintains that our Police numbers are in a good place.

"I mean, there's a tremendous amount to be proud of is that we've got nearly 10,500 police officers now. We've never had that many, in this country before," he said. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Latest figures show at least 144 kiwi Police left for Australia in the past year, but Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is not concerned.&nbsp;
He told Mike Hosking that we have 'some of the best police officers in the world' and therefore it's no surprise other countries try to poach from us.&nbsp;
Chambers also maintains that our Police numbers are in a good place.
"I mean, there's a tremendous amount to be proud of is that we've got nearly 10,500 police officers now.&nbsp;We've never had that many, in this country before," he said.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

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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

Richard Chambers: Police Commissioner says quality over quantity for NZ Police

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/40709b41-e6b9-420b-960f-b4460180a9a7/transcript

It's hard to believe that superannuation is still a “thing”.

The OECD report told us we need to bump the age.

Nicola Willis told us Friday we have to do something. The Prime Minister then goes on Newstalk ZB and tells us they will campaign, again, on bumping up the age.

We should not be here.

In 1982 when I started work at the age of 16 it was very clearly in my mind that I had to sort my future financially, given the debate at the time was that superannuation is not affordable, and the state could not always be relied upon to be there for you.  

So if it was a debate in 1982, why is it still a debate in 2026, having achieved or solved nothing?

The answer of course is because it has been political dynamite. No party really wants to risk losing votes over what has been seen as an entitlement.

So first port of call, is it an entitlement or not? If it is, bump the age.

There is no question that we live and work longer, therefore retirement is not what it was and it will continue to evolve.

Or, my preference, make it a benefit. We see Labour's free doctor's policy as the money wasting joke it is. Why does a person like me on a good salary need a free doctor? I don’t. Stop wasting money.

So why not apply the same to retirement? Do you need it? If yes, you get some assistance. If no, then save the dollars for someone else.

But some still argue it’s the reward for a life's work. Is it? The reward for a life's work is money in the bank, some travel and no alarm.

The country doesn’t owe me anything.

Equally, that farcical, old line about you having paid your taxes was never true.

The taxes you paid have been spent every year. Almost every year we spend more than we earn. There are no savings, no surplus. Your taxes paid for healthcare and Government departments and roads and beneficiaries.

Like so many of life's issues, when you complicate them and fiddle with them they remain unsolved.

Kicking it down the road isn't a skill. It’s a lack of backbone.

At some point someone has to be honest enough to pull the pin.

It's not 1968 and 65 years-old isn't old. This thing has been debated so long now it's become boring.

LISTEN ABOVE

It's hard to believe that superannuation is still a “thing”.
The OECD report told us we need to bump the age.
Nicola Willis told us Friday we have to do something. The Prime Minister then goes on Newstalk ZB and tells us they will campaign, again, on bumping up the age.
We should not be here.
In 1982 when I started work at the age of 16 it was very clearly in my mind that I had to sort my future financially, given the debate at the time was that superannuation is not affordable, and the state could not always be relied upon to be there for you. &nbsp;
So if it was a debate in 1982, why is it still a debate in 2026, having achieved or solved nothing?
The answer of course is because it has been political dynamite. No party really wants to risk losing votes over what has been seen as an entitlement.
So first port of call, is it an entitlement or not? If it is, bump the age.
There is no question that we live and work longer, therefore retirement is not what it was and it will continue to evolve.
Or, my preference, make it a benefit. We see Labour's free doctor's policy as the money wasting joke it is. Why does a person like me on a good salary need a free doctor? I don’t. Stop wasting money.
So why not apply the same to retirement? Do you need it? If yes, you get some assistance. If no, then save the dollars for someone else.
But some still argue it’s the reward for a life's work. Is it? The reward for a life's work is money in the bank, some travel and no alarm.
The country doesn’t owe me anything.
Equally, that farcical, old line about you having paid your taxes was never true.
The taxes you paid have been spent every year. Almost every year we spend more than we earn. There are no savings, no surplus. Your taxes paid for healthcare and Government departments and roads and beneficiaries.
Like so many of life's issues, when you complicate them and fiddle with them they remain unsolved.
Kicking it down the road isn't a skill. It’s a lack of backbone.
At some point someone has to be honest enough to pull the pin.
It's not 1968 and 65 years-old isn't old. This thing has been debated so long now it's become boring.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike's Minute: The superannuation debate has become boring

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d7c8f38f-33ae-4e4b-97ca-b446016f2b1f/transcript

One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, had a historic win in the Farrar by-election in the weekend. 

The victorious One Nation candidate, David Farley, said "people just want change, it's as simple as that."

At a victory party Hanson addressed supporters saying, "we're coming after those other seats".

Australian correspondent Steve Price joined Mike Hosking to chat about the result. 

LISTEN ABOVE

One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, had a historic win in the Farrar by-election in the weekend.&nbsp;
The victorious One Nation candidate, David Farley, said "people just want change, it's as simple as that."
At a victory party Hanson addressed supporters saying, "we're coming after those other seats".
Australian correspondent Steve Price joined Mike Hosking to chat about the result.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Steve Price: Australia correspondent chats One Nation smashing Farrar by-election vote

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/41b4b9f4-c209-4d3e-bfa0-b4460166600e/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 11th of May, are we worried about the amount of cops leaving to Australia? Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says we simply can't keep up with their pay.

The Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking to talk fees free getting scrapped, superannuation and golden visa events.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk Auckland FC, the Phoenix women through to the final and Mike and Sav's big gripe at stadiums.

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 Monday the 11th of May, are we worried about the amount of cops leaving to Australia? Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says we simply can't keep up with their pay.
The Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking to talk fees free getting scrapped, superannuation and golden visa events.
Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk Auckland FC, the Phoenix women through to the final and Mike and Sav's big gripe at stadiums.
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 11 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/69817e57-bcd3-4c9d-b829-b446015d7156/transcript

Richard Chambers: Police Commissioner says quality over quantity for NZ Police

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