A prediction that 2026 will be a very good year for the economy.  

GDP grew 1.1% in the September quarter.  

Former Associate Finance Minister Richard Prebble even suspects we could see a turnaround in unemployment, which has ticked up since 2022.  

He says Stats NZ data is always backwards looking.  

Prebble told Heather du Plessis-Allan job ads are on the up and Seek numbers up 7%. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A prediction that 2026 will be a very good year for the economy. &nbsp;
GDP grew 1.1% in the September quarter. &nbsp;
Former Associate Finance Minister Richard Prebble even suspects we could see a turnaround in unemployment, which has ticked up since 2022. &nbsp;
He says Stats NZ data is always backwards looking. &nbsp;
Prebble told Heather du Plessis-Allan job ads are on the up and Seek numbers up 7%.&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

Richard Prebble: Former Associate Finance Minister on the GDP, path of the economy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/927fab4e-7183-4f8e-9eb3-b3b7013ae41f/transcript

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking once again to Wrap the Week that was. 

They discussed clothes shopping and quiet luxury, Mike’s problem with some supermarket collectables, and who has the best voice for advertising jingles. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking once again to Wrap the Week that was.&nbsp;
They discussed clothes shopping and quiet luxury, Mike’s problem with some supermarket collectables, and who has the best voice for advertising jingles.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Best of 2025: Wrapping the Week - Supermarket collectables and ad jingles

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fbc94f3a-6296-405c-bac6-b3bb014195b0/transcript

"You can't rewind": James May takes to the stage with 'exciting' new show 

When you hear the name ‘James May’, it’s likely you think of cars, Top Gear, and The Grand Tour, but much like his co-stars, May has plenty of other projects. 

He owns his own pub and gin line, and has done countless shows visiting other countries, rebuilding toys and machines, and exploring life’s questions. 

May’s now onto his next journey – a live theatre performance that brings the stories of explorers to the stage. 

It’s called ‘Explorers: The Age of Discovery’, and May’s bringing it to Kiwi audiences in August. 

It’s been quite a busy year for May – something he told Mike Hosking was quite unintentional. 

“This year was going to be my, what I called a ‘dry run at retirement’, to see how much I liked it,” he revealed. 

“But I’ve ended up doing a live tour, a couple of TV shows, various other odds and ends – it's actually the busiest year I’ve had for probably a decade, in terms of demands on my time.” 

“But maybe that’s a good thing,” he said. “Maybe if I was left to my own devices, I’d sit in the garden and rot.”  

Despite his vast experience in the entertainment industry, May isn’t terribly experienced with live performances. 

“We used to do Top Gear Live and then Clarkson, Hammond & May Live, but there were three of us doing it, plus our stunt driving team and various other circus performers,” he explained. 

“This one is quite intimidating because it just me." 

LISTEN ABOVE 

<h2>"You can't rewind": James May takes to the stage with 'exciting' new show&nbsp;</h2>
When you hear the name ‘James May’, it’s likely you think of cars, Top Gear, and The Grand Tour, but much like his co-stars, May has plenty of other projects.&nbsp;
He owns his own pub and gin line, and has done countless shows visiting other countries, rebuilding toys and machines, and exploring life’s questions.&nbsp;
May’s now onto his next journey – a live theatre performance that brings the stories of explorers to the stage.&nbsp;
It’s called ‘Explorers: The Age of Discovery’, and May’s bringing it to Kiwi audiences in August.&nbsp;
It’s been quite a busy year for May – something he told Mike Hosking was quite unintentional.&nbsp;
“This year was going to be my, what I called a ‘dry run at retirement’, to see how much I liked it,” he revealed.&nbsp;
“But I’ve ended up doing a live tour, a couple of TV shows, various other odds and ends – it's actually the busiest year I’ve had for probably a decade, in terms of demands on my time.”&nbsp;
“But maybe that’s a good thing,” he said. “Maybe if I was left to my own devices, I’d sit in the garden and rot.” &nbsp;
Despite his vast experience in the entertainment industry, May isn’t terribly experienced with live performances.&nbsp;
“We used to do Top Gear Live and then Clarkson, Hammond &amp; May Live, but there were three of us doing it, plus our stunt driving team and various other circus performers,” he explained.&nbsp;
“This one is quite intimidating because it just me."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Best of 2025: James May talks his stage show on the Mike Hosking Breakfast

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/18ccd041-8815-4cbc-83fa-b3ba01417ce5/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast with Heather du Plessis-Allan Full Show Podcast for Friday 19th of December, we cover off the better-than-expected Q3 GDP number, which is signalling some hope for next year. 

Jennie Wyllie has resigned as the CEO of Netball NZ, but does it need to go further than that? 

And for the final time for the year Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather to Wrap the Week and discuss their Christmas plans. 

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 with Heather du Plessis-Allan Full Show Podcast for Friday 19th of December, we cover off the <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-prebble-former-associate-finance-minister-on-the-gdp-path-of-the-economy/">better-than-expected Q3 GDP number,</a> which is signalling some hope for next year.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/kruze-tangira-former-mens-netball-skipper-and-commentator-on-the-resignation-of-jennie-wyllie-as-netball-nz-ceo/">Jennie Wyllie has resigned as the CEO of Netball NZ</a>, but does it need to go further than that?&nbsp;
And for the final time for the year Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather to Wrap the Week and discuss their Christmas plans.&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 December 2025 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3caabb0b-9ba8-4e98-b3ba-b3b7014c92c2/transcript

Richard Prebble: Former Associate Finance Minister on the GDP, path of the economy

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