The Mike Hosking Breakfast de Newstalk ZB

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. Justin Bieber: 8/10 With 200 million followers, what he posted about us is worth its weight ten times over in gold, and is a very good reminder of what a special place we have here that's too often taken for granted. Dairy auction: 9/10 Not just up, but up a chunk. Could actually move the farmgate price. Just when you think it's all brilliant, it gets more brilliant. Our NZ Super Fund: 8/10 Another 14%+ return, but over the longer period it's consistently good and one of the best of its type in the world. That's what New Zealand is capable of. Gangs: 1/10 The Māori Party, the Greens and, by association, Labour still couldn’t shake it this week. Could have been the turning point. Liam Lawson: 8/10 If sources are right, he'll be confirmed this weekend for 2027, and is proof that if you work and deliver then all things are possible. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See…

So a good week for National and, by association, for the Government in general. There has been a shift with two weeks to go. The gang drama might just have put a nail in Labour's chances of government. Their polling is now in trouble. Their gap to National is now a problem. Thomas Coughlan's piece yesterday talking of the issues they have found with lack of enrolment in South Auckland seems to have induced an amount of panic within the party. Not a lot has gone right for them this week. As far as I can see, it's the combo for the Government. All three players are campaigning well. ACT are still my medal winners for the week. They remained disciplined, on message and haven't put a foot wrong. On each debate their leader, if he doesn’t win, is consistent and clear. Winston, although not as disciplined, turns up enough when it counts to remind you he is still a force. Luxon's week seems to have been about good news. He hung out with farmers and kids in areas where they are fairly blue. He may or may not have…

Ahead of the long weekend, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed the latest from the election campaigning, the aforementioned long weekend for Labour Day, and what makes a business successful. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Airport is forecasting a flat year ahead following its annual meeting. It maintained its underlying earnings forecast of between $290 million and $330 million for the 2027 financial year. It's despite positive signs for international travel, including a 35% boost in Argentinian visitors thanks to a new China-South America flight route. CEO Carrie Hurihanganui told Mike Hosking the positive growth in the international space is offset by the continued demand challenges in the domestic environment. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Formula 1 journalist believes it would take a perfect storm for Kimi Antonelli to secure his first Championship win. The 20 year old Mercedes racer holds a 102 point lead over teammate George Russell heading into this weekend's US Grand Prix in Austin. If he successful, he'd become the sport's youngest World Champion. Chris Medland told Mike Hosking even if Antonelli does win the race, he'd need Russell to finish no higher than ninth, and Lewis Hamilton to finish no higher than fifth to secure the title. He says the racer needs a lot of things to go his way, so it's more likely to happen next weekend in Mexico, or the week after in Brazil. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 23rd of October, ACT wants a charter school in every major town and Airbnb is changing some of its rules. Nicola Willis discusses the inflation number and how it might affect an election campaign. And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk the election, long weekends, and what makes a business successful as they Wrap the Week that Was. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT wants charter schools in every major town. The Party's pledging if elected to lift enrolments to 10,000 by 2029 and increase conversions from state schools. The current 20 schools have about 2000 students. Leader David Seymour told Mike Hosking when it comes to demand for the schools, they've been overwhelmed. He says that each time they do a round, there will be 60 or 70 applicants who have prepared submissions, have their community on board, have novel ideas, and have people ready to go. "This is an idea whose time has come." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airbnb guests may soon be spared the cleaning chores that come with some stays. The platform's updated its rules for hosts, saying any checkout tasks must be reasonable and shouldn't require significant time or effort. That includes tasks typically done by a cleaner, such as washing dishes, stripping beds or taking out rubbish. Airbnb Superhost Ambassador Julie Wilson told Mike Hosking it's about simplifying rules and rephrasing some tasks as requests. She says some listings read like War and Peace, and no one wants to end their holiday with a working bee. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National and Labour are offering quite different solutions to persistently high inflation. Headline inflation's eased back to 3.7%, but some economists say it could reach as high as 4.7% by the end of the year. Labour's Barbara Edmonds says freezing the fuel tax would address the single biggest factor – surging fuel prices. But National's Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking National would address the other two major factors – rates and electricity. She says they will push ahead with rates caps and continue consenting new energy projects. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation appears to have become more embedded in the economy. Latest Stats NZ figures show the annual inflation rate's eased to 3.7%, down from 4.1% three months ago. The quarterly inflation rate's eased to 0.7%, but domestically-driven non-tradable inflation has risen due to the annual increase in council rates. Business NZ Chief Economist John Pask told Mike Hosking price rises are becoming more widespread. He says the Reserve Bank will be concerned to see inflation is no longer just about fuel and is becoming more generalised. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We now have a poll in all seven of the Māori seats, which gives us a chance to at least make some sort of observation. It's more than fair to suggest these polls are even ropier than the major polls, which have been all over the place at the best of times. They are smaller, have greater margins of error, and involve a group that at first blush doesn’t automatically represent the demography of the area polled. It has a "whoever answered the phone" vibe about it. Be that as it may, they give us really the only insight into what might happen. And what might happen is important because you could see multiple things: 1) The exit of a party from Parliament, 2) An overhang that shapes the next Government, 3) A party that once dominated the Māori landscape reduced through their own implosion to an insignificant rump. In seven polls we seem to have Labour well ahead in a couple, the Māori Party well ahead in a couple, and three that are too close to call. In one of the “too close to calls”, a Green candidate leads,…

Praise for Liam Lawson from one of Formula 1's most charismatic characters. Guenther Steiner is a former Team Principal for Haas, as well as the Former Managing Director and Technical Operations Director for what became Red Bull Racing. "When [Lawson] came in in the beginning ... he was very good straightaway, and then obviously he was moved to the big team, but, and then I wouldn't even say he struggled," Steiner told Mike Hosking. "He wasn't given a chance in my opinion," "I think nobody deserves anything, you have to work for it, and he worked for it, and he was successful." "So that's why he should be there." Steiner is on our shores this December for his live stage show, 'No Team Orders'. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22nd of October, we preview today's inflation rate, which will likely be either good or okay news for the Government. Labour leader Chris Hipkins goes through the debate fact check with Mike and discusses how the Māori seats will affect their prospects. Former F1 team manager for Haas, Guenther Steiner is on his way to country in December and joined us to give us the lowdown of what his show will involve. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sold-out sign is up for New Zealand's opening two T20 cricket matches against India in Christchurch, but that doesn't necessarily mean a home crowd given the local support for the visitors. The sides last met in March's World Cup final at Ahmedabad, won by India. Black Caps coach Rob Walter has outlined the series priorities for the five T20s, five ODIs, and two tests. He told Mike Hosking the test matches are part of the World Test Championships, so they're very important, while the T20s are part of the World Cup finals, so they'd like to get an edge on them in their own conditions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a positive picture to be found within the Mood of the Boardroom, says EMA's Head of Advocacy and Strategy. Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking that the underlying numbers are becoming more visible, which is beginning to give the business sector "a bit more confidence in a longer-term recovery". Manufacturing has been a quiet achiever while the residential construction sector is picking up, McDonald said. "The numbers for tourism have finally gone back to pre-Covid levels, so that's also a good story." However, hiring intentions within the boardroom were "still fairly flat", which was indicative of the caution surrounding the country's economic recovery, he said. "A lot of places have cut staff, or haven't cut, but haven't replaced. So they're running fairly lean anyway." Asked for a word to summarise the mood, McDonald said: "Cautiously optimistic on the back of some pretty sound numbers." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italy's cracking down on violent protests, deploying 500 troops to Milan following widespread unrest. The Government's also introduced a new offence for violent demonstrators, carrying up to five years in prison. Protestors have looted shops, set fires, and attacked police over rising living costs and high rents. Europe correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking protesters claim the violence was justified because the Government isn't taking care of people. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank will be looking under the hood of inflation numbers today as it weighs up interest rate hikes. Stats NZ is releasing its latest inflation data at 10.45 this morning. The central bank forecasts the numbers would fall to 3.9%, down from 4.1% last quarter. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking if the Reserve Bank sees core inflation rising, they'll be more inclined towards further OCR hikes. He says the indicators they've seen is that firms aren't trying to raise prices as the demand environment is constraining them. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins is standing firm that move-on orders criminalise homelessness. The Bill allowing Police to move on beggars, rough sleepers, or people acting disorderly from a public place take effect this Sunday. If they refuse or return within 24 hours of being moved on, they can be penalised with up to three months’ jail or a $2,000 fine. Stuff's fact check of Tuesday's leaders debate found National's Christopher Luxon was right saying it's not criminalising homelessness. Labour's Leader Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking it's a debatable point. He says it's not saying someone is criminal being homeless, but it's saying they can be treated like a criminal. Hipkins also responded to the ratings he was given by New Zealand's CEOs and business leaders at today's Mood of the Boardroom. Out of five, he was 2.7 for integrity and 2.5 for trustworthiness, which he told Hosking didn't 'particularly' bother him. He says CEOs are not his target audience, as he's more interested in the mood of the smoko room than the mood…

Surely it's only one more day before Chris Hipkins gets to, just maybe, put the gangs in the rear-view mirror. In his new found assessment that handing millions to the Mongrel Mob when last in government was "a mistake", he reveals the real issue he faces this election campaign; Time. The gap between what he did and what he now promises to do is too short. That is roughly why most governments get two terms. Generally, governments lose elections, Oppositions don’t win them. The reason they lose them is we are sick of the incumbents and that feeling generally lasts longer than three years. For Hipkins, and for that matter Sepuloni, Andersen, Verrall, Tinetti, Edmonds, and Co, to be back so soon after an historically implosive burst of Labour-style ideology was always going to be a test of the punter's resolve. Which is why I have been moderately critical of this Government's lack of focus on that period in which we were literally sold down a fiscal river through sheer incompetence. It has rectified itself this…

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21st of October, we discuss the record high number of arrests and charges for retail crime, plus we wrap the final leader's debate. Speaker Gerry Brownlee talks rising threats on MPs following the attack on Helen Haines in Australia. And on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk MP security and campaigning with just two and a half weeks to go. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Politics Wednesday, National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen discuss the latest from the election campaign. Plus, they discuss the rising number of threats towards MPs and the attack on an Australian politician. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A world-first facility opening in Christchurch could bring cutting-edge cancer treatment closer to home for Kiwi patients. BioOra will manufacture CAR-T therapies at the central site, using patients' own genetically modified cells to fight cancer. It could eventually treat 150 patients a year, reducing the need for overseas treatment, which can cost more than a million dollars. Chief Executive John Robson told Mike Hosking the facility has sophisticated set of laboratories. He says there's six in total, with four of them being 'super clean rooms,' where staff will be genetically modifying cells for patients. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our gaming sector is continuing to flourish, and one game developer believes there's no reason it can't keep growing with investment. New Zealand First wants to lift funding for the Centre of Digital Excellence by 2028 and to improve the studio rebate. That includes increasing the claimable amount from $3 million to $10 million. RocketWerkz Games Chief Operating Officer Stephen Knightly told Mike Hosking it's closing the gap that Australia continues to have over our industry. He says Australia is fighting for tech jobs and creative jobs and believes New Zealand's naive if it doesn't fight back. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Speaker of the House says there was no choice but to act as threats against MPs see a massive increase. RNZ reports the Parliament Security Information, Risk and Advisory Service deployed 81 times after handling 216 requests for advice or support between September 28 and October 18. Parliamentary Service says its security offering has grown and it's working closely with Police. Speaker Gerry Brownlee told Mike Hosking there's been a particular increase in threats towards women. He says the nature of threats have also changed from being a bit of personal abuse about appearance to serious threats of physical violence. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association is highlighting that retail crime is falling amidst rising related charges. Annual Ministry of Justice data to June shows record-high finalised charges for theft from a retail premises at over 21,000 – more than triple that of four years ago. Convictions also reached nearly 18,000, also more than tripling over the same period. Police Association President Steve Watt told Mike Hosking it goes to show the hard work Police are putting in. He says as convictions have risen, they're seeing decreases in the number of instances of retail crime. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's being described as incapable of delivering the Government's objectives. An annual report shows 40% of MBIE's major capital projects failed to meet time, budget, or scope targets, including the $50 million Biometric Capability update. Regulation Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking a line in the report says the ministry has discharged its responsibilities. He says the reason the ministry's become such a confection of different objectives and projects is the fact it answers to 23 different ministers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only good thing about Oriini Kaipara and her gang video, which spent the better part of the day front and centre, starting with us yesterday morning as we played you the cringe-inducing audio, to be followed by the rest of the media, was that Oriini is from the Māori Party, not the Greens. If it had been Marama, it would have been well and truly over. Not that Marama wouldn't agree with her any, it's just we don't have the video. There she is for all to see, geeing them up, offering help and mana, seemingly some concern they haven't got some state houses as well. Now this isn't an issue for the Māori Party given who they are. This may well, within their circles, be a grist of the mill, if not good news. What makes this really, really bad is 1, it's still new several days after the original event, and 2, Labour are the real victims here. If a video appears, and it has a Green MP in it, then Labour will have no choice but to cut them off completely with the very obvious consequences. As it stands, Labour must…

Crimson Education is continuing to expand. Founded by Jamie Beaton, the company began as an elite university admissions consultancy, and has expanded into tutoring, schools, and is now moving into the charter school space. They've also received backing from the board of Kip McGrath to take over the company, adding it to their network. "What we're seeing is kids' math and English is actually going backwards in most of the Western world," Beaton told Mike Hosking. "So we see it as a great opportunity to support kids who really have these critical gaps." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dairy Companies Association has laid out its priorities for the next government. The five points include biosecurity, bipartisan infrastructure and energy, streamlined food regulation, and food and nutrition policy based on science and clear labelling. It also calls for an ambitious trade agenda, saying 43% of global dairy consumption remains outside of our FTA coverage. Chair Guy Roper told Mike Hosking demand for our high value product is growing. He says they want new trade agreements advanced in places like Bangladesh and Nigeria, where dairy is in favour. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canterbury University students have built a robot that could smash both the human and robotic world records for solving a Rubik’s Cube. Four engineering students spent about a year developing the robot that can solve a 4x4 Rubik’s Cube in under 10 seconds. They’re now awaiting confirmation from Guinness World Records. Student Maz Cameron told Mike Hosking it took a full year of hard work, so it was really exciting to have it culminate in that record attempt with so many people there to support it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 20th of October, we look at Kainga Ora's savings with Chris Bishop and get a review of our Super Fund's performance. Special Trade Envoy Nathan Guy discusses the benefits of our India FTA as it officially comes into force. Crimson Education CEO and founder Jamie Beaton talks the future of his incredible company after acquiring Kip McGrath. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Security and safety concerns are ramping up for politicians right across Australia. MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a car in regional Victoria. She was struck while loading her car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, north-east of Melbourne. Our Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says violence has absolutely no place in politics. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking threats are piling in against politicians right across the spectrum. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local Police have announced a curfew in parts of central Paris following violent protests across France. In Nice a curfew has been put in place specifically for young people, with restrictions also in force in northern cities, including Lille. It comes as widespread looting takes place across the country, with burnt out cars and shattered glass lining streets and more than two thousand businesses thought to be impacted. Newstalk ZB's Catherine Field told Mike Hosking there are questions as to how police have been caught so off guard, and why they weren't monitoring social media. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both major parties are backing tougher rules on children's social media use, with questions now turning to how they'll be enforced. Labour's promising an under-16 social media ban will go before a select committee within 100 days if elected, while National introduced its own bill to Parliament in August. Makes Sense campaign co-founder Holly Brooker told Mike Hosking the focus now needs to be on how our small country can hold tech giants to account. She says international collaboration with like-minded countries is pivotal. Brooker says countries like the UK and Australia have formalised an agreement and now share research with each other. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's enthusiasm from the agriculture sector about the India Free Trade Agreement coming into effect today. It unlocks access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers, with 57% of exports to the world's most populous nation now tariff-free. The number of tariff-free exports would rise to 82% over time, with the next round of cuts due from next year. Special Agricultural Trade Envoy Nathan Guy told Mike Hosking we can provide for both the half of the Indian population who eat meat and the half who are vegetarian. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's Superannuation Fund has been outperforming expectations. The 25-year-old Super Fund is now worth $94.35 billion, excluding tax, including $9.3 billion earned in the past reporting year. Super Fund Co-Chief Investment Officer Will Goodwin says it's widely regarded as the best-performing sovereign wealth fund in the world over the past 20 years. He told Mike Hosking that opens up opportunities. Goodwin says it gives them the ability to have partnerships and conversations they wouldn't normally have access to, given the size of the fund. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Housing Minister says he's proud of Kainga Ora for surpassing its savings target. The housing agency's latest annual report shows operating costs were reduced by $191 million – well above the $27 million goal. Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking the biggest change is debt, which is now $9.5 billion lower than the $29 billion forecast. He says reducing the cost of building these houses has helped, assuring that while they're not flash, they're still warm and dry. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 19 October. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Opportunity's polices is to stop you from using your KiwiSaver for first home purchases. The big question around that policy is - did you know that? Everyone, and I mean everyone, I have talked to that is even contemplating supporting Opportunity can't name a single one of their policies out side of land tax and universal incomes, which ironically, although they were the ideas that got them to prominence, didn’t actually make the so-called "bottom line" reveal. The main reason so far I have heard for Opportunity support is "something new". It's as simple as that. They are something new, like trainers in a different colour. You're a bit bored with the status quo so new should be good. I could go on for hours about how triggering that is for me. But back to the KiwiSaver. What else do they want? You don’t have a clue. Oh and while I'm at it, can you name anyone standing for them outside the leader? Have you seen anyone outside the leader at all? Is she the spokesperson for literally everything and does…

Christopher Luxon isn't worried that removing the right to silence in exceptional cases would clash with the Bill of Rights Act. Under the policy, people who witness a child's murder could face up to 10 years in prison, if they don't reveal to Police who was responsible. Luxon told Mike Hosking he expects law groups will warn it's a bill of rights issue. He says the same thing happened with the gang patch ban and other things like alcohol testing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi company Leaft Foods has made Time Magazine's top 300 inventions of 2026 for its protein drink made from lucerne leaves. The company developed a way to extract the protein Rubisco commercially, and demand is already outstripping supply. Ross Milne CEO of Leaft Foods told Mike Hosking the accomplishment had taken six years of work and investment. He says the company figured out how to extract the protein first and is now leading in the field. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A criminal defence lawyer warns a new National policy is tackling a very vexed area of law. The party is campaigning on removing the right to remain silent when a child under 12 is killed. The party suggests this is an exceptional circumstance that justifies breaching the Bill of Rights Act. Barrister John Munro told Mike Hosking there is likely a low number of cases where someone hasn't been convicted, because someone maintained their right to silence. He says there's probably the same number of cases where people with low IQ or under duress are being told to say things, when they don't want to. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACT party is promising to commit an extra $400 million over four years to boost GP numbers and appointments, with 35% of GPs intending to retire within five years. The party claims a $100 million annual boost could help increase patient numbers by at least 6%. Doctor Angus Chambers Chair of GenPro told Mike Hosking the investment could provide more capacity in the system for appointments and doctors. He says the doctor shortage will continue to be an issue due to mass retirement, a competition for workers amongst the hospital system, and the lure of Australia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least one person has been killed in an attack on oil facilities and data centres in Russia's St Petersburg. It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Moscow has targeted his country's energy sector 76 times since Donald Trump declared an energy ceasefire last week. Russia's defence ministry says it's shot down more than a thousand Ukrainian drones over the weekend. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Zelenskyy has defied the US leader with the biggest attack yet on Russia's second biggest city. He says Trump claims both sides had agreed to a ceasefire, but Russia had also been increasing strikes on Ukrainian power networks. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs has reported that its comparable grocery basket prices are only up 1.6% in the year to September, compared to a higher national food inflation of 2.4%. The low grocery prices have come despite a difficult period of increased fuel prices, a weakened New Zealand dollar, and the annual inflation rate sitting at 4.1% Foodstuffs New Zealand managing director Chris Quinn told Mike Hosking that Foodstuffs stores were pushing to get value on the shelf. He says while it is not a historically low number, compared to the last six years a rate below two was very good. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the White House, Katie Zacharia was a disaster. This perhaps wouldn’t matter so much if the President wasn’t about to get caned in the midterms. It might not matter so much if the job wasn’t so important. It might not matter so much if all the others had been as disastrous as Ms Zacharia. "Zachbot" is what one outlet called her. Outside of letting the world know the Greek grifter had been sacked, she said nothing, knew nothing and left. It's hard, and not hard, to see why she got the job. It's not hard because she is female and you could describe her as "pretty". That of course under normal circumstances is not something we should be dabbling in, but these aren't normal circumstances and the Trump job machine produces an overtly disproportionate number of quite pretty woman in public rolls. But it is hard, if you discount the looks bit, to see why a Scott Jennings didn’t get it. Jennings is a CNN regular for the Republican side of the equation. He has worked with both Bushes and with Mitt Romney. He is…

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. The campaign: 6/10 Was this the week that we got debated out? One too many or two too many? And can you believe there are at least two more still to come? Gangs: 1/10 May turn out to be, if not a defining moment, certainly a moment some could look back on with regret. New Zealanders hate gangs and their criminal violence. Labour needed it like a hole in the head. Diesel: 2/10 As in the deal between Trump and Putin. It's about 10 days worth of domestic demand in America. Nothing Trump touches right now looks anything close to slick. The All Blacks: 9/10 As fast, fiery, and complete a performance as you would ever be lucky enough to see. Tourists: 8/10 Stats this week confirm we are officially back from Covid. Way too slow to get there, but the growth is real and it's on. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it too far-fetched to ask two things: 1) Whether the campaign turned dramatically against Labour yesterday. 2) If within a 24-hour period, whatever chance they might have thought they had is now blown to smithereens. The Greens want to fund gangs. They are unapologetic about hanging with gangs and they fail to accept the simple premise that this puts them so far outside what you would loosely call "mainstream New Zealand". It will most likely see whatever voters there are wavering between National and Labour scarper back to National. Then if that wasn’t bad enough, David Seymour of all people decides he can live with the Opportunity Party better than he can live with being in Opposition. Is it too big a stretch to ask whether this is not some unbelievable self-implosion by the Greens? Almost a self-sabotage attempt? Or is it more likely a group carried away by their perceived polling success that they can say and do anything they like and to hell with the consequences? It's certainly an insight into the…

The US President has backed down from plans to livestream the first US military execution in 65 years. The execution of Nidal Hasan is still going ahead in December, but Donald Trump now says many well-meaning people would rather not watch him die. The army psychiatrist killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009 and has been in a wheelchair since being shot during the incident. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking a former US Army Commander called the idea demeaning and says it would've brought the US into the dark ages. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The week has come to an end, which means it's time for Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson to help Mike Hosking Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed cancelled credit cards and wayward subscription services, and dug into the third week of the election campaign. Is the country over it already? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.