Best Stuart Aitken Podcasts (2025)

1
Mike's Minute: Stop dumbing down our education system 1:56

13h ago1:56

1:56

There's a bit of pushback coming from some sectors in the education business towards the reading, writing, and maths tests. These are the tests we are failing. Those who are failing mostly come from poor backgrounds. I'm not sure equating monetary status and academic success should be a thing. But a bunch of principals from the "poorest communities…

1
Full Show Podcast: 04 March 2025 1:29:42

14h ago1:29:42

1:29:42

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 4th of March, GPs are loving the new health announcement, which should have been implemented years ago. The Prime Minister joins the show to talk health, school lunches, and Ukraine. Former Australian Defence Force Major General Mick Ryan is back on the show to talk about the Chinese warsh…

1
Wayne Guppy: Upper Hutt Mayor on taxpayers being overcharged for contractors 2:34

14h ago2:34

2:34

The Upper Hutt Mayor says it was obvious the region's water agency was ripping off ratepayers for a long time. Report findings show a lack of oversight meant Wellington Water was paying nearly three times more to contractors for pipe work, compared with in other areas. Board Chair Nick Leggett says it means millions of ratepayer dollars wasted. Upp…

1
Mick Ryan: Lowy Institute Senior Fellow on what China's warships in the Tasman means for NZ, Australia 10:46

19h ago10:46

10:46

A military expert says China's sent a clear message with its war ships as they sail away from Australia and New Zealand. Three highly powered navy vessels entered Australia's exclusive economic zone in the Tasman Sea last week, where they performed live firing exercises. The New Zealand Defence Force is no longer monitoring the warships as they sai…

1
Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister on pay for nurses, issues with school lunches 9:21

20h ago9:21

9:21

The Prime Minister is defending how much nurses in New Zealand are being paid. Yesterday the Government announced multiple incentives to improve access to primary care, including a cash injection of $285 million over three years. Christopher Luxon says any narrative about health services being cut is completely untrue. He told Mike Hosking the Gove…

1
Nikki Hart: Nutritionist on the value of the health star ratings on food 2:09

20h ago2:09

2:09

A nutritionist is defending health star ratings, despite the little impact they have. Otago University has led a probe of the decade-old voluntary system for rating food products, finding they only slightly improved diet. It calculates it'd save the health system about 70 times more if it were made compulsory. Nutritionist Nikki Hart told Mike Hosk…

1
Samantha Murton: Royal College of GPs President on the performance-based funding for general practices 4:43

20h ago4:43

4:43

GPs say a Government cash injection into general practices is a good start. The Health Minister's announced $285 million in performance-based funding for practices over three years. Simeon Brown is also kick-starting initiatives to boost the number of nurses and overseas-trained doctors in healthcare. Royal College of GPs President Samantha Murton …

1
Richard Homewood: Taslink Co-Director on the potential link easing New Zealand and Australia's power issues 4:15

20h ago4:15

4:15

There's a vision Australia and New Zealand can help ease each other's seasonal electricity woes. Company Taslink is proposing a massive underground trans-Tasman cable, allowing surplus power to be transferred between the two countries. It estimates the link would increase our power grid's capacity by about 40%. Co-Director Richard Homewood told Mik…

1
Mike's Minute: Donald Trump has common sense on his side 1:56

2d ago1:56

1:56

You can argue until you are blue in the face as to whether what happened at the White House on Saturday was bullying, or unfair, but what the U.S President has on his side is common sense and military power. As Zelenskyy slunk off to Downing Street for a hug with Keir Starmer and today's meeting with King Charles, what few in Europe seem to underst…

1
Full Show Podcast: 03 March 2025 1:30:26

2d ago1:30:26

1:30:26

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 3rd of March, it seems crazy we haven't had a police officer training facility in the centre of Auckland, so we've finally fixed that. Where does the Ukraine war go after the shambles that was the Oval Office meeting? We speak to an expert out of Washington D.C. Andrew Saville and Jason…

1
Kerri Nuku: Nurses Organisation President on nurses being forced to work in "back office" roles, thousands of Kiwi nurses moving to work in Australia 3:53

2d ago3:53

3:53

Cuts in the health sectors "back office" roles are forcing front-line workers to pick up administrative work, resulting in delays for treatment and a reduction in services. Nurses and social worked are working as reception ships due to the staff shortages. In the year to June, 12,000 kiwi nurses gained registration across the ditch. Nurses Organisa…

1
Steve Price: Australian Correspondent on Peter Dutton's $3 billion commitment to weapons, his 60 Minutes interview, what the election polls are saying, and how Trump brushed off Australia. 8:03

2d ago8:03

8:03

Peter Dutton's liberal party is committing $3 billion to the purchase of extra joint strike fighter jets, if they win the upcoming Australian election. The party say they will buy 28 fighter jets. The pledge comes as Chinese warships have circumnavigated Australia. Australian Correspondent Steve Price talks to Mike Hosking about the commitment, Dut…

1
Mark Cancian: Senior Advisor at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies on where the US stands after Oval Office meeting, as European leaders meet in London 5:05

2d ago5:05

5:05

An emergency summit has taken place in London, days after a contentious meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy and JD Vance. Where does this leave the White House? Senior Advisor at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Mark Cancian talks to Mike Hosking about the fall out of the meeting. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

1
Matt Aitken: Wētā FX Head of Visual FX on their three Oscar nominations 2:41

2d ago2:41

2:41

It's Oscars day and Kiwi's are front row for their work out of Wētā FX this year. The team have three nominations for Alien Romulus, Better Man and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Head of Visual FX Matt Aitken talks to Mike Hosking about the ceremony. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Chris Wilkins: Massey University Drug researcher on why New Zealand meth use is rising 3:18

2d ago3:18

3:18

New Zealand's meth use has reached unprecedented heights. New figures show a monthly peak of 39.2 kg recorded in October - well above historic averages and nearly double the previous record of 20.6kg in 2021. Massey University Drug researcher Chris Wilkins talks to Mike Hosking about the reason for the surge, and what this means for the country. LI…

1
Richard Chambers: Police Commissioner on Police College in Auckland, Police 500 recruits target 3:22

2d ago3:22

3:22

The Police announced yesterday they will be opening a new training wing for recruits in Auckland. The current Royal New Zealand Police College is in Porirua, where recruits train for 20 weeks. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers talks to Mike Hosking about the need for the new location, what it will do for the target of 500 new police, if the Poli…

1
Greg Smith of Devon Funds Management on Consumer confidence rising, Port of Tauranga and Summerset's strong earnings, Fed's preferred inflation gauge 5:38

2d ago5:38

5:38

Consumer confidence perked up in February to 96.6. Perceptions of personal finance situations was up five points, with 21 percent expecting to be better of this time next year. Greg Smith of Devon Funds Management breaks down the findings with Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting and the Oscars today 4:39

2d ago4:39

4:39

The world is reacting to a fiery meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. US Correspondent Richard Arnold says shock waves are continuing to be felt around the world, with NATO attempting to 'patch things up.' "Vance certainly intervened in ways we've not seen from an American VP before, and is facing p…

1
Mark the Week: Marsden and the rebuild is what's wrong with coalitions 2:14

5d ago2:14

2:14

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. Andrew Bayly: 3/10 It’s a sad business. Was it a sackable offence? No. Does it put people off entering politics? I would have thought so. But when you call someone a loser and grab an arm, can you survive? It was the re-offence th…

1
Mike's Minute: A reality check for the zealots 2:08

5d ago2:08

2:08

There were two hardcore reality checks this week as a result of the arrival of the Trump sequel. BP summed up the climate dilemma very succinctly when he said they got it wrong on net zero. Net zero has become an unobtainable obsession. It's a business decision for many thousands of companies all over the world, driven not by clear-sighted intellig…

1
Wrapping the Week with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson: MPs expenses, school lunches, coffee 10:51

5d ago10:51

10:51

Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking once more to Wrap the Week that was. They went through the list of MPs’ credit card expenses, discussed school lunches, and the latest conflict between Hosking and the ZB Afternoons hosts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Full Show Podcast: 28 February 2025 1:30:24

5d ago1:30:24

1:30:24

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 28th of February, we talk to both the energy sector and Minister Simon Watts on the new recommendations that could level the playing field. We've got the list of MPs credit card expenses – who's buying Carl Jr's and who’s buying the magnum of red wine? Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss w…

1
Jason Walls: Newstalk ZB Political Editor on Christopher Luxon's visit to Vietnam 4:05

5d ago4:05

4:05

The Prime Minister's shifting his focus from politics to business during the final leg of his trip to Vietnam. Luxon is aiming to drum up as much support as possible for Kiwi businesses operating in the Vietnamese market. Earlier in the week, he signed a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement with Vietnam, making New Zealand just one of …

1
Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa 4:27

5d ago4:27

4:27

Questions have been raised over how US actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died, with the situation deemed suspicious, despite no signs of foul play. The pair have been found dead with their dog in their New Mexico home. Carbon monoxide poisoning has been ruled out. The couple's front door was found unlocked, with no signs of forced entry…

1
Sam Broughton: Local Government NZ President on extending both national and local government terms to 4 years 3:34

5d ago3:34

3:34

Local Government New Zealand is making its support known for four-year terms extending to them. The Government's proposing to keep the standard three-year term, but allow it to be broadened if the opposition of the day is better represented at select committees. Local Government New Zealand President & Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton told Mike Hosking i…

1
Bernie Wanden: Horowhenua Mayor on Councillor Rogan Boyle working remotely from Scotland 3:36

5d ago3:36

3:36

A Horowhenua district councillor is under fire for working remotely – from the other side of the world. Councillor Rogan Boyle left the country in October and is said to currently be in Scotland with no plans to return any time soon. Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden told Mike Hosking while Boyle has been attending council meetings on Zoom, it's not g…

1
Simon Watts: Energy Minister on the proposed changes to the electricity sector 4:27

5d ago4:27

4:27

The Energy Minister says new rules for the electricity sector can't come soon enough. The Electricity Authority's proposing changes to give independent power companies the same access to prices and hedge contracts. Simon Watts hopes that will create a more level playing field. Power companies are hiking prices, and Watts told Mike Hosking things co…

1
Huia Burt: Electric Kiwi CEO on the proposed changes to the electricity sector 2:59

5d ago2:59

2:59

High hopes for proposed changes to the electricity sector. The Electricity Authority is proposing new rules, giving independent power companies the same access to hedge contracts and access to the same wholesale prices. Electric Kiwi was forced to turn away new customers last winter due to surging wholesale prices. Chief Executive Huia Burt told Mi…

1
Andrew Hoggard: Food Safety Minister on the delays in animal and plant health product approvals 4:55

5d ago4:55

4:55

The Government's hoping to clear up backlogs of approvals for animal and plant health products as it commits to speeding up processes. It's accepted all 16 Ministry of Regulation recommendations for cutting red tape in agriculture and horticulture. That follows last year's review, looking into processes for new veterinary medicines and agri-chemica…

1
Mike’s Minute: We wanted citizen arrest powers. Stop moaning 2:10

6d ago2:10

2:10

The trick, and we fail it virtually every time, is not to get bogged down in the minutiae. There aren't prizes for coming up with dumb scenarios to try and catch the idea out. Amending the law to allow greater use of locals to grab a scumbag and hold them till the coppers arise is a good, and welcome, idea. If the Government is making tangible and …

1
Michael Glading: NZ Golf Open CEO on the tournament getting underway at Millbrook 3:04

6d ago3:04

3:04

The 104th New Zealand Golf Open is underway at Millbrook. Justin Quiban of the Philippines is the initial leader with two birdies from two holes. Meanwhile, tournament boss Michael Glading told Mike Hosking that Danny Lee's return from the LIV circuit has been welcome. He says he’s come with a really great attitude, and apparently can’t walk anywhe…

1
Jo McKenna: Italy Correspondent gives an update on the health of Pope Francis 4:37

6d ago4:37

4:37

Pope Francis has shown slight improvement after 13 days in hospital. He's been undergoing treatment for double pneumonia. The Vatican's confirmed a CT scan of the pontiff’s chest 'shows a normal evolution' of the inflammation in his lungs. Rome Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking there could be hope. She says the problem he had with his kidn…

1
Full Show Podcast: 27 February 2025 1:30:10

6d ago1:30:10

1:30:10

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 27th of February, we’ve got the details, kind of, of the changes to the citizen’s arrest laws. So, are the cops happy? What is going on with our power prices? Meridian reckons they have some answers, so CFO Mike Roan joined the show to explain. Warriors coach Andrew Webster beams in from …

1
Mike Roan: Meridian Energy Chief Financial Officer on the changes in the power sector, rising prices 7:31

6d ago7:31

7:31

More changes are on the way for the electricity sector, as power prices continue to rise. The Electricity Authority's proposing new measures to stop the big four electricity companies giving their own retail arms preferential treatment. The Government's lifting restrictions to allow lines companies to invest more in electricity generation. And Meri…

1
Andrew Webster: Warriors Coach ahead of their clash against the Raiders in Las Vegas 10:09

6d ago10:09

10:09

The Warriors are balancing work and play heading into their NRL season opener against the Raiders on Sunday in Las Vegas. Coach Andrew Webster says the team was very social for the first two days, but the players knuckled straight down and got to training ever since. He told Mike Hosking the Vegas Strip is out of their system now, and everyone’s ex…

1
Geoffrey Miller: Geopolitical Analyst on the conversation between Winston Peters and China's Wang Yi on the warships in the Tasman 1:51

6d ago1:51

1:51

Winston Peters has made it clear to China that we aren't happy with its handling of the warships the Tasman Sea. The Foreign Minister's been meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing. Peters says the pair talked about China's new deal with the Cook Islands and the Chinese Navy vessels, which have now entered Australia's exclusive econ…

1
Jane Searle: Child Matters CEO on the report finding an increase in abuse in state care and lack of care 2:40

6d ago2:40

2:40

A child protection advocate says an increase in abuse and neglect in care cases comes as no surprise. A report by the Independent Children's Monitor has found the number of young people being abused in state care has increased, and children aren't receiving the minimum standards of care required. Child Matters Chief Executive Jane Searle told Mike …

1
Chris Cahill: Police Association President on the loosening of citizen's arrest laws 3:04

6d ago3:04

3:04

The Police Association is the latest group hesitant about moves to change citizen arrest laws. The Government's introducing legislation loosening general public arrest rules, including permitting citizen's arrests at any time of the day in response to retail crime. But association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking while it's not forcing peop…

1
Rene de Monchy: Tourism NZ CEO on tourist spending recovering to the pre-pandemic numbers 3:20

6d ago3:20

3:20

International visitor numbers aren't quite back to pre-pandemic figures, but their wallets are. Overseas tourist spending hit nearly $17 billion to the year to March 2024 – just under 2019 levels. Visitor numbers sit at around 89% of figures five years ago. Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive, Rene de Monchy told Mike Hosking there's plenty of capa…

1
Mike's Minute: Power issues - Here we go again 1:46

7d ago1:46

1:46

From the “here we go again” file: we are being lined up once more for another winter of shonky power supply. A deal has been done again with Tiwai to cut production. Oh, the irony in a country that is supposed to be focused on growth, growth, growth. Mercury is the bearer of the glad tidings that the power price is heading north by an average of 10…

1
Steve Price: Australia Correspondent on the arrest of a nurse who claimed she would refuse to treat Israeli patients 6:42

7d ago6:42

6:42

A New South Wales nurse that was stood down over a social media video where she claimed she would refuse to treat Israeli patients, has been arrested. The 26-year-old has been charged with threatening violence to a group and using a service to harass and threaten to kill. In the filmed conversation with an Israeli influencer, the nurse allegedly br…

1
Roger Gray: Port of Auckland CEO on the company's half-profit 3:18

7d ago3:18

3:18

It’s been a good six months for the Port of Auckland. It’s doubled its half-year profit and will deliver a 20% increase in its dividend to Auckland Council. Car and structure steel imports are down, but bulk cargo levels are rising. Chief Executive Roger Gray told Mike Hosking that's partly due to one-off events, like Genesis rebuilding the coal st…

1
Pollies: Labour's Ginny Andersen and Nationals Mark Mitchell on retail crime, policing, Andrew Bayly 11:24

7d ago11:24

11:24

The Opposition is wary innocent people may come off worse if more citizen's arrests are permitted. The Government is due to announce a refresh in the way it handles retail crime this afternoon, following a 12% rise in rates last year. A loosening of citizen arrest rules is expected, which currently only allow arrests between 9pm and 6am, and for cr…

1
Full Show Podcast: 26 February 2025 1:30:44

7d ago1:30:44

1:30:44

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 26th of February, violent crime is down for the first time since 2018, much to the pleasure of the Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. The Government is making an announcement today, loosening the citizen’s arrest laws. So would you, if you could? Or is it a recipe for disaster? Ginny Ander…

1
Steve Saunders: Robotics Plus co-founder on Yamaha acquiring the developers of AI-orchard vehicles 4:17

7d ago4:17

4:17

A Kiwi robotics company is at the heart of a new agriculture branch of Yamaha Motors. Yamaha's bought Robotics Plus, developers of AI-orchard vehicles designed to pick, prune, and spray fruits such as apples for an undisclosed fee. Co-founder Steve Saunders told Mike Hosking this new venture will help expand the company. “Exciting times ahead for u…

1
Stuart Nash: Former Police Minister on the changes to the citizen's arrest laws 5:01

7d ago5:01

5:01

A former Police Minister is declaring his support for a loosening of citizen's arrest laws. The Government is set to announce a retail crime strategy re-jig based on an advisory group's recommendations, which include making it easier for people to arrest others. Currently they can only occur at night between 9pm and 6am, for crimes with a maximum p…

1
David Higgins: Duco Events Founder on the competition for rugby broadcasting rights 2:59

7d ago2:59

2:59

There's competition over the rugby broadcast rights. British streaming disruptor DAZN is reportedly being courted by New Zealand Rugby. Talks with Sky have been dragging on – it's understood the broadcaster's offered $85 million dollars a year to renew, a smaller bid than its current deal of $111 million a year. Duco Events founder David Higgins to…

1
Rob Buchanan: Channel Infrastructure CEO on potentially turning Marsden Point into a new energy precinct 3:21

7d ago3:21

3:21

The company behind Northland's Marsden Point Oil Refinery wants to turn it into a new energy precinct. The refinery closed in 2022 and is decommissioned, with Resources Minister Shane Jones now considering making the area a special economic zone, meaning different planning, investment, and even tax rules. Jones says transforming the asset to enable…

1
Paul Goldsmith: Justice Minister on the new changes to citizen's arrest powers amid an uptick in retail crime 3:57

7d ago3:57

3:57

Dealing with retail crime could be about to get easier. Incoming new Government measures are expected to address the possibility of citizen's arrests and make it clearer how people can protect their properties. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith told Mike Hosking a government advisory group has been working very hard on recommendations and next steps,…

1
Mike's Minute: Are incidents more serious if you're high profile? 2:03

8d ago2:03

2:03

On a day of a resignation at a fairly high level, we also have a confession in court from another high profile operator. The problem with "high profile" is it tends to be high-wire. More is expected of you because of your role. Or is it? From the details available, which aren't many, Andrew Bayly didn’t commit a sackable offence as far as I can wor…

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