Best Simone Watts Podcasts (2025)

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Simon Watts: Why NZ is weakening key climate target 28:08

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3d ago28:08

28:08

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has slashed New Zealand's methane targets, saying they're more realistic for farmers. Q+A asks him what impact it may have on the country's international commitments and trade deals. .As Energy Minister, Watts is facing calls to do something about the energy industry. It follows the closure of multiple businesses…

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Simon Watts: Climate change minister discusses newly announced climate adaptation plan 3:15

6d ago3:15

3:15

The government has announced a climate adaptation plan to help handle floods, cyclones, and other natural disasters. Councils will now have to draw up 30-year plans, and a national flood map is due in 2027. Climate change minister Simon Watts told Mike Hosking that the current system lacks a coordinated approach to respond to natural hazards. “We d…

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Matt Canning Creator of Your Chaos Management App: NoPlex 23:01

1h ago23:01

23:01

Today we welcome Matt Canning! A Philadelphia-based technologist, entrepreneur, ex-Fortune 50 executive, and author who founded NoPlex, which empowers individuals struggling with ADHD and anxiety to thrive in a neurotypical world. Matt has a 12-year-old daughter who struggles with ADHD, and her challenges (and the clear gaps in everyday tools for p…

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Mike's Minute: Has protest lost it's impact? 2:12

14h ago2:12

2:12

Our default to futility worries me. It's the same sort of thing as the "No Kings" march over the weekend in America. What actually is the point of waving placards, or in the "burn the bill" case, lighting fires on beaches? The bill they want to burn is the Marine and Coastal Area Amendment bill. The amendment part is the bit where it is being retur…

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Full Show Podcast: 22 October 2025 1:30:06

14h ago1:30:06

1:30:06

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday the 22nd of October, the foreshore and seabed law change has passed and the Government has smashed their youth offending target four years early - completing two things they said they'd do. The debate is back about whether you should be leaving your KiwiSaver alone until retirement or ge…

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John Allen: Chief Ombudsman comments on record-high number of complaints made against government 4:29

15h ago4:29

4:29

The number of complaints going to the Office of the Ombudsman is soaring to record heights. Its annual report finds more than eight thousand Official information complaints - a 30 percent increase. The office also received 278 protected disclosures under the whistleblower law - up 26 percent. Chief Ombudsman John Allen told Mike Hosking OIAs are an…

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Dr. Claire Matthews: Associate professor's new report says Kiwisaver can be great for retirement, if used correctly 2:37

15h ago2:37

2:37

A new report reveals the importance of contributing to Kiwisaver after buying a first home. The Retirement Expenditure Guidelines from Massey University and Fin-Ed Centre suggests Kiwisaver is great for funding retirement - if utilised correctly. It finds a modest retirement goal can be reached by age 65 even after withdrawing funds for a first-hom…

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Karen Chhour: Children's minister says tougher consequences are keeping youths away from crime. 2:54

15h ago2:54

2:54

Knowledge of tougher consequences is thought to be keeping more young people away from crime. The Government has achieved its goal of a 15% reduction in serious and persistent youth offenders - four years early. Children's Minister Karen Chhour says it's partially down to young people believing they can't avoid accountability for their actions. LIS…

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Paul Goldsmith: Treaty negotiations and Justice Minister comments on foreshore and seabed amendment bill. 4:24

19h ago4:24

4:24

The Treaty Negotiations Minister's standing by amendments to foreshore and seabed legislation, which has passed its third reading. The aim of the Government's Marine and Coastal Areas Act amendments was to restore the legislation to its original intent. But it's been criticised for making it harder for Māori to gain customary marine titles. Treaty …

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Jeff Grant: Spokesperson for Alliance shareholders discusses deal with Irish-backed Dawn Meats. 2:44

19h ago2:44

2:44

Alliance has reached a $270million deal with Dawn Meats. 2,600 farmer-shareholders voted 87% in favour of selling 65% of the company arm to the Irish-backed company. The new investment is expected to strengthen Alliance’s balance sheet, pay down debt and enable greater capital growth. Spokesperson for Alliance shareholders Jeff Grant told Mike Hosk…

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Simon Beattie: NZX Sustainability manager praises government's loosening of climate reporting rules 2:21

20h ago2:21

2:21

Praise for the Government's loosening of climate reporting rules. It's proposing to lift the climate reporting threshold for listed companies worth 60 million dollars to one billion. The changes would also see directors no longer have personal responsibility if their company breaks climate reporting rules. NZX Sustainability Manager Simon Beattie t…

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Mike's Minute: Labour's policy shows they haven't learnt a thing 1:47

1d ago1:47

1:47

It seems the labour party has not learned a thing about running a country. Their first policy for next years vote is out, so congrats on that. The first cab off the rank is a wealth fund. The idea is not necessarily a bad one. You take money from dividends and distribute it out about the place to create jobs. The obvious questions though …were not …

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Full Show Podcast: 21 October 2025 1:29:35

1d ago1:29:35

1:29:35

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 21 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.By Newstalk ZB

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Alan Tudyk: American actor and prominent voice artist heads to NZ for Armageddon convention. 11:09

1d ago11:09

11:09

The Armageddon Expo is taking place this weekend in Auckland. Several actors such as Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis and John Boyega will be attending the convention, along with voice actor Alan Tudyk. Alan Tudyk told Mike Hosking that his knack for voice acting came from a play, where he played 20 different characters. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/lis…

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Brett O'Riley: New Zealand Performance Academy Board Member discusses principals of New Zealand's first sports school 4:21

1d ago4:21

4:21

New Zealand's first sports school will open next year, in a partnership with Wellington Phoenix. The New Zealand Performance Academy in Upper Hutt will operate as a charter school for serious aspiring sportspeople. The academy will initially offer elite football training alongside the Wellington Phoenix Academy, as well as rugby training. Other spo…

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Mike Fuge: Contact Energy Chief Executive says line charges are responsible for increased energy prices 8:46

1d ago8:46

8:46

The country's second-largest electricity gentailer says rising electricity prices are the result of rising lines charges. Inflation's now back up at three-percent. The single biggest driver is electricity prices - which have increased 11.3 percent in the past year. Contact Energy Chief Executive Mike Fuge says electricity firms are having to pass o…

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Catherine Field: Newstalk ZB's Paris correspondent says Louvre heist jewels will likely never be seen again 5:30

1d ago5:30

5:30

Experts now say it's unlikely the jewels, most recently stolen from the Louvre will ever be seen again. The thieves rode a basket lift up the museum's facade, forced a window and fled with France's Crown and Napoleonic jewels - in just seven minutes. The museum had just opened on Sunday - local time. Newstalk ZB's Paris correspondent Catherine Fiel…

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Chris Bishop: Transport Minister discusses which Roads of National Significance will be built first 4:02

1d ago4:02

4:02

A balancing act is underway to decide which Roads of National Significance will begin construction next. The Government's funnelling $1.2billion into the programme's 17 projects - which includes highway sections in Northland, Nelson, Hamilton, and Wellington. Transport Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking they're now going through a prioritisati…

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Robbie Paul: Icehouse Venture Chief Executive questions supposed gap in capital market 2:08

1d ago2:08

2:08

There are concerns that Labour's trying to fix a capital problem that kiwis don't have. The party's pitching a $200million Future Fund that re-invests dividends from specified Crown assets, into businesses and infrastructure projects. It'll invest solely in local projects. Icehouse Ventures CEO Robbie Paul told Mike Hosking the policy is agreeable …

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AJPW Giant Dream 2025 1:21:09

1d ago1:21:09

1:21:09

James, Marcus & Christy talk AJPW as they have their GIant Dream show in Tokyo. With four title matches, this is one of the most significant AJPW shows of the year. Kento Miyahara cashes in his Royal Road Tournament Victory against Triple Crown Champion Jun Saito, The AJPW World Tag team titles, Junior Heavyweight and the GAORA TV title are also on…

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José Pellicer, Founder Partner of Evonite – De-Globalisation, Contrarian Bets & The Next Decade of Real Estate 1:05:52

1d ago1:05:52

1:05:52

What happens when the global order that shaped real estate for decades begins to fracture? This week, I sat down with José Pellicer, Founder Partner at Evonite, to unpack how de-globalisation, contrarian bets, and a smarter approach to thematics will shape the winners of the next 5–10 years. José brings a sharp, historically grounded perspective on…

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Full Show Podcast: 20 October 2025 1:29:39

3d ago1:29:39

1:29:39

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 20 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.By Newstalk ZB

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Commentary Box: Andrew Saville and Jason Pine comment on the F1, the LA Dodger's Japanese superstar, and the NPC final 11:23

3d ago11:23

11:23

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville join Mike Hosking this morning to discuss the weekend's sports. On the table today: The US Grand Prix is underway, and Liam Lawson is sitting in 11th. The LA Dodger's Japanese superstar continues to impress. And the NPC final, who's taking home the trophy? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio…

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Dr Bronwen McNoe: Public Health Communication Centre Lead Author warns against skin cancer risks 2:56

3d ago2:56

2:56

Experts say policy changes are needed to cut New Zealand's skin cancer rates. A new Public Health Communication Centre report calls for more mandatory shade, a ban on commercial sunbeds and mandatory product standards for sunglasses and clothing. Lead Author Dr Bronwen McNoe says 500 people a year die of skin cancer and around 100-thousand people a…

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Chris Luxon: Prime Minister says the Government would pay teachers and doctors more, if it could. 10:20

3d ago10:20

10:20

Chris Luxon says the Government would pay teachers and doctors more, if it could. Tens of thousands of education and health workers will walk of the job, in a massive super-strike on Thursday. They're wanting pay rises to keep up with inflation. But the Prime Minister told Mike Hosking the Government is dealing with a limited budget. He says if New…

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Linda Gradstein: CBS correspondent comments on Israel-Palestine ceasefire violation 2:44

3d ago2:44

2:44

The US is preparing to continue pushing through its peace deal in Gaza, as both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. Israel's struck dozens of targets in southern Gaza, in response to Hamas allegedly firing upon IDF troops. The delivery of aid has also been halted over the alleged violation. CBS correspondent Linda Gradstein says a d…

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Alison Paul: Oceana Gold Senior Vice President praises Fast Track programme 3:18

3d ago3:18

3:18

The government is looking to sell New Zealand's mineral resources on the Global stage. Minister Shane Jones is heading to Australia and the US to promote investment and growth. Oceana Gold Senior Vice President Alison Paul told Mike Hosking that the Fast Track programme has been successful in getting mining operations to break ground. "We've got a …

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Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist challenges the Reserve Bank's cuts to the Official Cash Rate 3:19

3d ago3:19

3:19

Another spike in inflation won't stop the Reserve Bank from cutting the Official Cash Rate again next month. Stats NZ is providing its latest quarterly CPI update at 10.45. Most economists expect it to hit the Reserve Bank's upper limit of three-percent, and some think it will surpass that limit. But Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike …

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Full show: Q+A with Jack Tame, October 19 2025 54:00

3d ago54:00

54:00

With Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, CTU's new president Sandra Grey, and researcher Kali Mercier.By Q+A with Jack Tame

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Can NZ's infrastructure cope with ageing population? 11:30

3d ago11:30

11:30

New Zealand is rapidly ageing: Today there are about 870,000 Kiwis who are 65 or older, making up about 17% of the population. In 25 years, that number is forecast to almost double and make up about a third of the population.As well as the pressure on universal superannuation and healthcare, the ageing population will also put infrastructure under …

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Can unions justify disruptive strikes? New CTU president speaks 12:18

3d ago12:18

12:18

About 100,000 workers are planning to walk off the job this week as the Council of Trade Unions welcomes new president Sandra Grey. Meanwhile, Public Service Minister Judith Collins has accused unions of choosing to strike for political reasons. Q+A asks Grey about the Minister's comments, her plans for the CTU, and the state of the union movement.…

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Mark the Week: Will the ceasefire last? 11:38

6d ago11:38

11:38

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. Matt Payne: 9/10 Highlight of the week. Didn’t just win but won one of the best. Dreams coming true at 280km/h doesn’t get any better than that. The ceasefire: 8/10 The rest is yet to unfold but Tuesday was a win for a lot of peop…

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Full Show Podcast: 17 October 2025 1:30:09

6d ago1:30:09

1:30:09

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday the 17th of October, the online censorship mess is back involving the Mowbrays and false allegations. Just how do you deal with it when social media goes feral? England cricket coach Brendon McCullum joins Mike to talk his time with the team ahead of their series against the Black Caps - be…

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Mike's Minute: How miserable it is if you can't celebrate good news 2:07

6d ago2:07

2:07

Dr Hosking would diagnose a kind of "funk" as a result of observations this week. There's been two very clear examples these past few days of good news, of uplifting events and of indisputable progress. Yet for too many it was not a reason to acknowledge, or accept, or congratulate, but rather moan a bit more or find a reason as to why it can't be …

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Brendon McCullum: English cricket head coach and former Black cap on upcoming T20 match at Hagley Oval 10:05

6d ago10:05

10:05

The Black Caps are headed to Hagley Oval to take on England in the first of 3 T20 games. Former Black Cap and current Head Coach of England Brendon McCullum told Mike Hosking that he is happy with his new career in the UK, but is excited to be home for the game. "So yeah, very privileged to be in the position I'm in, especially not being out of pla…

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Gareth Kiernan: Infometrics Chief Forecaster warns of risk to rise in inflation 2:48

6d ago2:48

2:48

There are fears that inflation could come back into the picture as the OCR falls. Infometrics expects the OCR to fall to 2.25% next month - it's 2.5% at the moment. Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan says they expect to see growth hit 2.3% annual growth in 2027. He says alongside stoking inflation, it could create other problems. Kiernan s…

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Nikki Chamberlain: Auckland University Senior law lecturer discusses calls for change to name suppression 3:35

6d ago3:35

3:35

Issues around potential defamatory claims on social media are in the spotlight - after false accusations against a Kiwi richlister. Mat Mowbray's been incorrectly named on Tiktok as the member of a wealthy family convicted of having child abuse material. The real person convicted has permanent name suppression. Auckland University Senior Law Lectur…

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Mike's Minute: Sometimes it's not all about the money 2:01

7d ago2:01

2:01

In one of life’s small ironies as the teachers spend another week immersed in industrial action, I got an email yesterday from a bloke who was taught by my mother in the ’90s. My mum was a teacher. I’m pretty sure she never went on strike. I certainly don’t remember a picket line, a placard, or days at home when I was a kid. In fact, even as a stud…

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Good Charlotte: Madden brothers join Mike Hosking to discuss upcoming album release and the band’s return to NZ 12:48

7d ago12:48

12:48

The rock band Good Charlotte has announced a tour down under ahead of the release of their new album. After five albums, the band split up in 2011 but decided they weren’t done – coming back after four years and dropping more albums, including one this year in August called Motel du Cap. Joel and Benji Madden told Mike Hosking that they didn’t know…

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Full Show Podcast: 16 October 2025 1:31:27

7d ago1:31:27

1:31:27

Listen to the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 16 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.By Newstalk ZB

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Mike Hosking: First time home buyers need a leg up 2:07

7d ago2:07

2:07

One of the great myths of the modern economy is the idea that young people can't afford a house. Now, the facts are that for every house sold, about a quarter of them, sometimes a little bit more, about 27% are in fact first-timers. That figure has been remarkably solid over any number of years in any type of market. Can it be expensive? Yes. Do so…

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Warren Barclay: New owner of Cardona Hotel discusses purchase of iconic hotel 2:44

7d ago2:44

2:44

The new owners of the Cardrona Hotel jumped on the investment to keep it in Kiwi hands. Central Otago's 162-year-old heritage-listed hotel and restaurant has sold, after being on the market since July. Wanaka local, Warren Barclay, will run the business - and says the new owners are high net worth Kiwis and good sorts who see potential. He says bus…

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Stacey Wood: Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Standards Authority discusses expansion in their jurisdiction 8:03

7d ago8:03

8:03

The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) has issued a provisional decision claiming jurisdiction over a complaint about an online radio show. They said that the complaint fits their formal definition and requirements, meaning that they have to act. Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Standards Authority Stacey Wood told Mike Hosking that the BSA …

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Sir Bill English: Former Prime Minister says government housing ownership like Kainga Ora is problematic. 4:41

7d ago4:41

4:41

A former Prime Minister's backing the view that large-scale government housing ownership like Kainga Ora is problematic. A report by The New Zealand Initiative finds the Government's ownership of 77,000 state houses, has maintenance costs nearly twice that of a private landlord. It finds it also doesn't respond quickly enough to issues like rent ar…

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Simeon Brown: Health Minister says unions are focusing on politics, not patients 4:47

7d ago4:47

4:47

Health Minister Simeon Brown's bracing for tension at a meeting with 200 senior doctors, ahead of strike action. Their walkout - after rejecting a $160million pay offer - will see 6,300 elective procedures cancelled, and almost 13,000 specialists assessments delayed. Brown's slamming what he says is unethical, and a case of politics over patients. …

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Jeremy O'Brien: Air New Zealand's Chief customer and digital officer blames accelerated inflation for increase in prices 3:33

7d ago3:33

3:33

It's thought that the aviation sector is over capitalising - as New Zealand's domestic airfares have shot up more quickly than any other country. A global airport group says domestic airfares are up 63% in six years, and are well ahead of the second-highest, up 53%. Air New Zealand's Chief customer and digital officer Jeremy O'Brien told Mike Hoski…

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Running Through Ultra-Endurance Challenges: CEO | Entrepreneur | ADHD Advocate Simon Blair of ‘Beyond Limits’ 25:36

6d ago25:36

25:36

Our guest today, Simon Blair, is an ultra-endurance athlete and entrepreneur; who is also the founder of the successful London-based property company SHB He is a husband, and father of three. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Simon has turned his diagnosis into a source of strength, using ultra-endurance sport as a tool for personal growth and men…

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Mike's Minute: Gail Parata - my hero of the week 1:56

8d ago1:56

1:56

Most stories need a hero, and Gail Parata might fit the role in this netball mess. Or is it now a scandal? Gail Parata has resigned as a national netball selector and in doing so has gone out guns blazing and, because of that, has given the rest of us a decent insight into what a shambles the Dame Noeline Taurua story really is. This thing is now w…