Every Friday morning, Mike Hosking takes you through the big ticket items of the week and lets you know what he makes of it all. 

But this week, as it is his last show of 2018, he decided to mark the year. 

So here's a taste of Mike's 2018 review.

Politics

Jacinda Ardern

6/10. 

"She's still as likeable as she ever was. I suspect that will be to her ongoing advantage.

“But this has been the year she's been caught out too often. Too much backpedalling, too many explanations after the event, and not enough backbone in leadership." 

Winston Peters

8/10. 

"He has come into his own, he's toned himself down, he was an excellent fill in Prime Minister. 

“He's been the ballast in the madness and looked almost statesman like." 

Policies

Kiwibuild

1/10. 

"It’s a bust, it will sink them." 

Free Fees

2/10.

"It’s a bust, it's showed their complete naivety.

“And next year wasn’t on Ardern, it was on us." 

The Economy

7/10. 

"It's intact and performing as well as most others. 

“And it's what really counts in the end." 

Sports

The All Blacks

8/10. 

"Two losses, but hardly the end of the world too many made it out to be." 

Women in Sport

8/10. 

"In a large variety of sports this was the women's year in terms of success. 

“Attention, pay, and recognition." 

Our Attitude to Sport

4/10. 

"From cycling, to hockey, to football, a lot of reviews and a lot of complaints about how we conduct ourselves at the highest level. 

“I'm not sure it's all warranted,  and i do hope that the PC approach doesn’t mean we stop winning." 

Mike's Hot Topics

Social Media

2/10. 

"It got worse than ever this year. 

“And in a way reached crunch point with all the heavyweights slowly but surely being held to some sort of account." 

Industrial Action

3/10. 

"This is a real concern, and it was highlighted this week by the Air New Zealand mess. 

“Unions are not good for our country, or our work places. 

‘And I suspect if you didn’t like this year, there's more where that came from." 

Leighton Smith

10/10.

"His last day in a career you could not have designed to work out better. 

“He leaves on his terms, at the top, at the timing of his choice. 

“It has been a privilege to be on the same frequency as him, he is one of this countries greatest ever broadcasters."

LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL YEAR IN REVIEW

Put more money from tobacco tax into helping smokers quit.

New Otago University research shows we're floundering in our quest to be smokefree by 2025, needing five times as many Maori to quit each year, and twice as many Pakeha.

The Government receives around $1.8 billion a year directly from tobacco excise tax, and spends around $70 million of that, or four percent, on cessation.

Action on Smoking and Health's Boyd Broughton says that this is not shocking.

He told Mike Hosking that more of the money that comes from smokers, should go back to help them stop.

"The tools that are available to us now, they weren't available to us when the goal was set and there wasn't as much knowledge behind them. We need to make sure we use them appropriately and we get them to the right people."

He says we need to make them look more attractive to smokers. 

Broughton says that there may be some people who simply don't want to quit, but that means we need to try different methods of communicating to them.

"How we're getting our market to the right places is something we need to look at." 

He says that their yearly survey of young people shows that many of them have never smoked, and they are who they hope contributes to this change. 

"18 to 25 is a time when many people experiment, so we need to make sure we're looking after that cohort of young people." 

LISTEN TO BOYD BROUGHTON TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE

No more "Mr Nice Guy" for Joseph Parker.

The boxer says he's had enough of holding back and is ready for his fight tomorrow night against Alexander Flores.

He told Mike Hosking he is in great shape and ready to "finish the year with a bang".

"I'm always in great shape after a training camp and when I'm preparing for a fight so I've had eight weeks of hard training. I'm ready physically, mentally and I'm looking forward to performing well."

Parker said his training has been gruelling but has put him in a great place ahead of his fight.

"The camp was hard. We had eight weeks of training in Vegas, three times a day, six days a week and the camp consisted of three strength and conditioning sessions a week and a lot of sparring."

"I think at the end of the camp we had done 116 rounds of sparring. A lot of power work..and practising along with skills."

He said this fight will be different for him because he has a game plan.

"It's definitely easier to have a plan and when you have a plan in place you're trying to execute it as best as you can but it's quite hard when you have someone in front of you trying to punch you in the face."

His loss to Dillian Whyte still makes him cringe every time he watches it, Parker said.

"After watching that fight...I cringe...I know I could have done more and I should have done more but I think it is learning and going into this fight and my future there's no more holding back."

"There's no more being Mr Nice Guy, there's no more respect in the ring. I want to fight clean but if I have to get down and dirty, I will."

A leading lawyer says ongoing breaches and publication of the name of the Grace Millane murder accused, is putting the rial at risk of not going ahead at all.

Bar Association vice-president Jonathan Eaton QC said even if his name's been published and it seems the horse has bolted, it doesn't mean we shouldn't try lock it up again.

"The name is out there in breach of court orders but in terms of upholding the rule of law, what we are concerned about is we should be doing everything we can to lock the horse back up again, and make sure people understand and respect the rule of law."

He said past breaches of name suppression are not excuses for any more, and there's still just as much chance of a prosecution over it.

The latest example of a breach occurred when Google sent its "what's trending in New Zealand" mass email to New Zealand subscribers naming the accused.

Eaton told Mike Hosking no judge in New Zealand has ever pulled the pin on a case over suppression breaches, but there is a limit - and the boundaries are being pushed in this case.

"We will reach a stage where the court will say, 'I can no longer assure this man his fundamental right to a fair trial and the only reality is to stay the case' and we will get there."

"Just because it has been breached inappropriately is not an excuse for continual breaches and continual breaches, in our view, are going to put this trial at risk."

He said looking up the man's name is not a breach of suppression in itself but sharing it is.

"Joe Bloggs looking up the name is not a breach of the suppression order, the breach of the suppression order is whoever publishes or shares the information, simply looking it up isn't a breach."

Eaton said name suppression is increasingly becoming an issue with high profile cases.

"We seem to have a response in relation to these high profile cases, which suggest the rules can go out the window because the public interest is so great and then we have people creating the interest, searching it up, learning about the person and the media is then tempted to release more information about the person out there and it's all undermining fair trial rights."

While we haven't had a case completely abandoned because of name suppression breaches, Eaton said it's only a matter of time.

"Every time a case like this passes and the boundaries which are set by the media and by the social media commentators and the general public are stretched further and further and that becomes the new boundary."

He said we have to focus on the fundamental right to a fair trial and not breach suppressions.

A spokeswoman for the Solicitor-General's office said it prosecutes contempt of court but in cases of name suppression breaches the police would prosecute.

A police spokesperson said police are "continuing to monitor the situation regarding breaches of suppression orders in New Zealand".

"At this stage, we are not aware of anyone being charged in relation to a breach of suppression order," they said.

"Police have the ability to charge a person for breaching a suppression order, provided there is sufficient evidence to do so."

Commenting on the Google mishap, Justice Minister Andrew Little told the Herald if the email was traced to any of its New Zealand infrastructure the Silicon Valley-based company could be prosecuted.

"Google has staff in New Zealand, I know because I've got Christmas cards from them," Little said.

Justice Minister Andrew Little says if police were willing the source of the original breach to the British press could be found and prosecuted. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A Google spokesperson said the company didn't know about Judge Thomas' suppression order.

But they said the tech giant would comply with any court order it was made aware of.

"We respect New Zealand law and understand the concerns around what is clearly a sensitive case," the spokesperson said.

"When we receive valid court orders, including suppression orders, we review and respond appropriatel...

Black Ferns player Kendra Cocksedge has made history by becoming the first woman to receive the top honour at the annual national rugby awards at Auckland's Sky City. 

Cocksedge, a halfback who represents Farah Palmer Cup champions Canterbury, was named the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial player of the year. She beat out All Blacks Richie Mo'unga, Brodie Retallick and Codie Taylor.

Kendra Cocksedge told Mike Hosking it's been a huge year for women's sport.

"It's been growing a lot and we are getting a lot more exposure and I mean with the Black Fern Sevens performing on the world stage as well. It's been a big year and the last couple of years have been really big for the game so looking forward to what the future brings." 

She said there is a huge amount of support from the community.

"The majority of people are on board, you get the odd one that's not there yet but we are making ground and we are getting there and that's what's cool about the game."

"We've come a long way but, obviously, heading into the future some sort of semi-pro competition would be great for the game and obviously getting more sponsors on board. Getting more exposure, more bums on seats during games and hopefully, that happens now we've got that World Cup hosting in 2021." 

"It puts women's rugby on the national stage," Cocksedge said of winning the award.

"I'm hoping there's a young me out there watching and hoping to aspire to win an award like this in the future.

"It's cool for me to be able to be the person to do it and hopefully give back and give a young girl the opportunity to live the dream that I get to live."

Cocksedge was just the second woman to be nominated for the overall player of the year award; after Sevens captain Sarah Goss was named a finalist in 2017.

"It started off last year with Sarah being nominated and now myself winning it this year, it's a stepping stone and I'm pretty proud to be a part of that and to keep paving the way for the women's game in New Zealand."

Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year winner Kendra Cocksedge. Photo / Photosport

The women's sevens team were crowned New Zealand team of the year - their first time winning the honour after twin triumphs at the Commonwealth Games and at the Rugby World Cup sevens.

A move away from DVDs to online streaming hasn't hurt cinema attendance, according to a new survey.

Flicks has released its census for the year, which assesses keen movie watchers' viewing habits both in and out of the house.

It shows 53 percent of respondents hardly ever watch physical media like DVDs, and 87 percent subscribe to Netflix.

But it also shows cinema attendance is up six per cent to 68 per cent.

Flicks editor Steve Newall told Mike Hosking the survey revealed some surprising information.

"Going to the movies is now a conservation which many people have. We have found that people talking on the phone while the movie is playing is one of the most annoying habits which people experience.

The thing I am most amused by is the high amount of movie goers who glare at others in the cinema, the customer behaviour is fascinating!”

LISTEN ABOVE AS STEVE NEWALL SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

The Government is potentially spending up to $53 million a year on its flagship fees-free policy for students who have either withdrawn from or failed tertiary courses.

Universities New Zealand Chris Whelan told Mike Hosking the statistics show a worrying trend, which they are watching closely.

"Its no surprise 12 percent of students don't complete their first year of study for a range of reasons. We are watching with interest to see if that number goes up this year as a result of students not having to pay the fees themselves, or if it stays the same.

Whelan says that the policy was one of Labour's biggest campaign promises, one which they certainly won't want to admit defeat on or show any sign of weakness.

"The government's reason for introducing this fee was to reduce barriers to participation, not to increase numbers. The numbers have remained completely flat, generally you are on a pathway to university at school or not, the chance $6000 of free fees will change your plans is unlikely.

This was their election promise and they went into this with their eyes wide open, many people say they should of done this for the third year of study, and I tend to agree with that."

Students withdrawing from courses can lead to a full or partial refund if they withdraw within a time-frame set by the tertiary provider.

LISTEN ABOVE AS CHRIS WHELAN SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

A world leading skin cancer expert says SPF may not be the best way to rate sun block.

Consumer New Zealand has tested 10 sunscreens and found six don't match the claims on the bottle.

The Cancer Society is also concerned some people are using an SPF six sunscreen unwittingly, because the bottle falsely claims it offers SPF 30 protection.

Skin cancer expert Dr Sharad Paul told Mike Hosking it's not acceptable that one says it has an SPF of 30, but when tested only has six.

"Broadly speaking, you shouldn't have something which says it is SPF 30, and when tested it is only six. The NZ environment is high UV, which means you need a sunscreen with good protection.

Sunscreen is an imperfect science and people can get a bit too technical about it. A better way to rate protection could be labelling it as low, medium or high. It is frustrating sunscreen has no minimum standard set by the Government."

One type of the "Coola" brand sunscreen was found to have a single digit SPF, and Dr Paul said there are many sunscreens out in the market which don't live up to their claims.

"Education is really important. We should test score better so people know where they stand as it is currently to confusing for the consumers who don't know if they are buying a product which works."

New Zealand's melanoma incidence rate is the world's highest, with 4000 people diagnosed with melanoma every year.

LISTEN ABOVE AS DR SHARAD PAUL SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

National Party leader Simon Bridges says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hasn't been upfront or honest about the Karel Sroubek residency case. 

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister revealed Ardern had received a text from Karel Sroubek supporter, Richie Hardcore commending the decision to grant the Czech drug-smuggler residency.  She did not respond. 

Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking it's time the public got the entire story. 

"We've been going at this now in Parliament for nearly two months, and the impression given by the Prime Minister and Iain Lees-Galloway certainly hasn't been upfront, certainly hasn't been, I would argue by omission it's been dishonest."

"It's a text message from Richie Hardcore to the Prime Minister...acknowledging the decision, well why on earth would he have texted the Prime Minister about this decision? I will give you a couple of reasons, either she knew Sroubek or if she didn't she had been lobbied about this by him hardcore previously."

"Why didn't she say that to parliament, to the public and so on before yesterday?"

Bridges said fact that Lees-Galloway spent less than an hour making the Sroubek makes this whole station worse. 

"Either it was incompetence or it was worse than that and he knew what it was, the decision that he had to make, well I'm finding it much harder to accept the incompetence narrative.

"Richie Hardcore and Jacinda Ardern are good friends, they are not just acquaintances, you can look through and see the pictures, they have known each other for years. I know that Richie Hardcore knows Karel Sroubek well, that's also clear and we understand in the National Party, it's clear Hardcore has made representations on Sroubek's behalf on these matters."

Bridges said this is the Derek Handley situation all over again. 

In September, the Prime Minister was accused of misleading parliament over her contact with the entrepreneur. She denied it, saying that she did not directly engage with him.

"Why didn't she just be upfront about this at the start? It makes us in opposition suspicious."

The National Party is calling for the Prime Minister to make a Ministerial Statement today. 

"What does the text say. What is the Prime Minister's precise associations with Hardcore and Sroubek?" 

During Question Time today, National's immigration spokesman Michael Woodhouse asked Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway if Richie Hardcore, believed to be a friend and supporter who met Sroubek through kick-boxing circles, had supported Sroubek.

Lees-Galloway would not answer, citing a lack of public interest, but after Question Time a spokesman for Ardern confirmed that Hardcore had texted the Prime Minister after news broke of Sroubek being granted residency.

"The Prime Minister received a text message from Richie Hardcore following media coverage of the first decision about Karel Sroubek that acknowledged the decision. She did not respond to the text."

The spokesman said that Ardern and Hardcore were acquaintances and she had known him for years through his public advocacy work.

She did not know whether Hardcore had advocated for Sroubek, the spokesman said.

The PM's office has confirmed that Richie Hardcore, pictured, considered a Karel Sroubek supporter, texted Jacinda Ardern after news first broke about Sroubek's residency. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Hardcore is a fan of Ardern, writing on his Facebook page when she was elected Prime Minister: "I'm so happy someone I truly know is a kind and decent person is leading the country."

The revelation follows weeks of pressure from National MPs about who might have tried to influence Lees-Galloway over Sroubek, hinting that it might be someone associated with the Government.

Woodhouse first asked Lees-Galloway about Hardcore during Question Time on November 7, over a month ago, and Lees-Galloway declined to answer because it might prejudice an Immigration NZ review.

After the Immigration NZ review and intense political pressure, Lees-Galloway is...

There are growing warnings about possible rent rises if new legislation goes through.

A bill that introduces ring-fencing of tax losses for rental properties is likely to get it's first reading today.

Currently, investors can use losses on rental property to reduce the tax they pay on their other income, but the government says that's unfair, especially to first home buyers.

Inland Revenue figures reveal 40 percent of landlords make rental losses with the average tax benefit being $2000 a year.

Auckland property investor and developer David Whitburn told Mike Hosking that it is a small minority of people who are not playing by the rules.

"The vast majority of property investors are making profits, and are paying a sizeable amount of tax."

When asked if he believed the Government was doing enough to implement the right policies to help the situation, Whitburn said it was a complex issue to solve, and thinks many people will be opting out

"House prices have gone up a significant amount over the last 18 months, and I think the government is making some progress with the Kiwibuild progress.

A lot members aren't happy about law and regulations increasing the uncertainty in the market. As as a result, some will be selling their investments."

LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID WHITBURN SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING