Inequality in student reading levels is one of the hardest felt gaps in our education system.

That is according to education experts, as a UNICEF report reveals we rank 33rd out of 38 countries in terms of inequality in schools.

Massey University education expert John O'Neill told Mike Hosking it also points out students who fall behind in reading, often fall behind in everything else.

"The consequences of the findings from this report are huge for the children. It is a real concern."

LISTEN ABOVE AS JOHN O'NEILL SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

One of the pioneers of modern cuisine, Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, is currently visiting New Zealand and cooking up a storm to promote his new Everdure BBQ range.

The multiple Michelin star winner, best known for his restaurant "The Fat Duck", is currently staying in Kauri Bay.

Last night he was at the Boomrock Estate, cooking for a special guest list.

However, he told Mike Hosking his everyday cooking is nothing like what people see on TV, which is why he loves BBQs.

“People think in my home life I cook and eat the food they see in the books and on TV, but that needs a team of 40 chefs and it takes days of work."

"But there's this beauty to cooking and having a go."

He said the simplicity is part of what attracts him to cooking "over coals".

"You still have to work for your reward, it's not popping it in the microwave and pressing the button."

The celebrity chef said the first time he used a 'BBQ' was as a child when he made his own.

"I remember making, with some stones I found, this circle and making a fire with newspaper and twigs and then getting that raw sausage and sticking it on the end of a twigs..and of course, I burnt it. But from then I have loved BBQs."

LISTEN ABOVE AS HESTON BLUMENTHAL SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

Every Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Stuart Nash join the Mike Hosking Breakfast to discuss the week's best political news. 

A colleague of the Immigration Minister was shocked to learn he had granted residency to a convicted drug smuggler.

Iain Lees-Galloway is refusing to tell the public why he intervened in the case of Czech immigrant Karel Sroubek, however, it's believed to be linked to his claims he fears for his life in his home country.

Labour's Stuart Nash told Mike Hosking he was astonished to read the story in the paper.

"It was quite a shock to read, but I was assured by the Minister there are mitigating factors.

But National's Mark Mitchell is questioning why Nash didn't get more than just a general assurance on the case.

"Kiwis deserve an answer to this issue by the government, it has gone on for far to long."

LISTEN ABOVE AS STUART NASH AND MARK MITCHELL SPEAK WITH MIKE HOSKING

Donald Trump has rejected calls to stay away from Pittsburgh, in the wake of Saturday's synagogue shooting.

The US president is visiting the city today to campaign for next week's mid-term election.

Some members of the local Jewish community have accused Trump of promoting the hatred which led to the anti-Semitic attack.

US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking others just want him to put the trip on hold.

"The funerals for the 11 victims from the massacre are just getting under way, but many residents would prefer if the President didn't come."

LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHARD ARNOLD SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

A Czech drug smuggler, who the Immigration Minister has allowed to stay in New Zealand, couldn't convince a jury he feared for his life in his home country.

Iain Lees-Galloway has granted residency to Karel Sroubek but used his discretionary powers to avoid saying why.

However, the Prime Minister has inferred it was on human rights grounds, and related to the reason he fled the Czech Republic.Newstalk ZB Political editor Barry Soper told Mike Hosking a jury was told Sroubek's visited his home since coming to New Zealand on a false passport.

"They were swayed after seeing the photograph of Sroubek in the Czech Republic and they didn't, obviously, wear his excuse that he feared returning to his home country claiming corrupt cops in a murder case."

He said the Government is still avoiding any explanation as to why he was granted citizenship.

"We are going to get no answers, by the look of it, out of Government. We tried on Jacinda Ardern yesterday, she's clearly rattled by this [and] doesn't like answering questions on it."

LISTEN ABOVE AS BARRY SOPER SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have an adventurous final day planned with a trip to Rotorua's iconic Redwoods Treewalk.

The walkway is 700 metres long path of suspension bridges slung between the 117-year-old trees. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visit to the Redwoods will be centred around conservation and they will also be meeting representatives of the local biking community.

Redwoods Treewalk co-founder Bruce Thomasen told Mike Hosking the royal couple will get to hear the history of the forest.

"We will put them through the canopy of the forest and talk to them about the local stories."

He said there is a buzz throughout the city ahead of the visit.

"The whole Treeewalk team are excited and my phone has been going hot with 'good luck' and 'congratulations'."

LISTEN ABOVE AS BRUCE THOMASEN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

There is no doubt British comedian and TV host Stephen Fry is a man of many talents, but throughout his long and celebrated career, one issue in particular has been prevalent.

Stephen Fry has long courted controversy for being one of the world's most prominent atheists, which came to a head over the weekend with his comments about God to an Irish TV show leading to a referendum on the country's blasphemy laws. 

Fry told Mike Hosking he is back this time with a new book 'Simply Entitled Heroes', which tells the story of heroes in Greek mythology. 

"About two years ago I was talking one evening with a friend about where the Greeks Gods came from, and I realised there haven't been many re-tellings of the Greek myths for generations, so I thought I would give it a go."

LISTEN ABOVE AS STEPHEN FRY SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

National MP Mark Mitchell says he will travel to the Czech Republic to get to the bottom of why convicted drug smuggler, identity faker and gang associate Karel Sroubek was granted residence in New Zealand.

Iain Lees-Galloway yesterday released a letter that he sent to Sroubek, writing that he does not condone Sroubek's behaviour and outlined rules such as not being convicted and not providing false information for five years after getting out of prison.

Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking that he believes Galloway is not being transparent as the reasons why he was granted residency are still being kept private.

"New Zealand is not going to be a safe haven for criminals around the world when they fall out with their mates."

LISTEN ABOVE AS MARK MITCHELL SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

Angela Merkel's decision to step down could spark a new era for German politics.

The German chancellor will give up the leadership of her CDU party later this year, following a string of election setbacks.

She will also step down as leader at the next election, which is due to take place in 2021.

Europe correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking she is the central figure in German politics, and the country will never be the same without her.

"Today we have seen the start of profound changes and implications for Germany."

LISTEN ABOVE AS CATHERINE FIELD SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING

The Prime Minister says the issue of human rights was involved in the decision to grant a convicted criminal residency.

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has intervened to allow Karel Sroubek to stay in the country.

That is despite the fact he is currently serving five years in jail for importing ecstasy, and he came to New Zealand on a fake passport.

Jacinda Ardern told Mike Hosking privacy concerns mean the Minister can't disclose his reasoning, but it was a tough call made with all the information in front of him.

"There are a lot of things that need to be factored in. For example, human rights is very important."

LISTEN ABOVE AS JACINDA ARDERN SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING