The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Erin Brockovich is the world's most famous consumer rights advocate, her legal battle against Pacific Gas immortalised in the 2000 film named after her. 

Now, Brockovich is in Christchurch touring homes and attempting to understand the growing frustration of families who after six years have not had their homes repaired.  

LISTEN TO HER FULL INTERVIEW WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE

Andrew Little says attracting legal action is par for the course as Leader of the Opposition.

There is still an air of uncertainty after the defamation case around him wound up yesterday.

SEE ALSO: Little not bothered by lack of closure in defamation trial

A High Court jury said on one occasion words used by Mr Little were defamatory, but couldn’t decide if privilege applied. That means Mr Little has avoided paying damages, but it also means there could be another trial.

Andrew Little told Mike Hosking he needs to be able to take on the hard issues, but he has acknowledged his words caused hurt.

"I've got to be able to call the Government to account, and I've got to be able to do it fearlessly and without looking over my shoulder wondering which wealthy New Zealander will sue me next," he said.

MPs have automatic protection from defamation if they make comments in the House.

But Mr Little said that's not his style, and he has to be bold in what he says.

"I made a promise to myself before I came into Parliament and getting into Parliament that I didn't want to be a tricky, cute politician that says one thing in the House, and something different outside the House."

SEE ALSO: Hagamans unlikely to drag Little back to court

SEE ALSO: Soper: No credit for Little in Hagaman saga

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

New Zealand and Australia lost its greatest comic mind yesterday. John Clarke, known for his iconic role as Fred Dagg, died on Sunday while hiking in the Grampians National Park in Victoria. He was 68.

This morning, Mike Hosking shared a tribute to the great satirist.

Ten of the 18 species of penguin are at risk of extinction, and Forest & Bird are calling on the government to protect penguins in the same way as Kiwis. 

Forest & Bird advocacy manager Kevin Hackwell joined Mike Hosking this morning to discuss the crisis and plans to save the penguins. 

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

The Police Association is backing a proposal for tighter rules around gun sales.

The law and order select committee has recommended an overhaul of our firearm laws, including banning gang members and other 'high risk' people from owning guns.

NZ Police Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking they are welcoming the recommendations as a good first step.

"I'm seeing daily reports of firearms being found in situations where it's just luck that members of the public or police officers haven't been shot, so there really is a need for this tightening up," he said.

Cahill said right now they've got no idea how many are in criminal hands.

"Over 40,000 firearms, including air rifles, are imported to New Zealand last year. No record of where they are once they're important and sold."

LISTEN ABOVE AS POLICE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT CHRIS CAHILL SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew speaks with Mike Hosking about the changes to Super Rugby. The competition will be trimmed to 15 teams from next season, with an Australian team and two South African teams to depart.

Tew also speaks about Sonny Bill Williams, who covered up the BNZ logos on his Blues jersey during Saturday night's match against the Highlanders.

LISTEN ABOVE AS NZR BOSS STEVE TEW SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

Clampers are lying in wait to pounce on motorists parking in the wrong spot within seconds, demanding "disproportionate" fees to free driver's wheels, according to a NZ Herald investigation. 

The AA's Mark Stockdale told Mike Hosking this morning that clampings will keep happening as the practice is completely unregulated.

Stockdale says the private sector has nothing, unlike councils which has clear regulations around parking enforcement.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

Bill English has certainly caused a global stir with his 'pizza-gate'.

This week, he posted on Facebook his homemade option - but he put spaghetti on it. 

And that caused outrage, including from US TV host Jimmy Kimmel.

That's only the latest in a series of social media posts trying to show the PM's more personal side - he's been shearing sheep, back down to Southland, and playing cricket with kids.

But is it working?

Political marketing expert at Massey University, Claire Robinson, joins Mike Hosking.

Listen to the full interview above.

A full assessment of the Rangitaiki River bank will be carried out today as crews work to stop water flowing into Edgecumbe.

The council and Civil Defence are conducting operations throughout the eastern Bay of Plenty, with more than 2000 people cut off by floodwaters.

Around 100 people stayed the night in evacuation centres, and food parcels and medical supplies will be delivered to isolated regions by helicopter.

Whakatane Mayor Tony Bonne told Mike Hosking there's a huge cleanup ahead.

"There's extensive damage. The river's still just pouring into those homes. We've got a huge amount of volunteers wanting to help already. In a smaller community, people just rally around and I'm just overwhelmed."

Bonne told Mike Hosking the Rangitaiki dropped 60 centimetres overnight, and a full investigation will be carried out into why the stop bank failed.

He said the breach struck without warning.

"It's like a flash flood. When a wall falls over and you just have a gush of water, you haven't got much time to react."

The Prime Minster will be in the area today, and water boil notices are in place for the wider Whakatane region.

Listen above to Whakatane District Mayor Tony Bonne speak to Mike Hosking followed by Edgecumbe resident Kelly Gibson

Prime Minster Bill English says there will be Government help for those who have been left devastated by this week’s flooding.

“There will be a number of versions of support and the good thing is the government is well attuned to responding quickly,” he told Mike Hosking.

Mr English, who is heading to Edgecumbe this morning  to survey first-hand the extent of the devastation, said he would make sure people who had lost everything in the flood would be supported.

He was going in the first instance to look at the extent of the damage, talk to farmers with land now under deep floodwater and to those who were forced to evacuate when the stop banks failed and poured water through their homes.

He would be making sure they had all available support at this time of emergency.

“We shouldn’t under-estimate the damage to the houses and the sheer challenge to get back into them,” said English.

LISTEN ABOVE AS BILL ENGLISH SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING