The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A woman whose son was born with birth defects after taking a hormone-based pregnancy test is demanding answers.Robyn Hughes, 63, is the first New Zealand woman to publicly share her story after new evidence from Britain this month, which showed women who took the hormone-based pill Primodos had a higher chance of having children with severe deformities or other serious health problems.Her son was born premature and with tracheostenosis - the narrowing of the trachea.The Tauranga woman said she was prescribed a hormone-based pregnancy testing pill when she fell pregnant in 1977 - two years after the Government ordered products of that type to be pulled from the market.Hughes told Mike Hosking it's hard to find out just what went on in this country."I'd like to see an expert working group set up by the government so that they can look into it and find out what exactly did happen," she said.She said that should also mean talking to people who've actually been affected."What actually happened in New Zealand - that's what I'm trying to find out and there's not a lot of information about how they pulled the drug."

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

Primodos

• Primodos, a pregnancy-test pill, was introduced in 1958 in Britain and was on the market for 20 years. • It contained strong hormones which were later used in the morning-after pill.• Archived German documents exposed by British media this month drew a connection between Primodos and birth defects• Women who took the drug were found to have a five-to-one risk of giving birth to a child with malformations• The first mention of Primodos in New Zealand was in New Ethicals in 1966.• Primodos was distributed by Schering in New Zealand from 1966.• It was banned here in 1975, taking effect from June 9.

Vickie Davis has been stranded in Wellington for two nights after fog rolled in, cancelling flights. 

She's trying to get back to Nelson, and has been helping some of those she's been stranded with.

"I had two elderly ladies I'm helping, and I've got one left now and it's a lot of pressure," Davis said. "One is eighty-four years old. I mean, goodness gracious."

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE

Samsung is back, and giving Apple a run for its money with its latest phone, the Galaxy S8.

The tech giant is recovering from the disastrous Note 7 which started exploding - putting users at risk.

CEO of Gorilla Technology, Paul Spain, told Mike Hosking Samsung has certainly succeeded on the design front.

He said it has outdone Apple with a phone screen that goes from edge to edge.

Spain said the phone could turn things around for Samsung.

LISTEN ABOVE AS PAUL SPAIN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner has announced the sale of nicotine e-cigarettes and e-liquid will be allowed in a bid to provide a healthier alternative.

Otago University public health department Professor Tony Blakely speaks with Mike Hosking about the move.

Listen to the fill interview above.

The British Prime Minister is being seen by some in Europe as playing hardball, even before Brexit negotiations have begun.

In a letter handed to the European Union triggering Britain's exit, Theresa May has made reference to Britain possibly withholding its security and criminal investigations co-operation from Europe.

UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Mike Hosking Europe heavily depends on that cooperation.

LISTEN ABOVE AS ROD LIDDLE SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

SEE ALSO: Anand Menon: Britain's exit from the EU now underway

Stormy weather is hindering clean up efforts on the North Queensland Coast, as the remains of ex-Cyclone Debbie rattle the region.

Heavy rain and flooding is cutting towns off, preventing authorities from assessing the damage. Local MP for Whitsunday Jason Costigan told Mike Hosking emergency services are struggling to reach some communities.

"People are counting the cost of this disaster. Some of the damage of course no one knows because people haven't been able to get out. The roads have been cut."

LISTEN ABOVE AS JASON COSTIGAN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

Australians will be able to buy electronics, clothing and even groceries when retail giant Amazon's expands its online offerings next year.

Executive Director of the Australian Retailers Associaton Russell Zimmerman told Mike Hosking the effects of this on Australian businesses will vary greatly.

LISTEN ABOVE: Russell Zimmerman on how the Australian expansion of Amazon will affect retailers

Finance Minister Steven Joyce and Labour MP Stuart Nash join Mike Hosking for their weekly chat.

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD (highlights from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) But Not the Mike Hosking Breakfast/How Phil is Like Donald/Amazon May Be Deadly/School Notices

When the Lions tour hits the country in June hotels will be jam-packed and houses rented for high prices. 

West Coast resident Adam Gilshnan has set up a Facebook page linking Lions fans with locals throughout the country who are keen to offer visitors somewhere to stay and show them around.

Mr Gilshnan says the 'Adopt a Lions Fan' Facebook page has attracted a lot of attention and a large amount of people are keen to be involved.LISTEN ABOVE: Adam Gilshnan speaks to Mike Hosking