The Mike Hosking Breakfast

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD (highlights from Tuesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) The Jobs that Support Your Career/Please Do Something, Bill/Weighty Trans Issues/What Meryl Said/Costly Car Parts

A Race and Ethnic Relations expert thinks we shouldn't worry about white supremacists in New Zealand.

While discussing the emergence of a number of white pride groups in Auckland's universities with Mike Hosking, Paul Spoonley said although there's no doubt some people hold these views, perspective is important.

"I've had a good look at both groups, and I'm not sure there's many people involved. You do need to put that into perspective when you look at the broader context of New Zealand."

Spoonley said a better indicator of our race relations is the Asia New Zealand report that shows up to 80% of kiwis are fine with immigration levels.

LISTEN ABOVE AS PAUL SPOONLEY SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

The debate comes from the discovery of racist posters at the University of Auckland campus.

The posters carried slogans such as "White Lives Matter!" and "Hey, white man! Only you can prevent white genocide," as well as a young, fit, white couple reminiscent of wartime recruitment posters.

Images of the posters were posted to Facebook by a woman claiming to be an Auckland University student but it has since been claimed the account was a fake created to generate publicity for the Western Guard group behind the propaganda.

During Auckland University's orientation week there was an Auckland University's European Students Association stall, but the group announced it would shut down after generating controversy. The now ex-leader of the group has said that the Western Guard was established after being inspired by his association.

The AUT New Zealand European Association has also been established, but not sanctioned by the university. It then became independent and changed its name to the NZ European Association.

Juan-Pierre Aucamp, leader of the NZ European Association, took measures to distance his group from the Western Guard, calling them "utterly disrespectful."

A police spokesperson told The Herald that the posters fell under the Bill of Rights and freedom of expression.

"They don't appear to be inciting violence and crime and so at this stage this is not something we would comment further on."

However, when The Herald contacted the Western Guard and asked if it genuinely believed what it said, the group responded: "We want physically fit members because being physically fit is proof that someone has discipline and willpower, not whatever you're apparently implying - Western Guard does not condone violence of any kind, as is clearly stated on our website."

Anyone who saw the posters as hate speech had "illegitimate concerns."

The Western Guard website gives a special mention to their "brothers in the USA - Vanguard America."

Vanguard America say on their website: "Our religion, our traditions, and our identity are dragged through the mud by the globalist establishment while millions of nonwhites flood our nation every year. If current trends continue, White Americans will be a minority by 2044."

Fishing group LegaSea says crayfish stocks along parts of the North Island's east coast are nearly gone, and the Ministry for Primary Industries is largely to blame.

LegaSea has surveyed more than 800 people who dive or use cray pots between the East Cape and Pakiri, north of Auckland.

Spokesman Scott Macindoe told Mike Hosking the results are telling.

"80 percent are saying it's decimated or close to being decimated.

"For those of us who have been out there in the gulf this summer looking for crayfish, there's no question. There are no crayfish."

Macindoe said corporate interests have too much influence over the ministry, which is letting stocks become depleted.

LISTEN ABOVE AS SCOTT MACINDOE SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

UPDATED 11.14AM There has been a cold response from the Prime Minister at the idea of putting a tax on our water that's being sold elsewhere.

The issue of foreign companies making a profit from water is still dogging Bill English.

Nationwide protests last week failed to sway the government. It ruled out banning the bottling of freshwater for export, or charging a higher price.

Bill English conceded something needs to change.

"We want to come up with a better system, and we're finding that it's pretty tricky," he told Mike Hosking.

However, Mr English said a tax isn't the answer.

"That would immediately raise the issue of who owns the water, and therefore who gets to get a share of the tax. You'll find that's pretty vexatious and difficult."

LISTEN ABOVE AS PM BILL ENGLISH SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD (highlights from Monday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Foreign Land Grab Beat-Up/Apple Must Pay/Don't Worry About Dunedin/Home of Happiness/Inspired By Chuck

A leading tourism boss says the introduction of targeted rates for Auckland accommodation providers would be deeply unfair.

Auckland Council wants to hike rates for hotels and motels, with the funds raised put towards the Auckland tourism body.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts told Mike Hosking they'll put their case to the council today.

"The commercial accommodation sector being targeted by this rate, get 9 percent of the total tourism spend in Auckland, and they're being asked to pay for 100 percent of AT's efforts to grow that."

Mr Roberts said the plan will only result in higher nightly fees.

"Some hotels are telling us if they were to pass on the cost it's more like $25 a night. We've got a very strong case why this targeted rate shouldn't proceed."

Mayor Phil Goff said he wants to raise nearly $27.8 million a year from the accommodation sector.

Don't expect any big trade announcements when China's second in control arrives next week.

Trade will be the big talking point during Premier Li Keqiang's stay here. He arrives next week for four days.

It's expected the government will use the visit to try to re-work parts of our free trade deal.

Special agriculture trade envoy Mike Petersen told Mike Hosking the existing deal has some sticking points.

"I'm not expecting an announcement next week. I'm expecting reaffirmation I guess of the process around the upgrade.

"We'd like to see the Premier reaffirm that they'd like to complete this and do it within this calendar year."

Petersen said there are good deals elsewhere that we want too.

"There are certainly new agreements that China has completed. For example with Australia, where Australia has some advantages in the short term around access for dairy products that we would like to see ironed out."

He hopes the Premier will make comments around the upgrade, and about getting it done this year.

LISTEN ABOVE AS MIKE PETERSEN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

Medicinal cannabis users in New Zealand are calling for a domestic industry.

The Government has added a $3000 import charge for the spray Tilray.

Auckland University of Technology's research fellow Huhana Hickey was the first kiwi to start using the product for Multiple Sclerosis

She told Mike Hosking the high compliance costs for importation and customs add at least $600 to her medical bills a month.

Now, medicinal cannabis users such as Ms Hickey want a domestic industry to be established in New Zealand to bring down the price of products like Tilray.

LISTEN ABOVE AS HUHANA HICKEY SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD (highlights from Friday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) It's a Brand Thing/This Isn't a 3rd World Country/Mark the Week/Different Car Servicing Regimes/Keeping Up with Tech

Kiwi rally star Hayden Paddon's long time co-driver John Kennard this week announced he's calling it quits after July's Rally Finland.

Paddon joined Mike Hosking to discuss Kennard's decision, and whether it was a mutual one.

Listen to the full interview above.