The Mike Hosking Breakfast

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD (highlights from Monday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Nice to Have You/New National for a New Year/Free Sport on TV a Pipe Dream/A New Segment

There's talk about whether Bill English will make a change to National's stance on Superannuation eligibility.

John Key wouldn't countenance the idea, but his departure affords the party the chance to change tack.

Retirement Commissioner Diane Maxwell told Mike Hosking she suggests the government should raise the age to 67 over the next two decades.

She said this means it goes up, but employment issues for older workers can be addressed as that happens. 

"We need to put in place retraining, up-skilling for people in their 50s, and you need to think about redirecting those savings to benefits for people who simply cannot work longer."

LISTEN ABOVE AS RETIREMENT COMMISSIONER DIANE MAXWELL SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

Experts are questioning whether politicians should be introducing tax cut policies in the lead up to next year's election.

The government has dangled the possibility of conditions being right, and Bill English has confirmed they're still on the table even following the recent earthquakes.

Massey University taxation specialist Deborah Russell told Mike Hosking tax could have already been cut too far.

"Part of the problem is that the health spending has not really gone up to keep up with the increased population, so the health system is being squeezed tight, and we're seeing some kind of mingy things going on, like pensioners losing their cleaning and things like that," she said.

"I guess if Mr English and our presumed new finance minister, Mr Joyce, want to they could put at least some money into the health system and the education system, instead of putting it all in our own back pockets."

Russell said $3 billion worth of tax cuts would equate to about $20 more in the pocket each week.

"That may not make enough of a difference to people to change the vote, it's hard to tell.

"I think it's going to be a really good conversation that we're going to have this coming year about how we balance our spending and what we spend our money on."

LISTEN TO DR DEBORAH RUSSELL SPEAK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD (highlights from Friday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Copping the Criticism/Mark the Week/More Misery for More Money

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD (highlights from Thursday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Whatta Person/Potential PM Ramifications/Too Much Doctor/More Merger Musings/Bursting the 3D Printing Bubble

Former Australian rugby player Peter Fitzsimons joins Mike Hosking to talk about his dramatic weight loss, after writing a book about it.

He said cutting out sugar was half the battle, but also said that there's no magic to it - you just need to take a good hard look at yourself. 

"This is not about going on a diet, this is about changing your diet."

"You've got to put your big boy pants on, and look around and see how many fat 75 year olds there are - they're not there."  

He said his aim is not to fat-shame people, but rather push the message that people who are seriously overweight and with bad diets will simply die earlier.

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD (highlights from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Who's the Pick of the Bunch/Parker Looks Forward to His Burger/A1 Airports/Check Out No Checkouts/2020 is Nearly Here

Labour Deputy Leader Annette King and National Cabinet Minister Steven Joyce join Mike Hosking to talk about PM John Key's decision to step down, and how the leadership race is playing out so far. 

Joyce insisted that he is not working towards the leadership, and hedged his bets as to who he's supporting.

However, after being pressed by Annette King, Joyce admitted that he "hasn't ruled anything out." 

King was asked for her thoughts on who would be best at the job, and said from a Labour perspective she'd like to see Judith Collins win.

Ever been sent for a multitude of medical tests you thought weren't necessary?

It turns out you aren't alone.

A new campaign called Choosing Wisely wants to stamp out unnecessary medical treatment in New Zealand.

This after a survey by the Council of Medical Colleges and Consumer NZ found that nearly one in five people feels their doctor has recommended a test that isn't necessary.

Council chair Dr Derek Sherwood told Mike Hosking it's about improving the shared decision making between doctors and patients.

"A big part of it is aimed at trying to give patients the confidence to ask questions at their doctors. Do I really need this test? Is there a simpler, safer way of providing treatment and what are the risks?"

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD (highlights from Tuesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Why?/What Next?/Looking Back/Person of the Year Can Only Be Trump/Double Entendre Tuesday