The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A reflection on how it all began, as John Key finishes up his time as Prime Minister.

He first approached Dame Jenny Shipley in the late 90s, when he wanted to get into politics.

She told Mike Hosking she still remembers their first conversation.

Dame Jenny said he'd done all he wanted to do in the private sector, was modest, thoughtful and very successful and wanted to make a difference.

The Prime Minister is blaming low turnout for his party's poor performance in the weekend's Mount Roskil by-election.

Labour candidate Michael Wood waltzed in, thrashing National's Parmjeet Parmar by over 6,500 votes.

John Key said in 2014 Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens secured 65 percent of the vote - this time round with New Zealand First and the Greens not contesting Labour got 66 percent.

"Basically what happened is our guys didn't show up, and there's nothing new there."

"That seat has been held by Labour for 40 years, and our guys just say there's a general election next year and they just stay home."

A warning to keep an eye on elderly family and friends after an increase in the number of elderly people being involved in drug smuggling.

LISTEN ABOVE: Customs manager of investigations Maurice O'Brien spoke to Mike Hosking

Three travellers over the ages of 65 have been intercepted importing drugs over the last 15 months.

Customs Manager of Investigations Maurice O'Brien told Mike Hosking offshore drug syndicates prey on trusting and vulnerable people.

"They just use the internet, they groom and recruit people and eventually develop relationships with them, then the request comes to undertake some travel."

Grey Power president Tom O'Connor said they're preying on the vulnerable - and people can be vulnerable for all sorts of reasons.

He said drug traffickers will target anybody they can, and they don't care about the damage they cause.

Mr O'Connor said generally when strangers ask you to do something out of the ordinary, it's not innocent and they are looking to take advantage of kind hearted people

It's another reprehensible example of social parasites targeting the vulnerable, he said.

Fighting talk from Andrew Little in the wake of the Mt Roskill by election.

His Labour candidate Michael Wood has won almost 70 percent of the vote, leaving National's Parmjeet Parma in the distance.

The Labour leader told Mike Hosking John Key should reflect on his performance given he spent seven days campaigning in the electorate.

"He talked up how they have got to get the turnout, described themselves as the underdog even though they possibly weren't, and then said that my leadership was on the line."

"Then we got the result that we got, so this is something going on there."

The Soap Box: The writing was always on the ballot paper for Labour win

Green MP Gareth Hughes says his Members Bill is about priorities, and students would still pay back their study debt.

The Bill has been pulled from the ballot at Parliament.

SEE ALSO: Rachel Smalley: Greens' home ownership policy will fuel inequality

It would mean those paying back their student loans would be able to defer those repayments towards a first home purchase scheme instead, if they chose to.

Gareth Hughes told Mike Hosking he's left it up to the government to decide how far this goes.

SEE ALSO: Greens' home ownership scheme too narrow-minded: Property Institute

He said if the Minister decided five years was a practical amount of time, the average graduate could save $18,000 over that period towards a first home deposit.

Mr Hughes said he'll be looking for support from multiple parties - because home affordability is an important issue.

LISTEN ABOVE: Green MP Gareth Hughes spoke with Mike Hosking

Air New Zealand has released a hilarious holiday song for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere who have never seen a white Christmas.

Irish singer Ronan Keating and rising star Julian Dennison of Hunt for the Wilderpeople fame have teamed up for the video, shared on the company's social media pages this morning.

Summer Wonderland, the Kiwi take on Winter Wonderland is a cheeky ode to pavs, jandals and everything else that makes the holidays here special.

Julian Dennison joined Mike Hosking to talk about working on the video, as well as what he calls 'the best year of his life'.

Southland is on the hunt for 10,000 people to keep the economy going in the next decade.

The Government has allocated $2.4 million to the Southland Regional Development Strategy to boost the population of 100,000.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt joined Mike Hosking to give his thoughts.

The Canadian town of Kensington has an an unusual plan to deter its residents from drinking and driving this holiday season.

Not only will the police officers charge you, they'll also blast music by rock band Nickelback while they haul you to jail.

The Kensington Police Service has laid down the law in a Facebook post for those they describe as dumb enough to feel they can drink and drive.

It says, on top of a hefty fine, a criminal charge and a year's driving suspension, they'll also provide a bonus gift of playing Nickelback in the patrol car on the way to jail.

LISTEN ABOVE: Constable Robb Hartlen spoke with Mike Hosking

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Labour's Deputy Leader Annette King join Mike Hosking to discuss the Mount Roskill by-election, NCEA exam stuff-ups, and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff's proposed tourist tax.

Ray Columbus is being seen as the secret to the success of many New Zealand musicians.

The entertainer has died at the age of 74.

His song She's a Mod reached the top of the Australian charts in the 1960s and he and his band the Invaders toured with international acts including The Rolling Stones.

Leesa Tilley started working with Ray Columbus 16 years ago and told Mike Hosking he was kind and generous with his time and energy.

"And he was just such a force to be reckoned with. Had so much enthusiasm, and he believed in people so much that is really made people succeed."

Ray Columbus was given an OBE in 1974 for Services to Entertainment.