The Mike Hosking Breakfast

There are fears upcoming changes to our tax laws will make big businesses look twice before coming here.

Businesses are bracing themselves for a legislative crackdown so tax avoidance loopholes can be closed.

EY executive tax director David Snell told Mike Hosking while some changes would be good, others would be overkill.

It may make people pause before bringing money into the country when there are other options available, Snell said.

He said New Zealand already has most of the world's best tax rules.

A study has found consent is the last thing Kiwi dads want to talk about with their sons.

A researcher for anti-domestic violence organisation, White Ribbon, has found just 78 per cent of dads he interviewed do not regularly talk to their sons about what consent is.

Garth Baker told Mike Hosking it is a concern because many of a teenager's decisions are dictated by what is taught by parents.

"What's clear is that fathers could be doing a lot, lot more, right through the life of their son - so starting early, getting involved, promoting respect as a behaviour."

He said if they are not getting information from their fathers, they will look to sources such as friends, the internet, or pornography.

"And pornography is basically about abusing women."

The study also found there is a double standard around sex and consent discussions. 

When it comes to their daughters, fathers are twice as likely to talk about when it is okay and not okay to have sex with someone.

Mr Baker said dads know there is an issue and want to protect their daughters, but they need to be doing the same for their sons.

"There's still an attitude towards teenage boys, that boys will be boys, they're a bit wild, they're out of control.

“We can’t expect girls to take all the responsibility for their sexual safety; we need to teach our boys to behave respectfully and legally."

He said teenage boys do want direction about respectful behaviour and how they can have good relationships.

A growing number of US computer scientists, academics and activists are urging Hillary Clinton to ask for a vote recount in several states.

They say there is a questionable trend of Clinton receiving at least 7% fewer votes in places that used electronic votes than areas that used paper ballots.

US correspondent Nick Bryant told Mike Hosking there was always a concern that outside influences such as Russian hackers could have changed votes, but no proof of hacking has been found.

He said there is also a growing movement for Electoral College voters to change their votes, but it's unlikely Donald Trump will be denied the presidency in this way.

Mike Hosking loves to vacuum, and he was fired up this morning defending the honour of his machine after it came in for criticism from Kerre McIvor and Mark Dye.

Not only was Hosking shocked to hear that there were other hosts working at Newstalk ZB, he was also shocked that they didn't just use their common sense about the vacuum left out, and simply do some hoovering. 

Who was in the right? Was it Kerre and Mark? Or was it Mike Hosking? Let them know on their facebook pages.

The Racing Board is defending its decision not to allow public submissions to an inquiry into greyhound racing.

LISTEN ABOVE: Racing Board chair Glenda Hughes spoke to Mike Hosking

It's launched a welfare inquiry to look at the breeding, racing and retirement of the dogs.

Critics are upset there'll be no public submissions.

But Chair Glenda Hughes told Mike Hosking anything found to be of concern will be dealt with.

She said the industry has its own Racing Integrity Unit that's very reactive to any complaints.

"At this stage what we're looking at are the processes that are currently in place and whether they are working."

Ms Hughes said the industry has done a lot of things to keep in check like having a close relationship with the SPCA and having a re-homing programme for retired dogs.

"We've got a good industry but I also think there will be some things that need to be tidied up. I'd be questioning a completely perfect report because those things just don't exist."

They'll have the results early next year.

The Green Party says those who can no longer live in their rentals following the earthquake shouldn't have to pay rent.

Co-leader James Shaw said building owners should have insurance that would cover loss of income in the event of the earthquake.

He told Mike Hosking he's heard of a number of cases since the quake where people are being charged rent in a certain buildings, but can't live there.

"If you're a building owner and you've got tenants who ca no longer live in your building, you should be examining your conscience, not just the legal situation."

"I think in this situation we're mostly talking about owners of apartment buildings - certainly in Wellington that's the main problem."

Caution from the Finance Minister when it comes to the question of tax-cuts.

Bill English said on the positive side, the dairy industry, tourism and exports are up.

But he said on the other hand, we've just had the earthquake, big pressures in Defence and the prison system and rebuilding schools.

MORE: Key hints at a tax package targeting families, but earthquakes could see a delay

Bill English told Mike Hosking we have to see how the numbers shake out.

"You have to be a bit careful here, particularly when we have with the earthquake a lot of costs that won't be apparent now."

Bill English said any tax cuts and family package would come into place some time next year.

Gerry Brownlee hopes to get to the bottom of claims our earthquake-monitoring service is under-funded.

The Acting Civil Defence Minister will meet with the head of GNS Science today, to address comments by GeoNet head Ken Gledhill.

Mr Brownlee said no approach has been made to the Government, nor has Geonet reported its view that it would like a better monitoring system.

He told Mike Hosking he's been blind-sided by the comments.

"You're sort of left feeling like, oh my god, if I'd only known. But you can't know, I'm not a scientist, almost nobody in politics is."

"We rely on these guys to be able to give us good information and pick up and fund this sort of thing appropriately, and we don't back away from that sort of thing."

There are calls for a three star quake rating system to be trialled on buildings to promote higher standard in design.

It comes as the state of Wellington's earthquake damaged buildings looks increasingly dire.

A similar rating system has recently been implemented in California.

US resiliency council director Ron Mayes told Mike Hosking the new system would have ratings for safety, damage and recovery.

He said that's more thorough than New Zealand's system which really only focuses on being life-safe.

Mr Mayes said there's something seriously wrong with how the Statistics New Zealand building fared in Monday's earthquake because the design and construction should've performed better.

LISTEN ABOVE: US resiliency council director Ron Mayes spoke with Mike Hosking

Broods is still fizzing after winning big at the Music Awards.

The brother sister duo, made up of Caleb and Georgia Nott, took away five Tuis including Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Best Group.

Georgia Nott told Mike Hosking they won more awards than they were expecting.

"It feels really surreal. We're still waiting for it to sink in a little bit, but maybe if I watch it back on TV or something I'll feel like it really happened," she said.

"Just being able to do this full-time and have other people love what we create and want to come and see us play and want to come and talk to us about songs that mean something to them, that's more than you could ask for as a musician."

LISTEN ABOVE: Georgia Nott of Broods spoke with Mike Hosking