Auditors are calling out schools for questionable spending on overseas trips and travel. 

The Auditor-General’s latest report flagged concerns with more than 170 school boards last year, many involving how principals used coaching and wellbeing funds. 

Around a third were tied to travel. 

Sector Manager for Schools, Jane Rogers told Heather du Plessis-Allan some boards allowed personal travel to be added onto work trips. 

She says spending public money has to have a justifiable purpose, so they wouldn't expect it to be spent on personal travel. 

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A New Zealand navy ship's been shadowed by seven Chinese warships in East Asian waters.  

HMNZS Aotearoa was carrying out surveillance and deterrence activities last month to enforce the UN's sanctions against North Korea.   

The Defence Force has confirmed the warships kept a safe distance throughout. 

Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Heather du Plessis-Allan it indicates China firmly believes in its sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait. 

He says a growing consciousness of military might means China's less tolerant of infringements on what it sees as its sovereign claim. 

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Contractors want one thing from the Government’s RMA overhaul: a simpler system. 

Ministers are today announcing significant changes to consenting as part of a shake-up to the Resource Management Act. 

It's expected to cut the need for consents in 46% of cases that currently need them. 

Civil Contractors NZ CEO Alan Pollard told Heather du Plessis-Allan RMA is the biggest barrier to getting projects off the ground quickly. 

He says the act is complicated, vague, and creates significant costs. 

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Australian Correspondent Steve Price joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about a recent poll showing 70% of Australian parents are in support of this weeks social media ban.

But, only 35% are confident that the platforms will effectively block children.

And, Sports Minister Anika Wells is in more hot water after charging taxpayers more than $4000 in flights so her husband could join her at three cricket events.

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United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will not confirm whether the video footage of a strike on a Venezuelan boat will be released.

Critics have called the strike a war crime. 

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the replacement of long-time ally and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

And, self driving car company Waymo has recalled software after its cars repeatedly failed to stop for school buses.

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Thousands of Police issued 'formal warnings' have been scrapped after findings that 63% were issued unlawfully. 

'Formal warnings' are used as alternatives to prosecutions where the offence is deemed unworthy of going through the courts. 

Last week, Police told all staff that compulsory training will be rolled out and an updated policy for formal warnings would be issued by the end of the year.

Defence lawyer John Munroe joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about how this happened, and what it means. 

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Another major shake up is coming to the streaming sphere as Netflix agrees to acquire Warner Bros Studios.

The $125B acquisition includes HBO Max - giving them the rights to shows like Game of Thrones, Succession, and Euphoria. 

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has said theatrical releases will become more limited, as Netflix sees them as not 'consumer friendly'.

Wall Street Journal media and entertainment reporter Joe Flint told Heather du Plessis Allan, "generally Wall Street and Hollywood already felt Netflix was the king. So yes, if this goes through, not only are they the king, but they've probably extended their reign by 100 years or so."

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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday the 5th of December with Heather du Plessis-Allan, Mark Mitchell responds to Andrew Coster's allegations and the police are having to do away with thousands of formal warnings because officers haven't followed protocol.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon responds to Coster's allegations and the taxpayers expected campaign against the Government.

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine take us through Lando Norris winning the F1 Championship, Lawson getting the nod for next year and why Bazball is failing England in the Ashes series.  

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Signs of a brighter economy in the year to come. 
 
ASB's forecasting annual growth of more than two-and a half percent in 2026.
 
It points to an accelerated housing market, more resilient exports, and a renewed willingness to spend.
 
Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Heather du Plessis-Allan we can expect inflation to soften further,  with the Reserve Bank seeing more stimulus in the pipeline. 
 
He says it's in wait and see mode - but seems fairly confident it won't have to cut interest rates any further. 

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Police Minister Mark Mitchell's doubling down on his version of the McSkimming saga timeline - calling recent claims "absolute utter nonsense."

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster's come out over the weekend claiming Mitchell - and Chris Hipkins - knew about the McSkimming affair, years earlier than they're letting on. 

However Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan he was only told on November 6th 2024. 

He says Coster was told to brief him by the Public Service Commission, and he didn't buy or swallow the narrative that McSkimming was a victim. 

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