The Mike Hosking Breakfast

National leader Judith Collins was grilled on why her party should lead New Zealand through a pandemic and the economic fallout during the first of Newstalk ZB's Leaders Breakfasts today.
Mike Hosking put the questions to Collins over two hours, starting from 7am.
Collins has used her extended interview to announce new policy - in the first 100 days of Government to launch an inquiry into Auckland Council - in particular council controlled organisations, including Auckland Transport and WaterCare.
"I have a particular beef with Auckland Transport, I just think it's destroyed the central city," said Collins, who criticised cycle lanes in her electorate and what she claimed was the organisation's desire to "make everything cycling or walking".
She also denied politicising her faith, after being photographed praying in a church yesterday: "We just happened to be voting in a church....the minister said, would you like to pop in and have a prayer?...I didn't invite the media in."



The National leader talked up the economic potential of oil and gas, saying "we have potential to be, basically, the North Sea in the south...there is enough there, according to the geologists...that's how places like Norway became so rich."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will front next Monday, as she lays out her alternative vision for the country.
Is Collins politicising her faith?
The first question put to Collins by Hosking was whether she was politicising Christianity, after being photographed praying at St Thomas Church in Auckland yesterday, before casting an early vote.
Collins said she wasn't, and had been a Christian all her life.
"We just happened to be voting in a church....the minister said, would you like to pop in and have a prayer?...I didn't invite the media in."
Collins said she prayed for general guidance, rather than specifics. She prays once a day.
"It just happened to be that I was in a church...I was hardly going to turn it down."
On the border, Collins said National would have strong protective measures in place, and the current government didn't appear confident in safeguards.
Would Auckland be at level 1? "Obviously...the whole thing is getting to the stage where it just seems to be wallowing in Covid...it is causing immense hardship, economically and also stress level-wise for people."
Collins indicated Auckland had been in level 2 for too long, and said Taiwan, for example, had managed much better without lockdowns.
On Labour's announcement of wanting to look into supermarket and building supply prices, via market reviews done by the Commerce Commission, Collins said Labour had been talking about a supermarket inquiry for a long time.
The National leader said Emma Mellow had a very good shot at winning in Auckland Central - "it is a three horse race...we have momentum".
A "toxic" problem at Canterbury DHB, RMA reform and not being a "closed shop" to international students
On Canterbury DHB's huge deficits, Collins said the population in Canterbury had been underestimated in the past, and the whole situation was a "mess".
"The DHB and the Ministry currently have an absolutely toxic work relationship."
Both National and Labour have pledged to repeal and replace the Resource Management Act (RMA). Collins said it needed to be replaced by two pieces of legislation, one on planning and development, and another on environmental standards.
"There is an opportunity to cut through a lot of the red tape...it might upset a few really busy-body type people."
Should the borders be more open to international students? Collins said they had to be, given the importance to the economy. National would work with the universities and accommodation providers, with quarantine processes checked by officials.
We couldn't be a "closed shop".
"$5.1b industry...it is the flow-on effect for all the out years...

Four year parliamentary terms could come sooner than we think.
Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins are both in favour of the idea, making it known at the second leaders' debate earlier this week.
In fact, most party leaders agree including ACT's David Seymour, New Zealand First's Winston Peters and the Greens if it's put to the public.
Mike Hosking is joined by Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby to discuss this, along with more issues making news this week.
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The second coronavirus wave in Australia's worst-hit state, Victoria, has been attributed to Melbourne's bungled hotel quarantine. And there are now concerns of a repeat disaster.
An inquiry into Victoria's hotel quarantine programme has wrapped up its evidentiary phase after testimony from former state Health Minister Jenny Mikakos and Premier Daniel Andrews last week.
In submissions made on Monday, counsel assisting the inquiry Ben Ilhe said the inquiry could "comfortably find that the hotel quarantine programme in Victoria failed to achieve its primary objective".
Therefore, he said, hotels became "a feeding ground for the spread of Covid-19 in the community".
"The failure by the hotel quarantine program to contain this virus is today responsible for the deaths of 768 people and the infection of 18,490 [people]," he said.
The comments were a damning assessment of the handling of the programme — a programme the premier insists was being overseen by his former health minister.
He says changes have been made to ensure the safety of Victorians in hotel quarantine, but as the state drops below 300 active cases for the first time in months, there are fresh concerns.
It emerged this week that as many as nine hotel quarantine workers could have contracted coronavirus at work since late July, rather than in the community, as had been previously thought.
Of the nine who became infected, five of them were Spotless employees, one was a Department of Health and Human Services staff member and two worked for Alfred Health.
Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer, Allen Cheng, told reporters on Thursday that investigations were under way to determine exactly when and how the nine became infected.
"We know that it's not part of one big outbreak because they're in different times and different places but I understand that the investigation is ongoing," he said.
The ABC reports that Spotless workers at the Novotel Melbourne South Wharf hotel were stood down in the middle of a shift on Wednesday amid concerns about infection control.
Opposition leader Michael O'Brien shared concerns about a third wave being started in Victoria, saying it is "absolutely disgraceful" for DHHS to continue to use private contractors in a hotel quarantine setting.
"After 800 deaths, the least we deserve from this premier is honesty and competence and this story shows that we've got neither," O'Brien said.
"To think that he's still got private security guards in hotels, still not doing proper infection control, still putting the community at risk, this is a government that just won't listen and just won't learn."
But Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton is insisting he will wait for the results of genomic testing before assuming the workers were infected on the job.
"If genomic testing comes through that indicates otherwise we'd reassess on that basis, but that hasn't come through yet," he said.
"We've had 20,000 cases in Victoria, they've been in staff settings as cleaners and as security, but have picked it up in the community."
Andrews, who has overseen a rocky few weeks of driving case numbers down, says the hotel quarantine programme is going through a process of change.
"It's not necessarily settled and it'll continue to evolve," he told reporters.
The hotel quarantine inquiry is expected to hand down its findings in November.

By RNZ
Clinicians and doctors at Canterbury District Health Board are stunned by the Government's deficit-matching cash injection, but say it leaves many problems unresolved.
Health Minister Chris Hipkins on Thursday met with management and clinical leaders to discuss their dire financial situation, at the same time announcing a $180 million equity injection.
That is the same amount the DHB is in deficit for, but there is confusion over what the money will be used for.
Documents released by Treasury show the deficit is due to underfunding over the past 10 years and poor management - something Dr David Smyth, who is the chief of medicine at Christchurch Hospital, disagrees with.
"We didn't deliberately get ourselves into this situation, I'm convinced that it's all to do with the effects of the earthquake and the Hagley building has come in two years late."

Health Minister Chris Hipkins: "The advice that I've had is that the DHB can get back in the black without making service cuts as other DHBs around the country are doing." Photo / Andrew Warner.
Smyth said everyone at the DHB is sick of being stressed and wants to move forward.
"The meeting with the minister was a bit underwhelming if I'm honest, he came in and said he was here to listen.
"We want solutions we want action, we want ongoing engagement," he said.
"We need the knee off our neck, we need some breathing space and need to know that people are working with us in order to progress."
Smyth said they were all blindsided by the minister's announcement of $180m.
"I don't really understand what he means by an equity injection, is it a gift or a loan?"
RNZ understands the money is not a loan - but a cash injection to help the DHB pay staff.
Conditions on how the money is to be spent are outlined in a letter from the minister to the DHB - a letter RNZ has not seen.
Hipkins said the DHB is in an unsustainable position and needs to get back on a stable financial footing.
"Ultimately you do need to have some level of financial discipline, if every DHB in the country said, 'we'll just spend what we think we need to spend in order to operate, we won't worry about a budget', the whole health system would be in difficulty."
Hipkins said it will be hard but the Canterbury District Health Board can make cuts.
"The advice that I've had is that the DHB can get back in the black without making service cuts as other DHBs around the country are doing, the Government is overall significantly increasing the spending on DHBs.



"Canterbury seem to be increasing their spending faster than the government investment is increasing by - that is not sustainable."
Elected board members spoken to by RNZ were not aware the minister was in Christchurch on Thursday and were not invited to the meeting.
Board member Aaron Keown said it is clear where the Government stands, which means the board can get on with things.
He said it is time for a new era.
"I'm not here to point the finger, I just want to find solutions to move forward.
"I understand the ministry's position and I understand the board's position, now we need to try to find some middle ground and get on with things instead of looking backwards," Keown said.



- RNZ

Lowering the Official Cash Rate might be the best move for New Zealand.
Economists predict the Reserve Bank is likely to take the OCR into negative territory around April next year.
Former Reserve Bank governor Don Brash told Mike Hosking he's in favour of lowering the OCR.
He says it seemed to work out for the other countries that've tried it.
"The European Union, Japan, Denmark, Switzerland, and Sweden have taken their cash rate below zero - and they think it's benefited their economies."
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New Zealand Rugby has rejected reports they approved the schedule for the Rugby Championship - that could see the All Blacks spending Christmas Day in quarantine and has fuelled the organisation's bitter recent spat with Rugby Australia.
NZR chairman Brent Impey said leaked minutes of a meeting, allegedly involving Sanzaar chief executives, was "illegitimate".
NZR last week expressed their disappointment after Sanzaar, the governing body for Southern Hemisphere rugby, announced the Rugby Championship schedule that would see the All Blacks play their final game on December 12, and have to spend Christmas away from their families due to the Government's 14-day Covid-19 managed isolation regulations.
Australian media have reported that leaked minutes of a meeting between the Sanzaar chief executives shows that New Zealand were not "blindsided" by the announcement of the six-week tournament - and that the draw was accepted by everyone.
"I'm the chairman of Sanzaar and there's not been a Sanzaar board meeting since the 4th of August," Impey said.
"The notes that have been published are not board minutes, and they've got a fundamental error in it as far as we're concerned, which says the six-week draw was agreed by all. I can tell you that it wasn't – we know that, and Rugby Australia and Sanzaar know that.
"The notes also quite clearly refer to an impasse and there are many emails that prove this... our position has never changed."

New Zealand Rugby and Sanzaar chairman Brent Impey. Photo / Photosport
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier confirmed isolation rules will not be loosened for the All Blacks players and staff who travel across the ditch, meaning a reschedule of games is the only hope at this stage of seeing New Zealand players and staff join their families by December 25.
"Our focus is trying on getting the TRC [Rugby Championship] issue sorted, and we're not going to bother to engage in tit for tat on what was so-called notes, which weren't minutes and weren't board minutes either," Impey said.
"We do challenge those that have made comments concerning NZR's integrity, we defend out position and we're firm on it".
Impey conceded there is still a lot to sort around the Rugby Championship, and says NZR CEO Mark Robinson and colleagues are working through that process.
"There are a number of solutions; we haven't got one we can table at the moment… but it's top of mind," Impey adds.
Despite suggestions the relationship between New Zealand and Australia Rugby is at its lowest, Impey describes it as a "bit of banter".
"The relationship isn't bad at all; we've had a couple of zoom meetings that have been positive.
"It's in our mutual interests to do so [work together], there are no relationship hurdles as far as we're concerned."

He was a teppanyaki chef with decades of experience working at top hotels and couldn't believe it when he was told his career was to be put on hold.
Martin Lowe, a former top chef at Kabuki in Stamford Plaza and then Katsura at the Grand Millennium, said his heart "nearly stopped" when he and his colleagues were told in March they were no longer needed because the hotel was being turned into a Covid-19 isolation facility.
Lowe decided instead of switching careers, he would run a takoyaki stall full time, selling the popular Japanese street food which has bits of octopus in a dough ball, at various markets.
Victoria Yao, co-founder of the Auckland Night Markets, has received an increasing number of enquiries from restaurateurs and chefs who have lost their jobs wanting to set up stalls at the market.
About 540 restaurants have closed and 9310 staff have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic, the Restaurant Association estimates.
"Many restaurants are struggling and because of the uncertainty as a result of Covid 19, they are looking at not renewing their long-term leases," Yao said.
"Instead, they are looking at running food stalls at our markets as a way to keep their businesses going until they can get a clearer picture of what's happening in the industry."
Restaurant owner Ru Tian Ou, who now runs a stall selling dim sum at the market, said he had to close his Tasty House Restaurant in Otahuhu in March.
"Our restaurant has been around a very long time, but business was hard hit since people stopped eating out earlier this year," Ou said.
"Although it was a painful decision, it made no business sense to continue, so we decided to close it in March."
Ou says the market stall came with "little risks" because "it only pays if you turn up on the night".
Renno Paul, a former head chef who has worked at several popular restaurants including Porterhouse Grill, Zookeepers Son and Applejacks, is now running Kombase, a food truck selling burgers, fried chicken and fries.
"I don't see the hospo industry bouncing back anytime soon, so having this food truck will at least give me some control and certainty over having a job," Paul said.
"There are no tourists, no students and people are losing jobs on a daily basis, and one of the first things they will cut off is dining out at fancy restaurants. But we still have a fighting chance here at the markets."
Lowe has roped in his wife and 18-year-old son to help at his takoyaki stall.
"This business is now feeding our whole family and you can say we are living from hand to mouth. But it is still better than having nothing," Lowe said.
"We live on what we make, and have cut back on many things. No more shopping and we're not going out as much.
"We will keep this going, and just keep hoping that things will improve post-pandemic."
Marisa Bidois, Restaurant Association chief executive said people in the hospitality industry were creative and resilient.
"It is not the establishment itself that defines a restaurateur, it's the style of food they serve and the way that they serve it," Bidois said.
"The essence of 'manaakitanga' – the act of showing respect, generosity and care for others - runs strong in hospitality folk and so we are certainly expecting to see more diversification including pop ups and collaborations as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on our industry."
She advised people to stay connected to those in the know through the association's Dine Find website and foodie pages on Facebook to learn about new food experiences.
"We'd also recommend just getting out there and trying new things," Bidois said.
"Night markets, farmers markets, pop ups – these types of places are often the testing ground for new ideas and visiting them is a great way to be the first to know about them."

The financial watchdog is keeping a close eye on the fees being charged by KiwiSaver providers.
The Financial Market Authority's latest KiwiSaver annual report shows fund managers charged almost $539 million in the year to March - but funds lost $801 million dollars over the period due to Covid 19.
Authority regulation director Liam Mason told Mike Hosking officials are monitoring whether providers are continuing to charge reasonable fees.
He says there has been movement from some providers and fees aren't going up, but they're going to need to put some pressure on the industry.
'We're closely monitoring fees, but expect them to decline in the coming years."
Mason says investment returns may have fallen, but KiwiSaver contributions have increased, and that should bring down fees.
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At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.
The US Presidential Debate.
6/10.
"It was the hottest of hot messes. Poor old Chris Wallace still has a cold compress on.  
But if you're wondering what's wrong with America lately and couldn’t put your finger on it, that 90 minutes gave you a good clue."
The New Zealand Leaders Debate.
8/10.
"Round two a world away from round one.
Everyone was awake, the pace picked up, and we all benefited as a result."  
The Polls.
7/10.
"The tightening is on, the numbers are closing, the numbers are falling for some, and rising for others.
It all adds to the spectacle."
ACT's Health Policy.
9/10.
"So simple, yet so hard to achieve up until now.
Good on them."
The Greens' Transport Policy.
2/10.
"No cars, a harbour crossing for a train, everyone gets free buses, and all it costs is $13 billion from a wealth tax.
What do you mean it's wacky and will never happen?"
Winston Peters.
2/10.
"Does it get any worse?
One or two percent in the polls and the SFO after your mates."
Cannabis Referendum.
7/10.
"Two polls both tell us the no vote will win.
This is excellent news and a display of good old-fashioned common sense from middle New Zealand."
Holiday Parks.
8/10.
"Numbers are up significantly on last year.
With Denarau out, Taupo anyone?"
Provincial New Zealand.
8/10.
The move is on and it might be permanent. Zoom towns, they call them.
No traffic, less stress, tech affords a new life."
Southland.  
7/10.  
"No, not for the rugby, although the rugby looks good. For the yield on property.  
You want a good return on a house? The figures tell us to let's head to Southland."
LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW

President Donald Trump opposes changing the rules for the remaining two presidential debates against Democrat Joe Biden, but his campaign says he will attend regardless.
Tuesday's opening debate in Cleveland quickly turned chaotic, with frequent interruptions by the candidates — particularly Trump. The Commission on Presidential Debates said Wednesday that it “intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates.”
The commission and representatives from Trump's and Biden's campaigns met Wednesday morning to discuss the previous night’s debate and potential changes. But the commission, which has organized every general election debate since 1988, did not specify what changes it is considering.
Trump, a Republican, tweeted Thursday that he opposed any changes. “Why would I allow the Debate Commission to change the rules for the second and third Debates when I easily won last time,” he tweeted shortly after landing in New Jersey, where he was to hold a campaign fundraiser at his private golf club.
On a conference call with reporters, Trump's reelection campaign indicated that Trump would attend the remaining debates regardless of whether the rules are changed.
“We’re ready to move on to the second and third debates," said campaign communications strategist Jason Miller. "There shouldn’t be any changes. We don’t want any changes.”
He declined to issue an ultimatum that Trump would not attend if changes were made.
Andrew Bates, a spokesperson for Biden, said “we will participate under the CPD’s rules.”
Organizers and both campaigns expect that the next presidential debate, a “town meeting” set for Oct. 15 in Miami, will be more orderly, as the candidates address questions asked directly to them by voters. The third and final debate, set for Oct. 22 in Nashville, is slated to feature a similar format to Tuesday's event.