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Former Prime Minister Sir John Key is repeating a call not to engage in strategic voting, saying it's "not a smart idea" to split the vote.  He told Mike Hosking the centre-right political party, the biggest party in the parliament, needs to have a strong core.   "If you eat away at that and you say, 'okay, well, I'll give my party vote somewhere else', then then you put Labour right in the box seat to be the first party that can form a government."  Sir John released a video earlier this morning urging people to vote and told Hosking he wasn't worried, but it was a very tight race.  "If people don't vote, you know, I would worry that they would wake up on November the 8th and have buyer's remorse," he said.  Sir John suggested voters were lethargic as the campaign had lacked "drama" compared to some elections he had been involved in.  "People just go, 'oh, I'm bored with all this, I just won't vote'. But the consequences of a change of government are very, very significant."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 campaign: 4/10  When Chlöe and Winston agree it's bad, you've got to listen.      Polls: 4/10  There has to be some sort of reckoning around this stuff. The RNZ Reid Research poll was rogue, clearly, the spread is absurd and the methodology is ropey as all you-know-what. Who is actually paying for this nonsense?      The Reserve Bank: 8/10  What a move! What a vote, and the Governor might be the Government's best appointment of the past three years.      Apple: 2/10  How is it in 2026 we are still putting phones into the market, charging thousands, and they break upon opening?      Christchurch stadium: 1/10  It's the Apple question – why in 2026 are we still building stuff that doesn’t work the way it should?      LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, the winner in week... what is it, five or six?  The winner in week five of the election campaign was the polls. Not the pollsters. The polls.  They were far from winners. The spread, the margin of error in some, is now so absurd they're writing articles about it.  Ironically, I listened to an interview on Radio NZ as they tried to explain it. Small clue: they couldn't. They couldn't explain why their polls didn't bear any real resemblance to any of the other polls.  There was a debate a number of years ago that polls should be banned a few weeks out from a vote. Given the variance in methodology these days, I reckon that's probably not a bad idea.  But the polls I mean are the polling booths.  I have voted. I voted on day one. And, as it turns out, a lot of people did. And that is a good sign.  In part, it's a sign that a lot of us knew what we were voting for and had done for a while. In essence, the campaign makes zero difference.  And the irony of course, is that once you can vote, and you do, the campaign is chasing ever-diminishing returns.  And that is sort of what it feels like. This is a small-policy election. With the exception of the Greens, of course. But it's a rats-and-mice election.  Labour have contained themselves, so they don't look radical. ACT are the personification of contained. NZ First do a bit of Māorification stuff and talk about trains.  But given the state of the books, no one in their right mind has gone out with a cheque book and gone to town, for very obvious reasons.  Except the Greens, of course, who will see none of their big-ticket policies ever see the light of day.  Oh, and we aren't buying the BNZ.  The most controversial policy, if feedback is anything to go by, has been Labour's rent-to-buy scheme. The state gives you money in your state house, then takes taxpayers' money and puts it aside and one day calls it a deposit so you can buy it.  Meanwhile, someone in the same circumstances doesn't get a house, or a deposit, or anything.  Cool policy.  You didn't like it.  So, good week for most. No one blew it. The gang fiasco faded.  And I'm still picking Opportunity not to make it.  One week to go.  Thank the good Lord.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The short week has come to a close, which means it's time for Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson to help Mike Hosking Wrap the Week that Was.  They unpack how the election campaign has gone with just one more week until the big day and discuss the new programme the Ministry of Education is rolling out for gifted kids before Mike starts telling slanderous lies about his producer.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supercross is back in New Zealand for the first time since 2019.  Auckland's North Harbour Stadium is hosting the second round of the AUSX Australian Championship this weekend, with 5,500 tonnes of dirt used to build the track.  After winning both the American Supercross and Motocross 250 titles this year, Kiwi motocross star Cole Davies is competing in this weekend's event.  He told Mike Hosking he's stoked his hard work has paid off this year.  Davies says he's achieving the goals and dreams he's had since he was a little kid.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes a new approach to gifted education will help students reach their full potential.  The Ministry of Education's rolling out a new national programme from January, aiming to better support their curriculum and social-emotional needs.  A review of past support found approaches were inconsistent across the country.  Gifted Education Researcher at Massey University, Professor Tracy Riley told Mike Hosking they're not yet sure what the ministry is planning on doing under the programme, but generally they try to enrich the curriculum and match it to where the kids are at.  She says a lot of gifted kids spend a lot of time waiting – waiting for others to catch up, waiting for the next thing to happen.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 30th of October, Sir John Key gives his thoughts on the second to last week of the election campaign.  Kiwi motocross champ Cole Davies is excited to compete competitively in NZ for the first time since 2019.  And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk the campaign and gifted kids as they Wrap the Week, before Mike starts telling slanderous lies about his producer!  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some solid earnings growth for Freightways, despite pressure from high fuel prices.  The transport and logistics company's first-quarter revenue for the 2027 financial year rose 17.6% to $408.3 million, with net profit up 12% to $26 million.   E-commerce volumes jumped 24%, while retail volumes fell 1% and health volumes dropped 3%.  CEO Mark Troughear told Mike Hosking it reflects signs of growth in New Zealand's economy, and for the first time, we seem to be ahead of Australia.  He says Australia has performed and performed for a very long time, but they're starting to see a bit of pessimism over there and a bit less spending.  Troughear says New Zealand's in a pretty good place as long as we can get through the fuel piece.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Lancaster's preparing for difficult conversations with provincial unions and Super teams in the five major centres.  Operations in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin will be consolidated as part of a drive to reduce costs and increase efficiency by 2028.  Lancaster has acknowledged the decisions will rankle.  He told Mike Hosking change is always challenging, and it always creates a level of angst.   Lancaster also rejects the perception they're taking the easy option, saying the changes will be below the surface in terms of how the competition is delivered, the entities that deliver them, and how they can put more focus on promoting and marketing.  He told Hosking that's why they want to create a dedicated office to run Super Rugby, as opposed to it simply being a function that resides within NZ Rugby and Rugby Australia respectively.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist warns fixing the supermarket sector is much more complicated than breaking up the big players.  The Institute of Economic Research says the move could increase competition but will also be expensive and inefficient for purchasing and distribution.   It wants barriers addressed like limited wholesale access, purchasing advantages for current players, and trouble securing retail sites.   Institute senior economist Susie McKenzie told Mike Hosking limited wholesale access is an unresolved barrier.  She says we need to understand why existing reforms haven't made a difference and aren't giving better access.  McKenzie told Hosking all our political parties are just suggesting different solutions to different problems.  She says from the supermarket challenge is very complicated and there's no simple solution.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold medal for Kelly Eckhold at Westpac.  He called it, or at least suggested the hold we saw from the Reserve Bank wasn't as "home run" as many might have predicted.  This, in a dry, old world of monetary policy, is little short of a blockbuster.  I guess you could argue the 4-3 vote is a good indication of the wider view.  The economy is far from firing. It's far from needing to be contained. So why hike?  Well, because we have inflation above the target. The Bank's job is to keep inflation within the target. Technically, they are failing in that job.  The dollar fell, which, like all economic matters, is good and bad. Fantastic for exporters. No good for the importers, and we do a lot of importing, including things like petrol.  The hold argument is also about the reality of what you are achieving by holding.  Does oil drop? Do rates drop? No, they don't.  Do you squeeze already pressured budgets? Yes, you do.  Part of their argument, perhaps the most fascinating part, is that they don't see price pressure. The person in the middle is soaking up the increased cost and not passing it on to the customer.  Food might be a good example. At 1.9%, it's well contained.  Maybe there is a bit of that about the place. We have reached the point where the retailer would like to sell for more, but the buyer just won't have it. So it's either the current price or no sale.  Of course, it ain't over. The RB will be back in December. Surely a move is on by then and you'd probably argue we might be looking at one next year.  But how useful is the publishing of the vote, the names and how they voted? That's transparency and that's thanks to the new Government who, by the way, voted to hold.  Side note; she appears, once again, to be a material improvement on her predecessor in her understanding of the economy.  The politics? I don't think there are any. It saves the Government another round of explanations about recovery and war, but I think most thinking people get it anyway.  But for the battler, the middle New Zealander, the person who just wanted a brief break in the onslaught on the way to better days, the RB surprised many and came to the party.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Burnham's Government has released its first budget.   UK Chancellor John Healey set out their latest tax and spending measures, saying it's a budget built on fiscal discipline, for the working people of Britain.  Economic growth is forecast at 1.2% this year, and remains under 2% right up to 2031.  UK Correspondent Enda Brady agreed growth is anaemic, but told Mike Hosking the whole of Europe is having similar problems.  He says the plan off the back of this budget seems to be getting people through winter.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Promising signs for small businesses, even in a shaky economy.  A Xero Small Business Insights report shows sales rose 5.6% year-on-year in the September quarter.  New Zealand out-performed all four other countries Xero tracks, with sales growth ahead of Australia, the UK, the US, and Canada.  Xero Country Manager Bridget Snelling told Mike Hosking they'd like to see this momentum continuing into the next quarter, especially since we're heading into the busy festive period.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 29th of October, Reserve Bank Governor Dr Anna Breman explains why they decided to hold the Official Cash Rate.  We go to Israel as their "pivotal" election hangs in the balance, with the question now being who will blink first and join up with the Arab parties to get the majority.  It's the so-called "minor party" leaders show this morning, so Chlöe Swarbrick, David Seymour, and Winston Peters joined to give the lay of the land.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters says the 2026 election campaign is one of the worst he's ever seen.  The New Zealand First Leader told Mike Hosking on the Leaders Breakfast people are sick and tired of it – the pettiness, the diversion, the misleading representation.  He says if you ask people in the audience, as he did at public meeting in the Hutt Valley last night, if they're sick and tired of it, they all put their hands up.  The party is also taking its campaign directly to the people, with Winston Peters arguing packed-out town halls are the best poll there is.  NZ First's been drawing big crowds around the country in recent months, taking a different approach to many of its rivals.  Peters told Hosking the mainstream media has dramatically changed, and claims it now takes sides politically in the worst way he's seen.  He says there's only social media, or the old fashion way of meeting locals, to fight that.  Peters expressed frustration New Zealand wasn’t an export “powerhouse”. Challenged on the relative success of New Zealand’s exports, Peters argued the country should be more successful and reinforced the need to double the value of exports in the next decade.  Asked for his proudest moments of the last term, Peters referred to retaining provincial investment, getting rid of “woke legislation” and increasing New Zealand’s respect on the world stage through his efforts as Foreign Affairs Minister.  On another round of potential negotiations with National and ACT, Peters expected they would progress more smoothly than in 2023 as the two party leaders had experience in Cabinet.  He reinforced the party’s policies designed to retain workers and businesses in New Zealand as opposed to losing them to Australia, noting his proposal to cut the corporate tax rate for small businesses would see a “galvanising of business”.  Peters again declared the Waitangi Tribunal would be scrapped within three months of the next government forming, which he believed was supported by a “significant proportion of the coalition” despite National being of the view that the tribunal had a role to play.  He emphasised the need for National supporters to split their vote by voting for a National candidate but giving their party vote to NZ First or ACT, saying that approach would make it more likely the coalition could be re-elected.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.