The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Is Chris Hipkins missing a gene?
Does he have a self-destructive predilection? Or is he just a pillock by nature?
He rolls into Auckland to tell the nation's biggest city and engine room in election year that she's all good and everyone has moved on from the lockdowns. His lockdowns.
The home handyman from the Hutt, telling Auckland what's what.
What an arrogant twat.
He was in Auckland to build rapport, to patch up the damage, to scope the joint and to see what sort of chance his party has come November.
Love or hate Auckland, elections are won and lost in the city. No one gets to Government without a good day in Auckland.
Even for a small country it is true to say there are countries within countries, or cultures and vibes within cultures and vibes.
It took me a while to get a grip on Wellington before I moved there. It's different to Christchurch. It's different to Dunedin, and Auckland is different to each of the other urban centres.
I think Chris Bishop has found that out by suggesting his two million home debacle. He's from Wellington too. If you are too entrenched in Wellington, you don’t get Auckland.
Hipkins suggested the only people who ever ask him about lockdown these days is Newstalk ZB.
1) That’s not true and yesterday was an example given the person who asked wasn’t from Newstalk ZB.
2) Newstalk ZB is the biggest game in Auckland and by a long way.
Dismissing the biggest radio player in Auckland, and the country, is about as stupid as saying Aucklanders have moved on from lockdown.
Ultimately, it's another example of why I have said all year that this election is over before it starts.
Labour will not win.
The pain, suffering and incompetence of 2020-23 is still too raw, real and recent to forgive and forget. Making it worse is the fact the very same people who did the damage are still there waiting for another crack.
Judging by yesterday, they’ve learned nothing, want to learn nothing and are as arrogant as last time.
Hipkins may well realise that, come election night when he loses and inevitably has to resign given he will have lost twice.
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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.

"Next year's on me": 7/10
Got there at last. In a country with less than no money, why spend a fortune on an idea that didn’t, doesn’t, and won't, work.

Sir Graham Henry: 8/10
This is an excellent idea, and Dave Rennie needs to be congratulated. Big brains and a lot of experience are not to be underestimated.

The war: 4/10
For the first time, I think Trump is stuck. Yes, he can hold out but he doesn’t have the political road. In the ebb and flow of this story, he is now the 'ebb'.

The Australian Budget: 2/10
Based on a blatant lie. They said they wouldn’t and they did. And they wonder why politicians are held in shocking regard.

Keir Starmer: 1/10
Makes Albanese look straight up and down.

LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW
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The leaders of the world's two most powerful countries haven't been able to agree on many things during their face-to-face talks in Beijing.
US President Donald Trump says Chinese President Xi Jinping is offering to help in some way with America's war in Iran, without providing military assistance.
But Xi's warned Trump the US and China could clash over Taiwan if they're not on the same page.
US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has responded, saying US policy on the issue of Taiwan is unchanged.
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The end of the week has arrived, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back on the line to Wrap the Week that Was.
They offered some viewing recommendations and discussed awards ceremonies and a significant date for one of the Breakfast team.
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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 15th of May, all eyes are on the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing, and Nikhil Ravishankar discusses a shocking forecast for Air NZ.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie gives his first one-on-one interview since taking up the role.
And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk gifts and an anniversary for one of the team as they Wrap the Week.
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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