The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Paul Henry and I go back a long way. Decades in fact.
He used to read news on a show of mine. I can't say I saw politics in his future, but then I can't say I could have ruled it out either.
And why not him? He's retired, he could be bored, or he could be driven to make a contribution, if hanging out in Wellington is a contribution you want to make.
He is good fun, he is bright, and he is worldly.
But I don’t think he will fit well into the “system”. He is a free spirit, and those sorts of people don’t tend to operate well in teams with instruction.
He spoke passionately about his country. It could be age, but I feel exactly the same way. I don’t have to live here, I chose to because I love this place.
He is in the same sort of position, so why not try to lend a hand?
He spoke singularly about our debt and he is indisputably right. He could have stolen the lines and concern from me.
Maybe all blokes of 60-ish age worry about our debt and our country. Maybe it's because we are old enough to remember better days and see no reason why we can't re-engineer the place to be like it once was.
But politics is about more than debt.
The other issue is if you're going to Wellington to save the country you really need to be in a position of power and National has more power than ACT. So this is clearly also a philosophical or ideological decision – he likes the cut of their libertarian gib.
In terms of performance the place will be better for him. He's fun and quick.
He might want to watch the line between serious and clown, entertaining and nutty, professional and self-indulgent.
The big gamechanger for him will be accountability. Once they vote for you, once they pay for you, they own you and, boy, they let you know it.
But I like people who don’t have to do stuff, doing stuff. They are generally there for the right reasons.
David Seymour told me it's just the shot in the arm they need right now.
I think he's right.
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US ships are preparing to block Iran's ports as both sides continue to trade strikes.
Donald Trump's abandoned his earlier threat of a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying it will be replaced by trade deals with Gulf states.
The global oil price benchmark Brent Crude is hovering around US$85 – one of its highest points in a month.
US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that only ten ships went through the Strait yesterday – the lowest level in over a month.
He says that before the way, the number would be around 130 ships a day.
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Today on Politics Wednesday Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest stories of the week thus far.
ACT has announced Paul Henry as a candidate in this year’s election – do they have any advice for the former broadcaster?
And the Opportunity Party’s popularity has been growing – do they have a shot at making it into government this year?
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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 15th of July, have global fuel worries spiked —again— amid the latest flip-flopping from the US?
Paul Henry is the highest-profile name to announce his political run —joining ACT— so Mike puts an old friend through his paces.
Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss the celeb power in politics and the Opportunity Party’s chances on Politics Wednesday.
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Another positive sign for the economy.
Kiwi manufacturer Skellerup —who makes everything from gumboots to industrial rubber products— has lifted its annual profit forecast to as much as $65 million.
They credit stronger than expected US demand for the increase.
CEO Graham Leaming told Mike Hosking they thought tariffs and the conflict in the Middle East might drive inflation and dampen demand in the US market, but that hasn’t materialised.
He says demand remains strong, and the things they manufacture and sell are often pretty critical to customers, so they were able to adjust prices in response to tariffs and increases to the cost of raw materials.
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