The Mike Hosking Breakfast

"You can't rewind": James May takes to the stage with 'exciting' new show When you hear the name ‘James May’, it’s likely you think of cars, Top Gear, and The Grand Tour, but much like his co-stars, May has plenty of other projects. He owns his own pub and gin line, and has done countless shows visiting other countries, rebuilding toys and machines, and exploring life’s questions. May’s now onto his next journey – a live theatre performance that brings the stories of explorers to the stage. It’s called ‘Explorers: The Age of Discovery’, and May’s bringing it to Kiwi audiences in August. It’s been quite a busy year for May – something he told Mike Hosking was quite unintentional. “This year was going to be my, what I called a ‘dry run at retirement’, to see how much I liked it,” he revealed. “But I’ve ended up doing a live tour, a couple of TV shows, various other odds and ends – it's actually the busiest year I’ve had for probably a decade, in terms of demands on my time.” “But maybe that’s a good thing,” he said. “Maybe if I was left to my own devices, I’d sit in the garden and rot.” Despite his vast experience in the entertainment industry, May isn’t terribly experienced with live performances. “We used to do Top Gear Live and then Clarkson, Hammond & May Live, but there were three of us doing it, plus our stunt driving team and various other circus performers,” he explained. “This one is quite intimidating because it just me." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast with Heather du Plessis-Allan Full Show Podcast for Friday 19th of December, we cover off the better-than-expected Q3 GDP number, which is signalling some hope for next year. Jennie Wyllie has resigned as the CEO of Netball NZ, but does it need to go further than that? And for the final time for the year Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather to Wrap the Week and discuss their Christmas plans. 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.

It’s that time of the year where we pick our politician of the year. For me, it's the same person as last year. Political commentators, myself included at times, have an unfortunate tendency to sometimes choose politicians because they’re good at playing the political game. And if you’re into that, you might pick Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for collecting her Time magazine award. Or Chris Hipkins for resurrecting his party’s fortunes from a horror 2023 election result. Or Labour’s Arena Williams for giving good speeches, or Shane Jones for getting attention. But at a time when we all acknowledge our country is in a bit of a polycrisis, slipping further behind the pack, I think the most important measure is not whether a politician is good at politics, it's whether a politician is making a difference. And no other politician is making as big a difference as quickly, in an area as important, as Erica Stanford. Already kids are learning more than they have been for years. The results from her phonics changes a couple of months ago were so dramatic a staff member in her office burst into tears. She’s doing this despite increased resistance from teachers' unions. Parents are raving and teachers themselves are noticing the difference. Nothing is more important than our kids and educating them properly. And on the politics, she can play politics as well as anyone. You watch closely as her opponents learn that lesson. Just ask Willow-Jean Prime. So, Erica Stanford it is. Because nothing beats having a good idea, being brave enough to execute it and helping to turn this country around. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the final time this year, Heather du Plessis-Allan was joined by Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson to Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed the Vanity Fair photoshoot of the Trump Administration, festive clothing, and their plans for the Christmas holidays. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service could come off the tracks if it becomes too expensive for rate payers. Waikato Regional Council is writing to the NZTA board to ask for a one-year extension of the service, through to 2027. They want to test full integration with Auckland’s City Rail Link, which opens next year. Waikato Regional Council Chair Warren Maher told Heather du Plessis-Allan 60% funding through the Land Transport Fund will be vital to keep it going. He says if it drops back to 51%, they want the review of the trial to go ahead at NZTA's April meeting, and that could be the death nail for Te Huia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.