The Mike Hosking Breakfast

I have been surprised, and not surprised, by two aspects of the Opportunity Party.
1) I'm not surprised by the media's fascination,
2) I am surprised at the amount of angst shown by people increasingly alarmed at the prospect they may be heading for Parliament and some sort of influence.
The media, and especially digital media, sadly require these days astonishing amounts of content for the constant churn appetite that they, ironically, have created and so a shiny new political party was always going to get plenty of attention.
But I have never seen the angst this party has created among those who write, text, and talk to me. Small parties have come and gone; Social Credit, Values, the Alliance Party, various forms of the Māori Party, United – they've all had a burst of sunlight.
United got the worm and flew for a while but even in its original guise as TOP, they never came close to the noise the Opportunity Party creates at the moment.
Here is the good news —unless you are an actual fan of theirs— they will get a level of exposure that will ultimately see them combust.
Even Helen Clark on social media yesterday called it fantasy dressed as policy.
The leader of the party appeared on Q&A and got roasted.
Every time she fronts, as articulate as Ms Wong may be, a new chink in the Opportunity armour is exposed. The latest is this mad board overruling elected MPs.
Now, far from being frightening, this is all good stuff. This is democracy in action. There is nothing to be fearful of here.
Knowledge is always power and in this case the knowledge is what leads to Opportunity most likely not getting across the 5%.
This country is not up for upheaval. We don’t want, or vote for, upheaval.
We vote for variations of what we get sick of, hence bits of National morph into NZ First or ACT, and bits of Labour turn into the Greens, or Alliance, or United.
Opportunity is a lab experiment, hence the media interest and alarmism.
They are not serious people. Helen Clark sees it, I see it, Luxon saw it when he ruled them out.
By November 7th enough of the rest will see it as well.
So relax. As you were.
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Former Shihad frontman Jon Toogood is on a different sort of tour than he’s used to.
He’s written a book, ‘Home Again’, that explores his 37 year career with a band that helped define New Zealand rock music.
It’s filled with personal stories both from Toogood’s childhood and the years Shihad spent on the road – touring and performing around the world.
While he’s not necessarily one to look backwards, Toogood found writing the book to be a cathartic experience.
“I didn’t realise it, I mean it sounds preposterous, I didn’t realise how much my whole life was revolved around music,” he told Mike Hosking.
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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 18th of August, Stats NZ data shows our inflation is continuing to cool, and there’s finally some good news for the Port of Tauranga.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced yet another report on a second Auckland Harbour crossing.
Former Shihad frontman Jon Toogood is back on the show to chat about his new book about his time changing the rock landscape in this country.
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Retailers are optimistic a bump in spending will stick around.
Latest Stats NZ data on electronic card transactions shows July's core retail spending is up 3.5% compared to the same time last year.
Retail NZ says it's an encouraging sign considering the winter months are typically slower for the sector.
Communications Manager Denise Garland told Mike Hosking the FIFA World Cup was likely a big factor in the positive hospitality numbers.
She says it’s been a rocky year for retail, but they’re seeing more people out and about and in cafes and restaurants, so there’s hope the bounce will continue.
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There’s confidence a proposed shake-up of our aged care system will fix the gaps.
A Ministerial Advisory Group's made 40 recommendations, including more in-home care, a workforce strategy, and a national pathway for people needing support.
It warns that without action the cost of care will almost double within a decade, and some areas could run out of beds.
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello told Mike Hosking we don't have a care system, just fragmented parts of one.
She says it's difficult to navigate the current system and the changes need to have people's health at the forefront.
Costello told Hosking the recommendations are bold, and previously solutions have been missing from discussions, so she's pleased with the group's work.
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