My long-held suspicion, oft produced for the Prime Minister on Tuesdays, that the public service might well be working against the Government seems to have been laid bare in the Deloitte report into the failed health system.

As you will be aware, we are going back to a board from a commissioner.

But what the report seems to indicate is the board or commissioner is not the issue. The issue is incompetence.

The fact a board was replaced is not about whether it’s a board. It's about the fact they never had control of the money, they didn’t have a plan, and they were hopeless.

Hopelessness is hopelessness, no matter what the shape of it is structurally.

More worryingly is the reportage that tells us that what they wanted wasn’t adhered to. It wasn’t listened to and it wasn’t acted on.

In theory, a good governance structure would see this pushback and fix it.

But you had incompetence and rejection dovetailing, with the end result being the chaos that has ensued.

The report infers the Government would have been better sticking with 20 health boards. My argument was always in a country the size of New Zealand, four DHB's felt about right.

A centralised system always had Soviet vibes about it, and then when your centralised system was overseen by buffoons, you got the result we did.

Here's a critical line from the report - "the centre made requests, the district ignored them".

That's sabotage.

There were no supporting action plans, ownership, budget impacts, tracking, reporting, or governance.

Health New Zealand did not have the right executive or board level controls. This is yet more Labour Party incompetency – all ideology, no delivery.

By the time you add the Brian Roche report into the public service to this, surely we have a case that shows not only do we have a bloated structure of too many people, but many of those in that bloating are hopeless and/or undermining what is trying to be done.

DOGE, anyone?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Coll admits fulfilling a dream by winning the New Zealand Open squash title in front of a record crowd in Christchurch.

The 32-year-old says the tournament exceeded expectations.

A 2-time British Open Champion as well as a Commonwealth Games Champion, Coll is currently ranked number 4 in the world.

He told Mike Hosking the tournament was a really good week for everyone involved, especially him, but he knows that those who travelled from abroad to compete had a good time.

He says he was trying to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the competition, but he also played the best squash he has all season.

“I’m looking forward to pushing off for the rest of the season – excited to keep playing.”

Coll now travels to Brisbane to compete in the Australian Open, which is a gold ranking event.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 11th of March, Canada has elected a new Prime Minister whose focus is locked on Trump and the trade war.

The Prime Minister talks the coalition of the willing, bank capital and what Nicola Willis is doing about it, and whether anything tangible will come out of the India trip.

Kiwi squash champion Paul Coll has had two early wins in 2025, so we get him on for a chat ahead of the Melbourne Open.

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.

Wellington Water's boss says local councils have every right to be angry at them.

Tory Whanau yesterday described her council's relationship with the organisation as “tense” at a special meeting, following revelations last week it wasn't getting value for ratepayers' money.

Wellington Water CEO Pat Dougherty told Mike Hosking he and his staff are doing everything they can to find the issues and fix them.

He says there's been a culture of putting too much trust in their contractors, and he wants a more tense and accountable relationship.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A staggering victory for economist Mark Carney, who's set to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada's next Prime Minister.

The 59-year-old has an ample resume, having served as head of the banks of Canada and England.

He's indicated he'll hold his ground against Donald Trump as the US President holds the threat of more tariffs over Canada's head.

Globe & Mail Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife told Mike Hosking Carney easily won 86 percent of the vote.

He says it's unheard of in recent times to see someone win the leadership like that, and it's in large part due to Canadian's being scared stiff of what Trump's up to with his trade war.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is defending his work as Prime Minister.

The latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll suggests Chris Hipkins has leap-frogged Luxon as preferred PM.

Labour's also ahead on 34.1%, with National trailing on 33.6%.

The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking they're putting through legislation to address a range of issues.

He says they're working harder than any government to fix what he says was a "mess" left by the last government.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's taking one of the largest ministerial delegations to India.

Christopher Luxon is heading to New Delhi and Mumbai on Saturday with a contingent of ministers and business leaders.

Prioritising a deal with the fast-growing economic giant was a coalition condition with NZ First.

India Business Delegation Lead Dame Therese Walsh told Mike Hosking businesses have a lot to learn about India.

She says it's a good chance to get in front of heads of industry and make ourselves visible, ensuring we really understand the opportunities that exist for New Zealand.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US is facing a budget battle.

House Republicans have unveiled a stopgap spending bill that would keep federal agencies funded and avoid a government shutdown.

The measure is backed by President Donald Trump, but some key Republicans in the House have refused to back similar measures in the past.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Trump has posted pleading for support, but it’s uncertain if he will get it.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.