I’ll tell you why I don’t like the money we’re spending on Sunny Kaushal and the Retail Crime Advisory Group: it’s not a good deal.

I haven’t got a problem with Sunny Kaushal, but he was offering his ideas to the Government for free.

If someone offers you something for free and you then decide to pay for it, that is a bad deal.

And it’s not bad coin we’re paying either.

Sunny Kaushal is earning $920 a day.

Between March 1st and June 10th, which is 102 days, he earned $95,112.

He can claim up to $920 dollars a day.

Now my sums tell me that means he’s been working and claiming seven days a week. For 102 days straight.

Nearly $100,000 for three months work ain’t bad.

Then there's the personnel cost of $330,000 for, what Sunny told us yesterday, lawyers and policy work.

That's work which can mostly be done in-house by Government departments and ministerial offices, who do this all the time, and have probably already done work on some of the ideas pitched by the retail crime fighting unit.

Frankly, at the cost of $330,000 I think we can all see someone’s taking the mickey with their bills.

Now, if you are offered something for free, why would you pay for it?

That’s how the Government gravy train works.

Good for Sunny Kaushal. If I was offered that much money by the Government for doing what I was already doing, I would take it.

But I expected better from National, given that we are broke and they are supposed to be careful with money.

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The week has come to an end, and so Trish Sherson and Tim Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Week that was.

They discussed Woolworth’s latest promotion freebie and KiwiRail’s confusing ban on melatonin and sleeping medications.

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The Wellington Phoenix are desperate to land a high-profile scalp when they confront Wrexham in the Capital on Saturday.

The Nix are keen to bury last year's disappointing 11th place in the A-League.

Crowds are expected to comfortably surpass 20 thousand.

Phoenix General Manager David Dome told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Sydney beat them 2-1 last weekend, and he knows for a fact that their academy is better than Sydney’s.

He says they’ll put out a very good team on the ground, and they definitely have it in them to beat the Welsh club.

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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 18th of July, new stats reveal that Jobseeker numbers are still rising – Social Development Minister Louise Upston explains the situation.

Some big sporting events are happening this weekend, with the All Blacks’ third and final test against France and the Wellington Phoenix’s clash against Wrexham.

Trish Sherson and Tim Wilson Wrap the Week that was, talking about Woolworth's prize offerings and KiwiRail banning staff from taking sleeping pills.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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The recent wild weather in Nelson-Tasman could push up the price of our produce.

Growers faced weeks of heavy rain and flooding that's damaged infrastructure, affected harvests, and disrupted supply chains.

There are concerns about saturated soils meaning growers can’t plant new crops, affecting vegetables like broccoli, lettuces, and spinach.

Vegetables NZ Chair John Murphy told Heather du Plessis-Allan the market responds quickly to shortages.

He says we will see prices grow marginally.

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Scott Robertson can no longer be accused of being timid with his All Blacks team selections.

Ten changes were made to the starting XV for Saturday's third and final test against France in Hamilton.

Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea and Rieko Ioane are the only players remaining from the last run-on side.

Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby Elliott Smith told Heather du Plessis-Allan that opportunities to test out different players and different combinations don’t come along too often.

He says the All Blacks still want to win the final test, but Robertson has to take these opportunities to find out a little bit more about the likes of Damian McKenzie on 10, Samipeni Finau on blindside flank, among others.

“You just won’t get them too often, and it certainly won’t come in the rugby championship.”

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A breakthrough in New Zealand's long-running trade dispute with Canada is expected to benefit our dairy sector, to the tune of about $157 million a year.

Canada's agreed to meet its obligations under the CPTPP trade deal to provide New Zealand greater access to Canada's dairy market.

It had previously refused to accept a dispute settlement panel's ruling in New Zealand's favour.

Export NZ Executive Director Josh Tan told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's an important win.

He says it's essential that countries follow through on their international trade agreements.

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The Social Development Minister says more jobs are coming to address the number of people on the benefit rising.

Ministry of Social Development statistics show almost eight thousand more people were receiving a main benefit in June compared to March.

As well, close to 81 thousand beneficiaries have moved into work in the last financial year.

Louise Upston told Heather du Plessis Allan the Budget included multiple incentives to create more jobs.

She says apart from the infrastructure pipeline, they're also giving businesses the confidence to take on more staff.

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