Lester Levy, $320,000 Part time Health NZ Commissioner: “It’s not for me to fix everything”
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2:12 pm, September 19th, 2024 - 16 comments
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This is an excerpt from the Mountain Tui substack post
In watching the Health Select Committee yesterday, it became clear to me why Margie Apa remains Health NZ CEO.
During Levy’s testimony, Apa sat like a rock next to her boss. She nodded supportively, scribbled notes to him, jumped in when he faltered, and helped him to answer questions.
When Labour’s Dr Verrall asked why Health NZ started implementing “a surge” of NDAs, Levy said he didn’t know anything about that.
Apa explained –
Apa:
“I did ask for NDAs for senior managers who were involved in budgets. And, that’s not unusual…”
Verrall:
“Well, I can advise members of the Health NZ delegation that this is a highly unusual practice in a public sector organisation.”
“And I put to you, Commissioner Levy, that you have the power to ask for these to be removed.”
“The Public Service Commissioner has asked that I [ask you] whether you think this is appropriate for a public service organisation.
I have seen some of these NDAs.
They ask officials not to discuss their ideas.
This is North Korean, get rid of it.”
Levy acknowledged that he had received a letter from the Public Service Commissioner.
And he said they would respond soon.
Verrall later expands:
“Every government department in New Zealand writes a budget and none of them have this level of non-disclosure agreements.”
[They are being used to] “hide the scale of the cuts they are planning”.
This is consistent because the NDAs appeared after the leak of one of Health NZ’s latest proposals – 4492 cut to meet Dr Levy’s budget request.
[470 doctors, 1491 nurses, 338 allied staff and more than 2000 managers and admin workers.]
Newsroom cited sources as saying the model was not a drill when the press caught wind of it. “At least one region” was already consulting on its rollout.
But they all knew it was “politically unpalatable”.
[Wait – what about the health and well-being impacts to Kiwis?]
Courtesy: RNZ
The issue with NDAs is this is a public sector organisation and transparency and accountability should be foremost.
But Apa received a public bollocking from Levy the last time a budget leaked. So I can perhaps understand why she conceived of the idea. Still it’s inappropriate – this is the public service, not her fiefdom.
At the time, Levy claimed he didn’t know anything about the budget proposal. He had just asked for his target numbers to be met. i.e. Luxon’s target numbers.
[What does he know? And what does he actually do? The 3 days a week actually makes sense.]
Apa also backs Levy up outside the Committee when the waiting media throng ask Levy how many hours he works for Health NZ. Why did he ask for $320,000 on a part time job? Was it justified for what amounts to one of two part time gigs?
Levy said he worked 10-12 hours a day, 7 days a week:
“Ask Margie.”
Margie affirms.
Later, Levy says –
“The job is never put as a full-time job,
but I would propose to you if you’re working 10 to 12 hours a day on a particular job, that’s quite a lot.”
[Wait, so 10-12 hours a day for Health NZ? Or 10-12 hours on whatever job you’re working at? And if you’re doing your full teaching schedule 2 days a week, how do you fit in 24 hours a day and still sleep and eat?]
The role of the Chair was always to work a 2.5 – 3 day job, Levy continues, even though he isn’t Chair anymore.
Luxon was on hand to defend Levy, saying it was “quite normal” for Kiwis to have more than one job and such people work “incredibly hard” i.e. more than 8 hours a week, he meant…. ah, 8 hours a day.
[Freudian slips can be hard to overcome. But also, is Luxon inferring it’s common for Kiwis to find $320,000 part time Czar gigs? If so, please re-direct Prime Minister. I work long hours for very little. So do the majority of Kiwis.]
And yes, Jan. It seems to be too important a role to have a part time IT Professor on it, Mr Luxon.
[Hipkins is also interviewed here and it strikes me at this point that Hipkin’s popularity is falling because he hardly gets any media time, unlike folks like Seymour and Luxon when in opposition. In fact, hardly any Opposition members get air time anymore]
What was clear to me in watching the Health Select Committee is Levy is similar to Luxon in at least three ways.
One, he likes to promote himself. He boasted about his time at Waitematā district health board. Except the results show he has a playbook that is inconsistent with genuine transformation – ultimately leaving health districts in worse shape after he leaves. Glory is easy to take, but doing the right thing is always going to be more important – but not for everyone.
Two, he favours corporate talk and saying the right thing. Levy has a lot of ideas about IT, investment, and productivity. He says all the right things – what someone like Luxon would want to hear. Levy’s real job is about wait times, because we all know that’s what Luxon’s KPIs say. It’s the “actual real mission here” Levy admits.
All while ignoring the elephant in the room – funding and budget needed to hire “resources”. [Not to mention patient care, doctors and nurses and their well-being/retention, cost of healthcare, access to healthcare, preventative healthcare etc]
Instead, Levy claims Health NZ has more than enough resources – they just haven’t squeezed enough out of them:
”We’ve got a lot of resource and we’re not actually getting the true value out of that resource and we need to do that and we’re working to do that.”
The saying “drawing blood from a stone” emerges in my head.
Three, he is hands off but puts people into positions so they can be blamed take accountability instead. For example, at one point during the media questions, he is asked if the understaffing issues at Dargaville hospital have been fixed yet. Dargaville has no doctors overnight and telehealth was used. The cardiac patient died.
Levy draws an obvious blank here before saying “it’s not for me to fix everything, so we now have regional Deputy Chief Executives.“
It’s a certain type of leadership style that enjoys accolades but consistently positions accountability elsewhere. Hence his common refrain “I don’t know about that”. Luxon uses it commonly too – “I haven’t heard about that.”
Back to Apa.
It’s good she survived.
It’s not easy to.
By all accounts, Levy has always left a wake of organisation and leadership destruction where he works.
But she has clearly shown her utility to him and been willing to bend to the new direction.
I once thought it odd that if the “unexpected” health deficit was as Reti claimed [fact checked here by the Post as a fail], why she would retain her job.
[The deficit was actually caused by successful nursing recruitment numbers etc. as reported by Marc Daalder.]
Well it turns out they found another scapegoat:
2023 CFO of the Year: Rosie Percival.
Health commentator Ian Powell:
“It forms a pattern of Lester Levy when he comes into a new organisation. First of all, he diagnoses a crisis of financial mismanagement. And secondly, people get scapegoated. And I think that Rosalie is a casualty of that.”
In conclusion, it turns out Health NZ is paying ~$1 million more in senior executive salaries after Dr Levy started. No money for Health, Luxon had said despite underfunding Health, but anything we need to imprison more Kiwis.
Some profit from such models.
Way to go, talkers.
EXTRA STUFF:
Talking about CEOs:
Other public sector leaders didn’t survive the change in government like Apa has.
For example, Kāinga Ora CEO Andrew McKenzie fell on his sword after the government ran an apparent pre-conceived “independent review” on Kāinga Ora.
And after McKenzie left, National appointed a much more business friendly individual: Matt Crockett – former Telecommunications and Fletcher Building executive.
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Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:A seventh planetary boundary, for ocean acidification will soon be breached, and may have already done so, according to ...1 week ago
- Release: The question remains… will schools get their classrooms?
Education Minister Erica Stanford still can’t confirm when the Government will deliver the $2 billion worth school upgrades she cut earlier this year. ...2 days ago - Release: Govt failing NZ’s manufacturing sector
Labour acknowledges the hundreds of workers today losing their jobs as the Winstone Pulp mill closes and what it will mean for their families and community. ...3 days ago
- Tell National what their $216m tobacco tax cut could have funded instead
In Budget '24, the National Government put aside $216 million to pay for a tax cut which mainly benefitted one company: global tobacco giant Philip Morris. Instead of giving hundreds of millions to big tobacco, National could have spent the money sensibly, on New Zealand. ...3 days ago
- Release: Govt has made up a cost crisis to justify cuts
Te Whatu Ora’s financials from the last year show the Government has manufactured a financial crisis to justify making cuts that are already affecting patient care. ...3 days ago
- Speech: Why Kiwi businesses are the best in the world
The New Zealand business community is unique. It has always punched well above its weight on the world stage. ...3 days ago
- Te Pāti Māori Statement on Israel & Iran
Over 41,000 Palestinian’s have been murdered by Israel in the last 12 months. At the same time, Israel have launched attacks against at least four other countries in the Middle East including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. “You cannot play the aggressor and the victim at the same time,” said ...4 days ago
- Release: Costello makes a fool of the PM
Associate health minister Casey Costello has made a fool of the Prime Minister, because the product she’s been fighting to get a tax cut for and he’s been backing her on is now illegal – and he doesn’t seem to know it. ...4 days ago
- Work to do on climate adaptation
The Finance and Expenditure Committee’s inquiry into climate adaptation is something that must be built on for an enduring framework to manage climate risk. ...5 days ago - End of free RAT tests means more exposure to virus
The end of free Rapid Antigen Tests today is another sign the Government is giving up on the challenge of protecting the community from Covid-19. ...6 days ago
- Release: Government breaks promise on ferry plan
Time has run out for Nicola Willis who has failed to keep her promise to deliver a solution to replace the Interislander ferries by today. ...6 days ago
- Release: Labour supports marches for better health
Labour supports Buller and Dunedin communities who are marching today and calling on the Government to act urgently to fix the health crisis. ...6 days ago
- Raising speed limits will cost our communities
The Government’s move to disregard all evidence and increase speed limits will result in serious harm. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Buller community
The Green Party stands in solidarity with the Buller community in its silent protest for better healthcare. ...1 week ago
- Release: Proposed job losses devastating for Timaru
News that the Smithfield meatworks could close is devastating for the hundreds of people who work there, Timaru and the wider region. ...1 week ago
- Release: Question mark over financial sustainability of Polytechs
The Government is taking tertiary education down a worrying path with new reporting finding that fourteen of the country’s sixteen polytechnics couldn’t survive on their own,” Labour’s tertiary education spokesperson Dr Deborah Russell says. ...1 week ago
- TPM issues warning to Govt: Back down or prepare for the wrath of the million Māori
Today the government announced a $30m cut to Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori- a programme that develops te reo Māori among our kaiako. “This announcement is just the latest in an onslaught of attacks on te iwi Māori,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi. ...1 week ago
- Govt set to break promise on Dunedin Hospital
The Green Party is calling on the Government to honour its promise to Dunedin and build its new hospital to full capacity. ...1 week ago
- Release: Dunedin Hospital d-listed by Government
The non-announcement in Dunedin today had Ministers leaving broken promises and a likely severely diluted hospital build in their wake. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour welcomes UAE trade deal
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed today with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ...1 week ago
- Release: Hundreds more jobs cuts on housing frontline
The Government has shown its true intentions for the public service and economy – it’s not to get more public servants back to the office, it’s more job losses. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt not addressing health workforce crisis
The National Government is hiding the gaps in the health workforce from New Zealanders, by not producing a full workforce plan nearly a year into their tenure. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government cuts fair pay for bus drivers
The Government has cut funding for bus drivers to get paid fairly for the work they do, Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...1 week ago
- Crown Minerals Bill Advances Colonisation
Today, the Crown Mineral Amendment Bill was read for the first time, reversing the ban on oil exploration off the coast of Taranaki. It was no accident that this proposed law change was read directly after the Government started to unravel the ability of iwi and hapū Māori to have ...2 weeks ago
- Landlord govt finds new way to undermine public housing
Proposed cuts to Kāinga Ora reflect a failure to fully commit to fixing the housing crisis. ...2 weeks ago
- Crown should prove their rights to Foreshore & Seabed – Te Pāti Māori
Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Justice, Tākuta Ferris, has hit out at the Government, demanding the Crown prove its rights to the foreshore, following the Marine and Coastal Area Amendment Bill, passing its first reading. "Māori rights to the foreshore pre-exist the Declaration of Independence, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must urgently help whanau in Lebanon
The Government must immediately help evacuate New Zealanders and Lebanese whanau caught up in the current conflict unfolding across south Lebanon. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Government will revoke oil and gas permits
The Green Party vows to reinstate the oil and gas ban and revoke permits when it returns to government following the coalition’s introduction of legislation to reopen offshore oil and gas exploration this afternoon. ...2 weeks ago
- Government introduces controversial MACA legislation
The Government’s introduction of its interventions in the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act threatens to throw relations between Māori and Crown into deeper disharmony. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Gun lobby bill removes regulation at ranges
Gun lobbyist Nicole McKee and her conflict of interest has struck again, this time removing safety regulations from shooting clubs and ranges in New Zealand. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt forgetting the 6000 jobs they’ve cut
The real problem in the public sector is ongoing job losses and cuts to the front line. ...2 weeks ago
- Government undermines public service with WFH crackdown
The Green Party says the Government’s retrograde move to tighten up on Work from Home arrangements is the latest in a series of blows to the Public Service. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Ministers oblivious to cuts’ effect on families
The National Government is oblivious to the impact cuts to services will have on New Zealanders who are doing the hard yards caring for mentally ill family members. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Public service set up to fail under National
Nicola Willis has set up the public service to fail to pay for reckless tax cuts for landlords and the tobacco industry. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Coalition cooking up costly RMA replacement
National continues to dismantle environmental protections in the interests of rushing through unsustainable development that will ultimately cost communities. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National red-faced as benefit numbers skyrocket
The economy has stagnated and the National Government is having to face the consequences of its atrocious lawmaking, as beneficiary numbers skyrocket past even Treasury’s predictions. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National allocating police officers not hired yet
There are 104 fewer police officers now than there were when National came into Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Economic decline further cause for tax transformation
Today’s GDP figures combined with the injustice of our tax system will mean more pain for our lowest-income households while those at the top remain relatively unscathed. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: No growth under National, just cuts
The National Government’s decisions have hindered, not helped the economy. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt must act to avoid the worst of NIWA’s climate projections
New climate projections from NIWA underscore how urgently climate action is needed. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: More job losses as Government fails on manufacturing
The Government is failing the manufacturing sector with no plan for its future. ...3 weeks ago
- Ruakākā recreation centre opened
A new multi-purpose recreation centre will provide a valuable wellbeing hub for residents and visitors to Ruakākā in Northland, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Ruakākā Recreation Centre, officially opened today, includes separate areas for a gymnasium, a community health space and meeting rooms made possible with support of ...1 day ago - Extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced up to $50,000 in additional Government support for farmers and growers across Southland and parts of Otago as challenging spring weather conditions have been classified a medium-scale adverse event. “The relentless wet weather has been tough on farmers and ...2 days ago
- Government welcomes move to delay EU Deforestation Regulation
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay today welcomed a move by the European Commission to delay the implementation of the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months, describing the proposal as a pragmatic step that will provide much-needed certainty for New Zealand exporters and ensure over $200 million in ...2 days ago
- Response to Ministerial Inquiry into School Property
The Government is taking decisive action in response to the Ministerial Inquiry into School Property, which concludes the way school property is delivered is not fit for purpose. “The school property portfolio is worth $30 billion, and it’s critically important it’s managed properly. This Government is taking a series of immediate actions ...2 days ago
- New Government support for residential construction market announced
The Government has announced a new support programme for the residential construction market while the economy recovers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. “We know the residential development sector is vulnerable to economic downturns. The lead time for building houses is typically 18 ...2 days ago
- New appointment to the EPA board
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has confirmed the final appointee to the refreshed Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board. “I am pleased to welcome Brett O’Riley to the EPA board,” Ms Simmonds says. “Brett is a seasoned business advisor with a long and distinguished career across the technology, tourism, and sustainable business ...2 days ago
- Strengthening resilience with critical road improvement projects
The Government has approved a $226.2 million package of resilience improvement projects for state highways and local roads across the country that will reduce the impact of severe weather events and create a more resilient and efficient road network, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Our Government is committed to delivering ...2 days ago
- Doubling road rehabilitation this summer to prevent potholes
Kiwis will see fewer potholes on our roads with road rehabilitation set to more than double through the summer road maintenance programme to ensure that our roads are maintained to a safe and reliable standard, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is a key ...2 days ago
- Sir Jerry Mateparae appointed in Bougainville post-referendum moderator role
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the announcement of Sir Jerry Mateparae as an independent moderator, to work with the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government in resolving outstanding issues on Bougainville’s future. “New Zealand is an enduring friend to Papua New Guinea and the ...3 days ago
- Latest census data highlights New Zealand’s growing ethnic diversity
The latest 2023 Census results released today further highlight New Zealand’s growing ethnic and cultural diversity, says Ethnic Communities Minister Melissa Lee. “Today’s census results are further evidence of the increasingly diverse nature of our population. It’s something that should be celebrated and also serve as a reminder of the ...3 days ago
- FamilyBoost payments make ECE more affordable
Parents and caregivers are now able to claim for FamilyBoost, which provides low-to-middle-income families with young children payments to help them meet early childhood education (ECE) costs. “FamilyBoost is one of the ways we are supporting families with young children who are struggling with the cost of living, by helping ...3 days ago
- South Pacific defence meeting fosters collaboration
This week’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) has concluded with a renewed commitment to regional security of all types, Defence Minister Judith Collins says. Defence Ministers and senior civilian and military officials from Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga gathered in Auckland to discuss defence and security cooperation in the ...3 days ago
- Minister welcomes larger Police recruitment wings
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello has welcomed the Police announcement that recruitment wings at the Police College will be expanded to 100 recruits next year. “This is good news on two fronts – it reflects the fact that more and more New Zealanders are valuing policing and seeing it as ...3 days ago
- Speech to the Minerals West Coast Forum
Introduction Good morning! What a pleasure to be back in the stunning West Coast at one of my favourite events in the calendar. Every time I come back here, I’m reminded of the Coast’s natural beauty, valuable resources, and great people. Yet, every time I come back here, I’m also ...3 days ago
- Positive progress on Government health targets
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti welcomes new data from Health New Zealand, saying it demonstrates encouraging progress against the Government’s health targets. Health New Zealand’s quarterly report for the quarter to 30 June will be used as the baseline for reporting against the Government’s five health targets, which came into ...3 days ago
- Supporting better access to data for Kiwis
The launch of a new data tool will provide Kiwis with better access to important data, Statistics Minister Andrew Bayly says. “To grow our economy and improve productivity we must adopt smarter ways of working, which means taking a more data driven approach to decision-making. “As Statistics Minister one of ...4 days ago
- Progressing remote building inspections
The Government is progressing plans to increase the use of remote inspections to make the building and consenting process more efficient and affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “We know that the building and construction sector suffers from a lack of innovation. According to a recent report, productivity ...4 days ago
- PPTA accepts charter schools
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes the PPTA putting a proposal to members at its annual conference to change its constitution and allow membership of teachers who work in charter schools. “The PPTA has had a come to Jesus moment on charter schools. This is a major departure from the ...4 days ago
- New TAIC Chief Commissioner appointed
David Clarke has been announced as the Chief Commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC). David Clarke is a barrister specialising in corporate and commercial law and he has over 20 years experience in governance roles in commercial, public and charitable sectors. He also is a current TAIC Commissioner. ...5 days ago
- Government secures market access for blueberries to Korea
The Government has secured market access for New Zealand blueberries to Korea, unlocking an estimated $5 million in annual export opportunities for Kiwi growers Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced. “This is a win for our exporters and builds on our successful removal of $190 million in ...5 days ago
- South Pacific Defence Ministers meet in Auckland
Partnership and looking to the future are key themes as Defence Ministers from across the South Pacific discuss regional security challenges in Auckland today, Defence Minister Judith Collins says. The South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) brings together Defence Ministers, Chiefs of Defence and Secretaries of Defence from New Zealand, ...5 days ago
- Keytruda, CGMs, and FamilyBoost welcomed
In a triple whammy of good news, 1 October heralds the beginning of the funding of two major health products and a welcome contribution to early childhood fees, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Keytruda is the first drug to be funded and made available from the $604 million boost we ...5 days ago
- Children’s Unit opens at Rotorua Hospital
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti today opened the refurbished Children’s Unit at Rotorua Hospital, which will provide young patients and their families in the Lakes District with a safe, comfortable and private space to receive care. “The opening of this unit is a significant milestone in our commitment to improving ...5 days ago
- Minor variations no longer major problem
It is now easier to make small changes to building plans without having to apply for a building consent amendment, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Previously builders who wanted to make a minor change, for example substituting one type of product for another, or changing the layout of ...5 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced seven diplomatic appointments. “Protecting and advancing New Zealand’s interests abroad is an extremely important role for our diplomats,” Mr Peters says. “We are pleased to announce the appointment of seven senior diplomats to these overseas missions.” The appointments are: Andrew ...5 days ago
- SuperGold Information Hub live
The first iteration of the SuperGold Information Hub is now on-line, Minister for Seniors Casey Costello announced today. “The SuperGold Hub is an online portal offering up-to-date information on all of the offers available to SuperGold cardholders. “We know the SuperGold card is valued, and most people know its use ...5 days ago
- New fund to clean up old landfill and dump sites
A new Contaminated Sites and Vulnerable Landfills Fund will help councils and landowners clean up historic landfills and other contaminated sites that are vulnerable to the effects of severe weather, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. "This $30 million fund, part of our Q4 Action Plan, increases the Government’s investment in ...5 days ago
- Increased medicines access welcomed following budget boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...5 days ago
- Foreign Minister completes successful week of international engagements
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today wrapped up a week of high-level engagements at the United Nations in New York and in Papeete, French Polynesia. “Our visit to New York was about demonstrating New Zealand’s unwavering support for an international system based on rules and respect for the UN Charter, as ...6 days ago
- Final 2024 Action Plan focused on infrastructure
The Government’s Quarter Four (Q4) Action Plan will be focused on making it easier and faster to build infrastructure in New Zealand as part of its wider plan to rebuild the economy, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “My Government has been working at pace to get the country back on ...6 days ago
- Four new laws to tackle crime passed in Q3
New Zealanders will be safer as a result of the Government’s crackdown on crime which includes tougher laws for offenders and gangs delivered as part of the Quarter Three (Q3) Action Plan, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “I’m proud to say we have delivered on 39 of the 40 actions ...6 days ago
- Government partnership boosting vineyard productivity
The Government is backing a new world-leading programme set to boost vineyard productivity and inject an additional $295 million into New Zealand’s economy by 2045, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay today announced. The Next Generation Viticulture programme will transform traditional vineyard systems, increasing profitability by $22,060 per hectare by 2045 without ...6 days ago
- Strong support for NZ minerals strategy
Over 90 per cent of submissions have expressed broad support for a New Zealand minerals strategy, indicating a strong appetite for a considered, enduring approach to minerals development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. A summary of the 102 submissions on the draft strategy has been published today by the Ministry ...6 days ago
- Snapper catch limits up, orange roughy down
Catch limits for several fisheries will be increased following a review that shows stocks of those species are healthy and abundant. The changes are being made as part of Fisheries New Zealand’s biannual sustainability review, which considers catch limits and management settings across New Zealand’s fisheries. “Scientific evidence and information ...7 days ago
- Reforming the building consent system
The Government is investigating options for a major reform of the building consent system to improve efficiency and consistency across New Zealand, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “New Zealand has some of the least affordable housing in the world, which has dire social and economic implications. At the heart ...1 week ago
- Cost-benefit analysis for potential third medical school completed
The Government has announced that an initial cost-benefit analysis of establishing a third medical school based at the University of Waikato has been completed and has been found to provide confidence for the project to progress to the next stage. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti says the proposal will ...1 week ago
- Government delivers sensible approach to speed limits
The Government’s new speed limit rule has today been signed to reverse Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions and enable Kiwis to get to where they want to go quickly and safely, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Reverse Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions on local streets, arterial roads, and state highways ...1 week ago
- Minister to meet with Pacific Island climate leaders
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is travelling to Fiji on Monday to attend a Ministerial Meeting (Talanoa) with Pacific Island Countries, Australia, and New Zealand. “Attending the Talanoa will reinforce New Zealand’s commitment to supporting climate resilience in the Pacific and advancing action in the areas of climate change,” Mr ...1 week ago
- Human rights recommendations accepted
The Government is accepting the majority of human rights recommendations received at the fourth Universal Period Review in Geneva, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We have considered all 259 recommendations from the United Nations. We are supporting 168 and partially supporting 12 of these recommendations. “Recommendations related to women’s rights, ...1 week ago
- Geotech work begins on Warkworth to Te Hana Road of National Significance
The Government is continuing to move at pace on the Northland Expressway, with significant geotechnical investigations now underway for phase one from Warkworth to Te Hana, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “With thousands of motorists and freight travelling through Northland, we’re focused on delivering for this region to grow our economy. ...1 week ago
- An Ode to .. Du Val
Temporary SetbackLord Kenyon and Lady Charlotte walk down the rampOf their magenta and lime green hot air balloon Hubris,In matching Polar Bear fur coats, wraparound shadesEncrusted with diamonds, and a hundredweightOf subtle and discreet chunky gold accessories.At the bottom of the ramp, a squad of burly Bailiffs wait.“What ho, good ...6 hours ago - Health NZ deputy commissioners being paid $200k a year in fees
The three deputy commissioners are trying to turn the public health system around. ...6 hours ago - What’s next for Lebanon and the Middle East?
A new war in Lebanon has begun, but a dual focus on sub- and trans-national dynamics is required to understand what might come next in the Middle East.Starting with the trans-national matters. On ‘April Fools Day’ this year a region-wide game of cat and mouse began between Israeli and Iranian ...7 hours ago
- Fresh Rangers on fast-track to football No.1
Stuck on the wall in the women’s changing room at the West Coast Rangers Football Club is the catchphrase: It means more here.It personifies what it means to players to belong to a club in Auckland’s north-west that’s just three years old, but already has a team who’ve fought their ...1 day ago
- The Secret Diary of .. the Labour Gang
MONDAYA cold wind came down from the mountain range of the Sierra Thorndons and swept through the empty main street of Labour City.It had been the exact same weather for over a year.A few old-timers remembered a time of golden weather. Sometimes they thought they might only have dreamt it ...1 day ago
- One for the language lovers
Inspired by a dictionary’s survey of its online followers, The Detail gathers three professional word-workers to nominate the best and worst of language and the traps of faux erudition, cliche, neuron-breaking elaborate prose, and journalese.Alexia Russell chats with two editors, one who banned overused words and another who makes it ...1 day ago
- ‘Primary school LOTR’: The principal giving Peter Jackson a run for his money
Alex Casey meets the Southland principal who wrote and directed a feature length fantasy epic starring the whole school. Ask a primary school principal how many feature films they’ve made, and most will say zero. Ask Steve Wadsworth, principal of Winton School in Southland, and he will say not one, ...1 day ago - ‘I can’t believe we’re doing this’: John Campbell on his proudest TV moments
The award-winning broadcaster and journalist looks back on his life in television, featuring early morning All Blacks games, his love for The Repair Shop and why he’s turning into his parents. John Campbell doesn’t remember his first ever appearance on television. “Funny, eh?” the broadcaster chuckles over the phone. All ...1 day ago
- The breath out: Kataraina by Becky Manawatu, reviewed
Jenna Todd responds to Kataraina, the sequel to Becky Manawatu’s award-winning first novel Auē. This review contains major spoilers for Auē. Many years after the girl shot the man. I’d almost forgotten who had shot the man in Auē, winner of the Jann Medlicott Acorn Foundation Prize for Fiction in 2020. ...1 day ago
- ‘I am the dancing queen!’: Matthew Young and Jared Frost’s perfect weekend playlist
Big Fan mentor Matthew Young and mentee Jared Frost share their perfect weekend playlist. Breaking into the music industry is no easy feat, but it makes a difference when you have someone who can guide you through the distortion. At Auckland’s Big Fan, a live venue and recording studio, programmes ...1 day ago
- Podcast: Is our retirement system unsustainable?
Treasury’s chief economic adviser, Dominick Stephens, believes the government’s tax, health and pension settings are untenable in the long term. Something’s got to give, he tells Bernard Hickey on The Spinoff’s economics podcast When the Facts Change. New Zealand’s ageing population is about to give the government’s finances a ...1 day ago
- The Weekend: Is Wellington really ‘gayer’ than Auckland?
Anna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on the week that was. As a teenager in the mid to late 90s, I vividly remember a statistical “urban legend” doing the rounds. “15% of the population is gay, so… [insert number based on how many people were in the classroom] must be gay.” I have ...1 day ago
- Missing metal: On language and identity
An elder scolded me for my inability to speak Cantonese: ‘You must learn.’ My father heard my elder’s words and said nothing. My shame was as much his as it was mine. I have three missed calls from my mother. When I finally call her back, she doesn’t even greet ...1 day ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerry Brown, Professor of Employment and Industry, School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University NT_Studio/Shutterstock Should young people be paid less than their older counterparts, even if they’re working the same job? Whether you think it’s fair or not, it’s ...2 days ago - Rocky Road: The Rock In The Hill A Quarry Really, Really Wants To Get Out
A quarry has tried repeatedly to crack a permanent protection to get more rock out of a mountain. Now, it's turning to the 'Fast-track' law. ...2 days ago - New video shows sharks making an easy meal of spiky sea urchins, shedding light on an undersea myste...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeremy Day, PhD researcher, University of Newcastle Author provided Long-spined sea urchins have emerged as an environmental issue off Australia’s far south coast. Native to temperate waters around New South Wales, the urchins have expanded their range south as oceans warm. ...2 days ago
- A different way of storming the capital: Submission from the floodwaters
Benjamin Nevell made his submission against the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill while wading through flooding Dunedin ...2 days ago
- Making a splash: Is this the most impressive select committee submission ever?
You really won’t guess how it ends. Parliament’s Economic Development, Science and Innovation committee today heard public submissions on its controversial Crown Mineral Amendments Bill. That’s the proposed law, explained Gabi Lardies earlier this week, that would see the previous government’s ban on new oil and gas exploration overturned. The ...2 days ago
- Down and under pressure: US and UK artists are taking over Australian charts, leaving local talent b...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Kelly, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock Missy Higgins’ recent ARIA number-one album, The Second Act, represents an increasingly rare sighting: an Australian artist at the top of an Australian chart. My recently published analysis of Australia’s best-selling singles ...2 days ago
- Google threatens to stop linking to NZ news sites if bill passes
It's unhappy with the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, which would force tech giants to pay news organisations for their content. ...2 days ago
- Curious Kids: What does the edge of the universe look like?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Lecturer, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology Greg Rakozy/Shutterstock What does the edge of the universe look like? Lily, age 7, Harcourt What a great question! In fact, this is one of those questions ...2 days ago
- Dunedin Flood: Climate Crisis Spoils Climate Protest
People in our community are worried about their property and possessions as the water rises, and for this we raise the alarm. This is what climate change looks like - more frequent and severe weather, storms, and flooding,” said spokesperson Annabel ...2 days ago
- ADHD prescribing has changed over the years – a new guide aims to bring doctors up to speed
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brenton Prosser, Professor of Public Policy and Leadership, UNSW Sydney Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most diagnosed childhood neurological disorder in Australia. Over the years, it has been the subject of controversy about potential misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis. There ...2 days ago
- NSW will remove 65,000 years of Aboriginal history from its syllabus. It’s a step backwards for ed...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Westaway, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Archaeology, School of Social Science, The University of Queensland The NSW Education Standards Authority has announced that teaching of the Aboriginal past prior to European arrival will be excluded from the Year 7–10 syllabus as ...2 days ago
- Te Whatu Ora Report Raises Important Questions For Ministers
The report states that $2bn of ‘savings’ are now targeted in health, just in this fiscal year (p.57). That’s a huge potential cut and is clearly not possible from just efficiencies. ...2 days ago
- Review: Neon’s new British drama is a fun, feisty trip back to the 1980s
Sophie Turner steals the show in new con-woman drama Joan. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. Joan is Neon’s new six-part British crime drama inspired by the real-life story of Joan Hannington, the woman who became the UK’s most notorious jewel thief. ...2 days ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘cabbage rolls’ by Jiaqiao Liu
A new poem by by Jiaqiao Liu. cabbage rolls cut out the hard core pile up stalks, bin later. one, two long lines mimic Dani before they ran to stir the marinara Sally stopped stirring. one, two chopping board burnt with a perfect spiral artfully off-centre. you are good at ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending October 4
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber, $37) Here’s a snippet from Rebecca K Reilly’s review ...2 days ago
- The hidden costs of building a home: what every family should know
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Park Thaichon, Associate Professor of Marketing, University of Southern Queensland Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock Building a home can come with hidden costs. Unfortunately, many people don’t think about these costs until it’s too late. Some buyers succumb to the tricks marketers use ...2 days ago
- International Condemnation Of NZ Charter Schools Law
Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, told the Ministers that ‘your lack of support for the workers of the PPTA who provide so much to their students shows a lack of leadership on your part. ...2 days ago
- Daylight saving is about to start. But why do the days get longer?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Nicole Driessen, Postdoctoral researcher in radio astronomy, University of Sydney Kasper Lyngby/Shutterstock The days are getting longer and in Australia, the switch to daylight saving time is almost upon us (for about 70% of the population, anyway). But why ...2 days ago
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Hard working part-timers – like the Green list MP, not a member of the Green Party caucus – whom does she serve in parliament?
Heh – herself
SPC She’s as good as gone, the only one she served was herself.
On the day Mickey talks about tax, your post Mountain Tui begs an even more dire question around tax.
Why are we even paying tax when this mob can't even get the basics of running a health system right.
Hi Mountain Tui, yep, re as you Post
CEO Margie Apa, whether due to a bollocking from Commissioner Levy, and/or looking to her personal future, she certainly does seem to have lost touch with the Big Picture.
Which is, the wellbeing crisis of Health New Zealand…and its consequential negative effect on our NZ Health and Wellbeing.
I do rate Dr Ayesha Verrall, she can sure ask the hard questions ! But getting them to answer…and getting more exposure/public to react ? Also hard…..
As seen previously, it seems not so much bread and circus' to mollify…merely : let them have their tea..and toast. Aaargh !
However, at the sharps end of this…Doctors/Specialists/Nurses are not easily silenced….so they will be an ever increasing difficulty, for Levy, Reti..and Margie Apa.
On that a small digression if I may…, I do recall a BBC programme i occasionally watched many years back : Hard Talk.
Tim Sebastian…don't know if you ever heard of? Certainly seemed to get stuck into the difficult questioning….
With all the talk of the lack of our NZ critical media (or critical thinking for that ) ..where is our PBS?
I realise the Media Dumbing Down started many years back (thanks sir John Key and friends) , but it seems some pretty lonely voices trying to raise the Public's attention !
Keep up the good work/exposure M.T. and the Standard.!
I do recall a BBC programme i occasionally watched many years back : Hard Talk.
Oh yes, indeed. It's still going too, with much the same approach (although Tim Sebastian left in 2006).
A certain Mr Key fronted up to it on one memorable occasion. He was never seen on it again ….
Oh thanks for reply. I didnt see the sir Key episode, but certainly have read about his denial….
PsyclingLeft.Always
I would love to have a great investigative channel in NZ. Or yes just interviewers who can really bring it home.
Unfortunately media is weak, but it doesn't always have to be this way.
I've been impressed with Dr Ayesha Verrall – she is clearly angry too at what is happening and her questions are intelligent and courteous but strong. Good for her, and thank goodness we are seeing some stronger opposition too.
I think the problems in Health NZ are complex but they have the wrong man in the job – a sycophant who says all the right things and can squeeze people around him to get the right "numbers" but that's not necessarily good for Kiwis at all.
One thing's for sure about this part-timer, I bet his holiday pay is up to scratch unlike the workforce, most of which are waiting for reimbursement for previous financial mismanagement.
Professional Bludgers IMHO ???
Lester …? Margie…? Someone …?
What would they know…..
A simple..question. Which Reti does not answer
As also here..
NACT1..a clear and present danger to NZ's Health and Wellbeing !
They all "Talk the Talk" but can they "Walk the Walk", a lot of big talking from NACTACTNZF, but can they produce the goods for the Average Joe New Zealander, only time will tell.
I think if you still need time you aren't paying attention, which imo lots of average Joe's gave up doing years ago and the politicians know this, therefore just do what they want, get through the slightly awkward press conference and then move on. Pick up a sir or dame in front of their name and have a nice life. Stink for the rest of us
Lester Levy "…pray for me…" ffs
"Levy claims Health NZ has more than enough resources – they just haven’t squeezed enough out of them"
When you can make comments like that unchallenged after stiffing primary healthcare, GP numbers etc. Great gig if you can get it, even better send in the minion to answer.
Walk into any ED facility since covid it's been an uphill battle and now with this mob going all in stacking the exec ranks it's already very ugly folks.
It shows what the NACTs value best in their officials.
Not ability, not humanity, not dedication to the job.
Just being able to spray and walk away.