The many and varied takes of Des Gorman on covid
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3:05 pm, July 25th, 2021 - 32 comments
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One of the most consistent critics of the Government’s Covid performance is Des Gorman. He was previously a Professor of Medicine in the faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Auckland University. His doctorates were awarded for in-vivo brain injury research. During the last National Government he was appointed to the board of ACC, as the Executive Chairman of Health Workforce New Zealand, as a member of the National Health Board and to the Government’s welfare reform group.
I thought I would do a google trawl through media reports on his commentry to get a sense of what he has been saying. I could not think of one time where he had said anything positive. And my analysis confirmed this.
In April 2020 he said that New Zealand was ill-prepared for the Covid-19 pandemic and had been caught with its pants down. He thought that New Zealand should have closed its borders in mid-February, not the end of March but it didn’t do so because it did not have the resources to do so.
To a different news organisation he criticised the Government for going to level three from level four and not going to level 2 and darkly hinted that there was something that the Government was not telling us. Conspiracy nuts I am sure agreed with him. Contradicting what he said previously he claimed that New Zealand moved relatively quickly compared to other Western nations to shut the borders once the virus had arrived. But we should have quarantined returnees and not allowed them to self-isolate.
On May 4, 2020 he said that Covid was not going away and there was no point relying on level 3 lockdowns. Instead we should rely on social distancing, fastidious hygiene and isolating at the first sign of sickness. He also said the country’s economy had taken a massive hit and this has a huge social cost, so if evidence emerges that countries can control the disease with less draconian measures, that should be considered. He claimed darkly that most experts agreed with him but at that time they were “too frightened to speak out for fear of a backlash”.
A few days later he said that if evidence emerges that countries, such as Sweden, can control the disease with less draconian measures, that should be considered. In particular he said:
The living experiment of Sweden is an important one to watch. It’s going to have a high mortality. They are punting on herd immunity. It’s very brave – some people would describe it as reckless.”
Thankfully our government was not so “brave”.
On August 6, 2020 in an editorial to the Internal Medicine Journal he delved into economic commentray and said that the country may well have been better than most at containing this virus but not as good as some other countries.
The complete passage says:
What are the lessons we should take from this experience to reduce our exposure? We may well have been better than most at containing this virus, but that is not the point and invites an unhelpful complacency. Rather than casting ourselves as ‘best in show’, we need relentlessly to search for ways of doing better at protecting both our health and our livelihoods. Indeed, New Zealand had and has much to learn from other countries. Although the local lockdown worked well in suppressing the incidence of COVID-19, Australia was essentially able to match this using a more relaxed, and hence less economically punitive, process because of superior contact tracing. Taiwan has shown better quarantine and isolation measures, and countries such as Germany and Iceland have a much greater insight into COVID-19 prevalence. It is worth noting that, in contrast to New Zealand, all of these country exemplars have been quick adopters of technology.
The other countries mentioned, Australia, Taiwan, Germany and Iceland all have had significant outbreaks since Gorman wrote this. Germany in particular had a surge that has seen over 90,000 deaths occurring.
On August 14, 2020 the country went into level 3 lockdown after a cluster in Auckland appeared, centred around a coolstore in South Auckland and a number of churches that appeared to rely more on the will of God than medical sccience. Gorman ranked the government response at between 2 and 3 out of 10. He also said that it would take the economy 10 years to recover and that the country’s elimination strategy had been undermined by leaks at the boarder. He also advocated for National MPs to be involved in decision making.
He thought that level one would not be reached for between two weeks and seven weeks. He was partially correct here. Most of the country moved back into Level 1 five weeks later. It took Level 2 was reached in 18 days but it took Auckland eight weeks to get back to level one.
On August 21, 2020 Gorman again railed against the use of lockdowns. In an editorial in the New Zealand Medical Journal he said:
New Zealanders are confronted with a new reality: to learn to “live with COVID-19” until such time as we have herd immunity, hopefully by way of a vaccination in the next 18 months or so. This always was the reality, although 100 days with no community transmission tempted us to think it wasn’t true. The real question is “how best do we live with this virus”?
In our view, it makes no sense to continue to automatically resort to extensive social lockdowns because we are not well enough prepared to contain an outbreak without running unacceptable health risks if we don’t. Indeed, this strategy is unlikely to be sustainable, given that each time a lockdown is triggered it further undermines the twin foundations on which this approach rests: cheap public borrowing capacity and voluntary public compliance.
There is a better way: more disciplined border management, earlier detection through more testing along with faster contact tracing and isolation of cases, combined with approaches to social distancing (including masks) that are far more selective than full-scale Level Three or Four lockdowns.
The fact that we are still struggling to get the basic elements of this smarter approach right after so long suggests that we need a new approach. Einstein’s definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Recent events in New South Wales and earlier events in Taiwan would suggest this approach is not optimal.
On August 23, 2020 Gorman managed to contradict himself in the same interview, no mean feat. He said that New Zealand had been caught up in a ‘’euphoria’’ of victory over the virus, which then led to complacency. He also said were taking the virus more seriously the second time, as he felt their trust and confidence had been “seriously eroded”. Which emotion, euphoria, or seriously eroded confidence was dominant he has not specified.
On September 2, 2020 Gorman advocated for multiple layers of protection after five people who had tested negative for Covid before travelling from India to New Zealand then tested positive while in isolation facilities. Thankfully there were multiple layers of protection and in this case they worked.
On January 24, 2021 he said:
“There’s just been this reluctance to engage with anybody else with ideas,” says Professor Des Gorman. “What underpins this reticence? Political risk has driven a culture of ‘best in show’, ‘we’re the envy of the world’. It’s a very pervasive culture, and it’s the wrong culture. The culture we should have is: how do we do better tomorrow than we did yesterday?”
Experts such as Michael Baker agreed. But Baker has said positive things about the country’s performance as well as providing constructive criticism.
January 26, 2021 Gorman said that the country was enjoying some dumb good luck. From Radio New Zealand:
It is “dumb good luck” rather than good management that no-one else has so far tested positive for Covid-19 following the latest community case, a health expert says.
Managed isolation system is not working as it should, and New Zealand is extremely vulnerable as it waits in the queue for a vaccine.
New Zealand’s borders should be closed temporarily while things were improved to face the new strains of the virus.
“We’ve got a very leaky border, we’re trying to use hotels as quarantine facilities, we’ve got a community which doesn’t have any immune resistance to this virus. We are peculiarly vulnerable.”
On February 15, 2021 Gorman said that the decision to have detention centres in the middle of Auckland was nuts. From Newstalk ZB:
“Why are we still isolating high-risk returnees in the middle of our largest city? This is simply nuts. We are putting our livelihoods and wellbeings at risk because we are simply not managing the level of risk that we currently have appropriately. We haven’t thought through the risk we are prepared to live with. If level 3 is the right reponse then they shouldn’t have been quarantined in Auckland.”
He thought that the infection could be related to a failure at managed isolation. The most likely explanation that subsequently appeared is that the source case may have contracted the virus through her work at LSG Sky Chefs handling laundry for international airlines.
On February 16, 2021 he appeared on Seven Sharp to talk about what he thought would happen next.
“My best guess, and it is a guess, would be that the Government will try and buy time and they will extend this window of observation out until Friday (the 20th) at least,” he said.
The Government subsequently went back to level 2 with effect from the 18th of February.
On February 18, 2021 Gorman commented that he believed Government responses were being driven by optics, not science.
“Certainly, if you take Sunday, for example, if we need to be in level 3 – and you and I would say that was a reasonable response to the unknown at the time – then how on Earth did they let the Big Gay Out and the America’s Cup go ahead?
“No wonder people are anxious and when you add that political theatre we are seeing in terms of the level announcements. People are becoming quite distressed by all this and part of that is, they simply can’t see any predictability to the response.”
A Government spokesperson disputed Gorman comments and said the response to the Auckland community cases was consistent with the COVID-19 resurgence plan and identical to the approach taken to the Auckland August outbreak.
The announcement was made at 5:30 pm on the Sunday after the event had already happened. There has to be a lead in time so that arrangements could be put in place. And with the benefit of hindsight the outbreak was contained.
On March 3, 2021 Gorman said “[o]ur contact tracing still isn’t good enough and it hasn’t improved since last July,” after a single case where a contact tracer had rang someone 15 times to try and get hold of them.
Scientists should know that it is not advisable to determine the course of a trend from a single example.
He also said that while the vaccine rollout will help, it won’t be a “silver bullet” as variants mean the virus will continue to be a global issue. I am sure we can all agree with that.
On March 17, 2021 Gorman made some comments critical of Plan B. From Stuff:
Auckland University professor Des Gorman said Covid Plan B was legitimising VFF by sharing its content and appearing on its platforms, even if it did not agree with everything the group said.
He was concerned it could lead to vaccine hesitancy.
Gorman, who has criticised the Government’s Covid-19 response, said there was a fine line between promoting academic freedom of expression and promoting falsehoods.
“We should never stifle academic debate, but when [academics] are promoting misinformation that may create public harm, we have to stand up and say ‘sorry you have crossed a line’.”
Again agreed completely.
On April 13, 2021 Gorman had further criticism, also valid, that the mandatory testing system of border workers was not working.
On April 14, 2021 he criticised the vaccine roll out.
Des Gorman has strongly criticized the Government for failing to accelerate the administration of vaccinations, noting at the current rate, it will take roughly five years to inoculate New Zealand’s population against COVID-19.
“To actually vaccinate the country this year, we need to be hitting over 27,000 vaccinations a day… why is there a hold-up?”
The vaccination rate is tracking ahead of what is planned.
And recently the country crushed the 27,000 figure as part of the ramp up.
On May 1, 2021 Gorman said there needed to be checks at every step of the bubble, as the current system was far too reliant on good behaviour and people inherently doing the right thing.
“Our elimination strategy leave us absolutely reliant on two things – a secure border and effective contact tracing and at the moment none of those are up to the level we’d like to have to have any sense of security.”
On June 10, 2021 Gorman said the country could soon run out of vaccine. Dear reader this did not happen.
On June 18, 2021 University of Otago public health professor Nick Wilson said that staggering the rollout by age is a “very good” approach.
“To take that approach of going down the age groups is a very good one – it’s worked very well in the UK. So I think this is looking good for the rest of the vaccine rollout.”
Gorman disagreed.
“Most of the vaccine-hesitant are young and if we say, ‘We don’t need to vaccinate you until the end of the year’, what are we telling them? ‘You’re at such low risk and this is not a big deal for you?’ Now I can’t see that encouraging vaccination, to be honest.”
The rationale, that older people are more vulnerable I would think was pretty evident.
On June 19, 2021 Gorman said that the Government’s vaccination targets were entirely arbitrary, essentially a communications tool that can be used to suggest the government has got Covid under control. 1.5 million completed vaccination shots would suggest otherwise.
On June 24, 2021 Gorman suggested that the response to the latest virus incursion which was discovered on a Tuesday night and released on a Wednesday morning were unacceptable.
It’s not just vaccinations and use of the Tracer app that need to improve before we can safely open the borders, he thinks – the Ministry of Health also needs to up its game. Dr Gorman says it was too slow to notify the public of the potential exposure in Wellington.
Despite knowing about the case on Tuesday night, it didn’t go public until Wednesday morning. By then most Kiwis had already heard about it via Australian media reports.
Clearly sleep, the notification happened late at night, and the need to accurately identify all sites of interest were not relevant considerations.
Then on July 14, 2021 after infected overseas fishermen were quarantined in Wellington he said that the public had been exposed to unnecessary risk. From Radio New Zealand:
University of Auckland’s Des Gorman told Morning Report the Wellington public had been exposed to undue risk because the system designed to keep the virus out the country had not be executed.
Viking Bay fishing vessel crew members were transferred from the ship berthed in Wellington to the Grand Mercure Hotel in the capital yesterday. One of the infected crew was confirmed as having the virulent Delta variant.
The hotel usually keeps one floor with 10 rooms for infected people, but to accommodate the extra demand it has opened up a second level.
Gorman said the hotel hadn’t been designed to stop people breathing in others’ exhaled breath and keep their environments separate and the whole episode posed an unnecessary risk that now needed to be minimised.
“I don’t think the mariners should have been allowed anywhere near New Zealand waters without proper pre-departure testing and appropriate quarantine,” he said
“You just add layer upon layer to risks, because of our basic strategy of keeping this disease out of the country until we’re vaccinated just simply wasn’t executed.”
The fishermen had prior to entry into New Zealand provided clean Covid tests.
Finally on July 24, 2021 he suggested there should be no political decision making in relation to Covid.
A university professor has called on the Government to relinquish control of the COVID-19 response to an expert health group, to lessen the risks political decisions will get in the way of a good health response.
There are now more than 40,000 new cases being reported every day, with that expected to rise now restrictions are gone. Luckily two-thirds of Brits have been vaccinated, reducing the likelihood deaths will rise to the levels seen during the massive wave at the start of the year.
“I think it’s early, I think it’s precipitous, I think it’s probably dangerous,” said Dr Gorman. “But I understand why it became a political necessity.”
“The Government makes it clear to the group what its expectations are, but then gets out of the way of people who are actually experts.”
Given the clear respect for the science that this Government has shown this is an expecially strange proposal. And it makes you wonder about his earlier suggestion that politicians from all sides of the aisle should be making decisions.
He has been consistently negative, and consistently wrong. There have been occasions when he has suggested changes to procedure that the Government were implementing. Apart from that his comments have matched National’s rhetoric. The lock downs are too stringent and are not working, and the border is too loose and is not working.
At different times according to Gorman the Government has been caught with its pants down, had acted too quickly, was hiding things from the population, the economy had taken a massive hit, that most experts were too afraid because of fear of a backlash, that less draconian steps should be taken, that more draconian steps at the border should be taken, that the country may well have been better than most at containing the virus but only deserved a mark of two out of ten, that Kiwis had felt euphoria at the same time that their confidence had been seriously eroded, that there was a reluctance to engage with experts and that our success was down to dumb good luck. He has claimed that the Government response is being driven by optics and not science and that the virus roll out could take up to five years.
The overall impression created by Gorman’s comments is negative. And makes you wonder how it is possible that the country has been able to maintain its current situation and effectively keep Covid out.
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- HYEFU and BPS data shows New Zealand is way off track
New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...5 days ago
- “Better economic management”
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...5 days ago
- Shameless, clueless
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...5 days ago - Minimum wage ‘increase’ is an effective cut
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...6 days ago
- Crazy ’bout a Sharp-dressed Man
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...6 days ago - How much should you worry about a collapse of the Atlantic conveyor belt?
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob Henson In this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...6 days ago
- 8% ACT Party Creates One Ring To Rule Them All
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...6 days ago - When austerity worsens public debt & cuts GDP
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...6 days ago
- Govt to double number of toll roads
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s pre-emptive strike
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...6 days ago
- Gordon Campbell On The Coalition’s Empty Gestures, And Abortion Refusal As The New Slavery
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...6 days ago
- More public service contempt of parliament
Back in 2023 the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties raised concerns about the inherent conflict of interest involved in public service agencies supporting parliamentary select committees. Our parliament is run on a shoestring, so depends on the public service for advice. But public service agencies work for Ministers, not ...6 days ago
- If There Is A God
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...7 days ago - A Lipstick Government
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...7 days ago - NZCTU open letter to Treasury on undue restrictions on restricted briefings
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...7 days ago
- Why you won’t hear me advocate for electric cars
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate. I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...7 days ago
- Coalition forced to back down on tolling Pahiatua track
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...7 days ago
- Thank You
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...1 week ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #50
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...1 week ago
- Making Gravy
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...1 week ago - Nothing here but the shadows
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...1 week ago - The United Right: the FSU’s Continued Efforts to Undermine Academia
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...1 week ago
- Showing the Americans how to do it
Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...1 week ago
- 2 Men, 1 Haircut
Hi,“What I love about New Zealanders is that sometimes you use these expressions that as Americans we have no idea what those things mean!"I am watching a 30-something year old American ramble on about how different New Zealanders are to Americans. It’s his podcast, and this man is doing a ...1 week ago - Chris Penk’s Hate Parade
What Chris Penk has granted holocaust-denier and equal-opportunity-bigot Candace Owens is not “freedom of speech”. It’s not even really freedom of movement, though that technically is the right she has been granted. What he has given her is permission to perform. Freedom of SpeechIn New Zealand, the right to freedom ...1 week ago - Tell me a story
All those tears on your cheeksJust like deja vu flow nowWhen grandmother speaksSo tell me a story (I'll tell you a story)Spell it out, I can't hear (What do you want to hear?)Why you wear black in the morning?Why there's smoke in the air? Songwriter: Greg Johnson.Mōrena all ☀️Something a ...1 week ago
- National’s Greatest Misses 2023-4
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...2 days ago - Release: Minister’s plan for tertiary sector a backwards step
Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...2 days ago
- Release: National buries 1019 planned homes
It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...3 days ago
- Release: Rule-Czar bill a right-wing power grab
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...3 days ago
- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is running away from problems of his own creation, with his decision not to go to Waitangi. ...3 days ago
- Govt’s ‘free speech’ legislation stokes fear, not freedom
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...3 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...4 days ago
- ECE no place to cut corners
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...5 days ago
- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...5 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...5 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...5 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...5 days ago
- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...5 days ago
- Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...6 days ago
- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...6 days ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...6 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...2 weeks ago
- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...15 hours ago - PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...2 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...2 days ago
- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...3 days ago
- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...3 days ago
- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...3 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...3 days ago
- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...3 days ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...3 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...3 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...3 days ago
- Judicial appointment announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...3 days ago
- GDP data highlights importance of growth
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...4 days ago
- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...4 days ago
- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...4 days ago
- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...4 days ago
- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...4 days ago
- Levelling the playing field for media advertising
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...4 days ago
- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...4 days ago
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...4 days ago
- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...4 days ago
- Hawke’s Bay Expressway moving at pace
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...4 days ago
- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...4 days ago
- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...4 days ago
- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...4 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...5 days ago
- A busy year in the House
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...5 days ago
- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...5 days ago
- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...5 days ago
- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...5 days ago
- Building consent processing times improve
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...5 days ago
- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...5 days ago
- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...5 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...5 days ago
- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...5 days ago
- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...5 days ago
- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.“Councils and voters ...5 days ago
- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
New Zealand is one step closer to reaping the benefits of gene technology with the passing of the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. "This legislation will end New Zealand's near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is ...5 days ago
- Vanuatu quake: Warnings as bad weather threat looms for Port Vila
By , New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...2 hours ago - Signs of the hīkoi: More than just ‘words on cardboard’
The placards seen at the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti conveyed "huge kōrero with immediacy", expert says: "People know the power of the word." ...11 hours ago - A final Ode to .. King Luxon
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...19 hours ago - A hater and an enthusiast review The Royal Free by Carl Shuker
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When Gorman comes on the TV or radio, I mute the machine!
I've let RNZ have my opinion, gratis, of their use of this consistently negative commentator!
Wow, Des Gorman's criticisms and contradictions are dizzyingly confusing. He is seemingly speaking with and on behalf of National. Some of his ideas are risky, as in putting quarantine returnees out of Auckland but without saying where they should all go. Where elsewhere are big enough facilities, staff, healthcare workers, transport, chefs, admin staff?
Likewise those who say NZ should build specific quarantine facilities. Given that would take two years or more for land to be located and bought, designs drawn up, consents granted from a council, a tender put out for building the facility, staff to be hired, materials purchased.
Somehow Des Gorman comes over as someone who rather likes the sound of his own voice.
Australia operates exactly such a facility at Howard Springs in NT south of Darwin. It's been very popular and 100% successful so far.
If we really wanted to something similar could be built in NZ in about a month.
Howard Springs already existed – an ex workers camp for an offshore LNG mega project
https://aecom.com/nz/projects/manigurr-ma-village/
Its laughable to suggest could be 'built in a month'..even Australia has thought of it and given a pass
As I said – "If we really wanted to". Clearly the will is lacking. And my real point is that exactly such a quarantine facility does exist, and it's operated with excellent success, described as a 'gold standard' facility.
That other people lack the imagination or will to get something similar done elsewhere is beside the point.
You cant get a garden shed built in a month currently in NZ.
Thanks MS for approaching such dirty work in such a lawerly way. I have made one or two amateurish comments on here about Gorman's performance – so it's a relief to see it set out like this.
In an alternate world where National won in 2017 you know this clown would have been put in charge of our covid response.
I guess he has two advantages for the media. He answers his phone and is reliably contrarian.
"Academic gets around to supporting government on RNZ the next day" doesn't have the same appeal to a shrieking Lisa Owen.
He’s also a male silverback without any shades of pink with medical and science degrees. A pin-up poster boy for those who lack charisma and intellectual firepower themselves. We need contrarians more than we need conspiracy theorists. However, the line between these two can be blurry.
And no more medical knowledge of epidemiology/virus than an an normal GP, given his medical speciality is brain injuries.
Not even a smattering of previous interest in standard public health areas. And yet hes all over the media on Covid ??
"Professor Gorman’s non-clinical interests include health system design and funding, and health workforce planning and development."
Side-kick of Murray Horn on the National Health Board (he wrote a book to sort of boast that neo-liberals took over the direction of government in a way that that no future elected government could change it) – the sort of people who had HB's having to make a return on capital invested in new buildings (so they could not afford to fully staff wards within it).
Indeed, he might be straying out of his comfort zone but he seems pretty comfortable with that or compensates it with plenty of confidence.
RedLogix, perhaps you could elaborate with more details on how a quarantine facility could be built in a month. Is land readily available (no not Waiouru), and all the other planning and construction requirements.
hes probably thinking Ihumatao….. near the airport, $200 mill when you have builders galore available
It's simple. Import 1000 Inuit workers and house them in an offshore igloo. They will row to shore each day in the hollowed out carcass of baby Toa to work on the quarantine centre using traditional whalebone tools and hydrogen powered nail guns.
I've been saying this for a year.
Pass the necessary legislation and budget under urgency and appropriate the necessary land, materials and people. If necessary import a competent project manager if there are none left in NZ anymore. I can recommend a name or two.
One of the National parties, managerial "useful idiots" they packed state services with.
Compliant commentators who have read the government narrative and don’t ask questions and just sing the praises of how wonderful we were are preferable.
Is that a euphemism for or another piss-take on occasionally harsh but constructive criticism of Government decisions and handling of the pandemic? If so, I can think of a few experts that fit that description very well and nicely.
Yep, you got my number Incognito.
Just feel we can all fall too easily into the trap of praising everyone who supports our party colours and criticising those that don’t.
But admire the way you take a more circumspect approach overall.
[I’m letting this one through so that I can remind you that you still have to provide a satisfactory response to your moderation. If/when you take too long I’ll move you to Black list until further notice and until you respond – Incognito]
See my Moderation note @ 8:06 pm.
We had good luck all right. The good luck that Gorman was not in charge.
Or National. While it is probably unfair to look at a opposition political parties 'policies' when they are in such a chaotic state as National is at present (or as outright nut jobs as Act MP caucus or Mike Hosking are), but they haven't been as rational as Des Gorman.
Of course they have exhibited similar behaviours that are, in my opinion, just as incoherent, unprofessional, and regularly trying to cast the cloak of 'victim' over themselves.
Frankly I prefer Plan B as opposition to the governments plans – they have been much more interesting even when I regularly disagree with them.
Is Professor Gorman a member of the National Party?
Thank goodness we have apolitical (as they should be) experts guiding the current government and not some gormless agenda-driven advisors.
To think where we might have been in this pandemic under National is a very scary thought indeed.
Gorman is just another confused National Party tool.As a member of the Nat's Welfare Reform Group he systematically & deliberately made the lives of beneficiaries (except for NZ Superannuiatants) as wretched & as miserable as possible. What happened to his hypocratic oath, 'First, do no harm.'?
I've known Gorman for nearly 40 years. Successive governments fed his egomania and profited from it too, not least in the medicolegal assessment regime he established for ACC and is waiting in the wings (and on the statute books) for social welfare beneficiaries. Civil Aviation, too, benefited from the Gorman touch, as did big meat processing companies. Gorman also had a hand in the state of our current emdical workforce, acting as a gatekeeper there.
Just a thank you for a comprehensive exposure of his twist and turns on the Covid response, that I have noted as well. Obviously he has been used by National and their media supporters to get alternative Medical Expert View. He historically comes from a a submariner medical and occupational medicine teaching role interestingly , no epidemiologist , unlike Profs Jackson , Skeggs etc
NBJ
des gorman is either an educated fool or a fully paid up shill for the nationals party. probably both!