July 31, 2024 • 9 mins
Tonight on The Huddle, Media Insider's Shayne Currie and Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
New developments in the Polkinghorne murder trial, with the case featuring testimony around an orange rope found in the Remuera home where the incident happened. What do we make of this?
Health NZ has appointed four new deputy chief executives, who will hold budgets and accountability for regional hospital services. Do we need these changes?
Over in Paris, the delayed men's triathlon is set to take place tonight after pollution in the Seine stopped athletes in their tracks yesterday. Is this safe?
There's more job cuts today, as over 100 positions are set to be axed at GNS science. Is this the right move?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And you know on the whole we've got Shane Curry,
media insider and media man at large, and also Nick
leg Gets, the CEO of Infrastructure New Zealand, and hello
to you both are Shane Evening Andrew.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Hello, Nick, Hello Andrew.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Very good Shae. As a media man, you must know
that this case has got everything, hasn't it.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
It sure does, And there's been a lot of discussion
beforehand just around the media rules. Obviously it's a very
delicate case and a lot of respects. But I think
every man, woman and their dog is in the press
gallery at the moment in the High Court covering the case.
And you know it's a huge case. I mean you
talked about the interest on the website and I don't
(00:42):
think I've seen these sort of numbers since probably you know,
smart Hope right sort of casey and there's a huge interest.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Well there's three big stories as well, of course, as
a health New Zealand, the bloating, the fourteen layers of bureaucracy.
What did you make of that, Nick.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Well, it's not not unexpected in many ways, is that
we know that you know what is what was dressed
up as health reform was really technocratic reform, and it's
very difficult to see where that actually improves those frontline
and those sort of things like cancer treatments for New Zealanders.
(01:20):
And I do worry it's very removed from the needs
of kiwi's, you know, whether it's getting to your doctor
or getting the treatment that you need. And we know
that there's a that's a system under stress and underfunded,
and we think about farmac rolled into that as well,
though that's probably technically separate. It's it almost feels like
a conversation that's happening amongst you know, the sort of insiders,
(01:44):
rather than one that really where kiwis can see their
needs are reflective.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
This is true, but it is a very complex thing,
and I think it's very ad hoc. I think they've
sort of bolted stuff onto, bolted stuff onto, bolted stuff onto,
if you know what I mean. As new treatments come through,
they bolted on. It becomes a new bureaucracy. And this
has been going on for years. I don't think we've
had I think we've had a bloated bureaucracy for a
very long time, not just the last Labor administration, but
(02:09):
for decades beforehand.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Shane definitely. Definitely, it's been not going on for years.
I've got huge confidence and Lester Levy, both from a
private business point of view and his experience in the
health sector to actually be the person to help sort
it out. I know there's a lot of debate around
the four regional managers that have been announced and whether
or not that's just another kind of bolt on as
well Andrew, but I certainly think and just looking at
(02:32):
their backgrounds, they do have a great mix of being
both formerly frontline medical staff and great experience as leaders,
and I think that's exactly what the health sector needs.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Very good stuff. Okay, we're in the huddle. We have
Nick let we have Shane Curry. We're back in a moment.
We're in the water of the sea, and yes it's
on the huddle, Nick Leggett and also Shane Curry. So
I said there were three big stories Bulkinghorn Health New Zealand,
and the third one has been the triathlon. Will they
or won't they? They are? Shane? Do you believe? So?
I just make sure that your microphone's on then we go.
It's a big red button. Do you believe that the
(03:05):
water is actually clean or the pressure is too great.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
No, the water's not clean. I listened to Levina before,
and she's been living in Paris for the last few
weeks and hasn't seen anyone in the river apart from
the mir of course. Has anyone seen the mia since
she a two weeks ago.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
You know what I've down fuddy about? That goes well,
I get into the water, I come out of the water.
I am fine. I'm going yeah, but the bugs are
going to hit you in twenty four hours, in.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
A couple of weeks. Look, I'm sure they'll be fine.
I know that they You know, there was obviously a
pre Olympic event last year and the athletes didn't have
any issue. Following that, the rain has been an issue.
I see it's overcast in Paris right now, but we're
only minutes away from from the women's triathlon actually starting,
so it's great to see. I don't think you know
the likes of Hayden wild if he and let's hope
that he will get another medal. I think he will,
(03:49):
But if it was to be a duathlon, there'd always
be that esterisk beside it.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Right, they're terrible, They're terrible, And Nick Nick actually with
your your hat on the CEO of the infrastructure and
all that have it in Paris is a huge lesson
for Auckland and everywhere else where. We haven't separated as systems.
A oh, I haven't cooked you on airs like I'm
so sorry, there you go.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Look, I think when I when I read, when I followed,
as I followed this story, I have been thinking this
is a really important spotlight on you know, on Paris,
but actually it's something that every world community can relate
to the health of our waterways, the impacts of wastewater
(04:30):
and storm water, both in wet and dry weather. And
if you think, you know, there's been massive outrage in
the UK in recent around or actually years in relation
to the same sort of issues, we are not immune
from it here and so I think it actually places
quite an important spotlight on the health of our waterways
(04:52):
and rivers and the impact of cities and you know,
the ability for the natural environment to sort of you know,
survive with the right kind of treatment and the right
and the right care, and so infrastructure is obviously a
massive part of that. So you know, I want I
want the I want the the the triathlon to occur.
(05:17):
I think we all want to follow that, but I
think we also need to all learn the lesson from
what's going on there and not snigger about it, because
it's something that's well.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
It's very very serious and it's not getting to a
debate about three waters, ten waters, fifteen waters, or no
waters at all, or be here all night. But what
I will talk about is the one in five gns
STA which could be laid off of the latest public
service cut. And some people have come out and said,
and particularly people in the science community, so that we're
actually cutting too many people out from the science community.
The Callahan Institute has been gutted and now g and
(05:49):
S is being gutted. But surely these people are public servants.
But don't we need scientists.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
We need scientists, and yes, there is I think of
the round one fifth of the workforce a genus that
they're looking at, and of course we've seen it with
Nior as well Andrew unfortunately, and I have deep sympathy
for every individual who's affected. But you know, this government
has been very clear just about the cuts that are needed,
and we're all facing it as taxpayers, we're all facing
(06:16):
it in private business. Wellington should be no exception. The
interesting thing and I covered this earlier this week with
the closure today of Senate Communications, and it's now a
lot of downstream industries that are losing contracts as a
result of the public sector cutbacks. It's now impact starting
to impact very deeply in the Wellington private sector as well.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Yes, it is because we had so many people there
in that economy, so that's going to affect it. Nick
knows that because he's down that economy as well. But
here's the thing, Nick, ask a doctor, you know, you
can cut the fat, you can cut the disease, but
you don't want to cut the good meat. And I
wonder sometimes whether the cuts have been too broad.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
This is the concern. As we're seeing here. It doesn't
look like a sort of a specific attempt to cut
excess fat. It just looks like an across the board reduction.
And I think that's the danger with this, these cutbacks
across the public sector. We know that the government feels
(07:22):
that it's been spending too much, and it was elected
on that mandate and they're now delivering on it. What
concerns me is does anybody think that New Zealand spends
too much on research? And development. Does anybody think that
we've got we know enough around the sort of services
that GENS providers in terms of earthquakes and other knowledge
(07:42):
of New Zealand. I don't think we do. And that's
that's really the challenge here. So I think that you
can say, well, broadly, there's a reason the governments has
undertaken this policy direction, but you know, when it comes
to these sort of services, does make you think, gee,
there could have been a little bit more direction or
(08:03):
discretion of people.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
But the problem, the problem there is time. You know,
you can have so much discretion, so much analysis, paralysis,
and then before you know it, you know it's taken
a year and you've done nothing.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Well, I don't accept that. I mean, I think there
are ways of being more focused and still reducing costs.
But look, it's happening, and you're absolutely right, both of
you that it's not just the downstream services the wider economy.
There are thousands of people losing their jobs every week
(08:36):
across New Zealand and we actually need to recognize that
as well as those people who obviously we obviously sympathize
with in the public service that are going through the
same thing.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Nick you obviously don't understand the concept of the huddle,
which is where we all disagree and then we come
to blows at the end of it. But I thank
you anyway, all the very best say coming on the
very best b It is seven to.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Six more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Listen live to news talks it'd be from four pm weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
And you know on the whole we've got Shane Curry,
media insider and media man at large, and also Nick
leg Gets, the CEO of Infrastructure New Zealand, and hello
to you both are Shane Evening Andrew.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Hello, Nick, Hello Andrew.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Very good Shae. As a media man, you must know
that this case has got everything, hasn't it.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
It sure does, And there's been a lot of discussion
beforehand just around the media rules. Obviously it's a very
delicate case and a lot of respects. But I think
every man, woman and their dog is in the press
gallery at the moment in the High Court covering the case.
And you know it's a huge case. I mean you
talked about the interest on the website and I don't
(00:42):
think I've seen these sort of numbers since probably you know,
smart Hope right sort of casey and there's a huge interest.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Well there's three big stories as well, of course, as
a health New Zealand, the bloating, the fourteen layers of bureaucracy.
What did you make of that, Nick.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Well, it's not not unexpected in many ways, is that
we know that you know what is what was dressed
up as health reform was really technocratic reform, and it's
very difficult to see where that actually improves those frontline
and those sort of things like cancer treatments for New Zealanders.
(01:20):
And I do worry it's very removed from the needs
of kiwi's, you know, whether it's getting to your doctor
or getting the treatment that you need. And we know
that there's a that's a system under stress and underfunded,
and we think about farmac rolled into that as well,
though that's probably technically separate. It's it almost feels like
a conversation that's happening amongst you know, the sort of insiders,
(01:44):
rather than one that really where kiwis can see their
needs are reflective.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
This is true, but it is a very complex thing,
and I think it's very ad hoc. I think they've
sort of bolted stuff onto, bolted stuff onto, bolted stuff onto,
if you know what I mean. As new treatments come through,
they bolted on. It becomes a new bureaucracy. And this
has been going on for years. I don't think we've
had I think we've had a bloated bureaucracy for a
very long time, not just the last Labor administration, but
(02:09):
for decades beforehand.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Shane definitely. Definitely, it's been not going on for years.
I've got huge confidence and Lester Levy, both from a
private business point of view and his experience in the
health sector to actually be the person to help sort
it out. I know there's a lot of debate around
the four regional managers that have been announced and whether
or not that's just another kind of bolt on as
well Andrew, but I certainly think and just looking at
(02:32):
their backgrounds, they do have a great mix of being
both formerly frontline medical staff and great experience as leaders,
and I think that's exactly what the health sector needs.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Very good stuff. Okay, we're in the huddle. We have
Nick let we have Shane Curry. We're back in a moment.
We're in the water of the sea, and yes it's
on the huddle, Nick Leggett and also Shane Curry. So
I said there were three big stories Bulkinghorn Health New Zealand,
and the third one has been the triathlon. Will they
or won't they? They are? Shane? Do you believe? So?
I just make sure that your microphone's on then we go.
It's a big red button. Do you believe that the
(03:05):
water is actually clean or the pressure is too great.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
No, the water's not clean. I listened to Levina before,
and she's been living in Paris for the last few
weeks and hasn't seen anyone in the river apart from
the mir of course. Has anyone seen the mia since
she a two weeks ago.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
You know what I've down fuddy about? That goes well,
I get into the water, I come out of the water.
I am fine. I'm going yeah, but the bugs are
going to hit you in twenty four hours, in.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
A couple of weeks. Look, I'm sure they'll be fine.
I know that they You know, there was obviously a
pre Olympic event last year and the athletes didn't have
any issue. Following that, the rain has been an issue.
I see it's overcast in Paris right now, but we're
only minutes away from from the women's triathlon actually starting,
so it's great to see. I don't think you know
the likes of Hayden wild if he and let's hope
that he will get another medal. I think he will,
(03:49):
But if it was to be a duathlon, there'd always
be that esterisk beside it.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Right, they're terrible, They're terrible, And Nick Nick actually with
your your hat on the CEO of the infrastructure and
all that have it in Paris is a huge lesson
for Auckland and everywhere else where. We haven't separated as systems.
A oh, I haven't cooked you on airs like I'm
so sorry, there you go.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Look, I think when I when I read, when I followed,
as I followed this story, I have been thinking this
is a really important spotlight on you know, on Paris,
but actually it's something that every world community can relate
to the health of our waterways, the impacts of wastewater
(04:30):
and storm water, both in wet and dry weather. And
if you think, you know, there's been massive outrage in
the UK in recent around or actually years in relation
to the same sort of issues, we are not immune
from it here and so I think it actually places
quite an important spotlight on the health of our waterways
(04:52):
and rivers and the impact of cities and you know,
the ability for the natural environment to sort of you know,
survive with the right kind of treatment and the right
and the right care, and so infrastructure is obviously a
massive part of that. So you know, I want I
want the I want the the the triathlon to occur.
(05:17):
I think we all want to follow that, but I
think we also need to all learn the lesson from
what's going on there and not snigger about it, because
it's something that's well.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
It's very very serious and it's not getting to a
debate about three waters, ten waters, fifteen waters, or no
waters at all, or be here all night. But what
I will talk about is the one in five gns
STA which could be laid off of the latest public
service cut. And some people have come out and said,
and particularly people in the science community, so that we're
actually cutting too many people out from the science community.
The Callahan Institute has been gutted and now g and
(05:49):
S is being gutted. But surely these people are public servants.
But don't we need scientists.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
We need scientists, and yes, there is I think of
the round one fifth of the workforce a genus that
they're looking at, and of course we've seen it with
Nior as well Andrew unfortunately, and I have deep sympathy
for every individual who's affected. But you know, this government
has been very clear just about the cuts that are needed,
and we're all facing it as taxpayers, we're all facing
(06:16):
it in private business. Wellington should be no exception. The
interesting thing and I covered this earlier this week with
the closure today of Senate Communications, and it's now a
lot of downstream industries that are losing contracts as a
result of the public sector cutbacks. It's now impact starting
to impact very deeply in the Wellington private sector as well.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Yes, it is because we had so many people there
in that economy, so that's going to affect it. Nick
knows that because he's down that economy as well. But
here's the thing, Nick, ask a doctor, you know, you
can cut the fat, you can cut the disease, but
you don't want to cut the good meat. And I
wonder sometimes whether the cuts have been too broad.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
This is the concern. As we're seeing here. It doesn't
look like a sort of a specific attempt to cut
excess fat. It just looks like an across the board reduction.
And I think that's the danger with this, these cutbacks
across the public sector. We know that the government feels
(07:22):
that it's been spending too much, and it was elected
on that mandate and they're now delivering on it. What
concerns me is does anybody think that New Zealand spends
too much on research? And development. Does anybody think that
we've got we know enough around the sort of services
that GENS providers in terms of earthquakes and other knowledge
(07:42):
of New Zealand. I don't think we do. And that's
that's really the challenge here. So I think that you
can say, well, broadly, there's a reason the governments has
undertaken this policy direction, but you know, when it comes
to these sort of services, does make you think, gee,
there could have been a little bit more direction or
(08:03):
discretion of people.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
But the problem, the problem there is time. You know,
you can have so much discretion, so much analysis, paralysis,
and then before you know it, you know it's taken
a year and you've done nothing.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Well, I don't accept that. I mean, I think there
are ways of being more focused and still reducing costs.
But look, it's happening, and you're absolutely right, both of
you that it's not just the downstream services the wider economy.
There are thousands of people losing their jobs every week
(08:36):
across New Zealand and we actually need to recognize that
as well as those people who obviously we obviously sympathize
with in the public service that are going through the
same thing.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Nick you obviously don't understand the concept of the huddle,
which is where we all disagree and then we come
to blows at the end of it. But I thank
you anyway, all the very best say coming on the
very best b It is seven to.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Six more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Listen live to news talks it'd be from four pm weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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