Health Commissioner Lester Levy says a lower health deficit than expected is a sign of progress.  

Health New Zealand's revealed a $1.1 billion deficit – well short of the $1.76 billion it initially reported. 

The Opposition's accused the Government of manufacturing a crisis to justify its cuts.  

Levy told Mike Hosking he's confident Health New Zealand will be at zero deficit in three years, assuming nothing unexpected happens.  

But he says that's a temporary and fixable problem, unlike the real problem of long waiting times. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Health Commissioner Lester Levy says a lower health deficit than expected is a sign of progress. &nbsp;
Health New Zealand's revealed a $1.1 billion deficit – well short of the $1.76 billion it initially reported.&nbsp;
The Opposition's accused the Government of manufacturing a crisis to justify its cuts. &nbsp;
Levy told Mike Hosking he's confident Health New Zealand will be at zero deficit in three years, assuming nothing unexpected happens. &nbsp;
But he says that's a temporary and fixable problem, unlike the real problem of long waiting times.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

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The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Lester Levy: Health Commissioner on Health NZ's deficit decreasing by $660 million

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5aa0d75c-b02f-4b4c-9723-b23b0135a132/transcript

From our “he would say that, wouldn’t he” file, comes the predictable Winston Peters response to the National Party's medicine for aid deal. 

National are reading the room. If you have no money and you need to trade one thing for another, does medicine beat aid? 

Yes, hands down. 

Although Pacific aid is protected, where Peters has fallen hopelessly short is in his oft-used line about being friends, "long-standing friends", and that counts. 

In other words, the fact big players like China roll into town and start writing cheques won't ultimately make a lot of difference because good old New Zealand has been along for the ride for years. 

Well, that ain't true, and we know it. 

Money talks and the last Pacific Islands Forum with its missing members and its lack of communique because of the various players who are now overtly pro-China, tells the real story. 

That’s before you get to the lack of accountability. Aid has become a sop, a hand-out, and the recipients don’t appear overly grateful. 

Then you might well argue about effect – what exactly does aid solve? What problems does it fix when it is more these days, at best, a band-aid? 

A never-ending, ever larger band-aid, driven as much by habit as a potential answer to a problem. 

It's part of our international commitment of course. We need to be seen to be playing our part. 

It's like defence – we can't piggyback on bigger, richer countries. 

But in a world increasingly looking inwards this should not be a surprise. 

The same way Pauline Hanson has upended the immigration debate with the Coalition yesterday slashing their target, not because it makes sense or is good for the economy, but because they are losing to Hanson, for National there are no votes in invisible money in offshore locations we don't care about. 

There are votes in better pills and potions. 

It's called retail politics and Peters of all people should recognise it. 

From our “he would say that, wouldn’t he” file, comes the predictable Winston Peters response to the National Party's medicine for aid deal.&nbsp;
National are reading the room. If you have no money and you need to trade one thing for another, does medicine beat aid?&nbsp;
Yes, hands down.&nbsp;
Although Pacific aid is protected, where Peters has fallen hopelessly short is in his oft-used line about being friends, "long-standing friends", and that counts.&nbsp;
In other words, the fact big players like China roll into town and start writing cheques won't ultimately make a lot of difference because good old New Zealand has been along for the ride for years.&nbsp;
Well, that ain't true, and we know it.&nbsp;
Money talks and the last Pacific Islands Forum with its missing members and its lack of communique because of the various players who are now overtly pro-China, tells the real story.&nbsp;
That’s before you get to the lack of accountability. Aid has become a sop, a hand-out, and the recipients don’t appear overly grateful.&nbsp;
Then you might well argue about effect – what exactly does aid solve? What problems does it fix when it is more these days, at best, a band-aid?&nbsp;
A never-ending, ever larger band-aid, driven as much by habit as a potential answer to a problem.&nbsp;
It's part of our international commitment of course. We need to be seen to be playing our part.&nbsp;
It's like defence – we can't piggyback on bigger, richer countries.&nbsp;
But in a world increasingly looking inwards this should not be a surprise.&nbsp;
The same way Pauline Hanson has upended the immigration debate with the Coalition yesterday slashing their target, not because it makes sense or is good for the economy, but because they are losing to Hanson, for National there are no votes in invisible money in offshore locations we don't care about.&nbsp;
There are votes in better pills and potions.&nbsp;
It's called retail politics and Peters of all people should recognise it.&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: Medicine for foreign aid money is a no-brainer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/09c7c8a4-28ad-4033-bf9a-b4db0164893f/transcript

Exercise chain CityFitness is lining up one of the sector's biggest expansions yet. 

It's looking to pump $100 million into 50 new gyms over the next five years, expanding its network beyond 100 locations. 

The plans include growing its Simplicity Fitness Premium Facilities and launching women-only gyms, and would create around 1000 new jobs. 

Chief Operating Officer Doug Hatten told Mike Hosking they're focused on creating the offering that's right for the market they're heading into. 

For example, he says, if they go into a market where there's 30,000 people within 10 kilometres, they know they can provide a fitness offering for that market – it's just a matter of what the right one is.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Exercise chain CityFitness is lining up one of the sector's biggest expansions yet.&nbsp;
It's looking to pump $100 million into 50 new gyms over the next five years, expanding its network beyond 100 locations.&nbsp;
The plans include growing its Simplicity Fitness Premium Facilities and launching women-only gyms, and would create around 1000 new jobs.&nbsp;
Chief Operating Officer Doug Hatten told Mike Hosking they're focused on creating the offering that's right for the market they're heading into.&nbsp;
For example, he says, if they go into a market where there's 30,000 people within 10 kilometres, they know they can provide a fitness offering for that market – it's just a matter of what the right one is. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Doug Hatten: CityFitness Chief Operating Officer on their $100 million expansion plan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e19120b2-561a-4e18-bca4-b4db0163638b/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 7th of October, Mike gives his thoughts on last night's debate, and we bring you a selection of the best bits. 

Kiwi pro golfer Steve Alker keeps on winning on the PGA Champions Tour, so he's back for a chat. 

Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss the debate, education, and cocaine use on Politics Wednesday. 

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

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 7th of October, Mike gives his thoughts on last night's debate, and we bring you a selection of the best bits.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/steven-alker-kiwi-golfer-on-winning-the-jefferson-lehigh-valley-classic-in-pennsylvania/">Kiwi pro golfer Steve Alker</a> keeps on winning on the PGA Champions Tour, so he's back for a chat.&nbsp;
Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss the debate, education, and cocaine use on Politics Wednesday.&nbsp;
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 07 October 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/35bec70b-898d-4791-be1d-b4db0150e212/transcript

Lester Levy: Health Commissioner on Health NZ's deficit decreasing by $660 million

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