Pharmac's new Chair is acknowledging those at the drug-buying agency have been publicly defensive in recent times. 

Former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett's chairing the agency as it works to the Associate Health Minister's newly outlined expectations. 

Among them is a directive to include patient groups in decision-making processes and enhance public trust.

Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking, Bennett said the executive was aligned with her and Seymour’s views.

“There are different views and people have been under one letter of expectation and regime from a very different minister, so there is still a lot of discussion to go on.

“They are having to say no more than they can say yes. They do care about New Zealanders and want to deliver more medicines, but they haven’t had the budget to do that,” she said.

“As a consequence, there has been a lot of frustration and anger; as a consequence, they have perhaps closed themselves in instead of going more outward.”

Seymour’s letter indicated a view Pharmac was struggling to maintain public trust and build positive relationships with stakeholders.

His letter asked Bennett to ensure stakeholders understood “how Pharmac operates, that its legitimacy, credibility and trust is enhanced, and that all feedback and ideas are dealt with respectfully and valued”.

He added Pharmac should report to him regularly about how it was improving organisational culture and stakeholder settlement.

LISTEN ABOVE

Pharmac's new Chair is acknowledging those at the drug-buying agency have been publicly defensive in recent times.  
Former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett's chairing the agency as it works to the Associate Health Minister's newly outlined expectations.  
Among them is a directive to include patient groups in decision-making processes and enhance public trust. 
Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking, Bennett said the executive was aligned with her and Seymour’s views. 
“There are different views and people have been under one letter of expectation and regime from a very different minister, so there is still a lot of discussion to go on. 
“They are having to say no more than they can say yes. They do care about New Zealanders and want to deliver more medicines, but they haven’t had the budget to do that,” she said. 
“As a consequence, there has been a lot of frustration and anger; as a consequence, they have perhaps closed themselves in instead of going more outward.” 
Seymour’s letter indicated a view Pharmac was struggling to maintain public trust and build positive relationships with stakeholders. 
His letter asked Bennett to ensure stakeholders understood “how Pharmac operates, that its legitimacy, credibility and trust is enhanced, and that all feedback and ideas are dealt with respectfully and valued”. 
He added Pharmac should report to him regularly about how it was improving organisational culture and stakeholder settlement. 
LISTEN ABOVE

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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

Paula Bennett: Pharmac Chair on the letter of expectations for the organisation from Minister David Seymour

The New Zealand Uber drivers have won their case in the Court of Appeal. It agrees with the Employment Court that Uber drivers should be employees, not contractors.

Other courts in other countries have broadly come down on the same lines.

But not in California. The other day, the court there agreed with the people. And the people had voted in a proposition that drivers should be contractors because that’s what drivers signed up to.

So you can ask, is democracy right? Or is a court right?

The court here said: the critical point is we think that while a driver is logged into the app, that driver has no opportunity to establish any business goodwill of their own.

I guess that’s true, but it makes no sense.

In a pure gig model, you get to choose. You choose to work, or you choose to not work. It's about flexibility. The moment you are an employee, yes you get leave, but you also lose some control. Despite what the court and the four drivers think, some people like flexibility and freedom.

The court said drivers couldn’t bargain with Uber. That, of course, is correct. But that’s the whole point of a gig deal. It's predicated on the idea that if the deal is so bad no one will work for them. And the counter to the no bargain and all the other lack of overarching rules and regulations, is it’s a simple take it or leave it.

If you find it too egregious, don’t take it. If you want a union, industrial action, pay agreements, time in lieu, and stop work meetings, be a teacher or nurse.

The tricky part now, apart from the fact Uber will take it to the Supreme Court, which they should, is that the government are reviewing Workplace Relations, and given its driven by ACT, I suspect it will be looking to free things up a bit and this court case and its decision may well be a victim of what eventually gets passed as law.

No, we don’t want seven-year-olds going down mines, hence we need protections. But it's not Victorian England, it's New Zealand 2024, and if you choose to be your own person, all power to you, and the courts can stay out of your life.

The New Zealand Uber drivers have won their case in the Court of Appeal. It agrees with the Employment Court that Uber drivers should be employees, not contractors. 
Other courts in other countries have broadly come down on the same lines. 
But not in California. The other day, the court there agreed with the people. And the people had voted in a proposition that drivers should be contractors because that’s what drivers signed up to. 
So you can ask, is democracy right? Or is a court right? 
The court here said: the critical point is we think that while a driver is logged into the app, that driver has no opportunity to establish any business goodwill of their own. 
I guess that’s true, but it makes no sense. 
In a pure gig model, you get to choose. You choose to work, or you choose to not work. It's about flexibility. The moment you are an employee, yes you get leave, but you also lose some control. Despite what the court and the four drivers think, some people like flexibility and freedom. 
The court said drivers couldn’t bargain with Uber. That, of course, is correct. But that’s the whole point of a gig deal. It's predicated on the idea that if the deal is so bad no one will work for them. And the counter to the no bargain and all the other lack of overarching rules and regulations, is it’s a simple take it or leave it. 
If you find it too egregious, don’t take it. If you want a union, industrial action, pay agreements, time in lieu, and stop work meetings, be a teacher or nurse. 
The tricky part now, apart from the fact Uber will take it to the Supreme Court, which they should, is that the government are reviewing Workplace Relations, and given its driven by ACT, I suspect it will be looking to free things up a bit and this court case and its decision may well be a victim of what eventually gets passed as law. 
No, we don’t want seven-year-olds going down mines, hence we need protections. But it's not Victorian England, it's New Zealand 2024, and if you choose to be your own person, all power to you, and the courts can stay out of your life.

Mike's Minute: Uber decision could have a chilling effect

A debate in the UK has arisen about whether teenagers should be able to travel without parental supervision.

Location, Location, Location presenter Kirstie Allsopp is speaking out about feeling "sick" and "profoundly shocked", when social services contacted her about allowing her 15-year-old son to travel with a friend in Europe.

Officials says the safety of children is their "absolute priority".

UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking that Allsopp believes the complaint was made maliciously by someone who doesn’t like her.

LISTEN ABOVE

A debate in the UK has arisen about whether teenagers should be able to travel without parental supervision. 
Location, Location, Location presenter Kirstie Allsopp is speaking out about feeling "sick" and "profoundly shocked", when social services contacted her about allowing her 15-year-old son to travel with a friend in Europe. 
Officials says the safety of children is their "absolute priority". 
UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking that Allsopp believes the complaint was made maliciously by someone who doesn’t like her. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Enda Brady: UK Correspondent on the debate over whether teenagers should be able to travel without supervision

Alison Moyet rose to fame in the 80’s as one half of the synth-pop duo ‘Yazoo’, going solo just one year later as the duo disbanded.

Her career has spanned four decades, 9 studio albums, two of which went to number one on the charts, and 23 million albums sold.

She’s returning to New Zealand for the first time in eight years, bringing her upcoming album ‘Keys’ to Kiwi audiences.

Moyet told Mike Hosking that singing live is her main focus, and so everything she does in terms of recording is to direct it towards the stage.

She’s been making music and evolving as an artist for 40 years, and Moyet revealed that while there is still some anxiety when it comes to making new music and going on tour, she knows she has a group of steadfast supporters.

“I’m really excited to be there for them,” Moyet told Hosking.

Having performed for so many years, Moyet is aware that this won’t last forever.

“Every time I go on tour, I’m very aware that it could be the last time that I do it,” she said.

“So just the, the, the thought that I could come out there at least one more time and have a chance to perform is you know, it's obviously an exciting thing to be able to do.”

LISTEN ABOVE

Alison Moyet rose to fame in the 80’s as one half of the synth-pop duo ‘Yazoo’, going solo just one year later as the duo disbanded. 
Her career has spanned four decades, 9 studio albums, two of which went to number one on the charts, and 23 million albums sold. 
She’s returning to New Zealand for the first time in eight years, bringing her upcoming album ‘Keys’ to Kiwi audiences. 
Moyet told Mike Hosking that singing live is her main focus, and so everything she does in terms of recording is to direct it towards the stage. 
She’s been making music and evolving as an artist for 40 years, and Moyet revealed that while there is still some anxiety when it comes to making new music and going on tour, she knows she has a group of steadfast supporters. 
“I’m really excited to be there for them,” Moyet told Hosking. 
Having performed for so many years, Moyet is aware that this won’t last forever. 
“Every time I go on tour, I’m very aware that it could be the last time that I do it,” she said. 
“So just the, the, the thought that I could come out there at least one more time and have a chance to perform is you know, it's obviously an exciting thing to be able to do.” 
LISTEN ABOVE

Paula Bennett: Pharmac Chair on the letter of expectations for the organisation from Minister David Seymour

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