Questions are being raised as to where the blame lies for issues within Health New Zealand.

The board is being replaced with a commissioner as the agency was found to be overspending at the rate of around $130 million a month.

Back office staff numbers have increased significantly in recent years.

Former Health New Zealand Chair Rob Campbell told Mike Hosking there's a possibility the budget was never right from the start.

He suspects the original budgeting appropriations were never adequate, and it's been impossible to manage.

LISTEN ABOVE

Questions are being raised as to where the blame lies for issues within Health New Zealand. 
The board is being replaced with a commissioner as the agency was found to be overspending at the rate of around $130 million a month. 
Back office staff numbers have increased significantly in recent years. 
Former Health New Zealand Chair Rob Campbell told Mike Hosking there's a possibility the budget was never right from the start. 
He suspects the original budgeting appropriations were never adequate, and it's been impossible to manage. 
LISTEN ABOVE

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, 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

Rob Campbell: Former Health NZ Chair on the agency overspending at a rate of $130m a month

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.



Banks: 6/10

Coming to the party. In Britain this week we have seen tangible life hit the housing market after one cut by the Bank of England. Could it happen here?



The Prime Minister: 7/10

For giving the councils a reality check. They stand out as almost the sole survivors of the Covid “sting 'em where it hurts” brigade with their bizarre cost-plus-accounting view of life.



Power: 1/10

This is a shambles. You've got the immediate problem and the long-term problem. Both are, and have been, avoidable. It looks third world.



Kamala Harris: 8/10

The week of her life. Half a billion raised, the Obama's with the light show, and today is the acceptance of the nomination. And polls that show it's all on.



Darleen Tana: 2/10

Everything that is wrong with representation at the highest level. If it's not councils wasting your money, it's tyre kickers wasting our time.



The Warriors: 1/10

What might have been, what could have been, what should have been. Now we are left with the Bulldogs, a contest that means nothing, and a goodbye to a great bloke who deserves better.



LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. 
 
Banks: 6/10 
Coming to the party. In Britain this week we have seen tangible life hit the housing market after one cut by the Bank of England. Could it happen here? 
 
The Prime Minister: 7/10 
For giving the councils a reality check. They stand out as almost the sole survivors of the Covid “sting 'em where it hurts” brigade with their bizarre cost-plus-accounting view of life. 
 
Power: 1/10 
This is a shambles. You've got the immediate problem and the long-term problem. Both are, and have been, avoidable. It looks third world. 
 
Kamala Harris: 8/10 
The week of her life. Half a billion raised, the Obama's with the light show, and today is the acceptance of the nomination. And polls that show it's all on. 
 
Darleen Tana: 2/10 
Everything that is wrong with representation at the highest level. If it's not councils wasting your money, it's tyre kickers wasting our time. 
 
The Warriors: 1/10 
What might have been, what could have been, what should have been. Now we are left with the Bulldogs, a contest that means nothing, and a goodbye to a great bloke who deserves better. 
 
LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW

Mark the Week: The power crisis is a shambles

History's in the making in Chicago as the US gears up for its first Asian American and Black female presidential nominee. 

Vice President Kamala Harris is hours out from formally accepting her nomination for the White House at the Democratic National Convention.  

She'll also deliver a hotly anticipated pitch to voters.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking it’s been a spirited campaign week for the Dems.

He said the question now is if Harris can stick the landing.

LISTEN ABOVE

History's in the making in Chicago as the US gears up for its first Asian American and Black female presidential nominee.  
Vice President Kamala Harris is hours out from formally accepting her nomination for the White House at the Democratic National Convention.   
She'll also deliver a hotly anticipated pitch to voters. 
US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking it’s been a spirited campaign week for the Dems. 
He said the question now is if Harris can stick the landing. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the Democratic National Convention ahead of Kamala Harris accepting the nomination

As we end the week can I proffer the idea that there is an intangible starting to bubble as a result of Adrian Orr's big move last week.

As far as I can work out every bank has dropped some of their interest rates again. In fact, some have done it multiple times.    

They have done so, they say, because of the Reserve Bank and because of the wholesale rate.

They also said something about being super cool guys who want to help us get head in life. Or words to that effect.

They also gave the game away a bit by saying it's really competitive out there, and that’s the real story.

Banks need to lend money and in a recession that’s a fairly hard trick to pull off.

Might I once again suggest they look at their margin on lending and compare it to the margin their big brothers in Australia charge? And then ask themselves why it is that the number here is larger than the number there?

Although to be fair, Antonia Watson from the ANZ put forward a pretty reasonable defence on that this week. But next time you're in, ask them for yourself and see if you find it convincing.  

Anyway, the good news is things are moving. Not much, but a bit.

I am convinced, through data and a bit of anecdotal evidence, housing is moving too. Once again, not much, but a good spring will help. I know of a good number of campaigns ready and set to go in September.

So what is this intangible? It's the vibe. The vibe is important and in this case, it's driven by a desire to see better days, the same way we talked ourselves into a funk these past couple of years. And why wouldn’t we? There was a lot to be in a funk about, and there still is.

But human nature generally wants us to be happy, to have hope.

So we look for indicators - the Reserve Bank and headlines like "light at the end of the tunnel", your mate that says, "what the hell, let's go out for dinner tonight" or "what the hell let's go away for the weekend any way". That's the vibe.

It doesn’t take a lot, and no, it doesn’t happen overnight. It happens gradually. But we are herd-like. You see one, then another, then you want to be part of it.

If you mark this day as the start, by early December remember this day and compare it to then. You'll be surprised at the transformation.

Because I am convinced the transformation is underway.

As we end the week can I proffer the idea that there is an intangible starting to bubble as a result of Adrian Orr's big move last week. 
As far as I can work out every bank has dropped some of their interest rates again. In fact, some have done it multiple times.     
They have done so, they say, because of the Reserve Bank and because of the wholesale rate. 
They also said something about being super cool guys who want to help us get head in life. Or words to that effect. 
They also gave the game away a bit by saying it's really competitive out there, and that’s the real story. 
Banks need to lend money and in a recession that’s a fairly hard trick to pull off. 
Might I once again suggest they look at their margin on lending and compare it to the margin their big brothers in Australia charge? And then ask themselves why it is that the number here is larger than the number there? 
Although to be fair, Antonia Watson from the ANZ put forward a pretty reasonable defence on that this week. But next time you're in, ask them for yourself and see if you find it convincing.   
Anyway, the good news is things are moving. Not much, but a bit. 
I am convinced, through data and a bit of anecdotal evidence, housing is moving too. Once again, not much, but a good spring will help. I know of a good number of campaigns ready and set to go in September. 
So what is this intangible? It's the vibe. The vibe is important and in this case, it's driven by a desire to see better days, the same way we talked ourselves into a funk these past couple of years. And why wouldn’t we? There was a lot to be in a funk about, and there still is. 
But human nature generally wants us to be happy, to have hope. 
So we look for indicators - the Reserve Bank and headlines like "light at the end of the tunnel", your mate that says, "what the hell, let's go out for dinner tonight" or "what the hell let's go away for the weekend any way". That's the vibe. 
It doesn’t take a lot, and no, it doesn’t happen overnight. It happens gradually. But we are herd-like. You see one, then another, then you want to be part of it. 
If you mark this day as the start, by early December remember this day and compare it to then. You'll be surprised at the transformation. 
Because I am convinced the transformation is underway.

Rob Campbell: Former Health NZ Chair on the agency overspending at a rate of $130m a month

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