/on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/rss 九一星空无限 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:26:19 Z en /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-have-been-reluctant-to-legislate-in-new-zealand-against-terrorism/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-have-been-reluctant-to-legislate-in-new-zealand-against-terrorism/ When I read the comments from a witness who was just meters away from Friday’s dreadful terror attack at New Lynn’s Countdown, I just wanted to give her a hug. She said, “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t do much. I just froze. I wish I could do more”. How many of us would have reacted the same way? As much as I’d like to think I’d kick into superhero mode, the reality of seeing such a horrific situation unfolding in the dairy isle of my local while I’m doing my weekly shop would probably render me motionless too. We have been reluctant to legislate in New Zealand against terrorism. Who knows why? Maybe the memory of New Zealand’s most controversial counter terrorism operation, Operation 8 in 2007 makes legislators nervous about expanding anti-terror laws. Maybe, even after the Christchurch terror attack, we still don’t accept that terrorism and New Zealand can go hand in hand. There have been a lot of comments about whether proposed changes to counter-terrorism laws in New Zealand could have made a difference to the outcome on Friday, a suggestion the government, as well as law and terrorism specialists, deny. The proposed additional penalty for planning or preparing an attack could not have been applied retrospectively to this person, who had been on the police’s radar since 2016 and in the judicial system since 2017. We also don’t know, and according to Police Commissioner Andrew Coster we possibly never will, whether the assailant on Friday had actually planned his attack, or whether it was an opportunistic, impulsive move. Adding this new penalty for planning or preparing a terrorist attack is an interesting challenge, one I imagine has kept legal minds busy. It’s not in our nature to lock up people for thinking about something, but not doing it, so what will the threshold be for police to act? How much and what kind of evidence will be necessary for a prosecution. Obviously an expansion of our criminal law needs careful, considered thought. I’m all for pushing through a law that will make it harder for an attack such as Friday’s to take place, and it’s good to see the government finally acting with urgency, but the main priority should be making sure it’s a fair and effective law, not a rushed one. Sun, 05 Sept 2021 04:05:33 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-help-for-cricketers-in-india-exposes-governments-shortcomings/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-help-for-cricketers-in-india-exposes-governments-shortcomings/ This week there has been a lot of attention on New Zealand cricketers playing in the India’s suspended IPL and their plight to get home or to England for the up-coming two test tour. The whole IPL operation had wrapped itself in a big bubble in the hope of continuing even as India is devastated by a horrific second wave of Covid 19. Since reality struck and the tournament’s suspension, the media have keep us regularly updated on their changing travel schedules as charter flights paid for by their franchise owners depart India. I’m relieved that these cricketers, commentators and coaches are safely out of a dangerous situation - but I can’t help thinking of the other New Zealanders who also traveled to India who’ve found themselves unexpectedly unable to return home to their families. In particular I think of Uppkar Kashyup, who we spoke to last week. Uppkar’s father passed away from Covid at the age of 57 and he travelled to India to help his mother and grandmother with the funeral. As I said last week, when you decide to travel you risk rules changing while you’re away. Over the last year returning to New Zealand hasn’t been easy for many, it’s been inconvenient and often unfair. This truth has really been on show this week. This isn’t a crack at the kiwi cricketers, coaches and commentators working in India – they haven’t complained or asked for public help, and they’re aware they made a choice with risks. They are fortunate that they’re employed by some of the wealthiest people in the world with resources that can solve problems and they’re supported by New Zealand Cricket, the Players Association, and their managers. What I would like to see now for the 200 or so Kiwis stuck in India is more of that kind of support. The kind that finds a solution; the kind that reassures you’ve not been forgotten. When I spoke to Uppkar last week he’d received no assistance or contact from the NZ government. Mr Kashyup doesn’t want a handout; he is happy to pay for a flight home. What he is asking for is help finding options to get back to his home and family. This week we tried to get an update from his wife in New Zealand, and haven’t heard back. I’m hoping good news is on the way. One of the government’s many catchphrase over the last 12 months or so has been that ‘we’re a team of 5 million’. We can see the cricketer fraternity looking after each other as all good teams know they must do. I’m not sure the rest of the kiwis in India trying to get home would feel the same. Sun, 09 May 2021 00:35:53 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-covid-is-still-rampant-overseas-why-arent-more-of-us-using-the-tracer-app/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-covid-is-still-rampant-overseas-why-arent-more-of-us-using-the-tracer-app/ I feel for Uppkar Kashyap, one of the Kiwis stuck in India trying to get home to his young family in New Zealand. But this is the world we live in. When you make a decision to travel, you risk the rules changing when you’re overseas and you find yourself stranded. Initially flights were suspended from India by the Government for two weeks and now, while Mr Kashyap, a New Zealand citizen, can return to New Zealand, there are no commercial flights to get him home. We’re having the same conversation we had when we first began closing our borders, and when the MIQ voucher system was brought into play, and at Christmas when everyone wanted to come home to enjoy our glorious summer. In the early stages of Covid repatriation flights were available and there were border exceptions, but for over 12 months New Zealanders wanting to return home have had to be patient. It hasn’t been easy; it’s been inconvenient and often unfair. That’s how it goes when your border is the first line of defence. I have great sympathy for Mr Kashyap and his family. He’s at the mercy of commercial flights and unless flights to New Zealand from India via stop over ports are postponed on a more permanent basis, I don’t see the government stepping in to help. It’s a reminder of how fragile the world remains. Since April 19, when Kiwis and Australians began crossing the ditch quarantine free, we’ve seen how easy it is for slip ups to happen. It’s the right time to give the Trans-Tasman bubble a whirl but I’m not sure we can rely on trust if things go wrong. If travellers are required to self-isolate for five days until a negative Covid test is received there need to be checks to make sure it’s happening. Most travellers are aware the risk is on them; and if something goes wrong, they will likely have to adjust their plans to keep us all safe. It’s why many are waiting to see how the system works, or until they receive the vaccination, before jumping on a plane. Just overnight Ministry of Health has said all direct flights from Western Australia to New Zealand should be immediately paused after a worker at a Perth managed isolation facility tested positive for Covid-19. The trans-Tasman Bubble will only work if we move quickly when issues arise. But I’m not so sure that people will play their part by doing the right thing. We’ve seen several passengers take advantage of the trans-Tasman Bubble to return to New Zealand from other parts of the globe, and when there’s been a breach contact tracing is still important. So the NZ Covid Tracer App is really important. If you have an MIQ facility in your town I think you’re probably more likely to use the NZ Covid Tracer App, but for regions yet to experience a Covid case there’s little historical incentive to record your movements. These school holidays we headed to Hawkes Bay for family time. Hawkes Bay has it all; amazing food and wine, glorious beaches to walk along, cycle ways and galleries. We marvelled at the autumnal landscapes, deserted waterfalls, and my daughter and I enjoyed our first proper wander through Napier’s beautiful art deco centre. In the four and a half days we were in the Hawkes Bay I saw one other person use the Covid Tracer app. We were out and about a bit. I stood in the centre of Napier and watched for quite a while; no one even looked for the QR code. Not even the two police officers I followed into Tank. I know there will be times when it’s impossible to stop and use the app, such as being in a hot pursuit, but getting lunch was surely an opportunity for good role modelling. This is just an observation and I’m not having a go at Hawkes Bay – I’m sure it’s the same all over the country. But this complacency could be our biggest issue. An increasing number of passengers will be arriving quarantine-free into New Zealand in the coming months, and then flying all over the country to see family and friends. I hope we iron out the wrinkles at the border, but it’s our contract tracing system that keeps us out of lockdowns. Let’s not give up on it just yet. Sat, 01 May 2021 22:16:02 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-health-system-reform-a-radical-and-necessary-move/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-health-system-reform-a-radical-and-necessary-move/ It’s been a big week. The Trans-Tasman Bubble opened on Monday with plenty of interpretative dance and celebration, and by the end of the week traffic was halted between Western Australia and New Zealand as Perth went into a three-day lockdown. This week also saw new restrictions on travellers from India, Brazil, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea, and border exceptions changes were announced which will hopefully see more migrant families reunited. On top of that there was a bilateral meeting between New Zealand and Australian Foreign Affairs Ministers - in person - which led to the debate over how and when New Zealand should criticise China for its human rights record. Then there’s the health system reform. A month ago, off the back of challenges hospital emergency departments are facing across the country, I spoke about Minister Andrew Little’s major redesign of the health system and the importance of getting it right. While the public, and most certainly those in the health sector, felt a significant change coming I don’t think anyone anticipated the ambition of this week’s announcement. I’m impressed. What a ballsy, radical and necessary move by the Minister of Health.   The national health organisation Health New Zealand will replace all 20 DHB’s, it will run hospitals, commission primary and community health services, and 4 regional divisions will give a local voice to the organisation. The formation of a Maori Health Authority will take care of Maori Health and commission services for that purpose, and a Public Health Agency will be responsible for public health issues. Implementing what has been proposed will be a massive task and one in which the devil will be in the detail; and we don’t have that detail yet. We all want a fairer system, to reduce the postcode lottery of health care, to have complimentary systems working across regions to help with a transient population and avoid duplication, to improve the outcomes for cancer and heart disease and many other diseases where we know we can do better. It’s been good to hear positive feedback from clinicians – those at the forefront of health care in NZ. But there are still concerns and many questions still to be answered. Such as rural health and the availability of GPs in provincial and rural areas. No one should be waiting for a month to see a GP - so will people need to travel further for care or is there a plan to increase GPs?  I’ve heard some say this new national system will be run like Pharmac. Does this mean there’s a possibility some less common services may not be offered? And how do we ramp up in-demand services to cater to all those who need it? If a service is not available in your area presumably you will be able to travel to access that service elsewhere – but many of our current health care services are already at capacity. One thing probably hasn’t changed, and that’s the budget. There is a limit on the amount of money that can be put into health - that’s just reality. So in order for this to work, we need to get better bang for our buck. If Minister Little achieves this, and outcomes for Maori improve, this week has been a big step in the right direction. Sat, 24 Apr 2021 21:51:24 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-latest-border-ineptitude-dulls-travel-bubbles-shine/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-latest-border-ineptitude-dulls-travel-bubbles-shine/ Tonight, at 11.59, the Trans-Tasman bubble officially begins. For the first time in more than a year, passengers on green flights will be able to travel quarantine free between Australia and New Zealand This shouldn’t be a big deal. Jumping on a flight across the ditch was something Kiwis took for granted and did in their thousands each week, and it does seem a bit strange that it’s become a marker for post-Covid recovery. But it has. It represents a small but exciting step towards normality, and reconnecting with the world - something that was starting to feel may never happen. The timing couldn’t be better with schools on holiday for two weeks and the ANZAC Day long weekend approaching. It will be fascinating to see the stats - how many people are travelling for a holiday, to see family or for work. Most people I know who are jumping on a plane this week or in the near future are off to hold a grandchild or niece they’re yet to meet in person, or to give their parents a hug. And why wouldn’t you take the risk? Being able to reach beyond a digital screen and connect properly is for many people a very real need, not a want. Over the last year, we’ve learnt the importance of being connected. Be it with family and friends, neighbours, our community or workplace; more than ever we are thinking about each other and what’s important to us. Can you imagine the greetings at the airport tomorrow as approximately 5200 people travel either way across the ditch? I’m sure the reunions will lead the 6pm news bulletins on Monday evening – and probably bring on viewer tears.   But there is risk involved – which is why we have a traffic light system, and why the Prime Minister has made it very clear that if a lockdown closes borders and you are either stranded or required to go into MIQ – the cost is on the traveller. For many, that’s too big a risk just now. A New Zealand Herald-Kanter poll released yesterday found 54 percent of New Zealanders were keen to go to Australia over the next year, with the percentages growing from 3% keen to travel in the next month to 15% keen to travel in the coming 6 months, and so on. So for many it’s a wait and see approach - and considering this week’s border-related confusion over how many MIQ workers have been vaccinated and tested it seems inevitable the traffic light will at some stage turn from green, to orange or red. I called it a hiccup last weekend - at the time, who would have thought such incompetence would unfold during the week. We’ve sacrificed a lot to live with the freedoms we have today and the ineptitude from the government when it comes to answering a few simple, but hugely important questions, about protecting our main asset in the fight against Covid - our borders - leaves you with your head in your hands. Sat, 17 Apr 2021 22:36:04 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-let-s-appreciate-how-good-we-have-it-in-new-zealand/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-let-s-appreciate-how-good-we-have-it-in-new-zealand/ Over the last week, I’ve been put in my place a couple of times. Just gently – and yet powerfully enough to shift my perspective. Last week I spoke to Helen O’Hara, the UK based editor-at-large of film magazine Empire. At the end of the interview I announced that her new book was in stores now. Once off air, Helen immediately said to me “In stores? Imagine going to a store” “Oh yes we are very lucky here in New Zealand” I said, “but our economy has taken a dive as a result”.  “So has ours” Helen replied. Negative GDP growth, slow vaccination rollout, and hesitancy to open the Trans-Tasman bubble weren’t issues worth raising in comparison to the brutal and deathly UK response to Covid 19. I had the same realisation when I read the NZ Herald column by ad executive Rob Campbell who wrote about what it feels like to be in New Zealand after a year of Covid hell in the UK. It’s like travelling to another Universe, according to Rob, and the reason New Zealand feels like another planet is because it’s allowed Rob and his family to rediscover something they thought had been lost: living. The article gives an idea of the toll living under consecutive lockdowns has had. At one point Rob says he cannot adequately put into words what life feels like right now here in NZ. Which is saying something for an adman. But the message is a clear reminder - what we have here is something special. These reminders have given me a renewed sense of patience. I can’t guarantee for how long it will last, but if I at least see the government trying to smooth out the glitches with our vaccination programme, and hear a positive move towards a Trans-Tasman bubble on Tuesday, maybe it will last awhile. I think unless we have friends or family in Covid infected places around the world we tend to forget the human cost of this global pandemic . The horror death rates, the lack of socialisation, the job losses, the persistent lockdowns. It’s easy to focus on our own situation, that’s the one that matters most to us after all, but sometimes taking a broader view works wonders for one’s perspective. We are a quarter of the way through 2021, and we’ve had our ups and downs, and for many the mental and financial stresses continue. But when I looked around this weekend and saw family and friends - sharing meals, relishing time together, and enjoying this glorious Easter weather - I thought of Helen and Rob, and instead of feeling angsty at what still needs to be done, I decided just to appreciate just how good we have it. I hope you are having a good Easter too. Sat, 03 Apr 2021 21:54:03 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-listen-to-health-experts-as-ed-crisis-worsens/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-listen-to-health-experts-as-ed-crisis-worsens/ Headlines over the last few days have highlighted the challenges hospital emergency departments are facing across the country. Not a new headline, we hear it all too often. It was only November last year when the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, a senior doctor’s union, said the high cost of GP visits and long wait times are pushing many hospital emergency departments to breaking point. On Wednesday, Dunedin Hospital declared a code black after reaching capacity. Whangārei Hospital also reached capacity, asking people to keep ED for emergencies only. It’s March – the busy winter flu season hasn’t even begun. According to medical practitioners around the country, this is a nationwide problem which, without support, is going to get worse. There are reports of people being treated in corridors, long waits to be admitted to a ward, and in some cases, emergency department shifts with only two thirds of their normal number of nurses. It goes without saying staff burnout is an issue. Minister of Heath Andrew Little’s initial response was to ask what management decisions are being taken to make sure they're getting the best use out of the extra finding DHB’s received in last year’s budget. A record $980 million extra had been allocated to DHBs for operational funding annually, as well as funding for increasing staffing numbers in hospitals. I’d want to know too. But Little and emergency department staff know there is a bigger problem at hand.  As the Minister told a select group of health sector representatives at Parliament earlier this week: "We know that our system is under serious stress and does not deliver equally for all." It’s not just emergency departments; the whole DHB system and primary care are under pressure. Not enough GPs, the cost of seeing a GP, the wait to see a GP - are some of the many reasons patients are ending up in emergency departments. The Health Minister announced this week that Cabinet is poised to sign off on a major redesign of the health system. The five areas of reform are: creating a more equitable system for Māori, making sure all people can access a range of support in their community, access to emergency and specialist care, more digital services to help support people in their homes and local communities, and that health and care workers would be valued and well trained for the future health system. This is what we should expect from our health system, and many would argue a lot of people have been and are currently working very hard to provide this. But we have been struggling for too long, and we all know that money alone won’t get us to where we want to be. I was pleased to see Andrew Little met with Australasian College for Emergency Medicine president Dr John Bonning on Friday. He too believes the crisis currently facing emergency departments goes beyond their doors; so it’s good to see Minister Little listening to those who deal with these issues on a day-to-day basis. They are the ones with a real understanding of what’s involved, and I imagine they likely to be the ones with the solutions. If the Minister is serious about the need for “partnerships” to implement meaningful change, he needs to keep listening. For all our health’s sake. Sat, 27 Mar 2021 23:31:33 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-a-chance-for-the-government-to-sort-out-border-exemptions/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-a-chance-for-the-government-to-sort-out-border-exemptions/ In a big news week, we still had time to get upset about lions and Wiggles. The Wiggles received death threats! Think about that – the Wiggles received death threats! I appreciate many are upset about the Wiggles taking emergency spots in managed isolation but it’s not the performers fault - management organising the tour didn’t get sorted earlier. Nor should the cast of The Lion King become targets of our frustration at the government’s unpredictable immigration policy. In both cases the cast and crew applied for border exemptions through the other critical worker category, and the government approved them. So rather than vilifying a radical retelling of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, maybe it’s time for the government to communicate more clearly what it’s priorities are when it comes to critical workers, and how managed isolation is allocated to the different categories of people wanting to enter New Zealand. I understand why families unable to reunite, industries desperate for migrant workers, and New Zealander’s still trying to get home, find the decision to let in so many members of The Lion King hugely disappointing and perplexing. In the last day or so we’ve heard from skilled migrant workers planning on leaving New Zealand after being separated from their families for a year, with no sign of when they would be able to join them. But I was surprised to learn this week, that not as many people as I imagined had been let into New Zealand under the critical worker category. This week Immigration NZ said that since 20th March 2020, 159,546 people entered New Zealand. Just under 124,000 were citizens and permanent residents, 35,612 were allowed in as temporary or non-permanent resident visa holders – including 11,036 critical workers. Out of those critical workers, roughly one third were health workers, and the rest came from various industries – including the entertainment industry. It would be fascinating to see all the applications for border exemptions under the critical workers category. Each of us would have a different set of priorities as to who we would be happy to allow entry into New Zealand - depending on our taste, interests and professions. But I think we’d all agree, we need to be paying more attention to our existing industries crying out for workers in order to survive. And that’s why 126 cast and crew feels like a lot. Surely in this multicultural nation, with its booming and busy entertainment industry, we could have found a few more than five young local performers to join the cast and crew? Equally, I’m sure some of them would be happy to stick with the production where ever it ends up. Lack of local opportunities aside though, there are benefits worth mentioning; 300 locals will be employed to stage the show, and it will help fill our hotels, our restaurants and bars. It will provide locals with an incentive to head into the CBD, and it gives us something to look forward to - if musicals are your thing. It’s not a perfect scenario, but I don’t think many of the 40,000 people who crowded into Auckland’s viaduct on Wednesday night to celebrate Team New Zealand successfully defending the Americas Cup were terribly concerned the event had only taken place because participants had been granted an exemption as critical workers to be in the country. It would be great to see the government looking at the areas so desperately in need of migrant workers and come up with a more pro-active strategy to get them into the country, and more effort go into reuniting families who have been separated for far too long now.  Immigration processes seem to be sitting still instead of adapting and improving. Perhaps one part of it will be the trans-Tasman bubble – hopefully this will ease some demand for MIQ spots, giving the government some breathing room to finesse the system.  Sat, 20 Mar 2021 23:31:27 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-moving-at-a-snails-pace-in-dealing-with-the-pandemic/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-moving-at-a-snails-pace-in-dealing-with-the-pandemic/ This week I have been reading Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger. The book marks the first time Elon Musk has given an author free reign inside SpaceX to speak with employees about the company’s early years, and Musk himself was generous with his time so that Berger could get an understanding of his leadership style. What you take away from this book is how differently Elon Musk operates from anyone else in the space business. He’s a doer. He’s a man devoted to speed and working fast, to setting aggressive schedules, to empowering his staff to attempt something to see if it works rather than planning on paper whether it will work. He’s obsessive about solving problems, and works with his whole team to do so, and makes decisive, quick decisions so his staff can get on with their jobs. While we waited on Friday for the government to announce a preliminary decision that had been made the night before about Auckland’s alert levels, I couldn’t help thinking that some of Musk’s sense of urgency would have been a good thing this week. I understand the government was waiting for one more set of test results to come through on Friday morning before announcing a change in alert levels, but as it had been a fortnight since a community case was confirmed in Auckland – and everyone expected there would be a move -  would it have been so hard to give businesses even a heads up? This week we also saw the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison throw the New Zealand government under the bus for dragging their heels over the Trans-Tasman bubble. Our Prime Minister replied the government would continue to investigate the opportunity of having a bubble. I would have thought a year into this pandemic we should be well past the point of investigating – why aren’t we implementing? This week we also saw the vaccine roll our plan that looks very similar to plans underway internationally. Chris Hipkins announced we would vaccinate those most at risk of getting and spreading Covid-19, and those most at risk of getting seriously sick from it. Then we will slowly work our way through the rest of the population. Makes total sense - a good solid plan. And yet, I have no idea when or whether I will be vaccinated this year. Fingers crossed I will. And why hasn’t some thought gone into the specifics of New Zealand’s situation. Should we be vaccinating all adults in South Auckland, in regions with MIQ facilities?  Once we get to Group 4 should we be prioritising bus drivers and taxi drivers – everyone has come out this week with a reason why they should be moved up the queue. The government is also yet to make a decision on two further categories: one for people who may need to get a vaccine on compassionate grounds; and a national significance category, which could include groups who need a vaccine in order to represent New Zealand overseas. Why this wasn’t thought about previously too, I don’t know. A week during which it feels New Zealand is moving at a snail’s pace may not have been the time to read a book about a man who achieved what many thought was impossible. It feels like we’re ever cautious and conservative in how we deal with this pandemic. We need more doing, less pondering. Of course, governing a nation isn’t running a space company, and politics isn’t business. Elon Musk’s leadership style tolerates risk and his attitude is driven by the reality that time is money – his money.  I can’t help comparing this to the government’s approach to COVID, in this case time is still money – but it’s not out of the pocket of those making the decisions, it’s our money – and the government needs reminding our time is precious too. I’m not saying Elon Musk needs to run NZ – he’s quite wonderfully mad so I don’t think that would work out – I just wish for leadership with a sense of urgency, that embraces the fluidity of our situation, and gets things moving. Sat, 13 Mar 2021 21:52:51 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-what-effect-has-lockdown-had-on-education/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-what-effect-has-lockdown-had-on-education/ As Aucklanders slipped back into their second level 3 lock down in two weeks, and the rest of the country into Level 2, once again our hearts went out to those in hospitality and events industries, to retailers, and businesses unable to operate, to those who have important medical appointments or weddings postponed.   My heart also went out to parents. A level 3 lockdown means juggling the stress of working and also homeschooling; guiding younger children through their studies, and keeping older kids on task, motivated and calm. After the first lockdown last year many of us spoke about the silver lining, of being able to step back from our too-busy lives and just enjoy family time. And I love family time. But after a lengthy summer holiday, two short school weeks thanks to public holidays, a three-day lockdown and another seven day lockdown –frankly I’m all good for family time now. There’s been a lot of conversation on covid testing, self-isolating protocols and alert level changes over the last few weeks. There’s been comparatively little about education; specifically, the long-term impact of lockdowns on our children’s education. In January, it was reported that schools have told the Education Review Office some children lost 10 weeks of learning in last year's lockdowns, but the overall impact of the pandemic is still unclear. The ERO report said 59 percent of schools surveyed were worried the lockdowns had harmed student progress and achievement, especially in low-decile communities and in Auckland. "Where schools have done learning assessments, teachers have identified some students who have fallen behind. For those students who had plateaued or regressed in their learning, teachers tended to estimate the loss of about a term's worth of learning," the report said. The problem is many schools delayed testing of students until term one this year, so the extent of the problem isn’t yet known. I know schools and teachers are working hard to make sure their students are keeping on top of their learning, but when we’re looking at a lost term of learning then surely more resources are going to needed to make sure students aren’t left behind. The report also stated it was concerned anxiety and under-achievement could affect children as they return to schools in 2021. The last two weeks won’t have helped students in Auckland whatsoever. This is why we need to have more conversations about education. I get it’s pragmatic to just get through in whatever way we can when we’re unable to attend our school campus, after all, when our kids are learning from home it’s about trying to find a way that’s manageable for the whole family.   But equally, the Ministry of Education needs to keep a very close eye on the long-term outcomes on students of all ages, and be prepared to address them sooner rather than later. There should be special consideration for students in Years 11 to 13. Internal assessment has already begun and it’s the older students who feel the pressure the most. It’s also the more senior students who are at risk of becoming disengaged and discouraged with school, which could lead to school without qualifications. When it comes to education, there is no time for hindsight. We can’t wait until the full impact of the disruptions caused by Covid 19 can be fully measured to realise there’s a problem to address. We need to move now to make sure students are not falling behind, and schools need to speak up and tell us what they need to do the best for their students. Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:18:02 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-should-be-reassured-by-our-latest-lockdown-response/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-should-be-reassured-by-our-latest-lockdown-response/ A headline on the front page of the Herald yesterday read V-Day. A reference to the first day of vaccinations, and an obvious referenced to another V-Day or VE Day. And like V-day, the beginning of our vaccination programme here in New Zealand is just that; the beginning of a long process to safely re-connect with the rest of the world. Considering no one really knew when the program might start, it’s worth celebrating that we are under way in February – even if it will likely take the rest of the year to complete the rollout. The other good news on the vaccine front is that research is starting to flow in, showing decent efficacy from just one dose and much better efficacy from the second. Research reported in The Guardian also implies the vaccines are resilient to new strains of Coivd, including future variants. But it doesn’t mean we’re rushing back to our pre-Covid travel lives anytime soon. A milestone, a new chapter – call it what you want. Its’s just another step along the way, isn’t it? But I do feel more comfortable as we travel down this long and unpredictable road, thanks to the sensible decision making by the government this week regarding lockdowns and alert levels.  I wasn’t hugely surprised by the lockdown this week. When a case appears in the community, and there is no connection to the border, the expected response when taking an elimination approach is to go into lockdown. For a moment there, there was a chance it was an overreaction, and while I’m sure the Prime Minister was disappointed to learn about another family being diagnosed with Covid, no doubt she also gave a small sigh of relief. While many of us slipped back into lockdown with experienced ease, it was a massive blow to many businesses and the hospitality sector, and the disruption needed to be justified. Then, thankfully, the Prime Minister and her colleagues read the room. We all know politicians take into consideration what the public can tolerate when making decisions – Capital Gains Tax anyone?  Good polls depend on it. And this week we saw the Prime Minister consider the conservative scientific response, alongside the needs to the country, and made the right decision to lower alert levels after 72 hours. The swiftness of moving alert levels is promising, especially as I doubt this will be the last time we enter into a lockdown. While there are still questions around the border and location of our MIQ facilities, I think we should be very reassured by the outcome this week. The public threw masks on, there was an uptake of the Covid Tracer app – an average of almost 1,400,000 scans were made each day this week -  and the supermarkets, once in lockdown, were calm and quiet. We all knew what to do, and got on with it. As for the Australian woman sitting in our managed isolation facility for 26 days now refusing to have a Covid 19 test – how about we take some firm Scott Morrison like action, and just put her on the next plane back to Australia, and make some room for people who understand the requirements when travelling to New Zealand. Apparently, the women who is vet nurse has refused to get tested unless she is given scientific evidence of the PCR tests safety and effectiveness. Why someone hasn’t provided this yet I don’t know. I’m presuming there’s a good reason we are using them! The woman works for Australian Child care services and was bringing three kids back to New Zealand – why she agreed to the job knowing testing was a requirement I don’t know. The kids took the test and are back in the community. It seems like a heck of a lot of wasted energy and space dealing with this woman. Let’s give her what she wants and send her home. Sat, 20 Feb 2021 23:08:01 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-no-end-in-sight-for-tourism-industry-woes/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-no-end-in-sight-for-tourism-industry-woes/ I had an incredible experience last Tuesday. I went off on my own and did the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is one of the most popular day walks in New Zealand. I like to start at 6am. It’s cool, the track hasn’t yet filled up with people, and if you want to do a little jog like I do, you’re not annoying the crowds by trying to pass people. The first person I saw at the start of the track was a DOC worker who was heading up the Mangatepopo Valley as it was slowly coming to life with the sunrise. He was heading up to dig out the culverts before the rain comes – hard to imagine at the moment. And that was it. No one. No one for the next two hours. I climbed the saddle, crossed the South Crater, climbed up the ridgeline to the Red Crater. Took some of the most stunning photos I have every taken on the Crossing and marvelled that there was no one else in them. I stood quietly and took in the silence, the magnificence of this unique, extraordinary landscape, and then headed down the shingle scree into the North Crater. I stopped by the Emerald Lakes and had a sandwich, and got the fright of my life when two other people appeared from various directions. I only saw another four people before hitting an empty Ketatahi carpark. In total, I saw six people while doing the Crossing. Six.   Now, we all know the tourism industry has been doing it tough, but the magnitude of how rough it’s been hit me as I did the Crossing. I know it was a Tuesday, near the end of the school holidays, and I started early, but I’ve done it like this before, and by the time I’m done, there’s always people around. What was a precious experience for me illustrates the crisis for those in the region who make their living from activities like this. Another friend did the Crossing before Christmas and their shuttle bus driver said the business had employed six drivers fulltime. Now there are two working part time. So it’s very frustrating to see that our protocols and processes at the border aren’t improving. We are still having conversations about the difficulties of getting an MIQ voucher, that the Wiggles can get into the country but New Zealanders in difficult circumstances can’t, there’s a perplexing situation at one of our main MIQ facilities leading to community cases again, a call for the extension of how long people must self-isolate once out of MIQ, and today again, a call by epidemiologists to turn down the tap.   I think we’ve all been patient and understanding about the complexities of the border, and that we need to be fluid to adapt to the global situation, but this isn’t a good sign for the tourism industry. Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts made the call at the end of January that businesses need to know what the possibilities were for a full or state-by-state Trans-Tasman bubble, and how is the Government going to assist tourism businesses who are unable to access their customers. I completely see the need for these questions to be answered, but it’s almost impossible to do so. As much as I’d like to see more solutions on the table, we are stuck in a wait and see game. No one knows what this virus will do next, how effective the vaccine will be, when and where the next community case will appear from. Who knows when it will be safe to open a Trans Tasman bubble, let alone let in the rest of the world. As we saw in Queensland recently, it only takes one community case for quarantine free flights to be shut down. Do we keep supporting businesses that are unsustainable over the next few years, or do we make hard decisions and let the industry reset itself? Landing the right mix will be challenging. I have great sympathy with those in the industry, but I fear there is only so much the government can, or will do. I reckon the big tourism operators are aware of this, but you can’t blame them for putting pressure on the government. Waitangi Day weekend marks the end of the school holidays and is the last public holiday until Easter. No wonder tourism operators are saying April will be crunch time for many of them when it comes to making the decision as to whether they cut their losses and shutdown, or try and hang in there. The next few months will be telling. As much as we keep trying, Kiwi customers can’t fill the gap left by the overseas visitors. If walking the Tongariro Crossing has been on your bucket list for a while, and it’s some peace and quiet you’re after, can I suggest, now is an excellent time to do it. Sat, 06 Feb 2021 23:01:00 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/tim-beveridge-government-seems-preoccupied-by-optics/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/tim-beveridge-government-seems-preoccupied-by-optics/ It's been an interesting week, hasn't it? But a bit of a bad week for the government on one of its core values. Of course, it's been a good week in the end, with the outbreaks which we were all concerned about. We maybe have got on top of that. But in terms of one of the core values of the government – transparency – I think it's been a bad week. Today, there's a story in the Herald on Sunday about WorkSafe having taken enforcement action against four hotels over physical distancing issues, training, donning and taking off PPE, and contractor management. WorkSafe having taken enforcement action in August.  However, it's only been made public now. How many months is that? Do the maths on that: five months later. It's only been made public now after repeated questions to WorkSafe from The Herald. Of course, problems are going to arise, but it seems that the transparency issue is still something the government and its agencies have yet to get to grips with. Let's not forget the Roche/Simpson report, which was a report looking at the government's handling of Covid and was a fairly brutal and blunt assessment of the health ministry's control of our response to Covid-19 leading up to the August outbreak. That report – delivered to the government in September – was only publicly released just before everyone went on break for Christmas! In my view that is one of the most egregious failures in their stated aim of everything being transparent. It’s worth remembering because the government want you to forget it. Remember, this government campaigned on their response to Covid-19, and yet that key report which was critical of the government's response was kept from the public. Then there was last week. The two cases identified in Orewa. How did we find out?  Hone Harawira - on Heather Du Plessis-Allan’s Drive Show on 九一星空无限talkZB. In response to a conversation around roadblocks, the reason Hone was following through with those was that he had on good authority - I think in his words – “multiple and impeccable sources” confirming two new positive cases in Orewa. I don't know when the Health Ministry were going to tell us. Was it because they were going to wait until they had had time to dress it all up and line all their ducks in a row, so it didn't look so bad? So, what exactly is the core value driving some of the decision-making of the government and the ministry? For me – it's all about the optics. It's all about how it looks, and it seems that the government doesn't trust us with information. It appears to me that the government and its agencies are more consumed with presenting information in a way that doesn't make them look bad. They're worried about our reaction to it – whether we're going to panic and so their claim of transparency is just words, words, words. And it's led to the situation the government found itself in the last few days with the Wiggles, having sold 40,000 tickets, magically being given last minute places in mandatory isolation. Look, you can imagine that's a lose-win-lose-win situation for the government because here we have 40,000 tickets sold; they entertain children; it's the kids - and the government could imagine themselves on a PR hiding to nothing if they had ended up having to cancel those concerts. But then you get the case of Trev Ponting. A Japan-based Kiwi with terminal brain cancer and all he wanted to do was get home to see his mother. But the initial application for emergency spots in managed isolation for him and his family were turned down. Well, there's another core value that they're missing as well, which is the kindness thing. Thankfully, it's been reversed. But you might wonder what would have happened if the media hadn't revealed that story as well as the news through Hone about the other positive Covid cases. It now starts to look like, maybe, if you're trying to appeal to the government to get a decision in your favour – don't appeal to kindness, don't appeal to their hearts or to logic. Just tell them that the optics are going to look bad. Then you might finally get some action.  Sun, 31 Jan 2021 23:15:01 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-is-it-time-we-slow-the-flow-at-the-border/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-is-it-time-we-slow-the-flow-at-the-border/ The Wiggles hit the news this week. Turns out they had a few issues with their visa application, and by the time it was granted, there were no more MIQ vouchers left for the children’s entertainers, meaning, the Wiggles might not make their tour dates. I thought this may have been the best news of the week for some parents. but apparently not - over 40,000 tickets have been sold. Simon Bridges got involved – he’s a got a three-year-old obsessed with The Wiggles – while the Prime Minister called for a practical solution. So we once again have the question of who we should be letting into New Zealand. Entertainers? Filmmakers? Sports teams? Comedians? Drag queens? American Cup team owners? Sports teams and entertainers don’t sound very essential or critical. You and I could likely survive without them. But for the New Zealanders in these industries, building businesses and reputations, and supporting many others along the way, getting exemptions is essential to keeping afloat. But are seasoned workers, seamen, and crane drivers more or less important to keeping New Zealand businesses ticking over? The main criteria for being allowed into New Zealand is whether the skills or experience the person has are readily obtainable in New Zealand, or whether the worker is undertaking a time-critical role in specific areas. This sounds pretty vague. When it comes to international sports teams or entertainment superstars who can sell 40,000 tickets – not many Kiwis can do that, maybe just Six60.  To boost the economy we need big names to come to New Zealand – the kind of visitors who help drive the accommodation, hospitality, and service sectors, while also employing local crews. Vice-president of the Promoters Association Gray Bartlett has called for a more clarity around the criteria as applied to international music and comedy acts, and has accused Immigration of favouritism. We have the time now, while in a kind of limbo, to think about how we increase opportunities. This is the time for the Immigration Department to work with the industries, where there’s ambiguity, to come up with a more seamless criteria and process. I’m for letting workers in to support vibrant industries we so desperately need to boost our economy. However, right now is not the time. In light of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing the new variant of Covid-19 is not only more transmittable, but also possibly 30% more deadly than the previous variants, combined with our reluctance to use the Covid 19 Tracer App, caution is required. I think Australia is on the money. If this really is our most critical, high-risk Covid period since the last community outbreak in August, then maybe it’s time to reduce the flow of people returning to New Zealand. It’s not forever, just until we can vaccinate all border workers, flight crews and MIQ workers. As much as I want to move forward, maybe we should just take a breath, and slow the flow. Sat, 23 Jan 2021 23:04:08 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-kiwis-ending-the-year-with-a-spring-in-our-step/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-kiwis-ending-the-year-with-a-spring-in-our-step/ So this is our final show of the year, and what a year it’s been. 2020 has brought uncertainty, and challenged us emotionally, mentally, financially and physically, but we’ve made it through. This week my kids have been socialising, we’re watching cricket and have been wowed by the America’s Cup Christmas Series, we’re packing for trips away and planning Christmas Day – a day we can spend with as many of our family and friends as we wish. It’s tempting to say we’re very lucky, and we are; but actually it’s not luck that got us to this place – we did. Being a small remote, island played helped. It seemed almost unbelievable at the time, but of course the obvious thing to do in March, as Covid 19 spread around the world, was to shut up shop and hunker down. It was a little harder to get our heads around a hard lockdown for 51 days; but when we realised the supermarkets weren’t going to run out of toilet paper - just flour - and that couriers still delivered, many of us embraced the never-ending summer, time with family, and a simpler and less stressful life. The government may have asked Team New Zealand to stay home, but it was the consideration shown by New Zealanders for New Zealanders which got us here. Sure, not everyone agreed with everything, there’s been many missteps, and we’ll continue to debate what’s next; but we did what we were told and in a pragmatic Kiwi fashion just got on with it.   For some, it’s just been a year of inconvenience, for others the impact has been greater; job losses, businesses on the brink, and families and friends indefinitely separated. But we’ve all learnt from 2020, and over the last week it’s been lovely hearing your stories on various 九一星空无限talk ZB shows, highlighting the positive things that have come out of the year. And that’s when I realised just how much we have adapted to, and in most cases accepted, what the year’s thrown at us. And with a vaccine beginning to be administered around the world, 2021 brings a sense of hopefulness, and it will be spent repairing sectors devastated by Covid 19, getting people into jobs, and reconnecting face-to-face with friends and family around the world We’re ending the year with a bounce in our step. Bring on 2021. Sun, 20 Dec 2020 06:17:13 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-make-trans-tasman-bubble-a-priority/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-make-trans-tasman-bubble-a-priority/ In May, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed that a Trans-Tasman bubble with Australia could realistically be in place by September. At the time, Ardern said she's been careful not to put a specific date on when the two countries will allow travel between each other, but her and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison want to open up the borders as soon as it's safe. As Queensland, the Sunshine State, opened its borders to New Zealanders yesterday, Ardern said she was optimistic, but would not comment on speculation a trans-Tasman bubble could be in place by February. It will not be in place before Christmas, just in case you were hanging onto that hope. But I don’t think many of us were. You can understand why the government won’t put a date on a trans-Tasman bubble. Past deadlines have come and gone. Parliament has wrapped up for the year and there’s a sense no one can be bothered to hash this out now when a summer holiday is within grasp. To be free of Covid in the community is a rare thing in this world. We have sacrificed a lot to be in this position. We are all enjoying living relatively normal lives compared to family and friends in other parts of the world, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, where the number of Covid cases continue to rise. After months and months of constant tweaking and improving the control of our borders, quarantine procedures, and contact tracing, and along with the added benefit of genome sequencing, we’re in a good place. But we can’t stay here forever.   A friend of mine who has a large amount of family in Brisbane made the comment that she felt relieved when Queensland announced they were opening their borders to New Zealand this week. Not that she was rushing off to book a ticket. Like most of us there isn’t the time or money to afford quarantine on the way back into New Zealand. But it was comforting to know that if she had to, she could be with family in a heartbeat if need be. We need to be offering that comfort to families, business and the tourism industry. It’s time the government made it a priority to work out their concerns, and open the borders between New Zealand and Covid-free areas of Australia, just like they are planning to do with The Cook Islands. Maybe, the announcement New Zealand and the Cook Islands have agreed to open a quarantine-free travel bubble by end of March next year is a step towards securing a trans-Tasman bubble. Starting on a slightly smaller scale might allow for the government to check its systems work – we know tweaks will need to be made. There are plenty of upsides to moving forward with this trans-Tasman bubble. Kiwis returning home from Australia take up 40 % of NZ managed isolation quarantine places. Let’s free those up for more New Zealanders to come home, and increase the space for critical international workers businesses are crying out for. Let’s allow families to reconnect, and give the tourism industry a life line. If it doesn’t work, we can always just close the border again, but we are going to have to give it a try at some point. Sat, 12 Dec 2020 21:16:29 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-worksafe-seems-heavy-handed-in-white-island-charges/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-worksafe-seems-heavy-handed-in-white-island-charges/ On Monday, WorkSafe New Zealand filed charges against 13 parties in relation to the Whakaari/White Island eruption on December 9th last year, which tragically killed 22 people, and left 25 others with severe life altering injuries. According to WorkSafe NZ, the charges conclude the most extensive and complex investigation they‘ve ever undertaken. The investigation took a look at all organisations associated with taking tours to White Island, whether or not they were operating that day, to check that prior to that day they were meeting their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. It didn’t take in to consideration the rescue or recovery attempt. They concluded that 13 parties did not meet those obligations. Worksafe has done a rigorous job, and that’s absolutely the right thing to do. We must learn from this tragedy, and do everything we can to make sure it never happens again. But in some cases, their approach seems heavy handed. Two parties who’ve publically acknowledged they’re among those charged were closely involved in rescue efforts immediately after the eruption. Mark Law, owner of helicopter company Kahu Helicopters NZ, along with two other Kahu crews were among the first responders who flew to the island after it erupted, helping evacuate a number of survivors. Also in the air that day, and another charged party, was Tim Barrow from Volcanic Air, who also contributed to the rescue effort. Mark Law has been vocal about his response to the charges, none of which relate directly to the disaster itself, calling them “a bit wanting”. One of the charges relates to equipment not being properly maintained, another was that the company failed to implement an asbestos plan for a building on White Island that may or may not contain asbestos. He has been charged with not providing due care to passengers. In light of what happened – important stuff. But surely, as Mark Law was not conducting tours on White Island the day it erupted, a warning, a fine, and the opportunity to fix issues would have been an appropriate response? Suspend his operation even – if he still had one. Mark, like so many in Whakatane, has lost his livelihood since the tragedy. It feels as if the whole adventure tourism industry has been put on watch by this investigation – and that’s not a bad thing. But I wonder how much self-reflection has taken place at WorkSafe as well. According to Laws, he’d owned his helicopter company for 22 years and was only been visited by WorkSafe once during that time. A rather relaxed approach to a high risk industry. I’m not the only one wondering if prosecuting these pilots is an overreaction –over 84,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org asking the Prime Minister to stop the prosecution of the pilots who saved lives on Whakaari / White Island. The petition is asking for recognition of the extraordinary efforts of these men and others who flew with them, and throw out the charges. On December 9th last year, Mark and two colleagues, and Tim, all commercial pilots who knew the area, made the decision to fly to White Island on a rescue mission. I know some people think their actions were reckless, foolish and against health and safety regulations - they probably were. Weirdly, I would have thought it would be this action that was cause for a WorkSafety investigation, and yet, as I said earlier, this investigation did not look at the rescue or recovery operation. But they did what needed to be done. They went above and beyond to help people desperately in need. I can remember being horrified at the time there was the possibility people were going to be left to suffer – knowing no one came to help them. That’s just not the Kiwi way. We will have to wait until the preliminary hearing on December 15th to find out more about the charges laid, and whether they are in fact justified, but until then it’s important to distinguish between the charges laid against these gentlemen, and their heroic actions. In my eyes, they are first and foremost heroes. Sat, 05 Dec 2020 21:04:56 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-no-reason-for-tourism-minister-to-start-bashing-tourists/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-no-reason-for-tourism-minister-to-start-bashing-tourists/ Next Friday, I’m lucky enough to be taking a few days off, and with a group of girlfriends, I'm heading to Karamea to fast-pack the Heaphy Track. We go on an adventure like this each year - it’s our version of a girl’s weekend. Some people go shopping, others treat themselves to a fancy hotel, but on the last weekend in November, my mates and I go bush to run, walk, laugh, and be awed by our nation’s beauty on an iconic New Zealand track. We’ve done the Routeburn, Old Ghost Road, Ruapehu Round the Mountain track, and I don’t know whether it’s the time of year we go, but we generally find ourselves in a hut surrounded mostly with other like-minded Kiwis. All making the most of what our own backyard has to offer - but only because we book a bunk in a hut the day bookings open. As cruel as it has been to see our tourism industry devastated by Covid 19 this year, a positive outcome is seeing New Zealanders contemplate how we want tourism to look in the future, focusing on ways to reshape the industry to provide real benefit to New Zealanders and the tourism sector, and creating a more sustainable industry.  Some people have been more articulate about this than others. This week Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said he will ban hiring vans that are not self-contained to tourists, and market New Zealand as a destination for the wealthy as he urges a focus on attracting high-spending visitors. Actually, these are good ideas but delivered in a slightly stroppy manner. They were somehow translated into meaning we were looking to ban freedom campers, discourage backpackers, and only let the wealthy in to enjoy our beautiful land. You could almost hear the Trump-like chant – Ban The Van! Ban the Van! Not all Freedom Campers poop in inappropriate places or throw their litter around. Not all freedom campers are international travellers. New Zealanders travel around the country too, and yes, need to go to the toilet sometimes.  I don’t think the person who left two large rubbish bags of garden waste on my berm recently was a tourist who’d felt the need to do some pruning. We don’t always behave as well as we could ourselves – so let’s not start tourist bashing. Saying vans must be self-contained isn’t the simple answer to the freedom camping issue.  Of course, they should be, but at present self-contained can mean a small van with pretty much a potty tucked under the bed. That’s not going to encourage better behaviour. If there is to be real change, then we need to take a closer look at what self-contained means. We do need to invest in more infrastructure around New Zealand – even Kiwis lament the lack of toilets as they drive around the country – but working out how we funnel the tourism dollar to assist in providing good facilities for both local and international tourism, is a complicated and complex issue. One thinks Stuart Nash needs more time to get his head around before creating headlines again. I’d hate to see us discourage backpackers from coming to New Zealand. If Covid 19 has taught us anything, we need them to help with seasonal work - the work we don’t seem to want to do. They stay for a few months, spend money as tourists, contribute to retail, work and pay tax, and then a decade or two later they return to have a different kind of holiday. Maybe the kind Minister Nash is more interested in advertising too. In the time of a global pandemic – is it a problem to shake up our tourism marketing campaign? It’s probably the more wealthy who will travel for a holiday first – why not throw a marketing campaign out to the world suggesting people come and splash their cash around New Zealand? Surely though we can do that without throwing away the welcome mat to others. We all like to travel in different ways and should be able to. Whether you’re a young backpacker travelling to New Zealand for a working holiday, or an older traveller who likes to enjoy the finer things in life. Or a crazy bunch of girls who think there is nothing better than going for a run in the bush. I’d like to think there’s room for us all. Sat, 21 Nov 2020 21:22:47 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-referendum-results-have-massive-consequences/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-referendum-results-have-massive-consequences/ On Friday the provisional results of our two referendums were announced - 65.2 percent of us overwhelmingly supporting the End of Life Choice referendum, with 53.1 percent saying no to the Cannabis Legalisation and Control referendum. While many celebrated or commiserated on Friday afternoon as the preliminary results were released, I did neither, I just felt a bit empty. I don’t know about you, but deciding how I would vote on both the End of Life Choice Bill and the Cannabis Legalisation and Control referendums was much harder than casting my party and local electorate votes in the general election. Plenty of research went into my choices, but even now I’m not sure I got it right. What I mean, I think, is that we still have plenty of work to do to make sure each of these decisions is proved right. The End of Life Choice Bill had of course already been debated in parliament. We had time to absorb the information, understand the bill, and hear a variety of experiences and opinions from all sides of the debate. It was probably a more considered decision. Friday’s result was a relief to many suffering terrible, terminal illnesses, and to those who have had to watch their loved ones suffer in unimaginable ways. I’m not convinced the law is as tight and protective of people as it could be, and I would have liked to see more resources and respect given to palliative care in New Zealand before we got to this stage, but I understand the need for others to have the choice. The vote to legalise and control cannabis was much closer – and the bill was yet to be debated in Parliament or go through select committee process. While we had an idea of how the law might look – you have to be over 20 to partake, can buy up to 14 grams of dried cannabis per day, must consume it on private property or at a licensed premise, you could grow up to two plants, etc. - I did wonder whether some people were concerned how this bill would end up looking and lacked the certainty they needed to vote yes. Such a close call makes it difficult for the government. A sizable portion of voters clearly want the government to undertake cannabis law reform. You simply can’t ignore the health and justice issues that have come to light by glibly saying that the people have spoken. If this government really cares about the wellbeing of our youth, our mental health and vulnerable members of society, it will find other ways to improve the system. The big question is how far will the Labour government push this before becoming concerned about losing voters? Not very far by the sound of things. The have ruled out wider drug law reforms in the foreseeable future, but Andrew Little says current drug laws will be reviewed to ensure that people whose worst offense is drug possession are “almost automatically” given a health referral rather than having to face prosecution. According to police data, only about 10.7 per cent of people caught by police are given a health referral. Perhaps we need a clearer interpretation of the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2019 which formally directed the police not to arrest and prosecute for use and supply. I can’t help but think the referendum asked the wrong question. If the question had been to decriminalise rather than legalise I suspect more people would have come on board. There are almost half a million special votes still to be counted, but as Heather du Pleiss Allen pointed out on Friday afternoon, 67 % of those votes would have to tick yes to legalisation for the provisional referendum result to be overturned - which seems a stretch. So, why did I feel flat on Friday? Why did I not celebrate the fact things have gone the way I wanted? I think it’s because we won’t know if we made the best decisions for sure for some time – and the consequences are simply massive. The work to make sure we’re proved right starts now, and there is much to be done. We must protect the vulnerable and be cautious when it comes to enacting the End of Life Choice bill. And regardless of how you voted on the Cannabis Legalisation and Control question, I think we can agree we must do better with how we deal with cannabis use - from both a justice and health point of view. Sat, 31 Oct 2020 21:06:31 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-greenhithe-bakery-sets-restrictions-independently-after-positive-case/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-greenhithe-bakery-sets-restrictions-independently-after-positive-case/ I would like to take a moment this morning to say thank you to Baked@Greenhithe, the Bakery who this week put themselves back into level three essentially, after a Covid-19 infected man spent more than three hours at a popular local tavern last Friday night. After learning about the community transmission on Wednesday night, the bakery's owner decided off his own bat, to put measures in place for the benefit of his workers and the community. The plan was to do this for a few days as contact tracing continued. Thank you on behalf of all of us, and in particular Aucklander’s, who do not need another lockdown right now. It’s no easy task moving up levels, and changing the way you do business. Thanks too to the gym that stayed shut an extra few days to see how things pan out, and the businesses and schools who thoroughly cleaned. I really feel for The Malt pub who need to shut for 14 days – as if things haven’t been tough enough for hospo, but we appreciate you taking one for the team, and being so proactive about containing what has been termed the "marine engineer cluster". This is how we are going to move forward, this is how we are going to stay open, for the most part stay operational, and learn to live with the occasional community case. We don’t need to be fearful, we don’t need to panic about Covid-19, we just need to take responsibility and act. Do what these folk have done. If you have symptoms, get tested immediately, use the tracer app so that contact tracing can be efficient, if you have to clean or shut down, do it swiftly. If you’re in the affected area, revert to social distancing and wearing masks. It seems unlikely Donald Trump is correct this week in saying Americans will have a vaccination for coronavirus before Christmas; it’s more likely we will be living the way we are now for another year or so. The border poses our only real Covid-19 threat, there will be slip ups, and no doubt the occasional community case, but what we have learnt this week is life can go on, and in this case it has allowed many of us to enjoy a gorgeous spring long weekend. But this is an endless learning experience isn’t it. Thought will no doubt go into how this particular case could have been avoided. Maritime Union national secretary Joe Fleetwood said this week that all foreign seafarers should be tested before they landed here. Such action might have prevented this last mini-cluster. Crew that fly into New Zealand can also avoid testing if they were taken straight to the port by a driver in PPE gear to join their vessel if it’s leaving the same day. The idea being they have no contact with port workers, and pose no risk, but how realistic is that? We need to protect our essential port workers. But here’s the thing, all the fishing workers flown into New Zealand on private charter flights were tested for Covid-19 before they flew to New Zealand – and look at how many of them are in managed isolation after a positive test. So, while it seems a no brainer to test anyone coming to our shores, regardless of how they get here, and how long they are here, it’s not a water tight solution. The Covid-19 cases will keep on coming, and some will reach our community - it’s our response to community cases that is going to prevent us from heading into another lockdown. I have a confession to make, I’ve gotten a little slack this week when it comes to using the NZ Covid Tracer app. And I’ve hardly seen anyone else use it either. This mini cluster, which thankfully remains at just four people, is a loud reminder, it’s worth taking a few seconds to click the button. So, I know it’s been a difficulty week for many in Greenhithe, but thanks for keeping us out of lockdown. It’s very much appreciated. Sat, 24 Oct 2020 21:33:19 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-declining-border-exemptions-doesnt-show-kindness/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-declining-border-exemptions-doesnt-show-kindness/ Yesterday I had a moment when I almost screamed; what is this blimming pandemic doing to us? What kind of people are we becoming? What set me off was a story on the front page of the NZ Herald about a British couple who had sold their home, bought a 17m yacht and in January 2019 set sail around the world on an adventure they hoped would make everlasting memories for their children. On August 9th this year, the Jarman’s son Eddie died in an accident off Moorea Island near Tahiti. He was struck by a jetboat while checking the anchor - and killed. They managed to repatriate Eddie’s body to the UK, and flew back to Sussex to bury their child in August. Then they returned with their daughter, to their yacht to navigate the cyclone season. Then they wanted to sell their home, their yacht, and head back to the UK. According to the Jarmans, it’s almost impossible to sell their yacht in French Polynesia, but they’d been told there was a market here in Auckland. They’ve gone through the proper process and applied for a humanitarian exemption to enter New Zealand – unlike the recent Germans who just sailed on in. And I get the feeling that if their time at sea wasn’t long enough to satisfy our quarantine protocols they would have entered MIQ here. Yesterday, it was reported the Ministry of Health had turned down their application. They did not meet the high threshold of humanitarian exemption to allow them to enter New Zealand. Now they will need to find shelter in French Polynesia, and wait until New Zealand opens it borders. I don’t want to get stuck in the complexity and political to-and-fro of our border security approach being right, wrong, or in need of improvement. But I do want to get stuck into the simple fact that an exemption wasn’t granted. What harm would be done? Set a precedent? How many requests has the government received such as this one? The Jarman’s have been through the worst thing a family can go through. They lost a son, a brother. Their lives will never be the same again. Ask anyone who has lost a child, calling them heartbroken doesn’t even being to sum up what they are dealing with. But an exemption wasn’t granted. The government has already turned its back on the boaties of the Pacific who would normally come to New Zealand to shelter from the dangerous cyclone season. The government has not turned its back on 13 superyachts that have been granted exemption to dock in New Zealand on the condition they support our local marine industry. I don’t have a problem with the super-yachts getting in, but where’s the balance between our nation’s financial self-interest and doing the right thing by others.  I don’t mind words like compassion and kindness are used in a whole lot of talk about issues in New Zealand – I just wish I saw more examples of it. Helping the Jarmans’ does not require compromising our border security in any way.  It requires us caring enough to help and make an extra effort. As when we get to the close of this COVID period in our lives, we’ll have two questions to answer – how well did we look after ourselves, and how well did we look after others. On the second question – the jury’s out. Sat, 10 Oct 2020 21:25:20 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-trans-tasman-travel-bubble-announcement-very-modest/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-trans-tasman-travel-bubble-announcement-very-modest/ Australia announced a one-way trans-Tasman travel bubble this week. Or the TTTB, as I’m calling it these days. I know we have to start somewhere and sometime, but this was a very modest beginning. So late this week, the Australian and New Zealand governments reached an agreement allowing people to travel from New Zealand to New South Wales and the Northern Territory from 16th October. This only applies to New Zealanders who have been in a non-COVID hotspot for 14 days, and if that’s you, the exciting part is that you won’t have to quarantine when you get to Australia. However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern isn’t throwing down the welcoming mat to our neighbours just yet. Ardern said it was too early to let Australians into New Zealand, and when New Zealanders return home they would need to complete the 14 days of managed isolation. It’s worth pointing out that National’s leader Judith Collins doubts whether a two-way travel bubble with Australia will be opened soon. She would want a border protection agency operating in this country first, so goodness knows when those in the aviation and tourism industries will catch a break. So where does this deal get us? Well, to Sydney and Darwin, and for a considerable stay to make the returning quarantining, and its cost, worth it. I can’t see many New Zealanders taking up this offer. Maybe those who like to spend several months at a time in Australia, those keen to attend a special family event, or be reunited with family members. But in such a challenging and uncertain year, I’m not sure many of us have the time to quarantine, or the money to pay for it. And let’s not forget, we have been talking about a Trans-Tasman travel bubble since July 1st. I admire Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s determination to make it happen, but who knows what’s around the corner? There’s no certainty that this will kick off on October 16th. All I can say is Flexi-fares, people! The announcement is surely a blow to the aviation and tourism industries. I feel for Queenstown, well, actually the whole of the South Island and all those places around the country that have only had a handful of Covid 19 cases all year. While the announcement may be underwhelming for those keen to spread their wings, and those desperate to welcome tourists to their regions and businesses, maybe we need to just accept this as the first step? An opportunity to test the waters? We all knew opening up was going to be harder than locking down. We’ve sacrificed so much, got on top of the border, and don’t want to see elevated alert levels again. I get it, it’s all about the border, it’s our best defence. But at some point, we are going to have to be brave, to pry open the door and join-up with parts of the world in the same situation as us. We can always slam it shut again. Sat, 03 Oct 2020 21:24:09 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-political-parties-lacking-policy-on-fixing-our-healthcare-system/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-political-parties-lacking-policy-on-fixing-our-healthcare-system/ As the two major parties in the New Zealand election continue to argue over their accounting and budgeting skills, I can’t help but get more and more concerned about plans to get our health system back on track. Before Covid-19 became a daily headline, our health system was already struggling with a back log of elective procedures, inadequate hospital buildings, regional differences in cancer care, and the growing burden of an aging and growing population. This week Emma Russell wrote in the NZ Herald that nearly half a million Kiwis are believed to be receiving hospital care below the national standard due to a staggering backlog of planned care. Back in April the Cancer Society asked for cancer care to be prioritised. In a Stuff article, Medical Director Dr Chris Jackson was reported as saying a three-month diagnostic delay could result in 400 additional cancer deaths. In August, the Independent Cancer Control Agency released a report measuring the effect of lockdown on cancer diagnosis. It found that even though the majority of cancer treatments continued during lockdown, screening programmes were paused, diagnostic tests and outpatient clinics were scaled back. This is no surprise. We know less people went to the GP, we read stories about people waiting for diagnostic and surgical procedures, and many of us know of someone whose treatment was been postponed even in the latest lockdown. It is a great relief our hospitals are not filled with people suffering from Covid 19, but we are paying a huge price for this. I have no doubt those in the frontline are working heroically to clear the backlog. But their efforts alone won’t be enough, especially when we know there are a few more rounds in the COVID battle to come. We need far-sighted policy addressing the fundamental issues facing our health care system. We also need to know the system is robust enough to deal with whatever comes our way in the immediate future. We need to know that someone requiring life-changing or saving treatment will be able to access it.   Philippa Mercer, a general surgeon and chair of NZ National Board of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons this week called for the next government to oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive health recovery plan that enables, for example, planned operations to continue where possible. I couldn’t agree more. The health initiatives – well, the three year ones – currently being released by the political parties focus on correcting the inequity and inequality of the system - dental care, mental health, the size of DHB’s, childcare, obesity, border management, and sick leave. These are all really important, but even more important would be their their assurance our national health system is robust enough to deal with what is right around the corner, as well as the future. Sat, 26 Sept 2020 21:05:24 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-national-finally-gives-us-an-election-choice/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-national-finally-gives-us-an-election-choice/ Is it just me or has the world starting to lose its sense of humour just a little? This week The Recorders and Early Music Union filed an official complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over the way a Pink Batt’s television commercial, exploits and degrades the recorder and their efforts to promote it for artistic and recreational purposes. The ad for Pink Batt’s Silencer sees the man in the pink onesie playing a recorder, and a woman on the other side of the wall checks the noise reduction levels provided by the insulation. The Pink Batt’s mascot makes a comment that implies he’s so pleased no one can hear him play. The Recorders and Early Music Union felt the ad drives the stereotype that the instrument should not be taken seriously and should be an object for derision. They felt it gave "rise to hostility, contempt, abuse or ridicule". An overreaction in regards to the recorder, (come on, it’s an annoying instrument, but one that we’re kinda fond o0f, right?) but these are the words you expect to hear during an election campaign. And here I am again, right back at the election;  and here’s the thing, it is what we should be talking about. Last week I called it the Don’t Rock the Boat Election. Others have called it a race to the centre, some have gone so far to say boring. 2020 has already thrown so much at us that many are finding it hard to engage with an election. I get that, but this weekend we know two things we didn’t know at the start of the week. The PREFU and GDF figures, which reminds us that while the implications of COVID are awful in the short term it’s during the next government’s term that the reality of the economic and social impact of Covid will hit. We finally learnt more about National’s fiscal plan, and how they will differentiate themselves with their tax policy. Labour made a small adjustment that affects roughly two percent of taxpayers, but National’s plan, while temporary, is more expansive and impacts all taxpayers by lifting all the tax thresholds in an attempt to achieve short term stimulus. National also announced it would make cuts to day-to-day spending, and give businesses a tax break. It has been less ambitious on its initial plan to reduce core Crown debt – the new target is 34.9% by 2033/34. Election bribe? “No”, says Collins. But at the very least, for the first time National have given us a real choice: a choice between what’s best for me personally, and what’s best for the country. National will be hoping it also raises a nagging thought – could they be the same thing? An interesting sidebar of National’s fiscal policy is that they plan to use roughly $10 billion left over in the $50 billion Covid Fund to make this happen. Let’s not forget, they didn’t find money under the couch; what they found was a slip of paper, one with IOU written on it in big capitals. It’s a gutsy move by Collins and Goldsmith, but they really had no choice. If you’re second best at the game you’re playing and want to win, you’ve got to change things up. Election bribes have a proud tradition - interest free student loans anyone? - but this one won’t win over everyone who is thinking hard about the decades long consequences that will result from how we’re governed in the next three years.   By the way, the ASA dismissed the complaint saying the badly played recorder was merely used as an example of a noise that some people wouldn't like to hear, adding it was unlikely that the ad would cause "widespread offence". At the end of the day, any instrument played badly is only a joy to the person playing it.   Sat, 19 Sept 2020 22:01:23 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-labour-and-national-seem-afraid-to-rock-the-boat/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-labour-and-national-seem-afraid-to-rock-the-boat/ As we come to the end of the first week of the campaign trial for 2020, I’m wondering, how much you noticed and how much you cared. We’ve spent the pre-election leadup period waiting for policy from our parties, because that’s where the meat is, that’s what they believe in, it’s what they will commit to, it’s what they will put on the record. So this week, the policy started coming thick and fast -  promises made, nothing edgy, nothing transformative, nothing … dare I day … sexy. You can almost hear the politicians thinking… “people are weary, they’re concerned, they’re angry – let’s not piss them off anymore”. The two major parties are doing their best to convince us their team is the better experienced to lead the country while the minor parties are doing their best to convince us they will hold the government to account on the things that matter, with more radical policies. Is that enough for you? Let’s look at the week and what we were deliver by Labour and National. The big talking point was whether we should turn Matariki into another public holiday, and the other was our inability to secure the rugby championship.  I’m all for celebrating Matariki, It’s a feel good election promise. Who doesn’t want another day off during the year - the answer is of course business, but business leaders have one vote each, just like their employees – and there are more workers than business owners. The second was losing the Rugby Championship hosting to Australia - which really isn’t about the election, but everything that happens in this period is in the context of the election. It’s disappointing eh, but at least there will be some rugby to enjoy. So the big talking points – a holiday and rugby. To be fair, Labour introduced new border rules and a new top tax rate of 39 percent for the top two percent of Kiwis earning more than $180,000. It’s forecast to generate more than $500 million in revenue a year, which is on message, if not impactful. They also announced a new Welfare initiative, and pledged 100% renewable power by 2030. In the blue corner, National is promising a new “infrastructure bank” to streamline and fund projects. They’re promising roads, and funding for schools and hospitals. They’re also keen to throw electric vehicles in bus lanes – which probably cost them the votes of all bus drivers – get tough on meth, and have pitched various other policies we’ve heard over the last few decades. Like all elections, the lolly scramble has begun. But one week in it just feels like the lollies are a bit stale, maybe the sugar has rubbed off in the party pack. Wouldn’t it be invigorating if one of the main parties offered a brave ambitious plan for the next three years and beyond? Rather than ask us to stay the course and endorse the obvious. Voting for the status quo might be comforting to some, but as we head into an unpredictable three years, it would be great to see some ambitious, agile, progressive, transformation thinking. That’s what we ask of them, but looking at what we’ve been dished this week, it looks like they’ve already decided we’re not up for it. I can’t help but think the Covid Election could also be themed Don’t Rock the Boat. Sun, 13 Sept 2020 00:35:08 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-give-ncea-students-a-break/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-needs-to-give-ncea-students-a-break/ As students returned to school in the Auckland region this week, those in years 11 to 13 who are participating in NCEA, voiced their concern at how the year is playing out. We’ve all dealt with what 2020 has thrown at us in different ways. Kids and teenagers are no different. Some students have sailed through. When learning moved home they knew what to do, got on with it, were well-supported and stayed focused - that was not my kids. Others lacked motivation, struggled to keep momentum and started to feel they were falling behind. Some just thought of it as an opportunity for a holiday. As unfair as a global pandemic is, there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s here, and the life of a student goes on. That’s a life lesson. Life isn’t fair, stuff happens, and we need to build resilience. How many times have we heard experts talk about our young adults lacking resilience. Well, here’s a perfect resilience-building opportunity. Covid has also given school leavers a heads up about what their lives will be like next year. Being responsible for your own work is something all schools try and instil in their students. With some Universities talking about moving more classes online, distance learning will become more of the norm. But first they’ve got to get through this year. If a student has worked hard throughout the year they’re probably set, but some will need to do well in the exams to get what they need. Sitting exams, getting accepted into your preferred tertiary course is stressful at the best of times. An online survey of 5,761 secondary school students in 2017 discovered two-thirds of New Zealand secondary students identify stress and anxiety about assessments as a challenge to learning. During the first lockdown, the government make NCEA easier, and changed exams schedules. In light of this last lockdown and the possibility we could continue to move up and down levels during exam time, more needs to be done to reassure students so they can get back to focusing on studying. The concern for those who haven’t locked in their grades yet with good course work is that if they’re unable to attend an exam because of a lock down, they would instead get a derived grade based on the work they had completed earlier in the year. This is, according to teenagers I know, is “freaking” students out. The government needs to move faster. There needs to be further NCEA concessions for Auckland students, especially considering how many teenagers have not returned to school in South Auckland. We need to be identifying those struggling or disadvantaged and meet their needs, and re-consider how exams could be run if part of New Zealand returned to Alert Level 3. The government needs to listen to the President of the Auckland Secondary Principals' Association, Steve Hargreaves, who says the association is planning for the possibility that some or all exams could be cancelled. He would like the government to alter the alert level rules so exams could proceed safely even if there was a Level 3 lockdown. Let’s get this done, and give the kids a break. Sat, 05 Sept 2020 22:16:49 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-have-to-accept-there-s-no-perfect-response-to-covid/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-we-have-to-accept-there-s-no-perfect-response-to-covid/ Six months ago this week, Covid 19 landed in New Zealand. Since then we’ve been fighting it with plans that have been regularly modified and challenged. As Auckland joins the rest of New Zealand in Level 2 tomorrow, we enter the next phase in this on-going saga: the mask-wearing phase So, we get it, it’s been discovered the virus was spread between two bus passengers. Growing evidence from around the world – and let’s remember, the rest of the world is also debating who should and shouldn’t be wearing masks – shows that wearing a mask slows the rate of transmission. So why not use every tool in the tool box, right? When it comes to dealing with Covid 19, changing our approach is good, as long as the changes are progressively making the situation better, not worse. But changes to the way we do things are getting harder to accept, which isn’t helped when there is disagreement as to best practice. Masks are just the most recent example. Dunedin pathologist Dr Ling Chan says studies showed children over the age of 10 have the same Covid-19 transmission rates as adults, and that they should wear masks in confined indoor spaces like school. Epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker, who has always backed mask use, wants high school students to wear masks to school from tomorrow too. But you don’t have to look far to find another epidemiologist, such as Auckland University’s Dr Simon Thornley, who believes masks should not even be compulsory on buses and trains. He believes the only place where there is strong evidence they work is on planes. Whether you send your kids or teenagers to school tomorrow wearing a mask, or decide to put on a mask for a work meeting, it’s up to you. There has been plenty of rational decision making being done up to now, I’m sure people will look at their own situation and make the right decision for them. It’s just another change that reminds us this is a marathon, not a sprint. Another changes that makes us wonder - are on the right path? Another change that undermines our certainty. And we all like certainty - people like certainly, businesses like certainty, and governments like certainly. And one of the things Covid 19 doesn’t give us is certainly. Setbacks, like lockdowns, are tough and cruel both mentally and financially, but if we look back over the last six months, I don’t think we could have done things significantly differently and be where we are today. Sure, we now know the government could have acted better and faster, and that we all got complacent; but few of us have dealt with something as massive as this, something that requires us to learn so much as we go. The Government talks about finding the balance between doing what’s best from a health and economic point of view. But the reality is, they also make decisions based on what they believe we will tolerate.  It’s our job to keep demanding better solutions and processes and to be vocal about what we’re prepared to tolerate. But at the same time, we have to accept there’s no perfect response to Covid 19, and things will keep on changing for a long time yet. It feels like it’s time to just get on with it, and learn to live with change and uncertainty. Sat, 29 Aug 2020 22:13:18 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-should-step-in-over-latest-nurses-pay-dispute/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-government-should-step-in-over-latest-nurses-pay-dispute/ I wasn’t at all surprised this week to hear the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) confirm that thousands of nurses working at medical centres across New Zealand will strike on September 3rd. Close to 3200 Primary Health Care nurses and administration staff who work at medical practices and accident and medical centres have been in pay negotiations for around nine months now, and with many of them working under stressful conditions on the Covid 19 frontline, it was only a matter of time before action became inevitable. Apparently two-thirds of the country’s primary health care nurses and administration staff voted to strike, the first time they have chosen to do so. According to NZNO Industrial Adviser Chris Wilson, community nurses just want to be paid the same as their District Health Board colleagues. An experienced nurse earns 10.6 per cent less ($7,651 per annum) than a hospital nurse, and some on the medical receptionist/administration scale earn lower than the living wage. It’s hard to argue against their value – Covid 19, like it has with so many of our essential workers, has highlighted how indispensable our nurses and public health staff are. They have worked tirelessly in difficult situations and at risk to themselves, swabbing the community, calming stressed out patients in the effort to protect us all. As we become frustrated by further lockdowns, border breaches, a testing and contact tracing system that isn’t up to scratch, conspiracy theories and finger-pointing and bickering politicians – it’s easy to forget to be grateful for what we have. We’ve been asked to wear a mask; they have been asked to bravely put themselves on the line.   Frontline Covid workers have been in the news for all sorts of reasons over the last few weeks, and it’s not because we’re recognising the incredible job they’re doing is it? And yet we should recognise it. Daily. I am incredibly grateful for public health staff, especially those who have stepped up to work at overrun testing stations, but is this the right time to be going on strike? We have no idea what situation we could find ourselves in September – here’s hoping its life at level 1 or 1.5, but it’s more likely Level 2 for some. Wilson wants the government to step in and resolve this issue, but this is not an issue for the government to intervene in. Nurses working in non-DHB workplaces, including primary health, are employed by private employers, and the Minister of Health Chris Hipkins is correct in stating, “Their pay and conditions are not negotiated with the Government or Crown entities. It is not appropriate for the Government to interfere in that process." Clearly, community nurses are at the end of their tether, but using the pandemic to make this point, they run the risk of politicising it. However, the Ministry of Health is in my view being negligent by not stepping in and helping out in the short term. Nurses are feeling burnt out, stressed and tired. There needs to be funding made available through Primary Health Organisations to general practices to make sure nurses are being cared for as well as they care for us. We need to make sure they have access to PPE gear, they get quality time off, they’re protected from abusive members of the public, they are being tested, their stress and anxiety is being acknowledged and treated, and there’s casual staff available to pull in when need be. The government might not be able to directly help their long-term employment issues, but it at least owes it to our nurses to keep them safe and sane right now.    Sat, 22 Aug 2020 22:17:12 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-weve-adapted-to-covid-why-cant-politicans/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-weve-adapted-to-covid-why-cant-politicans/ There was quite a bit going on this week, so the Prime Minister deferred the dissolution of Parliament to Monday. Not a surprise really. Who could know what else would happen this week? Almost immediately, leader of the National Party Judith Collins started calling for the date of the election to be moved - November was recommended, or potentially next year. She’s not alone, NZ First's Winston Peters, Act leader David Seymour, and the Maori Party have also called for it to be delayed if Auckland remains in lockdown for much longer. For practical reasons, the last date we can hold an election this year is November 21st - this is because the government’s 3-year term expires in mid- October, and once that has happened legally, an election must be held within a certain number of weeks. November 21st also allows enough time for votes to be counted, and a new government to be put in place before the year ends. If the Prime Minister chooses next year, and at present, the date of the election is entirely her prerogative, then three-quarters of all MP’s must vote for Parliament to be extended for a 4-year term. It was reported yesterday that this would be National’s preference. This would also appeal to those who think the three-year term is too short for any government – and there’s something in that. A test run of a four-year term might be interesting, but this hasn’t been done since WW1, and now wouldn’t seem the time for a trial. Collins believes it’s in the best interest of 5 million people that we have an opportunity to hear what each party plans for New Zealand’s future. And she’s right - we shouldn’t just be able to cast a vote safely, we should, as Claire Trevett wrote in the NZ Herald, be able to cast an “informed vote”. While Collins might not think the middle of a health and economic crisis is a suitable time to campaign, I say bring it on. Politicians have found it impossible not to politicise Covid 19, and with such an uncertain future ahead of us, I want to know how parties are going to deal with it. And I’d like to know now. Thanks to our second wave of Covid, many Aucklanders have more time than usual to be cruising political party websites musing on policy. Oh, that’s right; unless you’re the Greens or Act, there’s little to read – except billboards. I know the current government is working hard to get us through this second wave – but if their testing and contact tracing systems are as gold standard as they claim, then by the end of this week we should have this cluster under control, and we can start working our way back down through the alert levels, and political parties can get back to their traditional campaign trail. We can deal with this second wave, and an election, right? We’ve never been more interested in how political parties are going to get us out of this mess. We have been told since March this is an exceptional time, and exceptional things have been asked of us. Businesses have been told to pivot, to find new ways of working. And the same goes for retailers, schools, exporters – we’ve all adapted. So why can’t politicians? Why do they have to campaign like it’s the 80’s? In this era of websites, social media, podcasts, video stories, zoom, various media mediums, surely political parties can do what the rest of us have done, pivot and find a way to run a virtual campaign? They might even find ways to present their policies in more depth, rather than rely on the usual news soundbite filmed by the TV cameras in front of a billboard on the side of the road. The Electoral Commission is prepped to hold an election if the country is in Level 2 – and they have options too for what may need to change if the worst happens.  So I hope that the Prime Minister holds the line of the election date – give or take a couple of weeks - and locks us in, and after that we’re out of the politician’s hands. What happens next can be determined by the Electoral Commission rather than moaning. Sat, 15 Aug 2020 22:43:04 Z