26 Comments
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Anne McMichael's avatar

Thank you, Bryan. I’m was appalled by both of these ministers’ audacity (and insult) towards our health professionals. Both of whom have no qualification to serve our struggling health portfolio., and appear to be placing obstacles in front of any effort to improve it. It was gratifying to hear in recent polls that the general public of Aotearoa are equaling appalled by the continuing decline in health services (access to doctors etc). Let’s hope we all vote this ignorant, shallow, totally inadequate government OUT!

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Robin Capper's avatar

I know it will likely fly straight into the e-waste bin, but sent this on Thursday:

I challenged Mr Luxon to endorse the words of his Acting Prime Minister, his Deputy PM appointee.

https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2025/03/health-minister-censors-national-public-health-service-doctors.html

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Bryan Bruce's avatar

Good one Robin!

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Eleanor Mayer's avatar

Thank you Bryan .

I was apalled at the disgraceful comments by Brown and Seymour .

I remember in the first semester of my Public Health diploma at Auckland University Medical School , the fundamental question was .."WHAT IS HEALTH "?

the answer after much discussion was along the lines of 'feeling safe ,warm dry housing ,gainful employment ,happiness,freedom of expression and cultural safety , enough good food ,safe affordable transport .,enough basic income to support oneself and ones family..NOT not being sick .

The current Government are failing on the majority of the points for developing a healthy population .

Shame on them . !

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Brigid  Sinclair's avatar

Thank you Bryan. So…in the interests of fighting back against this horror story of a government…eg. can we find out what businesses these guys are involved with and boycott them like Tesla? They really don’t care about any of the human suffering. Power and money. How can we start to hit them where they will feel it?

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Bryan Bruce's avatar

mmm...difficult Brigid as neither Brown nor Seymour appear to have direct links to businesses. HOWEVER you have started me thinking about where their parties get their donations from and some of those are business. I'll start making a list.. it will take a while maybe some readers might like to help with research if I told them where to look for the information.

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Brigid  Sinclair's avatar

Yay. Yes please Bryan.

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Keith Simes's avatar

Brown vs Seymour? A race to be the creepiest Minister… There should be a rule regarding commitment to public service (the deeds not the organisation) before sociopaths are allowed anywhere near the seats of power.

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Diane Shaw's avatar

Once again you have nailed it, Bryan. Brown and Seymour are failed politicians and failed human beings.

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Annette Le Cren's avatar

Maybe the time has arrived that you need to formally apply for a job as Minister. We have all applied for jobs using an updated and relevant CV, referees and having to go through a interview process. The best applicant gains the job! It doesn't always work, but at least it's a process finding the best candidate possible

Here we are, stuck with Ministers who have a great deal of 'power' (hate that word!) making unbelievable decisions for a whole country. This mob has no relevant knowledge, no experience, no empathy or even the right personality to make these huge decisions.

Corrupt and influenced by a certain ideology? Totally. This government is becoming more trumpian by the day. True colours are flying 😳 what's more, having a useless show pony as a prime minister doesn't help. Roll on 2026!!

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Alan's avatar

Excellent comment, thanks Bryan.

This is the thin end of the fascist wedge coming in under the door. We must all stand fast and exercise civil disobedience.

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Dave's avatar

I am a recent very satisfied customer of Govt. Health Service. As I left after my 4 days of excellent care, surgery etc. I just thought......why isn't this huge service a source of PRIDE to all political parties in New Zealand instead of currently being seen as a some sort of cost inflicted upon us?

Doctors and nurses so knowledgeable. Can't see any rational person establishing a "permission to speak sir" mentality in such an organisation.

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Terence Baker's avatar

Great that you had such care Dave and we have recent examples for family members !

But, the skill and service of health staff is not in question, it is the rationing of funding by this government to reward various investors that is driving our health and otner services into the ground!

Keep well

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James Wilkes's avatar

Right on both counts Bryan. Brown is not fit to be the health minister or any other type of minister. His entire schtick is fake, ego-driven, condescending, and arrogant. His lack of real experience or definitive expertise is there on Linked In for all to see. He is an absolute lightweight. Like Luxon he appears to have no shame.

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Jen Cotter's avatar

Have shared to my Right wing brother. Hope you don't mind. So well put.

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Patricia Kay's avatar

Thank you Bryan once again for your article. Once again we see another example of how ruthless and uncaring this CG has been in the Health sector and the terrible impact their callous policies has on the public.

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Bryan Bruce's avatar

Hi Glenys - Gary's great . I've already restacked the link . B

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Eleanor Mayer's avatar

I listened to this last night .. Wow Dr P is a goldmine of brilliance . ! Passionate and well informed and quite rightly so furious with Brown n Seymour !

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Colin Cherrie's avatar

Just another Portfolio being run into the ground so as to justify it being privatised in the short-term future.

Seymour's track record and character speaks for itself. Jacinda was more than spot-on when she called Seymour out on his arrogance. But has he changed? Not even ! He just does his Cheshire Cat-like grin and laughs it all off, and then ramps his arrogance up a few more notches. He seems to thrive on being the "bad boy"... delights in it even. Must've had a very unhappy childhood I'm thinking.

As for the equally grinning Brown, who I've always called "Weasel Boy", nice as to your face but would stab you in the back while giving you a hug. A know-all on everything, even an expert he'd have us believe ... but the reality is (his favorite saying) he knows nothing about anything.

But I just keep seeing him as being a little boy so desperate to be forever playing with the "big boys" gang, that he'll do and say anything to appease them. The way he greases up to Touchy Luxxy is really quite gross, but as for knowing anything about Health, go figure. At least Reti had Medical qualifications and backgrounding, but obviously not a Money-man, or maybe he was too empathetic, a big no-no for the CoC.

So bring in Brown because he'll do everything he's told to, and not give a toss as to the lives he's affecting.... a wanna-be little boy thriving on the powers he's been granted.

Good article Bryan, appreciated. Cheers all

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Gloria Sharp's avatar

Very good of you to reveal this to us. I was disgusted when I heard this. I hope doctors get this info.

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Anna Mahoney's avatar

Just because you can’t see the jackboots doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

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