I confess I do not really understand the debate on national standards for education. This is a sad admission for an opinionated bloke like myself, but I really just don’t understand the teacher’s unions objections to them. I have tried to follow the debate but the union’s response makes no sense at all to me. It [...]

I’m puzzled. There seems to be a lot of negativity being generated by the principles and teachers concerning the new education standards introduced yesterday. I understand the usual plea of  schools saying they “needed more time to prepare”. The education system is notorious for having more resistance to change than even the health system, a [...]

ADHB has succumbed to all the bad publicity surrounding Labtests and, in an effort to look tough, has delivered an “ultimatum” – at least according to the Sunday Star Times. Excuse me while attempt to feign interest… This is not news, nor is it an ultimatum. This is simply the contract between Labtests and the [...]

Take a nursing council completely divorced from reality,  Add a little abject stupidity. Stir until it is completely thick Spread it liberally over all nursing recruitment, making it a complete mess. Congratulations, you have now shot yourself in the foot. The Nursing Council have just tightened up the language and study requirements for foreign nurses. [...]

An expression of shock came from the UICC (International Union Against Cancer) World Cancer Congress last week because New Zealand is the only first world country not to fund the 12 month course of Herceptin. I have a number of doctor friends overseas. When I told them about Pharmac’s decision to fund only a nine-week course [...]