1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:00,880 Speaker 1: Hello. 2 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:03,840 Speaker 2: I am Paula Bennett, and welcome to my new Zealand 3 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:17,240 Speaker 2: Herald podcast, Ask me anything. And one thing I've learned 4 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:19,960 Speaker 2: in life is it's never too like to learn something new. 5 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:21,919 Speaker 1: So on this podcast, I talk to people from all 6 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 1: walks of. 7 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 2: Life to hear about how they got to where they are, 8 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 2: get some advice and guidance on some of life's biggest questions. 9 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 2: Now I have my first repeat guest, and it's because 10 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 2: he's so full of advice. It's good. 11 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: I didn't stay full of himself. 12 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:38,919 Speaker 2: I said, well, look and. 13 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 1: You already know it is. 14 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:44,279 Speaker 2: It's good than the laugh, which is everyone. So of 15 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 2: course it is news talk z bes Berry Sober been 16 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 2: drew quite a lot though. You see since we last talk, 17 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 2: it's been just over years since Barry underwent heart surgery 18 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 2: and it's been quite a journey and so we want 19 00:00:57,680 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 2: to get some advice on some of that. So Barry, 20 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 2: welcome back. 21 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 3: Hello, Paula. You're very much of the pink. 22 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 2: Today, Very pink today, Yes, very much. So got but 23 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 2: going on and I just thought, you know, sneakers in 24 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:09,920 Speaker 2: the suit and you're away. 25 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 3: I sort of almost need sunglasses, but that's fine. That's 26 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 3: all right, I'll suffer. 27 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:15,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, you'll be all right. 28 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 2: I wear pink most days, and I haven't worn pink 29 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 2: all week, so I thought i'd overdo it today. 30 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 3: Excellent. 31 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 1: How's that? Okay? Quick fire questions. 32 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 2: If you can go to a pub for a drink 33 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 2: with anyone interesting, who would that be? 34 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 3: Who would it be? Oh, dear, Nelson Mandela, that would 35 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 3: be interesting, it would be I've met him on several occasions, yeah, 36 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:42,720 Speaker 3: and sat with him at a dinner. 37 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 1: So yeah. 38 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,199 Speaker 2: But by the way, he did, but he's dead unfortunately. 39 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 2: Well and here the picked Jesus he's dead too. 40 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:49,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, well that's the problem. 41 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 1: But she she did a lot of questions. 42 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 3: You always go after the unentertainable, don't you really see? 43 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 2: I would probably go Freddy Mercury at the moment, be interesting. Yeah, yeah, 44 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 2: he could be, and he would fit in quite well together. 45 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, yeah. And I do quite like my flamboyant 46 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 2: gay boys. I've got to be honest. Yeah, yeah, you know, 47 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:09,839 Speaker 2: I like the theatrical Yeah they are. 48 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:10,360 Speaker 3: Yeah. 49 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:11,359 Speaker 1: Drink of choice. 50 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 3: Drink of choice, Oh dear, I love a NEGRONI yes, 51 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 3: but the one that I probably and it was funny. 52 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:26,239 Speaker 3: I went to a whiskey tasting dinner about three or 53 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 3: four years ago. The British ambassador had put on it 54 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 3: was weird Whiskeys for fifty years old. And it was 55 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 3: a fairly small group and they're all waxing on about whiskeys. 56 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:38,920 Speaker 3: And I said to the man who was called the Nose, 57 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:46,360 Speaker 3: I said, Scotsman. Obviously, I said, so quaffing whiskey, what 58 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 3: would you suggest? He said, Johnny Walker Black? Really, and 59 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:54,120 Speaker 3: I've always drunk Johnny Walker Black as a nice quaffing whiskey, 60 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 3: an easy one with soda. 61 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 2: Well, there you go, Yeah, there you go. Okay, before 62 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:00,960 Speaker 2: we get to your health, I think that we need 63 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 2: to catch up on news. So we've got Hither pregnant. 64 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 2: So you've got a number two child coming along. How 65 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 2: old is Aggy at the moment. 66 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 3: He's just over two and a half, yeah, going on five. 67 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:15,080 Speaker 2: Really, he's a real character. 68 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: Well with you two his parents. 69 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 3: He's just amazing. And you know, every day is a 70 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:21,519 Speaker 3: different one. 71 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 2: For a that curious brain. 72 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 3: Oh picks up on everything. I love it. And he said, 73 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 3: I took him down to newstalk, said be yesterday, walked 74 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 3: him down and he always says, Mama on the radio, 75 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:37,119 Speaker 3: and then he says, Dad on the radio. And then 76 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 3: when he came in and he sat in the studio 77 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 3: for a while and then sat outside while mom and 78 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 3: Dad were on the radio, and he said, when we 79 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 3: were walking, when we were coming home, he said, when 80 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 3: I grew up, Iggy on the radio, you never know, yeah, 81 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 3: just like your brain had been thinking about it. Yeah. 82 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 1: Wow. 83 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 2: I just love that, the curing actually, and the curiosity 84 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 2: of it, you know. And when Steve brawny Us first 85 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 2: became a father, he used to write weekly about the 86 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 2: you know. And of course he's such a beautiful writer, 87 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 2: Steve is and with that sort of imagination. And I 88 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 2: just honestly used to look forward to I downloaded for 89 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 2: a hop on a plane, you know. And that was 90 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 2: seventeen years ago, by the way. And the reason I 91 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:24,919 Speaker 2: know all this is because my granddaughter was exactly the 92 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 2: same age, so I could see through his eyes. 93 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 3: Last thing about grandkids though, and you know it, Paula, 94 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 3: that you can sort of close the door and say 95 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 3: see you next time with your own kids. At my age, 96 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:42,840 Speaker 3: if anybody had said to me at my age, I'd 97 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 3: still be having kids, said you're so you've got grandkids 98 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 3: I've got four grandchildren, wow, in Melbourne. 99 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 2: And do you have quite a different relationship with them. 100 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 3: Well, it's terrible because they're overseas. Yes, and in this 101 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 3: business it's very hard to get away. And of course 102 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 3: they're so busy. I was there last week, Heather and 103 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:04,599 Speaker 3: I and Iggy because Eggy was there to meet his 104 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 3: nieces and nephews and two of whom are older, well 105 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 3: three of whom are older than that, and we had 106 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:17,200 Speaker 3: a joke about him being their uncle. Yeah. But and 107 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 3: a sister. Of course, my oldest daughter is forty two. Yeah, 108 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:23,920 Speaker 3: so it was big sisters forty two. Yeah. But look, 109 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:26,799 Speaker 3: they all got on well, they all played together. Eggy 110 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,839 Speaker 3: didn't Paul rank, which was great. Nice, So we just 111 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 3: played like the rest of them. 112 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, And there's something in the day. 113 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 2: I mean, my family we have because you know, we 114 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 2: blended them or old ages and we've got all that 115 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 2: stuff going on a bit as well. And we we 116 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:42,600 Speaker 2: decided years ago that were just do one hundred percent. 117 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 2: So we don't do step sisters or brothers or children. 118 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 2: We don't do halves, we don't do you know, we 119 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:50,839 Speaker 2: do cousins. We just do one hundred percent, you know, 120 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:52,920 Speaker 2: like we're family, although we said. 121 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 3: Week now about at the moment they're they're cousins. Yeah, 122 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 3: because it's too hard for him, I think too. I 123 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 3: said to Kate, my oldest daughter, I said, it'll be 124 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:05,719 Speaker 3: fantastic when they all grow up and he's their uncle. 125 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:08,839 Speaker 3: And I said, even more fantastic for you, Kate, because 126 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 3: when you're my age, he'll be in his early thirties. 127 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 3: And I would love to have a brother in his 128 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 3: early thirties. I really would. 129 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 2: So you touched on it, and then I took a 130 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 2: slightly left, But that another baby at your age. 131 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:26,359 Speaker 1: I mean you didn't imagine that. It wasn't like I 132 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:26,840 Speaker 1: would not. 133 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:32,800 Speaker 3: Have I would, you know, if it was planned? Absolutely, 134 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:37,119 Speaker 3: and you know, I mean, my health is much better 135 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 3: than it was a year ago, although a year ago 136 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 3: I never ever thought I had a health problem. And 137 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 3: that's what we'll talk about. Well that you know that 138 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 3: suddenly your life takes a change because your health is 139 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:53,040 Speaker 3: something that you've always had in my case, and then 140 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:55,040 Speaker 3: suddenly you lose it a bit. 141 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 1: So becoming a dadd again is a big decision. 142 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 3: Well it is, and one can only hope that this 143 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 3: particular dad can live to see the youngest, the little 144 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 3: girl that's coming along in January. One can only hope 145 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 3: that I live long enough for her, first of all, 146 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 3: to remember her dad, although she'll have older brothers and 147 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:20,400 Speaker 3: sisters who'll tell her about the dad. But I would 148 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 3: like to see it, get it to a reasonable age 149 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 3: so that she doesn't forget me, And that's certainly a possibility. 150 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 1: But they are a lot of work. 151 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,560 Speaker 2: Although, as you just indicated, grandkids are great because you know, 152 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 2: I mean, God, they go and I'm exhausted. 153 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, I see I because I every day during 154 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 3: the week, I give Eggie his bath and read him 155 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 3: a story and put him to bed. And he's always 156 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 3: been fantastic at that, and I love it. I really 157 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 3: genuinely love it. And I love getting home. I get 158 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 3: home early in the evening and Heather's still on air. 159 00:07:57,080 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 3: But I have a great time with Eggie. We've so 160 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 3: much fun. It's your little character. 161 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, and so number two. But there'll be double work them. Mind, 162 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 2: you've got daughters. 163 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 3: Don't and we do have a nanny, so you know, 164 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:16,560 Speaker 3: we're lucky, luckier than many that basically because of what 165 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 3: we do. We certainly need time in the office. You 166 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 3: can't be there all the time. 167 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 2: Okay, Well, because it's an advice you know podcast. Well, 168 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 2: you know, we're just try and sneak a little bit 169 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 2: of a place in there. I'm not normally that platant 170 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 2: listening people. I've got some good advice. Okay, child number seven, 171 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 2: for you, there is a wealth of experience. What's your 172 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:43,400 Speaker 2: number one takeaway from you your years of parenting? 173 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 3: Well, to be there for them. You know. You know, 174 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:52,200 Speaker 3: parents are very important to their kids even as they 175 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 3: grow up. You know, as I've discovered over the years 176 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 3: that you can only have one on your one mom 177 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:02,240 Speaker 3: and one dad, and you know it is important that 178 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 3: you stay in touch. I would like to be in 179 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:09,079 Speaker 3: touch much more with my two daughters in Melbourne, and 180 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:11,720 Speaker 3: we're in touch, but when I say in touch, to 181 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 3: be there a bit more for them. And I've got 182 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:17,679 Speaker 3: three children and Wellington who have grown up, of course, 183 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,079 Speaker 3: and we're on the phone a lot, I go down 184 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 3: quite a bit. 185 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 1: So do you parent the different children differently? You know 186 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: what I mean? 187 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 2: You must have some set rules and things that you 188 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:32,320 Speaker 2: that you abide by. But we're all quite different, aren't 189 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 2: we and what we respond to and you know, some 190 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:39,199 Speaker 2: need more freedom some need a bit more rules and 191 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 2: boundary in their own right. 192 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:43,439 Speaker 3: Very very different. I mean, you know, if I look 193 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 3: at my six children that I have at the moment, 194 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 3: you know they're all different in character really. 195 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 1: So did you parent them differently? 196 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 3: Basically they were all parented exactly the same. Some are 197 00:09:55,679 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 3: more rebellious than others. Some were more bookish than I mean, 198 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 3: my daughter in Melbourne, I take my hat off to 199 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 3: her because she left school she couldn't be bothered with 200 00:10:08,559 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 3: it at sixteen, went on to do hairdressing and finished 201 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 3: her apprenticeship and was very much sought after in Wellington. 202 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 3: But she said to me, she said, look, I get 203 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 3: tired of people talking to me all the time. She said, 204 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 3: I thought I should turn this into a living. So 205 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:31,600 Speaker 3: what she's done now she went out and studied sociology 206 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 3: and she works in the prisons in Victoria, Wow, with 207 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:39,160 Speaker 3: prisoners that are being released. So I think, you know, 208 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 3: I said to her when I was there last week, 209 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 3: I'll take my hat off to you because you could 210 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 3: see a path and you could see what you wanted. 211 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:49,439 Speaker 3: And I think that's the main thing with kids these days, 212 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:53,679 Speaker 3: because there are many, many more pressures on kids today 213 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 3: than there were in. 214 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 2: My time, and influences and you know, keeping them off 215 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 2: the screen and try your nuts that there were so 216 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 2: many other pressures in kids'. 217 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 3: Lives that we didn't have. When we were kids. It 218 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 3: was you know, you go into a little tree hut 219 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 3: and sit around talk and go out and play on trolley's. 220 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:19,720 Speaker 3: It was about and play cowboys and Indians, which would 221 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,959 Speaker 3: be most yps these days. 222 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:28,720 Speaker 2: Okay, let's chat politics a bit, because we're one year 223 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 2: on from this government being in power. Actually you'll appreciate this. 224 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:37,200 Speaker 2: Yesterday I was in the beehive and I went to 225 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 2: see as Cheer Farm. 226 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: I went to see Minister Seymour. 227 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 2: So we'd had our meeting and we came out and 228 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 2: of course I'm very good friends still with the Deputy 229 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 2: b well, deputy Prime Ministers with Winston Peter's office manager. 230 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:54,920 Speaker 2: You know SPS, but people never know when in SPS 231 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 2: is right in the real world. So anyway, I was 232 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 2: out there and I thought, oh, I'll just go and 233 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 2: give her a quick hug and say hi, And so 234 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:05,000 Speaker 2: I snuck into into the office and his door was closed, 235 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 2: so that's perfect. And as you know, and the behind 236 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:11,680 Speaker 2: the doors into connection between and so I ran into 237 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:13,680 Speaker 2: her and I went at large. Of course, she leapt 238 00:12:13,679 --> 00:12:15,720 Speaker 2: out and we danced around and we had a big 239 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:17,600 Speaker 2: hug and all the rest of it. And I just 240 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 2: looked up in his Winnipe sitting at his desk with 241 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 2: that wonderful Rice just he did near the right smile 242 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:28,560 Speaker 2: on his face, and I just looked at him and 243 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 2: I went because I just thought that the doors were closed. 244 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 2: Just I brought her and I just went, hello, Deputy 245 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 2: Prime Minister, it's I'm lovely for you to have me 246 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 2: in your office. 247 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 3: Then he's you know, when you look at Peter's at 248 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:43,599 Speaker 3: seventy eight, he's the most contummate politician. He saw the 249 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 3: large crowd he drew at his annual conference just a 250 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:53,959 Speaker 3: few days back, which was extraordinary. Really think about eight hundred. 251 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:55,439 Speaker 1: That's one of the biggest for them. 252 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, oh yeah. And it was the thirty one years 253 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:01,960 Speaker 3: I think since he Blondon. All remember going out to 254 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:05,319 Speaker 3: Alleleie and he launched off the back of a truck 255 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,599 Speaker 3: with n Shearer, who was a former NAT minister in 256 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 3: the old days under Muldoon. But Winston was Look, whether 257 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 3: you like him or dislike his politics, he is a 258 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 3: continment politician. He knows how to intimate public. He is 259 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,199 Speaker 3: and that's why as good as our foreign minister. I've 260 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 3: watched amongseas on many occasions, and I mean, Condolle's a rise. 261 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 3: I could you not used to batter eyelids at him 262 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:36,559 Speaker 3: because Peters was. He's very good at engaging and looks smart, 263 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:40,080 Speaker 3: looks the part of a foreign minister. And I think, yeah, 264 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:42,440 Speaker 3: he's got the child that he's the most well suited 265 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:42,760 Speaker 3: to him. 266 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 1: So don't you think, do you? 267 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:46,400 Speaker 2: I mean, I think it looks like the coalition are 268 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:49,079 Speaker 2: getting on quite well, that those that the three leaders 269 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 2: have certainly found a bit of their own. 270 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:54,200 Speaker 3: Group's difficult. I mean it's never going to be easy. 271 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 3: I mean you've got egos to deal with and dero say, 272 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:01,160 Speaker 3: David seam has got rather a large ego, although in 273 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 3: the past he was happy with an undersecretary when he. 274 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:05,559 Speaker 1: Was I've got no comment on. 275 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 3: He is, of course sponsoring his end of life bill, 276 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:10,840 Speaker 3: so he put a lot of work into that and 277 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:14,680 Speaker 3: that was taken up by Brook van Valden and did 278 00:14:14,679 --> 00:14:16,920 Speaker 3: a very good job of it. But so you've got 279 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 3: egos to deal with, and he will of course be 280 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:23,560 Speaker 3: Deputy Prime minister next year and Winston won't like that 281 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 3: because David Seymour and Winston Peters have never got on 282 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 3: just never seen eye to eye really on anything. But 283 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 3: I think they see eye to I on the country 284 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 3: and trying to do better for the country. I'm surprised 285 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 3: that Christopher Luxon hasn't maybe done better in the opinion 286 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 3: polls because he does get out. I wrote a column 287 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:50,040 Speaker 3: relatively recently and talked about the need for him to 288 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 3: engage more with the public. Well, he does engage a lot, 289 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 3: but its relatability is the issue and whether he relates 290 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 3: because the media have had a field day of this 291 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:04,800 Speaker 3: man owning seven houses, although shedding a few at the moment. 292 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 3: But if you saw a person that worked in top 293 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 3: executive jobs at Unilever and the CEO of there in 294 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 3: New Zealand making several million dollars a year, you'd say 295 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 3: there would be something wrong with him if he didn't 296 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 3: have investments and if property is his portfolio, there should 297 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 3: be nothing wrong in that. We should be celebrating the 298 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 3: fact that we've got a prime minister there's taken a 299 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 3: massive pay hit to come and run the country, and 300 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 3: I say that's a good thing. And I think the 301 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 3: unfortunate thing for Chris Luxon is that people don't see 302 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:44,320 Speaker 3: the humorous side of him, and he does. He's got 303 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 3: a very good sense of humor. And I'll tell you 304 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 3: one little funny story and would sound something that John 305 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 3: Key would do. I was sitting and some of your 306 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 3: listeners will know the old Parliament buildings in Wellington, and 307 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:00,120 Speaker 3: I was sitting cross legged on one of those of 308 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:03,920 Speaker 3: the cheers where the constantined lift is. And it came 309 00:16:03,960 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 3: down and opened up, and there's an all vintage lift 310 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 3: and Luxeon climbs out and I was on the phone 311 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:11,480 Speaker 3: and had my legs crossed with rogues on and he 312 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 3: gets out of the lift, pulls out his pocket handkerchief 313 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 3: and starts polishing my shirts. Is funny. Yeah, you know 314 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 3: a lot of people say, oh, it's greezing to the media, 315 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:26,040 Speaker 3: but it's not. He's being funny and he has that 316 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 3: sense of humor. And it's a pity the public can't 317 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 3: quite understand that there is a side of Luxen that's 318 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:35,600 Speaker 3: quite funny. But there's also a very serious side, and 319 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 3: that's to clean up the mess that they inherited, and 320 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 3: a mess they most certainly did inherit. 321 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 1: What do you think they need to concentrate on in 322 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:43,120 Speaker 1: the second year? 323 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 3: Oh, well, the second year is well. They've concentrated a 324 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 3: lot on policy, which is very unusual for a government 325 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 3: to enact so much policy in the first year. And 326 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 3: they've given themselves a report card to work to every quarter, 327 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 3: which I think is good because it stands the test 328 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 3: of time. 329 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 2: Some of those ministers had really done the work in opposition, 330 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:07,959 Speaker 2: so just picking up on them being able to roll. 331 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,359 Speaker 1: I mean, if you look at Eric Stanford, you know 332 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:11,359 Speaker 1: she'd done that week. 333 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 3: An old golden balls Simme and Brown. I mean this boy. 334 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,040 Speaker 3: I remember when I used to work out in the 335 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:19,639 Speaker 3: gym at Parliament and I had to see this boy 336 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 3: in the changing room and think is he old enough 337 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 3: to be at Parliament? And this wasn't that long ago 338 00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:28,680 Speaker 3: and here he is now. He's got so many portfolios 339 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 3: and I think, you know, for a young man, he 340 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:35,440 Speaker 3: does an extraordinarily good job across he is across it, 341 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:39,439 Speaker 3: across all what are fairly difficult portfolios, energy and what 342 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 3: have you. 343 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:41,960 Speaker 2: So second year then, so they have rolled it a 344 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 2: lot more. 345 00:17:42,240 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 3: Well, now, aby've enacted a lot of work. Now now 346 00:17:45,240 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 3: they've got to put it into practice next year, and 347 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:50,440 Speaker 3: that's that's always hard. I mean it's the old three 348 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:54,680 Speaker 3: year election cycle. Normally you'd see them settling into power 349 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:58,200 Speaker 3: in their first year, policy in the second year, winning 350 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 3: an election on the third year. But with this government, 351 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:03,760 Speaker 3: it's been policy in their first year and now it's 352 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 3: enacting it and seeing it work in the second year 353 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 3: and then run for office. Although Chris Hipkins has been 354 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 3: quoted as saying he'll be the Prime Minister after the 355 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:16,760 Speaker 3: next election and he's put a thousand bucks of his 356 00:18:16,840 --> 00:18:19,680 Speaker 3: own money on it. Well, I'm sorry, Chris, I would 357 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 3: think that thousands well and. 358 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 2: Truly lost interesting well, and then health is going to 359 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,639 Speaker 2: be a big issue. I mean, you know, even just 360 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 2: with my farmer head on, and just think about the medicines. 361 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: That are coming as well. 362 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:35,359 Speaker 2: Look as we are certainly were seeing, you know, a 363 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:39,439 Speaker 2: lot of breakdown in the wider health system. But it 364 00:18:39,520 --> 00:18:41,600 Speaker 2: airs just not an easy to interest. 365 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:45,560 Speaker 3: And it's even made harder when you had a Maori 366 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:50,600 Speaker 3: Health Authority there that they disbanded and the number of 367 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:53,959 Speaker 3: health boards around twenty what health boards they had that 368 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 3: they had to disband them. I mean, this is and 369 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:59,919 Speaker 3: so then you have a glut of public servants pushing 370 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:04,199 Speaker 3: hens in the industry, and you know, having been a 371 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 3: recipient of the public health service, these people work extraordinarily 372 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:13,200 Speaker 3: hard in hospitals. And when the story came out recently 373 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 3: about having to speak English, the nurses and fifty percent 374 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 3: of them basically are foreign trained and many many Indians 375 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:26,080 Speaker 3: work in the system. They are the most lovely people 376 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:29,440 Speaker 3: to be tended to. They do speak their own language, 377 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:33,000 Speaker 3: but when they speak to you, they do speak in English, 378 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:36,640 Speaker 3: although it's difficult to understand because many of them have 379 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:40,120 Speaker 3: face masks on, which makes it even more difficult. And 380 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:42,680 Speaker 3: there were a number of occasions they had to say 381 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:46,320 Speaker 3: to them very apologetically, look, I'm terribly sorry, I can't 382 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 3: understand your accent. We turned it into a joke. And 383 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:51,800 Speaker 3: then they go and get somebody else that'll explain something 384 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:54,520 Speaker 3: to me, and that's you know, they get. They have 385 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:57,439 Speaker 3: a really hard time in health service. I think, and 386 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:00,919 Speaker 3: I think those of us who have been patients in 387 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:05,439 Speaker 3: it should show some more patience with the people that 388 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:06,359 Speaker 3: are trying to help. 389 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 2: Them well and speak up for them, like you and 390 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:10,879 Speaker 2: certainly for me, it's a it's a major thank you, 391 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,439 Speaker 2: because the care that my own mother has had this 392 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:17,360 Speaker 2: year has just been extraordinary and such a wonderful, diverse 393 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 2: and mixed workforce, but their care is just well, you 394 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:23,960 Speaker 2: see wayos nicely because we're going to actually take a 395 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 2: short break now and then we're going to come back 396 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:28,120 Speaker 2: and talk about your health. Oh God, and you skip 397 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:31,120 Speaker 2: some people some advice, you know, as to how they 398 00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:34,360 Speaker 2: can how they can look after themselves and what they 399 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 2: have to do perhaps after they've had a bit of 400 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:51,800 Speaker 2: a major health skier. Welcome back in to ask me anything. 401 00:20:51,960 --> 00:20:57,080 Speaker 2: Back with News Talk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper. So, Barr, 402 00:20:57,200 --> 00:21:01,080 Speaker 2: it's been a big year for you, and just is 403 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:04,280 Speaker 2: it just over a year ago that you underwent the 404 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:05,600 Speaker 2: first heart surgery. 405 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:11,440 Speaker 3: Yes, And if anyone had asked me prior to that 406 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:14,000 Speaker 3: whether I had a major health problem, I would have 407 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:18,160 Speaker 3: said no, really. And what happened was on the night 408 00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:21,600 Speaker 3: that I discovered it, I was scheduled to go to 409 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 3: Stephen Joyce's book launch and I had a message from 410 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 3: the doctor's surgery saying can you call. So I called. 411 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 3: I'd given a blood something. 412 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,880 Speaker 2: Because you'd been out walking and here puffing to. 413 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:38,160 Speaker 3: Coming up Franklin, Rhode. I was puffing a bit, yeah, 414 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:42,440 Speaker 3: pushing the old pushchair, and it was progressively getting where 415 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:44,360 Speaker 3: so Hit has said go to the doctor. I went 416 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:46,960 Speaker 3: to the doctor, got a blood test, and then when 417 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:50,119 Speaker 3: I rang the surgery of the book launch night, the 418 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:54,360 Speaker 3: doctor there Paula's She said to me, listen, we're disturbed 419 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:57,879 Speaker 3: about your blood showing and it's a dracone and I 420 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:00,800 Speaker 3: think it's called the level of much too high. And 421 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 3: I went, Paula, can we talk about this tomorrow because 422 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:05,720 Speaker 3: I've got a function I've got to go to and 423 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 3: she said, no, you're not going anywhere. You're going to 424 00:22:08,160 --> 00:22:11,800 Speaker 3: hospital now. So I ended up in hospital. 425 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:14,959 Speaker 2: I didn't tell him she didn't have a heart attack. 426 00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:17,760 Speaker 3: I no heart attack. No, my heart's as healthy as 427 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:21,760 Speaker 3: they Yeah, so I had. It was a major blockage. 428 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 3: My aortic artery was blocked with calcium ninety blocked, so 429 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:32,280 Speaker 3: pretty massive. And I had two other vessels feeding the 430 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:35,920 Speaker 3: heart that were fairly blocked as well, so it was calcium. 431 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:39,320 Speaker 3: My cholesterol levels were always low, so I always thought 432 00:22:39,440 --> 00:22:42,639 Speaker 3: I'm really healthy. I used to run a lot, and 433 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:47,080 Speaker 3: so I had no real indication other than never tight 434 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:51,480 Speaker 3: chest or anything, just a shortness of breath and that. 435 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:54,159 Speaker 3: When I went into hospital, they did some tests and 436 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:57,120 Speaker 3: stuff and had me hooked up to every every thing 437 00:22:57,200 --> 00:23:00,159 Speaker 3: that you could possibly conceive of, and they let me 438 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:02,120 Speaker 3: out at about two in the morning and they said, 439 00:23:02,160 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 3: you've got to go to a cardiologist. So I went 440 00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 3: to cardiologist and he said you probably need stints, and 441 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:11,040 Speaker 3: stints put in your arm and feed it into vein. 442 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:14,800 Speaker 3: And so I went into an angioplast and his head 443 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:18,359 Speaker 3: came around the corner of the curtain and said, mate, 444 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:21,320 Speaker 3: it's much more serious. I've always been so flamboyant about 445 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:24,080 Speaker 3: and I still am a bit. He said much more 446 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:26,560 Speaker 3: serious and I said what And he said, yeah, you're 447 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:29,680 Speaker 3: going to need open heart surgery. I've got big blockages. 448 00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:35,680 Speaker 3: I went, oh, okay. Fortunately I had private medical insurance, 449 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:39,960 Speaker 3: and again for people that can't afford it, I understand 450 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:43,760 Speaker 3: because it's very expensive, and I often thought what's the 451 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:46,239 Speaker 3: point of having it, but it helped a lot. So 452 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:52,080 Speaker 3: I went into a private hospital here had my heart surgery. 453 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:53,919 Speaker 3: I was in on the Monday, and they wouldn't let 454 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:55,879 Speaker 3: me out of hospital when I had the injury. Bless 455 00:23:56,320 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 3: They said, you can't at any time, because once the 456 00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:04,360 Speaker 3: artery locks, that's it. So I went and had the operation. 457 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:06,120 Speaker 3: Felt really good. 458 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:09,360 Speaker 1: And it's that they cut your right down the yeah. 459 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 3: And I felt really good. But unfortunately I got up 460 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:14,760 Speaker 3: to go to the loo. I was feeling really good, 461 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:17,400 Speaker 3: took failures of my chest and I felt on top 462 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 3: of the world. And that's what I had to say 463 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:21,840 Speaker 3: to anyone that has the surgery. You will you won't 464 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:24,679 Speaker 3: feel that bad, and don't worry about going into it. 465 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:27,360 Speaker 3: People do worry a lot, but it's not that bad. 466 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 3: They can do anything with the heart these days. But unfortunately, 467 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:34,120 Speaker 3: on the way to the loo, mine stopped and so 468 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:39,480 Speaker 3: they rushed in and did CPR. So it broke everything. 469 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:46,480 Speaker 3: Progrims broke the chest bone. It broke everything, so you know, 470 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:49,040 Speaker 3: because to do it, you've got to bring something back. 471 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:52,639 Speaker 3: So they brought me back and I wasn't in a 472 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 3: great shape, so they sort of. I was three months 473 00:24:56,800 --> 00:25:00,000 Speaker 3: in hospital, to cut a long story, because I got 474 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:03,600 Speaker 3: infected by them doing the sea because they can't go 475 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 3: out and sterilize their hands and it was a very 476 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:10,119 Speaker 3: sterile area, so it was a very Then it became 477 00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:15,080 Speaker 3: very complicated and I had sex operations and. 478 00:25:15,359 --> 00:25:16,679 Speaker 1: What else did they operate on. 479 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:19,359 Speaker 3: Oh, well, they have to get into the lungs. They 480 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:23,080 Speaker 3: had to do what they call a pectoral flat to 481 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 3: heal the wound. That's to bring a peak across. They 482 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:32,040 Speaker 3: had a plastic surgeon and for that, so a lot 483 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:35,359 Speaker 3: of operations. And they said to me, because they always 484 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:38,159 Speaker 3: worry about you going under, so an aesthetic where he 485 00:25:38,520 --> 00:25:42,200 Speaker 3: might lose your marbles is still cognitive. And they said 486 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:45,119 Speaker 3: to me, after one and I've been pretty deeply under 487 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 3: and I came out and they said, who's the Prime Minister? 488 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:52,600 Speaker 3: And I went, just said, and they went the jaws dropped, 489 00:25:52,960 --> 00:25:58,280 Speaker 3: and I said, just joking. I was fine. I never 490 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 3: had the issue of the cognitive Their function was never effected. Fortunately, Also, 491 00:26:06,240 --> 00:26:09,560 Speaker 3: some of your listeners may think it is. But so 492 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:13,400 Speaker 3: I'd say to anyone. And I've talked to, funnily enough, 493 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 3: a number of people because they know I went through 494 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:20,360 Speaker 3: this and they are afraid coming into surgery. And I've 495 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:22,600 Speaker 3: talked to a number. I said, listen, don't worry. Honestly, 496 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:25,040 Speaker 3: don't worry about a thing because we have some of 497 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 3: the best cardiac surgeons in the world at Auckland Hospital. 498 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:30,879 Speaker 3: Because I ended up in the public hospital after I 499 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:35,600 Speaker 3: had a relapse, and so it was it was an 500 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:38,440 Speaker 3: experience that I would never want to repeat. But three 501 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:41,520 Speaker 3: and three months in hospital was like being in prison, 502 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:43,879 Speaker 3: and I was, well, I haven't been in prison, but 503 00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:46,440 Speaker 3: I assume it's like it. And for the last two 504 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:50,960 Speaker 3: months I was eating ice on the morning, ice at lunchtime, 505 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 3: and ice at dinner. That's all I was allowed to 506 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:57,480 Speaker 3: eat two months, because they feed you intravenously, and it 507 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 3: was awful. And I couldn't read. I couldn't listen to anything. 508 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:05,560 Speaker 3: So you were there almost in a vegetary. 509 00:27:05,720 --> 00:27:06,919 Speaker 1: Couldn't you listen to anything? 510 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:10,120 Speaker 3: Well, because you've got people coming in all the time. 511 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:13,880 Speaker 3: You've got so many tubes. You can't move. Your whole 512 00:27:13,960 --> 00:27:15,639 Speaker 3: room has to move. If you want to go to 513 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:17,679 Speaker 3: the loop, well you can't go to the loop, you 514 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:20,639 Speaker 3: just you know. That's the thing that I found, probably 515 00:27:20,720 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 3: the hardest, was that I was so confined to a bed. 516 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:27,040 Speaker 3: I couldn't get out. So I was there, and then you. 517 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:30,760 Speaker 2: Have to learn to walk again, because muscle you. 518 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:33,840 Speaker 3: Do, you know. And I used to look at people. 519 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 3: I'd see a window out my window and I watched 520 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:38,400 Speaker 3: people walking along the street, and I was thinking, they're 521 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:40,919 Speaker 3: so lucky they can walk, and of course then I 522 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:42,080 Speaker 3: had to learn to walk again. 523 00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:47,000 Speaker 2: But now I'm fine, So just to step back. So 524 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:50,760 Speaker 2: if they if you'd had more symptoms and got in 525 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:53,600 Speaker 2: there earlier, do you think it wouldn't have been such 526 00:27:53,600 --> 00:27:54,640 Speaker 2: an extreme operation. 527 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:58,520 Speaker 3: No, I think I think because I'd always gone for 528 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:02,240 Speaker 3: annual checkout, so I'm not I've often said to men 529 00:28:02,359 --> 00:28:06,000 Speaker 3: in particular, that you know you check your car and 530 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:08,800 Speaker 3: for a check up every year, we should be checking 531 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:12,160 Speaker 3: your body in for a checkup as well. And funnily enough, 532 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 3: the last one, I had a thorough one and you know, 533 00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:18,360 Speaker 3: right down to the cegs and all that sort of stuff, 534 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:22,760 Speaker 3: and they mention a calcium build up, but they said 535 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,120 Speaker 3: it's natural for a maniversation. This is only about eighty 536 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:27,600 Speaker 3: months before everything happened. 537 00:28:27,320 --> 00:28:29,600 Speaker 2: So you're only simped in then for someone that's out 538 00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 2: there listening, and that breathing was getting worse. 539 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:36,359 Speaker 3: Breathe just and I'm an asthmatic, but it wasn't an asthma. 540 00:28:36,560 --> 00:28:41,760 Speaker 3: Sort of short breath, my slightly light headed, and you know, 541 00:28:41,800 --> 00:28:45,880 Speaker 3: when you're exerting yourself a bit, you're the lightheadedness. You don't. 542 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:48,800 Speaker 3: You don't want to fall over, but you feel dizzy 543 00:28:49,080 --> 00:28:53,040 Speaker 3: and you the shortness of breath. You've got to stop 544 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:54,680 Speaker 3: and just take a bit of a rest. 545 00:28:55,040 --> 00:28:56,800 Speaker 2: Carry on, all right, We're good to know because it's 546 00:28:56,800 --> 00:28:59,720 Speaker 2: just got to look at the other classic symptoms. 547 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 1: So how are you now when. 548 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:06,160 Speaker 3: I was in hospital a week before last? Why pneumonia 549 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 3: and both lungs? 550 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:08,320 Speaker 1: Goodness? 551 00:29:08,840 --> 00:29:12,080 Speaker 2: And is that just because from the illness a year ago. 552 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:14,760 Speaker 3: You're just gonna have to keep People have to think that, 553 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:17,479 Speaker 3: you know, once you have once you have complications like 554 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:21,680 Speaker 3: I had, other things can happen. And I've been in 555 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:24,720 Speaker 3: hospital three times this year. Okay, so the first time 556 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:28,160 Speaker 3: was with pneumonia. And pneumonia this is something else that 557 00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:31,960 Speaker 3: people don't realize. It comes on very quickly. It happens 558 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:36,440 Speaker 3: within the space of half an hour. Suddenly you get 559 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:41,560 Speaker 3: the jitters, you you get higher fever, and then and 560 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:44,400 Speaker 3: you're not Your breathing is not too bad, but there's 561 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 3: something definitely wrong. And the first time was pneumonia. And 562 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:50,760 Speaker 3: then the second time, we're on holiday in Fiji, which 563 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:54,840 Speaker 3: your father nights, and there was a slight festering of 564 00:29:54,880 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 3: my scar. I thought, oh, this is weird. So my 565 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:02,120 Speaker 3: cardiologist had the pleasure of getting my holiday picks with 566 00:30:02,280 --> 00:30:05,880 Speaker 3: those of my chest and I got back and when 567 00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:08,440 Speaker 3: I got back, he said, you're coming straight into hospital. 568 00:30:08,760 --> 00:30:12,320 Speaker 3: And I had my seventh operation, so they didn't open 569 00:30:12,360 --> 00:30:14,520 Speaker 3: it fully, but they opened me up a bit. And 570 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:15,480 Speaker 3: that was in July. 571 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:17,880 Speaker 2: That was clean out yet get the gun cout. 572 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:22,000 Speaker 3: But then the residual is probably a week before last 573 00:30:22,160 --> 00:30:26,000 Speaker 3: I was in hospital with pneumonia, with the double mneumonia. Yeah, double. 574 00:30:26,040 --> 00:30:29,560 Speaker 3: But I'm you know, the stupid thing is that even 575 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:32,560 Speaker 3: though you look at all those and what's happened to me, 576 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:37,080 Speaker 3: I feel absolutely fine. And I'm fairly frivolous about health, 577 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:41,440 Speaker 3: because you know you've got to have it. But you know, 578 00:30:41,480 --> 00:30:45,720 Speaker 3: everybody's got a diet some stage. And there's my brother 579 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:48,840 Speaker 3: who died in his forties of cancer. He said to 580 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:51,760 Speaker 3: me not long before he died, in fact, a few 581 00:30:51,840 --> 00:30:54,280 Speaker 3: days before. He was driving me down to the airport 582 00:30:54,360 --> 00:30:56,520 Speaker 3: and in the cargo and I said to him, he's 583 00:30:56,560 --> 00:30:59,760 Speaker 3: only forty six, And I said, must be terrible, Lenny, 584 00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:03,479 Speaker 3: facing the grim Reaper at your age. And he goes 585 00:31:04,360 --> 00:31:08,960 Speaker 3: sucking on a cigarette, goes, mate, mate, I reckon being 586 00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:12,720 Speaker 3: dead can be no worse than it was before you're alive. 587 00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:17,200 Speaker 3: I thought, yeah, it's something to think on that kind 588 00:31:17,240 --> 00:31:20,760 Speaker 3: of You know, we all die, you know, none of 589 00:31:20,840 --> 00:31:23,960 Speaker 3: us can avoid it. Unfortunately, it's right, and none of 590 00:31:24,040 --> 00:31:26,960 Speaker 3: us can avoid age, and you've just got to make 591 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:27,680 Speaker 3: the best of it. 592 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:30,480 Speaker 2: You can avoid age by dying earlier, you. 593 00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:33,680 Speaker 3: Guys, Absolutely true. I never thought I lost another brother 594 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:35,720 Speaker 3: at sixteen, so I'm aware of that. 595 00:31:35,960 --> 00:31:39,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's so you've been in our house 596 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:42,920 Speaker 2: system then a lot, and I mean we touched on 597 00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:46,200 Speaker 2: it before the break, but you know, just some amazing 598 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:49,719 Speaker 2: people working really hard. But men, we are seeing a 599 00:31:49,760 --> 00:31:52,440 Speaker 2: system that's really creaking at the seams at the moment. 600 00:31:52,560 --> 00:31:54,640 Speaker 2: I mean, what did you observe from the inside out? 601 00:31:54,800 --> 00:31:58,000 Speaker 3: Well, I think the only thing that you really observe 602 00:31:58,080 --> 00:32:02,320 Speaker 3: and you realize there's no point in getting cross is 603 00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:06,360 Speaker 3: when you ring the bell for the nurse. You know, 604 00:32:06,400 --> 00:32:08,360 Speaker 3: I've waited for half an hour before a nurse will 605 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:09,600 Speaker 3: front up, and if you wanted to go. 606 00:32:09,560 --> 00:32:11,640 Speaker 1: To the loo, it's a long time. 607 00:32:12,840 --> 00:32:16,480 Speaker 3: That's a long time to wait. And you know when 608 00:32:16,480 --> 00:32:18,080 Speaker 3: I say to them, look, I've been ringing the bell 609 00:32:18,160 --> 00:32:21,440 Speaker 3: for the last half an hour that busy, and I 610 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:23,920 Speaker 3: always have said to them, look, don't worry. It's yeah, 611 00:32:24,000 --> 00:32:26,840 Speaker 3: not about you. I know, the system stretched. And I 612 00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:30,960 Speaker 3: think that's the only noticeable thing that I felt being 613 00:32:30,960 --> 00:32:34,360 Speaker 3: in hospital was getting attention when you really need it. 614 00:32:34,400 --> 00:32:36,200 Speaker 3: And that was only for a p I mean, it 615 00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:39,840 Speaker 3: wasn't anything that was more serious than that. If it was, 616 00:32:40,440 --> 00:32:43,520 Speaker 3: then you'd have good cause for worrying that. Unfortunately for me, it. 617 00:32:43,480 --> 00:32:44,640 Speaker 1: Was incredible people. 618 00:32:44,840 --> 00:32:47,240 Speaker 2: So has it changed the way you live? Has it 619 00:32:47,320 --> 00:32:48,600 Speaker 2: changed your outlook on life? 620 00:32:48,960 --> 00:32:54,360 Speaker 3: Not really, No, I still push Iggy on his six 621 00:32:54,520 --> 00:32:58,400 Speaker 3: k walk that we go on around the waterfront, so 622 00:32:58,560 --> 00:33:01,280 Speaker 3: not really, it hasn't. I gave up drinking for quite 623 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:05,120 Speaker 3: a long time. But you've got to you've got to 624 00:33:05,120 --> 00:33:09,080 Speaker 3: be aware of your health. I think my wife doesn't 625 00:33:09,120 --> 00:33:11,960 Speaker 3: think I'm nearly as aware as I should be of 626 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:14,720 Speaker 3: my health. Health. But I often said to her, well, 627 00:33:15,040 --> 00:33:17,800 Speaker 3: look it's my health. I'm the one that's going to die, 628 00:33:18,040 --> 00:33:19,520 Speaker 3: and I'm really aware of it. 629 00:33:19,720 --> 00:33:22,760 Speaker 2: And I am, yeah, yeah, but well you know you've 630 00:33:22,840 --> 00:33:25,320 Speaker 2: you've seen those symptoms of pneumonia and no, and you 631 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:26,400 Speaker 2: you've had to act. 632 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:30,480 Speaker 3: Yeah. But but she would argue with me it's too late, 633 00:33:30,840 --> 00:33:34,720 Speaker 3: you leave it. But when I go into the hospital 634 00:33:34,720 --> 00:33:37,960 Speaker 3: and ask them, they say, with pneumonia, it's very hard 635 00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:42,400 Speaker 3: to get an early warning. You might be coughing up phlegm, 636 00:33:42,560 --> 00:33:45,640 Speaker 3: which you do you do with a health and a 637 00:33:45,960 --> 00:33:50,080 Speaker 3: chest infection anyway, But it's it's probably reading your health. 638 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:52,640 Speaker 3: And I'm you know, I'd admit it. I'm probably not 639 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:56,479 Speaker 3: the best at reading my own health. At the moment, 640 00:33:56,840 --> 00:33:59,880 Speaker 3: I'm still numb across the chest, but other than that, 641 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:00,600 Speaker 3: I'm fine. 642 00:34:00,720 --> 00:34:04,360 Speaker 2: Yeah. In the advice segment, what is some of the 643 00:34:04,400 --> 00:34:06,680 Speaker 2: best advice you've been given? 644 00:34:09,320 --> 00:34:12,360 Speaker 3: Goodness, gracious me, there's so much of it that. 645 00:34:12,719 --> 00:34:13,720 Speaker 1: What about health wise? 646 00:34:15,120 --> 00:34:18,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, we'll just you know, I mean, just be aware 647 00:34:19,280 --> 00:34:22,000 Speaker 3: of your own health, be aware of your own limitations. 648 00:34:23,320 --> 00:34:27,000 Speaker 3: Probably don't do too much. And everybody says I'd never 649 00:34:27,040 --> 00:34:30,040 Speaker 3: take it easy enough, But I'm not the sort of 650 00:34:30,080 --> 00:34:33,040 Speaker 3: person that sits around and feels morose. 651 00:34:33,239 --> 00:34:35,080 Speaker 1: No, but you read it, you would read. 652 00:34:35,280 --> 00:34:38,600 Speaker 3: I read a lot and watched some of the Netflix 653 00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:41,920 Speaker 3: series and always fun. 654 00:34:42,120 --> 00:34:56,200 Speaker 2: So okay, Well, it's called ask me anything, So this 655 00:34:56,280 --> 00:34:58,720 Speaker 2: is that one little bit you get to ask me something. 656 00:34:59,080 --> 00:35:01,120 Speaker 2: Though I feel like you've asked to me enough in 657 00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:01,640 Speaker 2: my life. 658 00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:05,040 Speaker 3: No, but I reckon, you've got to be honest about this. 659 00:35:05,239 --> 00:35:12,160 Speaker 3: You're missing politics or do you think so? Ye see, 660 00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:12,960 Speaker 3: it's got a thinking. 661 00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:15,120 Speaker 2: I'm trying to think whether I haven't, whether I do 662 00:35:15,239 --> 00:35:15,560 Speaker 2: or not do? 663 00:35:15,760 --> 00:35:16,480 Speaker 1: Because my net. 664 00:35:16,719 --> 00:35:19,440 Speaker 3: Miss the cut and thrust. That's what you loved in politics. 665 00:35:19,520 --> 00:35:19,719 Speaker 2: Yeah. 666 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:21,240 Speaker 1: My next reaction is no, I don't. 667 00:35:21,719 --> 00:35:24,600 Speaker 2: But but then as I was saying, I was there 668 00:35:24,680 --> 00:35:28,600 Speaker 2: just yesterday and I did think. I've definitely got a 669 00:35:28,600 --> 00:35:29,480 Speaker 2: bit of mongrel and me. 670 00:35:30,520 --> 00:35:31,480 Speaker 3: You've got to have, you know. 671 00:35:32,239 --> 00:35:36,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, so I did. I did like the cut 672 00:35:36,320 --> 00:35:37,240 Speaker 2: and thrust. 673 00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:37,720 Speaker 1: And it's nice. 674 00:35:38,920 --> 00:35:40,759 Speaker 2: I suppose what I do miss was I do think 675 00:35:40,800 --> 00:35:43,920 Speaker 2: it's something I was good at. So there's something you know, 676 00:35:43,960 --> 00:35:46,759 Speaker 2: you do take pride in something that not everyone's good at. 677 00:35:46,840 --> 00:35:51,040 Speaker 3: So that's tells the neuralty that you ol Wayne would 678 00:35:51,080 --> 00:35:51,440 Speaker 3: love it. 679 00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:52,200 Speaker 2: That sounds real. 680 00:35:52,280 --> 00:35:53,600 Speaker 3: They would love a better competition. 681 00:35:54,239 --> 00:35:58,040 Speaker 2: Not not God, no, imagine imagine that. 682 00:35:58,280 --> 00:35:58,480 Speaker 3: Yeah. 683 00:35:59,440 --> 00:36:02,880 Speaker 2: Well, very thanks for coming back to chat. All the 684 00:36:02,880 --> 00:36:05,520 Speaker 2: best for the baby coming out. I'm very excited because 685 00:36:05,560 --> 00:36:08,880 Speaker 2: I like baby cuddles. If you want more from Barrie, 686 00:36:08,880 --> 00:36:11,040 Speaker 2: you can catch them every afternoon with Heather or News 687 00:36:11,040 --> 00:36:13,400 Speaker 2: Talk said b and that's it for another episode of 688 00:36:13,440 --> 00:36:16,200 Speaker 2: Ask Me Anything. If you've enjoyed this episode, please follow 689 00:36:16,440 --> 00:36:20,160 Speaker 2: me on Ask Me Anything on iHeartRadio where you get 690 00:36:20,160 --> 00:36:22,040 Speaker 2: your podcast. Make sure you check out some of my 691 00:36:22,160 --> 00:36:24,160 Speaker 2: past fabulous guests. Maybe you should go back and listen 692 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:27,560 Speaker 2: to Barry eighteen months ago and then you can sort 693 00:36:27,560 --> 00:36:30,880 Speaker 2: of catch up again and you can double whamming of 694 00:36:30,920 --> 00:36:33,280 Speaker 2: that one. I'll be back next Sunday, though, with another 695 00:36:33,320 --> 00:36:34,120 Speaker 2: fabulous guest. 696 00:36:34,200 --> 00:36:35,760 Speaker 1: I'm Paula Bennett. Ask Me Anything. 697 00:36:35,880 --> 00:36:41,320 Speaker 2: Goodbye,