1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,679 Speaker 1: With us right now as Nicola Willius the Finance Minister. Evening, Nicola, 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:05,760 Speaker 1: good evening, Heather. Now what are you in charge of 3 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:07,400 Speaker 1: in terms of the new Action Plan? 4 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:12,160 Speaker 2: Well, the rebuild the economy and ease the cost of 5 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 2: living section of the plan has a number of initiatives 6 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:19,280 Speaker 2: in it, and as the Finance Minister, I take an 7 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:23,080 Speaker 2: interest in many of those, and I'm also, of course 8 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:26,799 Speaker 2: always in charge of delivering on our policy, so tactically 9 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 2: from the thirty fifth of July, that'll be me. 10 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: Okay, So you've gone because you famously had the biggest 11 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: one in the last plan, didn't you, the budget? So 12 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 1: have you gone from Was it like overload Nicola in 13 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 1: Q two and then rest are a wee bit in 14 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:39,800 Speaker 1: Q three? 15 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 2: No, because we're already planning for next year's budget, Heather, 16 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 2: and as we've said, it's going to be another type one. 17 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:49,880 Speaker 2: So we need to be looking right now where money 18 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:52,599 Speaker 2: is not going to its best impact so we can 19 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 2: make good decisions on that. And I'm also very focused, 20 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 2: as you'll imagine, on how we strengthen this economy and 21 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 2: get it growing faster. So I'm working with ministers across 22 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 2: government on what we can do to make it easier 23 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 2: for businesses to invest, to hard people to grow. 24 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 1: Number fifteen on the listers initiate the second regulatory review 25 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 1: to identify and remove unnecessary red tape. Do you know 26 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 1: what that's going to be into. 27 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 2: That has not been decided yet. The first one, of course, 28 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 2: is on early childhood education, where there are lots of 29 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 2: red tapes and early childhood centers that both make that 30 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 2: care more expensive and harder to deliver. And I think 31 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 2: that David Seymour will be making an announcement about the 32 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:34,119 Speaker 2: second review shortly yet. 33 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 1: Do you know what it is? 34 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 2: I do? I do know what it is, but I 35 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 2: don't feel a thunder. You see, it's his review to 36 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:43,759 Speaker 2: announce and I want him to have the fan fare 37 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 2: and celebration about it. But it's another area of life 38 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 2: where we've had complaints from people saying their rules are ridiculous. 39 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 1: Does it incluse scaffolding, because I'm into that If it 40 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 1: does include scaffolding. 41 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 2: It's no, it doesn't. But what we are doing in 42 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 2: this next three months getting rid of the barriers to 43 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 2: oversee building products being used in New Zealand, so that 44 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,520 Speaker 2: will make it cheaper for di wires like you to 45 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 2: get the range of products on doing your house renovation. 46 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:13,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, the problem the scaffolding is when you can't do 47 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: it yourself. Hey, I'm fascinated by number sixteen. Take Cabinet 48 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 1: decisions on new regulations to remove the ge ban. Now, 49 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 1: had that been in there a few years ago, that 50 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:24,399 Speaker 1: would have been such a hot potato. Do you think 51 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 1: it's going to be this time is just going to 52 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:27,680 Speaker 1: Do you think it's going to just kind of float through? 53 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 2: Well? I think that New Zealanders understand that science has 54 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:36,680 Speaker 2: moved on a huge amount and if we want to 55 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 2: be part of solutions for our climate issues, and we 56 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 2: want to have smart food producers, we've got to get 57 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,800 Speaker 2: with the program and make safe use of You. 58 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: Think we've come around to it. 59 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:52,160 Speaker 2: I think we have. The conversation has really changed from 60 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 2: where it was a decade or two ago. I remember 61 00:02:55,520 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 2: the outrage about Helen Clark and cornngation like a different era. 62 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:03,560 Speaker 2: I think we're now in an era where people understand 63 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:06,239 Speaker 2: the power of science. Of course we have to safely 64 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 2: reflate these new techniques and technologies. That's appropriate, but other 65 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 2: countries all over the world are doing it and we're 66 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 2: well behind. The April, So let's play catch up. 67 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 1: Are we doing an inquiry into what happened in wide or. 68 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 2: We will do a short sharp review. I was in 69 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 2: Hawk's Bay on Thursday and there are questions being asked 70 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 2: about how the river mouth and the bar we're managed 71 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 2: and whether or not that lead to the flooding being 72 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 2: worse than it might otherwise have been. So there's questions 73 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 2: for the regional Council and for the local council to 74 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 2: work through, and so yes, we will support a short 75 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 2: sharp review. 76 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: Yeah good now, Nicholas. If Hawks Bay Regional Council is 77 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 1: found to have been responsible for not clearing that bar 78 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 1: fast enough, that would be the second time in a 79 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 1: major event that they've let their communities down. So what 80 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: happens to them? 81 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 2: Well, this is why we want to first do this 82 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 2: short charp review. I know that Minister Mitchell lets the 83 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 2: regional Council know of that today and I don't want 84 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 2: to get ahead of that. But of course the purpose 85 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 2: of these things is to find out what happened and 86 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 2: how do we stop it happening, So will be a mark. 87 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:15,840 Speaker 1: Mitchell has gone in contact with Hawks Bay Regional Council 88 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 1: told them there will be an inquiry. 89 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:20,960 Speaker 2: Yes, and he's also been in touch with wider today 90 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 2: to let them know as well. 91 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:27,040 Speaker 1: Okay, and you don't know what the potential ramifications could be. Frankly, 92 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:29,159 Speaker 1: these people, if they are letting their communities down, like 93 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,479 Speaker 1: literally lives were at risk in the Esque Valley, they 94 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:35,719 Speaker 1: can't be entrusted to keep on actually looking after their communities. 95 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 1: We have to take the task off them, don't we. 96 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 2: Well, it's really important. I don't get ahead of it 97 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:43,480 Speaker 2: because I don't understand the ins and outs of what's 98 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:45,719 Speaker 2: happened here. I don't have the facts to hand. So 99 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 2: the first job is get the facts about what actually happened, 100 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 2: then understand if they were in the eras why those 101 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:54,280 Speaker 2: errors occurved. Then understand what we need to do so 102 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:57,000 Speaker 2: that they don't happen again in the future. So short, 103 00:04:57,040 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 2: chat review, get to the facts of the matter, and 104 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:00,040 Speaker 2: then actions through. 105 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,600 Speaker 1: Your good stuff. Have it here. Listen on the GPS. 106 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 1: Do we just need to bite the bullet and allow 107 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 1: them to charge patients more so they can make their 108 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:06,720 Speaker 1: books balance. 109 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:11,279 Speaker 2: Well in some cases GPS will do that. We put 110 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:15,160 Speaker 2: in considerable funding in our budget for health and ring 111 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 2: fence to significant portion of that for primary healthcare. So 112 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 2: more than half a billion dollars in uplifted funding for 113 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 2: primary health care this year alone. So we recognize that 114 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:29,719 Speaker 2: GPS provide a vital health service for many of us. 115 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:32,719 Speaker 2: It's actually the only time we interact with the problem 116 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 2: is okay. 117 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: So the problem is they can only raise their fees 118 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 1: by as much as Health New Zealand says they can. 119 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: And at the moment, what they are able to charge, 120 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: you know, the funding that they're bringing in is about 121 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:46,240 Speaker 1: a quarter of or maybe half of what they need. 122 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 1: So they need to charge people a whole lot more. 123 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 1: Would you be open to that. 124 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 2: Well, that's something they're working through with Health New Zealand 125 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 2: right now. And of course it varies from community to 126 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:00,040 Speaker 2: community and health user to health user. I think we 127 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 2: all recognize that there are some people who are more 128 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 2: able to pay than others, and so Health New Zealand 129 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 2: are working through what is the requirements that's currently in place, 130 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:12,920 Speaker 2: how do we make sure that that's going to work 131 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 2: for GPS over the next twelve months, and what does 132 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 2: that funding that bring them look like. So their active 133 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 2: discussions happening at the moment. 134 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: Why was Andrew McKenzie told to quit a ko. 135 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 2: I'm not sure that was the case. 136 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:27,360 Speaker 1: Well, Simon Motor basically told us before that he sat 137 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: him down to him to quit. 138 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 2: Well, obviously that's an employment matter. It's a matter between 139 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 2: that board chair and Andrew McKenzie. So you've been talking 140 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:38,920 Speaker 2: to the right person who has the ability to comment 141 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 2: on that and detail on that. Simon. So I heard 142 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:42,039 Speaker 2: him on this matter. 143 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:44,840 Speaker 1: He had to say nice things about Andrew McKenzie though, 144 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 1: because like it's an employment matter and stuff. You don't 145 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: have to nikol because you're a politician. So was he 146 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:50,600 Speaker 1: not up to the job. 147 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:54,039 Speaker 2: Oh? I have to be very careful at all times, Heather, 148 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:59,040 Speaker 2: because I don't employ Andrew McKenzie. The board does, and 149 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:01,320 Speaker 2: I have to respect and know my place. 150 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 1: No fair enough, Okay, did you watch the debate? 151 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 2: I watched parts of it, yes, and and as a 152 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 2: New Zealand government minister, I am as the view that 153 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 2: it's very important that Americans make their own decision about 154 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 2: who they wish to vote the president. In the consideration 155 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 2: of who did was on the debate and not a 156 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 2: matter for me. 157 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 1: You won't say out loud, he's obviously going senile. 158 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 2: I won't say that. 159 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 1: No, Okay, have you found any replacement fairies? Yet? 160 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 2: We have got options on the table, and as ministers, 161 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 2: we are considering those options. We want to replace the 162 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 2: theories in a way sensible, that represents good value for money, 163 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 2: and that's better thought through than the last proposition, which 164 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 2: would have resulted in that we're too big for the 165 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 2: birds and may not even have been able to negotiate 166 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 2: the stray. 167 00:07:56,560 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 1: Actually, that's not in the forty forty action plan for 168 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 1: the quarter. So when do we find out about the fairies? 169 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 2: You'll find out about the series once ministers have made decisions, 170 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 2: and I expect that we'll be within the. 171 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 1: Culture three months. I suppose we can live with it. Nichol, 172 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 1: I have you how are you going to meet with 173 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:17,400 Speaker 1: the key we rail bosses in the next week. 174 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 2: Yes, we are hoping to get together this week. I'm 175 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:26,360 Speaker 2: started sounding hesitant because I haven't actually seen whether my 176 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 2: office have landed the meeting time for there's lots of 177 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 2: ministers who are wanting to meet with a q rout 178 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:32,559 Speaker 2: at the same time. 179 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: All Right, I hope it's early in the quarter that 180 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:37,559 Speaker 1: we find out. Nikola just saying, because I'm here for 181 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 1: the fairies by the way. 182 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, look, we understand and we are keen to 183 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 2: get to a solution too, but really can also not 184 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 2: to repeat the mistakes of the past. We're arguably decisions 185 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 2: were rushed, but then the ramifications of which went thought through. 186 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 2: So we want to do it once and do it right. 187 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:56,319 Speaker 1: All right, Nicholas, thank you so much, appreciate your time. 188 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: That's Nikola Willis the finance and stuff. Found it very 189 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:00,600 Speaker 1: hard to hide my disappointment that I'm had to wait 190 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 1: three months to find out what's happening with the fairies. 191 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live to 192 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:10,199 Speaker 1: news talks it'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow 193 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.