Forty years ago one of the most transformational governments in New Zealand history was sworn in. That government, led by the larger than life David Lange, who was accompanied by financial architect Roger Douglas, had the task of overhauling the country’s fragile economy.

Sitting in the inner sanctum of that government was Dr Michael Bassett, who became the Minister in charge of a run-down health service during an economic downturn. Sound familiar?

Dr Bassett has a unique perspective on the fourth labour government and the Muldoon led National government that preceded them. Those days saw rapid inflation, a wage and price freeze and a run on the currency immediately before the 1984 election. Rogernomics was the new Labour government’s fiscal response, as critical a part of their legacy as their introduction of our nuclear free legislation.

Since his political retirement Dr Basset has gone on to become one of our most important historians, with fifteen books to his credit, including multiple political biographies. And in 2018 he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for his services to history.

There is no one better placed to reflect on New Zealand’s greatest Prime Ministers.

And he has plenty to say about our recent governments, and some advice for the current coalition.

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In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 22, we speak to the newly appointed Chairman of the Financial Markets Authority, Craig Stobo.

Craig is perhaps best known in investment and financial circles, and as a Chair of various and corporate organisations. But his leadership story runs deep – from mountaineering to the boardroom. His experiences across the financial and investment sector make for compelling listening.

Craig talks to Bruce about dealing with death in the Himalayas and a failed summit attempt. But they quickly move on to the state of the New Zealand economy, and in particular our lack of productivity.

He has solutions too, and a clear desire to see us become better at attracting the foreign investment we so desperately need. Using the success of the Irish economy as a model, he notes the natural advantages that New Zealand could bring to a foreign direct investment strategy of it’s own.

The lively discussion navigates a wide range of issues including infrastructure, education, and how war and immigration are driving changes in the world economy.

And of course they discuss the Craig’s new role, the importance of the Financial Markets Authority and the need for good conduct in our financial community.

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In this episode, we put a broadcaster on the other side of the microphone and meet recently awarded journalist Rachel Smalley.

Some people become leaders because of the teams they lead. Others are leaders because of the causes they champion. Rachel falls into the latter category. She wanted to be a journalist straight out of high school, but her belated acceptance into journalism training meant her journey was delayed by a few years.

She started on the sports desk, but quickly migrated to the world of foreign affairs and global audiences. She worked internationally before returning to New Zealand during the global financial crisis.

Notably she led coverage of the Syrian refuges crisis and she spearheaded “The Forgotten Millions” fundraising campaign, raising $2 Million for World Vision. It was a chapter in her life that changed her outlook and began her quest to make things better in a troubled world.

More recently, she has led the campaign to improve access to life-enabling or life-saving medicines for New Zealanders with serious illness. Her relentless questioning of Pharmac, and numerous articles bringing our attention to the genuine failures of our national medicines body, has directly contributed to some patients receiving life changing medicines that were otherwise out of reach.

Rachel discusses her experiences in the media, life on the front line of the Syrian refugee crisis, and the challenges for a television broadcast media that has lost the trust of the people they serve.

And of course, we hear about her hopes for a refreshed national medicines body under a new government.

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