I was taken aback when I first heard the nerve-racking stories of Amanda, a 20-year veteran in nursing who courageously decided to walk away from her profession. It's tough to imagine the anguish that Amanda had to endure while facing unsafe practices, assault, and abuse during her tenure in New Zealand hospitals. Our discussion is a revealing portrait of the grim realities of healthcare facilities in these tumultuous times.

Amanda (not her real name) tells of the hardship nurses endure, the distressing scarcity of resources, the emotional trauma of handling difficult patients, and the relentless workload that is expected to be managed without proper support. She sheds light on the systemic challenges haunting the healthcare system—disparity in pay, underfunding, and the detrimental impact of recent health system overhauls on the workforce.

Amanda's transformation story and her bravery to speak out for the sake of public safety are not to be missed.

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Christopher Luxon now finds himself with a tricky balancing act on his hands. On one side you have the wiley old kingmaker Winston Peters, while on the other side is ACT leader David Seymour who, despite getting more of the vote, may now have to play third fiddle...

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Drawing from his own experiences of growing up in a single parent household struggling with debt, Mark Francis, the executive general manager of DebtManagers, has reimagined debt collection in a way that provides a breath of fresh air. He brings a refreshing perspective to the harsh reality of debt, prioritizing empathy and understanding in an industry often clouded by fear and pressure. Having been at the receiving end of the debt collection process, Mark has made it his mission to redefine the industry by treating customers as people, not just debtors.

This is at times a sobering discussion highlighted by the alarming statistics that 55% of people are under financial strain and 51% are barely staying afloat. Mark also shares the shocking reality faced in the UK, where debt drives 100,000 people to attempt suicide each year. His approach to debt collection is shaped by these realities, emphatically underlining that the way we speak to people about debt can significantly influence their response.

Mark's story shows how a respectful outlook and empathetic communication can revolutionize debt collection, and why treating customers as people, not just debtors, is our collective responsibility.

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Politicians. Remember them? They've gone from being everywhere (except on DGEIC if you're Christopher Luxon) to being as hard to spot as a kiwi during daylight hours.

So what is going on behind the closed doors...

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Today's 'Week That Was' panel is straight out of the top drawer. Former deputy PM turned commercial real estate whiz Paula Bennett, and fellow real estate agent and legendary sportscaster Hamish McKay get stuck into:

• What has happened in politics since the election? Is anybody home?
• What has happened to rugby since the RWC final?
• The Ruthless Empire case and the 'right to silence'
• And what to seek out, and avoid, when bargain shopping

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The tragic case of Ruthless-Empire has once again highlighted something in our legal system that I believe urgently needs looking at.

No right to silence.

No plea bargain.

No discounts on sentence.

No background story.

No sympathy from judges.

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Pull up a chair as we journey through the labyrinth of political life with former Labour Party Minister Stuart Nash, who imparts fascinating insider tales from his time in Parliament.

Together, we dissect the relentless demands of a ministerial role, delve into complex decision-making during the pandemic era, and appraise key political figures including Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robinson. This candid conversation provides a rare glimpse into the machinations of Parliament, from advocating for constituents and navigating government red tape, to the heated issue of gun reforms.

Nash confronts the debate on justice versus revenge, offering personal insights on the delicate balancing act between political and familial responsibilities, and looks at the crucial distinction between career politicians and those fuelled by passion.

Nash's frank and honest perspective, honed by personal experiences, offers a revealing insight into life inside the political environment. 

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Hallowe'en is Americanised rubbish. Not our thing. Annoying. I don't get it and I don't get why it has become so popular here.

Well, that was until yesterday...

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Teuila Blakely will be familiar to many Kiwis thanks to her roles on tv and film productions such as Shortland Street and Sione's Wedding. As such, she has found herself leading the way for Pasifika women in the tv/film industry

She was also involved in a high-profile sex-tape incident with former NZ Warriors player Konrad Hurrell but refused to let that define her. 

In this episode Teuila talks about her upbringing and the 'overt racism' her family had to overcome, the recent passing of her mother, and what we could learn from our pacific neighbours.

Enchanting, intelligent, talented and a delight to sit down with.

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Are we better losers than we used to be when it comes to the All Blacks? Are the bad old days of calling for players heads after a big loss behind us?

I hope so and I hope the New Zealand public give the players the warmest of welcomes when they arrive home after what was ultimately a pretty successful World Cup.

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