This week on Politics Central, former Te Whatu Ora chairperson Rob Campbell criticises the organisation's decision to make savings at the country's hospitals, saying they are 'extraordinary' and signal poor management.

Later, five academics and public figures were set to debate free speech at Victoria University in Wellington last Monday, but backlash within the university has seen the event postponed. Both Victoria University's Students' Association president and the university's Vice-Chancellor offer their takes.

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Victoria University's Vice-Chancellor has his own concerns over an infamous free speech panel event.

A selection of public figures and academics were set to debate free speech, but backlash within the university led to the event being postponed.

Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says it's a 'travesty' that people are no longer willing to listen and draw their own conclusions.

"That's an issue that I've seen across multiple media - we create bubbles where everyone wants to agree with each other and shout in these polarised extremes."

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There's debate over Victoria University's decision to call off a discussion on free speech.

It comes after outrage within the university, with claims the panellists didn't represent a balance of views.

600 people had registered to attend before the university's Vice-Chancellor postponed the event, saying they were going back to the drawing board.

Students' Association president Marcail Parkinson says some speakers would've made students uncomfortable, and have a history of hate speech.

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Te Whatu Ora has been criticised for telling public hospitals to bring the organisation back to budget, they need to make target savings of $105 million by July.

It said several districts have gone over budget in the past three months.

However, health unions have warned the constraints will impact medical care.

Former Te Whatu Ora chair Rob Campbell says we should be trying to improve our health system - not just saving costs.

"Once you get the emphasis on just saving costs, you end up cutting things that should not be cut."

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Leave the baby with a sitter or take them everywhere with you?

US comedian Arj Barker has sparked a furious backlash after asking a woman to take her baby out of his show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival - what do we think?

John Cowan joins the Weekend Collective with his take.

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A couple bought an investment property in the 90's for under $150,000, and sold it in 2024 for $4 million, so how long term should you be thinking when you're buying?

Ashley Church joins the Weekend Collective with his take.

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Today on the Panel Tim Beveridge was joined by Brad Olsen and Pete Wolfkamp to wrap the week that’s been. 

On today’s agenda: 

Reading Cinemas is disappointed by the failed $32 million deal with Wellington Council, and Leo Malloy confronted a gun-toting ‘cowboy’ in a night of Viaduct mayhem. Victoria University has cancelled a free speech event because student protesters were ‘freaked out’, and a mother was kicked out of Arj Barker’s comedy show because her baby was distracting. Do you think it’s fair? 

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Is there a connection between stress and weight gain?

Plus in a time when most of us are tightening the belt, there are ways we can get fit without a gym membership.

Health coach Kent Johns joined the Weekend Collective to discuss.

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With all the cuts to the cut service, how should you deal with layoffs mid-career, and more importantly how can you bounce back?

Employment relations practitioner Max Whitehead joined the show to discuss.

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Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr joined Helen Clark at Parliament this week, to warn New Zealand against joining Pillar 2 of the AUKUS defence pact, saying it is "fragrant, methane-wrapped bullsh*t," and funnily enough former opposition leader Don Brash tends to agree. 

Later, Shane Jones who has recently ben speaking about mining and fishing, this week let go with a broadside against the Waitangi Tribunal, saying they have "no business running it's operations as some sort of star chamber delivering pre-emptory summons for ministers."

 

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