BRUCE COTTERILL interviews MICHAEL BASSETT, August 1, 2024
- Administrator
- Aug 3, 2024
- 1 min read
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.
Listen here
I concur with the previous sentiments, long winded fluff and Bruce Cotteril would appear to be missing the point that the entire western world has the same problems to deal with. One could draw a simple conclusion that this is orchestrated LOCKSTEP thanks to our good mate uncle Klaus at the WEF and his mates screwing us all over equally. How thoughtful of the bastards.
I haven’t got time to listen right now, but note aisr’s & others’ comments below that the interview was too soft or sanitised (my words).
With respect, cos I’m sure he’s a nice smart guy, I’ve heard Mr Cotterill several times already and found him to simply tiptoe around issues. A business was leader he may be, but a well spoken social commentator he most certainly is not. Every time I’ve ever heard him it’s just ‘be nice’, and maybe, just maybe make a veiled, passing, blink-and-you-missed-it reference to the problem. That problem is 100% the large scale imposition of Maori culture (and all the peripheral crap they make up and add on along the way) into NZ’s culture, w…
Thank you for the opportunity to listen to such a wide-ranging interview. Michael, as a professional historian & key member of arguably our most transformative government, is uniquely qualified to evaluate our present situation. I enjoyed having access to his honest & articulate (if uncharacteristically restrained) perspective.
Some commenters on this forum have complained that it has become an echo chamber. iHeart Radio has enabled Michael’s views, which I suspect most of us share, to reach a much wider audience. This should be celebrated.
I couldn't get it to play and 70mins is a bit long. I respect Michaels writings but agree with AISR that it's all talk and no action by ex-mps except Dons Hobsons Pledge... (thanks Don). If people are members of these coalition parties then they need to be influencing them. I am not a member as I don't agree that we should have any special privileges or legislation which separates us as a people. They all seem to be a bit scared to actually confront the issues. Consequently, as we can see with the latest handing over of an area of seabed...was it the Hauraki Gulf?...I am losing track of this outrage,.... some people are given special access rights.