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Funding error threatens viability of health centre

Funding error threatens viability of health centre

The Roxburgh Medical Centre is facing another crisis with revelations funding has been paid to the practice in error for nearly 10 years.
Alexandra-based HealthCentral, which owns the Roxburgh Medical Centre, said in a statement yesterday afternoon the viability of the Roxburgh practice was at risk due to WellSouth PHO withdrawing $130,000 — or 85% — of the practice's rural funding allocation.
WellSouth chief executive Andrew Swanson-Dobbs said they had been mistakenly paying more than $130,000 a year in rural funding to the medical centre since 2015.
WellSouth chief financial officer Mistelle Jack said a review of the Roxburgh rural contract found the "historic arrangement" should no longer have been in place.
The decrease in funding was a 54% decrease on the previous year, Ms Jack said.
Funds removed from Roxburgh were returned to the pool for all rural practices.
Rural funding models were outdated and Mr Swanson-Dobbs had been part of government negotiations to increase patient subsidies to general practices, she said.
HealthCentral general manger Jenaya Smith said they were blindsided by the announcement and had no prior indication any of the funding was temporary or at risk.
"It was not itemised in our contracts, remittances, or any communications."
The funding cut was initially scheduled to take effect this month. Temporary support secured by WellSouth from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora had deferred the impact until January but HealthCentral warned the delay offered only limited relief.
"This unexpected funding withdrawal once again places the long-term viability of the practice at risk. Sudden changes in funding allocation or eligibility criteria by WellSouth creates instability for providers. Primary care practices rely on consistent, sustainable funding to operate, plan ahead and recruit."
HealthCentral bought the Roxburgh practice in December 2022 and the Roxburgh Medical Trust retained ownership of the building.
The trust had battled to attract and retain doctors at the practice for several years before HealthCentral stepped in.
Ms Smith said the previous owners of the Roxburgh practice did not recall any part of the rural funding being temporary.
While HealthCentral bought the Roxburgh practice to ensure the continuity of local health services, it might have negotiated different terms or adjusted the level of services it committed to delivering if it had been aware the funding was temporary, she said.
The fee structure was under review at the moment and there was a risk of Roxburgh facing increases to cover the funding shortfall.
"We remain hopeful that the PHO will reconsider its decision or work towards a more sustainable, long-term solution so any fee increases can be minimal."
In contrast to Roxburgh, HealthCentral's Alexandra practice — which operates seven days a week, providing after-hours and public holiday care for the wider region — received no increase in rural funding for 2025-26 and that was no longer sustainable, Ms Smith said.
"With no increase in funding, we cannot be expected to absorb the rising cost of staffing weekends and holidays."
Central Otago district councillor for the Teviot Valley ward Sally Feinerman said she was deeply concerned about the threat to the viability of the community's only primary healthcare provider.
"The potential consequences — reduced services, increased patient fees or even closure — are simply not acceptable."
Mrs Feinerman said she stood with HealthCentral in calling for an urgent review of the rural funding model.
"Let's be clear: rural health is not a luxury — it is a necessity."
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Letters to Editor: health, voting, 1080
Letters to Editor: health, voting, 1080

Otago Daily Times

timea day ago

  • Otago Daily Times

Letters to Editor: health, voting, 1080

Today's letters to the editor include a plea to save the Roxburgh Medical Centre, debate around changes to voting, and 1080 in New Zealand. I read with major concern this week that the viability of the Roxburgh Medical Centre is at risk. The report stated that "a significant proportion of the Teviot Valley's rural health funding will be withdrawn from January 2026." How on earth did this happen? I worked as the nurse manager and Prime nurse at the medical centre for many years and know how busy it can be, how vital it is to provide the care needed for the valley. This practice is a one and a-half doctor practice. It serves a wide variety of people, from elderly to young families, orchardists, farmers etc. Don't let anyone tell you "but you can travel to Alexandra for your care." This is totally impractical for a lot of folks, especially the elderly. The practice area goes from Raes Junction to Shingle Creek, including outlying farms. Roxburgh locals, you cannot allow this to happen. You must stand up for what this district deserves. If you lose services you will never get them back. Marg Eckhoff Alexandra It's so right Pete Hodgson has said it well in his letter (31.7.25): the disenfranchised should be heard with their votes. That some do not vote is entirely predictable, despite David Seymour's "drop kick" comments. He is not struggling from day to day to survive in the present climate. His world is "sorted" and there is a totalitarian theme in there somewhere. Likewise our prime minister says he is going to "smash" the gangs. This is Trumpian speech and he really has no idea about managing a group of people who have an immutable sense of belonging and supporting each other. His words show his false sense of status to the detriment of many. The changing of the writing on passports is a similar, dare I say it "racist," move couched in ambiguity and evasion. Aotearoa-New Zealand means a lot more than New Zealand-Aotearoa. The entry of te reo into our vocabulary is to be celebrated as it is establishing our identity as many of us want it to be. Peter Strang Dunedin It's nonsense According to Pete Hodgson's thinking, the electoral changes are voter suppression. Or maybe he is just worried that those affected would most likely vote for the opposition parties but are not capable of enrolling in time. To say it is voter suppression is nonsense. These people have a choice (apart from a few who will have to wait until the next election) to enrol or not. This change is no worse than the election bribe that Labour introduced in 2018 in an attempt to get students on side, and their desire to lower the voting age to allow children to vote. David Tordoff Dunedin What goes around April 1633: Pope Urban VIII bans scientist Galileo Galilei's book Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems on the grounds that it argues that the Earth revolves around the sun. The Pope and the Church hope that this scientific truth will just go away. It doesn't, but it takes 359 years for the Church to acknowledge it was wrong. July 2025: President Trump revokes the scientific declaration on the dangers of greenhouse gases, undermining the United States' work to control emissions. He and his supporters hope that the scientific truth of climate change will go away. Unfortunately, it won't, and unless we do something now there will be no-one around in 359 years' time to point this out. John Drummond Dunedin Shaking one's head at volume of false rhetoric Concerning Tony Vink's remarks (28.7.25) re Israel and its supposed non aggression. I was wondering what planet Mr Vink is from? The sheer volume of the false rhetoric is hard to believe in this day and age. To think there are still people in the world who think like this is beyond my comprehension. Is it any wonder the world is in the mess we are now. Y Palmer West Harbour On the other hand The upshot of Mr Peters' statement, and that of the other foreign ministers, is that it reinforces Hamas' belief that it is winning the war: this is because international opinion is with them, and that they are being recognised (but not for the terrorists they are). The above action by Mr Peters et al, has led to Hamas winding back the latest attempt at ceasefire talks, and Hamas increasing its demands to the point where it was obvious that any agreement was, and is impossible. Israel is being forced to negotiate with Hamas, rather than just deal with them. Hamas has taken this as them being legitimised as a representative of Gaza rather than the cancer that they are. Kevin Rogers Andersons Bay Hunters and all of us should be worried re 1080 After reading the ODT article (26.7.25) "Concern 1080 will lower deer numbers" hunters — indeed the public — should be concerned as the first part of the planned eradication of predators on 6000ha of Stewart Island was only a trial. Two drops of pre-feed to get animals used to feeding on baits were to be followed up by two drops of toxic bait, the first which has been carried out the second yet to come. The use of deer repellent is no guarantee. For that matter where is the guarantee that deer repellent, if it works, was actually used? Besides, how effective is deer repellent? Deaths of white-tail deer after the trial run raise that question. The poison is not authorised to be used on deer, yet in 1980-81 a formal study on the impact of 1080 on white-tail deer occurred on Stewart Island where a gel formulation containing 1080 poison was applied to broadleaf leaves for the control of white-tail deer, the end results being "this method was found to be very efficient at substantially reducing deer numbers". Although 1080 is not used to target deer, DOC seem more than happy: it does reduce deer numbers dramatically. Besides 1080 is an indiscriminate poison which also kills deer, birds and insects, i.e. any creature which ingests it. In addition a 1080 killed creature's body remains toxic and lethal to anything that scavenges it. A lot could be learned from the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation's trapping programme to protect blue duck in Fiordland. In some areas this has increased numbers considerably without using poisons. I think the estimated cost of $90 million to poison Stewart Island predators would go a long way to control them. Use of trapping and other ground control methods without poisoning non-target species is far more preferable. Extermination is impossible and I say "control", as making Stewart Island, along with mainland New Zealand, predator-free is impossible. Lewis Hore Oamaru

Social worker suspended over dodgy Covid vaccine exemption
Social worker suspended over dodgy Covid vaccine exemption

Otago Daily Times

timea day ago

  • Otago Daily Times

Social worker suspended over dodgy Covid vaccine exemption

A Dunedin-based social worker who issued a shonky Covid-19 vaccine exemption has been suspended for a year. Dr Jacquelyn Elkington's case came before the Social Workers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal yesterday — but she did not. Elderly pay price for Covid 'complacency' The woman, who is listed on the University of Otago's website as a senior lecturer hauora Māori, failed to show up for the hearing and was promptly found guilty of professional misconduct after tribunal chairman Winston McCarthy found her behaviour was likely to bring discredit to the profession. It was the first time a social worker has been taken to task over a Covid-19 issue and co-counsel for the professional conduct committee (PCC) Becca Boles said the only appropriate penalty was deregistration. But the tribunal opted to suspend Dr Elkington for 12 months, censuring her and ordering her to pay costs of more than $13,000. In November 2021, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government introduced legislation narrowing the grounds for a vaccine exemption. Only a suitably qualified health practitioner could make the assessment and it had to be verified by the country's director-general of health. A month later, Dr Elkington — who was working in Auckland at the time — issued such an exemption for a "vulnerable" client. "She's not a medical practitioner, she's a social worker," PCC co-counsel Elena Mok said. "Her conduct took her outside the scope of her practice." A day later, the man used the exemption in a bid to gain entry to a recreational facility. A staff member subsequently raised suspicions and referred the matter to the health and disability commissioner (HDC). Ms Mok said Dr Elkington's conduct "snowballed" from that point, Dr Elkington thwarting the resulting investigations against her by repeatedly failing to provide information. In June 2022, the woman made an online application to renew her practising certificate with the Social Workers Registration Board. Dr Elkington falsely indicated she was not subject to any inquiry and when she was pulled up on her lie, she claimed she thought the HDC inquiry had closed. But a couple of months later she resubmitted the online application, again declaring she was free of any scrutiny. Dr Elkington's behaviour was "at least misleading, if not outright false", Ms Mok said. The social worker went on to claim she felt "harassed and threatened" by the probe into her conduct, and that it was "borderline bullying". Many requests for information — about client notes or records on how many vaccine exemptions she had issued — throughout 2024, after the file was passed on to the PCC, were met with silence. At other points, Dr Elkington said she could not provide the documentation as she did not have the consent of her clients. She occasionally claimed to have already submitted the requested information and also made references to the Bill of Rights Act and various international treaties. On one occasion Dr Elkington referred to the River of Lies documentary — which bills itself as revealing the truth behind the "New Zealand scamdemic" — produced by the controversial Billy Te Kahika. Her lack of engagement in the process showed a disrespect for the process and an ongoing lack of remorse and insight, reinforced by her non-attendance at yesterday's hearing, the PCC argued. "The vaccine exemption appears to have been issued because of Dr Elkington's personal beliefs about the safety of the vaccine and her views on the Covid pandemic," Ms Mok said. "Dr Elkington's attempt to justify her approach is an example of her effectively allowing these personal beliefs to influence her social work practice unduly." The University of Otago refused to answer questions about the woman's employment at the institution. In 2022, Dr Elkington ran for the Whakatāne mayoralty and posted online at the time her various theories, which included that the Covid-19 vaccination caused monkeypox. She came sixth out of seven candidates. Dr Elkington did not respond to requests for comment. The tribunal ordered that if the social worker returned to practice she must undertake monthly supervision for a year.

Media Insider: Billboard ad – ‘cruel' body-shaming or bald facts?; Omitted Ruby Tui in Adidas World Cup campaign; New RNZ exec role to help lift ratings; Is MediaWorks' owner for sale?
Media Insider: Billboard ad – ‘cruel' body-shaming or bald facts?; Omitted Ruby Tui in Adidas World Cup campaign; New RNZ exec role to help lift ratings; Is MediaWorks' owner for sale?

NZ Herald

time2 days ago

  • NZ Herald

Media Insider: Billboard ad – ‘cruel' body-shaming or bald facts?; Omitted Ruby Tui in Adidas World Cup campaign; New RNZ exec role to help lift ratings; Is MediaWorks' owner for sale?

Medical tourism provider Asthetica has certainly raised the ire in some quarters with what the company admits is an 'intentionally provocative' ad targeting those dealing with hair loss. This billboard ad - pictured here in Kingsland, Auckland - has raised the ire of some people who call it body shaming. Photo / Dean Purcell 'This ad isn't clever. It's not aspirational. It's body-shaming, plain and simple, and – frankly – quite cruel,' Sarah Ritchie, an Auckland-based author and business mentor, wrote on LinkedIn this week. 'The message implies that being bald is something to be embarrassed about. That approach is not just outdated, it's harmful. Baldness is natural and very common (for men and women). And it doesn't diminish anyone's worth, confidence, or attractiveness. 'Ads like this fuel insecurity in order to sell a product or service. I know that's the way of the world, but it's not ethical marketing – it's exploitation.' Having embraced a clean-shaven dome for about three decades, I'm not personally offended, but Ritchie's concerns aren't the first I've heard about this campaign. Asthetica would be unlikely to get away with a similar phrase that focused, say, on body weight. One of Ritchie's followers wrote in response to her post: 'Imagine the outrage if the billboard comment was body-shaming women, we [seem] more accepting when it's male-focused.' Another said: 'Some people do look better bald, 100% and some of us lose our hair due to chemo, so really then it's not about how we look, it's about digging deep to stay alive. They tried and they failed with this out-of-touch ad.' And a third person wrote: 'It's terrible. Ironically, their art direction needs a lot of work!' Of course, it all makes for good publicity for Asthetica, which says it welcomes 'the conversation'. Founder and chief executive David Allen told Media Insider that the line was 'tongue-in-cheek, not a literal insult'. It was, he said, 'reflective of how many people feel internally but don't say out loud'. 'Our intent with this ad was never to shame anyone, but rather to connect with the many men and women who privately struggle with hair loss and are actively seeking solutions,' Allen said. He said the line was 'intentionally provocative, designed to cut through the noise and spark a reaction, because hair loss is an emotional topic often brushed under the rug (no pun intended)'. Allen said the company did not want to 'mock those who experience loss', which is an interesting take, given the ad quite clearly mocks baldness. He also quoted an anonymous client stating there was a reason why no bald men appeared in aspirational or lifestyle ads – an assertion that might easily be contested by Jason Statham, Andre Agassi or our own Leigh Hart. Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and actor Jason Statham attend the Fast X film premiere in April. Photo / Getty Images Asthetica is certainly standing firm, with no intention to remove or alter the ad. And it is working, the Australia-based firm said. 'Since launching, we've seen a sharp increase in inquiries from people suffering in silence who say this ad gave them the push they needed to explore treatment,' Allen said. The company claims to work with 'hundreds' of New Zealand clients annually, many of them travelling to Turkey for hair transplants. Those medical/cosmetic packages cost $7200 (including accommodation) – Allen says an equivalent hair transplant in New Zealand would cost anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 and would be 'carried out mostly by less experienced surgeons'. He said clients typically saved between 30% and 70%, even after accounting for flights and spending money. To those who felt the ad was an example of body-shaming, Allen said: 'We hear you. But the ad isn't directed at others, it's an invitation for those who are already struggling and actively want help. We aim to empower, not judge. Body positivity includes the freedom to make personal changes without shame.' As a postscript, Allen said he started the company 'after being my own client'. 'I attach my photos for your reference. You have permission to use these should you wish, but only in [their] entirety/not cropped.' Asthetica founder and chief executive David Allen before and after his own treatment. Photos / David Allen Have your say – does the ad offend you? Comments on this story are open below. One Good Poll Ruby Tui's Adidas RWC shoot Well, this might be a little awkward. Ruby Tui is, without doubt, one of New Zealand rugby's most marketable athletes and personalities. Her book and backstory are required reading, and she remains a fan favourite wherever she appears. So it's little surprise that NZR sponsor and sportswear giant Adidas (along with many of us) might have considered her a shoo-in for the Black Ferns' World Cup squad this year. Tui features strongly on Adidas' website, wearing and marketing the Black Ferns' 2025 Rugby World Cup jersey - both in a single frame image, and with her teammates. Ruby Tui in the RWC 2025 Adidas marketing campaign. These days, marketers like to have plenty of time to build their campaigns. Unfortunately, they (like the rest of us) don't get a heads-up on who might actually be in the team. Last Friday came the announcement of the Black Ferns' Rugby World Cup squad - and with it, the omission of Tui. Ruby Tui, second from left, in the Adidas RWC jersey marketing campaign. While she has been somewhat on the outer of selection this year, she did play off the bench against Australia last month - and coach Allan Bunting has said leaving her out of the Cup squad was a 'millimetre' decision. Tui showed her class by showing up to the team announcement last Friday, and cheering on the players who had beaten her to the cut. As well as Adidas' website campaign, Tui's image was also prominent in a digital advertisement for the company at Auckland's Sylvia Park mall last Saturday afternoon, 24 hours after the Cup squad was announced. Ruby Tui also featured in a pre-World Cup Adidas digital ad last weekend, 24 hours after it was announced she was not in the squad. All of this brings up memories of a similar situation in 2015 when Israel Dagg was a shock omission from the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad that year – he had already been filmed in a starring role for an Air New Zealand flight safety ad shortly before the tournament. Tui was unavailable for comment yesterday and Adidas did not answer specific questions about the logistics of the campaign, or whether it might be tweaked. It is quite likely that Tui's star power will still hold the campaign in good stead, even if it feels a little awkward that she's wearing the World Cup jersey that she will, sadly, not get to play in, barring injury to another player. Emails to Adidas' advertising agency and directly to the company in Auckland were eventually answered by a senior leader in Australia. 'Adidas is proud to activate our 'You Got This' campaign throughout 2025 in New Zealand, featuring several Black Ferns players, including Adidas athlete Ruby Tui,' said Adidas brand communications and senior manager Lizzy Hunter. 'The campaign is a celebration of the Black Ferns, demonstrating what's possible when athletes are supported on and off the field. We're excited to work with Ruby as she continues to inspire the next generation of New Zealand athletes.' RNZ exec overhaul RNZ currently has nine executives. 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Interestingly, the new role will be based in Auckland - perhaps a sign, also, of the company wanting a stronger leadership presence in the country's biggest city. 'As part of the work RNZ is undertaking on live listening, we've made the decision to create a dedicated leadership role for audio,' an RNZ spokeswoman said. 'This was recommended in the advice received from Richard Sutherland but has been part of our thinking for some time. 'RNZ has successfully grown its overall audience across platforms, but RNZ National is in need of additional focus to improve its audience engagement. 'The chief audio officer is an exciting role that will be responsible not just for the performance and excellence of live radio but also for RNZ's digital and on-demand audio. 'The chief audio officer is an integral part of our developing audio plan and will bring their expertise to it. We expect to receive strong interest and high-calibre candidates for this executive position.' The interim head of content role was in place 'while we decide where teams will sit in the new structure'. 'No other executive team changes are planned at present.' Mediawatch host departing Hayden Donnell. RNZ says it's still finalising requests of staff who have asked for voluntary redundancy, and can't provide an update or numbers at this stage. However, Media Insider can reveal today that one of RNZ Mediawatch's two presenters is off. Mediawatch producer Hayden Donnell – who works alongside host Colin Peacock – has made the call to leave RNZ on August 28 and starts at The Spinoff as a senior writer on September 8. Donnell would be missed, an RNZ spokeswoman said. 'During his roughly five years with RNZ, Hayden has brought his distinct style and flair to the position ... We are currently working through the replacement process and discussing this role alongside others within the RNZ podcast team.' The Spinoff described Donnell's appointment as a 'significant homecoming'. He had been a 'foundational and recurring voice' for the website. 'He was one of the platform's first staff writers, hosted the cult web series Get It To Te Papa, and has been a consistent and beloved contributing writer over the past decade. In his new fulltime role, Donnell will focus on analysis, commentary and in-depth reporting across politics, media, and culture.' The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman said the company was 'beyond excited'. 'Hayden is one of New Zealand's sharpest and funniest writers. His ability to cut through the noise, always with a unique sense of humour, is exactly what The Spinoff is about.' The Spinoff CEO Amber Easby said the appointment signalled a continued investment in high-quality, independent journalism. 'In today's media landscape, investing in distinctive, trusted voices is the most important thing we can do. Hayden is one of those voices.' Three-dom day: Sky takes the reins A hugely significant day in New Zealand media today, as Sky TV officially takes ownership of Three and Three Now from US giant Warner Bros Discovery. 'Really, the hard work starts now,' Sky TV chief executive Sophie Moloney told Media Insider this week. Sky TV chief executive Sophie Moloney opens up in this week's Media Insider podcast. She spoke at length on this week's Media Insider podcast about the acquisition, offering up some hints as to how some of the programming might work across the plethora of pay and free-to-air channels now under the company's umbrella. She also talked about the latest in sports rights negotiations - specifically the loss of netball rights to TVNZ and the pending, new five-year deal with NZ Rugby. Sky has been at pains to reiterate that it will be retaining the Three and Three Now brands, even though - in the background - it's had to trademark a new name, Sky Free, and logos for the division that will run the free-to-air channels. The latest trademarked Sky Free logo - Sky is at pains to reiterate this is not a consumer brand, and that Three and Three Now will be retained. Asked how she would celebrate today's momentous handover, Moloney suggested sausage rolls with staff on Monday would be in order. Which is quite funny when you think a plate of 30 sausage rolls is 60 bucks at New World, according to its website- 60 times what Sky paid for Three. Is MediaWorks' owner about to be sold? As the dust settles on the Sky-Three acquisition, are there more ownership changes in the wind for another of our biggest media companies? MediaWorks is now 100% owned by Australian outdoor advertising firm QMS, which in turn is owned by private equity firm Quadrant. Quadrant chairman Chris Hadley told the Australian Financial Review that his options for QMS were growing. 'After Covid, a period of high interest rates and inflation, the prospects for the media industry generally is strengthening, and outdoor particularly,' Hadley said. 'More and more creative, impactful digital outdoor is now being viewed globally as a form of media infrastructure. In that regard, QMS is a leader in this part of the world. Given the growth, scale and profitability of QMS, exit options for the business are available.' The Australian Financial Review reported that QMS was on the list of possible takeover targets for Nine Entertainment. 'Nine is selling its majority stake in property portal Domain for [A]$1.4 billion to CoStar, leaving it with around [A]$500 million in cash after returning funds to shareholders. Analysts have suggested oOh!media could also be a target for Nine,' the Australian Financial Review reported. MediaWorks chairman Barclay Nettlefold (left) and chief executive Wendy Palmer. QMS and MediaWorks chair Barclay Nettlefold told the publication there were no conversations at the moment about selling QMS. 'We get to focus on growing the business,' he reportedly said. Quadrant did not respond to specific questions yesterday, through MediaWorks, but did say in a statement: 'QMS and MediaWorks are always focused on delivering market-leading audiences and maximising value for customers.' Top MediaWorks outdoor ad exec quits MediaWorks outdoor boss Mike Watkins. One of New Zealand's most respected advertising executives is leaving his role. MediaWorks Outdoor chief executive Mike Watkins will leave this month, just as the company prepares to take over the lucrative Auckland Transport (AT) outdoor contracts. In a statement, he said he was 'moving on to pursue a range of exciting new opportunities, including work with several start-ups'. A MediaWorks spokeswoman said Watkins had advised the company of his resignation in May and would leave the business on August 12. It is understood that key executives from Australia – alongside MediaWorks chief executive Wendy Palmer – played a critical role in working on the AT pitch. Neither MediaWorks nor AT responded to other specific questions, including who might pick up the outdoor reins at a critical period. The AT contracts, which come into effect on October 16, are a massive boost for the outdoor advertising and radio business - they are valued by some in the industry at $350 million over the next decade. According to his biography, Watkins has spent time at 'many of New Zealand's leading advertising, design and film production companies – including Generator, Meares Taine, M&C Saatchi, Designworks and Film Construction'. 'In 2016, he jumped the fence to media, taking a role as general manager of APN Outdoor, which was later acquired by JCDecaux. Until late 2023, he was country head of JCDecaux New Zealand.' He has been with MediaWorks since November 2023. Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand's most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME. Watch Media Insider – The Podcast on YouTube or listen to it on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

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