Oh my goodness, I read your first paragraph too quickly and was wondering how on earth you had such an awful view on *librarians* and how they got dragged into all this!
The problem for public servants is that when the government changes, they would all be cleared out. No one is really neutral but it is a matter of self-preservation. It was, and still should be, that those serving should be free from the kind of attacks Seymour and his ilk carry out.
I guess those appointed directly by govt need to be careful, but I just don't see a National govt sweeping through all their Ministries and axing those who liked a post on Chlöe Swarbrick's Insta or whatever.
I suppose criticism should be of policies not people, which in theory would also prevent Seymour et al attacking public servants.
But I admit I am not very informed and also haven't thought about this very hard, haha!
"While many company directors have decades of experience in governance, they are at a vulnerable stage of their lives, and might not understand how social networks operate, or what excessive use can do to a still-developing mind."
Such a good write up. Ooof, your last words sun it so well for me: The shit thing is….we just don’t have enough time for this carry-on!
Even more frustrating, as a kiwi living in Australia I couldn’t have told you much about Rob Campbell beforehand, but now I know more about his views and values he sounds exactly like the person I’d want to help metamorphose a national health service and acknowledge / address the inequities! Shame!
I wrote a related piece this morning about who gets to say what they think in our society, people like the CEOs of Australian Banks vs people who can't like the chairperson of NZ Health. It is a free one if people would like to have a read :)
I suspect that this public servant has given way more in terms of service to this country than anyone from ACT ever. I absolutely cannot understand why anyone would ever vote for such a party but maybe I don’t like hunting Himalayan Goats in the South Island. While I absolutely agree that everything is political & public servants should be allowed to have an opinion especially about such a big huge thing such as water infrastructure...if Labour really felt they should censure him, what about simply saying “don’t do that please” rather than firing him. By all accounts he is doing some good in a very difficult position. Sad!
Well said, Emily, as usual! The hypocrisy and intentional oversimplification by people like David Seymour, intended to whip supporters into a frenzy, really makes me despair about how any big problems will ever be solved 😭
Mighty. Mighty. Good research. Good use of sources. This is an important issue and if we let the likes of Seymour define this for us, we are all the losers. Too bad the mayor of Dunedin is an ex. Very well expressed.
Thank god we have ANYONE prepared to work in the public service when they could be off making bank somewhere else (like the ‘right wing sympathisers’ are). I agree that it’s a cheap shot going after all of them in one sweeping generalisation.
The hypocrisy of Seymour and National and right-wing commentators really rankles me
As an ex-public servant who was also constrained in what I could say about even bland, factual issues - too often on an individual manager's say-so - I feel for Rob Campbell. I didn't know him personally but I knew and listened to him long, long ago when we were students at Vic Uni in the early 1970's.
More hypocrisy is that National in particular politicised the Public Service in the 1990's and Labour didn't undo this in the 2000's
I really liked Rob’s point about public servants should be free from public attacks, more and more you see CE’s or directors of ministries being interviewed when it used to be expected the minister would front up. Politicians using them as scapegoats for non delivery was the start of a lack of neutrality!
Thanks Emily for helping me understand the hoo-ha. I hope Te Whatu Ora can find a good replacement for Campbell during a fairly crucial transition time.
[editing this as I'm applying for jobs. but I'm leaving in the most important part]
fuck David Seymour
Oh my goodness, I read your first paragraph too quickly and was wondering how on earth you had such an awful view on *librarians* and how they got dragged into all this!
😂😂
omg don't get me started on that lot, what with their shushing and cool workplace and whatnot
I love this rant Matt and you should not apologise for it!!
I think I should probably eat something or have a lie down anyway, just in case it helps
I'm sorry to say there will probably still be a David Seymour when you wake up 😞
Not if Freddy Kruger finally answers my prayers
Oh wait, he needs to me asleep for that not me, what an enormous gaff on my part
The problem for public servants is that when the government changes, they would all be cleared out. No one is really neutral but it is a matter of self-preservation. It was, and still should be, that those serving should be free from the kind of attacks Seymour and his ilk carry out.
Yeah, you are right.
I guess those appointed directly by govt need to be careful, but I just don't see a National govt sweeping through all their Ministries and axing those who liked a post on Chlöe Swarbrick's Insta or whatever.
I suppose criticism should be of policies not people, which in theory would also prevent Seymour et al attacking public servants.
But I admit I am not very informed and also haven't thought about this very hard, haha!
Great rant. Loved it.
You are dead right with that big issue in your final paragraph. And it’s the bane of local government as well, as we’re currently seeing in Auckland.
On a related note I thought this was very good and funny https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/01-03-2023/the-dangers-of-clout-chasing-company-directors-radicalised-on-linkedin?utm_source=spinoff-share-button&utm_medium=spinoff-web-mobile
Yes!
"While many company directors have decades of experience in governance, they are at a vulnerable stage of their lives, and might not understand how social networks operate, or what excessive use can do to a still-developing mind."
"your morning tea break after waiata practice." Public servant stopping by to cringe-snort at your accuracy. Teeeeee AroooohaaAaaaa...
Exactly what I came here to comment, as an ex public servant. 😂
Haha I used to be a public servant I know 😂😂
At any school event you can always pick the parents who work in the public service, we’re pretty much the only ones who know *any* waiata 😂
Such a good write up. Ooof, your last words sun it so well for me: The shit thing is….we just don’t have enough time for this carry-on!
Even more frustrating, as a kiwi living in Australia I couldn’t have told you much about Rob Campbell beforehand, but now I know more about his views and values he sounds exactly like the person I’d want to help metamorphose a national health service and acknowledge / address the inequities! Shame!
Some interesting and valid points.
I wrote a related piece this morning about who gets to say what they think in our society, people like the CEOs of Australian Banks vs people who can't like the chairperson of NZ Health. It is a free one if people would like to have a read :)
https://nickrockel.substack.com/p/tell-us-what-you-really-think
Both are excellent pieces. I feel much better informed. Thank you for your mahi Emily and Nick.
I suspect that this public servant has given way more in terms of service to this country than anyone from ACT ever. I absolutely cannot understand why anyone would ever vote for such a party but maybe I don’t like hunting Himalayan Goats in the South Island. While I absolutely agree that everything is political & public servants should be allowed to have an opinion especially about such a big huge thing such as water infrastructure...if Labour really felt they should censure him, what about simply saying “don’t do that please” rather than firing him. By all accounts he is doing some good in a very difficult position. Sad!
I really like your full frontal assault on dickhead Seymour et al.
More please. It’s so therapeutic.
Reckon you should go for Campbell’s now open job. Or does Eddie already have dibs on it?
😂😂
Well said, Emily, as usual! The hypocrisy and intentional oversimplification by people like David Seymour, intended to whip supporters into a frenzy, really makes me despair about how any big problems will ever be solved 😭
Mighty. Mighty. Good research. Good use of sources. This is an important issue and if we let the likes of Seymour define this for us, we are all the losers. Too bad the mayor of Dunedin is an ex. Very well expressed.
This is an awesome post Emily - and you got such great comments from people, love it
Thank god we have ANYONE prepared to work in the public service when they could be off making bank somewhere else (like the ‘right wing sympathisers’ are). I agree that it’s a cheap shot going after all of them in one sweeping generalisation.
The hypocrisy of Seymour and National and right-wing commentators really rankles me
As an ex-public servant who was also constrained in what I could say about even bland, factual issues - too often on an individual manager's say-so - I feel for Rob Campbell. I didn't know him personally but I knew and listened to him long, long ago when we were students at Vic Uni in the early 1970's.
More hypocrisy is that National in particular politicised the Public Service in the 1990's and Labour didn't undo this in the 2000's
I really liked Rob’s point about public servants should be free from public attacks, more and more you see CE’s or directors of ministries being interviewed when it used to be expected the minister would front up. Politicians using them as scapegoats for non delivery was the start of a lack of neutrality!
Also fuck David Seymour. Arrogant prick.
Totally. I remember learning about cabinet responsibility when I was at uni and John Key basically ended that.
That AI-generated DS clown image though 😂😂
Thanks Emily for helping me understand the hoo-ha. I hope Te Whatu Ora can find a good replacement for Campbell during a fairly crucial transition time.