Ian Powell

Otaihanga Second Opinion is a regular health systems blog in New Zealand.

Ian Powell is the editor of the health systems blog 'Otaihanga Second Opinion.' He is also a columnist for New Zealand Doctor, occasional columnist for the Sunday Star Times, and contributor to the Victoria University hosted Democracy Project. For over 30 years , until December 2019, he was the Executive Director of Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, the union representing senior doctors and dentists in New Zealand.

Contact Ian Powell

Website - Otaihanga Second Opinion

Ian Powell - Latest News [Page 1]

When A Falsified ‘Golden Handshake’ Is Neither ‘Golden’ Nor A ‘Handshake’

Monday, 18 May 2026, 7:06 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses a misleading mainstream media article alleging golden handshakes for those who might be unjustifiably dismissed in New Zealand. More >>

Hidden Waiting List Exposed; Unmet Health Need Unreported

Friday, 15 May 2026, 6:19 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses the public exposure of unreported unmet need through an ethically challenging hidden waiting list of general practitioner referrals to hospital specialists in New Zealand. More >>

Inhumanity Of US Economic Sanctions Against Cuba – Infant Mortality And Starvation; Time To End New Zealand’s Silence

Saturday, 9 May 2026, 2:36 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses the humanitarian crisis in Cuba caused by the escalation of economic warfare by the United States. More >>

The Cruelty Of Health Professional Staffing Shortages

Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 1:58 pm | Ian Powell

While nowhere in the same league as murders, avoidable children’s deaths (and harm) in Aotearoa New Zealand causes similarly considerable distress for our health system’s dedicated health professionals. More >>

Do Wellington Floods, Climate Change And Wealth Accumulation Equal “Suicidal Capitalism”?

Saturday, 2 May 2026, 8:42 pm | Ian Powell

But what sits behind the devastating and damaging floods is what causes most concern, more so because it is somewhere between being sidelined and ignored by the Government. More >>

Failing Kidney Patients Symptomatic Of Health System Crisis; Health System Needs Its Own Mantra

Sunday, 19 April 2026, 4:55 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses a revealing opinion piece by a medical specialist on the failure to implement a plan on addressing chronic kidney disease as symptomatic of a wider crisis in New Zealand’s health system. More >>

Making Sense Of The Opportunity Party: Ripples Or Wave

Tuesday, 14 April 2026, 6:12 pm | Ian Powell

The question is whether the enthusiasm generated by this political ripple (the Opportunity Party) becomes a political 5%+ wave in November. If it does there will be an intriguing new parliamentary dynamic. More >>

Calling Out Health New Zealand For Intimidation Of Nurses

Saturday, 11 April 2026, 4:47 pm | Ian Powell

It is time for Health New Zealand to listen, learn and act by weaving, not intimidating. It is also time to repair its damaged relationships with the nurses it employs and benefits from. More >>

Understanding Cuba's Health System Benefits New Zealand

Monday, 6 April 2026, 7:05 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses the Cuban health system and how New Zealand’s system might learn from it. More >>

Kaitiaki Hauora – Together For Public Health; A Powerful Voice For The Health System

Sunday, 29 March 2026, 7:38 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses the encouraging formation of a new healthcare advocacy organisation formed in part to oppose the drift towards privatising New Zealand’s universal public health system. More >>

Why Does The United States Have It In For Cuba So Badly And For So Long?

Wednesday, 25 March 2026, 6:43 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses what is really behind the United States over 60-year economic war against Cuba, including its current rapid and brutal escalation. More >>

Ethics Of Conviction And Ethics Of Responsibility In Health Systems

Sunday, 22 March 2026, 6:48 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses the relationship between the ethics of convictions and the ethics of responsibilities in the context of health system restructuring in New Zealand’s health system. More >>

Iran, US Imperialism And New Zealand Lapdog

Thursday, 19 March 2026, 7:36 pm | Ian Powell

Since the mid-1980s successful New Zealand governments have had an independent foreign policy. However, especially under the current government, we have drifted back towards being aligned with our former position of being a United States lapdog. More >>

Child Poverty, Social Determinants Of Health, And Balance Sheets

Monday, 9 March 2026, 7:25 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses the implications of recent child poverty data in New Zealand to its health system including external social determinants of health and narrow balance sheet thinking by decision-makers. More >>

Class Political Warfare Via Employment Law

Tuesday, 3 March 2026, 9:07 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses the retrograde Employment Relations Amendment Act in a historical context in respect of level playing fields and employer-worker relationship imbalance. More >>

What Do They Know Of Balance Sheets Who Only Balance Sheets Know?

Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 3:10 pm | Ian Powell

Ian Powell discusses the problem when governments base decision-making on balance sheet snapshots. More >>

Political Interference In Regulatory Authorities Threatens Health And Safety Of The Public

Wednesday, 11 February 2026, 8:22 pm | Ian Powell

If the government was genuinely concerned about improving health system performance it would focus on two critical measures: address the external social determinants of health including poverty & poor housing, and the widespread workforce shortages. More >>