Abstract
As a nation, we are becoming increasingly polarised into two philosophical groups, positions that are well described in a recent New Zealand Herald op-ed and an ensuing letter to the editor. The first describes how our government is simply allowing, even perhaps encouraging, privatisation to creep forwards through neglect of its philosophical and economic responsibilities for hospital healthcare. A contrary brief response argues that the government is doing its best against an ever-growing demand for an increasingly expensive service. We contend that the resurrection of the social contract between government and governed is a constructive way to bring these two positions together for better national health and wellbeing.