"We sought a direct doctor-to-doctor response, and instead we got, 'Speak to my underling', and that that doesn't sit well with us," Dr Payinda said. "We expected a lot more. And it's even worse, when Shane is a Northland doctor, a Māori doctor, and the health minister."

Northland doctors feel fobbed off after smokefree protest letter referred to associate minister

They feel they have been fobbed off after a letter to the Health Minister highlighting their concerns about plans to repeal smokefree legislation was passed on to an associate minister instead.

"This government was not voted in on a promise to bring back lung cancer." Damn right it wasn't!

Reti is clearly uncomfortable. Keep the pressure on him.