Nandor On Pot - WINZ Problems X2 - Alliance Car - Plunket Line - New Commissioner - Cup Villiage - Super Yachts
NANDOR ON POT: Rasta MP Nandor Tanzcos is calling for a law change on cannabis use. The Green MP made a stinging attack
on MPs accusing them of hypocrisy over drug laws, saying he has observed some of them drunk in charge of the country. He
says organised gangs are the only people benefiting from current drug laws which cost millions to enforce.
WINZ PROBLEMS: Enrolment problems affecting Canterbury University have spread to Lincoln. Over 2000 students cannot
enrol because their loan contracts were not returned by WINZ in time. WINZ had to apologise last year to students for
problems with the administration of the student allowances. The Department says it is trying hard to rectify the
problems.
WINZ PROBLEMS: Meanwhile in Parliament Green Co-leader Rod Donald says the current WINZ problems with student loans
should be included in the Ministerial Review being carried out by the department.
ALLIANCE CAR: The Alliance press secretary who assaulted a police officer and is in court with driving offences has been
stood down from current duties until matters have been resolved in court. Sandra Lee’s press secretary, Moana Sinclair
was driving the ministerial car.
PLUNKET LINE: Plunket Line, the telephone service to help new mothers is to be restored as a 24 hour line. It’s number
is 0800 933 922.
NEW COMMISSIONER: A New Health And Disability Commissioner has been appointed, Ron Patterson begins his job in a few
weeks.
CUP VILLIAGE: Auckland’s America’s Cup Village may be broken up after the Cup races as the land it occupies is
multi-million dollar real estate. The owners of the village say the land could become apartments.
SUPER YACHTS: The armada of ‘super-yachts’ is currently moored in near Kawau Island the Hauraki Gulf where they have
been racing in a regatta. While most of the super-yacht racers say they are friends racing is deadly serious. The
combined worth of the boats is estimated at more than NZ$1 billion.