5. HONE HARAWIRA (Māori Party—Te Tai Tokerau) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What Work and Income protocols exist to support people representing New Zealand, internationally, while absent from New Zealand?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
The Government’s obligation to pay income support usually ceases when the client leaves the country.
E tautoko ana te kawanatanga i ngā kaitākaro o Aotearoa i a rātou e tū ana i ngā whakataetae o te Ao, ngā whenua e tuohu nei ki te Kuini o Ingarangi rānei, ā, mēnā, āe, he aha nei te āwhina ki a rātou i Te Tari Kore Mahi?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
[Have New Zealand athletes been supported by the Government while competing at Olympic or Commonwealth Games; if so, what assistance are they given by Work and Income?]
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Not that I am aware, and my understanding is that under current legislation I do not have any discretion in such matters.
He aha tana whakamārama ki te take o Kahukura Bentson, kaimekemeke Māori mō Aotearoa, kua tonoa kia whakahokia tana penihana i a ia e whakataetae nei mō Aotearoa i ngā kēmu o Mānchester i te tau 2002, ā, kua tono anō hoki kia whakahokia taua pehihana i a ia e whakariterite ana i Canberra mō ngā kēmu e tū ana ki Melbourne?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
[What explanation can he give for the fact that in 2002 Kahukura Bentson, a Māori boxer, was made to repay the income benefit he had received while representing New Zealand at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, and that he has again been asked to repay the income benefit he received during a build-up tournament for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in Canberra?]
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Can I repeat that my advice is that under current legislation I do not have any discretion in these matters. I would be happy to investigate the particular incidents raised by the member, should he provide me with the details.