Boxer's claims challenged

The Social Development Ministry has challenged claims it unjustly asked a Commonwealth boxer to repay dole money collected while he was representing New Zealand abroad.

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira told Parliament this week that Kahukura Bentson had to pay back unemployment benefit money he got while at the 2002 Manchester Games.

The MP said Bentson had also been asked to repay money received while in Canberra for three days this year at a pre-Commonwealth warm-up tournament.

The ministry said yesterday that Bentson was granted a 28-day exemption when he went to Manchester, the maximum length of exemption allowed under legislation.

He had stayed nearly another month and had been asked to repay the money for that, which he had.

The ministry said on two more trips, while Bentson was on an emergency student benefit, he had not sought an exemption in advance and so he was charged.

Bentson yesterday said the system was unfair as he still had to pay rent and support himself while overseas.