Ministers to attend fundraising dinner

Two senior Government ministers will attend the public launch of a new charity dedicated to fighting the spread of P.

Justice Minister Simon Power and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett will take part in a "Rise above P" fundraising dinner next Saturday at SkyCity, organised by the newly formed Stellar Trust.

Speakers will include Auckland City Mayor John Banks, Auckland Crown Solicitor Simon Moore, SC, Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier and methamphetamine educator Mike Sabin.

Campaigners are hoping for action from the Government, following a series of reports in the past few years showing New Zealand has been slow to act on the drug.

Last year, former justice minister Annette King told her Cabinet colleagues that the Government's attempts to turn back New Zealand's $1.5 billion annual trade were not working.

Mr Power has promised he will crack down on methamphetamine, especially by taking a tougher approach to gangs and organised crime.

The evening will feature a celebrity roast of broadcaster Paul Holmes - whose daughter Millie has had well-publicised problems with the drug - by Tim Shadbolt, Gary McCormick, Ginette McDonald and Tom Scott.

Herald columnist Jim Hopkins will act as "roastmaster" and TVNZ newsreader Simon Dallow will MC the event. Trust chairman Alistair Burry said more than 300 tickets had been sold at $325 a head and organisers were hoping for a crowd of 350 or more.

The trust is auctioning a range of items including:

A replica of Sir Edmund Hillary's ice axe.

A 2008 All Blacks jersey signed by all members of the team.

A ride in the Eagle police helicopter.

Lunch with former prime minister Jenny Shipley and her husband Burton at Bellamy's restaurant at Parliament.

A round of golf with former All Black Joe Stanley at Titirangi.

Mr Burry said the trust wanted to launch a community-based television campaign next year, based on a successful initiative run in the US.

www.coneystanleyevents.co.nz to book dinner tickets

www.thestellartrust.org.nz to learn more about the campaign