KEY POINTS:
An article in a Wellington student magazine called "How to rip off WINZ" has not gone down well with Work and Income.
Victoria University's Salient magazine has detailed ways students can work the system to get a free cellphone, have their power bills paid and qualify for regular food grants.
The article by Dave Crampton says: " Has your old cell phone died? If you are on the unemployment benefit, pay WINZ a visit. Tell them you are looking for work, and they'll give you a new one (if you haven't got a landline). You can then use your student card to surf the internet over the holidays."
It says that if a students takes on a job, they should get their benefit suspended rather than cancelled and adds: "Then, when you have finished your job, spend your money quickly. Buy lots of alcohol."
WINZ Wellington regional manager Mike Bryant admitted much of the information is correct, but had been taken out of context.
He said the department sometimes does help fund cellphones, if people are genuinely looking for work and have no other way of being contacted.
But he said that is decided on a case by case basis and is not common.
He said the tone of the Salient article was "disappointing".
One commenter on the story on the Salient website, Evee, says: "Thanks for perpetuating the stereotype of a lazy and unmotivated dole bludging student... Not all of us choose to live this way."
However, another says: "There is some actually good information that a lot of students will find really helpful."
- NEWSTALK ZB, NZ HERALD STAFF
