A Kiwi doctor who’s lived in Australia for decades was arrested at Wellington Airport over about $180,000 in unpaid student loan debt.

Police stopped him as he tried to leave the country, his passport’s been seized, and he’s now stuck in New Zealand until it’s sorted.

It’s part of a tougher crackdown, with billions still owed by borrowers living offshore.

IRD Customer Segment Leader Rebecca Baker joins Kerre Woodham to discuss the details of the crackdown, and what will be done about Kiwis who are already abroad. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A Kiwi doctor who’s lived in Australia for decades was arrested at Wellington Airport over about $180,000 in unpaid student loan debt.
Police stopped him as he tried to leave the country, his passport’s been seized, and he’s now stuck in New Zealand until it’s sorted.
It’s part of a tougher crackdown, with billions still owed by borrowers living offshore.
IRD Customer Segment Leader Rebecca Baker joins Kerre Woodham to discuss the details of the crackdown, and what will be done about Kiwis who are already abroad.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Join Kerre Woodham one of New Zealand’s best loved personalities as she dishes up a bold, sharp and energetic show Monday to Friday 9am-12md on Newstalk ZB. News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your morning listening covered.

Kerre Woodham Mornings Podcast

Rebecca Baker: IRD Customer Segment Leader discusses Kiwis abroad dodging student loan debt

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f22f4deb-e39b-4352-8a8c-b47701585a54/transcript

I read the Stuff story this morning and thought, "Oh, cry me a river!" Do the student loan evaders who finally get nabbed really expect sympathy when they bleat to the media?

Stuff this morning has the story of Vic, not his real name. He was at Wellington Airport last month heading home to Australia where he's lived and worked as a medical specialist for three, how many Kerry? Three decades, 30 years, when three police officers approached. He was arrested, spent three nights in custody, and at a court hearing had his passport confiscated. He's still here, Stuff writes, a month later, unable to work.

Vic hadn't committed a criminal offence, Stuff writes, but he owes, IRD calculates, student loan arrears of almost $180,000 He's just the 13 th person arrested at the border in the last decade for student loan debts.

Vic's brother Bob, not his real name, has an even bigger bill of about $310,000 a debt he says he'll be paying off until he dies, unless he can negotiate a reduced deal.

The brothers came home to care for an ailing father. They accept they owe the money and they accept they should have responded to IRD's repeated attempts to contact them. Ya think?

But say it's only been in recent years they realised how much they owed, despite the fact that these overseas loan defaulters say they're the best and the brightest. Oh, didn't realise when we signed a contract and when IRD got in touch with us that if we didn't pay it back there'd be interest and penalties on the loan. These are our best and brightest.

That combined from those two brothers is almost half a million dollars, but it's a drop in the ocean compared to the $2.3 billion owed by about 113,000 overseas based borrowers. They signed the contract to borrow the money off the taxpayer, they know they owe the money. When they don't pay it back and IRD contacts them, they refuse to acknowledge they owe the money because they're going through a lot at the time, easier to bury your head in the sand, and then they cry poor me when they realise how much they owe.

Makes my blood boil. Taxpayers already pay 70 to 80 percent of the cost of their degrees. They're asked to contribute a small amount. Can you imagine what that specialist is earning in Australia? According to Google, it starts, a specialist in Australia starts at a quarter of a million Australian, goes up to a million dollars Australian. That moron could have the loan paid back in a couple of years and go and pay his equally dopey brother's debt off as well.

IRD was given extra enforcement funding in the '24 budget and began cracking down on serious debtors last year. Revenue Minister Simon Watts said IRD had exceeded its targets, collecting $544 million in bad debt since then, when the target was $395 million. Long way to go till we get the $2.3 bill back that these shysters have in effect stolen from the New Zealand taxpayers, but it's a start.

One of the reasons why the overseas based borrowers build up such mammoth arrears is because while onshore Kiwis don't pay interest on their loans, someone who's been offshore for 180 days sees the government charge 5.6 interest on their debt. For those in arrears, another 9.6 in penalties is added.

The brothers say, Oh, we only actually borrowed about $60,000 between them in the early 1990 s." By Vic's maths, his debt has gone up 800 percent. Well, his maths should have kicked in earlier, shouldn't it? When he realised how much the loan's arrears and the interest was going to cost him. If he can do the maths, he should have done it a whole lot sooner.

An April law change allows IRD discretion to remit interest. Previously they could only forgive penalties, and that move was opposed by both Treasury and the Ministry of Education, but Simon Watts said the changes were a practical way to recover debt that might otherwise never be repaid. And I think he's probably right. Better to get some of it back than none at all.

Vic says he's had depression and cancer and that meant that he just buried his head in the sand when it came to his debt. You think the people who helped pay for his medical degree don't experience hardship as well? Do you think the people here who helped fund him into his high paying career don't get depression and cancer as well? And maybe, just maybe, if those loan defaulters paid back what they owe the taxpayer, we would have more money to help people who suffer from depression and cancer in this country. I have no sympathy. The more they crack down, the better.

LISTEN ABOVE

I read the Stuff story this morning and thought, "Oh, cry me a river!" Do the student loan evaders who finally get nabbed really expect sympathy when they bleat to the media?
Stuff this morning has the story of Vic, not his real name. He was at Wellington Airport last month heading home to Australia where he's lived and worked as a medical specialist for three, how many Kerry? Three decades, 30 years, when three police officers approached. He was arrested, spent three nights in custody, and at a court hearing had his passport confiscated. He's still here, Stuff writes, a month later, unable to work.
Vic hadn't committed a criminal offence, Stuff writes, but he owes, IRD calculates, student loan arrears of almost $180,000 He's just the 13 th person arrested at the border in the last decade for student loan debts.
Vic's brother Bob, not his real name, has an even bigger bill of about $310,000 a debt he says he'll be paying off until he dies, unless he can negotiate a reduced deal.
The brothers came home to care for an ailing father. They accept they owe the money and they accept they should have responded to IRD's repeated attempts to contact them. Ya think?
But say it's only been in recent years they realised how much they owed, despite the fact that these overseas loan defaulters say they're the best and the brightest. Oh, didn't realise when we signed a contract and when IRD got in touch with us that if we didn't pay it back there'd be interest and penalties on the loan. These are our best and brightest.
That combined from those two brothers is almost half a million dollars, but it's a drop in the ocean compared to the $2.3 billion owed by about 113,000 overseas based borrowers. They signed the contract to borrow the money off the taxpayer, they know they owe the money. When they don't pay it back and IRD contacts them, they refuse to acknowledge they owe the money because they're going through a lot at the time, easier to bury your head in the sand, and then they cry poor me when they realise how much they owe.
Makes my blood boil. Taxpayers already pay 70 to 80 percent of the cost of their degrees. They're asked to contribute a small amount. Can you imagine what that specialist is earning in Australia? According to Google, it starts, a specialist in Australia starts at a quarter of a million Australian, goes up to a million dollars Australian. That moron could have the loan paid back in a couple of years and go and pay his equally dopey brother's debt off as well.
IRD was given extra enforcement funding in the '24 budget and began cracking down on serious debtors last year. Revenue Minister Simon Watts said IRD had exceeded its targets, collecting $544 million in bad debt since then, when the target was $395 million. Long way to go till we get the $2.3 bill back that these shysters have in effect stolen from the New Zealand taxpayers, but it's a start.
One of the reasons why the overseas based borrowers build up such mammoth arrears is because while onshore Kiwis don't pay interest on their loans, someone who's been offshore for 180 days sees the government charge 5.6 interest on their debt. For those in arrears, another 9.6 in penalties is added.
The brothers say, Oh, we only actually borrowed about $60,000 between them in the early 1990 s." By Vic's maths, his debt has gone up 800 percent. Well, his maths should have kicked in earlier, shouldn't it? When he realised how much the loan's arrears and the interest was going to cost him. If he can do the maths, he should have done it a whole lot sooner.
An April law change allows IRD discretion to remit interest. Previously they could only forgive penalties, and that move was opposed by both Treasury and the Ministry of Education, but Simon Watts said the changes were a practical way to recover debt that might otherwise never be repaid. And I think he's probably right. Better to get some of it back than none at all.
Vic says he's had depression and cancer and that meant that he just buried his head in the sand when it came to his debt. You think the people who helped pay for his medical degree don't experience hardship as well? Do you think the people here who helped fund him into his high paying career don't get depression and cancer as well? And maybe, just maybe, if those loan defaulters paid back what they owe the taxpayer, we would have more money to help people who suffer from depression and cancer in this country. I have no sympathy. The more they crack down, the better.
LISTEN ABOVE

Kerre Woodham: The more they crack down, the better

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/391d7521-f878-4cd3-85a5-b475001629d9/transcript

The harm social media is causing young people is being explored in ‘Under the Influence’, a new series from the NZ Herald. 

The second episode, ‘Manosphere v Boy’, explores the network of online influencers pushing extreme, and often misogynistic, ideas about masculinity to boys and young men. 

The messaging sets unrealistic expectations around success, wealth, relationships, and dominance, often preying on insecurity and loneliness – offering simple messages and “self-improvement” tips that draw them deeper.  

Director and producer Nadia Maxwell told Kerre Woodham that one thing that isn’t paid enough attention to in this conversation is the cumulative effects.  

She says you might see a video you know has bad messaging, but young people are consuming hours' worth of content daily, and it doesn’t matter how smart you are or what your pre-existing beliefs are, all it takes is repetition. 

A key element of the manosphere playbook is the concept of what’s fair, or to be exact, what isn’t. 

Maxwell told Woodham that they’re essentially saying a certain group of people are to blame for the world being unfair, and then they sell them a solution – reclaiming tradition, power, and masculinity.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The harm social media is causing young people is being explored in ‘Under the Influence’, a new series from the NZ Herald.&nbsp;
The second episode, ‘Manosphere v Boy’, explores the network of online influencers pushing extreme, and often misogynistic, ideas about masculinity to boys and young men.&nbsp;
The messaging sets unrealistic expectations around success, wealth, relationships, and dominance, often preying on insecurity and loneliness – offering simple messages and “self-improvement” tips that draw them deeper. &nbsp;
Director and producer Nadia Maxwell told Kerre Woodham that one thing that isn’t paid enough attention to in this conversation is the cumulative effects. &nbsp;
She says you might see a video you know has bad messaging, but young people are consuming hours' worth of content daily, and it doesn’t matter how smart you are or what your pre-existing beliefs are, all it takes is repetition.&nbsp;
A key element of the manosphere playbook is the concept of what’s fair, or to be exact, what isn’t.&nbsp;
Maxwell told Woodham that they’re essentially saying a certain group of people are to blame for the world being unfair, and then they sell them a solution – reclaiming tradition, power, and masculinity. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Nadia Maxwell: Director and producer of 'Under the Influence' on the Manosphere and its impact on boys

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/26f6c9cf-98a3-43f1-bcde-b4740016b86f/transcript

Far North Police say they're being met with a wall of silence nearly two months on from a hit and run that killed an 18 year old dirt bike rider. Jahkani Hamilton was found dead about 10pm between Kaikohe and Moerewa on May 1st. Police say an associate of his was found seriously injured nearby – he'd also been knocked off a dirt bike. Police are being stymied by witnesses and their supporters choosing to say nothing and actively resisting the investigation. They say the silence is hugely frustrating for the police investigators and for the boy's grieving whānau, and that their investigations are being hindered.  

Doesn't this bring to mind the vile Kahui household who closed ranks over the murders of the twins who had the great misfortune to be born into that family? Rationally, intellectually, I know that people have the right to remain silent. Intellectually, they should have the right to remain silent – it's a legal foundation stone. But my heart and my gut says that when somebody, especially a child, has been murdered, lock up any and all of the people withholding information and keep them in a urine-soaked cell until such time as one of the gutless cowards coughs. You can hold two opposing thoughts at the same time. Defence lawyer Steven Lack was on Early Edition this morning. He said it might be infuriating for people who want to see justice for the victims, but the right to silence exists for a reason. 

“It's designed to curb state power from compelling people in the community to provide answers and there will be investigations where there is public outcry about that because it hampers investigations, but in large part it operates to protect citizens.” 

He's right. You can't torture people into coughing up the truth because they will tell you anything —anything you want to hear, not necessarily the truth— to stop you hurting them. And generally, countries around the world accept that torture compelling people to speak doesn't get you the truth. But I think as a country we are sick and tired of people closing ranks, staying shtum, and letting the brutal, callous murder of an innocent go unpunished. Somebody's guilty. There were only so many people within a house. I mean, we've seen it time and time again – the Kahuis are probably the most egregious example and the one seared into the public consciousness. But you know one of those unholy lot were responsible for the utterly brutal murders of these children. You know somebody drove into the 18 year old boy and killed him and seriously injured his mate. There were witnesses in this case. To actively hinder an investigation, to refuse to divulge information allows the death to go unpunished and the guilty to walk free.  

I know Blackstone's ratio says that it's better that nine guilty men go unpunished than one innocent man is jailed. I'm not entirely sure. That was a philosophy from 1760 – does it still work in the year 2026? Yes, the right to silence is enshrined in our Bill of Rights, but rights are not absolute. They are subject to reasonable limits prescribed by law, provided those limits can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. They're designed to protect us, that the State cannot compel us to talk. I think most of us would be quite happy to talk if we saw a crime being committed. If we knew that somebody had been murdered, even if it was a member of our family. We have seen family members do the right thing and dob in a child who has committed murder because that is wrong.  

The right to silence may well be a legal right but the right to live a life without being murdered surely trumps that? The right to be free and unimpeded and not have your life snuffed out by a violent, callous, evil human surely trumps the right to silence. Is it time to have another look at this? I mean, really. There are ways of modifying it. There are ways of still allowing people their legal rights without necessarily putting them in the cone of silence and protecting them. I'm just so sick of it. Anybody who's lived long enough will have seen it time and time and time again. I hate to think how many murderers there are walking amongst us because nobody had the courage within that family, within the household, to do the right thing and it's going to happen again. 

Far North Police say they're being met with a wall of silence nearly two months on from a hit and run that killed an 18 year old dirt bike rider. Jahkani Hamilton was found dead about 10pm between Kaikohe and Moerewa on May 1st. Police say an associate of his was found seriously injured nearby – he'd also been knocked off a dirt bike. Police are being stymied by witnesses and their supporters choosing to say nothing and actively resisting the investigation. They say the silence is hugely frustrating for the police investigators and for the boy's grieving whānau, and that their investigations are being hindered. &nbsp;
Doesn't this bring to mind the vile Kahui household who closed ranks over the murders of the twins who had the great misfortune to be born into that family? Rationally, intellectually, I know that people have the right to remain silent. Intellectually, they should have the right to remain silent – it's a legal foundation stone. But my heart and my gut says that when somebody, especially a child, has been murdered, lock up any and all of the people withholding information and keep them in a urine-soaked cell until such time as one of the gutless cowards coughs. You can hold two opposing thoughts at the same time. Defence lawyer Steven Lack was on Early Edition this morning. He said it might be infuriating for people who want to see justice for the victims, but the right to silence exists for a reason.&nbsp;
“It's designed to curb state power from compelling people in the community to provide answers and there will be investigations where there is public outcry about that because it hampers investigations, but in large part it operates to protect citizens.”&nbsp;
He's right. You can't torture people into coughing up the truth because they will tell you anything —anything you want to hear, not necessarily the truth— to stop you hurting them. And generally, countries around the world accept that torture compelling people to speak doesn't get you the truth. But I think as a country we are sick and tired of people closing ranks, staying shtum, and letting the brutal, callous murder of an innocent go unpunished. Somebody's guilty. There were only so many people within a house. I mean, we've seen it time and time again – the Kahuis are probably the most egregious example and the one seared into the public consciousness. But you know one of those unholy lot were responsible for the utterly brutal murders of these children. You know somebody drove into the 18 year old boy and killed him and seriously injured his mate. There were witnesses in this case. To actively hinder an investigation, to refuse to divulge information allows the death to go unpunished and the guilty to walk free. &nbsp;
I know Blackstone's ratio says that it's better that nine guilty men go unpunished than one innocent man is jailed. I'm not entirely sure. That was a philosophy from 1760 – does it still work in the year 2026? Yes, the right to silence is enshrined in our Bill of Rights, but rights are not absolute. They are subject to reasonable limits prescribed by law, provided those limits can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. They're designed to protect us, that the State cannot compel us to talk. I think most of us would be quite happy to talk if we saw a crime being committed. If we knew that somebody had been murdered, even if it was a member of our family. We have seen family members do the right thing and dob in a child who has committed murder because that is wrong. &nbsp;
The right to silence may well be a legal right but the right to live a life without being murdered surely trumps that? The right to be free and unimpeded and not have your life snuffed out by a violent, callous, evil human surely trumps the right to silence. Is it time to have another look at this? I mean, really. There are ways of modifying it. There are ways of still allowing people their legal rights without necessarily putting them in the cone of silence and protecting them. I'm just so sick of it. Anybody who's lived long enough will have seen it time and time and time again. I hate to think how many murderers there are walking amongst us because nobody had the courage within that family, within the household, to do the right thing and it's going to happen again.&nbsp;

Kerre Woodham: Is it time to take a look at our right to silence?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/082fccb0-27cc-4241-8db7-b474000a135b/transcript

Rebecca Baker: IRD Customer Segment Leader discusses Kiwis abroad dodging student loan debt

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