Post by corsair67 on Feb 26, 2006 12:01:10 GMT 12
Is it just me, or does anyone else here think this is a really dodgy misuse of a helicopter rescue service?? I wonder if she can claim the $4000 back on her tax? 
From 'stuff.co.nz'.
Boag uses rescue chopper to fetch passport
25 February 2006
Former National Party president Michelle Boag used Auckland's rescue helicopter to fetch her passport in order to catch a flight to Australia.
Ms Boag, who is chairman of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Foundation, made the call about 5.30am to fetch her passport from Waiheke Island while she was on the way to Auckland Airport, the New Zealand Herald reported today.
The helicopter, staffed by three people as is mandatory, went from its city base to Waiheke, picked up the passport and then out to the helipad at Auckland International Airport in Manukau.
Ms Boag, who set up the helicopter foundation after her husband Mervyn Bennet suffered a heart attack in 2004, said she had already paid the $4000 bill for the flight.
She said she would have missed important meetings in Sydney had she been delayed.
"I was in a hole and they managed to help me out and I was happy to pay the price for that," she said.
Trust chief executive Rea Wikaira, a Waiheke resident, did the legwork to get the passport and agreed to fly it to the airport after checking the helicopter was available.
"She works pretty hard for our foundation," Mr Wikaira said.
From 'stuff.co.nz'.
Boag uses rescue chopper to fetch passport
25 February 2006
Former National Party president Michelle Boag used Auckland's rescue helicopter to fetch her passport in order to catch a flight to Australia.
Ms Boag, who is chairman of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Foundation, made the call about 5.30am to fetch her passport from Waiheke Island while she was on the way to Auckland Airport, the New Zealand Herald reported today.
The helicopter, staffed by three people as is mandatory, went from its city base to Waiheke, picked up the passport and then out to the helipad at Auckland International Airport in Manukau.
Ms Boag, who set up the helicopter foundation after her husband Mervyn Bennet suffered a heart attack in 2004, said she had already paid the $4000 bill for the flight.
She said she would have missed important meetings in Sydney had she been delayed.
"I was in a hole and they managed to help me out and I was happy to pay the price for that," she said.
Trust chief executive Rea Wikaira, a Waiheke resident, did the legwork to get the passport and agreed to fly it to the airport after checking the helicopter was available.
"She works pretty hard for our foundation," Mr Wikaira said.
