Media Release

The Stellar Trust, 31st August 2009

High Profile Duo Join Stellar Trust in Fight Against P

Former Labour Party President Mike Williams and broadcasting star Paul Holmes have joined the Stellar Trust’s fight against the damage being caused in New Zealand by methamphetamine (P).

Mike Williams has added his considerable fund raising and organisational skills to fill the newly created role of Chief Executive of the Trust while Paul Holmes will formalise his association with the Trust and become its official ambassador.

“I think many people already associated Paul with our organisation while recruiting someone of Mike’s calibre will give us the impetus we need to continue our successful fund raising and begin implementing our planned educational campaigns about the damages and threat of P in our communities,” says Trust Chairman Alistair Burry.

“Our first two fund raising ventures, the Paul Holmes Roast and the Pure Indulgence cook book have given us profile and a good start to our funding but Mike has a great list of contacts and a successful background in securing considerable funds. We have set him some very ambitious targets for funding to ensure we have the capability to eventually introduce nationwide programmes aimed at schools, the wider community and business organisations.

“Our aim is to help stop the damage that P creates in our communities by helping schools and other organisations recognise and accept the dangers of P, help people they know who are affected , and help stop the problems this insidious drug is causing within our society.”

Mr Burry said discussions with Williams and Holmes were all but completed and their appointments would give profile and impetus to the Trust’s programmes.

Mr Williams said he was looking forward to adding his experience to achieving the Trust’s goals. “I’ve seen first-hand the damage and pain this drug has caused to my good friend Paul Holmes and his family. It seems many people I talk to these days either have some personal experience of the damage this drug causes or they know someone close to them who has been affected,” says Mr Williams.

“This drug has gone from nowhere to being one of the most dangerous criminal issues in the country. But it is also inflicting considerable pain across all sectors of our society. I’m still coming up to speed on the scale of the problems and how to treat P addictions but there is no doubt in my mind we need to stop the problems it is causing.”

Paul Holmes said formalising an arrangement with the Trust was more than just a personal crusade.

“Through our own family issues I’ve met many people in similar or worse positions than my family. If adding my name to the cause does more to educate and help those people and perhaps influence lawmakers, then that is a good thing for our society.

“Make no mistake this is an evil, highly addictive, very destructive problem we face.”

Mr Burry said Mr Williams role was official from September 1 with the Trust holding a trial school education programme a week later.

“As well as programmes aimed at education and offering help to those affected by P, the Trust is also aiming to influence Central and Local Government policy on stopping the damage caused by P,” said Mr Burry.

“We also have plans for a major media campaign that will make people stop and think about what a terrible problem we face in New Zealand from the ravages of P. New Zealand is the worst affected, highest per capita user of P, in the world. That’s a record we must end.”

Media Inquiries to:
Alistair Burry
Chairman, The Stellar Trust
021 500 614