TIOL-DDT 1714 · Monday, 17 October 2011 · story 7 of 7

In New Zealand, Customs Officers can accept gifts/tips

COL. Gadafi's son visited New Zealand in 2010 and gave a gift packet containing 4000 dollars to a Customs Officer. The lady Customs Officer handed over the cash to her boss and the money was deposited into the Government account. It seems as per protocol in New Zealand, such gifts are not immediately rejected to avoid any cultural offence. Sometimes it is cash, sometimes it can be a gift and it is a routine affair.