![Bill English (Getty Images)](https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/media/6193/finance-minister-bill-english-2014-getty-imagesjpg.jpg?rmode=crop&rnd=132651491506700000&height=379&quality=95&scale=both)
Bill English has compared some long-term beneficiaries to crack addicts.
APNZ reports the Finance Minister made the comment while speaking to about 100 voters at a meeting at Club Mount Maunganui yesterday.
He told the gathering, getting stuck on a benefit is like crack cocaine and it's really hard once you've started to come off it .
That's upset Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services executive director Tommy Wilson.
He says Mr English's reference to crack cocaine shows a lack of understanding, saying it's not an addiction as most people don't have a choice.
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