Mother of Otago medical student says punishment is overkill

The mother of a University of Otago medical student says it's overkill to stop interns from graduating with their peers, despite being caught abusing their overseas work placements. On Monday, the university announced it would punish 53 final year medical students after they used their three month overseas hospital placement to go on holiday, and falsified papers to cover it up. Their punishments include paying back any government grant money owed, writing a reflective essay and making up time with extra approved work. But the mother of a student who will be able to graduate - and who is a medical professional herself - says the students are paying high price for a well known practice. She agreed to speak to reporter Tess Brunton on the condition of anonymity.