Medical Center Becomes Bordello
» Sex Workers
In the switch from medical practice to the world's oldest profession, it will be called Whalers.
The plan has annoyed some residents, and a local minister fears the brothel might lead local women into prostitution.
Dr Benson closed his Coopers Beach Medical Centre in April last year after a bitter dispute with the Te Tai Tokerau Primary Health Organisation (PHO) over a GP roster covering after-hours care in the Kaitaia and Coopers Beach area.
"The medical centre was a wonderful facility that should have always stayed as a medical practice," Dr Benson said.
"I did everything humanly possible to keep it open, but it wasn't possible because of the lack of support from the PHO, lack of collegial support and community support," he said.
Top-end brothel is just what the doctor ordered