That is quite funny. Do you think that they were telling tales or that someone has told them lies? My understanding is that if you hold a command there you might be getting close to that by including allowences etc. The problem with that idea is that CTC chaps wouldn't be able to get a command because they don't have the pic for an ATPL.
No worries there cjam, the PIC requirement is 150 hours, no way around that unfortunately (ICAO requirement is 100). So if they've done a bit above the CPL minimums (eg C cat or whatever) they'll be fine. But because of the silly 50% rule they will need 4 years on the line to get the ATPL. Flight school to part 125 command in 4 years isn't bad for NZ!