Wallace Tamamotu Te Ahuru went on a $1.2m shopping spree.
The former corporate services manager of the Waitangi National Trust, the organisation that looks after the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, has pleaded guilty to charges brought by the Serious Fraud Office.
Wallace Tamamotu Te Ahuru, a 30-year-old from Kerikeri, pleaded guilty at the Manukau District Court to two charges of obtaining by deception and seven charges of using forged documents.
Mr Te Ahuru misappropriated about $1.2 million from the Waitangi National Trust Group while he was employed as its corporate services manager. In this role he was responsible for the financial administration of the trust.
The purpose of Waitangi National Trust is to manage, administer and improve a 506ha estate, which includes the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
The Serious Fraud Office says he used the money for a variety of purposes, including travel and accommodation, luxury clothing, cosmetic surgery and the purchase of a vehicle.
Serious Fraud Office director Julie Read says Te Ahuru deceived the custodian of one of the most historically significant places in New Zealand.
“His offending has caused reputational damage to the Waitangi National Trust, which is the recipient of government grants and private donations.”
Te Ahuru is believed to have acted alone in the offending.
He has been remanded in custody to reappear for sentencing on November 30.
