Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com
A former council manager and two associates have been charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over an alleged long‑running deception that secured more than $12 million in council contracts for an engineering firm they were secretly involved in running.
The three defendants, who currently have interim name suppression, appeared in the Porirua District Court where they entered not guilty pleas and elected trial by jury. Each faces two charges of obtaining by deception.
According to the SFO, the first defendant was employed at both Auckland Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council, working on infrastructure projects. At the same time, it is alleged they were involved in operating an engineering firm alongside the two other defendants.
Investigators claim the former manager used their council roles to steer work toward the firm, manipulating procurement processes to secure contracts. The SFO alleges the engineering company received $10.5 million from Kāpiti Coast District Council between 2015 and 2024, and $1.7 million from Auckland Council between 2011 and 2015.
Kāpiti Coast District Council says the charges follow an internal investigation it initiated in 2023, which led to the matter being referred to the SFO. In a statement, the Council said it is committed to maintaining a culture of transparency and accountability.
“We have policies and systems in place for staff to raise concerns when they come across behaviours or practices that do not align with expectations,” the Council said. It added that it remains focused on ensuring its internal controls, governance, finance, and accounting processes are operating effectively.
Both councils have cooperated fully with the SFO throughout the investigation.
Because the case is before the courts and subject to name suppression, the Council says it cannot provide further details beyond what the SFO has released.
The defendants are scheduled to reappear in the Porirua District Court on 15 September as the case progresses.
