A solo Papamoa mother-of-three found guilty of committing benefit fraud of nearly $130,000 has been sentenced to 12 months' home detention.
Michelle Jane Taka, 38, was sentenced in Tauranga District Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to 11 charges of benefit fraud totalling $129, 586.
She was found guilty of three charges of obtaining by deception from the Ministry of Social Development and eight charges of dishonestly using a document.
Judge Paul Mabey QC sentenced Taka to 12 months' home detention and 150 hours' community work.
The court heard Taka had been committing benefit fraud for a period of 10 years.
A summary of facts revealed Taka applied for the Domestic Purposes Benefit which was granted from March 18, 2001, until July 15, 2013.
It said Taka was transferred to Sole Parent Support on July 15, 2013, but the benefit was cancelled on October 3, 2016.
An investigation into the benefit payments showed Taka was living with her partner Jay Green from September 2006 to July 2013 and again from January to October last year.
But Taka did not disclose the changes in her circumstances and as a result received benefits she was not entitled to.
The summary of facts also revealed Taka was receiving regular payments of differing amounts from her partner who was living and working outside of New Zealand during November 2013 and January 2016.
"You filed documents in support of the benefits and they were fraudulent," Judge Mabey said.
Taka was interviewed on October 3, 2016, after filing documents that included false statements to the Ministry of Social Development between April 2009 and August 2015.
She said she had not advised the Ministry of her situation as she was unsure what was happening in her relationship with Mr Green due to his immigration status and did not want to commit.
As a result, Taka received an overpayment of the Domestic Purposes Benefit and Sole Parent Support totalling $111,071, and an accommodation supplement overpayment of $18,108 as well as an extra $406 in supplementary benefits.
Judge Mabey issued a starting point of two-and-a-half years in prison. The maximum penalty for obtaining by deception and dishonestly using a document is seven years' imprisonment.
He did not give Taka credit for good character. "If it was not for the length of your offending I would reward this as good character," he said.
"But you have had 10 years of deceit and you do not come before the court with good character."
Judge Mabey said Taka had been persistent in filing false documents but accepted that it was to support her family.
"You work part time now and do so to support your children and you have the support of your family," he said.
"I have a reference from your employer which shows you are reliable and trustworthy."
Taka had also offered to make reparation payments of $20 per week.
Judge Mabey said Taka would have a better view on her future now she had split with her partner and accepted she was remorseful and was entitled to her guilty plea.
He reduced the sentence to 21 months and gave her the maximum home detention penalty of 12 months and 150 hours' community work.
Reparation of $20 per week would continue for a further five years.