"He did have approval for travel but it wasn't for the specific date on which he departed and he envisaged only being away for two weeks but he was away more than two months and he didn't have approval either to be away so long," Langford said.
The OA - which manages personal insolvencies - confirmed yesterday it had objected to Mr Serepisos' release from bankruptcy, which would normally last for three years.
Declared bankrupt in 2011 owing about $203 million, Mr Serepisos was due to be discharged this October - until the OA filed the formal objection with the High Court at Wellington.
"This means that he will not be automatically discharged from his bankruptcy when he becomes eligible for discharge on October 7, 2014," an OA spokesman said yesterday.
Langford said the objection appeared to relate to the travel, though he didn't know for certain.
"There was no suggestion they were going to object until he took off on that travel and then it's come up, so I guess you could put two and two together but I can't say for sure," he said.
Langford said there was meeting with the OA tomorrow which could "iron out a few misunderstandings".
