Holidaying Henderson due back next week

David Henderson. Photo / Doug Sherring

Bankrupt Princes Wharf developer David Henderson is expected back in the country next week after visiting Spain without permission from the Official Assignee, the assignee's office confirmed yesterday.

Henderson left on June 10, one day after he was bankrupted, without telling the Official Assignee or seeking approval for the trip - a condition of bankruptcy under the Insolvency Act.

The assignee's office originally believed Henderson was on a friend's yacht off the coast of Australia but this week it emerged he was in Spain.

Regional manager David Harte said the office had been in contact with Henderson this week and a full financial investigation into his affairs would be conducted upon his return.

Harte said he could not disclose further details because of the Privacy Act, but added that the assignee would investigate Henderson's absence without consent and whether he misled the office by claiming he was in Australia.

Henderson's lawyer Daniel Grove said this week he could not comment on behalf of clients.

Inland Revenue successfully bankrupted Henderson after a two-year battle over debts of $3.7 million; he collectively owed creditors(including the IRD) about $128 million.

His proposal to drip-feed $1.5 million to those creditors over three years was declined by the High Court because certain creditors had not been informed of the proposal.