Manager Wallace Tamamotu Te Ahuru admits stealing $1.2 million from Waitangi National Trust

Wallace Tamamotu Te Ahuru has admitted defrauding the Waitangi National Trust. Image / 1 News

A former manager of the organisation that looks after the Waitangi Treaty Grounds misappropriated about $1.2 million and splurged the money on luxury clothing, cosmetic surgery and travel.

Wallace Tamamotu Te Ahuru, 30, of Kerikeri, pleaded guilty to two charges of obtaining by deception and seven charges of using forged documents when he appeared at the Manukau District Court today.

The charges were brought by the Serious Fraud Office.

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. Te Ahuru is believed to have acted alone in the offending.

He used the money he stole for a variety of purposes, including travel and accommodation, luxury clothing, cosmetic surgery and the purchase of a vehicle.

1 News has reported that Te Ahuru called himself Wallace the Tory on social media and posted photos including a $130,000 BMW, drinking champagne and dining with former Prime Minister Sir John Key.

Serious Fraud Office director Julie Read said: "Mr 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 was remanded in custody to reappear for sentencing on November 30.

A governance expert has told TVNZ's Te Karere that fraud can be difficult to detect, and multiple levels of protection are needed to guard against this type of theft.

Pita Tipene said he was shocked by the theft, as was the rest of the board of the Waitangi National Trust.

Tāmaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare said he was glad the crook had been found out.

"The challenge now is to restore the reputation of the trust," Henare said.