Inflatable slide manager remanded on obstruction charge

Five children were taken to hospital after a massive inflatable slide, the Mammoth Slide, collapsed. Photo / Supplied

The manager of a massive inflatable slide which collapsed injuring six children at a Wairarapa A&P show instructed his "power of attorney" to appear in court on his behalf on a charge of obstructing a WorkSafe New Zealand investigation.

Instead, Eric Mitchell Gerritsen, 51, of Cambridge, waited outside the Hamilton District Court room as his representative, Christian Kohai, repeatedly told Judge Kim Saunders that he was acting as Gerritsen's power of attorney.

Mr Kohai interrupted the judge and WorkSafe's lawyer, Warren Pyke, several times during the proceeding, with the judge issuing a warning and causing court security staff and police to stand near him.

Judge Saunders and Mr Pyke appeared confused as to what was unfolding.

"Are you Mr Gerritsen?" Judge Saunders asked.

"I'm Christian Kohai, power of attorney of Eric Gerritsen's estate," he responded throughout the hearing.

Mr Kohai submitted an application and when questioned by Judge Saunders, Mr Kohai replied that he wanted her to "dismiss all charges".

"That can be dealt with when the matter is next called at a formal proof hearing," the judge said.

Outside court, Mr Kohai said people couldn't trust WorkSafe or even judges as they were "corrupt".

Gerritsen told the Herald he had a problem with WorkSafe's investigation and claimed the charge resulted out of a "five minute meeting" he had with them earlier this year.

He claimed WorkSafe would not return his calls.

"I have evidence that WorkSafe are obstructing us," Gerritsen said. "I dunno why, that's what I'm trying to get out of them ... I've left messages after messages to the point that I'm actually threatening to get onto the Ombudsman to get [Worksafe] to do their job."

As for why the inflatable slide collapsed, he wouldn't comment about that, but said the "children weren't badly injured and were back at the show later on".

"That's another issue completely we're not here to talk about that," he said.

When asked if he would defend the charge laid by WorkSafe, Gerritsen said: "I'm not the defendant."

Gerritsen was remanded at large to reappear next month.

The slide collapse occurred on the Mammoth Slide at the Masterton Trust House A&P Show at the Solway Showgrounds in February.

It was advertised as "the world's largest inflatable slide".