Man accused of impersonating an Alzheimer's Foundation volunteer

File photo / NZ Herald

A man has spent the weekend in jail after he was accused of impersonating a volunteer collecting donations for an Alzheimer's Foundation.

Fabien Hoffmann Taoirangi-Howlett, 27, appeared in Auckland District Court facing a charge of dishonestly using an Alzheimer's New Zealand collection bucket and sash for his own financial gain.

Taoirangi-Howlett was remanded in custody ahead of his next court appearance.

Court documents stated he was a builder who lived in Te Atatu. But at that address, a resident told APNZ Taoirangi-Howlett hadn't lived there for months.

In Auckland, charity collectors need a council permit. There is also a voluntary code of conduct for street appeal fundraising organisations. Auckland Council plans to review bylaws governing how charity collectors can approach pedestrians asking for donations.

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An Alzheimer's New Zealand spokeswoman said the national organisation did not carry out bucket appeals but the Auckland branch might do. The non-profit organisation has 21 local organisations.

- additional reporting John Weekes