Early childcare worker admits defrauding Ministry

Renee Rangiraupiki Williams, 30, pleaded guilty to nine charges of dishonestly using documents for a pecuniary advantage when she appeared in Gisborne District Court. Photo / File

A registered early childcare worker responsible for supervising other childcare workers for the Nga Rito home-based childcare service in the Gisborne region has admitted defrauding the organisation and the Ministry of Education.

Renee Rangiraupiki Williams, 30, pleaded guilty to nine charges of dishonestly using documents for a pecuniary advantage when she appeared in Gisborne District Court.

Judge Tony Adeane further remanded her on bail for sentence, along with one of two co-accused, on October 17.

A third accused is yet to plead to charges and will appear at a case review hearing on October 8.

Police allege Williams in her supervisory role forwarded to Nga Rito's main office in Ruatoki false claims of hours for childcare work said to have been completed by a co-accused, when she knew no such work had occurred.

She also allegedly created false documents to support the claims.

As a result Nga Rito paid out $5616 to one person and $23,004 to another.

The Ministry of Education then made payments to Nga Rito of $13,000 and $49,000 -- a debt it was now clawing back.

Interviewed by Ministry of Education staff in July 2014, Williams admitted her offending and said she knew what had done was wrong.

The court heard Williams would not be required to make reparation for the money that others allegedly received.

GSH mb