An estate agent facing meth and perjury charges claims her communication with a high-end P dealer was to chase thousands of dollars that he owed.
Tonya Maree Spicer, 47, and her husband Paul Anthony Spicer are on trial at the Auckland District Court jointly charged with possessing methamphetamine for supply.
Police allege they received an unknown quantity of P from drug dealer Brett Campbell Bogue in 2012, and that Tonya Spicer used coded real estate terms to discuss drug deals during intercepted communications.
On Thursday, Crown prosecutor Brett Tantrum asked Tonya Spicer if she contacted Bogue in order to acquire methamphetamine, which she denied.
Spicer said Bogue owed the couple for work done through Paul Spicer's paint and panel business.
Tonya Spicer said she'd known Bogue for more than 10 years at the time of the alleged offences, but told the court she only became aware of his drug dealing when he was arrested.
"It came [as] a shock to a lot of people," she said.
Tantrum outlined the prosecution's case to Tonya Spicer.
"My case is this: from time to time Mr Bogue provided you and your husband with a bit of methamphetamine.
"You and your husband were desperate for methamphetamine and were supplied methamphetamine by Mr Bogue."
Tantrum reminded Spicer that she was also charged with lying in a High Court affidavit.
She confirmed that she stood by the affidavit, which states she never received methamphetamine from Bogue.
The court heard text and phone conversations between Bogue and both Tonya and Paul Spicer.
In a phone conversation between Tonya Spicer and Bogue recorded in August 2012, Spicer said "It's a f...ing drought isn't it", and "I've been horrible all week".
Spicer denied these remarks referred to being without methamphetamine, saying they related to the couple's dire financial situation.
"I was stressed," she said.
Tantrum asked Tonya Spicer if the phrases "out of supplies", "mama want and need", and "real drought at the moment" referred to a lack of methamphetamine.
"It's a figure of speech," she replied.
"It could only be about one thing... it was about the money."
Tantrum asked why Spicer had referred to a "drought" in August when financial records show she made more than $10,000 in real estate commissions that month.
Spicer said impending mortgage and bill payments meant the money received in August did not alleviate financial pressures.
Spicer said her contact with Bogue was to encourage him to pay money he owed the couple, which she estimated to be between $11,000 and $14,000.
Tantrum asked Spicer why she did not directly reference money in her conversations with Bogue, which she said was because the pair were friends.
The trial before Judge Rob Ronayne continues.