Trustees reject health bill

Members of an Invercargill trust ordered to repay $400,000 to the Southland District Health Board (DHB) after being accused of dishonesty say they have nothing to hide.

A financial audit was carried out into a $3.6 million, three-year contract granted to Murihiku Whanau Trust to provide Family Start services to needy families in Invercargill.

Speaking in March, DHB interim chief executive Nigel Murray said the contract was terminated because the board had lost confidence in the ability of the three to fully deliver on the contract.

But the trustees - DHB member Maria Pera, DHB Maori health general manager Dion Williams and his mother-in-law, Sonia Bragg - denied owing the board that much money.

Ms Pera said the allegations had caused considerable stress.

- NZPA