Bankrupt Henderson leaves country

David Henderson Photo / Brett Phibbs

Auckland property developer David Henderson could face jail after he left the country without official permission less than a day after he was made bankrupt.

The former rich-lister and Princes Wharf developer was declared bankrupt in the High Court at Auckland last Thursday over debts of $3.7 million to the Inland Revenue Department.

Auckland Official Assignee David Harte said Mr Henderson left New Zealand last Friday, but had made no application for consent to the Official Assignee.

His lawyer, Daniel Grove, said tonight that Mr Henderson had gone to Australia. nzherald.co.nz was earlier told that he had gone to Spain.

Mr Harte said Mr Henderson would face questioning on his return to determine the circumstances of his departure and whether an offence had been committed.

"If a bankrupt commits this offence he or she is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both."

Mr Harte said he was seeking details about Mr Henderson's departure from Mr Grove.

Mr Grove told the Herald his client had not fled the country, and was co-operating with the Assignee.

"He is on a short vacation," he said.

"He will be back in the country on June 25. It was a trip arranged by some friends quite some time ago."

Mr Henderson was one of Auckland's most influential developers, credited with projects worth about $1 billion, including Princes Wharf and the high-rise Precinct Apartments near Albert Park.

He tried to avert bankruptcy by getting the majority of his creditors to agree to a proposal to drip-feed $1.5 million, or 2.5c in the dollar, on a $130 million debt over three years.

The proposal needed court approval which was refused because he had not complied with all the necessary statutory requirements.